Clark County Today News

In this opinion column, Nancy Churchill explains why she believes HB 2373 will increase electric rates by expanding unfunded state mandates on local utilities, with the greatest impact falling on rural counties like Ferry County. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-when-the-state-orders-discounts-and-sends-you-the-bill/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #HB2373 #EnergyPolicy #RuralUtilities #...

In this letter to the editor, Hockinson resident Tisha Leibfried urges voters to support the Hockinson replacement school levy, outlining how levy funding supports staff, classroom resources, extracurricular programs, and long-term community stability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-strong-schools-benefit-the-entire-community/ #Opinion #Hockinson #SchoolLevy #EducationFunding #Cla...

State Rep. Sharon Wylie announced her candidacy for Clark County auditor, saying she will not seek re-election in the 49th Legislative District and will begin campaigning after her legislative work concludes in March. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/state-rep-sharon-wylie-announces-candidacy-for-clark-county-auditor/ #ClarkCounty #WashingtonPolitics #CountyAuditor #PublicService #Elections

The Vancouver Fire Department held a solemn procession honoring Firefighter Paramedic Jeremiah Frenz, escorting him from the Clark County Coroner’s Office to Brown’s Funeral Home in Camas as a tribute to his service and dedication to the community. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-fire-department-honors-firefighter-jeremiah-frenz-with-procession/ #VancouverFireDepartment #Firefigh...

World War II veteran and Vancouver resident Alfred Folkerts was honored by the Sons of the American Revolution after turning 100, receiving recognition for his military service, community contributions, and lifelong dedication to country at a ceremony in Vancouver. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/birthday-party-sons-of-american-revolution-honor-world-war-ii-veteran-after-turning-100/ #Vete...

Bob Ortblad challenges the $13.6 billion cost estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacement, comparing it to similar bridge projects and questioning assumptions about drilled shaft costs, construction risk, and alternatives such as an immersed tunnel. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-interstate-bridge-replacement-13-6-billion-estimate-is-too-low/ #Opinion #IBR #InterstateBridge #Br...

Rep. John Ley criticizes the U.S. Coast Guard’s approval of the fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, raising concerns about project cost, funding risks, earthquake standards, phased construction, and opposition to light rail and tolls in Southwest Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-drama-and-the-waste-of-taxpayer-money-continues/ #Opinion #InterstateBridge #IBR #ClarkCounty...

The U.S. Coast Guard has approved the fixed-span design for the proposed new Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River, a decision announced by Sen. Maria Cantwell that advances the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program toward construction, addresses maritime navigation concerns, and removes the need for a lift span that currently disrupts traffic on Interstate 5. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/...

Handel’s Ice Cream has opened its first Washington location in east Vancouver, bringing a brand founded in Ohio in 1945 to Clark County with fresh, on-site ice cream, rotating flavors, and plans to support local schools, organizations, and youth employment ahead of a Jan. 17 grand opening. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/business-profile-handels-ice-cream-opens-its-first-shop-in-washingt...

In this opinion column, Dick Rylander examines the Battle Ground School District levy on the Feb. 10 special election ballot, breaking down levy costs, inflation comparisons, enrollment changes, testing data, personnel spending, and the broader impact of state and local taxes on district voters. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-vote-no-on-the-battle-ground-school-district-levy/...

In this letter to the editor, Yacolt resident Mark Rose criticizes what he describes as excessive superintendent compensation across Washington school districts, contrasting high salaries with classroom cuts, levy failures, and declining academic performance, and questions whether current spending priorities reflect voter and student needs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-multi...

WSU Vancouver is hosting a free Preview Day on Jan. 24, giving prospective students and families a chance to explore campus, meet students and admissions staff, learn about financial aid and scholarships, tour facilities, and get a closer look at academic opportunities at Southwest Washington’s only four-year research university. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/discover-your-future-at-wsu-va...

