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Stories by Doug Flanagan

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January 14, 2021
Washougal resident Brandon Higgins holds a worm in his hand. Higgins started a "worm farm" in 2020 that he hopes to turn into a business. (Contributed photos courtesy of Brandon Higgins)

A wiggly business

Brandon Higgins, of Washougal, spent almost 15 years as a production worker for steel and plastic companies, but after undergoing two back surgeries in 2019, he began to seriously ponder a career change.

January 14, 2021
A fire engine is pictured at the Camas-Washougal Fire Department Station 42 in Camas on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian)

Washougal sets city goals for 2021

City of Washougal leaders are cautiously optimistic that they can achieve most or all of their primary objectives in 2021 as coronavirus vaccines are introduced into the community and restrictions are lifted.

January 7, 2021
Washougal resident Jackie Gollbach builds a wooden sign during the filming of the first video for her new YouTube channel, "Nail Polish and Power Tools." (Contributed photo courtesy of Jackie Gollbach)

‘Nail Polish & Power Tools’

Several years ago, Jackie Gollbach discovered a series of videos on YouTube produced by Texas residents Whitney Gainer and Ashley Turner, two self-taught carpenters who created the successful “Shanty2Chic” do-it-yourself furniture brand.

January 7, 2021
A previously unused room on the second floor of the Washougal Times building has been renovated into a studio for Outlaw Country Radio, which broadcasts live every Thursday afternoon from the Washougal restaurant. (Contributed photo courtesy of Ben Jackson)

Outlaw Country Radio branches out

The founders of the Camas-based Outlaw Country Radio have been searching for a couple years to find a way to help the nonprofit, low-power frequency modulation station solidify its presence in East Clark County.

December 31, 2020
Ninebark,  a planned residential community, will be located on the Washougal waterfront and connected to a new public park. (Contributed graphics courtesy of Port of Camas-Washougal)

New park, apartments coming to Washougal waterfront

Developers working on Ninebark, a three-story, 242-unit residential complex to be built east of the Port of Camas-Washougal, hope to begin construction on the complex’s eight buildings in the fall of 2021 and open its first apartments in the fall of 2022.

December 31, 2020
Washougal resident Sam Rickenbach started his new business, Gorge Family Therapeutics, to provide consumers with more affordable options for cannabidiol (CBD) products. (Contributed photo courtesy of Kara Cooper)

Washougal man opens Gorge Family Therapeutics

During the past three years, Sam Rickenbach worked for several Portland-area companies as a cannabidiol (CBD) extraction laboratory director. He generally enjoyed his work, but over time came to believe that most of the businesses in his industry — including his own — were severely overcharging for their products.