The Spotlight newspaper

09/27/2025

There was a lot of good football played on the Westside last night. See all the scores from local action here... https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/09/27/high-school-football-scores-from-last-nights-local-action/

09/27/2025

The new reforms are a bright spot in a year when Oregon’s annual minimum wage increase clocked in as the smallest rise in the past ten years Oregon.

The new reforms are a bright spot in a year when Oregon’s annual minimum wage increase clocked in as the smallest rise in the past ten years Oregon workers have a range of labor rights that make up some of the strongest worker protection laws in the nation. And under a new set of laws […]

09/26/2025

🎃👻 Headed to Spirit of Halloweentown?

Here's what you need to know 👇

It’s that time of year — St. Helens’ annual Spirit of Halloweentown celebration is ready to bring movie magic to real life once again. Held in the original filming location of the cult-favorite Disney movie “Halloweentown,” the celebration is set for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sep...

09/26/2025

The High School Pick 'Em is here! Who's going to win on the local gridirons tonight? Find out here... https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/09/26/high-school-pick-em-local-prognosticators-pick-the-winners-in-this-weeks-action-on-the-gridiron/

09/26/2025

Rainier Principal Jeremy Williams pleaded not guilty to 13 charges levied against him.

Read more here: https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/09/26/rainier-principal-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-of-child-sexual-abuse-material-possession/

09/25/2025

Nearly 100 locations in the state were flagged by a state agency as having offensive names, including three in Columbia County.

Editor’s note: This story contains language, including racist slurs, that may be offensive to some readers. Multiple locations in and around Columbia County are set to be renamed after they were included on a list of places named after racial or ethnic slurs. Nearly 100 locations in the state were...

09/25/2025

Who are the best 4A and 3A football teams in the state? Scappoose and Banks are in the conversation per the coaches. See the latest coaches polls here.. https://columbiacountyspotlight.com/2025/09/25/4a-3a-football-coaches-polls-banks-scappoose-have-the-coaches-attention/

09/25/2025

By the end of the year, St. Helens hopes to complete the sale of the former Cascade Tissues site.

By the end of the year, St. Helens hopes to complete the sale of the former Cascade Tissues site. The site at 1300 Kastor Road was set to be sold to Arcadia Paper Mills after St. Helens terminated its lease agreement with Cascade Tissues in December 2023. There was hope the site might become the [.....

09/25/2025

As we celebrate community heroes from across the state, the Columbia County Spotlight is honored to introduce George, a St. Helens resident who volunteers as an advocate for senior citizens.

(ST. HELENS) — When an elderly woman in a local nursing home told George Berry that she wasn’t being allowed to have her meals in her room, Berry had to get involved. While it may seem trivial, there’s dignity in choice. For a population so often deprived of their personhood, even the choice t...

09/24/2025

The Columbia County Spotlight is honored to celebrate community heroes whose tireless efforts make a lasting impact. Meet Scott and Becky, two volunteers with the Columbia County Search and Rescue team who recently deployed to Texas after devastating floods.

(SCAPPOOSE) — After disaster struck on the Fourth of July in Texas, bringing deadly floods to the Hill Country region of the state, a pair of locals responded to help bring closure to an aching community. Heavy rains caused flash flooding on July 4 in Central Texas as water levels around the Guada...

09/24/2025

We're nearly a month into the season and the cream is rising to the top. Who do the coaches think are the state's best high school soccer teams across all classifications? Find out here...

Below are the statewide boys soccer coaches polls in all classifications, brought to you by the OSAAtoday. Note: these polls are for generating interest and discussion only and have no impact on the OSAA’s RPI and Colley ratings that form the basis of the OSAA’s rankings for playoff purposes. Va...

09/24/2025

A wildland firefighter who was arrested by immigration agents while fighting a wildfire in Washington state has been released from detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A wildland firefighter who was arrested by immigration agents while fighting a wildfire in Washington state has been released from detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, his attorneys said Wednesday. Rigoberto Hernandez Hernandez was freed Tuesday after nearly four weeks in detention...