Clark County Today News

Cascade Policy Institute's Randal O'Toole argues that more than 95 percent of Portland-area passenger travel is by automobile for good reason. A 60-minute car trip reaches ten times as many jobs as transit, and subsidies make transit cost six times more per passenger-mile than driving. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-portlands-war-on-cars-2-the-overlooked-benefits-of-driving-cars/ #Portland #Transportation #Automobiles #CascadePolicyInstitute #Opinion #TransitCosts #ClarkCounty #PacificNorthwest #WashingtonState

Donald Kimball of the Washington Policy Center argues that data centers are not driving up energy prices in Washington state. He points to regulations like the Clean Energy Transformation Act and the Climate Commitment Act as the real cost drivers, and calls for expanding energy production. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-do-data-centers-drive-up-energy-costs/ #DataCenters #EnergyPolicy #WashingtonState #CleanEnergyAct #UtilityCosts #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Washington's primary is underway with all House seats, two dozen Senate races, and four state Supreme Court positions on the ballot. As of Monday night, just under 20% of ballots had been returned statewide. Ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. tonight. First results are expected just after 8 p.m. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-will-voters-show-up-washington-primary-tests-midterm-turnout/ #WashingtonPrimary #Election2026 #VoterTurnout #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #Politics #PrimaryElection #CongressionalRace #StateLegislature #SecretaryOfState

Camas resident Anthony Teso responds to a prior letter, arguing that applying automobile-style regulation to firearms would make Washington's gun laws stricter, not looser. He also corrects the record on Senate Bill 5098, the Bite of Seattle shooting, and Vancouver's public defender shortage. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-take-the-car-analogy-seriously/ #Opinion #GunLaws #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #SB5098 #PublicDefense #Vancouver #Camas #Firearms #LetterToTheEditor

Chris Cargill of Mountain States Policy Center uses a classroom thought experiment and Soviet agricultural history to argue that socialism weakens the incentives driving risk-taking, problem-solving, and the creation of prosperity. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fatal-flaws-of-socialism-why-incentives-matter/ #Opinion #Socialism #FreeMarkets #Incentives #Economics #MountainStatesPolicyCenter #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #Prosperity #PrivateOwnership

Wildfire smoke is affecting communities across southwest Washington, with risks especially high for those with asthma, COPD, heart conditions, and allergies. PeaceHealth outlines steps residents can take now, from limiting outdoor exposure to keeping rescue medications on hand. All PeaceHealth facilities are open and operating with enhanced air filtration systems. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/southwest-washington-residents-should-exercise-care-as-wildfire-smoke-builds-in-region/ #WildfireSmoke #SouthwestWashington #ClarkCounty #AirQuality #PeaceHealth #PublicHealth #WashingtonState #PacificNorthwest

Three fires in the Spokane Complex have burned more than 8,000 acres, with up to 1,100 structures possibly destroyed and 65,000 people under evacuation orders. Washington's full congressional delegation is urging President Trump to approve an emergency declaration as FEMA moves resources into the state. Smoke is expected to affect western Washington air quality in the days ahead. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/overwhelming-amount-of-damage-fight-ongoing-against-spokane-fires/ #SpokaneComplex #WildFire #WashingtonState #Spokane #Evacuation #FEMA #WildfireSeason #PacificNorthwest #PublicSafety #EmergencyDeclaration

Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines how the WEA, the Washington Federation of State Employees, and relevant locals of SEIU each contributed $1 million to oppose IP26-645, the initiative to repeal Washington's income tax, while also opposing two other statewide measures this November. She argues public employers should give workers clear, neutral notice of their First Amendment right not to join or financially support a public union. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-dues-donts-unions-are-political-and-union-money-is-again-driving-opposition-to-initiatives/ #WashingtonState #UnionDues #BallotInitiatives #WorkerRights #WEA #SEIU #PublicUnions #FirstAmendment #Opinion #ClarkCounty

