Clark County Today News

Fox News contributor Guy Benson joined State Senator John Braun and radio host Ari Hoffman at a Vancouver dinner hosted by Americans for Prosperity. The trio discussed Washington's political landscape, including the recent state income tax passage and Democratic lawmakers dismissing thousands of public comments as "robots." Benson praised Vancouver's waterfront while warning about the state's curr...

Nearly two hours of public comment revealed sharp divisions over Clark County's aerial fireworks rules in unincorporated areas. Residents split between supporting current laws and pushing for stricter limits due to safety concerns and property damage. Council members indicated more information is needed before making decisions. The debate highlighted enforcement challenges and community tensions o...

A 36-year-old contractor fell into a tank under construction at the Washougal Wastewater Treatment Facility, prompting a complex technical rescue operation. Southwest Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue Team deployed cable-based vertical haul systems and rope techniques to extract the worker from the 150-foot diameter tank. The multi-agency response included Vancouver Fire Department, Clark Count...

Retired police officers and firefighters, including former Congressman Dave Reichert, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging Washington's unprecedented plan to sweep nearly $4 billion from their overfunded pension account. The plaintiffs argue the move violates constitutional contract clauses and leaves benefits vulnerable to market downturns, while supporters maintain the law protects pensi...

Doug Dahl breaks down Washington State law requiring cyclists to ride with traffic in bike lanes, not against it. The Revised Code of Washington treats bikes as vehicles following roadway rules, making wrong-way cycling illegal and dangerous. Sixty-five percent of cyclist-driver crashes occur at intersections, where riding against traffic creates unpredictable situations. Traffic control systems a...

Fire Chief Gordon Brooks will share the remarkable 65-year journey of Amboy Fire District 10 at a special anniversary celebration hosted by the North Clark Historical Museum. The May 9th program features exhibits tracing firefighting history from America's earliest departments to today's modern operations. The free public event takes place in the renovated 1910 United Brethren Church in Upper Ambo...

The Parkersville Advisory Committee partners with the Port of Camas-Washougal for annual Spruce Up Day at Parker's Landing Historical Park. Volunteers will maintain heritage trees and rose gardens that tell ancestral stories from the 1800s. This nationally recognized historic site requires ongoing community stewardship to preserve its cultural significance. The May 12 event prepares grounds for th...

Dina Sawyer brings seven years of special education expertise to her new role as principal at Gause Elementary School in Washougal. After serving as interim principal during the 2025-2026 school year, Sawyer was officially selected by the school board to lead the school starting July 1. Her background in behavior support and classroom experience, combined with a Masters in Education from Universit...

Bob Ortblad warns the Interstate Bridge Replacement's planned S-curve approach will be more dangerous than San Francisco's Bay Bridge detour that killed multiple drivers. The engineer argues the 1,100-foot radius curve combined with icy conditions and steep grades creates a recipe for disaster, calling speeds over 40 mph "engineered manslaughter." He advocates for an immersed tunnel alternative th...

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to active flames at 3512 NE 102nd Court Wednesday evening, successfully extinguishing the blaze and rescuing two dogs during their search operations. One resident was displaced while firefighters worked to contain the fire. The Vancouver Fire Marshal's Office continues investigating the cause of the incident. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver...

Clark County and community stakeholders are recruiting two volunteers with recent lived experience with homelessness to join ECHO, a collaborative policy group addressing homelessness. The 12-month volunteer positions include up to $1,000 annual honorarium and monthly meetings at the Public Service Center. Applications are due May 29, 2026, to Michelle Pfenning. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/ne...

Rep. John Ley exposes the stark contrast between Baltimore's Key Bridge replacement and the IBR project. Maryland's DOT Secretary fired contractors over cost concerns for a $5.2 billion, 2-mile bridge while the IBR seeks $15-18 billion for a half-mile span. The Key Bridge will be 70% designed in two years versus IBR's 30% after six years. With double the maritime clearance and triple the length, t...

