Cowlitz Regional News

Variety of pictures from the ice storm back east to the Seahawks defeat of the 49er’s

As we head into 2026, Cowlitz County has four cold cases where the victims have yet to be identified:

Our police got a bit of a reprieve this week; there were only 41 arrests, compared with 49 last week. There are some ugly charges, though. We all know about the former school superintendent charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, but there are lots of others. Criminal Impersonations, unlawful imprisonment, fugitive from justice, along with lots of DUIs, and even vehicular assault.

Many are upset that the city doesn’t seem to be making an effort to save the Community Center. The building has a lot of sentimental value, but it needs over $3.8 million in repairs and the community voted down a tax increase to bring the building back to its glory days by 76%.

When Elly Schlect dreamed of opening her Not So Still Salon & Gift shop in downtown Castle Rock, she never imagined the difficulties she would encounter while remodeling the older building to suit her needs.

Cowlitz County Wild Horses live on Weyerhaeuser Land and professional wranglers manage the herd.

RECLAIM & HOPE Village – what’s the reality! A first hand perspective from those on the ground doing the work.

Our local officers were extra busy this week, especially in Castle Rock and Woodland. Both cities found a deceased person lying by the road. There were several high-speed chases and gun incidents. One man went to jail on kidnapping charges and received $550,000 bail and a whole lot more.

DNR auction data show that just 25 percent of the agency’s annual target was sold in the first half of fiscal year 2026, the lowest mid-year volume in 22 years.