Clark County Today News

Vancouver man Cameron Murray is using a GoFundMe campaign to purchase jackets and socks for people experiencing homelessness, inspired by his late brother Shelby and aiming to provide warmth and dignity during the coldest months of winter. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/gofundme-spotlight-vancouver-man-raising-money-to-buy-warm-clothing-for-the-homeless/ #VancouverWA #CommunitySupport #Homelessness #WinterWeather #GoFundMe

Clark County residents are encouraged to recycle natural Christmas trees after the holidays through curbside pickup, drop-off locations, and a Scouting America collection scheduled for Jan. 4, helping reduce landfill waste and methane emissions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/residents-encouraged-to-reduce-holiday-waste-by-recycling-natural-christmas-trees/ #ClarkCounty #Recycling #HolidayWaste #ChristmasTrees #PublicWorks

The Clark County Elections Office will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 and will reopen Friday, Dec. 26, with regular weekday hours at its Franklin Street location. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-elections-office-closed-dec-24-25/ #ClarkCounty #Elections #PublicServices #LocalGovernment #VancouverWA

This week's Clark County Today newsletter highlights storm impacts and power restoration across the county, renewed debate over the I-5 Bridge replacement, community tributes, transportation-focused opinions, and Santa's Posse delivering holiday help to 1,500 families. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_december_19_2025 #ClarkCounty #Transportation #CommunityNews #I5Bridge #PublicSafety #LocalNews

In this opinion column, Rep. John Ley outlines his criticism of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, arguing that the proposal is unaffordable, widely unpreferred, and unsupported by updated cost estimates while raising concerns about congestion, tolling, light rail, and marine clearance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-unpreferred-and-unaffordable-interstate-bridge-replacement-proposal/ #I5Bridge #IBRProgram #TransportationPolicy #PublicSpending #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Washington #Oregon

This week's poll focuses on the future of the I-5 Bridge replacement as lawmakers continue to face rising costs, unresolved design questions, and funding uncertainty tied to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-if-project-costs-continue-to-rise-what-should-lawmakers-do-with-the-i-5-bridge-replacement-plan/ #I5Bridge #IBRProgram #TransportationPolicy #ClarkCounty #Washington #Oregon #Opinion

Clark County reflects on the life and legacy of NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, a Camas High School graduate whose post-racing years were defined by large-scale humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts before his death in a plane crash with his family. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/clark-county-mourns-loss-of-hometown-hero-and-humanitarian-greg-biffle/ #GregBiffle #NASCAR #ClarkCounty #Camas #Humanitarian #Motorsports

In this opinion column, Joe Cortright details repeated delays, conflicting testimony, and shifting explanations from Interstate Bridge Replacement officials over the project's long-awaited updated cost estimate, which he argues is being withheld as costs climb toward the $9–$10 billion range. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ibr-still-holding-and-lying-about-coming-billions-in-cost-overruns/ #IBR #I5Bridge #TransportationPolicy #CostOverruns #PacificNorthwest #Infrastructure #Opinion

In this opinion column, Elizabeth New (Hovde) outlines how Senate Bill 5041 could lead to unemployment insurance overpayments for striking workers and added strain on Washington's UI fund, calling for clear disclosure at the point of application. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-another-problem-with-strike-pay-from-the-ui-fund-potential-double-dipping-overpayments/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #UnemploymentInsurance #SB5041 #WashingtonState #LaborPolicy

Vancouver firefighters wrapped up their second annual toy drive by delivering more than 650 donated toys to students at six elementary schools, highlighting community generosity and partnerships with local fire crews and schools. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-firefighters-spread-christmas-cheer-through-2nd-annual-toy-drive/ #Vancouver #VancouverFire #ToyDrive #CommunitySupport #HolidayGiving #EvergreenSchools

Vancouver fire crews and a Port of Portland rescue boat responded to an emergency on the Columbia River after a man jumped from the I-205 Bridge and was pulled from the water and transported for medical care. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/person-rescued-after-jumping-from-i-205-bridge/ #Vancouver #I205Bridge #WaterRescue #VancouverFire #EmergencyResponse #ColumbiaRiver

