Clark County Today News

In his letter to the editor, Brush Prairie resident Bob Mattila argues that the I-5 Bridge replacement plan is doomed by unresolved height conflicts between the Coast Guard and FAA. He says expanding the I-205 Bridge or using lift bridges would be better alternatives than continuing a costly, unrealistic project. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-if-they-have-not-compromised-in-the-1...

In this letter to the editor, Evergreen School District staff member Shelly Prothro calls for safe working conditions and fair pay for classified employees at Hollingsworth Academy. She describes injuries, understaffing, and burnout, arguing the district must prioritize student-facing staff over top salaries. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-we-want-to-be-back-in-school-and-see-our-...

The Clark County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board is developing the 2026-2030 Comprehensive Plan and seeking input from people with disabilities, families, providers, educators, and partners. A multilingual survey is available online or on paper until Oct. 31, 2025. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-developmental-disabilities-advisory-board-seeks-input-for-plan/ #ClarkCou...

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office, with support from Washougal and Camas police, responded after a paving crew reported being threatened by a man with an AR-style rifle north of Washougal. SWAT was called in, and 37-year-old Justin M. Bryden was later arrested and booked into jail on multiple assault charges. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ccso-responds-to-a-disturbance-with-a-weapon-north-...

Clark County Public Health lifted the algae advisory at Round Lake after water quality improved, but a danger advisory remains for Vancouver Lake where cyanotoxin levels are still high. Residents are urged to avoid contact with algae blooms, keep pets out of the water, and check advisories for updates. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-health-lifts-advisory-at-round-lake/ #ClarkCounty #...

In his opinion column, Rep. John Ley questions whether Clark County taxpayers should be responsible for TriMet’s light rail operating costs. He highlights TriMet’s history of financial mismanagement, shrinking ridership, and a funding model that favors Vancouver while small cities and rural residents pay more than their share. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimet-c-tran-who-pays...

Debate is growing over whether Clark County’s smaller cities get enough value from C-TRAN for the taxes they pay. With TriMet’s light rail expansion into Vancouver raising concerns about funding, our poll asks if smaller cities should leave the C-TRAN Board and refuse to pay for light rail maintenance and operations. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-clark-countys-smaller-cities...

Hockinson football has a new leader in Ben Nelson, who says improved practice habits and a focus on discipline will help turn around the Hawks after three losing seasons. He’s building a K-12 vision, drawing on mentors, and shaping a gritty, team-first identity. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/high-school-football-practicing-good-habits-with-new-coach-at-hockinson/ #Hockinson #HighSchoolFo...

Lars Larson shares his opinion on the Minneapolis tragedy, arguing that society failed to provide psychological help to Robin Westman, who left a manifesto expressing regret over transgender identity before killing schoolchildren in a church. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-society-should-have-offered-this-killer-psychological-help/ #Opinion #LarsLarson #Minneapolis #Transgenderis...

Rep. Kevin Waters issued a statement after the DNR announced more than 10,000 acres of older forests would be permanently conserved. Waters argued the move will hurt rural counties, cut school funding, and restrict timber supply while Washington faces a housing shortage and budget strains. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-kevin-waters-issues-statement-after-the-dnrs-nearsighted-decision-t...

The Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court ruling that Washington’s redistricting map violated the Voting Rights Act, forcing changes that displaced Senator Nikki Torres and several GOP lawmakers. Bill Bruch argues the map harms Latino representation while boosting Democratic control. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ninth-circuit-court-of-appeals-issues-ruling-in-wa-state-redistrictin...

CCSO deputies responded around 4:18 a.m. to a collision between a truck and a sedan near the 13900 block of NE 20th Ave in Vancouver; Traffic Homicide Detectives investigated, the roadway between NE 139th Street and NE 144th Street was closed for an extended period, and one person was fatally injured; the collision remains under investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-she...