Curran Ellis Fine, an inmate at the Clark County Jail, was found unresponsive in his cell on July 23, 2026, and died at a local hospital on July 29. Corrections staff, jail medical personnel, and emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures before he was transported by ambulance. A state-mandated fatality review is underway. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-jail-inmate-dies/ #ClarkCountyJail #PublicSafety #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState #InmateDeath #CorrectionsFacility

Jonathan Hines argues that gun-free zones and expanded firearm restrictions disarm only law-abiding citizens, leaving them defenseless while criminals carrying illegal weapons face no deterrent. He ties the argument to Vancouver PD's shift away from enforcing low-level misdemeanors. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-misguided-gun-policies-disarm-victims-not-criminals/ #GunPolicy #SecondAmendment #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #GunFreeZones #SelfDefense #Opinion #VancouverWA #CriminalAccountability

Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church hosts its 5th Annual Music Fest on September 26, featuring Three Together, an acoustic trio with Grammy Award-winning guitarist Doug Smith. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a suggested $25 donation benefiting the North County Community Food Bank. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/battle-ground-community-united-methodist-church-celebrates-the-5th-annual-music-fest/ #MusicFest #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #NorthCountyFoodBank #LiveMusic #CommunityEvent #FoodBank #WashingtonState

Lars Larson argues that when a 35-year-old healthcare worker used a concealed carry pistol to drive a rifle-wielding killer away from an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho, the legacy media still refused to use honest language. Three people died, seven were wounded, and police credited Jordan Salinas as a hero. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-good-guys-with-guns-and-legacy-media-that-would-call-a-killer-a-killer/ #Opinion #GoodGuyWithAGun #ConcealedCarry #LarsLarson #LegacyMedia #SelfDefense #PacificNorthwest #GunRights #NorthwestNonsense

Starting Tuesday night, WSDOT crews will close the right lane of southbound I-5 and the Exit 9 off-ramp nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as they resurface a 2-mile stretch between SR 502 and NE 179th Street in Vancouver. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/expect-nighttime-delays-for-pavement-repairs-on-southbound-i-5-in-vancouver-aug-4-5/ #I5 #Vancouver #WSDOT #ClarkCounty #RoadWork #Transportation #WashingtonState

La Center School District is pushing back against State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, saying OSPI's own secrecy mandates, not federal enforcement, put Washington's education funding at risk by defying FERPA, PPRA, and Title IX. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/la-center-sd-rejects-superintendent-reykdals-partisan-mischaracterization-of-federal-parental-rights-enforcement/ #ParentalRights #LaCenter #WaEd #OSPI #FederalFunding #Education #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty

A large grass and brush fire at 5900 NE 6th Ave. in Vancouver ignited three simultaneous fire areas covering roughly 600 by 400 feet, spread over a concrete wall toward Interstate 5, and required 14 apparatus and 42 firefighters to bring under control in 15 minutes. The Clark County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vfd-extinguishes-brush-fire/ #VancouverFire #BrushFire #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #WashingtonState

Vancouver is accepting applications for its Community and Neighborhood Grants Program, with 19 microgrants of up to $500 each available. The April cycle set a program record with 42 grants totaling over $80,000. The deadline to apply is Sept. 18, 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-vancouver-opens-final-call-for-2026-community-and-neighborhood-grants/ #VancouverWA #CommunityGrants #ClarkCounty #NeighborhoodGrants #Vancouver #CommunityNews #Microgrants #ClarkCountyToday

An AMR unit witnessed a single-vehicle rollover on NE 78th Street at the I-5 overpass after a gray 2025 Toyota RAV4 ran a red light, struck a pedestrian signal, and hit an overpass column. Both occupants were extricated and are in stable condition. Traffic Homicide Detectives are investigating. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/serious-injury-collision-at-ne-78th-street-and-i-5-overpass/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #TrafficSafety #I5 #ClarkCountySheriff #PublicSafety #WashingtonState

