The Columbian
@columbian.com
Founded Oct. 10, 1890, The Columbian is a publishing company serving Clark County, Washington, for more than 125 years. Read more at columbian.com.
Small brick-and-mortar businesses in the Seattle area say they're under more financial stress today than they were during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.
Seattle small businesses in ‘state of invisible crisis,’ survey finds
Small brick-and-mortar businesses in the Seattle area say they're under more financial stress today than they were during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Small brick-and-mortar businesses in the Seattle area say they're under more financial stress today than they were during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.
Bellingham — Did a Whatcom County community break a polar bear plunge world record?
Blaine polar plunge fails to set record
Bellingham — Did a Whatcom County community break a polar bear plunge world record?
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Bellingham — Did a Whatcom County community break a polar bear plunge world record?
Little Art Camas, an art show fundraiser for public art on March 20 and 21, is accepting submissions by anyone of any age and skill. Artists will create or mount art on three small wooden panels to be displayed and sold at Little Art Camas.
Call for artists: Little Art Camas seeks work by all ages
Little Art Camas, an art show fundraiser for public art on March 20 and 21, is accepting submissions by anyone of any age and skill. Artists will create or mount art on three small wooden panels to be
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Little Art Camas, an art show fundraiser for public art on March 20 and 21, is accepting submissions by anyone of any age and skill. Artists will create or mount art on three small wooden panels to be displayed and sold at Little Art Camas.
On Wednesday morning, The Columbian took a step forward in its digital future with a new type of social media post that gained more engagement than we’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.
From the Newsroom: Big step forward into digital future
On Wednesday morning, The Columbian took a step forward in its digital future with a new type of social media post that gained more engagement than we’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
On Wednesday morning, The Columbian took a step forward in its digital future with a new type of social media post that gained more engagement than we’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.
In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories on columbian.com?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot this week.
Top Stories: Ice arrest man outside courthouse, students walk out to protest ICE, former battalion chief on trial for murder
In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories on columbian.com this week.
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:00 AM
In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories on columbian.com?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot this week.
Federal immigration agents in Vancouver have reportedly used deceptive tactics, such as impersonating local police and utility workers, to arrest immigrants, according to both official warnings and recent reporting from The Columbian.
Federal agents’ use of deception sparks worry, fear in Clark County
Federal immigration agents in Vancouver have reportedly used deceptive tactics, such as impersonating local police and utility workers, to arrest immigrants, according to both official warnings and re
www.columbian.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Federal immigration agents in Vancouver have reportedly used deceptive tactics, such as impersonating local police and utility workers, to arrest immigrants, according to both official warnings and recent reporting from The Columbian.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, was the second most likely member of Congress to vote against her party in 2025.
Democrat Gluesenkamp Perez says her voting record reflects priorities of Southwest Washington
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, was the second most likely member of Congress to vote against her party in 2025.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, was the second most likely member of Congress to vote against her party in 2025.
To say that Wayne Sutton likes chainsaws is an understatement.
Amboy resident Wayne Sutton’s chainsaw collection a cut above
To say that Wayne Sutton likes chainsaws is an understatement.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:00 PM
To say that Wayne Sutton likes chainsaws is an understatement.
It took months of risk and danger in the Vietnam War before U.S. Marine Cpl. Dennis Fisher got used to reaching for his camera instead of his firearm.
Battle Ground man’s new book recounts his time in Vietnam as U.S. Marine, photographer
It took months of risk and danger in the Vietnam War before U.S. Marine Cpl. Dennis Fisher got used to reaching for his camera instead of his firearm.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
It took months of risk and danger in the Vietnam War before U.S. Marine Cpl. Dennis Fisher got used to reaching for his camera instead of his firearm.
People who use Interstate 5 knew to expect huge slowdowns this week, when the state closed two northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge for a yearlong repave.
Amid I-5 closures, Seattle-area drivers plead for express-lane relief
People who use Interstate 5 knew to expect huge slowdowns this week, when the state closed two northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge for a yearlong repave.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM
People who use Interstate 5 knew to expect huge slowdowns this week, when the state closed two northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge for a yearlong repave.
The City of Vancouver Fire Department honored firefighter paramedic Jeremiah Frenz, who died earlier this week, with a procession Friday through the city to a funeral home in Camas.
Vancouver Fire Department procession honors firefighter Jeremiah Frenz, who died Tuesday
The City of Vancouver Fire Department honored firefighter paramedic Jeremiah Frenz, who died earlier this week, with a procession Friday through the city to a funeral home in Camas.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The City of Vancouver Fire Department honored firefighter paramedic Jeremiah Frenz, who died earlier this week, with a procession Friday through the city to a funeral home in Camas.
After years of blown budgets and missed deadlines, Washington state’s two biggest technology projects may be showing signs of life.
A reboot of WA’s aging IT systems is getting reset. Will it help?
After years of blown budgets and missed deadlines, Washington state’s two biggest technology projects may be showing signs of life.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
After years of blown budgets and missed deadlines, Washington state’s two biggest technology projects may be showing signs of life.
