Clark County Today News

The Evergreen School Board authorized legal action to end the ongoing classified staff strike, allowing the district to seek a court injunction while mediation continues. Classes remain canceled, child care camps are being prepared, and families await word on Monday’s school status. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/evergreen-sd-board-of-directors-approves-resolution-authorizing-legal-action-t...

Rep. John Ley met with DOT Secretary Julie Meredith in Vancouver to discuss Southwest Washington transportation concerns. Topics included the I-5 Bridge Replacement, TriMet costs, Camas Slough Bridge potholes, ferry funding, Columbia River crossings, and infrastructure maintenance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-meets-with-the-dot-secretary-to-discuss-transportation-concerns-in...

Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the city’s homelessness crisis is draining resources, deferring tax revenues, and worsening environmental and public safety issues. He calls for policies that combine fiscal responsibility with humane, effective solutions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-vancouvers-homelessness-crisis-a-financial-environmental-and-moral-failure/ #Opinion...

The Washington State Republican Party is doubling its school board candidate support program, backing conservatives in 61 districts with campaign tools, fundraising advice, voter data, and more. Chairman Jim Walsh says the effort aims to fix Washington’s struggling K-12 public schools. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wagop-expands-supports-for-conservative-school-board-candidates/ #WAGOP #Wa...

Camas resident Carole Kelley shares her support for Liz Cline in the Charter Review Commission race, calling her a candidate who listens, rejects failed ideas, and focuses on transparency, accountability, and respecting taxpayers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-liz-cline-is-not-just-talking-the-talk-she-is-living-it/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #LizCline #CharterReview #CamasWA #Communi...

In a letter to the editor, Bob Zak criticizes local and state leaders for pushing light rail and the I-5 Bridge project against public opposition. He urges voters to hold elected officials accountable in the upcoming election. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-i-hope-this-coming-election-the-folks-that-ignore-us-are-voted-out/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #LightRail #Interstate...

Tukes Valley Middle School student Rye Dilley shares a letter supporting Lorri Sibley for Battle Ground School Board, praising her decades of experience and calling her a strong, smart, and serious candidate. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-lorri-sibley-is-a-strong-smart-and-serious-candidate/ #Opinion #BattleGroundWA #LorriSibley #SchoolBoardElection #EducationLeadership #Communit...

Clark County deputies arrested a 17-year-old after shots were fired during an attempted vehicle prowl near Heritage High School. The suspect fled, fired eight rounds toward a victim, and was later caught with a stolen firearm tied to Thurston County warrants. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/deputies-arrest-juvenile-suspect-after-shots-fired-during-attempted-auto-prowl/ #VancouverWA #PublicSa...

I-5 in Vancouver will close overnight Sept. 13–14 as WSDOT and BPA crews install overhead utility lines near the Main Street overpass. Travelers will detour via I-205 and SR 500. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/both-directions-of-i-5-to-close-overnight-sept-13-in-vancouver-for-overhead-utility-line-installation/ #VancouverWA #ClarkCounty #I5Closure #WSDOT #BPA #Transportation #TrafficAlert #...

The high school football season kicked off with Washougal’s 56-33 win over Mountain View at McKenzie Stadium. Despite no school due to a strike, Mountain View students turned out in force with themes, cheers, and spirit, led by student leaders Talley Pope and Amanda Diaz. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/high-school-football-even-with-no-school-plenty-of-school-spirit-at-mountain-view/ #Hig...

Evergreen parent Shimea Potter shares a letter criticizing district spending priorities during the classified staff strike, highlighting legal fees, bonuses, and the loss of paraeducators while calling for transparency and fair wages. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-ive-seen-firsthand-how-essential-classified-staff-are-to-schools-and-families/ #Opinion #EvergreenSchools #VancouverW...

As Evergreen Public Schools staff strikes disrupt families, questions grow about closed-door union negotiations. This week’s poll asks whether contract talks should be public. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-school-district-negotiations-with-unions-be-made-public/ #Opinion #SchoolStrikes #WashingtonState #EvergreenSchools #Unions #Transparency #LaborDisputes #PollQuestion #Edu...

