Clark County Today News

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program has issued a request for qualifications for the Columbia River Bridge Replacement project, the primary contract for the first construction phase. Backed by $5.7 billion in funding, the new crossing will feature two fixed-span bridges with light rail, shared-use paths, and bus-on-shoulder service. A design-builder is expected to be selected by mid-2027, wit...

Washington State Patrol has issued an AMBER Alert for seven-month-old Marcello Martinez, taken in the Hazel Dell area of Vancouver on Aug. 16. His father, 37-year-old Raul Martinez, allegedly violated a domestic violence no contact order, assaulted the victim, and took the infant without permission. Call 9-1-1 if you see either individual. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/seven-month-old-child-ta...

Rob Anderson of Reform Clark County says Clark County HR records list Mitchell Kelly's title as Administrative Services Manager III, with no record of a position called Deputy County Auditor. Anderson argues Kelly's repeated use of the title in campaign materials, forums, and the Voters' Pamphlet creates a misleading impression of seniority and authority. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opini...

Nancy Churchill argues Washington Democrats added a necessity clause to block a referendum, then had Attorney General Nick Brown's office write ballot language she calls false, warning of education cuts from a tax that has not collected a single dollar. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-democrats-rig-the-ballot-to-save-their-income-tax/ #Initiative645 #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #LetsGo...

Vancouver Police responded to a parking lot in the 300 block of SE 192nd Avenue around 12:30 a.m. after reports of a fight and gunshots. Officers found shell casings and blood but no victims on scene. A 19-year-old male later arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-...

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to a basement laundry room fire in the 16300 block of NE 99th Street, extinguishing the blaze before it reached the home's structural members. Eleven occupants were displaced, and the American Red Cross is assisting the family. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-department-responds-to-residential-structure-fire/ #VancouverFire #StructureFire...

Marilyn "Hat Lady" Holden and her husband Scott retired on the same day after 27 and 22 years at the Clark County Fair, saying goodbye to colleagues they call family. The couple from La Center made the Clark County fairgrounds their second home for more than half of their 43-year marriage. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/hat-lady-and-her-husband-retire-from-the-clark-county-fair/ #ClarkCountyF...

Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Aug. 15, Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to Hockinson Meadows Community Park in Brush Prairie after an 18-year-old male was found with a single gunshot wound to the chest. AMR personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene. James Gill, 18, was booked into Clark County Jail on Second-Degree Manslaughter. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/one-dead-one-arre...

Sunday marks the last day of the 2026 Clark County Fair, with Tuff Trucks roaring at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., a pie eating contest at 12:30 p.m., and Mars Encounters live shows at 2:30, 4:30, and 6:30 p.m. The carnival opens at noon, and by tradition stays open a little longer on closing night. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/heres-whats-happening-at-the-clark-county-fair-on-sunday-aug-16/ #ClarkCou...

The Port of Ridgefield is planning a 21st century working waterfront with 250 to 350 total residential units, a kayak launch, and expanded boat access. The boat launch currently runs at a loss, generating $120,000 a year against $180,000 in operating costs. Public feedback is open through Aug. 17. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/port-envisions-a-21st-century-working-waterfront-for-ridgefield...

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington is opening its first dedicated Outreach space inside Evergreen Public Schools, a portable classroom at Evergreen High School funded through OSPI. The program has served teens referred across Clark County since 2014, providing case management and violence interruption services. A ribbon-cutting is set for August 18 at 5 p.m. https://clarkcountytoday.com/pe...

WalletHub's latest Best States to Live study puts Idaho at the top, with Wyoming sixth and Montana 14th. Washington ranked 33rd overall, finishing dead last in safety and below average in affordability, a slide from 26th place in 2022. Bob Pishue of the Mountain States Policy Center breaks down the methodology and what it may mean for the Evergreen State. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opini...

Joe Cortright of City Observatory argues that ODOT's Rose Quarter I-5 widening project has ballooned from a $450 million legislative approval in 2017 to a $3.5 billion estimate, a seven-fold increase, leaving a $2 billion funding gap. At roughly $2.3 billion per mile, Cortright contends it is the second most expensive highway project in the United States, behind only the nearby Interstate Bridge R...

