Clark County Today News

Mayor Eric Overholser defended ICE and anti-Antifa proclamations as the Regional Transportation Council debated light rail costs and who pays. The Veterans Advisory Board asked for two new positions to serve 33,000 veterans, while Hockinson's Bridget Brennan heads to Annapolis as her family's third Naval Academy appointment. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_june_5_2026 #Clar...

The U.S. Senate voted 48-50 against advancing the SAVE America Act, Trump's push to require birth certificates or passports for voter registration. Four Republicans — Collins, McConnell, Murkowski, and Tillis — joined Democrats in opposition, falling well short of the 60-vote threshold needed. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/us-senate-blocks-trumps-save-america-act/ #SAVEAmericaAct #VoterID...

Vancouver resident Jonathan Hines makes the case that universal mail-in voting has exposed serious logistical and security failures — from nearly 400 abandoned ballots found near a Renton dumpster to California acknowledging weeks-long primary count delays. He proposes a three-pillar hybrid model built around verified drop boxes, expanded in-person voting windows, and a request-based absentee syst...

Rep. John Ley is questioning whether the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program should demolish the existing spans at all. With bridge removal now estimated at nearly $400 million, Ley argues seismic upgrades and repurposing could offer a more affordable path — and free up billions for other Washington and Oregon transportation needs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-would-you-support-...

Battle Ground Mayor Eric Overholser signed two proclamations at a June 1 city council meeting — one designating Antifa a domestic terrorist organization, one affirming support for ICE — drawing national coverage to a southwest Washington city of 23,000. Overholser says the proclamations reflect his constituents' values and the city's commitment to the rule of law. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/...

At a Washington Policy Center forum in Vancouver, state lawmakers Monica Stonier and April Berg faced off with WPC policy directors Mark Harmsworth and Elizabeth New over Washington's income tax, minimum wage, retail theft, and AI's impact on the workforce. A survey cited at the event found one in four businesses are considering leaving the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/wpc-foru...

Camas resident Douglas Tweet presents ridership data showing TriMet's MAX light rail lines have fallen to less than a third of their forecast numbers — and argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is using similar models to justify $3.5 billion in light rail spending. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-trimets-history-of-over-predicting-light-rail-ridership/ #TriMet #LightRail...

Bridget Brennan, salutatorian of Hockinson High School's Class of 2026, leaves this week for Annapolis to begin her first year at the U.S. Naval Academy — following in the footsteps of brothers Tommy and Joseph, both now Navy pilots. She's been working toward this since age 7. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/class-of-2026-spotlight-hockinsons-bridget-brenna-prepares-for-u-s-naval-academy/...

Tyler Long scores the Battle Ground City Council's June 1 meeting — where Mayor Overholser's ICE and Antifa proclamations drew masked protesters, two arrests, and a political own-goal from Councilor Troy McCoy, whose own 2024 rule change made tabling the proclamations impossible. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-clearest-losers-are-antifa/ #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #Opinion #Ba...

Clark County is revising its 20-year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, with the County Council and Planning Commission holding a series of work sessions from June through July. Topics span land use, housing, transportation, capital facilities, and school and fire district impact fees. Sessions are open to the public in hybrid format at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, w...

Lars Larson argues the U.S. Supreme Court should strike down grace periods that allow ballots to arrive weeks after election day. Washington state counts votes up to three weeks late — and Larson says that erodes public confidence in results. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-scotus-should-strike-down-tardy-ballots/ #Opinion #SCOTUS #ElectionIntegrity #WashingtonState #BallotsDeadli...

Battle Ground Public Schools and the USDA are providing free lunches to kids and teens 18 and under at CAM Academy starting June 15. Meals run Monday through Friday, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., through Aug. 20. No Battle Ground school enrollment required. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/free-lunch-during-the-summer-for-kids-and-teens/ #BattleGround #SummerMeals #BattleGroundPublicSchools #USDA...

