Clark County News – The Columbian

Washougal residents voice opposition to closing an elementary school during public hearing

Will Denner — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:15:35 +0000

WASHOUGAL — About 20 people spoke at a public hearing Thursday as Washougal School District leaders consider closing either Hathaway or Gause elementary. The majority said they opposed closing any schools in the district.

Clark College sees slight enrollment increase, WSU Vancouver holds steady in fall 2026 enrollment numbers

Will Denner — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:04:36 +0000

Postsecondary education enrollment in Clark County has grown over the past five years after a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State, FTC reach $600,000 settlement with Vancouver-based payment processing solutions company

Sarah Wolf — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:03:21 +0000

When a salesman walked into Steven Carlson’s upstate New York liquor store in 2022, he told Carlson the shop would save $15,000 a year in credit card processing fees if it switched to PB Payments, a Vancouver-based payment processing solutions company.

Vital Statistics for Nov. 12, 2026

The Columbian — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 22:00:38 +0000

PETITIONS FILED

Clark County man sues Salmon Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation over wife’s death

Kimberly Cortez — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 19:00:50 +0000

A Clark County man is suing a Salmon Creek skilled nursing facility, alleging medical negligence led to his wife’s death.

Ridgefield selects Nicole Schneider as new deputy city manager

Doug Flanagan — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 19:00:18 +0000

The city of Ridgefield has selected an experienced local government administrator with a background in city management, finance and human resources to serve as its next deputy city manager.

Death Notices for Nov. 12, 2026

The Columbian — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 18:00:22 +0000

Albert Frank Blahm Jr., 74, Lakebay, died Oct. 3, 2026. Neptune Society, 800-637-8863.

Vancouver City Council poised to fire City Manager Lon Pluckhahn

Kelly Moyer — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:47:02 +0000

In an unexpected move, the Vancouver City Council is poised to fire City Manager Lon Pluckhahn.

Weather Eye: Repeated rounds of rainfall, breezy conditions on way

Patrick Timm — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:03:21 +0000

Well, November is finally beginning to act like November. After enjoying some unusually mild weather this week, we’re about to settle into a familiar Pacific Northwest pattern of clouds, rain and occasional gusty winds. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. After all, this is the time of year when the umbrella becomes part of our daily wardrobe.

Clark Conservation District set to charge fees for its services

Shari Phiel — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:00:15 +0000

For the first time in its 84-year history, the Clark Conservation District will charge for its services.

PeaceHealth professionals rally in Vancouver amid bargaining for first union contract

Kimberly Cortez — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:20:50 +0000

Rain-soaked sidewalks and chilly weather didn’t keep dozens of healthcare professionals and supporters from picketing Tuesday outside PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.

Veterans prove vital coalition in Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s reelection

Kelly Moyer — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:05:51 +0000

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez owes her third term, at least in part, to veterans.

‘Thank you for your service’: Crowds turn out to honor veterans during annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade in Vancouver

Sarah Wolf — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 10:04:39 +0000

James Lindner was one of many veterans who showed up to watch the 38th annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade in Vancouver on Wednesday. Lindner and his wife have attended the parade every year since moving to the area.

Vancouver woman, two young sons killed in multi-vehicle crash in Kansas City

Staff and wire reports — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 02:39:31 +0000

A Vancouver woman and two young sons were killed Monday in a multivehicle crash in Kansas City, Mo., The Kansas City Star reported.

Vancouver man identified as driver killed when car crashes into pole on Padden Parkway

Tyler Brown — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:10:41 +0000

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the driver killed Friday when his car crashed into a traffic pole on Northeast Padden Parkway.

Vital Statistics for Nov. 10, 2026

The Columbian — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:00:17 +0000

Darline Cutile, 42, Vancouver, and Angel Francisco Muguruza Tamara, 30, Beaverton, Ore.

Vancouver accepting public comments on climate plan updates

Kelly Moyer — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 20:21:16 +0000

The city of Vancouver will take public comment on proposed updates to its climate plan through Sunday at cityofvancouver.us/climate.

Bernie Gerhardt, Ed Dawson to receive Silver Citizen Award

Kimberly Cortez — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 19:35:06 +0000

The Clark County Commission on Aging will present the seventh annual Silver Citizen Award to Bernie Gerhardt and Ed Dawson on Nov 16.

Death Notices for Nov. 10, 2026

The Columbian — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:00:16 +0000

Alexandra Balasin, 87, Ridgefield, died Oct. 31, 2026. Northwood Park Funeral Home, 360-574-4252.

Seeking to jumpstart housing production, Vancouver will allow developers to defer impact fees

Mia Ryder-Marks — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:01:00 +0000

With Vancouver falling short of the pace needed to meet its 20-year housing target, the city hopes a new financial incentive — letting developers delay certain fee payments — will spur more homebuilding.

103-year-old veteran to be honored guest in Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade

Kimberly Cortez — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:00:32 +0000

Even at 103 years old, Willard “Wink” Lamb still has a routine. Five days a week, around 1 p.m., he meets his personal trainer, Laurie Iams, and swims laps in the pool at Touchmark at Fairway Village.

Weather Eye: Enjoy mild weather before familiar rain clouds return

Patrick Timm — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:00:32 +0000

November weather continues to keep us guessing, doesn’t it? One day we’re watching rain sweep across the region and the next we’re talking about temperatures more typical of early October. That’s the beauty of living in the Pacific Northwest. There’s seldom a dull moment when it comes to the weather.

Interest rates have been attractive for businesses buying own office space

Sarah Wolf — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:00:28 +0000

Businesses looking to buy their own office spaces have been getting some good deals with interest rates on loans for owner-occupied buildings hovering well below rates for homes. But that may be changing.

2 pedestrians killed in suspected drunk driving case identified as Vancouver residents

Tyler Brown — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:11:24 +0000

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified two pedestrians killed Oct. 5 when a suspected drunk driver ran a red light, struck an SUV and flipped his Jeep into a crosswalk at Northeast Andresen Road and Van Mall Drive.

Inspire Vancouver program awards $2.4M in grants to 32 individuals, nonprofits

Kelly Moyer — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 19:03:05 +0000

The city of Vancouver’s new Inspire Vancouver cultural access program will award 45 inaugural grants to 32 individuals and nonprofit groups.