Clark County Today News

The Vancouver Fire Department has confirmed the July 20 fire that destroyed the Oakbrook Park play structure was intentionally set, causing roughly $100,000 in damage. A $10,000 reward through the Arson Alarm Foundation is being offered for tips leading to an arrest. The investigation remains open. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/fire-and-arson-investigation-concludes-playground-fire-was-intentionally-set/ #VancouverWA #ClarkCounty #Arson #OakbrookPark #VancouverFireDepartment #PublicSafety #FireInvestigation

After nearly 17 years leading Washougal and a 40-year local government career, City Manager David Scott will retire on April 15, 2027. His tenure included securing a $40 million federal Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant and transitioning the city to a council-manager form of government. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/city-of-washougal-announces-upcoming-retirement-of-city-manager-david-scott/ #Washougal #CityManager #LocalGovernment #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #PublicService #Infrastructure #MunicipalLeadership

Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene partnered with Sunshine Laundry and Cleanworks Laundromat on Main Street in Battle Ground to cover 20 full loads of washing and drying for 40 people. Pastor Will Swaney says the event sparked spontaneous conversations among patrons. The church plans to hold Laundry Love monthly. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/love-and-suds-makes-for-successful-combo-as-saving-grace-church-introduces-laundry-love/ #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #CommunityOutreach #SavingGrace #LaundryLove #WashingtonState

Washougal resident Anthony Teso pushes back on a Washington Policy Center column, arguing that Senate Bill 5041 does not destabilize the unemployment trust fund and that striking workers drawing benefits are drawing on their own deferred wages, not employer funds. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-strike-is-the-withdrawal-of-labor-in-a-dispute-the-employer-co-produces-at-the-bargaining-table/ #Opinion #SB5041 #LaborRights #UnemploymentBenefits #WashingtonState #StrikingWorkers #ClarkCounty #Politics #Washougal #CollectiveBargaining ---

Vancouver resident Jim McConnell breaks down city budgets per capita across the West Coast, finding that Vancouver's $12,000 per-person budget surpasses Seattle's $11,000 and Los Angeles's $3,800. McConnell argues the trend reflects irrational progressive fiscal policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-how-rational-are-our-city-taxes/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #CityBudget #WashingtonState #Opinion #Taxes #GovernmentSpending #LocalPolitics #LetterToTheEditor #FiscalPolicy

Sarah Mittelman, a nurse with over 20 years in emergency and behavioral health care, explains why she left the Democratic Party to run for state representative in Legislative District 49 as a Republican. She writes that no one recruited her and that the decision aligned with her conscience, not political convenience. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-i-didnt-become-a-republican-because-it-was-the-easier-choice/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #LD49 #SarahMittelman #StatePolitics #Republican #PoliticalCandidate #BehavioralHealth #Nurse

A man died Friday afternoon after his Toyota Tacoma left the gravel L-1500 Road in Yacolt Burn State Forest, struck a stump, and rolled down an embankment. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt. DNR Police, Clark County Sheriff deputies, and Fire District 3 responded. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/fatal-crash-reported-on-road-in-yacolt-burn-state-forest/ #YacoltBurnStateForest #ClarkCounty #FatalCrash #DNR #ClarkCountySheriff #PublicSafety #WashingtonState

Camas resident Douglas Tweet argues the $15.2 billion IBR bridge plan allocates roughly half its width to light rail, buses, and bicycles while cramming cars, trucks, and freight into the remainder — and that Clark County has voted against light rail three times. Tweet makes the case for John Braun in the August 4 primary. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-john-braun-for-congress-navy-captain-business-leader-and-state-senator/ #IBR #I5Bridge #LightRail #JohnBraun #3rdCongressionalDistrict #ClarkCounty #Washington #Transportation #Opinion #Politics

Elisabeth Gordon, 51, was arrested in Vancouver after a road rage incident in which she allegedly rear-ended another vehicle, then attempted to elude Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies. A grappler deployment stopped her GMC Yukon near NE Andresen Road, and a police K9 assisted in taking her into custody. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/road-rage-suspect-arrested-after-attempting-to-elude-deputies/ #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #RoadRage #Vancouver #ClarkCountySheriff #WashingtonState

