Clark County Today News

Anna Miller from Camas isn't buying the reassurances about election security after ballots were found sitting next to a trash can. Her letter demands real accountability, not talking points, and explains why she's backing Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County auditor. Miller argues that public trust requires competence and transparency, not excuses when safeguards fail. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-public-trust-in-elections-isnt-maintained-by-repeating-talking-points/ #ElectionSecurity #ClarkCounty #Accountability #VotingRights #Politics

Michelle Belkot and her legal team are challenging a federal judge's decision to dismiss all five claims in her lawsuit against Clark County. The case centers on alleged Open Public Meetings Act violations when fellow council members removed her from the C-TRAN Board without proper public notice. Attorney Richard Stephens says the federal appeals court review could take several months, while Belkot maintains the original ruling undermines the purpose of transparency laws. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/belkot-appeals-judges-decision-to-dismiss-her-case-against-clark-county/ #ClarkCounty #OpenGovernment #CTRAN #LegalNews #PublicMeetings #Transportation #Politics #Appeal #Transparency #LocalGovernment

Jesse Tingley's Bronze Star service in Iraq and Afghanistan led him back to Clark County, where Union High School's Honor Game celebrated his sacrifice alongside fellow veterans and first responders. The baseball and softball teams joined forces for dual ceremonies featuring ceremonial first pitches, drumline performances, and JROTC color presentations. Tingley, now living in Hockinson, reflected on how military service shaped his perspective on fatherhood and life's precious moments. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/union-baseball-softball-teams-honor-military-veterans-and-first-responders-2/ #Union #Military #Veterans #FirstResponders #ClarkCounty #Baseball #Softball #HonorGame #Marines #Community

Washington's Work Zone Speed Camera Program issued 65,000 infractions in its first year, with encouraging safety results. Speeding dropped from 60% to 30% at I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord during enforcement periods. The program expands to 15 cameras by 2027, and first-time fines increase from $0 to $125 starting July 2026. WSP Chief John Batiste reports nearly 9% are repeat offenders among the 6,000 who received financial penalties. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/speed-cameras-designed-to-bring-added-safety-to-work-zones/ #WorkZoneSafety #TrafficEnforcement #WSDOT #WashingtonStatePatrol #RoadSafety #SpeedCameras #ConstructionZones #TrafficSafety #WorkerSafety #TransportationNews

Chief Cathy Doriot caps nearly four decades of dedicated service to Ridgefield with transformative leadership that expanded the police force, launched innovative safety programs, and earned regional recognition. Her legacy includes adding detective and sergeant positions, implementing drone technology, and spearheading the Pink Patch Project that spread across Clark County. The homegrown leader's retirement marks the end of an era for a department she helped modernize while maintaining deep community roots. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/?p=184255 #RidgefieldPD #PoliceChief #CathyDoriot #ClarkCounty #LawEnforcement #CommunityService #PublicSafety #Retirement #PinkPatchProject #Ridgefield

Ryan Frost exposes the troubling reality behind Washington's new 9.9% income tax. While lawmakers promise it only targets the wealthy, the Department of Revenue is hiring 300 employees and budgeting $600 million in administrative costs for the first decade. Historical precedent shows every income tax starts narrow and expands rapidly. The federal income tax began at 7% for millionaires in 1913 and became universal within five years. Washington's fiscal note reveals expectations far beyond taxing a few thousand wealthy residents. With Governor Ferguson admitting the tax won't address current budget shortfalls and future revenue gaps looming, the income threshold will inevitably drop from $1 million to ordinary wage earners. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-tax-day-is-painful-enough-without-washington-adding-its-own/ #WashingtonTax #IncomeTax #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Olympia #TaxDay #Politics #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Washington

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is demanding federal action as sea lions consume four times more Columbia River salmon than fishermen harvest. The congresswoman wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick seeking expanded lethal removal authority, citing the $38,000 cost per sea lion removed under current burdensome processes. With nearly one-fourth of fish at Bonneville Dam showing sea lion bite wounds during spring season, she argues taxpayer dollars are being wasted while fishing families struggle with record grocery prices. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/marie-gluesenkamp-perez-seeks-federal-assistance-in-combating-sea-lion-predation-of-salmon-steelhead-fishing-stock/ #ColumbiaRiver #Salmon #SeaLions #NOAA #Fishing #MarineProtection #SouthwestWashington #ClarkCounty #PacificNorthwest #WashingtonState

