Clark County Today News

Rep. John Ley visited the idle Brockmann Campus in Vancouver, a $42 million mental health facility the state legislature refused to fund. He questioned the decision to let it sit vacant while budgets and taxes hit record highs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-visits-empty-brockmann-mental-health-facility-calls-for-state-to-fund-its-operation/ #JohnLey #MentalHealthFunding #Washi...

Washougal MX Park gears up for a massive crowd during the FLY Racing Washougal National, which also honors veterans through racing and special tributes. From pro riders like Levi Kitchen to Marine veterans in the Warrior Class, it’s a weekend of speed and gratitude. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/washougal-mx-park-welcomes-national-and-salutes-military-veterans-as-well/ #WashougalMX #Mili...

John Braun and Jim Walsh may challenge U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District — a critical seat Republicans hope to flip. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/two-gop-state-lawmakers-consider-running-against-gluesenkamp-perez/ #WA03 #MariePerez #JohnBraun #JimWalsh #JoeKent #2026Election #BlueDogCoalition #TrumpDistrict #SAVEAct

Mark Harmsworth warns that Vancouver’s new $30 rental fee could drive up rent and worsen affordability. He calls for repealing the fee and embracing market-based housing solutions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-vancouvers-new-30-rental-fee-will-increase-rents-in-the-city/ #VancouverWA #RentalPolicy #HousingCosts #RegulatoryFees #Opinion #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #R...

Clark College is launching a new Advanced Manufacturing program this fall in Ridgefield. The two-year degree offers students practical training and career pathways in high-demand technical fields. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-college-launches-advanced-manufacturing-program-fall-2025/ #ClarkCollege #AdvancedManufacturing #RidgefieldWA #STEMeducation #ManufacturingJobs #BoschmaFarms #...

Doug Dahl with Target Zero tackles a reader’s question about exit lane speed limits. He explains how Washington law requires drivers to reduce speed when conditions demand it, even before offramps. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-right-speed-to-exit/ #TargetZero #TheWiseDrive #DougDahl #TrafficLaw #FreewayExit #SpeedLimits #WashingtonState #ExitLaneSafety #AdvisorySpeeds

Clark County is recruiting volunteers for four open seats on the Clean Water Commission. The group advises on local water quality and watershed health. Applications are due Aug. 25. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-seeks-volunteers-for-four-positions-on-the-clean-water-commission/ #ClarkCounty #CleanWaterCommission #VolunteerOpportunity #WatershedHealth #Stormwater #WaterQuality...

Michael Jelino voices support for Justin Forsman in Vancouver’s mayoral race, calling for change and opposing current leadership. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-its-time-for-vancouver-to-choose-change/ #Opinion #VancouverWA #LetterToTheEditor #JustinForsman #HomelessnessCrisis #LightRail #Tolling #CCRP #CityPolitics

This week’s Clark County Today poll asks whether the county should update its Human Resources policy to include personal social media accounts of employees in sensitive or public-facing roles. The question comes after public concern about online behavior by a county public defender. Vote now. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-the-county-update-its-human-resources-policy-to-inclu...

Ken Vance reacts to Renee Alsept’s social posts and shares a conversation with attorney Brad Andersen about legal ethics, political contempt, and the decline of civil discourse. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-vilifying-broad-swaths-of-americans/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #ReneeAlsept #KenVance #Trump #BradAndersen #LegalEthics #PublicDefenders #PoliticalDiscourse #SocialMediaConduct

Public Defender Renee Alsept’s profane social posts targeting Trump and law enforcement have raised questions about bias and accountability. County leadership says personal accounts fall outside current policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/social-media-activity-of-clark-county-public-defender-questioned/ #ClarkCounty #ReneeAlsept #PublicDefender #SocialMediaPolicy #CountyGovernment #Kathl...

Project 42 has expanded into Clark County with Leslie Lewallen as director, bringing advocacy, scorecards, and local engagement under the Future 42 brand. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/project-42-launches-its-third-county-project-in-clark-county-with-leslie-lewallen-as-director/ #ClarkCounty #Project42 #Future42 #LeslieLewallen #LocalGovernment #CivicEngagement #Accountability #TaxpayerIss...

From life jackets to float plans, Paddle Safe Week (July 22–28) aims to boost paddlesport safety awareness across Washington. Learn tips that could save lives. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/paddle-safe-week-begins-july-22-teaches-importance-of-water-safety/ #PaddleSafeWeek #BoatingSafety #ClarkCounty #WaterSafety #LifeJacketsSaveLives #Paddlesports #OutdoorRecreation #Canoeing #Kayaking #S...

