Clark County Today News

In this opinion column, Paul Valencia shares reflections from his annual Christmas-time visit to Vancouver Mall, highlighting holiday decorations, last-minute shoppers, Santa Claus, and the enduring sense of joy and nostalgia found in malls during the holiday season. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-in-search-of-joy-at-vancouver-mall-during-christmas-time/ #Opinion #VancouverMall #...

Washington and Oregon lawmakers voiced bipartisan frustration after planners could not provide updated cost estimates for the I-5 Bridge replacement, citing ongoing design questions involving light rail, bridge height, and Coast Guard requirements during a recent oversight committee meeting. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-wa-and-or-lawmakers-irked-as-update-on-i-5-bridge-costs-still-m...

In this opinion column, Neighbors for a Better Crossing urges the U.S. Coast Guard to reject the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s proposed 116-foot fixed-span bridge, arguing that atmospheric river events and rising river levels further reduce vessel clearance and permanently restrict navigation on the Columbia River. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-atmospheric-river-events...

Applications are now open for artists, performers, and vendors to take part in the 2026 Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival, a free three-day event returning to downtown Vancouver in August with music, visual art, food, and community programming. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-usa-arts-music-festival-opens-applications-for-2026-performers-artists-and-more/ #Vancouver #ArtsAndMus...

In this opinion column, Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center explains why she supports the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, arguing that repeated extensions hide rising health care costs instead of addressing affordability through transparency, competition, and structural reform. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-i-wont-mourn-the-end-of-enha...

A new Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement takes effect Jan. 1 for anglers fishing in the Columbia River and many Washington tributaries, with fees dedicated exclusively to supporting recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/columbia-river-salmon-and-steelhead-endorsement-goes-into-effect-jan-1/ #WashingtonState #Fishing #ColumbiaRiver #Salmon...

The city of Washougal has unveiled a new Strategic Plan Dashboard alongside a year-end update highlighting progress on its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, including economic indicators, infrastructure projects, community initiatives, and priorities for 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-washougal-launches-strategic-plan-dashboard-and-shares-year-end-update/ #Washougal #StrategicPlan #Lo...

In this letter to the editor, Sharon Nasset outlines historical studies, inspections, and unresolved questions related to the I-5 bridges and Columbia River Crossing plans, urging public records requests to clarify inspection findings and replacement decisions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-worried-about-a-replacement-bridge/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #ColumbiaRiver #TransportationPolic...

Clark County has extended the application deadline for a land developer position on the Development and Engineering Advisory Board, which reviews policy, county code changes, fees, and process improvements for Community Development and Public Works, with recommendations forwarded to the Clark County Council. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-extends-application-deadline-for-development-...

The Union Titans traveled to Anchorage for a special two-game trip that doubled as a hometown celebration for senior Brooklynn Haywood, giving Alaska fans a chance to watch her play before she heads to the University of Oregon while the team faced new challenges and built chemistry together. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/high-school-girls-basketball-union-titans-give-brooklynn-haywood-a-...

Detransitioner Soren Aldaco speaks with The Center Square about her medical transition as a minor and voices support for new HHS actions aimed at restricting federal funding for gender-related drugs and surgeries for children, as Washington officials and advocacy groups respond. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/watch-detransitioner-to-providers-please-just-stop-gender-surgeries-on-minors/ #Wa...

With pennies vanishing from circulation, retailers and state lawmakers are debating whether cash transactions should be rounded up or down and how to protect consumers without federal guidance, as states like New York move to set their own rules. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/without-pennies-should-retailers-round-up-or-down/ #CashTransactions #ConsumerProtection #RetailPolicy #Pennies #St...

Neighbors for a Better Crossing criticizes the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program for promoting the idea of “giving away” the historic Interstate Bridges while failing to provide lawmakers and the public with updated cost estimates or modern seismic studies, arguing retrofit and preservation remain viable options. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ibr-promotes-giving-away-histori...

Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center outlines why he believes Washington’s projected budget deficit is the result of historic spending increases rather than a lack of revenue, and explains how the House Republicans’ Affordability First framework proposes limiting spending growth and avoiding new taxes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-solving-washingtons-deficit-without-tax-i...

The Washington State Patrol confirmed the death of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, who was struck by a vehicle while investigating a collision on State Route 509 in Tacoma, becoming the 34th trooper lost in the line of duty in the agency’s 105-year history. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washington-state-patrol-loses-34th-trooper-in-the-line-of-duty/ #WashingtonStatePatrol #WSP #LineOfDuty #Law...

Doug Dahl of The Wise Drive examines whether cyclists should walk or ride their bikes through crosswalks, explaining how Washington law treats bicycles differently depending on whether they are on the roadway, sidewalk, or crosswalk, and why predictability matters for safety. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-bikes-in-crosswalks/ #Opinion #DougDahl #TheWiseDrive #BikeSafety #Traffic...

Clark County is seeking applicants to serve on the Railroad Advisory Board, a 15-member group that advises the county on issues involving the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, with experience in rail operations or freight-rail business especially encouraged. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-seeks-volunteers-to-serve-on-railroad-advisory-board/ #ClarkCounty #RailroadAdvisoryBoard #Chelatchie...

Vancouver man Cameron Murray is using a GoFundMe campaign to purchase jackets and socks for people experiencing homelessness, inspired by his late brother Shelby and aiming to provide warmth and dignity during the coldest months of winter. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/gofundme-spotlight-vancouver-man-raising-money-to-buy-warm-clothing-for-the-homeless/ #VancouverWA #CommunitySupp...

Clark County residents are encouraged to recycle natural Christmas trees after the holidays through curbside pickup, drop-off locations, and a Scouting America collection scheduled for Jan. 4, helping reduce landfill waste and methane emissions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/residents-encouraged-to-reduce-holiday-waste-by-recycling-natural-christmas-trees/ #ClarkCounty #Recycling #HolidayW...

The Clark County Elections Office will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 and will reopen Friday, Dec. 26, with regular weekday hours at its Franklin Street location. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-elections-office-closed-dec-24-25/ #ClarkCounty #Elections #PublicServices #LocalGovernment #VancouverWA

This week’s Clark County Today newsletter highlights storm impacts and power restoration across the county, renewed debate over the I-5 Bridge replacement, community tributes, transportation-focused opinions, and Santa’s Posse delivering holiday help to 1,500 families. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_december_19_2025 #ClarkCounty #Transportation #CommunityNews #I5Bridge #Pu...

In this opinion column, Rep. John Ley outlines his criticism of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, arguing that the proposal is unaffordable, widely unpreferred, and unsupported by updated cost estimates while raising concerns about congestion, tolling, light rail, and marine clearance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-unpreferred-and-unaffordable-interstate-bridge-repl...

This week’s poll focuses on the future of the I-5 Bridge replacement as lawmakers continue to face rising costs, unresolved design questions, and funding uncertainty tied to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-if-project-costs-continue-to-rise-what-should-lawmakers-do-with-the-i-5-bridge-replacement-plan/ #I5Bridge #IBRProgram #TransportationPol...

Clark County reflects on the life and legacy of NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, a Camas High School graduate whose post-racing years were defined by large-scale humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts before his death in a plane crash with his family. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/clark-county-mourns-loss-of-hometown-hero-and-humanitarian-greg-biffle/ #GregBiffle #NASCAR #ClarkCou...

In this opinion column, Joe Cortright details repeated delays, conflicting testimony, and shifting explanations from Interstate Bridge Replacement officials over the project’s long-awaited updated cost estimate, which he argues is being withheld as costs climb toward the $9–$10 billion range. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ibr-still-holding-and-lying-about-coming-billions-in-cost...