School districts across Washington are sounding alarms about budget shortfalls, with staff layoffs and program cuts on the horizon. The debate centers on whether rising salary and benefit costs, inadequate state funding formulas, or declining enrollment is driving the crisis. Clark County Today examines the competing explanations behind this statewide financial strain affecting local education. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/?p=184236 #WashingtonEducation #SchoolBudgets #ClarkCounty #EducationFunding #WashingtonState

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck delivered stark warnings to Clark County's Building Industry Association about Washington's housing crisis. The Vancouver native outlined how homebuilder constraints since 1992's Growth Management Act have created an "urgent problem" as the average first-time buyer age climbed from 28 to 40. Heck proposed three solutions including a new state Department of Housing and starter home initiatives to break the market logjam. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/lt-governor-shares-his-ideas-on-fixing-housing-shortage-to-members-of-bia-of-clark-county/ #HousingCrisis #DennyHeck #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #BuildingIndustry #StarterHomes #GrowthManagement #HousingShortage #Vancouver #Politics

Joe Cortright exposes IBR's deliberate delay of the Investment Grade Analysis until June 2027 — 18 months past the original deadline. The toll revenue study will likely show that promised $1.25 billion in toll funding won't materialize without dramatically higher tolls than advertised. This mirrors the Columbia River Crossing's 2013 analysis that cut traffic projections in half and nearly doubled minimum tolls to $2.60. With current bridge traffic down to 127,000 vehicles daily, post-pandemic work patterns reducing commuter volumes, and interest rates nearly doubling, the financial foundation of this $15 billion project appears increasingly shaky. IBR officials are using the same playbook they used with cost estimates — hiding bad news until after legislative approval. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-high-cost-of-hiding-why-ibrs-delayed-revenue-study-is-a-15-billion-warning-sign/ #IBR #InterstateBridge #Transportation #Tolls #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState #BridgeReplacement #PublicAccountability #Infrastructure

Washington's affordability crisis drives 55,000 residents to flee between 2021-2023, with King County alone losing 95,000 people since 2020. Sam Cardwell from Mountain States Policy Center examines how the state's $17.13 minimum wage, SEPA regulations, and restrictive zoning laws create unaffordable housing markets while neighboring states like Idaho and Montana thrive with pro-business policies. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-fails-the-test-for-affordability/ #WashingtonState #Affordability #HousingCrisis #CostOfLiving #Migration #Policy #Economics #Idaho #Montana #Wyoming

Donald Kimball from Washington Policy Center examines the delicate balance teachers face with artificial intelligence in education. While AI tools offer unprecedented learning opportunities, they risk students outsourcing critical thinking to machines. Kimball argues education choice allows families to find AI policies matching their children's unique needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all government approaches. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-how-should-teachers-adapt-to-ai/ #AI #Education #Teachers #WashingtonState #EducationChoice #Technology #CriticalThinking #LearningTools #ClassroomTech #Opinion

Vancouver Public Schools faces $20-30 million in budget cuts, threatening beloved music, art, and PE teachers. But CCT Editor Ken Vance argues the real culprit isn't lack of funding—it's teachers' unions that greedily leveraged McCleary money for unprecedented salary increases while knowing other programs would suffer. Washington teachers now rank second nationally in starting salaries, averaging $105,254 plus $31,770 in benefits, while test scores plummet and families flee to private schools and homeschooling. There's only one funding pie, Vance argues, and teachers are consuming a disproportionate slice. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-cct-editor-provides-another-history-lesson-on-funding-public-schools/ #Opinion #Education #VancouverSchools #McCleary #TeachersUnion #PublicSchools #WashingtonEducation #ClarkCounty #SchoolFunding #TaxpayerMoney

State Senate minority leader John Braun landed Donald Trump's endorsement Tuesday in his campaign to unseat Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Washington's 3rd Congressional District. The backing from Trump, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, positions Braun as the GOP standard-bearer in a race that could determine House control. Gluesenkamp Perez, who flipped the seat in 2022, says Braun will be "beholden" to Trump's agenda. The contest covers Clark, Lewis, and Cowlitz counties in a district Trump has won three times but where Republicans lost the House seat in 2022. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/trump-backs-john-braun-to-unseat-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-in-us-house-race/ #WashingtonPolitics #3rdDistrict #Trump #Congress #ClarkCounty #Election2026 #HouseRace #Politics