Homeless camps near Vancouver’s Share House have expanded, with sidewalks blocked, weekly clean-ups cycling, and residents describing daily overdoses and unsafe conditions. A reporter spoke with both a homeless resident and a neighbor to capture the crisis. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/a-tour-of-the-homeless-camps-near-share-house/ #VancouverWA #Homelessness #ShareHouse #ClarkCounty #Publ...

Lars Larson argues the I-5 Bridge replacement “price bomb” was delayed for political reasons, blasting ODOT and IBR for hiding soaring costs and questioning how Oregon and Washington plan to pay for the project. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-the-10-billion-dollar-price-bomb-did-not-drop/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #PacificNorthwest #Transportation #LarsLarson #ODOT #WSDOT #CostOverr...

Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement leaders are delaying disclosure of soaring costs, with projections now likely in the $9–$10 billion range. He says ODOT and WSDOT are avoiding accountability while legislatures debate funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-i-5-bridge-replacement-costs-headed-to-10-billion-but-dont-tell-anyone/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #PacificNor...

Justin Forsman shares his personal story and campaign priorities during his appearance on the Rooted with James O’Neil podcast, touching on Vancouver’s debt, homelessness, the I-5 Bridge replacement, and the need for more open forums at City Hall. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-rooted-in-clark-county-real-conversations-that-matter/ #Opinion #VancouverWA #ClarkCounty #LocalElection...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines Washington’s WA Cares program, from strict provider registration and family caregiver training to union involvement and limited benefits. She argues lawmakers should instead address Medicaid eligibility and estate recovery to reduce costs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-want-to-be-in-a-relationship-with-wa-cares-its-complicated/ #WACares #LongTermCa...

Clark County Public Works invites community members to volunteer during the Salmon Creek mural project on Sept. 6, 7, 13, and 14. More than 60 artists will paint a salmon and watershed-themed mural on the NE 117th Street retaining wall. Volunteers will assist with supplies, cleanup, and artist support. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/volunteers-needed-for-the-salmon-creek-mural-project-sept-...

The Study of Sports Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hG1ip3YPg9WFCk0Mu2FxH?si=7922bc79d39243b4 Football season is here: Valencia, Liberatore, and Piland jump into Week 1 emotions, scheduling and officials, early state-title chatter, NIL deals reaching local Division I commits, and a spirited Mariners segment. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sports-podcast-sept-4-2025-we...

The C-TRAN Board Composition Review Committee voted 8-3 to resubmit its 3-3-3 plan, keeping three seats each for Vancouver, Clark County, and the small cities, despite WSDOT’s rejection. Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole argued that the state’s 4-3-2 plan could be illegal and give Vancouver a majority. With millions in grant funding at stake, tensions remain high. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-...

New “Rough Road” signs and lower speeds are now in place on the SR 14 West Camas Slough Bridge after years of rough pavement. WSDOT says the bridge remains structurally sound, but with limited preservation funding, resurfacing has no timeline. Drivers are urged to slow down and stay alert. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/new-warning-signs-and-lower-speed-limit-on-sr-14-west-camas-slough-brid...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center criticizes Evergreen Public Schools’ strike, calling it unlawful and harmful to families. She points to financial hardships, illegal strike precedent, and new unemployment benefits law as reasons lawmakers should rethink policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-back-to-school-season-comes-with-a-side-of-strike/ #Opinion #Elizabe...

Lars Larson voices frustration with Rep. Cyrus Javadi, who voted to give ODOT more money despite saying he doesn’t trust the agency and acknowledging its record of deception and cost overruns. Larson questions why a Republican lawmaker ignored testimony from 4,000 citizens against the plan. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-gop-lawmaker-who-admits-odot-lies-and-he-doesnt-trust-them-...

Two months after Congress created the nation’s first federal tax-credit scholarship program, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to decide if the state will opt in. Supporters, including Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center, say the program offers a win for students and taxpayers, while Ferguson has expressed skepticism. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/will-gov-ferguson-opt-wa-in-on...

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a nurse position on the Public Health Advisory Council. This volunteer role runs through Sept. 30, 2028, and applications are due by Sept. 30, 2025. The council reviews health priorities, advises the Board, and supports community wellbeing. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/board-of-health-seeks-applicants-for-nurse-position-on-public-...