Clark County Today News

A Vancouver police officer's talk at Heritage High School helped students grasp the serious risks of distracted driving and how they can take steps to help stop it. The message came as part of Washington’s Target Zero campaign. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/target-zero-discussion-on-distracted-driving-makes-impact-on-heritage-high-school-students/ on www. ClarkCount...

The inaugural Clark County Battle of the Bands invites high school musicians to perform and compete for over $2,500 in prizes on May 31 in Vancouver. Students from Camas and Seton Catholic are among those already signed up, and organizers are still looking for more bands. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/young-musicians-needed-for-inaugural-clark-county-battle-of-the-b...

A free Emergency and Safety Fair is scheduled for April 19 in Battle Ground. The event will offer presentations and exhibits on disaster preparedness, crime prevention, volcano awareness, and more. Visitors can connect with experts and explore safety tools from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Manor Grange. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/emergency-and-safety-fair-to-be-held-satur...

Washington’s 2025-2026 salmon fishing seasons aim to balance conservation with opportunity. Strong pink salmon returns in Puget Sound and stable Chinook forecasts for the Columbia River headline the plan. Learn about key opening dates, daily limits, and region-specific restrictions. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/washington-salmon-fishing-seasons-tentatively-set-for...

WDFW has released the latest hunting regulations and opened up the application window for special hunt permits in 2025. New rules include expanded testing and restrictions to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Learn more about the updates and how to apply for a permit at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/latest-washington-big-game-hunting-regulations-and-special-hunt-applications...

Tukes Valley Middle School student Rye Dilley delivers a message urging Battle Ground voters to support the school levy, highlighting the consequences for students, families, and the broader community if it fails. Read the full letter at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-you-dont-fix-a-struggling-system-by-starving-it/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #BattleGround #SchoolLevy #StudentVoice...

Brush Prairie resident Steven Zimmerman voices deep concern over civil liberties in his letter to the editor. He criticizes what he describes as authoritarian overreach from the federal government and questions the direction the country is heading. Read the full letter at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-what-is-this-country-becoming/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #BrushPrairie #FreeSpe...

Prairie High School graduate and future educator Jaden Upton is encouraging Battle Ground residents to vote YES on the Replacement Levy. He shares how vital programs and staff helped shape his success, and why the community must continue supporting local schools. Read his full letter at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-support-our-future-vote-yes-for-the-battle-ground-levy/ #localne...

Enrollment is now open for kindergartners in the Ridgefield School District for the 2025-26 school year. Children who turn five before September 1, 2025 are eligible to register, and orientation events are scheduled in May. Learn about required documents, assigned schools, and what to expect. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/kindergarten-enrollment-for-ridgefield-schoo...

Doug Dahl of The Wise Drive explains what to do when parked cars make neighborhood roads too narrow for two-way traffic. His column explores right-of-way rules, Washington law, and why these tight spots can actually improve safety. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-navigating-narrow-neighborhood-streets/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #VancouverWA #TheWiseDrive #D...

Camas High School will plant a NASA Artemis Moon Tree on campus—a living legacy grown from seeds that orbited the Moon during the Artemis I mission. The rare Douglas-fir sapling is one of only a few distributed nationwide and symbolizes a powerful connection between science, space, and education. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/camas-high-school-to-plant-nasa-artemis-...

Hundreds rallied in Olympia against a series of proposed tax increases by Democratic lawmakers in Washington state. The April 15 Tax Day protest featured sharp criticism from residents and Republican legislators over new and expanded taxes on property, services, and businesses. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/hundreds-rally-in-olympia-against-proposed-tax-increases/ #l...

Clark County Matters is urging Vancouver city leaders to adopt seven ordinance changes to address growing concerns about public camping and homeless encampments. The group says the proposals would help improve safety, health, and livability in neighborhoods across the city. Read the full list at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-city-council-urged-to-adopt-seven-changes-to-limit-publ...

On Tax Day, Senate Democrats unveiled $12 billion in new tax proposals while Republicans promoted a no-new-taxes budget plan. GOP leaders criticized the timing and impact, warning of higher costs for working families. The proposed tax hikes target services, property, capital gains, and business income. Read more about the legislative standoff at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/on-tax-day-sen...

In a letter to the editor, Hazel Dell resident Bob Zak calls on lawmakers to reject ESSB 5181, saying it undermines God-given parental rights. He criticizes the tactics used to silence debate and urges legislators to uphold Initiative 2081. Read his full perspective at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-there-will-be-consequences/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #ESSB5181 #Initiative2081 #p...

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle sparked controversy during a March roundtable when she blamed Battle Ground and Camas for contributing to her city’s homelessness issues. Battle Ground Deputy Mayor Shane Bowman pushed back, citing the city’s limited resources and efforts like community courts. The exchange highlights growing regional tensions over how homelessness is addressed in Clark County. R...

The La Center School District is speaking out amid state-level controversy over gender policy. In a letter to families, the School Board and Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz reaffirm their commitment to legal compliance, student support, and keeping parents involved. They reject OSPI’s discrimination claims and call for collaboration, not ultimatums. Read the full op-ed at https://www.clarkcountyto...

Clark County Fire District 10 is moving forward with plans to replace the aging Amboy Fire Station. Built in 1963, the station no longer meets the district’s needs. Aetta Architecture of Battle Ground will lead the planning process, including public outreach. Learn more about how the district is preparing for future emergencies at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-fire-district-10...

Have you ever found a litter of kittens and weren’t sure what to do next? Nomi Berger’s latest piece for Clark County Today offers a compassionate guide for safely assessing, fostering, and rehoming found kittens—plus how to work with local rescue Furry Friends. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/kitten-finders-kitten-keepers/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #kittenrescue #FurryFriends #...

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is looking for community members to join its Patient & Family Advisory Council, a group that gives input on patient experiences and helps shape healthcare services. Volunteers must be 18 or older and have a connection to PeaceHealth as a patient or family member. Learn how to get involved at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/peacehealth-southwest-medical-ce...

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Washington state over its directive to La Center School District regarding gender pronoun policies. District officials say they were pressured to adopt a policy that conflicts with federal law. The case intensifies tensions between state and federal authorities over student privacy and parental rights. Read more from Jake Goldstein-Street at https:...

Michelle Belkot addressed the C-TRAN board Tuesday night, speaking against her removal and urging a delay in voting on light rail funding language. The board agreed to hold off until July, allowing time for the courts to review pending legal cases. The meeting drew strong public support for Belkot and renewed debate over light rail’s future in Clark County. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoda...

Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi calls on city leaders to address what he sees as the mayor's failure to enforce public safety and order near the Share House encampment. In his letter to the editor, Bracchi describes eight years of neglect and permissive policies that have led to unsafe conditions and neighborhood deterioration. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-mayor-bl...

Expect delays on northbound I-5 at Exit 14 in Ridgefield as WSDOT begins work to replace traffic barriers and shift the right-turn lane at the Pioneer Street off-ramp. The project runs through April 24, with daytime work Tuesdays through Fridays. Plan for extra travel time and stay alert in the work zone. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/travel-advisory-expect-delays-on-northboun...

Rep. Peter Abbarno condemned House Democrats after they used a procedural rule not seen in over 130 years to silence debate on ESSB 5181, a bill impacting parental rights and Initiative 2081. The move prevented further discussion and passed without any Republican support. Abbarno says the decision erodes trust and silences voices across the state. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news...