Bloodworks Northwest has declared a Code Red blood emergency — meaning less than a one-to-two-day supply remains for patients across the Pacific Northwest. The nonprofit supplies 95 percent of regional hospitals and is asking donors to give and spread the word. One July donor wins a $10,000 gas card. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/bloodworks-northwest-issue-code-red-seeks-blood-donors/ #BloodworksNorthwest #CodeRed #BloodDonation #PacificNorthwest #ClarkCounty #BloodShortage #SaveALife #DonateBlood #WashingtonState #Community

Clark County Elections began mailing ballots on July 14 for the Aug. 4 Primary and Special Election. The deadline to register or update your registration online or by mail is 4 p.m. on July 27. After that date, updates must be made in person by 8 p.m. on Election Day. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ballots-for-aug-4-primary-and-special-election-in-the-mail/ #ClarkCounty #Elections #Vancouver #WashingtonState #PrimaryElection #VoterRegistration #Aug4Election #ClarkCountyElections

Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Seattle Kraken, told a panel of state business leaders that he's never felt this much fear in Washington's business community. His concern isn't the millionaire income tax — it's what he called an "insatiable appetite of spending beyond your means" by majority Democrats in Olympia, negative credit rating outlooks, and a growing number of companies quietly discussing relocation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/kraken-ceo-warns-that-washington-state-business-leaders-are-eyeing-exits/ #WashingtonState #BusinessClimate #Olympia #FiscalPolicy #TodLeiweke #Kraken #WashingtonBusiness #StateBudget #Economics #PNW

The Endeavour Fund's $6 million gift — the largest in FVRL Foundation history — puts the new Washougal Community Library just $400,000 from its $10.4 million fundraising goal. The 14,000-square-foot facility at 222 Durgan Street is slated to open in 2028, replacing a 2,300-square-foot space that has served nearly 18,000 residents since 1981. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/record-6m-gift-brings-new-washougal-community-library-close-to-fundraising-finish-line/ #WashougalLibrary #FVRLibraries #ClarkCounty #WashougalWA #PublicLibrary #CommunityNews #WashingtonState ---

Vancouver is moving forward with a no-barrier Bridge Shelter, but Peter Bracchi asks a pointed question: if years of sanitation, oversight, and disorder problems at Share House were never solved, what prevents the same failures from taking root at the new facility? https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-vancouver-does-not-just-need-a-new-shelter/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #BridgeShelter #ShareHouse #PublicSafety #Opinion #ClarkCountyToday

The McClaskey Foundation, through the Parks Foundation of Clark County, has invested $25,000 to sustain the Summer Playgrounds Program — a six-week, free recreation program serving Vancouver children ages 6–11 at Evergreen Park, Hough Elementary, and Crestline Elementary, including daily USDA-funded lunches. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/parks-foundation-of-clark-county-awards-25000-to-support-vancouvers-summer-playgrounds-program/ #SummerPlaygrounds #VancouverWA #ClarkCounty #ParksFoundation #YouthRecreation #McClaskeyFoundation #CommunityInvestment

Former Democratic Governor Gary Locke told a statewide economic summit that Washington's legislature has "no budget discipline," warning that one-time money is being locked into permanent programs with no plan to sustain them — even as the state faces a projected budget deficit. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/video-ex-governor-locke-criticizes-washingtons-out-of-control-spending/ #WashingtonState #GaryLocke #Olympia #StateBudget #FiscalPolicy #AWB #WashingtonPolitics #BudgetDeficit #GovernmentSpending #Politics

Initiative 645 is certified for the November ballot after Let's Go Washington submitted 509,365 signatures. The Clark County Charter Review Commission passed amendment 26-40 on a 12-3 vote, C-TRAN holds $201 million in cash but fares cover just 4.2 percent of operating costs, and the Washougal National turns 45 on July 25. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_july_17_2026 #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #Initiative645 #CharterReview #CTRAN #WashougalNational #PearsonField #ClarkCountyToday

