Clark County Today News

Nancy Churchill examines Washington Supreme Court Position 1, where incumbent Colleen Melody — appointed by Ferguson with no prior bench experience — faces challengers Scott Edwards and Laura Christensen Colberg ahead of the August 4 primary. Churchill raises conflict-of-interest concerns tied to Melody's attendance at an income tax strategy meeting and her $175,519 fundraising haul — roughly six times her nearest challenger. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-supreme-court-position-1-fox-in-the-henhouse/ #WashingtonSupremeCourt #JudicialElection #NancyChurchill #DangerousRhetoric #Opinion #WashingtonState #August4Primary #PropertyRights #IncometTax #ClarkCounty

Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli is banning all recreational burning within city limits starting 12:01 a.m. June 17, citing dry conditions, low fuel moisture, and an especially challenging wildfire season ahead. Campfires, bonfires, and outdoor fire pits are prohibited. Violations carry a $500 citation and possible criminal penalties. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-vancouver-issues-temporary-ban-on-all-recreational-burning/ #VancouverWA #BurnBan #WildfireSeason #FireSafety #ClarkCounty #PublicSafety #WashingtonState

Woodland's 104th annual Planters Days kicks off June 18 with four days of parades, fireworks, frog jumps, bed races, and a queen coronation — all under the theme "Woodland Washington: A Legendary Spirit. America 250." President Keith Bellisle reflects on a century of community pride rooted in the town's diking history. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/planters-days-celebrates-woodland-with-patriotic-theme/ #WoodlandWA #PlantersDays #ClarkCounty #America250 #CommunityEvents #WashingtonState #LocalFestivals

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues Washington's Universal Health Care Commission is on a path toward a socialized system without examining free-market alternatives — and a June 18 meeting may shape that direction. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trading-one-bad-healthcare-system-for-another-is-not-a-solution/ #UniversalHealthcare #WashingtonState #HealthcareReform #UHCC #FreemarketHealthcare #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty #SinglePayer #HealthPolicy #Opinion

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal is launching its first membership drive in decades, aiming to reach 250 members in honor of America250. Museum Director Julianne Lawrence says longtime supporters have dwindled, and the community's growing population makes now the right moment to rebuild. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/two-rivers-heritage-museum-launches-first-membership-drive-in-decades/ #TwoRiversHeritageMuseum #CamasWashougalHistory #America250 #WashougalWA #ClarkCounty #LocalHistory #CommunityNews #MuseumMembership #Washington

Six Skyview High School seniors shared $18,000 in scholarships at the June 4 Senior Awards Ceremony, awarded by the Storm Nation Foundation. Now in its sixth year, the Vancouver-based nonprofit has distributed $110,000 total to Skyview graduates in support of post-secondary education. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/storm-nation-foundation-awards-18000-to-skyview-seniors/ #SkyviewHighSchool #StormNationFoundation #VancouverWA #ClarkCounty #Scholarships #ClassOf2026 #Youth #Education #CommunityNews #PublicSchools

Constitutional law scholar Rob Natelson walks through the Declaration of Independence's five-part structure — explaining why it was an announcement of independence already voted on July 2, 1776, not the act that created it. His analysis covers natural law, the 28 grievances, and the operative words that declared the colonies free. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-is-the-declaration-of-independence/ #DeclarationOfIndependence #America250 #ConstitutionalLaw #RobNatelson #MountainStatesPolicyCenter #AmericanHistory #Founding #Opinion #ClarkCountyToday ---

Lars Larson connects a thwarted drone-and-sniper plot targeting the UFC event on the White House South Lawn to Democrats' 76-day push to defund the Department of Homeland Security — a shutdown he argues compromised national security without achieving a single stated goal. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-democrats-did-their-best-to-put-america-at-risk/ #LarsLarson #NorthwestNonsense #HomelandSecurity #WhiteHouse #NationalSecurity #DHS #Politics #Opinion #ClarkCountyToday