Tuff Trucks bring two shows to the Clark County Fair grandstands on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with local drivers tackling mud, jumps, and sharp turns. The day also opens early at 9 a.m. with the junior livestock auction, supported by more than 300 families and groups. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/heres-whats-happening-at-the-clark-county-fair-on-saturday-aug-15/ #ClarkCountyF...

This week's Clark County Today audio newsletter covers a Mars-themed attraction and Monster Trucks at the Clark County Fair, a serious small aircraft crash near Daybreak Airport in La Center, and opinion pieces on Washington wildfire funding, Clark County Public Health, and the direction of the Democratic Party. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_august_14_2026 #ClarkCounty #C...

Nancy Churchill's Dangerous Rhetoric column raises questions about whether democratic socialist proposals, including changes to the Senate, presidency, and Supreme Court, are compatible with America's constitutional system. A new reader poll invites Clark County residents to weigh in. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-believe-democratic-socialism-poses-a-threat-to-americas-constitut...

The Happy Accidentals bring their 5th Annual Gospel Concert to Shaffer Farm in Ridgefield on August 23 at 6:30 p.m. The free outdoor event draws 200 to 350 people each year and this year features the Voices of Praise Christian Youth Choir. Bring a lawn chair and a dessert to share. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/happy-accidentals-5th-annual-gospel-concert-set-for-aug-23/ #HappyAccidentals #Go...

The Clark County Fair's Friday lineup includes two Monster Truck shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., a Monster Donut Eating Contest at 12:30 p.m., live bands on the Community Stage, and Mars Encounters live shows throughout the day. Gates open at 10 a.m., carnival at noon. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/heres-whats-happening-at-the-clark-county-fair-on-friday-aug-14/ #ClarkCountyFair #ClarkCounty #Mo...

Emma Turner, a 16-year-old Vancouver resident, beat nearly 300 businesses at the 2026 Junior Market to earn Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Entrepreneur of the Year honors. Her crochet business, Fallen Leaf Lake Creations, earned her a $100 prize matched by OnPoint Community Credit Union. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-teen-named-southwest-washington-lemonade-day-entrepreneur-of-t...

Five new eateries are advancing toward opening in Battle Ground, including IHOP near the Walmart Supercenter, Wingstop on W. Main St., regional chain Muchas Gracias at Millcreek Town Center, Camp Donut at Battle Ground Market Center, and a ramen restaurant at the nearly 28,000-square-foot West Main Commons development. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/new-influx-of-eateries-coming-soon-to-bat...

Akin Family Resources handed out 560 boxes of diapers at Hazel Dell Fred Meyer as part of a three-city statewide initiative serving Vancouver, Seattle and Spokane. Clark County families also received wipes, baby food and connections to year-round support services with no income or residency requirements. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/akins-bundles-of-love-giveaway-meets-growing-need-in-clark...

Pacifica Law Group, the former firm of Attorney General Nick Brown and current legal counsel for the No on I-645 campaign, sent letters to the AGO in March and April urging officials to emphasize the fiscal impact of repealing Washington's new 9.9% income tax on high earners. Former AG Rob McKenna called the letters "obviously highly irregular." https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/law-firm-opposing-...

Rob Anderson, founder of Reform Clark County, argues that as Dr. Alan Melnick prepares to retire as Clark County Public Health Director, residents deserve scrutiny of his COVID-era decisions, including a March 2020 Health Advisory linked to over 81 nursing home deaths and a vaccine campaign Anderson says lacked conclusive transmission data. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fauci-is-at-...

U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer urged the Supreme Court to quickly decide a case over Trump's executive order restricting vote-by-mail, one day after Judge Indira Talwani expanded a nationwide injunction blocking it less than three months before Election Day. The case is now on the court's emergency docket. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/trump-administration-urges-supreme-court-to-rule-soo...

A 66-year-old Brush Prairie man, Benjamin G. Allen, faces federal charges after a bald eagle was found shot dead on his property in February. A veterinary exam found two shotgun pellets in the bird's brain. Allen is summoned to appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Sept. 8. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/brush-prairie-man-charged-with-killing-bald-eagle/ #BaldEagle #WildlifeCrime #BrushPra...