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Stories by Doug Flanagan

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February 26, 2026
Members of the Camas Friends Church hold signs during a protest rally on Third Avenue in Camas on Feb. 18. The church has been demonstrating weekly to protest federal immigration enforcement actions. (Doug Flanagan/The Columbian)

Camas church members protest ICE

During the past few months, the “open sharing” portion of the Camas Friends Church’s weekly gatherings has included a lot of discussion about current events — in particular, the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

February 19, 2026
Trackman worker Dominic Miller installs one of two indoor golf simulators Tuesday at Camas Indoor Golf Club in Camas. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Indoor golf coming to Camas

James Hafer got into golfing after his baseball career, which included a stint at Millikin University in Illinois, ended. But eventually, as work and family responsibilities piled up, the Ridgefield resident found that he couldn’t take four hours out of his day to play 18 holes as easily as he used to. Even getting out to a driving range to hit a quick bucket of balls was not as feasible as it once was.

February 19, 2026
After the girls tennis spring season concludes, the eight tennis courts at Camas High School will be resurfaced prior to installation of an all-weather bubble. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

Cover a game-changer for Camas tennis fans

Camas School District leaders are bubbling with excitement over the latest developments in their plan to cover Camas High School’s tennis courts with an all-weather dome.

February 19, 2026
A Social Security card is displayed on Oct. 12, 2021, in Tigard, Ore. (Associated Press files)

Technology can be a barrier to services for seniors

For the past several weeks, Sandra Graber has been desperately trying to help her friend, a 79-year-old Vancouver resident, recover Social Security payments that didn’t arrive in December and January.

February 12, 2026
Nysa Vinod, a 14-year-old Camas eighth-grader, pushes one of her Stories and Smiles carts in an Evergreen Pediatrics Clinic location in Vancouver. (Vinod Vijayan)

Camas girl’s activity carts bring comfort

Despite being born with a rare metabolic disorder that will significantly affect the rest of her life, Nysa Vinod has maintained a warm, giving spirit and relentlessly positive outlook.