Over the last three years, Seattle voters have passed the three largest property tax measures in the city’s history — for education, transportation and housing.
Seattle’s appetite for new property taxes approaching its legal limit
Over the last three years, Seattle voters have passed the three largest property tax measures in the city’s history — for education, transportation and housing.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Over the last three years, Seattle voters have passed the three largest property tax measures in the city’s history — for education, transportation and housing.
Last year, I made a resolution to read more.
5 Seattle coffee shops that are great for reading
Last year, I made a resolution to read more.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Last year, I made a resolution to read more.
Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is making a renewed push for legislation that would allow it to sell carbon offset credits created from state timber lands.
Carbon credits for WA’s forests? DNR makes pitch
Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is making a renewed push for legislation that would allow it to sell carbon offset credits created from state timber lands.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Washington’s Department of Natural Resources is making a renewed push for legislation that would allow it to sell carbon offset credits created from state timber lands.
Former Camas-Washougal Fire Battalion Chief Kevin West took the stand Friday in his own defense, tearfully denying allegations that he strangled his wife to death and maintaining that he attempted to save her from a sudden medical emergency.
Camas-Washougal Fire Battalion Chief Kevin West testifies in murder trial that he did not strangle his wife
Former Camas-Washougal Fire Battalion Chief Kevin West took the stand Friday in his own defense, tearfully denying allegations that he strangled his wife to death and maintaining that he attempted to
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Former Camas-Washougal Fire Battalion Chief Kevin West took the stand Friday in his own defense, tearfully denying allegations that he strangled his wife to death and maintaining that he attempted to save her from a sudden medical emergency.
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a major piece of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement plan, agreeing to a fixed-span bridge instead of a drawbridge.
‘Major step forward’: Coast Guard OKs fixed-span, 116-foot-high I-5 Bridge replacement
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a major piece of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement plan, agreeing to a fixed-span bridge instead of a drawbridge.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:02 AM
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a major piece of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement plan, agreeing to a fixed-span bridge instead of a drawbridge.
A North Seattle man defended himself and his teenage daughter with a frying pan during a home invasion early Friday morning, police say.
Seattle man fights off home invader
A North Seattle man defended himself and his teenage daughter with a frying pan during a home invasion early Friday morning, police say.
www.columbian.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:02 AM
A North Seattle man defended himself and his teenage daughter with a frying pan during a home invasion early Friday morning, police say.
Authorities say fire crews rescued a calf on Wednesday night after a heat lamp caused a barn fire in Rose Valley.
2-week-old calf rescued from Rose Valley barn fire
Authorities say fire crews rescued a calf on Wednesday night after a heat lamp caused a barn fire in Rose Valley.
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Authorities say fire crews rescued a calf on Wednesday night after a heat lamp caused a barn fire in Rose Valley.
Thinking of catching a ferry? Be prepared for it to be a little more crowded.
WA ferries had nearly 1 million more riders in 2025. Which saw biggest bumps?
Thinking of catching a ferry? Be prepared for it to be a little more crowded.
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Thinking of catching a ferry? Be prepared for it to be a little more crowded.
A Brush Prairie woman was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation for stealing medications from the mail while employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
Brush Prairie woman sentenced in mail theft
A Brush Prairie woman was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation for stealing medications from the mail while employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
A Brush Prairie woman was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation for stealing medications from the mail while employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
Small-business owners who need help understanding licensing or sales taxes will find it at a resource fair hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber later this month.
Vancouver Chamber aims to make interacting with government easier
Small-business owners who need help understanding licensing or sales taxes will find it at a resource fair hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber later this month.
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Small-business owners who need help understanding licensing or sales taxes will find it at a resource fair hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber later this month.
King County will soon require its employees to work from the office at least three days a week, a mandate that was announced a year and a half ago but has never been fully put into effect or enforced, County Executive Girmay Zahilay's office said.
King County to begin enforcing in-person work requirement
King County will soon require its employees to work from the office at least three days a week, a mandate that was announced a year and a half ago but has never been fully put into effect or enforced,
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
King County will soon require its employees to work from the office at least three days a week, a mandate that was announced a year and a half ago but has never been fully put into effect or enforced, County Executive Girmay Zahilay's office said.
The Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs' leadership said it will consider expelling Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank over comments he made during a legislative hearing Thursday.
WA law enforcement association considers expelling Pierce County sheriff
The Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs' leadership said it will consider expelling Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank over comments he made during a legislative hearing Thu
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs' leadership said it will consider expelling Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank over comments he made during a legislative hearing Thursday.
Cindi Fisher understands how easy it is to feel powerless and overwhelmed by a seemingly never-ending stream of negative news.
Vancouver activist touts nonviolent resistance, invites community to join her weekly protests
Cindi Fisher understands how easy it is to feel powerless and overwhelmed by a seemingly never-ending stream of negative news.
www.columbian.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Cindi Fisher understands how easy it is to feel powerless and overwhelmed by a seemingly never-ending stream of negative news.