Clark County Elections has announced important dates and voting information for the Feb. 10 Special Election, including when ballots will be mailed, recommended mail-by dates, drop box availability, voter registration deadlines, and how to request replacement ballots or access voter resources. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-elections-provides-important-information-for-upcoming-specia...

The Battle Ground Police Department has unveiled a newly redesigned badge developed with input from all department employees, featuring local imagery, national and city symbols, and design elements honoring both tradition and community identity, with the transition to the new badge beginning this month. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/battle-ground-police-department-unveils-new-badge-design/...

Doug Dahl explores why driving fast can feel slow, breaking down how our brains misinterpret speed due to visual cues, vehicle noise, cruise control, and adaptation after freeway driving, and why actual speed still matters for safety regardless of perception. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-when-fast-feels-slow/ #Opinion #TrafficSafety #DrivingBehavior #WashingtonState #TheWiseDri...

The Clark County Law Library has launched a new free self-help kit to assist tenants facing eviction lawsuits, offering downloadable forms and instructions for those served with a Summons and Complaint, with the kit developed by the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program through Superior Court grant funding and available to the public online and at the courthouse location. https://www.clarkcountyt...

This week’s Clark County Today newsletter breaks down power struggles at C-TRAN, renewed debate over board control and light rail funding, growing concerns over I-5 Bridge replacement costs, early warnings from Olympia on taxes and spending, new polling on voter priorities, the launch of a local video podcast, an American Legion Auxiliary organizing effort in Amboy, and the Vancouver Fire Departme...

Clark County Today’s weekly poll focuses on the 2026 legislative session and asks which issue should take priority as Washington lawmakers begin making decisions that affect state finances, the economy, taxes, spending, and budget priorities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-what-should-be-the-top-priority-for-lawmakers-during-the-2026-legislative-session/ #Opinion #WashingtonLegislat...

Chartering effort underway to form a new American Legion Auxiliary unit connected to American Legion Tum Tum Post 168 Amboy, with details about an upcoming informational meeting outlining eligibility, mission, and opportunities to support veterans and military families locally. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-american-legion-auxiliary-formation-meeting-scheduled-in-amboy/ #Opinion...

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance responds to remarks by WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith before the House Transportation Committee, challenging the justification for moving forward with the Interstate Bridge Replacement project as cost estimates rise into the billions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wsdot-secretary-and-i-obviously-have-very-different-definitions-for-the-term-cos...

The C-TRAN Board of Directors voted to reconvene its Board Composition Review Committee after failing to act on a prior recommendation, as disagreements persist between Vancouver, Clark County, and smaller cities over representation, state compliance, and the risk of losing grant funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-votes-for-board-composition-review-committee-to-reconvene/ #Clark...

Rep. John Ley shares his perspective on tax proposals, state spending priorities, climate policy, and transportation issues during the opening of the 2026 legislative session, while outlining legislation he plans to sponsor this year. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-get-ready-for-more-tax-proposals-from-the-majority-party-as-the-2026-session-begins/ #WashingtonPolitics #TaxPolicy...

Federal investigators have opened probes into four Washington school districts over policies allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports, as state officials defend existing law and federal scrutiny expands nationwide. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/trans-athlete-policies-in-4-wa-school-districts-face-scrutiny-from-feds/ #WashingtonSchools #TitleIX #EducationPolicy #TransgenderAth...

In this opinion column, Clark County resident Dick Rylander explains why he believes voters should reject the Washougal School District levy proposals in the Feb. 10 special election, raising questions about levy increases, student performance data, and long-term school funding structure. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-vote-no-on-the-washougal-levies/ #Opinion #Washougal #Sch...

A Washington Senate committee heard heated testimony on Senate Bill 5855, a proposal that would restrict when law enforcement officers can wear face coverings, with supporters citing transparency and opponents raising constitutional and safety concerns involving federal officers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-proposed-ban-on-police-face-coverings-engenders-heated-debate-in-wa-senate/...