Heavy rain and strong winds continue to impact Southwest Washington as officials monitor power restoration, flood risks, and wind advisories through Thursday night. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/weather-update-heavy-rains-and-strong-wind-gusts-expected-for-the-rest-of-thursday/ #ClarkCounty #WeatherUpdate #WindAdvisory #FloodRisk #PublicUtilities #NationalWeatherService

Bonneville Power Administration is responding to more than 40 transmission outages after extreme weather brought strong winds and saturated soils across the Northwest, impacting lower-voltage lines and multiple communities in Oregon and southwestern Washington as crews work to identify causes and restore service. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/bpa-responding-to-widespread-weather-related-outages/ #BonnevillePowerAdministration #PowerOutages #SevereWeather #ElectricGrid #PacificNorthwest #ClarkCounty

In this letter to the editor, engineer Rick Vermeers outlines why he believes the Interstate Bridge Replacement project is failing under expanding scope, escalating costs, and timeline risks, and urges leaders to remove light rail to salvage a more affordable bridge plan. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-call-for-competent-interstate-bridge-project-management/ #Opinion #InterstateBridge #I5Bridge #LightRail #TriMet #ClarkCounty #Transportation

CRESA officials are reminding the public that 911 should be used only for life-threatening emergencies during weather events, as power outages and storm conditions continue to impact the region and emergency call volume increases. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/cresa-officials-ask-public-to-call-911-only-for-emergencies-during-weather-events/ #CRESA #EmergencyServices #WeatherAlert #PowerOutages #ClarkCounty

Rep. John Ley has introduced House Bill 2143, a measure aimed at changing state law governing representation on transportation boards by limiting population-based seat allocation and removing WSDOT's ability to withhold funding over board composition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-introduces-bill-to-balance-representation-on-washington-transportation-boards/ #WashingtonState #StateLegislature #TransportationPolicy #CTRAN #HouseBill2143

A Woodland man is in custody after Cowlitz County deputies responded to a report of suspicious circumstances and located a deceased man hidden on the suspect's property, leading to charges of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/woodland-man-arrested-charged-with-murder/ #Woodland #CowlitzCounty #MurderInvestigation #SheriffsOffice #CrimeNews

A severe windstorm swept across Clark County, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers, closing roads, and forcing school districts across the region to cancel classes as crews worked to clear debris and restore service. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wild-windstorm-knocks-out-power-closes-roads-and-cancels-school-throughout-clark-county/ #ClarkCounty #Windstorm #PowerOutages #SchoolClosures #DownedTrees #SouthwestWashington #WeatherAlert

Scientists say the Pacific Northwest just recorded its warmest fall on record, with unusually warm storms and rain limiting snowpack that many communities rely on during dry summer months, raising concerns about drought conditions heading into the year ahead. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/northwest-just-finished-warmest-fall-on-record-scientists-report/ #PacificNorthwest #Climate #Snowpack #Drought #NOAA #WeatherTrends

Elizabeth New (Hovde) critiques Washington lawmakers for responding to health care challenges with repeated tax proposals rather than prioritizing spending restraint and cost containment, warning that new payroll and excise taxes could further strain the state's economy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-more-taxes-sadly-the-washington-way/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WashingtonTaxes #HealthCarePolicy #StateLegislature #FiscalPolicy

C-TRAN will provide free service across its entire system starting at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve, with several routes operating extended late-night hours into early Jan. 1, as part of a regional effort to support safe holiday travel. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-offering-free-service-extended-hours-this-new-years-eve-2/ #CTRAN #NewYearsEve #PublicTransit #ClarkCounty #Transportation #SafeTravel

