Clark County Today News

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...

Thursday is Kids Day at the Clark County Fair, with children ages 7 to 12 getting in for $7. The headliner: Monster Trucks at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., featuring Megasaurus, a fire-breathing robotic T-Rex that tears apart cars. Mars Encounters, comedy, magic, and more round out the day. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/heres-whats-happening-at-the-clark-county-fair-on-thursday-aug-13/ #ClarkCountyFair...

Bill Payne has driven Monster Trucks for more than 20 years and owns 10 of them, but performing at the Clark County Fair has always been his bucket list goal. His company, Straight Up Racing out of Port Orchard, brings Rock Star, Identity Theft, Spitfire, and more to the grandstand Thursday and Friday for four 90-minute shows included with general admission. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/mon...

The Clark County Commission on Aging meets August 17 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss housing and mobility, elect a new chair and vice chair, and consider a proposed letter of support. The nine-member volunteer group implements the county's Aging Readiness Plan. https://clarkcountytoday.com/community_news/commission-on-aging-to-discuss-housing-and-mobility-at-august-meeting/ #ClarkCounty #CommissionOnAging...

Camas resident Anthony Teso responds to a letter attributing Clark County's low primary turnout to voter apathy, arguing instead that nonvoters, disproportionately lower-income, have made a reasoned judgment about what both parties deliver. He points to Washington's regressive tax structure and federal debt trends as context. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-223000-arent-children-re...

Let's Go Washington has launched campaigns for three November ballot initiatives: I-645 to repeal a 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million, I-001 to reinstate parental rights in public schools, and I-638 to require students to compete in sports based on biological sex. Supporters and opponents made their cases at an Aug. 8 Olympia rally. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/campaigns-begin-for-...

Randal O'Toole of the Cascade Policy Institute argues Portland's anti-auto planning has failed the region, pointing to a 90 percent drop in automotive air pollution and a 30 percent decline in highway fatalities achieved while Americans drove more miles, not fewer. He offers four policy alternatives including toll lanes and TriMet route reform. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-portland...

Battle Ground Public Schools secured donations totaling more than $33,000 to save four sports programs threatened by levy-driven budget cuts. Golf, gymnastics, swimming, and bowling will continue in 2026-27 if minimum student participation numbers are met. https://clarkcountytoday.com/sports/battle-ground-public-schools-secures-funding-for-athletics-programs/ #BattleGround #BGPS #SchoolSports #Cla...

Nancy Churchill, chair of the Ferry County Republican Party, argues that moderate Democrats and independents now face a defining choice as the Democratic Socialists of America openly publish a platform calling for abolishing the Senate, the presidency, and the Supreme Court. She points to Julian Epstein, longtime chief counsel for House Judiciary Democrats, who recently left the party, and to Bill...

Trooper Chris Gadd, who served as an EMT before joining the Washington State Patrol, gave his life on March 2, 2024. Now in its third year, a memorial blood drive in his honor comes to Vancouver on September 4, with Bloodworks Northwest needing roughly 1,000 donors every day to serve Pacific Northwest hospitals. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/honoring-a-hero-trooper-chris-gadd/ #TrooperChrisG...

Clark County Public Health is investigating a confirmed measles case in an unvaccinated child. Possible exposure occurred at AFC Urgent Care Camas on Aug. 7, 2026. Clark County has recorded 17 measles cases this year, 15 of them in unvaccinated individuals. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-health-investigating-confirmed-measles-case-in-clark-county-child/ #measles #ClarkCounty #PublicHealt...

Vancouver resident Jonathan Hines argues that a Thurston County judge upheld politically charged ballot language on Initiative 645, then canceled a scheduled hearing before Let's Go Washington attorneys could present their own legal arguments. Hines says the citizen initiative process itself is at stake. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-why-judicial-activism-threatens-washington-democra...

Washington paid $565,700 in unemployment benefits to 151 striking workers through the first seven months of the year, and state projections now show benefit payments outpacing employer tax collections. Critics warn the deficit could trigger additional employer taxes and threaten the fund's solvency. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/video-striking-workers-add-to-deficit-risk-for-washington-job...

Washington lawmakers approved nearly $20 million to help lawfully present noncitizens retain long-term care coverage, expecting to reach about 1,200 people. Federal rule changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mean only 173 will be covered. Around 1,500 noncitizens receiving long-term care services in Washington lose Medicaid on Oct. 1. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/20m-in-...