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July 3, 2025
Mikhaila Worle of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society spends time with pit bull mix Lylah, 4, on Monday morning, June 30, 2025. The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society has completed major renovations to its dog shelter, replacing its old, degrading kennels, not originally designed for shelter use, with new, state-of-the-art kennels. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) (Photos by NAME HERE/The Columbian)

Washougal dog shelter renovation nearly done

Renovations at the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s Washougal dog shelter are improving life for both the dogs awaiting homes and the shelter staff who care for them.

July 3, 2025
The Camas School District Zellerbach Administration Center is pictured April 15, 2020. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian files)

Camas schools on verge of balancing ‘25-26 budget

Having just completed one of the largest budget reductions in the Camas School District’s recent history, district leaders say they are on the verge of achieving a balanced 2025-26 budget and bringing the district’s reserve funds back to a more sustainable level.

July 3, 2025
The innermost Diebold “cannonball” safe. “You can see how thick it is,” Dave McOmie said. “A monster. I’ve drilled about a half-dozen, and none of them went well.” Fortunately, he found Frank Sinatra’s unlocked. (Photo contributed by Dave McOmie)

Sinatra’s vault challenges Camas safecracker

Dave McOmie of Camas doesn’t claim to be a big Frank Sinatra fan. If he was, he might have hummed a Sinatra ballad of longing and uncertainty — “Maybe You’ll Be There” or “If I Had You” — while cracking a spectacularly difficult safe at a Tahoe resort a few weeks ago.

July 3, 2025
Dynamite Fireworks in Hazel Dell is stocked up and ready to open for business today when fireworks go on sale in Clark County. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Sales of fireworks begins

Sales of fireworks, which start today in Clark County, generate an annual revenue of about $4 million. While debates continue between residents and public officials about whether fireworks are a lauded tradition or hazard to health and property, local fireworks aficionados will trek to sellers with names like Mean Gene, Bomber Brothers, TNT, Blackjack and Dynamite.