Lars Larson calls out the hypocrisy of liberals who benefit from Trump's tax cuts while despising the former president. He challenges progressives to put their money where their mouth is and voluntarily pay the higher rates Kamala Harris proposed — including her 35% corporate tax hike and unprecedented capital gains taxes. The average taxpayer saved thousands under current rates, but would Trump-haters actually forgo those benefits? Lars thinks not, exposing the double standards that define today's Democrat Party. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-if-youre-a-trump-hating-liberal-feel-free-to-pay-the-old-higher-tax-rates-today/ #LarsLarson #TaxPolicy #TrumpTaxCuts #PoliticalHypocrisy #KamalaHarris #CapitalGains #TaxDay #Opinion #Politics #Conservative

Vancouver Fire Department celebrated Engine 5's arrival with a Push-In ceremony honoring 1800s tradition when horse-drawn engines were manually pushed into stations. The KME-manufactured apparatus brings advanced technology and modern safety systems to strengthen emergency response capabilities. Fleet maintenance technicians joined firefighters in pushing the new engine into Station 5, highlighting the teamwork essential to public safety operations. Captain Raymond Egan emphasized how the ceremony connects past traditions with forward progress in protecting Vancouver residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vfd-welcomes-new-engine-5-with-traditional-push-in-ceremony-at-station-5/ #VancouverFire #PublicSafety #FireDepartment #Engine5 #PushInCeremony #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #EmergencyResponse #FireService #CommunityNews

WSDOT maintenance crews will close the left lane of southbound I-5 between Exit 11 for Battle Ground and Northeast 179th Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday for guardrail repairs just south of Ridgefield. The repairs target damaged sections that help keep vehicles from going off the road or crossing into oncoming traffic during crashes. Travelers should plan for delays and follow directional signs during the four-hour closure. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/expect-delays-on-i-5-in-clark-county-for-guardrail-repairs-april-16/ #Transportation #ClarkCounty #I5 #WSDOT #TrafficAlert #Ridgefield #RoadRepairs #PublicSafety

The Washington State Patrol is launching an early motorcycle safety campaign as warmer weather brings more riders to the roads. National statistics reveal motorcyclists face fatality rates up to 27 times higher than car occupants, with speed being a factor in 33% of motorcycle deaths compared to 22% for cars. Chief John R. Batiste emphasizes that inexperienced riders ages 21-24 account for 49% of speed-related fatalities nationwide, making proper training and protective gear essential for survival on Washington's scenic byways. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/increasing-interest-in-motorcycle-riding-means-increasing-risks-for-inexperienced-riders/ #MotorcycleSafety #WSP #WashingtonState #RiderSafety #TrafficSafety #SpeedKills #DefensiveRiding #MotorcycleTraining #RoadSafety #PacificNorthwest

Clark County's Commission on Aging hosts mobility experts from Community in Motion and the Area Agency on Aging for their ongoing four-part series addressing transportation challenges facing older adults. The April 20 meeting offers both in-person attendance at the Public Service Center and virtual participation options, reflecting the commission's commitment to accessible community engagement on aging readiness initiatives. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/countys-commission-on-aging-continues-discussion-on-mobility-at-april-meeting/ #ClarkCounty #Aging #Mobility #CommunityMeeting #Seniors #Transportation #PublicMeeting #Vancouver #AgingReadiness #Community

Katie Henry brings two decades of healthcare management experience to Identity Clark County's board of directors. The Vancouver Clinic CEO previously led Austin Regional Clinic through 13 capital projects and 50% patient growth. Henry holds a juris doctorate from Wake Forest University and serves on the American Medical Group Association executive committee. Identity Clark County represents 110 influential business leaders advocating for community development across the region. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/identity-clark-county-appoints-katie-henry-to-board/ #IdentityClarkCounty #VancouverClinic #BusinessLeadership #Healthcare #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #CEO #BoardAppointment #CommunityLeaders #BusinessAdvocacy

Thalia Puente Fernandez argues Washington students shouldn't face penalties for refusing animal dissection when Oregon and California already protect this choice. She questions unclear animal origins and calls for Clark County to lead on student rights legislation that prioritizes ethics over compliance in science education. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-its-time-to-protect-student-choice-in-washington-classrooms/ #StudentRights #Education #AnimalRights #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #StudentChoice #Ethics #Opinion #EducationPolicy #Letters

