Clark County Today News

Al & Ernie's Bakery Cafe, which draws 5,000 to 6,000 customers weekly at its Main Street location, is opening a second, smaller cafe in Battle Ground Village at 802 SE 14th Place. The new spot will offer baked goods and espresso drinks, with a full breakfast and lunch menu staying at the original. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/biz-al-and-ernies-open-second-location-battle-ground-village #Batt...

Dr. Roger Stark of Mountain States Policy Center examines why "Medicare For All" carries an estimated $32 trillion price tag over ten years, why hospitals lost 12 cents on every Medicare dollar in 2024, and what Canada's 29-week average specialty wait time reveals about single-payer systems. He argues patient-centered, market-driven reform offers a more viable path. https://clarkcountytoday.com/st...

Columnist Nancy Churchill argues the Washington Supreme Court held its I-2066 ruling for months, releasing it in September to demoralize voters ahead of November's three initiatives and five Supreme Court races. Nearly 2 million yes votes, erased. Churchill says the timing was deliberate and urges voters to mark every line on the ballot. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-dont-let-septembe...

Lance Landis of Cascadia Technical Academy in Vancouver won the grand prize in the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, one of five teachers nationally to receive the honor. His program achieved a 100% post-graduation placement rate, with students earning 203 industry credentials in a single year. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/cascadia-technical-academy-teacher...

Lars Larson revisits Washington's Senate Bill 5855, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, which allowed foreign nationals to sue ICE agents for wearing masks during arrests. Months later, not a single lawsuit has been filed. Larson also raises the Supremacy Clause as a constitutional obstacle. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-forgotten-ice-mask-ban #LarsLarson #NorthwestNonsense #ICE #SB5855 #Was...

Skyview High School held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new skills center focused on manufacturing and construction, becoming the third Vancouver Public Schools campus to receive one through private donations led by Careers in Construction, the charitable arm of Quail Homes. Skills centers have also opened in Evergreen Public Schools, La Center, and Ridgefield, with Hockinson close to bre...

Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 48-year-old Aaron Hetland following a standoff that lasted more than an hour in the Orchards area. Deputies used crisis negotiators, a drone, and less-lethal tools after observing Hetland using a knife to inflict self-harm. He was booked into Clark County Jail on three charges. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/ccso-deputies-arrest-man-after-more-ho...

Camas resident Anna Miller makes the case that Lockheed/Sikorsky privately funded the new granite helicopter pad on the White House South Lawn, routed through the National Park Service, after rotor wash from the more powerful VH-92A Patriot helicopters damaged the grass. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/letter-let-nay-sayers-nay-say #Opinion #WhiteHouse #MarineOne #VH92APatriot #LockheedMartin #...

Ridgefield emergency physician R. Myles Dickason challenges Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, arguing her support for Ukraine rings hollow while she votes to fund what five organizations have concluded is genocide in Gaza. Track AIPAC reports $513,798 in pro-Israel PAC support for her campaign. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/letter-one-standard-ukrainian-and-palestinian-lives #Gaza #Ukraine #Marie...

Jason Mercier of Mountain States Policy Center argues Washington's new 9.9% income tax, set to take effect in 2028, reverses a long-standing competitive advantage the state held over others. He warns that income taxes historically expand beyond their initial targets, and cites an AWB survey showing 45% of employers expect the tax to affect their businesses. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opini...

The Clark County Republican Women will host Washington Policy Center Vice President for Research Todd Myers on Oct. 8 at the Battle Ground Events Center. Myers says the past legislative session may be a turning point for Washingtonians on state policy. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/clark-county-republican-women-host-dinner-event-todd-myers...

A motorcycle traveling at high speed crossed the center line on state Route 503 near milepost 41 Saturday afternoon, striking a Subaru Crosstrek and injuring three people. Rider Edward Aruja, 32, of Vancouver, was airlifted to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/three-injured-head-collision-near-lake-merwin #LakeMerwin #Route503 #WashingtonStatePatrol #TrafficS...