Clark County Public Works is seeking applicants for three live-in volunteer park host positions for the 2026 season, with opportunities at Klineline Pond, Prairie Fields and Curtin Creek Community Park, and Frenchman's Bar Regional Park. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-public-works-is-seeking-three-new-live-in-volunteer-park-hosts-for-the-2026-season/ #ClarkCounty #Volunteer #CountyParks #PublicWorks #ParkHosts

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance critiques the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program after Administrator Greg Johnson announced his departure amid continued delays in releasing updated cost estimates, unresolved design decisions, and ongoing concerns about light rail funding and project oversight. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ibr-administrator-receives-generous-christmas-gift-on-his-way-out-the-door/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #IBR #Transportation #Infrastructure #ClarkCounty

The Christmas Ships Parade has entered its final week with six remaining nights in its 71st season, as more than 70 illuminated boats continue visiting shoreline locations along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/christmas-ships-parade-enters-final-week-with-six-nights-of-holiday-magic-remaining/ #ChristmasShips #VancouverWA #HolidayEvents #PacificNorthwest #ColumbiaRiver #WillametteRiver

The Clark County Treasurer's Office is responding to a nationwide penny shortage after the U.S. Treasury Department stopped minting new pennies, encouraging customers to pay with exact change while the issue affects public offices that accept cash. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-treasurer-addresses-penny-shortage-encourages-customers-to-pay-with-exact-change/ #ClarkCounty #PennyShortage #CountyTreasurer #PublicServices #ExactChange

Michelle Belkot's legal case seeking reinstatement to the C-TRAN Board moved forward after a court allowed a Skamania County Sheriff's Office report into evidence, raising new questions about board actions, voting authority, and future decisions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/update-belkots-legal-team-submits-sheriffs-report-to-its-case-against-clark-county-council/ #CTRAN #ClarkCounty #LocalGovernment #PublicTransit #LegalUpdate #Politics

Lars Larson argues that continued refusal by Interstate Bridge Replacement Program leaders to provide updated cost estimates reflects a broader lack of government accountability and transparency surrounding the I-5 Bridge project. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-if-you-tolerate-lies-and-dishonesty-from-the-government-youre-guaranteed-more/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #GovernmentAccountability #Infrastructure #PacificNorthwest

Washington lawmakers are debating whether to undo a planned sales tax transfer meant to bolster the state's transportation budget as declining gas tax revenue and rising construction costs strain long-term funding plans. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/maneuver-to-shore-up-was-transportation-budget-could-be-reversed/ #WashingtonState #TransportationBudget #StateLegislature #Infrastructure #PublicFinance

Clark County has opened sales for 2026 annual parking passes at its regional parks, with daily parking fees set to increase to $5 beginning Jan. 1 and multiple purchase options available to residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-regional-parks-annual-parking-passes-now-available-for-purchase/ #ClarkCounty #RegionalParks #ParkingPass #PublicWorks #VancouverWA

Nancy Churchill outlines her view that Washington state lawmakers have turned taxation into a governing philosophy, using repeated tax proposals to expand government power while avoiding spending restraint and accountability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/opinion-tax-slave-to-washington-state/ #Opinion #WashingtonTaxes #StateGovernment #FiscalPolicy #Olympia #TaxPolicy

The Clark County Law Library will extend its weekday operating hours starting Jan. 2, 2026, offering expanded public access to legal materials and on-site librarian assistance at the Clark County Courthouse. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-law-library-increases-hours-of-operation-in-january-2026/ #ClarkCounty #LawLibrary #PublicAccess #LegalResources #VancouverWA

Rep. John Ley issued a statement criticizing the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program after lawmakers received no updated cost estimates and remained without key design decisions following a recent oversight committee meeting. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-issues-statement-after-i-5-bridge-replacement-meeting-yields-few-answers/ #I5Bridge #IBRProgram #Transportation #WashingtonLegislature #ClarkCounty #Infrastructure

Law enforcement officers and community leaders gathered to recognize efforts to reduce impaired driving, honor those lost to DUI crashes, and highlight the Target Zero goal of eliminating preventable roadway fatalities by 2030. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/target-zero-honoring-law-enforcements-battle-against-impaired-driving-at-night-of-1000-stars/ #TargetZero #NightOf1000Stars #ImpairedDriving #LawEnforcement #RoadSafety #ClarkCounty