Vancouver Fire and Clark County Fire District 3 crews responded to a kitchen fire at 9304 NE 227th Avenue where four pets were trapped inside. Firefighters performed emergency resuscitation on two dogs and two cats rescued from the smoke-filled home. Despite rapid response efforts, three animals died while one dog survived. The Clark County Fire Marshal's Office continues investigating the cause. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/late-night-house-fire-prompts-pet-rescue-effort/ #VancouverFire #PetRescue #HouseFire #ClarkCounty #FireSafety #EmergencyResponse

Dave Upthegrove's unilateral decision to remove 79,876 acres from timber production is devastating rural school districts across Washington. Mount Baker schools face $1 million annual losses, forcing state takeover of finances and 30 employee cuts. Sedro-Woolley's DNR revenue collapsed from $3 million to $150,000, costing over 20 jobs. Nancy Churchill exposes how the Lands Commissioner's green agenda violates the state's 137-year constitutional trust obligation to fund public education through timber sales. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-broken-trust/ #WashingtonPolitics #TimberRevenue #RuralSchools #DNR #EducationFunding #StatePolicy #ForestManagement #SchoolFunding #WashingtonState #PublicEducation

Lars Larson warns that Washington's "millionaires tax" will inevitably expand to hit middle-class earners, following the same pattern as federal income tax over the past century. The state is already hiring 300 tax collectors starting July 1st, even though revenue won't arrive until 2029, building infrastructure to eventually tax incomes under a million dollars. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-cue-the-revenuers/ #WashingtonTax #IncomeTax #LarsLarson #Opinion #Politics #Taxpayers #Olympia #Revenue #Constitutional

After three years of closure due to a massive landslide, Mount St. Helens' Johnston Ridge Observatory will finally regain road access. The 2023 slide buried State Route 504 with over 300,000 cubic yards of volcanic debris, stranding visitors who needed helicopter rescue. Now Washington State Department of Transportation crews are building a permanent replacement for the destroyed Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge, with completion expected this fall. The project promises to revive local tourism that has struggled since the closure, even though hiking trails and other facilities remained open throughout. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-broken-trust/ #MountStHelens #Washington #Transportation #Tourism #Infrastructure #VolcanicMonument #StateRoute504 #JohnstonRidge #WSDOT #CowlitzCounty

Rep. John Ley exposes TriMet's staggering financial mismanagement as the agency posts an $850 million operating loss while demanding Clark County taxpayers fund MAX light rail operations. With costs per passenger mile jumping 75% in two years and ridership still 30% below pre-pandemic levels, serious questions emerge about the IBR's plan to prioritize six light rail construction packages in 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-everything-about-trimet-screams-poor-management/ #TriMet #IBR #LightRail #Transportation #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #PublicTransit #TaxpayerFunding #Opinion #Politics

Vancouver City Council unanimously approved a resolution demanding light rail extend beyond the waterfront station to Library Square near Evergreen Boulevard. Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle criticized the IBR's proposal to end service at a station requiring a 90-foot elevator, calling it impractical for the planned multimodal hub connecting C-TRAN buses with light rail. The city invested years planning the Library Square station and secured $30 million in federal grants for the project. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-city-council-approves-resolution-asking-ibr-to-extend-light-rail-to-library-square/ #VancouverWA #LightRail #IBR #Transportation #ClarkCounty #PublicTransit #CityCouncil #LibrarySquare #CTRAN #Infrastructure

State Representatives Stephanie McClintock and John Ley will deliver remarks at the Battle Ground KinderCare grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 18. The new center serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years old and accepts Washington state subsidy to increase access to quality early learning. The free family event features face painters, Hawaiian snacks, and interactive activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/kindercare-learning-center-set-to-open-center-in-battle-ground/ #BattleGround #KinderCare #ChildCare #EarlyLearning #ClarkCounty #Education #WorkingFamilies #Community #GrandOpening #Washington

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest teams up with Rotary and Lions foundations to support 37 local organizations serving children and families. From emergency food assistance to Safe Stay overnight programs and watershed monitoring, these grants fund vital community services across Southwest Washington. Major donors include GP Foundation, local school districts, and city employees working together to strengthen their neighborhoods. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/__trashed-11/ #CamasWashougal #CommunitySupport #NonprofitGrants #SouthwestWashington #CommunityChest #LocalGiving #FamilyServices #ChildrenAndFamilies #CommunityPartnership #Philanthropy