Washougal's Reflection Plaza hosts a free, family-friendly America250 kickoff on June 29 at 6 p.m., featuring rock painting, Kona Ice, historical exhibits, and copies of America's founding documents distributed by Two Rivers Heritage Museum staff. The Washougal Senior Association and Immortal Indignation are among the local history organizations bringing the community's story to life. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washougal-community-invited-to-kick-off-america250-celebration/ #Washougal #America250 #ClarkCounty #CommunityEvents #LocalHistory #TwoRiversHeritageMuseum #ReflectionPlaza #FamilyFriendly #WashougalEvents #CivicPride

Evergreen Public Schools is offering free breakfast and lunch to any child ages 1 to 18 this summer — no enrollment in EPS required. The program is funded by the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, and meals must be eaten on site. All locations close July 3 for Independence Day. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/evergreen-public-schools-will-offer-free-summer-meals-to-children/ #EvergreenschoolDistrict #SummerMeals #USDA #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState #YouthPrograms #FreeFood #SummerFoodServiceProgram #Kids

Reilly Hennessey walked into Camas' Liberty Theater on Sunday with no idea a 51-minute documentary had been made about his life. The Camas High School Class of 2014 quarterback won championships in Italy, Germany, and Europe — three titles, three countries, three final-pass touchdowns. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/hometown-football-hero-surprised-by-documentary-film-at-camas-liberty-theater/ #ProjectEuro #ReillyHennessey #CamasWA #ClarkCounty #AmericanFootball #EuropeanFootball #Documentary #LibertyCineater #Papermakers #ClarkCountyToday

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that many public employees in Washington State don't know the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling made union membership entirely voluntary — and that dues of $1,000 or more per year are being deducted without full informed consent. WPC has created a one-page resource to close that awareness gap. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-new-resource-can-help-public-employees-understand-their-rights/ #Opinion #WorkerRights #PublicEmployees #JanusVAFSCME #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #UnionDues #FirstAmendment #WashingtonPolicyCenter #LaborRights

Rep. John Ley reports from the June 12 IBR oversight meeting, where eight legislators from Washington and Oregon challenged a $7.65 billion cost estimate, a single auxiliary lane decision costing up to $1 billion less than two lanes, and light rail plans facing open skepticism from both sides of the aisle. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-legislators-demand-two-auxiliary-lanes-and-challenge-light-rail-plans-for-i-5-bridge-replacement/ #I5Bridge #InterstateBridgeReplacement #IBR #LightRail #Tolling #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState #Transportation #Politics

The National Archives is flying nine original founding documents — including Washington's Oath of Allegiance and the Treaty of Paris — to eight U.S. cities on a Boeing 737. The final stop is Seattle's Museum of History and Industry from July 30 through August 16. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/america-250-national-archives-bringing-founding-documents-to-cities-nationwide/ #America250 #NationalArchives #FoundingDocuments #Seattle #Washington #Independence #USHistory #PacificNorthwest #ClarkCountyToday ---

Washington state has fallen to 31st in the nation in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book, down from 27th. The 2026 report shows 70% of eighth graders are not proficient in math and 68% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading. State officials dispute the methodology while advocates flag cuts to early learning and rising numbers of uninsured children. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/washington-falls-again-in-national-education-ranking/ #WashingtonState #Education #KidsCount #MathProficiency #ReadingProficiency #EarlyLearning #ChildHealth #PublicSchools #WaLeg #ClarkCounty ---

Vancouver Police are investigating two separate shootings over the weekend. A 19-year-old man died at the scene of a Monday morning shooting on Creston Avenue, where a group of 25 to 30 teens had gathered. A Saturday night shooting at Evergreen Park left two teens injured. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-investigate-two-shootings/ #VancouverWA #PublicSafety #VancouverPolice #Shooting #ClarkCounty #CrimeNews #MajorCrimesUnit

