Clark County Today News

The Clark County Arts Commission will host Music on the Plaza on Sept. 20 from 2–4 p.m. at the Public Service Center in Vancouver. Free and open to the public, the event will feature music, poetry, and performances from Takin’ The Fifth, Last Cawl, Ottomatics, and Mila B. with Roundabout. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/clark-county-arts-commission-presents-music-on-the-plaza/ #VancouverWA...

The League of Women Voters of Clark County has scheduled three public forums ahead of the Nov. 4 general election. Candidates for city councils, school boards, the Port of Camas-Washougal Commission, and the Clark Regional Wastewater District will participate. Forums will be held Sept. 6, Sept. 24, and Oct. 10, with live coverage on CVTV and cvtv.org. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/league-o...

The State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds older adults they face greater fire risks, with seniors accounting for 44.5% of Washington fire deaths last year. Tips include alarms, escape planning, mobility readiness, and kitchen safety. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/fire-safety-tips-offered-for-older-adults/ #WashingtonState #FireSafety #OlderAdults #Seniors #PublicSafety #StateFireMarshal #Smo...

Clark County will conduct nighttime lane closures on Northeast 99th Street in September and October during a water quality project to filter stormwater runoff into Suds Creek. Expect delays as crews upgrade infrastructure. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/nighttime-closures-and-delays-on-northeast-99th-street-in-september-and-october-during-water-quality-project-construction/ #VancouverWA #Cl...

Vancouver’s Debra Kalz writes that while she supports law enforcement, solving police staffing shortages requires addressing broader issues including jail capacity, judges, housing, and economic challenges, not just higher funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-i-do-wholeheartedly-support-our-law-enforcement-but-they-are-only-one-part-of-the-bigger-picture/ #Opinion #LetterToTheE...

Vancouver Police are asking for public assistance to locate 81-year-old Robert McSwain, last seen Sept. 2 near SE Mill Plain Blvd. He is considered endangered due to cognitive issues and may be on a reddish mountain bike. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-seeking-assistance-in-locating-a-missing-endangered-adult/ #VancouverWA #MissingPerson #CommunityAlert #VancouverPolice #En...

Evergreen Public Schools confirmed there will be no classes Sept. 3 due to the ongoing PSE Large Group strike. Mediation produced no agreement, but meals will be available at three schools and activities will continue without transportation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/no-school-for-evergreen-public-schools-on-sept-3-as-strike-continues/ #EvergreenSchoolDistrict #VancouverWA #SchoolStrik...

Ahead of a pivotal Wednesday meeting, members of the C-TRAN Board Composition Review Committee warn that proposed changes could give Vancouver and Clark County dominant control. Camas Councilor Tim Hein and others argue small cities may pay more while receiving less, raising the possibility of lawsuits or withdrawal from C-TRAN. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/so-much-at-stake-as-c-tran-boar...

Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole says WSDOT has no authority to reject the 3-3-3 C-TRAN board plan and is urging the review committee to stand firm. He warns that adopting the state’s preferred format would leave Vancouver with an unlawful majority and could prompt legal action. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ridgefield-mayor-disagrees-with-states-position-on-c-tran-board-composition/ #Ridgefield...

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance contends Washington’s public school funding struggles are rooted in disproportionate teacher salary growth and legislative choices tied to the McCleary Decision. He cites rising costs, stagnant student performance, and increasing private school and homeschool enrollment as signs the system is broken. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-answer-to...

WSU Vancouver is launching the How to Be Active Skill Shop Series, running Sept. 9 to Dec. 2, with topics from conflict resolution and civics to AI and equitability. Sessions will be held in the Library Reading Room every other Tuesday. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wsu-vancouver-to-host-skill-shop-series/ #WSUVancouver #VancouverWA #SkillShop #CivicEngagement #CommunityEvents #SouthwestWa...

Oregon lawmakers advanced a $4.3 billion transportation tax package with a narrow House vote, aiming to fund ODOT and maintain roads through new gas, registration, and payroll taxes. The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/after-false-starts-oregon-house-passes-transportation-tax-package/ #OregonPolitics #TransportationFunding #GasTax #ODOT #PacificNorthwest...

Washington businesses face new retail sales taxes starting Oct. 1 under ESSB 5814, adding costs for services like advertising and IT. Lawmakers say the increases fund essential services, but critics warn of higher living expenses and business uncertainty. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-businesses-preparing-for-new-retail-sales-taxes-to-hit-consumers-oct-1/ #WashingtonState #RetailSalesTa...

