Clark County Today News

With WA Cares benefits set to launch, 61% of early applicants were denied — and family caregivers are being steered toward a union-linked employer with little transparency about costs, obligations, or alternatives. Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center says the state's communication failures are not accidental. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/wa-cares-ready-ish-to-launch-f...

The average Fourth of July cookout now costs about 4 percent more than last year, with West Coast families paying around $80 for a 10-person meal. But Pam Lewison of the Washington Policy Center notes farmers take home only about 6 cents of every dollar spent on that feast. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-a-little-more-this-year/ #FourthOfJuly #FoodCos...

Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot has endorsed Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County Auditor, citing Quiring O'Brien's record as former Chair of the Clark County Council and her focus on government transparency and accountability. Belkot represents District 2 on the Clark County Council. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-councilor-michelle-belkot-endorses-eileen-quiring-obr...

Thirteen of Clark County's leading heritage organizations will gather at the Clark County Historical Museum on July 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a free public fair at 1511 Main Street in downtown Vancouver. From the Clark County Genealogical Society to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, attendees can explore local history, volunteer opportunities, and America 250 programming all in one place....

Clark County resident Bogdan Lendel argues the $14-plus billion I-5 Bridge proposal rebuilds the same corridor bottleneck without solving the region's core problem: too few Columbia River crossings. He calls for a third crossing to create true redundancy and network flexibility. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-region-does-not-just-need-a-prettier-i-5-bridge/ #I5Bridge #ClarkCou...

Vancouver leaders pushed C-TRAN to plan fixed rail beyond the Interstate Bridge project, two Washington Supreme Court justices face recusal calls over income tax ties to Gov. Bob Ferguson, and Camas Days returns July 25-26 with a Broadway theme. Fireworks sales begin June 28 as fire officials warn of elevated wildfire danger. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #Camas #Transportation #LightRail #CTRAN...

A Vancouver proposal to have C-TRAN study fixed rail infrastructure has reignited the transit debate in Clark County. Supporters say rail shapes development; critics say the region's needs can be met without it. Cast your vote and see where the community stands. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-believe-clark-county-needs-light-rail-or-other-fixed-rail-transit-in-the-future/ #Cl...

Two Washington Supreme Court justices appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson — neither of whom had prior judicial experience — declined to commit to recusing themselves from a looming lawsuit challenging the state's new 9.9% income tax on incomes above $1 million. Justices Colleen Melody and Theo Angelis have financial and professional ties to Ferguson, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, the Attorney General's Office,...

Washington's capital gains tax hauled in $1.5 billion in fiscal 2026 — $750 million above forecast — yet Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that windfall covers less than 10% of the state's projected $7–$10 billion budget shortfall. Total state tax collections have more than doubled over the past decade, and the deficit persists. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-reco...

The Clark County Auto License office at 1300 Franklin St. in Vancouver is closed for in-person services through July 7 while the customer service area undergoes renovation. Phone and email support remain available, and nine subagent locations across Clark County are open for in-person licensing needs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-auto-license-will-remain-closed-until-july-7-f...

Vancouver resident Michael Backman challenges Councilor Erik Paulsen's claim that no other Washington city of 300,000 lacks fixed-rail service — pointing out Seattle is the only city that even meets that population threshold. Backman also disputes that converting The Vine BRT to tram service is as simple as laying rail, citing engineering overhauls and electrification costs that Clark County taxpa...

C-TRAN board member Tim Hein says small cities won't pay for any fixed rail expansion in Vancouver — costs must be sold by Vancouver and Clark County leaders to their own constituents. Hein and Erik Paulsen are meeting to discuss Paulsen's vision for rail throughout Vancouver and the urban growth area, while board chair Bart Hansen cites a $2 billion price tag just to extend light rail one mile fr...

Starting Friday night, June 26, the ramp from southbound I-5 to southbound I-205 at Exit 7 in Vancouver closes until Sunday morning, June 28, at 10 a.m. All southbound I-205 lanes between the I-5/I-205 split and Exit 36 will also close. Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC is removing damaged concrete and resurfacing with asphalt. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/weekend-closures-of-entrance-to-southb...