A Clark County Charter Review Commission amendment passed 12-3 would lower the signature threshold for initiatives from 10 percent to 8 percent. Sponsor Cathie Garber says no citizen petition has reached the ballot since Clark County adopted Home Rule in 2014. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-26-40-amending-the-initiative-mini-initiative-and-referenda-process/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #Initiative #Referendum #WashingtonState #ClarkCountyPolitics #HomeRule #CivicEngagement #November2026

A Mercatus Center study of nearly 34 million interstate moves finds Americans are gravitating toward states with lower taxes and greater economic freedom — and Washington is among the top sources of people choosing Idaho. Chris Cargill of Mountain States Policy Center examines what's driving the shift and what it means for the region. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-idaho-and-montana-are-winning-the-competition-for-americas-families/ #Opinion #Idaho #Montana #WashingtonState #Migration #TaxPolicy #MountainWest #EconomicFreedom #PacificNorthwest #MountainStatesPolicyCenter ---

Initiative 645, which would repeal Washington's new 9.9% income tax on income above $1 million a year, has been certified for the November ballot after Let's Go Washington submitted 509,365 signatures with an 80%-plus validity rate. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the underlying law in March; tax collections are set to begin in 2029. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/its-official-wa-voters-will-get-to-weigh-in-on-new-income-tax/ #Initiative645 #WashingtonTax #IncomeTax #LettsGoWashington #WashingtonPolitics #TaxRepeal #November2026 #WashingtonState

Since January, 138 striking workers have collected 642 weeks of unemployment benefits totaling nearly $506,000 under Washington's new law — and Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues the employer-funded UI system was never designed to subsidize labor disputes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ui-fund-has-a-government-made-leak-harming-workers-and-their-employers/ #UnemploymentInsurance #WashingtonState #LaborPolicy #SB5041 #WorkersRights #EmployerTaxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty

The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington awarded $719,000 in Focus Grants to 15 nonprofits in its first 2026 funding cycle — covering healthcare, immigrant services, food security, and civic engagement across Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties. A second cycle opens now with $460,000 available and an August 31 deadline. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/community-foundation-awards-719000-to-sw-washington-nonprofits-opens-next-funding-cycle/ #CommunityFoundation #SWWashington #ClarkCounty #Nonprofits #FocusGrants #ImmigrantServices #Healthcare #FoodSecurity #CommunityNews #WashingtonState

The city of Vancouver and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site are hosting a free family event at Pearson Field on August 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day includes flight simulators, guided tours, a Compass Rose mural unveiling by The 99s, WINGS credit workshops, and paper airplane competitions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/city-of-vancouver-and-national-park-service-to-host-a-flight-through-time-at-pearson-field/ #PearsonField #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #AFlightThroughTime #Aviation #FamilyFriendly #FortVancouver #FreeEvent #WashingtonState

Five of nine Washington Supreme Court seats are on the 2026 primary ballot. The League of Women Voters of Washington has published video interviews with 13 of 14 candidates, each answering the same four questions on judicial experience, legal reasoning, and judicial review. Ballots are due August 4. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/lwv-of-wa-launches-four-questions-video-series-for-washington-supreme-court/ #WashingtonSupremeCourt #LWVWashington #Vote411 #JudicialElections #Washington2026 #VoterGuide #ClarkCounty #PrimaryElection

Amendment 26-31 would expand Clark County's Ethics Commission from three to five members — but voters may never see it. The county council is expected to act on July 21, which could make the ballot measure unnecessary. Sponsor Kim Hamlik says five members would allow stronger deliberation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-26-31-establishing-a-five-member-ethics-commission/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #EthicsCommission #ClarkCountyPolitics #WashingtonState #CountyGovernment #LocalGovernment #November2026

Construction begins in August to replace an aging bridge in the northeast corner of Lacamas Regional Park, closing all trails in that area through approximately November. A separate City of Camas dam maintenance project at Round Lake begins in September, adding flaggers along park trails when equipment moves. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/trail-and-access-closures-begin-soon-at-lacamas-regional-park-for-bridge-replacement-project/ #LacamasRegionalPark #ClarkCounty #TrailClosure #BridgeReplacement #CamasWA #ParkConstruction #ClarkCountyPublicWorks #WashingtonState