Terry Meyers, 58, pointed a firearm at a neighbor before barricading himself in his Vancouver apartment, forcing police to shut down I-5 southbound lanes during the SWAT response. The extended standoff at The Hudson apartment complex ended with Meyers' arrest and the discovery of multiple firearms in his unit. He faces two counts of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/?p=183973 #Vancouver #SWAT #PublicSafety #ClarkCounty #VancouverPolice #Firearms #Arrest #I5 #Washington

Peter Bracchi challenges the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's expanding scope after 22 years of planning and $477 million in pre-construction costs. The Vancouver resident argues project leaders must stop selling future hopes as current deliverables, with the fundable phase covering only a waterfront light rail station 75 feet above ground while the full corridor estimate reaches $14.4 billion against $5.5 billion in committed funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-freeze-the-scope-and-build-the-bridge/ #IBR #BridgeReplacement #Transportation #ProjectManagement #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #LightRail #PublicSpending #Infrastructure #Politics

Ekklesia Theatre presents Every Brilliant Thing, an interactive production where audiences become part of the story about finding hope during life's hardest moments. The company partners with Charis Counseling Associates, donating 50% of ticket sales to make mental health services accessible in Clark County. Shows run May 8, 15, and 22 at Coffee Church and Heritage Church in Vancouver, featuring Chris Murphy in this heartfelt solo performance about resilience and everyday joys. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/ekklesia-theatre-presents-every-brilliant-thing/ #EkklesiaTheatre #EveryBrilliantThing #VancouverTheatre #MentalHealthSupport #CommunityPartnership #ClarkCounty #InteractiveTheatre #CharitableGiving #SouthwestWashington #MentalHealthAwareness

Ekklesia Theatre presents Every Brilliant Thing, an interactive production where audiences become part of the story about finding hope during life's hardest moments. The company partners with Charis Counseling Associates, donating 50% of ticket sales to make mental health services accessible in Clark County. Shows run May 8, 15, and 22 at Coffee Church and Heritage Church in Vancouver, featuring Chris Murphy in this heartfelt solo performance about resilience and everyday joys. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/ekklesia-theatre-presents-every-brilliant-thing/ #EkklesiaTheatre #EveryBrilliantThing #VancouverTheatre #MentalHealthSupport #CommunityPartnership #ClarkCounty #InteractiveTheatre #CharitableGiving #SouthwestWashington #MentalHealthAwareness

Elizabeth New exposes how Washington state forces taxpayers to subsidize union collection while workers remain uninformed about their constitutional rights to refuse membership. Idaho's new legislation joins six other states banning government payroll deduction for private union dues, creating healthier separation between public employment and political organizations. The current system blurs employment with mandatory union participation, violating worker choice and misusing taxpayer resources. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-public-workers-first-amendment-rights-are-getting-attention-in-idaho-not-washington/ #Opinion #WorkerRights #FirstAmendment #UnionReform #PublicEmployees #TaxpayerRights #Washington #Idaho #JanusRights #GovernmentReform

Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge filed suit in Klickitat Superior Court challenging Washington's new 9.9% income tax. The legal brief argues the legislature and Governor Ferguson willfully defied nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent declaring income as property subject to uniform taxation requirements. Six previous attempts to impose graduated income taxes required constitutional amendments, all rejected by voters. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-lawsuit-filed-against-the-unconstitutional-income-tax-in-washington-state/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #Constitution #PropertyRights #Lawsuit #RobMcKenna #PhilTalmadge #TaxPolicy #LegalChallenge #GovernorFerguson

Vancouver Police responded to a residence on NE Oakbrook Circle Thursday night where officers discovered a 33-year-old woman deceased from significant knife wounds and a 30-year-old man with self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries. The male suspect was transported to a local hospital and remains hospitalized while the Major Crimes Unit conducts the investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-investigate-domestic-violence-homicide-2/ #VancouverPolice #DomesticViolence #Homicide #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #PoliceInvestigation #MajorCrimes #News

Tony Teso dismantles Lars Larson's voter fraud narrative, explaining that Oregon and Washington are contesting federal jurisdiction over voter roll data — not refusing to clean their rolls. The Camas resident argues the 372,000 Colorado figure represents routine maintenance, not fraud, and challenges the logic that links ballot measure outcomes to electoral fraud claims. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-oregon-and-washington-arent-refusing-to-clean-their-rolls-theyre-contesting-federal-jurisdiction-and-timing/ #VoterRolls #Politics #Oregon #Washington #ElectoralIntegrity #NVRA #DOJ #BallotMeasures #TicketSplitting