Charter Review Commissioner Peter Silliman is hosting a District 5 town hall June 7 in Battle Ground to gather public input on proposed amendments to Clark County's home rule charter. Any changes approved by the commission must go to a countywide vote in the November general election. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-charter-review-commission-town-hall-set-for-la-center-sunday/ #Cla...

Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Fire District 6 responded to a second-alarm house fire at 12801 NE 4th Ave. on May 31, rescuing a non-ambulatory man from a two-story adult family home where flames had spread into the attic. About 35 firefighters worked the scene for roughly 30 minutes. The Red Cross was called for displaced residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire...

Three outbuildings at 16603 SE Fisher Drive were fully engulfed when Vancouver Fire arrived Friday evening. An aggressive attack by four engines, two truck companies, and additional units kept the fire from reaching a nearby residence. No injuries, no displaced residents. The cause remains under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal's Office. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-f...

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance challenges the $14.4 billion I-5 Bridge replacement's phased funding strategy, arguing that starting construction with only $5 billion secured — and light rail opposed by most Clark County residents — is a fiscal trap, not a plan. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-a-more-responsible-approach-must-be-sought/ #I5Bridge #IBR #LightRail #Vancouver #Cl...

A semi-truck carrying 40,000 pounds of food arrived at the Clark County Food Bank, donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the JustServe and America250 service initiative. The delivery — enough to feed about 1,400 people for a week — is one of 250 truckloads distributed across all 50 states honoring the nation's 250th anniversary. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/peop...

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's estimated cost has doubled to $14.4 billion, and Vancouver's light rail extension to Library Square now has no timeline. The first funded phase at $5.68 billion covers the new span but not the tracks. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle says the city won't accept a 90-foot elevated station near the waterfront as a permanent endpoint. https://www.clarkcoun...

Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole threw the ceremonial first pitch, more than 1,300 fans packed the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, and the Raptors rolled to a 9-0 win over Northwest Star Academy in their 2026 opener. Coach Chris Cota, the only head coach in franchise history, is back for another summer of West Coast League baseball. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/raptors-ridgefield-welco...

Yacolt's red, white, and blue road striping sparked a countywide debate, a chemical tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview killed two, Rep. John Ley warned I-5 toll forecasts may fall short, and hundreds gathered at Fort Vancouver to honor the fallen. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #YacoltStripes #I5Bridge #LongviewWA #MemorialDay #ColumbiaRiverSoccer #RidgefieldRaptors #SouthwestWashington #...

A red, white and blue road striping project in Yacolt has sparked community debate after a single complaint raised questions about patriotic displays on public roads. Supporters tie the project to America's 250th anniversary. Clark County Today wants to know where you stand. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-patriotic-displays-like-yacolts-road-striping-help-strengthen-community-spi...

Rep. John Ley of the 18th Legislative District calls out Washington State's failure to open the Brockmann Campus — a completed, $42 million, 48-bed mental health facility north of WSU Vancouver that received only $600,000 for a "warm closure" instead of clinical operations. Advocates say the delay is costing lives. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-challenges-of-getting-the-broc...

Longview Superintendent Karen Cloninger faces felony witness tampering charges after school officials allegedly knew of sexual assault allegations at Mark Morris High School more than a week before police were notified. Four other employees are on administrative leave. Community members packed Tuesday's board meeting demanding resignations. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/parents-call-for-re...

A spring 2026 AWB survey finds 24% of Washington employers actively considering leaving the state — nearly triple the rate from winter 2025. Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center examines the tax hikes, B&O surcharges, and regulatory pressures driving companies to Idaho, Utah, and Tennessee. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-business-exodus-accelerates-due-to-h...

Fifteen elected Clark County Charter Review Commissioners are available to meet with community groups and are holding town halls in each of the five county council districts. Remaining sessions are scheduled for June 6, 7, and 14 in Camas, Battle Ground, and Vancouver. Any recommended charter changes must go to a countywide vote in November 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/countys-chart...