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on nine years at The Reflector, the Spiller family's acquisition of the 117-year-old paper, and why he believes critics warning of conservative media consolidation in north Clark County are missing the bigger picture. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/opinion-no-need-for-hysteria-just-because-christians-are-getting-in-the-news-business/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #TheReflector #LocalJournalism #BattleGround #MediaOwnership #ClarkCountyToday #NorthClarkCounty #PressFreedm #IndependentNews

Lawmakers in 31 states filed more than 134 bills this year to regulate AI in K-12 schools, yet only about 1 in 5 districts that allow generative AI have a formal policy. With 85% of teachers already using AI in class, experts warn that schools are setting policy before anyone fully understands the technology. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/as-ai-use-in-schools-grows-lawmakers-and-districts-scramble-to-set-up-guardrails/ #AIinEducation #K12 #EdTech #ArtificialIntelligence #SchoolPolicy #AILiteracy #DigitalLiteracy #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #Education

Washington's public employee unions are heading into the most consequential wage negotiations in years, with a revenue forecast due June 26 expected to trigger the state's opening offer on pay. The Washington Federation of State Employees, representing 50,000 workers, says staffing shortages and retention problems persist regardless of the budget outlook — while the last round of contracts cost roughly $1.7 billion. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-state-workers-head-into-difficult-wage-talks-as-budget-outlook-darkens/ #WashingtonState #StateBudget #PublicEmployees #UnionNegotiations #WagesTalks #BobFerguson #CollectiveBargaining #WashingtonPolitics #StateWorkers #WashingtonStateStandard

Furry Friends volunteer writer Nomi Berger outlines practical steps cat owners can take before and during Fourth of July fireworks — from setting up a safe room and using Feliway diffusers to consulting a vet about Zylkene. Furry Friends is Clark County's largest no-kill cat-only shelter, caring for up to 1,200 cats annually on a $450,000 operating budget. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/felines-and-fireworks-3/ #FurryFriends #CatSafety #FourthOfJuly #ClarkCounty #PetCare #Vancouver #WashingtonState

Tukes Valley Middle School's band program wrapped its 2025–26 year with a June 3 concert honoring student achievement, leadership, and dedication. Six students earned spots in the Clark County Honors Band, and awards went to musicians across fifth through eighth grade. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/tukes-valley-middle-school-band-program-honors-student-achievement-at-year-end-concert/ #TukesValley #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #YouthMusic #BandProgram #MusicEducation #ClarkCountyToday

A 44-year-old man was pulled from a burning Mazda 3 by bystanders after his vehicle struck a power pole in the 8200 block of NE Highway 99. Clark County Sheriff's Office, AMR, and Fire District 6 responded. The driver was transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Impairment is not believed to be a factor. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vehicle-strikes-power-pole-on-highway-99/ #ClarkCounty #Highway99 #PublicSafety #CarFire #ClarkCountySheriff #EmergencyResponse #Vancouver #WashingtonState

The League of Women Voters of Clark County has scheduled three candidate forums at Vancouver Community Library ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election. Races include Clark County Council Districts 1 and 2, Clark Public Utilities Commissioner District 3, Legislative Districts 17 and 49 state House seats, Clark County Auditor, and Clark County Clerk. All forums are open to the public in person or via CVTV. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/league-of-women-voters-schedules-three-forums-ahead-of-aug-4-election/ #LWVClarkCounty #ClarkCounty #Election2026 #VancouverWA #PrimaryElection #CandidateForum #WashingtonState #LeagueOfWomenVoters ---

Joe Cortright of City Observatory told Oregon's Transportation Commission that ODOT's budget crisis stems from systemic cost mismanagement — not fuel efficiency. The Abernethy Bridge tripled to $815 million; the Interstate Bridge Replacement ballooned to nearly $15 billion, with $10 billion in Oregon's share omitted from staff reports entirely. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-major-projects-and-odots-financial-crisis/ #ODOT #InterstateBridge #IBR #TransportationPolicy #OregonPolitics #CostOverruns #ClarkCounty #PacificNorthwest #Opinion #Infrastructure

