Pendleton’s Air Service Shakeup Highlights Pressures Facing Rural Airports Across the Region

Transportation and Infrastructure

Pendleton’s Air Service Shakeup Highlights Pressures Facing Rural Airports Across the Region

Pendleton’s move to replace its long‑time air carrier with SkyWest sheds light on the financial pressures facing rural airports — and the ripple effects for communities across Southwest Washington that depend on reliable connections through Portland International Airport.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Local Government

Local Debate in Pierce County Over Sheriff’s Library Events Raises Questions for Southwest Washington

A petition to cancel Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s library events has reignited statewide debate over public forum rules, safety concerns, and the responsibilities of public institutions — with implications for communities across Southwest Washington.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Arts and Culture

Remembering the Murder of Mulugeta Seraw and the Pacific Northwest’s Ongoing Reckoning With White Supremacist Violence

A new OPB documentary on the 1988 murder of Mulugeta Seraw highlights the Pacific Northwest’s history of racist violence — and offers lessons still relevant to communities across Southwest Washington today.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Education

Camas School District Sets May Start for All-Weather Tennis Dome at Camas High

Camas School District plans to break ground in May on an all-weather dome covering Camas High School’s tennis courts, aiming to create year-round access for student-athletes and the community.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Arts and Culture

Southwest Washington Reflects on the Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Southwest Washington reflects on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose decades of civil rights work and regional advocacy left an imprint on communities from Seattle to Cowlitz County.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Local Government

Clark County’s ECHO Group Continues Monthly Efforts to Coordinate Homelessness Response

Local officials in Clark County continue monthly coordination through the ECHO group to address homelessness, offering insights relevant to communities along the I‑5 corridor, including Cowlitz County.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Local Government

Clark County Council Advances Revised Immigration Statement After Contentious Hearing

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 on Feb. 11 to advance a revised statement responding to federal immigration enforcement, setting up a formal reading on Feb. 17 after heated public debate.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Public Safety

Jamaican National Convicted in Lottery Scam Targeting Vancouver Woman

A Jamaican national has been convicted in a years-long lottery scam that defrauded a Vancouver woman of more than $550,000, according to federal prosecutors.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

Washington Senate Bill 5973 Stalls Out, Leaving Initiative Process Unchanged

Washington’s Senate Bill 5973, a proposal to tighten rules on statewide initiatives, has expired without a vote—leaving Washington’s existing citizen initiative system unchanged and maintaining local access to the ballot process.

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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Courts and Justice

Student Stabbed in Bathroom at Heritage High School; One Juvenile in Custody

A student was stabbed Tuesday afternoon inside a Heritage High School bathroom in Vancouver. One 15-year-old is in custody, and the investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing.

The Feed

Feb 17, 2026

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Business and Economy

Monroe’s Reptile Zoo Closes After 30 Years, Highlighting Fragile Economics for Small Washington Attractions

The Reptile Zoo in Monroe has closed after 30 years, citing rising costs and declining attendance — a regional example of the pressures facing small educational attractions across Washington, including in Southwest communities.

The Feed

Feb 17, 2026

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Courts and Justice

Five Arrested in Multistate Stolen‑Goods Operation With Ties to Vancouver

Five people linked to Card Rhino, a second‑hand retailer with locations in Portland, Tualatin, and Vancouver, have been arrested on allegations of trafficking stolen goods, raising cross‑border concerns for communities along the I‑5 corridor.

The Feed

Feb 17, 2026

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Columbia Countercurrent

Jefferson County’s Prosecutor Shortage Raises Questions for Rural Justice Systems