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Stories by Doug Flanagan

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October 2, 2025
Customer Al Schmid of Washougal strolls the aisles at Lutz Hardware in Camas on Monday afternoon. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Lutz Hardware celebrates 75 years of family ownership in Camas

On Christmas Day of 2022, Aaron Lutz received word from one of his regular customers that the family had lost water service at their house due to freezing weather. Lutz didn’t hesitate to act, temporarily pausing his own holiday festivities to save somebody else’s.

September 25, 2025
The city of Camas has adopted a council code of conduct that spells out expectations for how city councilors should conduct themselves in public and consequences in the instance of a violation. (The Columbian files)

Camas approves code of conduct

CAMAS — Camas city councilors last week adopted a code of conduct that spells out expectations for how they should behave in public.

September 18, 2025
Diners eat at a parklet at Mesa in downtown Camas in 2020. (Kelly Moyer/The Columbian files)

Camas eyes bringing back popular parklets

The city of Camas is exploring the possibility of bringing back parklets, three years after rescinding the operating permits for the open-air eating spaces introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 18, 2025
The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society commissioned Washougal artist Travis London to paint a mural depicting pets of the organization’s supporters on one of its Conex buildings. (Photos by Doug Flanagan/The Columbian)

Furry friends fuel facelift at Washougal animal shelter

For several years, West Columbia Gorge Humane Society Executive Director Micki Simeone longed to do something to spruce up the two shipping-container storage buildings on the east side of the Washougal animal shelter.