Clark County Today News

Vancouver Police Major Crimes Unit investigates a drive-by shooting near NE 18th Street and NE Andresen Road that left two men wounded Monday evening. One victim suffered life-threatening injuries while the second sustained non-life-threatening wounds. Officers recovered shell casings and a firearm at the scene. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-investigate-drive-by-shooting-7...

A chain-reaction collision involving four vehicles on NE 78th Street near NE 47th Avenue sent two people to the hospital Monday evening. The Clark County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating after the driver of a Chevrolet Trailblazer failed to stop for traffic at a red light, striking three stopped vehicles. Investigators found signs of impairment and additional evidence in the...

Jonathan Hines breaks down Washington's Climate Commitment Act, revealing how the cap-and-invest program adds 52 cents per gallon to gas prices while funneling billions into administrative overhead rather than meaningful environmental improvements. His analysis shows taxpayers are spending $395 per metric ton of CO2 reduction when the social cost of carbon is valued at just $99 per ton. https://ww...

Rob Anderson exposes the contradiction in Clark County's budget priorities after the council approved a county manager raise while claiming no general fund money exists for 149 needed deputy positions. Fresh from open-heart surgery, the Reform Clark County founder breaks down the heated Charter Review Commission exchange with Glen Yung and questions why taxpayers must fund public safety through ne...

Brian Kangas, 34, of Battle Ground was arrested for the alleged murder of 73-year-old Gary Bender after deputies responded to reports of gunshots on NE Davis Road. Witnesses saw Kangas leave the scene on bicycle before deputies located him with a handgun near NE 182nd Avenue. The Major Crimes Unit investigation continues as the Bender family requests privacy during their grief. https://www.clarkco...

Five of nine Washington Supreme Court positions face election as justices prepare to rule on a controversial 9.9% income tax on households earning over $1 million annually. With a dozen candidates already registered, this marks the most Supreme Court seats up for election in recent history. The timing is pivotal—voters rejected income taxes 10 times in the last century, and the court struck them d...

Sarah Mittelman, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 20 years of healthcare experience, announces her campaign for Washington State Representative in the 49th Legislative District. Her platform focuses on cost of living, public safety, behavioral health, and transportation issues affecting Clark County families. Mittelman brings direct experience working with mental health challeng...

Clark County Sheriff's Office responds to deadly shooting near NE Ward Road and NE Davis Road intersection Monday morning. One person found deceased, suspect in custody with no ongoing community threat. Major Crimes Unit leads active investigation with limited details released. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-sheriffs-office-investigates-fatal-shooting-near-ne-ward-road/ #ClarkC...

Commission Chair Brandon Erickson wants Clark County residents to weigh in on proposed charter amendments for the 2026 and 2027 general elections. The fifteen-member commission meets Wednesdays at 5 pm in hybrid format at the Public Service Center. Public participation helps determine which amendments reach the ballot and shapes the final language voters will consider. https://www.clarkcountytoday...

Clark County Council shifts course on Tri-Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, choosing long-term management over sale after ilani Casino Resort deal collapsed. The county received six new buyer inquiries but decided an RFP for management agreement would better serve the community's need for affordable golf. Current operator Indigo Sports contract expires December 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday...

Anna Miller argues that removing Michelle Belkot from the transit board for representing her constituents signals a dangerous shift toward "enforced unanimity" in Clark County politics. Miller warns this approach undermines the constitutional principles of checks and balances, referencing Madison's Federalist No. 10 and the founders' concerns about concentrated power. She calls the August 2026 pri...

Jonathan Hines from Vancouver argues that assassination attempts against President Trump represent a fundamental breakdown of civil society. He emphasizes that political disputes must be resolved through democratic processes, not violence, and warns that repeated attempts on any leader's life threaten the safety of all citizens and the survival of peaceful governance. https://www.clarkcountytoday....

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to 12010 SE McGillivray Boulevard Saturday afternoon, containing an active garage and attic fire before it reached the main residence. Five adults, four cats, and one dog were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. The rapid three-minute response prevented extensive damage while crews helped salvage personal belongings. American Red Cross is assisting...