What started as a pandemic-era idea to plant sunflowers and give the community somewhere to go has grown into a beloved Hockinson tradition. O'Keefe Farms hosts a kickoff concert Aug. 1 featuring AC/DC tribute band Shoot to Thrill, followed by the Sunflower Festival on Aug. 8-9 and 15-16, with more than 60 varieties of sunflowers, vendors, food, music, and family fun. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/okeefe-farms-ready-to-host-popular-sunflower-festival/ #SunflowerFestival #OKeefeFarms #Hockinson #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #FamilyFestival #SummerEvents #LocalFarm #CommunityNews

Vancouver's law enforcement policy remains unchanged despite six days of public outcry and a City Council appearance by the city attorney, city manager, and police chief. The Clark County Council advances Rules of Procedure changes, the 3rd Congressional District race takes shape, two lawsuits challenge Initiative 645's ballot language, and the 158th Clark County Fair opens August 7 in Ridgefield. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #ClarkCountyFair #Initiative645 #3rdCongressionalDistrict #ClarkCountyToday #WashingtonState #Podcast #WeeklyNewsletter #LocalNews

Washington has conducted elections entirely by mail since 2011. Columnist Nancy Churchill argues the state should move toward in-person voting, require stronger citizenship and ID checks, and rely more heavily on paper ballots counted under bipartisan observation. A new poll asks where Clark County stands. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-washington-reconsider-its-statewide-vote-by-mail-system/ #WashingtonState #VoteByMail #ElectionSecurity #InPersonVoting #BallotSecurity #VoterVerification #ClarkCounty #Elections #Opinion #Poll

Vancouver's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is accepting grant applications for 2027 tourism events, festivals, and marketing programs from Aug. 4 to Sept. 20. Grants are funded through a 4% tax on hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast stays. Priority goes to events outside peak summer season, outside downtown, and those supporting small businesses, diverse communities, and climate action. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/vancouver-opens-lodging-tax-grant-applications-for-2027-tourism-events-festivals-and-programs/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Tourism #LodgingTax #VisitVancouver #Festivals #LocalEvents #WashingtonState #EconomicDevelopment #GrantProgram

Doug Dahl of The Wise Drive breaks down how Washington's Revised Code allows officers to pursue suspended-driver enforcement action off public roads, including inside restaurants and private parking lots. Fifteen percent of fatal crashes in Washington involve unlicensed drivers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-tickets-in-parking-lots/ #TrafficSafety #DrivingSuspended #WashingtonState #TheWiseDrive #ClarkCounty #TargetZero #Opinion

Incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican state Sen. John Braun, Democrat Brent Hennrich, and six other candidates in Washington's 3rd Congressional District primary. Braun, endorsed by President Trump, has raised more than $1.1 million. Gluesenkamp Perez holds more than $2 million in cash on hand. The Aug. 4 primary could help determine which party controls Congress. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/control-of-congress-at-stake-in-washingtons-3rd-congressional-district/ #WA3 #Congress #MariGluesenkampPerez #JohnBraun #WashingtonState #PrimaryElection #Politics #ClarkCounty #Election2026

Lars Larson argues that Oregon Wild sued the Forest Service to block fuels reduction in Mt. Hood National Forest, won more than $50,000 in attorneys' fees paid by taxpayers, and that the delay contributed to the Grasshopper Fire burning at least 14,000 acres. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-taxpayers-pay-the-shysters-who-keep-our-forests-at-risk/ #Opinion #Wildfires #MtHoodNationalForest #OregonWild #ForestManagement #Taxpayers #PacificNorthwest #LarsLarson #WildfirePrevention #PublicLands

The southbound I-5 ramp to I-205 at Exit 7 in Vancouver will fully close from 10 p.m. July 31 to 10 a.m. Aug. 2 while WSDOT contractor Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC completes lane striping, sign installation, and guardrail work. Nighttime speeds drop to 55 mph through the zone. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/final-closure-of-southbound-i-5-connection-to-i-205-in-vancouver-july-31-aug-2/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #I5 #I205 #WSDOTTraffic #RoadClosure #Transportation #WashingtonState

