Clark County Today News

Clark County Public Health is investigating a confirmed measles case in an unvaccinated child. Anyone at Vancouver Clinic, Salmon Creek on July 17 from 1:30 to 5:30 pm who is unvaccinated must stay home for 21 days. Two vaccine doses are about 97% effective. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-health-investigating-confirmed-measles-case-in-clark-county-3/ #ClarkCounty #Measles #PublicHealth #...

Vancouver Police Officers Guild president Jeff Anaya says a July 17 memorandum from Chief Troy Price, directing officers to stop making arrests for shoplifting, public drug use, and trespassing, will invite rising crime and harm businesses. Anaya warns Vancouver risks following the path of Portland and Seattle. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/police-guild-president-vancouver-moving-in-wrong-dire...

Washington's state operating budget has grown from $24.5 billion in 2001-03 to $80.7 billion for 2025-27, a 230% increase, even as lawmakers face projected deficits and historic tax increases. Basic education accounts for 42% of the $56 billion spending increase since 2001. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/fiscal-fallout-wa-budget-spending-increased-by-230-since-2001/ #WashingtonState #StateB...

Washington's State Board of Education is proposing the first overhaul of high school graduation requirements in over a decade. The plan shifts students from 17 to 15 core credits, expands personalized pathway credits from three to five, and adds new courses in financial literacy and quantitative reasoning. A vote is expected in September. https://clarkcountytoday.com/youth/washingtons-board-of-edu...

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers breaks down three claims about why Washington gas prices have climbed above $5 per gallon again. He argues the state's Climate Commitment Act adds roughly 52 cents per gallon, and that the Department of Ecology's denial of any link between carbon pricing and pump prices is contradicted by Ecology's own commissioned study. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/o...

New research shows Washington's Climate Commitment Act and Carbon Fuel Standard are driving gas prices up $0.41 to $0.48 per gallon. The West Coast premium on fuel has grown from $0.67 in 2022 to $0.91 per gallon in 2026, while state officials deny any clear link between carbon policy and pump prices. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-no-surprise-west-coast-climate-policies-drive-the-hi...

The Central Vancouver Habitat Store at 10811 SE 2nd Street is marking its 4th anniversary with a one-day 50% off storewide sale on August 1. The first 50 customers get a $10 gift card, and shoppers from 3 to 6 p.m. can earn Build Bucks coupons. Proceeds support affordable home construction in Clark County. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/central-vancouver-habitat-store-celebrates-anniversary-wit...

Rob Anderson of Reform Clark County raises concerns after three Clark County Auditor candidates — Ty Stober, Sharon Wylie, and Mitchell Kelly — attended an Indivisible Greater Vancouver meeting, while candidate Eileen Quiring O'Brien says she was not invited and would not have attended. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-clark-county-deserves-better-indivisibles-hatred-and-the-candidates...

Dr. Ronald Hsu of Storybook Dental in Camas explains why tannins, acids, and thinning enamel cause tooth discoloration, and how simple habits like drinking water after coffee and avoiding all-day sipping can protect your smile. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/how-to-prevent-tooth-stains-and-keep-a-brighter-smile/ #DentalHealth #ToothStains #OralHygiene #DeltaDental #ClarkCounty #CamasWA #Smil...

PacifiCorp is closing the Beaver Bay boat ramp on the Lewis River beginning July 24 due to low water levels, with the closure lasting the remainder of the season. Federal licensing requires the company to maintain downstream flows from Merwin Dam to protect Chinook, Coho salmon, and Steelhead trout. Additional recreation impacts are possible before Labor Day. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/beav...

Washington Farmland Trust has permanently protected April Joy Farm, a 24-acre certified organic operation in Ridgefield, marking the first farmland conservation easement funded by Clark County's Legacy Lands program. Clark County's agricultural acreage has decreased by nearly 40% since 2017, and Ridgefield's median home price has grown 147% in the last decade. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business...

Thousands lined Main Street and Northeast First Street in Battle Ground for the Harvest Days Parade, a nearly two-hour celebration featuring around 100 entrants including equestrian groups, local businesses, and political candidates. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/harvest-days-parade-brings-smiles-to-thousands-of-attendees/ #HarvestDays #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #Parade #CommunityNews #Washing...