La Center's Myrna Leija-Frantz makes the case for Judge Dave Larson in the Washington State Supreme Court Position 5 race, citing his 41 years of legal experience — 23 as a civil trial lawyer and 18 as a trial judge — and his commitment to fairness over partisan politics. Ballots arrive for the August 4 primary. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-judge-larson-is-the-real-deal/ #WashingtonSupremeCourt #JudgeLarson #Opinion #Politics #ClarkCounty #August4Primary #JudicialRace #WashingtonState #LetterToTheEditor #LaCenter

Randal O'Toole of Cascade Policy Institute argues the 21st Century Road to Housing Act is political theater — and that urban growth boundaries in Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii are the true drivers of unaffordable housing. He points to Portland's subsidized housing costs nearing $800 per livable square foot as evidence the problem is getting worse, not better. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-21st-century-road-to-no-affordable-housing/ #HousingAffordability #UrbanGrowthBoundaries #HousingPolicy #Congress #Oregon #Washington #CascadePolicy #SingleFamilyHomes #HousingCrisis #Opinion

Vancouver resident Wynn Grcich calls out Battle Ground council members Troy McCoy and Glen Yung for supporting water fluoridation, arguing the public was not given informed consent and that politicians have no authority to make medical decisions for residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-our-rights-are-being-taken-away-by-council-members-locally/ #Opinion #BattleGround #Fluoride #ClarkCounty #LocalGovernment #PublicHealth #WaterFluoridation #VancouverWA #WashingtonState #Voters

Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 33-year-old Samuel Swan following a reported sexual assault at Pacific Park Extreme Skate Park in Vancouver. The 12-year-old victim was contacted at the scene. Swan faces First-Degree Kidnapping, First-Degree Rape, Second-Degree Rape of a Child, and outstanding felony warrants. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ccso-arrests-33-year-old-in-juvenile-sexual-assault-investigation/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #PublicSafety #CCSO #CrimeNews #SexualAssault #ClarkCountyToday

Nancy Churchill examines the four candidates vying for Washington Supreme Court Position 7 — a seat that will almost certainly decide the constitutional fate of the state's new income tax. Churchill weighs Chief Justice Debra Stephens' record against three challengers who each emphasize applying the Constitution as written. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-supreme-court-position-7-will-they-guard-the-dam-or-let-the-tax-flood-through/ #WashingtonState #SupremeCourt #IncomeTax #JudicialElection #Opinion #Columns #Politics #ClarkCounty #DangerousRhetoric #InfluencingOlympia

Amendment 26-20, sponsored by Charter Review Commission chair Brandon Erickson and passed 9-6, would limit Clark County Council members to three consecutive terms. A one-term waiting period would apply before a former councilor could run again. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-26-20-limitation-on-consecutive-terms-for-county-council-members/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #TermLimits #ClarkCountyCouncil #WashingtonState #LocalGovernment #Amendment2620 #CountyPolitics

Charter amendment 26-14, sponsored by Peter Silliman of District 5, would give the Clark County Council authority to conduct independent performance audits of county finances and programs. The measure passed the Charter Review Commission 13-2 and is headed for the November 2026 ballot. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-26-14-performance-audits/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #PerformanceAudits #ClarkCountyWA #LocalGovernment

Clark County voters rejected light rail in 2012 and passed a 68% advisory vote against it in 2013 — yet Councilors Yung, Fuentes, and Marshall have continued pushing the project. The IBR I-5 Bridge cost estimate has doubled from $7.5 billion to $15.2 billion since 2023, and a C-TRAN board restructuring now gives Vancouver effective control of six of nine seats. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-local-politicians-have-ignored-repeated-votes-against-light-rail-and-a-county-resolution-opposing-light-rail/ #LightRail #IBR #ClarkCounty #CTRAN #Vancouver #Transportation #Opinion #Politics #WashingtonState