In this letter to the editor, Camas resident Anna Miller responds to a recent immigration debate by examining due process for undocumented immigrants, court backlogs, border enforcement, and screening limits, arguing that President Donald Trump has taken necessary steps to stop illegal crossings and restore order to a broken system. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/letter-president-trump-has-stopped-the-flooding/ #Opinion #Immigration #BorderSecurity #DueProcess #ClarkCounty #Camas

Washington officials are beginning damage assessments after record flooding inundated communities across Snohomish and Skagit counties, triggering rescues, evacuation orders, highway closures, and an emergency declaration as crews brace for additional rain and wind. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washington-begins-to-assess-damage-from-record-flooding/ #WashingtonFloods #EmergencyResponse #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDamage #WAState #Weather

Youth Efforts Against Hunger has delivered 10,500 pounds of high-quality protein to the Clark County Food Bank, showcasing how local youth projects from the Clark County Fair are strengthening the regional food system while helping address food insecurity across the county. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/youth-efforts-against-hunger-delivers-10500-pounds-of-high-quality-protein-to-clark-county-food-bank/ #ClarkCounty #YouthPrograms #FoodInsecurity #CommunitySupport #AgricultureEducation #FoodBank

In this letter to the editor, Vancouver resident John Ford warns that dehumanizing rhetoric and social media harassment are undermining public safety and productive immigration policy debate, urging leaders and media outlets to restore basic human dignity to the discussion. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-if-we-want-workable-immigration-reform-we-must-first-restore-basic-human-dignity-to-the-debate/ #Opinion #ImmigrationReform #HumanDignity #PublicDiscourse #MediaResponsibility #Vancouver

Santa's Posse returned to Clark County, with hundreds of volunteers partnering with the Clark County Sheriff's Office to deliver toys, food, and bicycles to 1,500 families and nearly 4,300 children, highlighting a decades-long tradition of community-driven holiday giving. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/santas-posse-delivers-christmas-joy-once-again/ #SantaPosse #ClarkCounty #CommunityGiving #HolidayTradition #Volunteers #SouthwestWashington

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center says rising minimum wages and higher B&O taxes are pushing food prices beyond the reach of lower-income consumers, citing data from Wendy's, academic studies, and recent policy changes that he argues are worsening affordability for families and small businesses. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-is-the-cheap-fast-food-burger-a-thing-of-the-past/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #MinimumWage #SmallBusiness #Inflation #CostOfLiving

In this opinion column, Lars Larson argues that Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek are failing to address deadly highway crashes involving commercial drivers with state-issued licenses, raising questions about public safety, enforcement, and state compliance with federal CDL laws. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-blood-on-the-highways-fails-to-move-ferguson-and-kotek/ #Opinion #HighwaySafety #PublicSafety #PacificNorthwest #CDL #TrafficSafety

In this letter to the editor, Camas resident Anthony Teso says immigrants are protected by the U.S. Constitution and outlines how rights such as due process, equal protection, and protection from illegal search and seizure apply to all people, warning against curtailing any group's civil liberties. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-when-we-curtail-one-groups-rights-we-leave-open-the-door-to-losing-our-rights-too/ #Opinion #CivilLiberties #Constitution #Immigration #ClarkCounty #Camas

Clark County Today is asking readers to weigh in on whether enforcing U.S. immigration laws is an act of racism, following a local opinion column that examined recent ICE activity in Vancouver, public reaction, and the role of law enforcement in immigration enforcement. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-agree-that-enforcing-u-s-immigration-laws-is-not-an-act-of-racism/ #Opinion #Immigration #PublicOpinion #ClarkCounty #ICE #LawEnforcement

