Clark County Today News

Sen. John Braun outlines concerns over fraud, nepotism, and lack of oversight in Washington’s Community Reinvestment Plan and explains how Senate Bill 6205 would impose new restrictions and transparency requirements on publicly funded housing grants. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-more-accountability-needed-defrauding-state-programs-is-stealing-from-taxpayers/ #Opinion #WALegisla...

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kevin Waters would allow counties to manage fuel breaks along major roadways on federal forestland and retain timber revenue generated through shared stewardship agreements, offering new tools for wildfire prevention and local budget stability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-kevin-waters-sponsors-bill-that-would-strengthen-wildfire-prevention-and-provide-co...

Clark County Council discussed whether to issue a formal statement regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with councilors expressing sharply different views about public safety, law enforcement impacts, and the practical effect of such language following extended public comment. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-council-discusses-statement-regarding-ice/ #ClarkCounty #Vanc...

Beaver Bay Campground on the Lewis River is set to reopen May 22 after a year of renovations, with updated facilities, redesigned campsites, and new accessible features, while reservations open Jan. 30 through PacifiCorp. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/beaver-bay-campground-reservations-open-this-week-before-grand-re-opening-memorial-day-weekend/ #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #BeaverBayCamp...

RedDoor Gallery invites the public to the grand finale of Brush Strokes in Motion with live painting demonstrations by Cheryl Mathieson and Matthew Clarkson, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process during two afternoon events in Camas. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/grand-finale-of-brush-strokes-in-motion-this-fri-sat-at-reddoor-features-mathieson-clarkson/ #Camas #Red...

Clark County is accepting applications to fill an open at-large position on the Clark County Arts Commission, with a two-year term beginning immediately and a Feb. 13 application deadline. Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/county-manager-seeks-volunteer-for-open-seat-on-arts-commission-4/ #ClarkCounty #ArtsCommission #PublicService #LocalG...

Leslie Lewallen discusses her role as director of Future 42 Clark County, outlining the organization’s focus on legislative scorecards, local accountability, and efforts to reach persuadable voters on affordability, public safety, and the business climate in Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/leslie-lewallen-stays-and-fights-for-washington-as-director-of-future-42-clark-county/ #Fut...

Retired Judge Dave Larson reflects on political dysfunction, arguing that the pursuit of power over principle threatens representative government and urging a return to constitutional values and civic responsibility. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-seeking-might-over-right-destroys-representative-government/ #Opinion #RepresentativeGovernment #Constitution #CivicResponsibility #Wa...

Rob Anderson outlines concerns ahead of a Clark County Council meeting where an immigration-related resolution and changes to council authority are scheduled for discussion, arguing these issues deserve close public scrutiny. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-immigration-resolution-scheduled-for-this-wednesday-at-clark-county-council-meeting/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #CountyCouncil #Imm...

Nancy Churchill examines Washington’s housing shortage through the lens of energy code mandates, detailing how added construction costs affect affordability and why HB 2486 proposes limits for smaller homes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-1700-square-foot-solution-to-washingtons-housing-crisis/ #Opinion #WashingtonHousing #EnergyCode #HousingAffordability #HB2486 #StatePoliti...

Rep. John Ley introduced House Bill 2669, which would require the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct an independent performance audit of the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project, examining finances, decision-making, and oversight since the project restarted in 2019. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-leys-new-bill-calls-for-an-independent-audit-of-interstate-5-b...

In this letter to the editor, Clark County resident Larry Roe argues that communities need more transparent and thoughtful discussions about school levies, education priorities, and the balance between state-defined basic education and locally defined enrichment programs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-public-school-vision/ #Opinion #EducationFunding #SchoolLevies #ClarkCounty #Pu...

The Clark County Charter Review Commission has established a weekly meeting schedule starting Feb. 4 and selected its leadership as members begin a two-year review of the county charter and possible amendments that would ultimately require voter approval. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-charter-review-commission-sets-meeting-schedule-selects-officers/ #ClarkCounty #CountyGovernment #C...

The Washington Secretary of State certified a parental rights initiative backed by Let’s Go Washington after verifying more than enough valid signatures, sending the measure to the Legislature and setting the stage for a likely appearance on the November 2026 ballot amid growing political opposition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-secretary-of-state-certifies-parental-rights-initiative/...

Washington leaders outlined preparations for a possible immigration crackdown, with Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown discussing scenarios involving the National Guard, state and local law enforcement, and legal action if federal agents overstep constitutional bounds. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-leaders-prepare-for-possibility-of-immigration-crackdown/ #WashingtonState...

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center argues House Bill 1834 would impose sweeping regulations on social media platforms while limiting parents’ ability to monitor and protect their children online, raising concerns about parental rights, data access, and unintended legal consequences. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-house-bill-1834-would-create-a-regulatory-nightmare-an...

Clark College is hosting virtual Running Start Information Sessions followed by in-person Application & Enrollment Support Nights to help high school students and families learn how to earn college credit tuition-free while completing high school, with guidance on eligibility, enrollment steps, and academic planning. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-college-invites-high-school-students-...

House Bill 2224 cleared the House Local Government Committee after supporters said the proposal would give cities another optional tool to fund fire and emergency medical services without cutting other core services, while maintaining voter approval and local decision-making. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-david-stuebes-bill-to-give-small-cities-additional-options-to-strengthen-fire-pro...

Clark County Public Health is investigating a confirmed measles case involving an adult who was contagious while at Ridgefield High School on Jan. 14, 15 and 16, prompting coordination with the school district and exclusion of unprotected individuals from public settings. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-health-investigating-confirmed-measles-case-in-clark-county-2/ #ClarkCounty #Publi...

Washington lawmakers advanced SB 5973, a bill critics call the “initiative killer,” after rejecting all Republican amendments and sending the legislation to the Rules Committee, raising concerns about limits on the initiative and referendum process. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-bill-dubbed-the-initiative-killer-clears-wa-senate-committee/ #WashingtonLegislature #SB5973 #InitiativePr...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines House Bill 2100, a proposed payroll tax targeting higher wages, outlining its structure, funding flow, and potential impacts on workers, employers, and health care costs across Washington state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hb-2100-tax-employers-for-paying-people-well-its-for-the-needy-sorta/ #Opinion #HB2100 #WashingtonLegislature #PayrollTax #Wa...

Joe Cortright of City Observatory examines internal Interstate Bridge Replacement Program documents that show the estimated cost of the I-5 Bridge replacement project rising dramatically, arguing that officials have concealed detailed estimates, relied on misleading “draft” claims, and failed to provide transparency to lawmakers and the public. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ibrs...

Journey Theater is casting performers ages 8 and older and recruiting crew and production committee members for its summer production of Into the Woods, with auditions in March, rehearsals beginning in June, and performances scheduled at Heritage High School from July 31 through Aug. 8. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/journey-theater-seeks-performers-crew-for-this-summers-into-the-woods/ #...

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office honored more than two dozen deputies, civilian employees, and community members during its annual awards ceremony at Clark College, recognizing acts of heroism, life-saving efforts, and outstanding service to public safety throughout 2025. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/ccso-honors-heroism-and-outstanding-service-at-annual-awards-ceremony/ #ClarkCounty #C...

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Stephanie McClintock received a public hearing as lawmakers reviewed House Bill 2207, which would modernize Washington’s beer warehousing laws to align with existing rules for wine and spirits while supporting breweries and locally owned businesses. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-stephanie-mcclintocks-bill-to-modernize-beer-warehousing-laws-receives-a-publi...