Cities get $125,000 for middle housing planning

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded the city of Camas with $75,000 and the city of Washougal with $50,000 to support the adoption of policies and codes and the implementation of other measures specific to a Washington state bill which encourages and requires local governments to adopt development regulations aimed at increasing housing capacity in response to the state’s housing crisis. Read More

Washougal author pens first novel

Jordan Fitch came to a potentially life-altering realization while reading a science fiction novel — “The Kaizu Preservation Society” by John Scalzi — during a flight in the fall of 2022. Read More

Washougal officials mull utility rate adjustments

The city of Washougal should implement utility rate adjustments that would increase the average customer’s bi-monthly bill by $8 and maintain current rate structures for all classes of service in each utility from 2024 to 2028, according to a rate study compiled by a consulting firm with input from a group of local residents. Read More

‘Luxury for a price I can afford’

Ninebark, a 246-unit residential community nestled along the Columbia River waterfront in Washougal, includes 24 apartments that have been designated as “affordable,” or available to households that earn 80% or less of area median family income. Read More

Property owner rethinking adventure park

A Skamania County property owner who earlier this year proposed building an adventure park on his 150-acre site, says he is rethinking the project after receiving criticism from West End neighbors. Read More

Washougal animal shelter gets record-setting donation

Peggy DiPrima didn’t know about Jake Straus’ position as a well-known professional gaming streamer or the size of his online following when he approached her about his intention to raise money for the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society earlier this year. Read More