The Clark County Republican Women will host a First Responders Dinner on Sept. 11 at the Battle Ground Community Center. Keynote speakers include Sheriff John Horch, Police Chief Dennis Flynn, Fire Commissioner Roy Rhine, CCSO’s Joe Desrochers, and comfort dog Rafferty. Tickets are available online. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-republican-women-to-host-first-responders-dinner...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told 40 states, including Washington, to strip references to gender identity from sex education materials or lose federal PREP funding. The Trump administration framed the move as eliminating “gender ideology,” while advocacy groups called it an effort to erase recognition of transgender and nonbinary people. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/us...

A Washington State Patrol-led operation in Battle Ground resulted in 12 arrests tied to child exploitation crimes. Dubbed “Operation Battle Ground,” the effort involved more than 20 agencies, including local police, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. Officials say the arrests send a clear message that exploitation of children will not be tolerated. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news...

Paul Hooper has been appointed to the Washougal School Board, filling the District 5 seat left open by Chuck Carpenter’s retirement. A Washougal High School graduate, parent, and longtime volunteer, Hooper brings business and community leadership experience to the role. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/paul-hooper-appointed-to-washougal-school-board/ #Washougal #PaulHooper #WashougalSchoolDis...

C-TRAN emphasized that its commitment to all Clark County jurisdictions remains unchanged despite expected changes to its board makeup. Officials highlighted recent expansions of The Current, new routes in Ridgefield and La Center, and future plans in Battle Ground, while noting concerns raised by Camas leaders over TriMet light rail funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-remains-co...

Vancouver city leaders, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and the Native American Youth and Family Center broke ground on a six-story affordable housing project in the Waterfront Gateway District. The project, co-owned by NAYA, will include 95 affordable units and eventually connect downtown to the waterfront with 450 total homes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-tribal-leaders-break-ground-on-a...

The League of Women Voters of Clark County will host a Sept. 8 panel at the Vancouver Community Library on the county’s home rule charter. Panelists Greg Kimsey, Doug Lasher, Nan Hendrickson, and Pat Jollota will discuss the charter’s history, voter powers, and future amendments. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/league-of-women-voters-presents-panel-on-clark-county-charter/ #ClarkCounty #Leag...

Amy Harris of Clark County Matters writes that Vancouver must end public camping. She cites Portland’s failures and San Francisco’s new enforcement model, warning that more shelters without enforcement will only increase homelessness. Harris urges Vancouver leaders to protect quality of life for residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-end-public-camping-in-vancouver/ #Opinion #...

In his letter, Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi urges Vancouver and Clark County to end DEI programs. He argues the efforts were adopted without public demand, have proven costly and divisive, and fail to show results. He calls for leaders to refocus on safety, infrastructure, and core community needs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-time-for-vancouver-and-clark-county-to-end-dei/...

In her letter, Anna Miller of Camas supports Janna Meyer for the Clark County Charter Review Commission. Miller highlights Meyer’s positions on public safety, balanced budgets, tax limits, and non-toll transportation funding, noting her governance and management background. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-people-who-we-elect-to-sit-at-that-review-table-is-a-big-deal/ #Opinion #...

Camas city leaders are weighing whether to pull out of C-TRAN, citing a financial imbalance and loss of representation if the agency helps fund TriMet light rail. Mayor Steve Hogan, Council Member Tim Hein, and Council Member Leslie Lewallen say smaller cities are being shortchanged while Vancouver benefits most. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/camas-considers-opting-out-of-c-tran/ #Camas #V...

Les Poole, a longtime light rail critic, shares testimony submitted for the Oregon Legislature’s Aug. 29 special session. He argues tolling is regressive, ODOT has lost credibility through overspending and shortfalls, and the $5.6 billion transportation bill should be rejected. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-tolling-is-about-changing-behavior/ #Opinion #LesPoole #ODOT #Tolling #T...

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center says Washington retailers should embrace cash, highlighting that 5.6 million U.S. households are unbanked. He cites local ordinances, national bipartisan legislation, and practical advantages like avoiding fees and ensuring access during outages. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-retailers-in-washington-should-embrace-cash/ #Opinio...