Helen Leedom has been appointed assistant director of student services for Camas School District, bringing a background in school psychology, special education leadership, and student support from both Washington and Oregon. She previously served as special services coordinator for Evergreen Public Schools and held leadership roles with Corbett School District. Leedom begins July 1. https://www.cl...

Washington's gas tax climbs again on July 1, 2026 — the first automatic increase under ESHB 2711, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson. Bob Pishue of the Mountain States Policy Center argues the inflation-indexed hike bypasses legislative accountability while Washingtonians already pay $5.34 per gallon versus $4.24 in Idaho. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-states-gas-tax-is-goin...

Clark County Today editor Ken Vance argues that Vancouver officials pushing to replace C-TRAN's Bus Rapid Transit system with light rail are ignoring three voter rejections, buses running below 20% capacity, and the looming 2029 bankruptcy of Portland's TriMet — while Sound Transit's expansion has ballooned $35 billion over budget. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-clark-county-does...

At last year's ceremony, 39 names of Clark County soldiers killed in the Korean War were read aloud, each marked by the ringing of a bell. This Saturday, June 27, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Committee of Southwest Washington holds its annual remembrance at the VA Medical Center in Vancouver — a community gathering to honor sacrifice and preserve legacy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people...

Thrive2Survive's Community Wellness Event on June 27 brings dozens of partner organizations to River City Church in Vancouver, offering free housing support, mental health services, employment resources, and recovery help — all under one roof from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/thrive2survive-to-hold-wellness-event-on-june-27-at-river-city-church-in-vancouver/ #Thrive2Surv...

Washington's per-gallon gas tax climbs from 55.4 cents to 56.5 cents on July 1 — the first annual inflationary increase under a 2025 law — pushing the state behind only California and Pennsylvania. Despite the hike, state economist Dave Reich projects transportation revenue will run $130 million short for the 2027–29 budget, with fuel tax collections declining as EV adoption grows. https://www.cla...

Washington State Rep. John Ley, 18th Legislative District, has endorsed Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County Auditor, citing her independent leadership and record of demanding government accountability. Quiring O'Brien is a former Clark County Council Chair and former Oregon state legislator. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/state-rep-john-ley-endorses-eileen-quiring-obrien-for-county-audi...

Clark County has revised the schedule for its Comprehensive Growth Management Plan work sessions, a 20-year framework guiding development and land use. Sessions are open to the public in person at the Public Service Center on Franklin Street or via Webex, though verbal comment is not permitted. Written testimony is accepted at any time. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/date-changes-to-the-pla...

The Clark County Charter Review Commission meets July 8 to decide which proposed charter amendments will appear on the 2026 general election ballot. The 15-member commission has been reviewing the county's governing charter and developed multiple proposed changes that Clark County voters will ultimately decide. The meeting is hybrid — in person at the Public Service Center in Vancouver or virtuall...

Clark County Public Works will fully close a 200-foot section of Southeast Blair Road between Southeast Krohn and Washougal River roads from early July through the end of August. The 1.44-mile project includes repaving, curve banking improvements, guardrail replacement, and a bridge rail upgrade over the Little Washougal River. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/road-closures-begin-in-july-for-...

Three candidates are competing for a six-year seat on the Washington Supreme Court, with the primary set for August 4. Nancy Churchill examines the fundraising gaps, endorsement patterns, and judicial philosophies separating J. Michael Diaz, Jaime Hawk, and David Stevens — and argues only one treats the Constitution as a fixed standard. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-position-thr...

Sixteen Vancouver firefighters — including marine units — responded to a lumber pile fire on a remote peninsula near Marine Park on June 22. Limited access forced crews to deploy Vancouver Fire Boat 1, using its hull design to direct water streams from the Columbia River. The fire was contained. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-responds-to-difficult-to-access-timber-fire-along-...