The Columbian

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Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra string section perform for students at Skyview High School in February 2022. Arts and concert programming is on the rebound locally, leading to more jobs being added in the sector.

Vancouver Symphony closes out season with Beethoven’s Ninth

May 30, 2024, 6:02am Clark County Life

The Vancouver Symphony will close out its 45th season with gusto by performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 this weekend at Skyview Concert Hall. In addition to a very large orchestral ensemble, Music Director Salvador Brotons will cue the Portland Symphonic Choir, soprano Megan Belov, mezzo-soprano Grace Skinner, tenor Katherine Goforth… Read story

The Ridgefield Raptors' final regular-season West Coast League home game against the Walla Walla Sweets last week at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex drew 1,396 fans.

Ridgefield Raptors baseball season starts Thursday

May 29, 2024, 8:32pm Clark County Sports

As the Ridgefield Raptors further establish their foothold in the West Coast League, community interest in the collegiate wood bat baseball team is growing steadily. The ongoing challenge for the organization is how best to serve that growth when fans return to Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex this week. Read story

Clark County Sheriff’s Office IDs all victims in child sexual exploitation investigation

May 29, 2024, 5:45pm Clark County News

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday its special victims unit has identified all potential victims in a child sexual exploitation investigation of an Oregon man. Read story

Cars and trucks travel past the upgraded La Center junction on Interstate 5. The upgrades were paid for by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe seeks to expand its police force, hopes law proposed by Cantwell will help

May 29, 2024, 5:22pm Clark County News

A shortage of police officers means the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department is struggling to keep up with an increase in calls since the pandemic began, officials say. Read story

Battle Ground music director Greg McKelvey walks down the main hallway of Battle Ground High School to applause Wednesday during a ceremony at Battle Ground High School. McKelvey, who is retiring at the end of this school year, has been named grand marshal of the 2024 Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.

Battle Ground band director tapped as Portland Rose Festival grand marshal

May 29, 2024, 2:59pm Clark County News

Delegates from the Portland Rose Festival paid a surprise visit to Clark County on Wednesday morning to announce longtime Battle Ground High School band director Greg McKelvey as the 2024 Grand Floral Parade grand marshal. Read story

Reform Clark County signature gatherers hoped to get the Restore Election Confidence initiative on November's ballot.

Clark County election security petition falls about 20,000 signatures short

May 29, 2024, 2:58pm Clark County News

A proposed initiative that sought to reform Clark County’s elections process failed to gather enough signatures to secure a spot on the November ballot. Read story

Washington's styrofoam ban goes into effect June 1.

Washington’s statewide Styrofoam ban goes into effect June 1. Here’s what you need to know

May 29, 2024, 7:40am Business

Between coolers, takeout containers and cups, expanded polystyrene, better known by the brand-name Styrofoam, was once a staple of dining. But pretty soon, you’ll have trouble finding it in Washington state. Read story

A pedestrian takes in a view of the Bonneville Dam from the Washington side of the Columbia River on Tuesday morning. The dam generates power distributed by Bonneville Power Administration.

BPA projects $280M loss: Drought, extreme weather hit Bonneville Power Administration revenues

May 29, 2024, 6:08am Business

Bonneville Power Administration, which supplies about half of Clark County’s electricity through Clark Public Utilities, is projecting a $280 million net loss this year due to drought and extreme weather. Read story

The Southwest Washington Equity Coalition is one of 10 plaintiffs named on a lawsuit to stop the implementation of Initiative 2081, which opens up children’s health records and other private materials to parents. The measure was approved March 4 during the state Legislature's short session.

‘Parents’ bill of rights’ legislation includes vague language, could lead to discrimination, says lawsuit

May 29, 2024, 6:06am Clark County News

A group of parents, equity organizations and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington are suing the state to prevent the implementation of a conservative-backed measure, known as the “parents’ bill of rights,” the Legislature approved earlier this year. Read story