Clark County Today News

The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery opens May 1, paying recreational anglers to catch predatory fish that consume millions of juvenile salmon and steelhead. Funded by Bonneville Power Administration, the program offers $6-$10 per qualifying fish, with tagged specimens worth up to $500. Last year's top angler earned $159,310 catching 15,715 pikeminnow. Registration required at 21 stat...

The Camas-Washougal Historical Society's Annual Plant Fair brings locally grown treasures to Two Rivers Heritage Museum May 16 and June 14. Volunteers harvest plants from historic gardens, including sought-after Camas lilies and heritage varieties from Thor Larsen's century-old Carriage House property. Museum director Julianne Lawrence says the fundraiser connects gardeners with community stories...

Former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna delivers sharp criticism of the current AGO's unprecedented collaboration with lawmakers to craft the millionaire's tax specifically designed to overturn 95 years of constitutional precedent while blocking voter input through strategic emergency clauses. McKenna, now part of the legal team challenging the tax, argues the AGO abandoned its constitution...

Washington's gray wolf population reached 270 animals across 49 packs by late 2025, marking the highest count since monitoring began in 2008. State biologist Trent Roussin reports a 17.4% increase from 2024, driven by six new or reestablished packs in northeast Washington and the North Cascades. However, no breeding pairs exist in the Southern Cascades region, where human-caused mortality continue...

The Falcon Baseball Academy brings dozens of vendors to Prairie High School for a day of shopping and community support. From Anahi Tamales to Battle Ground Barkery, local artisans showcase handcrafted goods, specialty foods, and unique gifts while supporting student baseball programs. The bazaar coincides with Prairie's annual plant and greenhouse sale, creating a perfect opportunity for families...

Sen. John Braun warned about daycare fraud months ago, only to be dismissed by Democrat leaders. Now a damning audit proves him right — $37 million in questionable payments, representing 20% of all DCYF payouts to daycare providers. While Democrats demand higher taxes, they're wasting one in five dollars through gross incompetence or outright fraud. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion...

Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl breaks down Washington's traffic enforcement rules for private property after a reader's grocery store parking lot incident. Most traffic laws don't apply on private property, but serious crimes like vehicular assault and impaired driving still count. Learn when to call police, when to file collision reports, and why store security can't write traffic tickets. https:/...

Wednesday's Clark County Council meeting brought the 2022 anti-light rail resolution back into focus as public commenters questioned whether the voter approval requirement should still guide council decisions. The debate emerged during Glen Yung's appointment to the C-TRAN Board, where light rail disputes have created ongoing tensions. We're polling residents on whether the resolution remains rele...

Leandro Martinez Larumbe faces felony charges after Vancouver Police connected him to a March 12 crosswalk collision through witness descriptions of his distinctive face tattoos and matching vehicle damage. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries when struck at C Street and Evergreen Boulevard. Officers located the suspect's white van outside his residence with damage consistent with the...

Ridgefield School District brings together families of incoming kindergarten students on May 19 at the high school performing arts center. The districtwide event covers registration, transportation, food services, and offers opportunities to meet teachers. Spanish and Russian interpreters will be available, with childcare provided through Right at School. The gathering marks a unique opportunity a...

Sam Cardwell from Mountain States Policy Center explains why the Electoral College protects smaller states from urban dominance and preserves our federal republic. With 19 states joining the National Popular Vote Compact, he argues this constitutional system prevents candidates from campaigning only in the top 20 most populous cities while ensuring states like Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana maintain...

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez pulled in $1.3 million in three months while John Braun raised $356,000 in their closely watched 3rd District race. But the incumbent congresswoman won't say where she stands on Washington's new income tax that has voters fired up. Braun points out that only 7.8% of her donations came from within Washington State, with over $600,000 bundled from New York City financiers. Th...

Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Matt Segal to the Public Disclosure Commission just weeks after a recall effort launched over unfilled seats. Segal's firm, Pacifica Law Group, serves as Ferguson's private counsel and defended him in two high-profile campaign controversies. The appointment fills one of two vacancies that left the campaign finance watchdog panel struggling to maintain quorum during elec...