Clark County Council schedules April 27 public hearing to select preferred land use alternative for comprehensive plan update affecting eight jurisdictions. Three alternatives studied in environmental impact statement following 60-day public comment period. Final decision will guide growth and development for next 20 years across Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal, Woodland and Yacolt. Hybrid hearing format allows in-person and virtual participation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-council-to-hold-hearing-on-preferred-land-use-alternative-for-comprehensive-plan-update/ #ClarkCounty #ComprehensivePlan #LandUse #GrowthManagement #PublicHearing #Development #Planning #Vancouver #WashingtonState #CommunityPlanning

Ken Vance exposes how the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program buried crucial details about their light rail plan requiring a 70-foot elevator system at the waterfront stop. While Governor Ferguson touted a $7.65 billion bridge cost, the full project price tag hit $15.2 billion with no public oversight planned. Vancouver's mayor revealed the hidden elevator requirement that IBR officials conveniently omitted from their recent cost announcement. Clark County voters have rejected light rail three times, yet the project continues expanding with what Vance calls a "blank checkbook" approach from WSDOT and ODOT. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-when-are-we-going-to-get-the-full-and-complete-details-of-the-interstate-bridge-replacement-programs-i-5-bridge-replacement-project/ #IBR #I5Bridge #LightRail #Transportation #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #PublicOversight #GovernmentAccountability #WashingtonPolitics #Opinion

A new poll asks Clark County residents whether they support extending light rail beyond the current waterfront-only plan to connect with C-TRAN at Library Square. Anne McEnerny-Ogle has proposed this extension to create a multimodal transit hub rather than relying on elevator access from an elevated station. The proposal raises questions about costs, phasing, and how the system will serve Clark County commuters as the Interstate Bridge Replacement project moves forward. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-support-extending-light-rail-beyond-the-waterfront-to-connect-with-c-tran-at-library-square/ #VancouverWA #LightRail #Transportation #CTRAN #InterstateBridge #Transit #ClarkCounty #LibrarySquare

Doug Dahl breaks down the spatial math behind cyclist passing laws on two-lane roads. Ford F-150s measure 8 feet wide with mirrors, but most road lanes are only 10-12 feet. Add the required 3-foot buffer and cyclist positioning, and legal in-lane passing becomes impossible for most vehicles. The solution isn't aggression—it's understanding when patience beats risky maneuvers on double yellow line roads. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-passing-a-cyclist-law-myth-and-a-little-patience/ #CyclistSafety #TrafficLaws #RoadSharing #Transportation #TheWiseDrive #Opinion #DrivingSafety #ClarkCounty

Clark County wants public input on how to spend $2.4 million in federal CDBG and HOME funds for 2026. The proposed activities include dental services for low-income residents, sidewalk installation in Battle Ground, childcare business assistance, and affordable housing projects in Washougal. The County Council will hold a public hearing May 5, with comments accepted through May 11. Projects range from $75,000 for health navigation services to $400,000 for a 40-unit senior housing complex. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-seeks-public-comment-on-plans-tied-to-cdbg-and-home-funding-2/ #ClarkCounty #CDBG #AffordableHousing #PublicHearing #CommunityDevelopment #FederalFunding #Vancouver #BattleGround #Washougal #PublicComment

Ryan Frost from Washington Policy Center exposes the fundamental flaw in Washington's approach to tax reform: lawmakers can always spend beyond revenue and simply raise taxes to cover the difference. Despite a decade of new taxes including capital gains and income taxes, the state still faces multi-billion-dollar deficits because spending has outpaced revenue growth since 2013. Frost argues only a constitutional spending limit tied to population growth and inflation can force the legislature to make real tradeoffs instead of perpetually increasing the tax burden on residents and businesses. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-path-to-real-tax-reform-requires-a-spending-limit/ #TaxReform #WashingtonPolitics #SpendingLimit #Opinion #Budget #Taxes #ConstitutionalAmendment #FiscalPolicy #Government #Accountability

Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and legal heavyweights launch their constitutional challenge Thursday against Washington's new 9.9% income tax on millionaire earners. The lawsuit targets Senate Bill 6346, signed by Governor Ferguson in March, which ends Washington's status as one of few states without individual income tax. Supporters welcome the legal fight, expecting it to reach the state Supreme Court for definitive ruling on progressive taxation. Collections begin in 2029 if the law survives court challenges. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/court-battle-set-to-begin-over-was-new-income-tax/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #LegalChallenge #Politics #TaxLaw #Constitution #ClarkCounty #News