US Army veteran Tiffany Plous Ferschweiler makes the case that Clark County's HUD-VASH support is concentrated in Vancouver, leaving veterans with housing vouchers few options countywide. She points to Multi-Family Tax Exemption programs and the state's Landlord Mitigation Program as tools local leaders should deploy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-our-local-leaders-should-be-advocating-and-making-those-opportunities-countywide-to-translate-into-housing-opportunities-for-our-veterans/ #VeteranHousing #HUDVASH #ClarkCounty #VeteranServices #AffordableHousing #WashingtonState #Opinion

The Clark County Charter Review Commission passed Amendment 26-10 with a 12-3 vote, requiring the county's budget process to begin in September instead of November — giving residents more time to weigh in on an $880 million annual budget most never knew existed. Sponsor Peter Silliman says public participation under the current timeline is minimal. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-26-10-revised-budget-transparency-process/ #ClarkCounty #BudgetTransparency #CharterReview #ClarkCountyWA #WashingtonState #LocalGovernment #PublicPolicy #CountyBudget

Rep. John Ley breaks down C-TRAN's 2025 annual report — $201 million in reserves, 4.9 million boardings, and wages up 55% since 2023. The agency outperforms TriMet, but farebox recovery has fallen from 17% to 4.2% and buses often run at less than 20% capacity. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-c-tran-outpaces-trimet-strong-finances-and-growing-ridership-but-a-cautionary-note-on-costs-and-efficiency/ #CTRAN #ClarkCounty #PublicTransit #Transportation #WashingtonState #BRT #TransitPolicy #Opinion #Columns #ClarkCountyToday

For the 26th year, Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife opened the Merwin Fish Hatchery to more than 150 children with disabilities — each one welcomed by volunteers, handed free poles and tackle, and given the chance to reel in rainbow trout and take home up to five fish. The day's biggest catch, a 6-pound 7-ounce trout, was landed by Stuart Ruckman. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/merwin-day-of-fishing-for-kids-with-disabilities-celebrates-26-years/ #MerwinFishing #KidsWithDisabilities #PacificPower #WDFW #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #YouthFishing #OutdoorAccess #CommunityNews #ClarkCountyToday ---

Washington's Employment Security Department has paid nearly $506,000 to 138 striking workers in the first six months of a new state law extending unemployment benefits to those in labor disputes. Eligible workers can receive up to 6 weeks of benefits — far less than the standard 26 weeks — and projected trust fund shortfalls could trigger a new business tax worth hundreds of millions of dollars. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/six-months-in-wa-has-paid-unemployment-to-more-than-100-striking-workers/ #WashingtonState #StrikingWorkers #UnemploymentBenefits #LaborLaw #WashingtonLegislature #UNITEHERE #EmploymentSecurityDepartment #WALaborCouncil

Amendment 26-07, sponsored by Commissioner John Jay and passed 8-7, would require Clark County to publish a data-driven public analysis of how proposed land use or construction code changes could affect housing costs before adopting them. The analysis must be funded by the county's general fund — not development fees. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-amendment-26-07-housing-impact-analysis/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #HousingAffordability #LandUse #ClarkCountyWA #November2026 #BallotMeasure #LocalGovernment

Amendment 26-01, sponsored by commission secretary Cathie Garber, would send nonpartisan county candidates directly to the general election when two or fewer are running — bypassing the primary entirely. Garber estimates the 2022 election alone could have saved more than $75,000 under this rule. The amendment passed 11-4. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/charter-review-commission-amendment-26-01-clarifying-nonpartisan-office-elections/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #Elections #WashingtonState #LocalGovernment #Amendment2601 #VancouverWA #PrimaryElection

Clark County voters will weigh in on 10 proposed charter amendments this November, covering term limits, tax increase thresholds, and a new ethics commission. The week also brought a prosecutor disqualification ruling, income tax opinion columns, candidate announcements, the death of a sheriff's deputy, and a Union High School alum making his mark with the New England Patriots. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #ClarkCountyToday #CharterAmendments #IncomeTax #LocalPolitics #Elections #PublicSafety