La Center resident Tim Petta draws a line from JP Morgan, Carnegie, and Rockefeller to Camden and Mac Spiller in Battle Ground — arguing that industrialists who created jobs, gave philanthropically, and reinvested in their communities built something worth repeating. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-what-made-and-can-make-america-great/ #Opinion #BattleGround #LaCenter #ClarkCounty #CamdenSpiller #MacSpiller #AmericanHistory #Philanthropy #ClarkCountyToday #Letters

About 100 volunteers gathered at Esther Short Park in Vancouver for the third annual Pick It Up, Vancouver event, organized by SOLVE. The crew collected enough litter to fill a 3-yard dumpster, with a final weight tally still to come. SOLVE, which began as an Oregon anti-litter campaign, is expanding its mission into Southwest Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/pick-it-up-vancouver-holds-another-event-for-volunteers-to-pick-up-litter-in-downtown/ #PickItUpVancouver #SOLVE #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Volunteers #CommunityCleanup #DowntownVancouver #WashingtonState

Ronald Hsu, DDS, of Storybook Dentistry in Camas and Dr. Megan Miller of Expedition Pediatric Dentistry offer guidance on credentials, communication style, and why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit by age one. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/how-to-choose-a-pediatric-dental-provider/ #PediatricDentistry #ChildrensDentalHealth #DeltaDentalWA #OralHealth #YouthHealth #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #DentalCare #ParentingTips #DentalHome

A 16-year-old wrestler and her mother are suing the Puyallup School District, WIAA, and state education officials after a male athlete who identifies as female allegedly sexually assaulted her during a December all-girls tournament. ADF attorney Suzanne Beecher says Washington's policy violates federal Title IX protections. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/female-wrestler-sues-school-district-state-over-alleged-assault-by-male-competitor/ #WrestlingLawsuit #TitleIX #PuyallupSchoolDistrict #GirlsSports #Washington #WIAA #ADF #ChrisReykdal #TransgenderAthletes #ClarkCountyToday

Camden and Mac Spiller purchased The Reflector, returning the 115-year-old Battle Ground newspaper to local hands. Rep. John Ley pushed to block the Interstate Bridge Replacement's Record of Decision, tolling talks continued with a 2028 start projected, and Ridgefield's commercial expansion kept pace with its rapid population growth. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_june_12_2026 #ClarkCounty #InterstateBridge #Ridgefield #TheReflector #Vancouver #WashingtonState #LocalNews #Transportation #PublicSafety #ClarkCountyToday

For the first time in memory, no Clark County team won a state title in a traditional team sport during the 2025-26 school year. Paul Valencia, Cale Piland, and Tony Liberatore close out spring sports, weigh in on controversies beyond Clark County, and look ahead to college and pro sports. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sports-podcast-june-12-2026-we-say-goodbye-to-not-only-spring-sports-but-we-also-give-a-salute-to-the-full-high-school-sports-year/ #StudyOfSports #HighSchoolSports #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #SpringSports #Podcast

Rep. John Ley is urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to delay approval of the Interstate Bridge replacement project, citing a price tag now estimated at more than $15 billion and concerns over scope, tolling, congestion, and light rail inclusion. Clark County Today wants to know where you stand. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-federal-transportation-officials-delay-approval-of-the-interstate-bridge-replacement-project-until-a-new-review-is-completed/ #InterstateBridge #I5Bridge #ClarkCounty #Transportation #JohnLey #IBR #WashingtonState #FederalTransportation #Vancouver #Infrastructure ---

Katie Shifley has been named Vancouver's next chief financial officer following a national search. She joins from Multnomah County Library and will oversee a biennial budget of $2.2 billion, including a $481.1 million capital budget. City Manager Lon Pluckhahn cited her decade of regional government finance experience. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/city-of-vancouver-announces-appointment-of-a-new-chief-financial-officer/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #CityOfVancouver #CFO #PublicFinance #WashingtonState #LocalGovernment

