Longview residents should note three key changes this week: the city updated fingerprinting appointment days and fees, effective Sept. 10, with new payment options for residents and non-residents. Cowlitz County Emergency Management revised contact details for Longview residents, and the county urges all residents to opt in for emergency alerts via Hyper-Reach.
Infrastructure updates include single-lane closures on SR 4 between 50th and 42nd Avenues weekdays through Sept. 18 for gas main extension work. I-5 will have two nightly lane closures from Sept. 8-11 for weigh-in-motion sensor replacement between La Bree Road and Main Street. RiverCities Transit and LIFT will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day.
Education and community updates: Longview Public Schools began the 2026-27 academic year, with students returning to classrooms. The city also invites applications for tourism funds through 2027, and Robert Gray Elementary PTO is hosting a Family Night on Sept. 18 featuring food trucks and activities.
Public safety items include Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue holding a 9/11 remembrance ceremony (Sept. 11) and the county updating evacuation routes and communication channels. The Nippon chemical spill investigation continues, with the Chemical Safety Board finding the company knew of tank issues 10 months prior to the May 2026 spill.
What to watch next: The SR 4 gas main work concludes Sept. 18, and Longview Schools will conduct safety drills as part of National Preparedness Month. The city’s tourism funding application deadline is set for 2027.