Clark County Today News

Vancouver resident Michael Backman challenges Councilor Erik Paulsen's claim that no other Washington city of 300,000 lacks fixed-rail service — pointing out Seattle is the only city that even meets that population threshold. Backman also disputes that converting The Vine BRT to tram service is as simple as laying rail, citing engineering overhauls and electrification costs that Clark County taxpa...

C-TRAN board member Tim Hein says small cities won't pay for any fixed rail expansion in Vancouver — costs must be sold by Vancouver and Clark County leaders to their own constituents. Hein and Erik Paulsen are meeting to discuss Paulsen's vision for rail throughout Vancouver and the urban growth area, while board chair Bart Hansen cites a $2 billion price tag just to extend light rail one mile fr...

Starting Friday night, June 26, the ramp from southbound I-5 to southbound I-205 at Exit 7 in Vancouver closes until Sunday morning, June 28, at 10 a.m. All southbound I-205 lanes between the I-5/I-205 split and Exit 36 will also close. Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC is removing damaged concrete and resurfacing with asphalt. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/weekend-closures-of-entrance-to-southb...

Helen Leedom has been appointed assistant director of student services for Camas School District, bringing a background in school psychology, special education leadership, and student support from both Washington and Oregon. She previously served as special services coordinator for Evergreen Public Schools and held leadership roles with Corbett School District. Leedom begins July 1. https://www.cl...

Washington's gas tax climbs again on July 1, 2026 — the first automatic increase under ESHB 2711, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson. Bob Pishue of the Mountain States Policy Center argues the inflation-indexed hike bypasses legislative accountability while Washingtonians already pay $5.34 per gallon versus $4.24 in Idaho. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-states-gas-tax-is-goin...

Clark County Today editor Ken Vance argues that Vancouver officials pushing to replace C-TRAN's Bus Rapid Transit system with light rail are ignoring three voter rejections, buses running below 20% capacity, and the looming 2029 bankruptcy of Portland's TriMet — while Sound Transit's expansion has ballooned $35 billion over budget. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-clark-county-does...

At last year's ceremony, 39 names of Clark County soldiers killed in the Korean War were read aloud, each marked by the ringing of a bell. This Saturday, June 27, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Committee of Southwest Washington holds its annual remembrance at the VA Medical Center in Vancouver — a community gathering to honor sacrifice and preserve legacy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people...

Thrive2Survive's Community Wellness Event on June 27 brings dozens of partner organizations to River City Church in Vancouver, offering free housing support, mental health services, employment resources, and recovery help — all under one roof from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/thrive2survive-to-hold-wellness-event-on-june-27-at-river-city-church-in-vancouver/ #Thrive2Surv...

Washington's per-gallon gas tax climbs from 55.4 cents to 56.5 cents on July 1 — the first annual inflationary increase under a 2025 law — pushing the state behind only California and Pennsylvania. Despite the hike, state economist Dave Reich projects transportation revenue will run $130 million short for the 2027–29 budget, with fuel tax collections declining as EV adoption grows. https://www.cla...

Washington State Rep. John Ley, 18th Legislative District, has endorsed Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County Auditor, citing her independent leadership and record of demanding government accountability. Quiring O'Brien is a former Clark County Council Chair and former Oregon state legislator. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/state-rep-john-ley-endorses-eileen-quiring-obrien-for-county-audi...

Clark County has revised the schedule for its Comprehensive Growth Management Plan work sessions, a 20-year framework guiding development and land use. Sessions are open to the public in person at the Public Service Center on Franklin Street or via Webex, though verbal comment is not permitted. Written testimony is accepted at any time. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/date-changes-to-the-pla...

The Clark County Charter Review Commission meets July 8 to decide which proposed charter amendments will appear on the 2026 general election ballot. The 15-member commission has been reviewing the county's governing charter and developed multiple proposed changes that Clark County voters will ultimately decide. The meeting is hybrid — in person at the Public Service Center in Vancouver or virtuall...