Forty residents packed Clark County Council chambers Wednesday as officials discussed potential changes to aerial fireworks laws. Nonprofits warned they could lose over half their fundraising revenue if forced to sell only "safe and sane" fireworks, while supporters of restrictions cited property damage and safety concerns. Councilor Matt Little declared there would be no ban "on his watch," but C...

The 3-2 County Council vote Tuesday approved the Planning Commission's preferred alternative for Clark County's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, setting up a growth-oriented path that preserves expansion options for cities like Ridgefield while drawing sharp opposition over farmland protection concerns. Councilors Matt Little, Glen Yung, and Michelle Belkot voted yes, while Wil Fuentes and Sue Marshall vo...

Four eastern Washington sheriffs successfully challenged a new state law requiring stricter qualifications for elected sheriffs, with Judge Christine Schaller ruling the Legislature may have exceeded constitutional authority. The preliminary injunction blocks key provisions of Senate Bill 5974 that would have created administrative pathways to remove elected sheriffs who fail to meet certification...

Bob Zak questions why C-TRAN operates double buses with minimal ridership while disrupting Hazel Dell traffic patterns. The Vancouver resident counted just eight passengers across two Vine buses during peak commute hours and calls the project a "mass transit screwup" funded by taxpayers. Zak supports buses for Interstate Bridge replacement but opposes light rail expansion. https://www.clarkcountyt...

Sen. John Braun and Sen. Jeff Wilson challenge the $14.4 billion Interstate Bridge Replacement project, arguing light rail should be postponed until Clark County voters approve operational funding. The Republican senators criticize decision-makers for prioritizing light rail over bridge construction, noting costs have doubled since 2022 and questioning federal transit grants, voter approval, and f...

Battle Ground High School drama club brings Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's beloved musical to life with six performances starting May 1. The production showcases student talent both on stage and behind the scenes, telling Seymour's story of a mysterious plant with unusual appetites. General admission tickets are $12, with discounts for students. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/battle-groun...

Council for the Homeless reports 475 unduplicated people received 13,748 safe sleeps during the 2025-2026 winter season through coordinated shelter efforts across four church sites. The Severe Weather Taskforce issued 36 alerts when temperatures dropped below 36 degrees, mobilizing additional capacity that added 55-100 beds nightly. Lutheran churches and Living Hope Church partnered with Share and...

Joe Cortright from City Observatory dissects the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's 10,000-page Final Environmental Impact Statement, exposing how the $15.5 billion project violates federal transportation law through fiscal insolvency, incomplete planning, and bogus traffic projections. The analysis reveals a "forever project" that serves consulting firms rather than taxpayers, with half a bi...

Journey Theater transforms Jane Austen's timeless romance into live theater magic at Manor Evangelical Church. Macy Sibley stars as Elizabeth Bennet alongside Trevin Miller's Mr. Darcy in this fast-paced adaptation running five performances starting May 8. The Jesus-centered nonprofit has been enriching Clark County families through theater arts since 2002, creating difference-makers through chara...

Michael Jelineo warns that Clark County Councilors Sue Marshall, Glen Yung, and Wil Fuentes are considering fireworks restrictions that could impact celebrations across Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, and other communities. With America's 250th Independence Day approaching, Jelino argues these traditions represent freedom and heritage that shouldn't be stripped away. The council discusses th...

Nancy Churchill exposes how WDFW refuses to delist wolves despite exceeding all recovery targets while Washington agriculture posts a catastrophic negative $396 million in farm revenue. With 270 wolves in 49 packs — well above the 2011 plan's delisting thresholds — ranchers face mounting livestock losses as Democrat legislators ignore calls for wolf management reform. Churchill argues it's time to...

Clark County's Environmental Public Health permitting system will be unavailable May 11-17 as the department transitions to a new system designed to better support customers and staff. During the closure, Public Health cannot accept online or in-person permit applications and payments, and cannot access existing records. Food Worker Card testing remains available online, and complaints can be subm...

Treasurer Alishia Topper activates drive-through tax payment kiosk at Public Service Center for April 29-30 as Joint Lobby renovations continue. Check payments only accepted at east entrance parking structure, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alternative options include secure drop box, online payments via e-check, debit or credit card. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/treasurer-offers-drive-through-property...