The Clark County Council is advancing changes to its Rules of Procedure that would allow a simple majority to remove a councilor from a board or commission and direct how that councilor votes on specific policy items. Councilor Michelle Belkot, who was removed from the C-TRAN Board in 2025, questioned whether the language mirrored Vancouver's rules. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/clark-county-council-continues-process-to-change-its-rules-of-procedure-to-mirror-vancouver/ #ClarkCounty #ClarkCountyCouncil #CTran #RulesOfProcedure #MichelleBelkot #LightRail #IBR #LocalGovernment #Vancouver #WashingtonState

Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed at two 16-year-old fans during a game against the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena. The girls were holding signs thanking Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham for speaking up for girls sports. The Storm and majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a public apology. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/seattle-storm-owner-apologizes-for-game-outburst-over-transgender-policy-dispute/ #SeattleStorm #WomensSports #GirlsSports #SophieCunningham #CelesteKeaton #LetsGoWashington #WashingtonState #WNBA #TransgenderAthletes #IndianaFever

Washington placed 9th in U.S. News Best States, but 87% of that ranking is weighted toward quality-of-life factors, not business health. A spring 2026 employer survey found 24% of businesses considering leaving the state, nearly triple the winter 2025 level. Washington ranks 50th in short-term fiscal stability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-dont-be-fooled-by-the-hype/ #WashingtonState #BusinessExodus #Economy #SmallBusiness #WashingtonPolicy #Opinion

Leslie Lewallen, director of Clark County Future 42, calls on residents to scrutinize local government budgets before final votes are cast. Camas has received audit findings for three consecutive years, including roughly $47 million in assets reported as fully depreciated while still in use. Vancouver's audit flagged improper recording of $18.3 million in Proposition 2 fire-levy revenues. Lewallen offers ten questions every citizen should ask before budgets are adopted. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-sunlight-is-still-the-best-disinfectant/ #ClarkCounty #LocalGovernment #BudgetTransparency #CamasWA #VancouverWA #TaxpayerAccountability #Opinion #WashingtonState #GovernmentOversight #ClarkCountyToday

Since Portland stopped building freeways in 1982, commuter congestion time has tripled and fuel wasted in traffic has sextupled to 34.7 million gallons per year. Cascade Policy Institute's Randal O'Toole examines how decades of anti-auto planning have backfired, with transit ridership falling and solo driving at record highs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-portlands-war-on-cars-part-1/ #Portland #Transportation #AntiAutoPlanningPortland #CascadePolicyInstitute #TrafficCongestion #Opinion #LightRail #Bikelanes #PacificNorthwest #TransportationPolicy

Cascade Policy Institute's Naomi Inman introduces a month-long series examining Portland's half-century of anti-auto transportation planning, from road diets and BAT lanes to a goal of shifting 70 percent of Portlanders into shared vehicles. The series includes new research from adjunct scholar Randal O'Toole and a personal reflection from John Charles on the 40th anniversary of MAX light rail. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-portlands-war-on-cars-1-losing-the-war-on-the-automobile/ #Portland #Transportation #WarOnCars #CascadePolicyInstitute #LightRail #UrbanPlanning #PBOT #Opinion #PacificNorthwest #FreeMarket

Clark County Fire District 3 hosted its first community wildfire preparedness presentation in east Clark County, covering local fire risk, Wildland Urban Interface realities, and strategies residents can use to protect their homes. Fire Chief Chris Drone called the turnout and engagement a strong foundation to build on each year. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/fire-district-3-lays-foundation-for-annual-wildfire-education-event/ #WildfirePreparedness #FireDistrict3 #ClarkCounty #EastClarkCounty #WildlandUrbanInterface #WashingtonState #FireSafety #EmergencyPreparedness #BrushPrairie #BattleGround