Three Washington business leaders, including the VP of Vancouver-based TigerStop, say rising taxes and regulations are forcing them to expand outside Washington or consider relocation. An AWB survey found 24% of members are considering leaving the state, nearly triple the rate from 16 months prior. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/video-how-high-taxes-regulations-are-crushing-three-washington...

Washington state's 18-person Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability held its first meeting Monday, tasked with explaining recurring structural deficits in the state's $80.2 billion operating budget. Pew Charitable Trusts will guide the two-year review at no cost to the state. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/new-effort-underway-to-understand-was-bud...

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost examines three statistics Superintendent Chris Reykdal cited on Facebook to argue the state's tax structure, not spending, drives budget problems. Using OFM's own figures, Frost finds real tax burden per resident rose roughly 44% since 2004, the state wage bill grew about 150%, and employee headcount per resident is roughly the same as 20 years ago. https://cl...

Furry Friends, a no-kill cat rescue in Vancouver, is currently caring for approximately 180 kittens and 75 adult cats as year-round kitten season pushes resources to the limit. Adoption fees start at $100 for adult cats, and the organization runs entirely on private donations with an annual budget of roughly $542,000. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/furry-friends-has-cats-and-kittens-waiting-for...

The Greater Vancouver Chamber is accepting nominations for the 2026 First Citizen Award, an 87-year-old honor recognizing lifelong leadership, service, and philanthropy in Southwest Washington. Nominations are open through August 28, with the recipient honored October 14 at The Heathman Lodge. https://clarkcountytoday.com/business/greater-vancouver-chamber-opens-nominations-for-the-2026-first-citi...

The Vancouver Police Officers' Guild is challenging directives from the City Attorney's Office telling officers not to arrest or cite individuals for theft, trespass, drug possession, and other offenses. The Guild warns the policy creates legal uncertainty for officers and leaves crime victims without recourse, including in domestic violence situations. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-...

The lower portion of Daybreak Regional Park in Battle Ground closes Aug. 3 through Oct. 15 for construction tied to the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project. Work includes trail relocation, floodplain grading, bank stabilization, and native planting along three river miles. The boat launch, damaged in a December 2025 flood, will remain closed when the park reopens. https://clarkcountytoday.c...

Clark County resident Anna Miller makes the case for Eileen Quiring O'Brien as the county's next auditor, citing her years on the Clark County Council, her role as County Chair, and her support for an independent audit of the Auditor's Office to strengthen public confidence. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-is-eileen-quiring-obrien-qualified-to-be-our-next-clark-county-auditor/ #ClarkCo...

Nancy Churchill argues that four Washington Supreme Court seats on the August 4 primary ballot could shape the state's constitutional future, including a 2027 ruling on the new 9.9 percent millionaires tax. She profiles four Republican-backed candidates she says prioritize constitutional fidelity over judicial activism. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-supreme-court-slate-your-primary-...

The Vancouver Fire Department has confirmed the July 20 fire that destroyed the Oakbrook Park play structure was intentionally set, causing roughly $100,000 in damage. A $10,000 reward through the Arson Alarm Foundation is being offered for tips leading to an arrest. The investigation remains open. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/fire-and-arson-investigation-concludes-playground-fire-was-intenti...

After nearly 17 years leading Washougal and a 40-year local government career, City Manager David Scott will retire on April 15, 2027. His tenure included securing a $40 million federal Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant and transitioning the city to a council-manager form of government. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/city-of-washougal-announces-upcoming-retirement-of-city-manager-david-scot...

Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene partnered with Sunshine Laundry and Cleanworks Laundromat on Main Street in Battle Ground to cover 20 full loads of washing and drying for 40 people. Pastor Will Swaney says the event sparked spontaneous conversations among patrons. The church plans to hold Laundry Love monthly. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/love-and-suds-makes-for-successful-combo-as-savi...

Washougal resident Anthony Teso pushes back on a Washington Policy Center column, arguing that Senate Bill 5041 does not destabilize the unemployment trust fund and that striking workers drawing benefits are drawing on their own deferred wages, not employer funds. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-strike-is-the-withdrawal-of-labor-in-a-dispute-the-employer-co-produces-at-the-bargaining...