Clark County Today News

Camas resident Anna Miller makes the case that Lockheed/Sikorsky privately funded the new granite helicopter pad on the White House South Lawn, routed through the National Park Service, after rotor wash from the more powerful VH-92A Patriot helicopters damaged the grass. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/letter-let-nay-sayers-nay-say #Opinion #WhiteHouse #MarineOne #VH92APatriot #LockheedMartin #...

Ridgefield emergency physician R. Myles Dickason challenges Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, arguing her support for Ukraine rings hollow while she votes to fund what five organizations have concluded is genocide in Gaza. Track AIPAC reports $513,798 in pro-Israel PAC support for her campaign. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/letter-one-standard-ukrainian-and-palestinian-lives #Gaza #Ukraine #Marie...

Jason Mercier of Mountain States Policy Center argues Washington's new 9.9% income tax, set to take effect in 2028, reverses a long-standing competitive advantage the state held over others. He warns that income taxes historically expand beyond their initial targets, and cites an AWB survey showing 45% of employers expect the tax to affect their businesses. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opini...

The Clark County Republican Women will host Washington Policy Center Vice President for Research Todd Myers on Oct. 8 at the Battle Ground Events Center. Myers says the past legislative session may be a turning point for Washingtonians on state policy. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/clark-county-republican-women-host-dinner-event-todd-myers...

A motorcycle traveling at high speed crossed the center line on state Route 503 near milepost 41 Saturday afternoon, striking a Subaru Crosstrek and injuring three people. Rider Edward Aruja, 32, of Vancouver, was airlifted to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/three-injured-head-collision-near-lake-merwin #LakeMerwin #Route503 #WashingtonStatePatrol #TrafficS...

Lars Larson argues that government-built housing in Portland costs twice what private developers pay, yet the so-called "affordable" units rent at the same market rates. A Wall Street Journal report, he says, confirms what critics have warned for years. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-myth-affordable-housing #AffordableHousing #HousingPolicy #LarsLarson #Oregon #WashingtonState #Pacific...

Washougal School District has launched a 90-day public review of elementary school consolidation, studying the potential closure of Hathaway Elementary amid a long-term enrollment decline since 2019. Approval could save more than $1 million per year, redirected toward smaller class sizes and new student programs. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/washougal-school-district-begins-consolidation-and...

League of Women Voters of Washington President Karen Crowley draws a sharp line between nonpartisan and neutral, explaining why the League takes firm policy positions on voting rights, education, and health care while refusing to back any party or candidate. A civic argument 106 years in the making. https://clarkcountytoday.com/story/opinion-nonpartisan-not-neutral #LeagueOfWomenVoters #Democracy...

Amboy resident Thomas Schenk makes the case for re-electing Rep. John Ley in Washington's 18th Legislative District, Position 2, citing Ley's opposition to tolling and light rail on the I-5 bridge replacement project. Schenk argues challenger Deken Letnich has sought multiple different offices across consecutive cycles. https://archive.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-choice-is-clear-re-ele...

Vancouver bans camping within 1,000 feet of Safe Stay communities and 1,500 feet of the new Bridge Shelter, but Share House residents have no comparable protection despite living in a shelter and working toward stable housing. Peter Bracchi examines why the city's equity standard applies to its newest programs but not its oldest shelter. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-equity-and-safet...

Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot says she never agreed to appear at the League of Women Voters of Clark County candidate forum and declined on principle, citing the League's alignment with groups that target federal law enforcement and the publication of partisan commentary directed at her on the League's own website. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/councilor-michelle-belkot-declines-leagu...

Nehemiah and Daniel Tupua are senior offensive linemen for the Evergreen Plainsmen, both carrying 4.0 GPAs and crediting coach Christian Swain with teaching them more than football. Evergreen moved to 3-1 with a 34-7 win over Heritage to open Class 3A Greater St. Helens League play. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/high-school-football-tupua-brothers-say-evergreen-coaches-have-given-them-tools-...