Lars Larson argues that government-built housing in Portland costs twice what private developers pay, yet the so-called "affordable" units rent at the same market rates. A Wall Street Journal report, he says, confirms what critics have warned for years. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-myth-affordable-housing #AffordableHousing #HousingPolicy #LarsLarson #Oregon #WashingtonState #Pacific...

Washougal School District has launched a 90-day public review of elementary school consolidation, studying the potential closure of Hathaway Elementary amid a long-term enrollment decline since 2019. Approval could save more than $1 million per year, redirected toward smaller class sizes and new student programs. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/washougal-school-district-begins-consolidation-and...

League of Women Voters of Washington President Karen Crowley draws a sharp line between nonpartisan and neutral, explaining why the League takes firm policy positions on voting rights, education, and health care while refusing to back any party or candidate. A civic argument 106 years in the making. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-nonpartisan-not-neutral #LeagueOfWomenVoters #Democracy...

Amboy resident Thomas Schenk makes the case for re-electing Rep. John Ley in Washington's 18th Legislative District, Position 2, citing Ley's opposition to tolling and light rail on the I-5 bridge replacement project. Schenk argues challenger Deken Letnich has sought multiple different offices across consecutive cycles. https://archive.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-choice-is-clear-re-ele...

Vancouver bans camping within 1,000 feet of Safe Stay communities and 1,500 feet of the new Bridge Shelter, but Share House residents have no comparable protection despite living in a shelter and working toward stable housing. Peter Bracchi examines why the city's equity standard applies to its newest programs but not its oldest shelter. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-equity-and-safet...

Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot says she never agreed to appear at the League of Women Voters of Clark County candidate forum and declined on principle, citing the League's alignment with groups that target federal law enforcement and the publication of partisan commentary directed at her on the League's own website. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/councilor-michelle-belkot-declines-leagu...

Nehemiah and Daniel Tupua are senior offensive linemen for the Evergreen Plainsmen, both carrying 4.0 GPAs and crediting coach Christian Swain with teaching them more than football. Evergreen moved to 3-1 with a 34-7 win over Heritage to open Class 3A Greater St. Helens League play. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/high-school-football-tupua-brothers-say-evergreen-coaches-have-given-them-tools-...

Ridgefield Raptors GM Gus Farah calls the 2026 season a success, with playoff crowds reaching 3,700 over two games against the Portland Pickles and average attendance surpassing 1,400. Hundreds of fan survey responses are now shaping improvements at the RORC for next season. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/raptors-look-back-on-strong-2026-and-ahead-to-2027-and-beyond-in-ridgefield/ #Ridgefield...

Camas resident Anthony Teso examines Clark County's 18 percent drop in counted homelessness and questions what the number leaves out. He points to University of Washington research finding rents and vacancy rates predict homelessness better than drug use or mental illness, and traces how Clark County's housing market shifted as the region became Portland's bedroom community. https://clarkcountytod...

Clark County's Joint Lobby reopens Friday, Oct. 2 with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm and an art reception to follow. The renovated space unites the Assessor's, Auditor's, and Treasurer's offices under one cross-trained team for faster, more efficient public service. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-announces-joint-lobby-grand-reopening-on-oct-2/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #JointLobby #Gra...

In a letter to the editor, Camas resident Anna Miller highlights Eileen Quiring O'Brien's position at a CVTV-aired auditors debate that the Clark County auditor should be beholden to no one but the voters. Miller argues O'Brien's commitment to election integrity sets her apart. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-eileen-quiring-obrien-in-the-lions-den/ #ClarkCounty #ElectionIntegrity #Clar...

Six Washington Supreme Court justices struck down Initiative 2066, voiding natural gas protections approved by nearly two million voters. This week's audio newsletter also covers Vancouver's new camping ban, the Interstate Bridge debate, Clark County Auditor and Council races, and Clark County Today's 10th anniversary. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_september_25_2026 #Clar...

Clark County Today marks its 10th anniversary on Sept. 27 with a rebuilt website featuring tools like Ask CCT, Storylines, and an archive of more than 19,000 published stories. Editor Ken Vance reflects on the team and the decade of local journalism behind it. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-clark-county-today-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-redesign/ #ClarkCountyToday #LocalJournali...