Clark County Today News

Washington drivers already paying $1.45 per gallon above the national average face an automatic 2% gas tax increase starting July 1 — the first step in a new inflation-indexed annual hike. GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan warns the mechanism will permanently widen the gap between Washington and the rest of the country, regardless of any relief from the Iran deal. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/busines...

Sixty worshippers from four churches and three denominations filled Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene in Battle Ground on June 13 for a Community Worship Night. Pastor Will Swaney said the congregation "rocked the rafters" in a night of shared praise across Nazarene and non-Nazarene communities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/saving-grace-church-hosts-community-worship-night/ #BattleGro...

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 against a charter amendment that would have given the auditor's office authority to place financial impact statements on ballot initiatives. Critics argued the proposal — similar to one voters rejected in 2024 — would let one office tip the scales of the ballot process. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-council-votes-down-proposal-that-would-lead...

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, a Democrat, is calling on county prosecutors to defend signature gatherers targeted by harassment and theft — including a June 9th incident where a man stole a signature sheet outside a South Hill Safeway. Sam Cardwell of Mountain States Policy Center examines what this means for Washington's initiative process and the July 2nd deadline. https://www.clarkcou...

Seattle engineer Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's $17.7 billion plan adds just one lane for five miles — and leaves $12 billion in 30-year bond debt for future generations. He says a less costly immersed tunnel alternative exists. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-ibrs-concrete-obscenity/ #IBR #InterstateBridgeReplacement #Transportation #ClarkCounty...

Anthony Teso of Camas challenges a proposal for a free-market healthcare commission, pointing out that the U.S. already spends $14,885 per person on healthcare — nearly double the $7,371 OECD average — while delivering worse outcomes than peer nations. He argues that price-based rationing is still rationing. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-free-market-cure-that-costs-twice-as-m...

Battle Ground Mayor Eric Overholser read a "Traditional Nuclear Family Proclamation" at a city council meeting while sponsor Philip Ridgeway quoted scripture before the council. Ordained minister Rev. Kate Lore argues Christian nationalism has gained political and economic influence in Battle Ground — and that democracy suffers when government promotes one religious worldview over all others. http...

Nancy Churchill examines Washington Supreme Court Position 1, where incumbent Colleen Melody — appointed by Ferguson with no prior bench experience — faces challengers Scott Edwards and Laura Christensen Colberg ahead of the August 4 primary. Churchill raises conflict-of-interest concerns tied to Melody's attendance at an income tax strategy meeting and her $175,519 fundraising haul — roughly six...

Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli is banning all recreational burning within city limits starting 12:01 a.m. June 17, citing dry conditions, low fuel moisture, and an especially challenging wildfire season ahead. Campfires, bonfires, and outdoor fire pits are prohibited. Violations carry a $500 citation and possible criminal penalties. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-vancouver-i...

Woodland's 104th annual Planters Days kicks off June 18 with four days of parades, fireworks, frog jumps, bed races, and a queen coronation — all under the theme "Woodland Washington: A Legendary Spirit. America 250." President Keith Bellisle reflects on a century of community pride rooted in the town's diking history. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/planters-days-celebrates-woodland-with-...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues Washington's Universal Health Care Commission is on a path toward a socialized system without examining free-market alternatives — and a June 18 meeting may shape that direction. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trading-one-bad-healthcare-system-for-another-is-not-a-solution/ #UniversalHealthcare #WashingtonState #Healthc...

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal is launching its first membership drive in decades, aiming to reach 250 members in honor of America250. Museum Director Julianne Lawrence says longtime supporters have dwindled, and the community's growing population makes now the right moment to rebuild. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/two-rivers-heritage-museum-launches-first-membership-drive-i...

Six Skyview High School seniors shared $18,000 in scholarships at the June 4 Senior Awards Ceremony, awarded by the Storm Nation Foundation. Now in its sixth year, the Vancouver-based nonprofit has distributed $110,000 total to Skyview graduates in support of post-secondary education. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/storm-nation-foundation-awards-18000-to-skyview-seniors/ #SkyviewHighSchoo...