The Ridgefield Raptors went 20-7 in the first half of the West Coast League season, clinching a playoff spot — and players say the host families and coaches made it happen. Jackson Weber, Justin Brown, and Joseph Jasso describe how a Saturday brunch at the Rayburn home captured the spirit of this summer's squad. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/host-families-coaches-players-work-together-to-create-winning-chemistry-for-ridgefield-raptors/ #RidgefieldRaptors #WestCoastLeague #ClarkCounty #Baseball #Ridgefield #WashingtonState #Sports #SummerBaseball

Clark County is looking to fill four vacant volunteer seats on its Clean Water Commission, an advisory body of nine residents that guides surface water quality and watershed health policy. No stormwater expertise is required — applications are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-seeks-volunteers-for-four-positions-on-the-clean-water-commission/ #ClarkCounty #CleanWater #Vancouver #WashingtonState #PublicWorks #WaterQuality #Volunteer #CommunityNews

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has not directly addressed Washington's new income tax despite repeated interview requests from The Center Square. Republican challenger Sen. John Braun and the RNC argue voters deserve a clear position. Opponents have gathered more than 500,000 signatures seeking a repeal vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-publicly-state-her-position-on-washingtons-new-income-tax/ #WashingtonIncomeTax #MarieGluesenkampPerez #3rdCongressionalDistrict #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #Politics #2026Election

Rep. John Ley draws a direct line from Camas's "temporary" utility tax — proposed to jump from 2% to 9% — to a new statewide 9.9% income tax that over 511,000 Washingtonians have forced onto the November ballot. He argues the pattern is undeniable: temporary taxes never expire. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-letting-the-camels-nose-into-the-tent-reject-the-income-tax/ #Opinion #IncomeTax #IP26645 #WashingtonState #TaxPolicy #ClarkCounty #JohnLey #November2026 #VoterInitiative

Rye Dilley, a Tukes Valley Middle School student entering eighth grade, revived a defunct Battle Ground Public Schools district newspaper as a student-driven digital magazine — assembling the first 30-page issue in under six weeks alongside a team of about a dozen students. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/tukes-valley-middle-school-student-leads-school-district-news-magazine/ #BattleGround #StudentJournalism #YouthMedia #BattleGroundPublicSchools #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #YourBattleGroundPublicSchools #TukesValley #LocalNews

Washington's Small Business Optimism Index sits at 94.5 — four points below the national average. NFIB data show 19 percent of Washington owners cite labor costs as their top problem, more than double the 8.5 percent national rate, while government regulation and taxes also register far higher than peer states. Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth breaks down what the numbers mean for workers, communities, and state revenue. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-nfib-report-shows-washington-small-businesses-are-feeling-the-pinch-of-labor-costs-regulations-and-high-taxes/ #WashingtonState #SmallBusiness #NFIB #LaborCosts #Taxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Olympia #BusinessPolicy #Opinion #Columns

More than 8,200 people experienced homelessness in Clark County in 2025, including over 2,300 children. The Council for the Homeless annual report documents small but fragile gains in shelter stays and housing stability, while warning that rising costs and tapering federal relief continue to outpace available resources. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/council-for-the-homeless-releases-2025-annual-homeless-response-report/ #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #CFTH #Vancouver #WashingtonState #HomelessResponse #AffordableHousing

Clark County's Charter Review Commission voted Wednesday to send all 10 proposed amendments to the November 2026 general election ballot. The amendments include a supermajority requirement for new county taxes, a three-consecutive-term limit for county councilors, and a reduction in initiative signature requirements from 10 percent to 8 percent. Commission Chair Brandon Erickson called the vote a reflection of careful, deliberate review of the county's basic governing document. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-charter-review-commission-passes-10-amendments-to-head-to-general-election/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #ClarkCountyPolitics #WashingtonState #CountyGovernment #November2026 #LocalGovernment

Vancouver resident Sharon Nasset makes the case that removing the I-5 bridges is unnecessary — arguing seismic upgrades are feasible, a supplemental bridge one mile west could add capacity, and a second BNSF lift could reduce bridge raises by 95%. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/letter-why-are-we-removing-the-i-5-bridges/ #I5Bridge #ColumbiaRiver #IBR #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Transportation #Opinion #BridgeReplacement #WashingtonState #PacificNorthwest ---