Council for the Homeless released Clark County’s 2025 Point-in-Time Count, showing increased shelter use, rising senior homelessness, and an overrepresentation of BIPOC individuals. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/council-for-the-homeless-releases-2025-point-in-time-count-for-clark-county/ #Homelessness #ClarkCounty #CFTH #AffordableHousing #PITCount #HousingCrisis #EmergencyShelter #BIPOC...

Camas C-TRAN board member Tim Hein says he was misled into supporting language that may obligate Clark County to pay TriMet’s light rail costs. He’s now calling for the board to undo the vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-board-member-regrets-vote-that-could-leave-clark-county-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-light-rail/ #CTRAN #TimHein #ClarkCounty #LightRail #TriMet #TaxpayerMoney #IBR...

Dick Rylander explores the FVRL levy lid lift proposal through a Q&A with Director Jennifer Giltrop, breaking down finances, service projections, and the impact of a YES or NO vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fort-vancouver-regional-libraries-levy-lid-lift/ #ClarkCounty #FVRL #LibraryFunding #LevyLidLift #PropertyTaxes #PublicServices #DickRylander #VoterInfo #AugustBallot #O...

Vancouver resident Wynn Grcich urges voters to support Justin Forsman and Rob Anderson in upcoming local elections, calling out city leadership and redevelopment plans. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-public-has-allowed-this-to-happen/ #LetterToTheEditor #VancouverWA #JustinForsman #RobAnderson #ElectionIntegrity #MedicalFreedom #MainStreet #CivicEngagement #SmallBusiness #Opin...

Paul Valencia, Tony Liberatore, and Cale Piland dive into baseball changes coming to high schools, Teddy Bridgewater’s suspension as a coach, and Mariners fandom gone wild. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sports-podcast-july-16-2025-two-first-bases-coming-to-high-school-baseball-a-discussion-on-teddy-bridgewater-the-high-school-coach-and-trolling-mariners-fans/ #HighSchoolSpor...

WSDOT crews will close lanes on southbound I-5 in Vancouver July 17–19 to repair two electronic message boards. Expect daytime and overnight delays. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/plan-ahead-for-lane-closures-on-i-5-in-vancouver-july-17-18/ #VancouverWA #I5 #RoadWork #WSDOT #TravelAlert #TransportationNews #LaneClosures #MessageBoards #WSDOT

Vancouver resident Jim McConnell expresses concern over repeated sign thefts related to opposition against lane reductions on McGillivray Boulevard, raising questions about free speech and neighborhood sentiment. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-i-am-a-law-abiding-citizen-who-believes-in-the-free-speech-of-others/ #VancouverWA #JimMcConnell #FreeSpeech #McGillivrayBoulevard #Cascade...

Washougal’s new Community Market kicks off July 18 and runs weekly through the summer, bringing local vendors, food, music, and kids activities to Reflection Plaza. The pilot program supports revitalization efforts and community connection. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washougal-community-market-kicks-off-friday-at-reflection-plaza/ #Washougal #CommunityMarket #FarmersMarket #ReflectionPl...

The Greater Vancouver Chamber has opened nominations for its 2025 First Citizen Award, celebrating long-term civic and business leadership in Southwest Washington. Nominations are due by August 14, and the winner will be honored this fall at the Chamber’s Business & Leadership Awards. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/greater-vancouver-chamber-opens-nominations-for-the-2025-first-citizen-award...

The Vancouver and Clark County councils approved a $2.1 million interlocal agreement to help fund the Bridge Shelter, a 24/7 facility for unhoused residents with wraparound services. Opening in 2026, the shelter will also reserve beds for county residents outside Vancouver. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-and-county-funding-agreement-advances-bridge-shelter-project/ #HomelessnessRespons...

Sen. John Braun says Gov. Ferguson’s attacks on Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill are exaggerated and partisan. He defends the law’s work rules and cost controls as necessary reforms to protect programs like SNAP and Medicaid. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/watch-sen-braun-urges-ferguson-to-get-past-fearmongering-on-big-beautiful-bill/ #JohnBraun #BobFerguson #BigBeautifulBill #SNAPReform #Medicai...

Lorri Sibley, a longtime Battle Ground educator, is running for District 1 on the School Board. Her platform focuses on academic success, community trust, and school safety, backed by decades of classroom and union leadership experience. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/veteran-educator-lorri-sibley-announces-campaign-for-battle-ground-school-board/ #LorriSibley #BattleGroundSchools #SchoolBo...