Grant Gilson knows the next few weeks will determine what Rocksolid Community Teen Center can offer teens this fall. The 40/40 Campaign invites 1,000 community members to give $40 each, providing safe after-school spaces where teens find meals, mentorship, and connection. For 24 years, Rocksolid has been the place where after school becomes something more than just time to fill. https://www.clarkc...

Rep. John Ley exposes how the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program allocates 54% of bridge surface to transit while costs skyrocket to $14.4 billion. He argues Portland's TriMet needs a federal bailout to cover their $300 million budget gap, pointing to Cincinnati's 10-lane bridge project that secured $1.6 billion in federal funding without any transit component. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/...

Bob Zak doesn't mince words about Vancouver City Council's light rail endorsement, calling it a betrayal of three public votes against the project. The Vancouver resident also takes aim at current homeless policies, arguing that public donations enable the problem rather than solving it. His letter raises pointed questions about representative government and enforcement priorities in Clark County....

Glen Yung's controversial 4-1 appointment to the C-TRAN board signals major shifts in Clark County transit politics, while councilors approve 22 new sheriff deputy positions starting July. Interstate Bridge Replacement officials reveal toll funding jumped to $1.5 billion as the $14.4 billion project moves toward 2028 construction. Bryan Shull enters the council race focusing on affordability and p...

The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery opens May 1, paying recreational anglers to catch predatory fish that consume millions of juvenile salmon and steelhead. Funded by Bonneville Power Administration, the program offers $6-$10 per qualifying fish, with tagged specimens worth up to $500. Last year's top angler earned $159,310 catching 15,715 pikeminnow. Registration required at 21 stat...

The Camas-Washougal Historical Society's Annual Plant Fair brings locally grown treasures to Two Rivers Heritage Museum May 16 and June 14. Volunteers harvest plants from historic gardens, including sought-after Camas lilies and heritage varieties from Thor Larsen's century-old Carriage House property. Museum director Julianne Lawrence says the fundraiser connects gardeners with community stories...

Former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna delivers sharp criticism of the current AGO's unprecedented collaboration with lawmakers to craft the millionaire's tax specifically designed to overturn 95 years of constitutional precedent while blocking voter input through strategic emergency clauses. McKenna, now part of the legal team challenging the tax, argues the AGO abandoned its constitution...

Washington's gray wolf population reached 270 animals across 49 packs by late 2025, marking the highest count since monitoring began in 2008. State biologist Trent Roussin reports a 17.4% increase from 2024, driven by six new or reestablished packs in northeast Washington and the North Cascades. However, no breeding pairs exist in the Southern Cascades region, where human-caused mortality continue...

The Falcon Baseball Academy brings dozens of vendors to Prairie High School for a day of shopping and community support. From Anahi Tamales to Battle Ground Barkery, local artisans showcase handcrafted goods, specialty foods, and unique gifts while supporting student baseball programs. The bazaar coincides with Prairie's annual plant and greenhouse sale, creating a perfect opportunity for families...

Sen. John Braun warned about daycare fraud months ago, only to be dismissed by Democrat leaders. Now a damning audit proves him right — $37 million in questionable payments, representing 20% of all DCYF payouts to daycare providers. While Democrats demand higher taxes, they're wasting one in five dollars through gross incompetence or outright fraud. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion...

Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl breaks down Washington's traffic enforcement rules for private property after a reader's grocery store parking lot incident. Most traffic laws don't apply on private property, but serious crimes like vehicular assault and impaired driving still count. Learn when to call police, when to file collision reports, and why store security can't write traffic tickets. https:/...

Wednesday's Clark County Council meeting brought the 2022 anti-light rail resolution back into focus as public commenters questioned whether the voter approval requirement should still guide council decisions. The debate emerged during Glen Yung's appointment to the C-TRAN Board, where light rail disputes have created ongoing tensions. We're polling residents on whether the resolution remains rele...