Clark County Today News

Battle Ground resident Silas Matson argues the city council's competing proclamations — from Pride to public prayer — reveal a civic category error. Government, he writes, can enforce a minimalist civic morality around public safety, but lacks the mandate to validate maximalist cultural or theological frameworks. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-how-do-we-share-a-city-and-foster-com...

Vancouver's Jonathan Hines contrasts the York Revolution's forfeited game — players refusing mandatory Pride jerseys — with MLB's warning to Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their caps. He argues corporate-driven ideological compliance is fracturing the common ground sports once provided. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-when-inclusion-mandates-exclusion-sports-lose-its-way...

Clark County's week covered a 3-2 council vote rejecting auditor expansion, Vancouver's unanimous median ban, and Rep. John Ley's criticism of the $7.65 billion Interstate Bridge Replacement project. Evergreen Public Schools locked in a five-year contract, and Camas football standout Reilly Hennessey got the surprise of a lifetime at Liberty Theatre. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #Camas #IBR #Ev...

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 against letting the county auditor prepare financial impact statements for ballot initiatives. Supporters said voters deserve cost data; opponents warned of concentrated power in one office — and noted voters rejected a similar measure in 2024. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-did-the-clark-county-council-make-the-right-decision-by-rejecting-the-audi...

Sockeye returns to Bonneville Dam are projected at less than half the pre-season forecast of 275,000 fish, prompting Oregon and Washington to close Upper Columbia fisheries and cut four retention days from the lower Columbia season. WDFW managers say the Hanford Reach fishery closes June 20, with the lower river window now running June 27 through July 5. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/low...

Washington added 10,600 jobs in May — its strongest single month this year — but the unemployment rate stayed stuck at 5.2%, up from 4.5% a year ago. Chief labor economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman calls it "an increasingly challenging labor market for job seekers," and a separate report from state economist Dave Reich warns job growth has been weaker than expected since February. https://www.clarkc...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that the Trump administration's hospital price-transparency enforcement is appropriate — but insufficient. Most patients aren't comparison-shopping when insurers pay the bill, and Washington's certificate-of-need laws continue shielding hospitals from competition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hospital-price-transparen...

Evergreen Public Schools and the Evergreen Education Association have agreed to a five-year collective bargaining agreement covering teachers and certificated staff across 38 Vancouver schools and roughly 22,000 students. The EEA ratified the deal Wednesday, and the Board of Directors will vote on approval July 14. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/evergreen-public-schools-and-teachers-union-a...

After a pedestrian was struck and killed on a narrow lane divider at Vancouver Mall Drive and Fourth Plain Blvd in 2021, city staff spent years researching state and local law — and found nothing that required people to move off traffic islands. The Vancouver City Council voted unanimously Monday to change that, amending VMC Section 7.04.020 to give law enforcement tools to intervene before anothe...

Six Southwest Washington Search and Rescue teams brought 125 volunteers together for a large-scale mock mission built around a simulated aircraft crash, testing unified command, K9 teams, drone operators, technical rope rescuers, and nighttime patient transport across multiple county jurisdictions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/tri-county-sar-teams-conduct-joint-training-exercise-to-enhanc...

Vancouver is accepting applications for one mid-term seat on its Parking Advisory Committee, which advises the city on parking policy and program implementation. Applicants must be city residents representing residential or business interests in Vancouver's downtown core. The position begins immediately upon appointment and runs through June 30, 2027. Applications are due July 15. https://www.clar...

Vancouver and Business Impact NW have launched a $2.4 million Revolving Loan Fund to expand capital access for small businesses in the Fourth Plain area. The city contributes $1.2 million in ARPA funding, matched by Business Impact NW. Businesses that can't qualify for traditional financing can apply now for equipment, wages, rent, and working capital. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/van...

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost breaks down the June revenue forecast showing state tax collections are $135.4 million below what lawmakers counted on — with employment 21,900 jobs short of projections and Seattle-area inflation at 4.9%. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-tax-collections-are-running-below-forecast-as-the-economy-softens/ #WashingtonState #StateBudget...

Washington drivers already paying $1.45 per gallon above the national average face an automatic 2% gas tax increase starting July 1 — the first step in a new inflation-indexed annual hike. GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan warns the mechanism will permanently widen the gap between Washington and the rest of the country, regardless of any relief from the Iran deal. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/busines...

Sixty worshippers from four churches and three denominations filled Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene in Battle Ground on June 13 for a Community Worship Night. Pastor Will Swaney said the congregation "rocked the rafters" in a night of shared praise across Nazarene and non-Nazarene communities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/saving-grace-church-hosts-community-worship-night/ #BattleGro...

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 against a charter amendment that would have given the auditor's office authority to place financial impact statements on ballot initiatives. Critics argued the proposal — similar to one voters rejected in 2024 — would let one office tip the scales of the ballot process. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-council-votes-down-proposal-that-would-lead...

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, a Democrat, is calling on county prosecutors to defend signature gatherers targeted by harassment and theft — including a June 9th incident where a man stole a signature sheet outside a South Hill Safeway. Sam Cardwell of Mountain States Policy Center examines what this means for Washington's initiative process and the July 2nd deadline. https://www.clarkcou...

Seattle engineer Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program's $17.7 billion plan adds just one lane for five miles — and leaves $12 billion in 30-year bond debt for future generations. He says a less costly immersed tunnel alternative exists. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-ibrs-concrete-obscenity/ #IBR #InterstateBridgeReplacement #Transportation #ClarkCounty...

Anthony Teso of Camas challenges a proposal for a free-market healthcare commission, pointing out that the U.S. already spends $14,885 per person on healthcare — nearly double the $7,371 OECD average — while delivering worse outcomes than peer nations. He argues that price-based rationing is still rationing. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-free-market-cure-that-costs-twice-as-m...

Battle Ground Mayor Eric Overholser read a "Traditional Nuclear Family Proclamation" at a city council meeting while sponsor Philip Ridgeway quoted scripture before the council. Ordained minister Rev. Kate Lore argues Christian nationalism has gained political and economic influence in Battle Ground — and that democracy suffers when government promotes one religious worldview over all others. http...

Nancy Churchill examines Washington Supreme Court Position 1, where incumbent Colleen Melody — appointed by Ferguson with no prior bench experience — faces challengers Scott Edwards and Laura Christensen Colberg ahead of the August 4 primary. Churchill raises conflict-of-interest concerns tied to Melody's attendance at an income tax strategy meeting and her $175,519 fundraising haul — roughly six...

Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli is banning all recreational burning within city limits starting 12:01 a.m. June 17, citing dry conditions, low fuel moisture, and an especially challenging wildfire season ahead. Campfires, bonfires, and outdoor fire pits are prohibited. Violations carry a $500 citation and possible criminal penalties. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-vancouver-i...

Woodland's 104th annual Planters Days kicks off June 18 with four days of parades, fireworks, frog jumps, bed races, and a queen coronation — all under the theme "Woodland Washington: A Legendary Spirit. America 250." President Keith Bellisle reflects on a century of community pride rooted in the town's diking history. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/planters-days-celebrates-woodland-with-...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues Washington's Universal Health Care Commission is on a path toward a socialized system without examining free-market alternatives — and a June 18 meeting may shape that direction. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trading-one-bad-healthcare-system-for-another-is-not-a-solution/ #UniversalHealthcare #WashingtonState #Healthc...

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal is launching its first membership drive in decades, aiming to reach 250 members in honor of America250. Museum Director Julianne Lawrence says longtime supporters have dwindled, and the community's growing population makes now the right moment to rebuild. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/two-rivers-heritage-museum-launches-first-membership-drive-i...