Constitutional law scholar Rob Natelson walks through the Declaration of Independence's five-part structure — explaining why it was an announcement of independence already voted on July 2, 1776, not the act that created it. His analysis covers natural law, the 28 grievances, and the operative words that declared the colonies free. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-is-the-declar...

Lars Larson connects a thwarted drone-and-sniper plot targeting the UFC event on the White House South Lawn to Democrats' 76-day push to defund the Department of Homeland Security — a shutdown he argues compromised national security without achieving a single stated goal. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-democrats-did-their-best-to-put-america-at-risk/ #LarsLarson #NorthwestNonsens...

Washougal's Reflection Plaza hosts a free, family-friendly America250 kickoff on June 29 at 6 p.m., featuring rock painting, Kona Ice, historical exhibits, and copies of America's founding documents distributed by Two Rivers Heritage Museum staff. The Washougal Senior Association and Immortal Indignation are among the local history organizations bringing the community's story to life. https://www....

Evergreen Public Schools is offering free breakfast and lunch to any child ages 1 to 18 this summer — no enrollment in EPS required. The program is funded by the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, and meals must be eaten on site. All locations close July 3 for Independence Day. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/evergreen-public-schools-will-offer-free-summer-meals-to-children/ #Evergreenscho...

Reilly Hennessey walked into Camas' Liberty Theater on Sunday with no idea a 51-minute documentary had been made about his life. The Camas High School Class of 2014 quarterback won championships in Italy, Germany, and Europe — three titles, three countries, three final-pass touchdowns. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/hometown-football-hero-surprised-by-documentary-film-at-camas-liberty-the...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that many public employees in Washington State don't know the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling made union membership entirely voluntary — and that dues of $1,000 or more per year are being deducted without full informed consent. WPC has created a one-page resource to close that awareness gap. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opi...

Rep. John Ley reports from the June 12 IBR oversight meeting, where eight legislators from Washington and Oregon challenged a $7.65 billion cost estimate, a single auxiliary lane decision costing up to $1 billion less than two lanes, and light rail plans facing open skepticism from both sides of the aisle. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-legislators-demand-two-auxiliary-lanes-and-...

The National Archives is flying nine original founding documents — including Washington's Oath of Allegiance and the Treaty of Paris — to eight U.S. cities on a Boeing 737. The final stop is Seattle's Museum of History and Industry from July 30 through August 16. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/america-250-national-archives-bringing-founding-documents-to-cities-nationwide/ #America250 #Natio...

Washington state has fallen to 31st in the nation in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book, down from 27th. The 2026 report shows 70% of eighth graders are not proficient in math and 68% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading. State officials dispute the methodology while advocates flag cuts to early learning and rising numbers of uninsured children. https://www.clarkcounty...

Vancouver Police are investigating two separate shootings over the weekend. A 19-year-old man died at the scene of a Monday morning shooting on Creston Avenue, where a group of 25 to 30 teens had gathered. A Saturday night shooting at Evergreen Park left two teens injured. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-investigate-two-shootings/ #VancouverWA #PublicSafety #VancouverPolice...

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on nine years at The Reflector, the Spiller family's acquisition of the 117-year-old paper, and why he believes critics warning of conservative media consolidation in north Clark County are missing the bigger picture. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/opinion-no-need-for-hysteria-just-because-christians-are-getting-in-the-news-business/ #Opinion #...

Lawmakers in 31 states filed more than 134 bills this year to regulate AI in K-12 schools, yet only about 1 in 5 districts that allow generative AI have a formal policy. With 85% of teachers already using AI in class, experts warn that schools are setting policy before anyone fully understands the technology. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/as-ai-use-in-schools-grows-lawmakers-and-districts...