Widespread flooding across Washington state has forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate as rivers crest and officials warn of catastrophic conditions, prompting Gov. Bob Ferguson to request federal disaster aid and deploy the National Guard to assist affected communities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/thousands-under-evacuation-orders-as-floodwaters-crest-in-washington-rivers/ #WashingtonFloods #EmergencyResponse #Evacuations #PublicSafety #NaturalDisaster #WAState

The C-TRAN Board of Directors paused its monthly meeting to remember Molly Coston, honoring her leadership as board chair, her service as Washougal mayor and councilor, and the lasting impact she made on public transportation and the community. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/c-tran-board-pays-tribute-to-the-late-molly-coston/ #CTran #PublicTransportation #CommunityLeaders #Washougal #Vancouver #RegionalTransit

Lars Larson weighs in on student walkouts protesting immigration enforcement, pointing to education funding levels, absenteeism, and test results while questioning whether taxpayers should respond by withholding their own participation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-should-taxpayers-walkout/ #Opinion #PacificNorthwest #EducationFunding #Taxpayers #PublicSchools #Accountability

Target Zero will honor traffic safety champions at the Night of 1000 Stars Ceremony in Region 6, recognizing leaders such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, while reinforcing the importance of sober driving and enhanced DUI enforcement during the holiday season. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/target-zero-honors-traffic-safety-champions-at-the-night-of-1000-stars-ceremony/ #TargetZero #TrafficSafety #DUIEnforcement #WashingtonState #CommunitySafety #RoadSafety

The Clark County Elections Office is asking registered voters in Hockinson and Washougal school districts to submit opposing statements for upcoming ballot propositions, with a deadline of Dec. 17 for inclusion in the February 10, 2026 special election voters' guide. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/opposing-statements-sought-for-feb-10-2026-ballot-measures/ #ClarkCounty #Elections #BallotMeasures #VotersGuide #LocalGovernment #SchoolDistricts

Doug Dahl of The Wise Drive outlines how little water it takes to make driving dangerous, explaining hydroplaning risks, vehicle limitations in standing and moving water, and why flooded roads pose hidden hazards for drivers across Washington state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-too-deep-to-drive-flooded-roads/ #Opinion #DrivingSafety #FloodedRoads #WashingtonState #TargetZero #RoadSafety

Yacolt resident Mark Rose argues Washington state is repeating the same grant oversight failures that led to Minnesota's $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud, pointing to state audits, nonprofit pass-through funding, and local homelessness programs as warning signs for taxpayers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-a-warning-to-washington-the-minnesota-model-of-fraud-has-arrived/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #FraudOversight #TaxpayerFunds #NonprofitAccountability #ClarkCounty

An atmospheric river is hammering Washington state with days of heavy rain, pushing rivers from the Canadian border to southwest Washington into moderate to major flood stage. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Wednesday signed a statewide emergency declaration, activated the Washington National Guard through the end of the month and said he'll seek fast federal help as officials warn that “lives will be at stake in the coming days.”This report details how much rain is falling along the western Cascades, why the Skagit River is a chief concern as it threatens to top its 1990 record by about four feet upriver, and how local and state agencies are preparing to evacuate roughly seventy‑five thousand people from low‑lying areas. It also covers major road closures — including a fifty‑mile shutdown of Highway 2 — and what emergency managers expect as more wet weather looms next week. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/historic-flooding-prompts-wa-governor-to-declare-emergency/#WashingtonState #Flooding #PublicSafety #StateOfEmergency #SkagitRiver

Voting by mail surged during the pandemic and still accounts for tens of millions of ballots, but the rules that govern it may be about to change. This story looks at efforts in states like Ohio to eliminate ballot grace periods, a U.S. Supreme Court case that could require all mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, and former President Donald Trump's renewed push to end mail voting altogether. It also highlights election officials and voters from Oregon to West Virginia who defend the system, even as they brace for new limits before the next midterms. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/voting-by-mail-faces-uncertain-moment-ahead-of-midterm-elections/#UnitedStates #VotingByMail #Elections #ElectionLaw #SupremeCourt