Clark County Public Works will fully close a 200-foot section of Southeast Blair Road between Southeast Krohn and Washougal River roads from early July through the end of August. The 1.44-mile project includes repaving, curve banking improvements, guardrail replacement, and a bridge rail upgrade over the Little Washougal River. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/road-closures-begin-in-july-for-...

Three candidates are competing for a six-year seat on the Washington Supreme Court, with the primary set for August 4. Nancy Churchill examines the fundraising gaps, endorsement patterns, and judicial philosophies separating J. Michael Diaz, Jaime Hawk, and David Stevens — and argues only one treats the Constitution as a fixed standard. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-position-thr...

Sixteen Vancouver firefighters — including marine units — responded to a lumber pile fire on a remote peninsula near Marine Park on June 22. Limited access forced crews to deploy Vancouver Fire Boat 1, using its hull design to direct water streams from the Columbia River. The fire was contained. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-responds-to-difficult-to-access-timber-fire-along-...

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers breaks down why electricity rates are surging across Washington state — from Puget Sound Energy's proposed 30% increase over three years to Avista's 25% hike by 2030. Myers argues state climate mandates, not data centers, are the primary cost driver, with wind and solar carrying an effective cost nearly four times that of natural gas. https://www.clarkcountyto...

Rob Natelson of the Mountain States Policy Center traces the Declaration of Independence to English parliamentary petitions, the 1689 Bill of Rights, and John Locke's natural law philosophy — and explains why the document's precise language still shapes debates over federal power and constitutional interpretation today. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-declaration-of-independen...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington's rising payroll taxes, minimum wage mandates, and hostile signals to employers are shrinking the very opportunities workers need to build their futures. A recent Association of Washington Business survey found nearly one in four employers is considering leaving the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-...

U.S. Postal Service officials canceled their appearance before a Washington state House panel hours before a scheduled hearing on a proposed federal rule that would require states to share mail-in voter lists with the agency. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called the proposal "an unnecessary rule" that constitutes federal overreach. Public comments are open until July 2. https://www.clarkcountytod...

Vancouver Councilor Erik Paulsen urged the C-TRAN Board of Directors to add fixed rail to the agency's 20-year plan, arguing that existing Vine BRT stops already have the floor height to support tram conversion and that fixed rail — not buses — drives transit oriented development. Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle backed the push. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-leaders-want-c-tran-to-look-...

Fireworks go on sale in Clark County on June 28, with legal use in unincorporated areas limited to July 4 between 9 am and midnight. Vancouver bans fireworks entirely. First-time violators face a $500 civil fine. Fire Marshal Donna Goddard urges residents to celebrate safely and responsibly. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/sale-of-fireworks-begins-june-28-4/ #ClarkCounty #Fireworks #July4 #I...

Camas Days returns July 25–26 in downtown Camas with nearly 16,000 expected attendees, a Broadway-themed Main Parade, the iconic Bathtub Race, and live acts including the Sarah Lodge Band and River Divide. Grand Marshal Richard Mancini is recognized for 24-plus years as Camas High School's band director. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/2026-camas-days-festival-broadway-comes-to-camas-its-s...

Vancouver resident Randall Rathbun poses a pointed question to Silas Matson and Rev. Kate Lore: are all religious and moral viewpoints equally valid, or does objective truth exist? Using the logic of basic math, Rathbun argues the answer matters. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-are-all-religious-viewpoints-relative-and-equally-valid/ #Opinion #Religion #ObjectiveTruth #ClarkCounty...

Thirty Vancouver and Clark County Fire District 6 firefighters extinguished a residential house fire on NE 100th Street on June 21. One resident was displaced and assisted by the American Red Cross. The Clark County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-extinguishes-residential-house-fire/ #VancouverFire #ClarkCounty #HouseFire #Publ...

Two separate shooting incidents in Vancouver led to multiple arrests after a 14-year-old was struck by gunfire and a firearm was recovered from a 17-year-old. PKSon Karuo, 18, was booked into the Clark County Jail for Minor in Possession and Criminal Impersonation. The Vancouver Police Department Crime Reduction Unit is investigating both cases. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-poli...