Two men from Oregon, Ryan A. Culvert of Hillsboro and William Galeana Yovis of Beaverton, were arrested in Washougal after a two-day undercover operation targeting individuals seeking to sexually exploit children. No actual minor was involved. Both are now in Clark County Jail. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washougal-police-department-child-exploitation-operation-leads-to-two-arrests/ #WashougalPolice #ChildExploitation #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #WashingtonState #LawEnforcement

Dr. Alan Melnick's retirement as Clark County's combined public health director and health officer prompts Peter Bracchi to ask whether the county should separate the roles before recruiting a replacement. The positions were merged in 2013 to save approximately $262,000 annually, but Bracchi argues the county's growth to 532,119 residents and a $23.1 million Public Health Fund budget may warrant a structural review. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-one-retirement-two-critical-offices/ #ClarkCounty #PublicHealth #Opinion #LocalGovernment #Washington #HealthOfficer

For the first time since the 1980 eruption, spring Chinook salmon have been released into the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. WDFW, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and the U.S. Forest Service released 30 hatchery-origin adults into South Fork Coldwater Creek in June. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wdfw-cowlitz-indian-tribe-and-u-s-forest-service-celebrate-first-chinook-salmon-reintroduction-to-mount-st-helens-area-since-1980-eruption/ #WashingtonState #Salmon #ChinookSalmon #MountStHelens #SalmonRecovery #WDFW #CowlitzIndianTribe #NorthForkToutleRiver #FishPassage #WildlifeRestoration

Akin's Bundles of Love campaign is bringing free tote bags packed with at least 80 diapers, wipes, baby food, and community resource information to the Hazel Dell Fred Meyer in Vancouver on August 1 and 2, 2026. The giveaway connects families with Akin's Family Resource Centers and year-round support services. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/akin-launches-bundles-of-love-campaign-with-free-baby-supply-giveaway-in-vancouver/ #Akin #BundlesOfLove #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #FamilyResourceCenters #FreeDiapers #BabyEssentials #WashingtonState

Tracie Jellison, a retired banking professional, has opened a 1,200-square-foot Graze Craze franchise at Salmon Creek Center in Vancouver, offering handcrafted charcuterie boards, gluten-free and vegan options, and catering for events and celebrations. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/graze-craze-opens-new-charcuterie-shop-in-vancouver/ #GrazeCraze #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Charcuterie #LocalBusiness #WomanOwned #Catering #SalmonCreek

Government transparency advocate Arthur West has filed a lawsuit challenging the disclosure statement added to Washington's income tax repeal ballot measure. Critics including former state Sen. Lynda Wilson argue the language is misleading because the 9.9% income tax won't collect revenue until 2029. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-government-propaganda-or-transparency-lawsuit-filed-against-income-tax-repeal-ballot-language/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #BallotMeasure #GovernmentTransparency #TaxPolicy #Opinion #ClarkCounty #WAPolitics #FiscalPolicy #VotersGuide

A 35-year-old man drove northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near NE 179th Street Tuesday morning, then struck two parked vehicles at a Safeway near NE Highway 99 and NE 129th Street. Marvin Badilla had called 9-1-1 claiming he was being chased, but I-5 traffic cameras showed no pursuing vehicles. He faces reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and two counts of hit and run, and is also under investigation for false reporting tied to a July 23 stabbing in Hazel Dell. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/deputies-arrest-wrong-way-driver-at-salmon-creek-safeway/ #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #CCSO #SalmonCreek #Interstate5 #RecklessDriving #Vancouver #WashingtonState

Sponsors of Initiative 645 and an open government activist have filed separate lawsuits in Thurston County Superior Court challenging the 15-word public investment impact disclosure drafted by the Attorney General's office for Washington's 9.9% income tax repeal measure. A hearing is set for Aug. 7. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/government-edit-two-lawsuits-challenge-states-description-of-wa-income-tax-measure/ #Initiative645 #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #BallotMeasure #LetsGoWashington #Politics #WashingtonPolitics #Election2026