Battle Ground marks 75 years since its 1951 incorporation with a free Pop-Up Birthday Party at Kiwanis Park on June 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free cupcakes from Rabbit Hole Eatery, a live mural by Ana Gabriela Honsowetz, mini horse petting, and a foam dance party are all on the program. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/area-residents-invited-to-celebrate-battle-grounds-75th-birthday/ #BattleGround #BattleGround75 #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #CommunityEvents #BattleGroundWA #KiwaanisPark #FamilyFun #PNW #FreeEvent ---

Ridgefield's May 2026 Development Summary shows a surge of food-centric businesses moving through permits and construction, including a 16,902-square-foot Grocery Outlet at Royle Ridge Station, Jersey Mike's Subs at Union Ridge Town Center, and new restaurants at Hillhurst Commercial Center and Legacy Trails. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/new-eateries-grocery-projects-signal-ever-changing-ridgefield-landscape/ #Ridgefield #ClarkCounty #RidgefieldDevelopment #NewRestaurants #GroceryOutlet #JerseyMikes #WashingtonState #LocalBusiness #FoodScene #CommunityGrowth ---

Clark County Charter Commissioner Liz Cline endorses Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County auditor, citing O'Brien's decades in public service — from the legislature to the Clark County Council — and her character, integrity, and commitment to accountability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-eileen-quiring-obrien-has-earned-my-trust-and-confidence/ #ClarkCounty #ClarkCountyAuditor #EileenQuiringOBrien #LizCline #ClarkCountyPolitics #Opinion #Elections #PublicService #Accountability #Washington

Over 200 new Washington state laws take effect Thursday, 90 days after the 2026 legislative session ended. The changes cover a new $0.82-per-month abortion services tax, college sports betting at tribal casinos, supportive housing mandates, and blue envelopes for neurodivergent drivers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/these-new-wa-laws-take-effect-thursday/ #WashingtonState #NewLaws #WALegislature #Politics #ClarkCounty #AbortionTax #SupportiveHousing #VotingRights #GamblingLaw #NeurodivergentDrivers

Peter Bracchi's letter to the editor challenges Vancouver's layered homelessness spending — Safe Stay, Safe Park, HART, Community Court, and now a Bridge Shelter — and asks why no old program closes when a new one launches. He demands a full public accounting of every cost and every measurable result. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-bad-dream-of-tomorrow/ #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #HART #SafeStay #BridgeShelter #PublicSpending #Opinion #Letters #WashingtonState

Washington state Rep. John Ley wrote to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on May 26 asking him to deny the Record of Decision for the $15 billion Interstate Bridge replacement project, calling it a textbook case of scope creep and fiscal irresponsibility. Ley also requested a face-to-face meeting with Duffy and says he has received no response. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-asks-transportation-secretary-to-deny-record-of-decision-for-i-5-bridge-replacement-project/ #I5Bridge #InterstateBridge #JohnLey #SeanDuffy #WashingtonState #Transportation #ClarkCounty #IBR #FederalOversight #Politics

On May 26, 2026, one Vancouver Police officer discharged a firearm during a response to an in-progress residential burglary on NE 48th Street. The department has released a Critical Incident Video from body worn cameras. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is handling the shooting investigation independently. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-release-critical-incident-video-3/ #VancouverPolice #OfficerInvolvedShooting #CriticalIncidentVideo #PublicSafety #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #WashingtonState ---

Jonathan Hines argues that activist legal networks and partisan institutions are turning the Semiquincentennial into a proxy war — filing injunctions to block a UFC event on the White House lawn and framing monument restorations as authoritarian overreach. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-trump-derangement-syndrome-endangers-americas-250th-birthday-celebrations/ #Opinion #July4th #Semiquincentennial #TrumpDerangementSyndrome #AmericanLiberty #Politics #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #UFC #Letter