Washougal School District is implementing immediate security changes at three campuses after increased activity during school hours created safety concerns. Gates at Washougal High School, Gause Elementary, and Excelsior will be locked weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with new fencing and additional staff monitoring access points. Superintendent Aaron Hansen says student safety remains the top p...

Douglas Tweet presents compelling C-TRAN ridership data showing bus use across the I-5 bridge has dropped by half since 2006, questioning the IBR's $3.5 billion light rail investment when current Route 60 serves just 900 daily boardings. His analysis challenges IBR forecasts predicting 20-fold ridership growth by 2045, citing TriMet's history of inflated projections that consistently exceed realit...

Rep. John Ley exposes how Washington's property taxes have skyrocketed despite a supposed 1% cap, with one constituent paying $12,645 beyond inflation over 12 years. The 18th District representative questions why state spending has doubled while families struggle with unaffordable housing costs and rising utility bills from the Climate Commitment Act. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opini...

WSDOT maintenance crews will close the right lane of northbound I-205 near Salmon Creek Saturday evening to repair damaged guardrail sections. The closure runs from 7 p.m. Saturday through 1 a.m. Sunday between Exit 36 and the I-5 on-ramp. Guardrails provide critical safety protection by preventing vehicles from leaving the roadway during crashes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/plan-for-ove...

Clark County's candidate filing period opens May 4 with online declarations encouraged through VoteWA.gov. Citizens can run for Congressional District 3, state legislative seats, county offices, judicial positions, and precinct committee roles. Online filing accepts credit cards while in-person filing requires cash or check. The filing window closes May 8 at 5 p.m., followed by a public ballot ord...

A 15-year-old suspect weighing over 200 pounds put a Vancouver Police officer in a headlock and attempted to grab his gun during a violent struggle on Washington Street. The juvenile tore equipment from the officer's vest and threw his keys across the parking lot before being arrested on multiple charges including attempted robbery and assault on law enforcement. One officer required hospital eval...

The Washougal Police Department secured a $50,758 state grant for a TruNarc handheld analyzer that uses laser technology to identify suspected narcotics through packaging. Chief Zane Freschette says the device enhances officer safety by eliminating direct contact with hazardous substances like fentanyl while providing immediate on-scene results. The grant covers equipment, training for 12 officers...

Dozens of recruits from across Southwest Washington and Oregon gathered at Skyview High School for the 15th annual Our Community Salutes ceremony. Future Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard members took their ceremonial oaths of enlistment as families and community leaders celebrated their commitment to serve. The Community Military Appreciation Committee event featured speeches from l...

Glen Yung accepted nomination to the C-TRAN Board of Directors despite his busy schedule, citing the importance of representing Clark County's unified voice. The 4-1 council vote came after heated public comment exchanges and Michelle Belkot's accusation that council behavior resembles "organized crime." The appointment follows months of controversy over light rail funding positions and board repr...

Ridgefield, La Center, and Camas mayors unite behind Transfer of Development Rights program that could save Clark County's vanishing farmland while supporting responsible urban growth. Their collaborative solution addresses the county's loss of 32% of agricultural acreage since 1992, offering farmers cash for development rights while directing density to areas with proper infrastructure. The Growt...

The Washington State Republican Party is calling for Justice Colleen Melody to recuse herself from the upcoming millionaire's tax case, citing potential conflicts of interest. Records show Solicitor General Noah Purcell, who strongly recommended Melody's appointment to Gov. Bob Ferguson, also discussed strategies for passing the 9.9% income tax with lawmakers. Attorney General Office staff have do...

Governor Bob Ferguson vetoed $500,000 for a proven retail theft program despite Washington losing $2.7 billion annually to organized crime. Mark Harmsworth from Washington Policy Center explains how the pilot program generated 402 law enforcement responses and filed 142 cases in King County alone. The decision abandons effective enforcement while retailers face escalating losses and consumers pay...