Clark County Today News

Twenty wildfires have cost Washington $207 million in firefighting expenses in a single month, more than two-thirds of what the Department of Natural Resources spent battling fires in all of last fiscal year. Over 770,000 acres have burned in 2026 alone, the third-highest acreage on record, with the fire season still months from ending. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/cost-to-battle-20-wildfires...

At WA Cares' June 30 launch, Gov. Bob Ferguson spotlighted an 87-year-old woman's existing caregiving arrangement, but WA Cares benefits didn't begin until the following day. Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines the eligibility gates, a roughly 50% denial rate among early applicants, and the distinction between WA Cares and Washington's existing Medicaid long-term-care system....

Neil Cahoon, husband of former state Rep. Liz Pike, underwent five surgeries on Aug. 15 alone following a small aircraft crash near Daybreak Airport in La Center on Aug. 10. Pike is asking the public to hold off on visits while Cahoon manages intense pain and begins physical and occupational therapy. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/former-state-rep-liz-pike-provides-update-on-husband-neil-caho...

Randal O'Toole of the Cascade Policy Institute argues Portland's no-more-freeways policy, adopted around 1982, has tripled commuter time lost to traffic and sextupled fuel wasted in congestion. Transit commuting has dropped from 9.6 percent to 3.8 percent, while solo driving reached its highest share ever in 2024. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-portlands-war-on-cars-part-4-a-smarter-...

Plein air artists from across the region are invited to paint downtown Camas on Sept. 26 for a share of $2,600 in cash prizes, including a $1,000 first-place award. The event honors Marquita Call, founder of the Camas Plein Air Event and Camas Gallery. A public reception runs 4 to 6 p.m. at RedDoor Gallery. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/1000-first-prize-for-camas-plein-air-art-event-honoring...

Pediatric dentist Dr. Ronald Hsu shares Tooth Fairy-approved strategies for making brushing and flossing fun for children, including free resources from Delta Dental of Washington's Tooth Fairy Experience program. Children with tooth decay are more likely to miss school and face lifelong health risks. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/opinion-the-tooth-fairys-secrets-to-making-brushing-flossing-...

Clark County auditor candidate Mitchell Kelly used the title "deputy county auditor" throughout his campaign, but county HR records show his official job title has been administrative service manager since 2019. Auditor Greg Kimsey says roughly 40 county employees hold the same deputy designation. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/auditor-auditor-candidate-address-scrutiny-over-job-title/ #ClarkCo...

At an Aug. 12 Port of Ridgefield Commission meeting, a packed room of more than 30 extra attendees filled seats and spilled into the hallway to object to a proposed waterfront development including a 58-room hotel, office building, and residential units. A petition opposing the project has gathered more than 3,400 signatures. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/ridgefield-waterfront-plans-meet-r...

Trent Richardson, 18, a 2026 Battle Ground High School graduate and standout football player, died from a gunshot wound at Hockinson Meadows Community Park in Brush Prairie on Aug. 15. James Gill III, also a BGHS graduate and UW baseball signee, was charged with second-degree manslaughter. Hundreds gathered at a candlelight vigil honoring Richardson, whose parents asked attendees to keep Gill and...

Seven-month-old Marcello Martinez has been recovered after a third party informed his mother that father Raul Martinez had turned the child over. Law enforcement recovered Marcello, who appears happy and healthy. Raul Martinez remains at large and is wanted by law enforcement. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/update-seven-month-old-child-taken-in-vancouver-recovered/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #AMBE...

Charles Prestrud of the Washington Policy Center examines Puget Sound transit data showing a 31% drop in passenger-miles from 2015 to 2024, even as the region's population grew by more than a half million. Transit funding rose from $2.6 billion to over $4.7 billion in that same period, yet light rail carries less than 1% of regional trips today. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-transit...

The Historic Trust and League of Women Voters of Clark County host a Constitution Day event on Sept. 17 at Fort Vancouver's Artillery Barracks. Three speakers, interactive trivia, and open discussion run from 4 to 8 p.m. The first 100 guests receive a free pocket Constitution courtesy of Riverview Bank. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/constitution-day-founding-ideas-modern-voices-theme-of-even...

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...