Clark County Today News

The Vancouver Fire Department responded to a duplex fire on SE Morgan Road, encountering heavy smoke, flames and an energized power line before bringing the incident under control; one adult was treated for smoke inhalation and several residents were displaced as the Fire Marshal’s Office continues its investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vfd-responds-to-duplex-fire/ #Vancouver #VF...

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington will open a new Club at Peter S. Ogden Elementary in January 2026, funded by a 21st CCLC grant providing free after-school and summer programs focused on academics, wellness and leadership for up to 200 youth each year. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/boys-girls-clubs-of-southwest-washington-expands-to-peter-s-ogden-elementary-school/ #Youth #Clark...

Chad Taylor, owner and publisher of The Chronicle, uses sharp sarcasm to contrast claims that Democrats “saved democracy” with what Washington residents actually face, from talk of banned books and social media speech policing to one of the largest tax increases in state history, $4-plus gas under the Climate Commitment Act, higher mortgage rates, and a new payroll tax for long-term care. https://...

This opinion column by Rep. John Ley for Clark County Today explains how TriMet’s spare MAX light rail vehicles, revised IBR ridership projections, Federal Transit Administration data, and higher MAX operating costs compare with C-TRAN’s bus service, outlining why existing vehicles and current bus resources can cover the proposed Yellow Line extension without new MAX purchases. https://www.clarkco...

Clark County Today’s latest community poll asks whether Councilor Michelle Belkot should be reinstated to the C-TRAN Board following a Skamania County investigation that found rule violations in her removal. The report recommends reinstatement and cites misconduct, sparking renewed public debate. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-councilor-michelle-belkot-be-reinstated-to-the-c-...

Conservative activist Scott Presler, founder of Early Vote Action, is set to visit Battle Ground on Monday for a Super Signing Event supporting Washington’s proposed voter ID and proof-of-citizenship initiative. Backed by the Washington State Republican Party and Chairman Jim Walsh, the event seeks to collect signatures toward the 2026 ballot. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/conservative-act...

Washington employers say rising taxes are their biggest challenge, according to the Association of Washington Business fall survey. Sixty-five percent of respondents cited taxes as their top concern following the record $9.4 billion tax hike signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, with most passing higher costs to consumers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/report-wa-businesses-cite-taxes-as-top-concern...

Washington has announced 12 Discover Pass free days for 2026, giving residents and visitors a chance to explore state parks and other public lands without a pass. The dates honor key events such as Earth Day, Veterans Day, and Juneteenth, and encourage everyone to experience the outdoors while supporting conservation efforts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/mark-your-calendars-no-discover-pa...

Doug Dahl, Target Zero Manager and author of The Wise Drive, examines why drivers often make unsafe left turns and how Washington law requires motorists to stay in their lane through intersections before signaling and moving over safely. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-getting-left-turns-right/ #Opinion #TrafficSafety #WashingtonState #DougDahl #TheWiseDrive #LeftTurn #DrivingTips...

One person was killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle crash near NE 182nd Avenue in Battle Ground on Nov. 12. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the collision, which closed the roadway during the response. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ccso-responds-to-fatal-collision/ #ClarkCounty #BattleGroundWA #CCSO #TrafficInvestigation #PublicSafety #Vehi...

Students from River HomeLink Theatre are set to perform Descendants: The Musical this December at Prairie High School in Vancouver. Directed by Sandy Sparks, the family-friendly production celebrates friendship, understanding, and the power of working together. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/river-homelink-theatre-presents-descendants-the-musical/ #VancouverWA #BattleGroundW...

The end of the 43-day federal government shutdown reignited partisan battles among Washington’s congressional delegation. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joined Republicans in voting to fund the government while fellow Democrats like Suzan DelBene and Pramila Jayapal pushed back, sparking debates over health care and tax credits. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/end-of-shutdown-ignites-new-round...