The 2026 Clark County Fair Equestrian Court has been announced, with sisters Queen Heidi Williamson and Princess River Walker Williamson stepping into their roles as ambassadors. The Fair, set for Aug. 7–16, 2026, will mark its 158th year. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/new-royalty-named-to-the-2026-clark-county-fair-equestrian-court/ #ClarkCountyFair #EquestrianCourt #ClarkCountyWA #Comm...

Vancouver resident Shauna Walters writes that Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle’s handling of C-TRAN is a power grab forcing Clark County taxpayers to fund TriMet’s failing light rail system, while smaller cities lose fair representation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-mayor-annes-power-grab/ #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor #VancouverWA #LightRail #CTRAN #TriMet #ClarkCountyWA #TransportationP...

Vancouver resident Ann Donnelly shares her reflections on a ceremony honoring 59 Clark County soldiers who died in the Vietnam War, recalling their sacrifice, remembrance, and the voices of veterans and community members. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-local-vietnam-war-dead-finally-honored-at-ceremony/ #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor #VietnamWar #ClarkCountyWA #Veterans #Sacrifice #R...

Nancy Churchill’s latest column explores the tragic consequences of the “death before detransition” ideology, connecting it to recent violence and urging lawmakers to create compassionate off-ramps for struggling youth and families. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-death-before-detransition/ #Opinion #NancyChurchill #WashingtonState #Detransition #ParentalRights #GenderDebate #Dang...

Clark Public Utilities is taking public input through Sept. 12 on its 2026-2029 Clean Energy Implementation Plan. The plan sets metrics to meet Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act targets for emissions neutrality by 2030 and emissions-free energy by 2045. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clean-energy-planning-comment-period-open-through-sept-12/ #ClarkPublicUtilities #ClarkCountyWA #...

No school on Sept. 2 in Evergreen Public Schools as the PSE Large Group strike continues; the district will provide free breakfast and lunch each school day at Heritage High School, Mountain View High School, and Marrion Elementary. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/evergreen-school-district-bargaining-update-no-school-on-tuesday/ #EvergreenSchoolDistrict #VancouverWA #SchoolStrike #StudentMea...

WSDOT denied the C-TRAN review committee’s 3-3-3 proposal as not proportional by population; a 4-3-2 format is now expected as meetings approach on Sept. 3 and Sept. 9. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wsdot-denies-c-tran-board-composition-review-committees-3-3-3-plan/ #CTRAN #WSDOT #TransitGovernance #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #Camas

Ken Vance’s column shares Leslie Lewallen’s view that Camas is doing its part on homelessness while regional partners fall short, calling ECHO “buying failure” amid a new camping ban and code changes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-homeless-response-is-buying-failure-with-an-expensive-price-tag/ #Opinion #Camas #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #CampingBan #ECHO #PublicPolicy #CityCounc...

Ridgefield School Board adopted updates to Policy 3245, setting a districtwide standard on student devices to boost engagement and well-being, aligned with OSPI guidance for 2025–26. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ridgefield-school-board-adopts-new-student-cell-phone-policy/ #Ridgefield #SchoolPolicy #StudentWellbeing #Education #OSPI #K12 #ClarkCounty

Vancouver resident Brad Erhart alleges a $29,750 conflict of interest involving Council Member Kim Harless, grants to Vancouver Arena, and LTAC votes, citing RCW 42.23 and Vancouver’s ethics code; the formal complaint is linked inside. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-kim-harless-pokemon-and-a-29750-conflict-of-interest/ #Opinion #Vancouver #CityCouncil #Ethics #ConflictOfInterest #...

WAGOP Chairman Jim Walsh contends that “sanctuary” policies advanced in Washington undermine federal immigration law, endanger public safety, and enable human trafficking; he cites a recent letter he says demands those policies be dismantled. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wagop-chairman-jim-walsh-sanctuary-policies-put-state-at-risk/ #Opinion #Washington #ImmigrationPolicy #Publ...

Ridgefield resident Carley Meuchel voices support for Brad Benton’s bid for the Charter Review Commission, emphasizing public safety, CCSO funding, and staffing as core priorities for families and community trust. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/politics/letter-public-safety-is-a-must-vote-brad-benton/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Ridgefield #PublicSafety #BradBenton #CharterReview #CCSO #Elections #Co...