Anne McEnerny-Ogle's 48-second statement to the Regional Transportation Council exposed a major shift in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's light rail plans. While officials celebrated a $7.65 billion bridge project last month, they quietly revealed that light rail would only reach Vancouver's waterfront — requiring a 70-foot elevator for commuters. The mayor now wants to extend service to Library Square to connect with C-TRAN buses, questioning why this change wasn't disclosed during Governor Ferguson's victory lap. State Representative John Ley calls the lack of transparency part of a pattern that has kept taxpayers in the dark about exploding costs and shifting transit plans. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-mayor-counters-ibrs-proposal-for-the-only-light-rail-stop-to-be-at-the-waterfront/ #IBR #LightRail #Vancouver #Transportation #ClarkCounty #Politics #Transit #BridgeReplacement #PublicTransit #CTran

Lars Larson exposes how Oregon and Washington officials are fighting the Department of Justice in court to prevent cleanup of voter registration rolls before major elections. While Colorado was forced to remove 372,000 ineligible voters this week, Pacific Northwest Democrats seem determined to block similar scrutiny. Larson questions why states would resist rooting out fraudulent registrations unless they have something to hide. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-both-states-know-they-have-seriously-flawed-voter-registration/ #VoterIntegrity #Oregon #Washington #ElectionFraud #DOJ #LarsLarson #Politics #Opinion #Democracy #VoterRolls

Sarah Mittelman, a psychiatric provider working directly with homeless populations, challenges Clark County's approach to homelessness spending. She argues that good intentions don't make policy work and that public dollars should be tied to clear expectations like safer streets, fewer repeat crises, and measurable treatment engagement. Mittelman's letter responds to broader frustrations about public stewardship and calls for honest reporting on whether current policies are actually reducing visible disorder and chronic homelessness. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-compassion-without-accountability-is-failing-clark-county/ #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #PublicPolicy #MentalHealth #Accountability #Opinion #Vancouver #WashingtonState #PublicSafety #TaxpayerAccountability

Washington's Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought emergency Wednesday, the fourth consecutive year part or all of the state has faced water shortages. Director Casey Sixkiller says every watershed has dropped below 75% of normal supply despite an above-average wet winter. Mountain snowpack sits at half normal levels as warmer temperatures turned snow to rain. The declaration unlocks $3 million in response grants and expedites emergency water permits, but officials warn the funding falls short of needs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/our-new-normal-wa-confronts-another-year-of-drought/ #WashingtonDrought #WaterCrisis #ClimateChange #Agriculture #Wildfire

The U.S. Department of Education rescinded resolution agreements with six school districts, including Fife School District in Washington, following claims that previous administrations expanded Title IX protections beyond biological sex to include gender identity. Officials say the move corrects years of enforcement actions against districts for conduct like pronoun use, though affected schools report minimal impact on current policies. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/schools-expect-minimal-impact-with-title-ix-pacts-rescinded/ #TitleIX #Education #FederalPolicy #SchoolDistricts #WashingtonState #StudentSafety #CivilRights #Politics #News #ClarkCountyToday

The Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington launches its Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering $80 benefit cards to eligible Clark County residents 60 and older. The lottery-based program helps seniors purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at participating farmers markets from June through October. Applications close May 15, with income limits set at 185% of federal poverty level. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/area-agency-on-aging-disabilities-in-southwest-washington-announces-the-senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program/ #SeniorNutrition #FarmersMarket #ClarkCounty #HealthyEating #SeniorServices #CommunitySupport #FoodAssistance #VancouverWA

Clark County's Composter Recycler program launches seven free workshops teaching residents practical skills from worm bin composting to green cleaning. Sessions run April through May at Cascade Park Community Library and Waste Connections, covering everything from turning food scraps into fertilizer to making environmentally friendly household cleaners. Participants learn the SMART composting method, proper recycling techniques, and food waste prevention strategies. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/free-in-person-workshops-promote-composting-and-sustainable-living/ #ClarkCounty #Composting #SustainableLiving #GreenLiving #Recycling #CommunityWorkshops #EnvironmentalEducation #Vancouver #WasteReduction #GreenCleaning