Ridgefield Raptors GM Gus Farah calls the 2026 season a success, with playoff crowds reaching 3,700 over two games against the Portland Pickles and average attendance surpassing 1,400. Hundreds of fan survey responses are now shaping improvements at the RORC for next season. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/raptors-look-back-on-strong-2026-and-ahead-to-2027-and-beyond-in-ridgefield/ #Ridgefield...

Camas resident Anthony Teso examines Clark County's 18 percent drop in counted homelessness and questions what the number leaves out. He points to University of Washington research finding rents and vacancy rates predict homelessness better than drug use or mental illness, and traces how Clark County's housing market shifted as the region became Portland's bedroom community. https://clarkcountytod...

Clark County's Joint Lobby reopens Friday, Oct. 2 with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm and an art reception to follow. The renovated space unites the Assessor's, Auditor's, and Treasurer's offices under one cross-trained team for faster, more efficient public service. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-announces-joint-lobby-grand-reopening-on-oct-2/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #JointLobby #Gra...

In a letter to the editor, Camas resident Anna Miller highlights Eileen Quiring O'Brien's position at a CVTV-aired auditors debate that the Clark County auditor should be beholden to no one but the voters. Miller argues O'Brien's commitment to election integrity sets her apart. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-eileen-quiring-obrien-in-the-lions-den/ #ClarkCounty #ElectionIntegrity #Clar...

Six Washington Supreme Court justices struck down Initiative 2066, voiding natural gas protections approved by nearly two million voters. This week's audio newsletter also covers Vancouver's new camping ban, the Interstate Bridge debate, Clark County Auditor and Council races, and Clark County Today's 10th anniversary. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_september_25_2026 #Clar...

Clark County Today marks its 10th anniversary on Sept. 27 with a rebuilt website featuring tools like Ask CCT, Storylines, and an archive of more than 19,000 published stories. Editor Ken Vance reflects on the team and the decade of local journalism behind it. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-clark-county-today-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-redesign/ #ClarkCountyToday #LocalJournali...

Clark County Today counted more than 100 tents and tarps in just a few blocks near the Share House in downtown Vancouver. HART manager Jamie Spinelli explains why a citywide camping ban alone cannot resolve the crisis when jail beds, shelter space, and officers are all at capacity. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/hart-responds-to-questions-regarding-vancouvers-ability-to-ban-homeless-camps/ #Hom...

Vancouver's Transportation System Plan aims to expand investment beyond cars to include walking, cycling, transit, and freight. Meanwhile, Save Vancouver Streets collected more than 6,500 signatures challenging lane removals, and the legal dispute is ongoing. Clark County residents are weighing in on how those priorities should be set. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-in-your-view-how-sho...

Camas resident Margaret Tweet examines the 3rd Congressional District race, scrutinizing Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's voting record on the SAVE Act and border security while highlighting John Braun's background as a Navy submarine captain and co-founder of Chehalis-based Braun Northwest, which employs 350 people. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-john-braun-works-to-protect-jobs-grow-agricu...

Washington Department of Revenue officials warned SB 6346 sponsor Sen. Jamie Pedersen that the income tax bill's complexity could generate legal challenges beyond overturning the 1933 Culliton decision. Records obtained by The Center Square show DOR flagged a marriage penalty, athlete reporting provisions, and underreporting risks. Several concerns went unaddressed in the final legislation. https:...

Firm Foundation Christian School has broken ground on a 62-acre high school campus along state Route 502 in Battle Ground, launching a project more than two decades in the making. The first phase, a roughly 19,000-square-foot classroom wing projected to cost more than $10 million, is expected to open in fall 2028 and roughly double the school's current high school enrollment of 66 students. https:...

Battle Ground Public Schools invites voters to a public information night on October 8 to learn about Proposition 11, the student safety and academic support levy. The district has cut $34 million over two years, and its financial health score is projected to fall from 3.35 to 1.25 by the end of the 2026-27 school year, placing it within the state's financial warning range. https://clarkcountytoda...

More than 40% of WSU Vancouver students accessed the Cougar Food Pantry during the last academic year, and shopping visits jumped 89% in a single year. A new partnership with the Clark County Food Bank network aims to increase food volume, reduce operating costs, and help students stay focused on their education. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/wsu-vancouver-expands-food-access-through-new-partn...