The Spotlight newspaper

08/11/2025

Hops have on the road for two weeks? How did it go in Vancouver this past week and what's going on with the organization? Find out here... https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/08/11/hops-weekly-hops-ride-starting-pitching-to-four-wins-in-vancouver/

08/11/2025

Oregon officials said the Chinook salmon population would be restored in ten years. With Coquille leadership, they did it in three.

Oregon officials said the Chinook salmon population would be restored in ten years. With Coquille leadership, they did it in three. This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News. After a four-year fishing ban on the Coquille River, the Coquille Indian Tribe and Oregon Department of Fish a...

08/11/2025

The consensus comes after a slew of cases generated confusion about the nature of Oregon’s laws governing open public meetings.

The consensus comes after a slew of cases generated confusion about the nature of Oregon’s laws governing open public meetings Leaders of Oregon’s Government Ethics Commission agreed Friday that there isn’t enough clarity surrounding their recently-acquired power to ensure public officials onl...

08/08/2025

📍More than 40,000 homes and 5,000 businesses across rural parts of Oregon and Washington will gain access to high-speed internet by year’s end

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More than 40,000 homes and 5,000 businesses across rural parts of Oregon and Washington will gain access to high-speed internet by year’s end Astound Broadband, a national internet and fiber provider, has expanded broadband access in a $4 million initiative. The initiative is already up and runnin...

08/08/2025

The cuts affect both union and non-union positions, including nurses, researchers and administrators at Providence hospitals and clinics.

Providence Health & Services will lay off 128 employees across Oregon as the state’s largest health system works to reduce expenses. The cuts affect both union and non-union positions, including nurses, researchers and administrators at Providence hospitals and clinics. Providence is the largest h...

08/08/2025

Two years ago, state analysts said half of Oregon’s 36 counties lacked sufficient infrastructure and capacity to care for preschool children in the area.

Now that number has been cut in half to one in four.

The findings point to success in public investments in care for children aged 3 to 5 Two years ago, state analysts said half of Oregon’s 36 counties lacked sufficient infrastructure and capacity to care for preschool children in the area. Now that number has been cut in half to one in four, accord...

08/07/2025

🌲 From bobcats to butterflies, Columbia County’s wild neighbors are getting a little help protecting the scenic route.

From bobcats to butterflies, Columbia County’s wild neighbors are getting a little help protecting the scenic route. A new statewide wildlife corridor map developed by researchers at Portland State University could help regional city planners and transportation officials better save animals — an...

08/07/2025

🎵 Headed to 13 Nights on the River?

See who's playing here:https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/05/28/13-nights-on-the-river-returns-to-st-helens-riverfront/

08/06/2025

Oregon state Rep. Paul Evans will propose a $300 million package to get more disaster training facilities statewide and to create a new response office under the governor.

State Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, will propose a $300 million package to get more disaster training facilities statewide and to create a new response office under the governor Oregon state Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, has been introducing legislation to modernize the state’s emergency preparednes...

08/06/2025

As the city looks to build a new police station, residents have taken issue with the $10.30 monthly fee the city charges to help pay off debt related to construction.

Read more here: https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/08/05/in-pursuit-of-oversight-st-helens-council-considers-voter-approval-on-utility-bill-fees-for-public-projects/

08/06/2025

The Hops were swinging it in their series opener with Vancouver... https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/08/06/hot-bats-lead-hops-to-series-opening-win-over-vancouver/

08/05/2025

Oregon’s top legal officer said he expects the legal battle over President Donald Trump’s tariffs will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal court hears arguments for State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. Oregon’s top legal officer said he expects the legal battle over President Donald Trump’s tariffs will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield traveled to Washington, D.C., for a court ...