The Study of Sports digs into high school playoff time with football, volleyball, and girls soccer highlights from Camas, Seton Catholic, La Center, and Washougal before switching gears to pro sports with a World Series recap that tests Mariners fans’ patience; recorded Nov. 12. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sports-podcast-nov-13-2025-its-november-which-means-it-is-playoff-t...

Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi calls attention to what he sees as a major environmental oversight in Clark County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update, arguing that long-term encampments on protected land are being ignored. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-clark-county-is-planning-our-future-so-why-arent-we-protecting-our-most-vulnerable-lands/ #ClarkCounty #ComprehensivePlan #Environ...

The Ballmer Group, led by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie, announced a pledge of up to $170 million a year for free preschool in Washington. The 10-year gift could create 10,000 new ECEAP slots for low-income families and marks one of the largest philanthropic investments in early childhood education in state history. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/former-microsoft-...

Clark County’s Commission on Aging will honor Sharon Wodtke, president of Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc., with the 2025 Silver Citizen Award. Wodtke is recognized for expanding senior programs and revitalizing post-pandemic activities that now reach more than 700 participants. The award will be presented during the Nov. 19 Commission meeting. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/commission-...

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Matt Ransom of Camas and Gael Tarleton of Seattle to the Washington State Transportation Commission. Ransom, executive director of the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, brings 25 years of regional planning experience, while Tarleton adds legislative and port leadership expertise. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/governor-appoints-new-members...

Identity Clark County has named Josie Hyde, Division President of WFG National Title, as its 2026 board chair, succeeding Mark Mantei of Vancouver Clinic. ICC also added Cory Irwin, Lisa Goecke, and Ben Campbell to its executive committee, expanding its leadership focus on business growth and community vitality. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/identity-clark-county-names-josie-hyde-chair/...

The Vancouver City Council has officially adopted a new city flag created from designs by community members Brooke Nugent and Nathan Hunter. The flag’s colors and symbols highlight Vancouver’s natural beauty, history, and civic pride. It will be introduced during a Nov. 28 celebration at City Hall. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-city-council-adopts-new-flag-for-the-community/ #Van...

After a record 43-day shutdown, the U.S. House is expected to pass a bipartisan stopgap bill reopening the government through Jan. 30. The legislation includes federal back pay, new security funding, and deadlines for remaining appropriations. Report from the Washington State Standard. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/us-house-expected-to-clear-bill-reopening-the-government-after-record-shatt...

Vancouver resident Dr. Sara Sharp, a retired Army combat veteran, shares her personal experience of neglect at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and calls for greater accountability and patient advocacy to prevent elder abuse and restore trust in healthcare. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-it-is-time-for-us-to-speak-out-and-demand-change/ #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor #SaraSharp #...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) with Washington Policy Center questions whether WA Cares will force family caregivers into union-linked systems. She highlights missing details about non-union options, the program’s financial design, and its potential impact on taxpayers and Medicaid. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wa-cares-an-important-detail-for-future-family-caregivers-is-still-unclear/...

Washougal School District is seeking resident applicants to write “for” and “against” statements for the Local Voters’ Pamphlets covering two levy measures on the Feb. 10, 2026 ballot; applications are due by noon on Dec. 3, 2025, with Board appointments on Dec. 9. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washougal-school-district-seeks-applications-to-write-for-and-against-statements-in-voter-guide-...

Nancy Churchill continues her Dangerous Rhetoric series exploring incentives in politics and economics, arguing that the recent federal shutdown benefits insurance companies and political donors more than working Americans. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-who-really-benefits-from-the-shutdown/ #Opinion #NancyChurchill #AffordableCareAct #GovernmentShutdown #Obamacare #CampaignFina...

PHOTOS: Vancouver celebrated Veterans Day with the 37th annual Lough Legacy Parade, featuring soldiers, families, and children paying tribute to service members along Evergreen Boulevard. The day continued with an open house at Pearson Field, hosted by CMAC. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-salutes-service-at-lough-legacy-veterans-day-parade/ #Vancouver #VeteransDay #LoughLegacyPa...