Nearly two hours of public comment revealed sharp divisions over Clark County's aerial fireworks rules in unincorporated areas. Residents split between supporting current laws and pushing for stricter limits due to safety concerns and property damage. Council members indicated more information is needed before making decisions. The debate highlighted enforcement challenges and community tensions over balancing tradition with public safety in Clark County's unincorporated zones. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-clark-county-keep-its-current-fireworks-laws-allowing-aerial-fireworks-in-unincorporated-areas/ #ClarkCounty #Fireworks #Politics #PublicSafety #LocalGovernment #Washington #Community #Policy #Council #Debate

A 36-year-old contractor fell into a tank under construction at the Washougal Wastewater Treatment Facility, prompting a complex technical rescue operation. Southwest Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue Team deployed cable-based vertical haul systems and rope techniques to extract the worker from the 150-foot diameter tank. The multi-agency response included Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 6, and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue. The patient was transported in stable condition after the successful confined space rescue operation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/confined-space-rescue-successful-after-20-foot-fall-at-washougal-wastewater-treatment-facility/ #TechnicalRescue #EmergencyResponse #Washougal #ClarkCounty #FireDepartment #WorkplaceSafety #ConstructionSafety #FirstResponders #ConfinedSpace #RescueTeam

Retired police officers and firefighters, including former Congressman Dave Reichert, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging Washington's unprecedented plan to sweep nearly $4 billion from their overfunded pension account. The plaintiffs argue the move violates constitutional contract clauses and leaves benefits vulnerable to market downturns, while supporters maintain the law protects pension guarantees while addressing state budget shortfalls. URLHERE #WashingtonState #PensionFund #Lawsuit #FirstResponders #BudgetCrisis #LEOFF1 #Politics

Doug Dahl breaks down Washington State law requiring cyclists to ride with traffic in bike lanes, not against it. The Revised Code of Washington treats bikes as vehicles following roadway rules, making wrong-way cycling illegal and dangerous. Sixty-five percent of cyclist-driver crashes occur at intersections, where riding against traffic creates unpredictable situations. Traffic control systems are designed for right-side travel, and wrong-way cyclists face serious risks when encountering other bikes or entering intersections. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-bike-lanes-arent-two-way-streets/ #BikeSafety #CyclingLaws #TrafficRules #WashingtonState #RoadSafety #Transportation #BikeLines #ClarkCounty #Opinion #TargetZero

Fire Chief Gordon Brooks will share the remarkable 65-year journey of Amboy Fire District 10 at a special anniversary celebration hosted by the North Clark Historical Museum. The May 9th program features exhibits tracing firefighting history from America's earliest departments to today's modern operations. The free public event takes place in the renovated 1910 United Brethren Church in Upper Amboy, with refreshments and wheelchair accessibility provided. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/65th-anniversary-of-clark-county-fire-district-10-to-be-observed/ #AmboyFire #FireDistrict10 #ClarkCountyHistory #CommunityEvent #PublicSafety #Museum #Anniversary #Firefighters #LocalHistory #UpperAmboy

The Parkersville Advisory Committee partners with the Port of Camas-Washougal for annual Spruce Up Day at Parker's Landing Historical Park. Volunteers will maintain heritage trees and rose gardens that tell ancestral stories from the 1800s. This nationally recognized historic site requires ongoing community stewardship to preserve its cultural significance. The May 12 event prepares grounds for the summer Parkersville Heritage Fair. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/spruce-up-day-to-be-held-at-parkers-landing-historical-park/ #Washougal #HistoricPreservation #CommunityVolunteers #Heritage #ParkersLanding #PortOfCamasWashougal #ParkersvileAdvisoryCommittee #ClarkCounty #CommunityService #HistoricSite

Dina Sawyer brings seven years of special education expertise to her new role as principal at Gause Elementary School in Washougal. After serving as interim principal during the 2025-2026 school year, Sawyer was officially selected by the school board to lead the school starting July 1. Her background in behavior support and classroom experience, combined with a Masters in Education from University of Alaska Southeast, positions her to strengthen student engagement and family connections at Gause. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/dina-sawyer-named-principal-at-gause-elementary-school/ #WashougalSchools #Education #Principal #SpecialEducation #StudentSuccess #SchoolLeadership #ClarkCounty #Washougal #GauseElementary #CommunityNews

Bob Ortblad warns the Interstate Bridge Replacement's planned S-curve approach will be more dangerous than San Francisco's Bay Bridge detour that killed multiple drivers. The engineer argues the 1,100-foot radius curve combined with icy conditions and steep grades creates a recipe for disaster, calling speeds over 40 mph "engineered manslaughter." He advocates for an immersed tunnel alternative that would eliminate safety risks while providing earthquake protection and weather shielding for Vancouver commuters. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-interstate-bridge-replacement-design-is-engineered-manslaughter/ #IBR #InterstateBridge #BridgeSafety #Transportation #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Engineering #TunnelAlternative #PublicSafety #WashingtonState

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to active flames at 3512 NE 102nd Court Wednesday evening, successfully extinguishing the blaze and rescuing two dogs during their search operations. One resident was displaced while firefighters worked to contain the fire. The Vancouver Fire Marshal's Office continues investigating the cause of the incident. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-extinguishes-house-fire-4/ #VancouverFire #HouseFire #FireRescue #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #FireSafety #EmergencyResponse

Clark County and community stakeholders are recruiting two volunteers with recent lived experience with homelessness to join ECHO, a collaborative policy group addressing homelessness. The 12-month volunteer positions include up to $1,000 annual honorarium and monthly meetings at the Public Service Center. Applications are due May 29, 2026, to Michelle Pfenning. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-community-stakeholders-seek-volunteers-for-homelessness-organization/ #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #Volunteers #ECHO #CommunityEngagement #PublicPolicy #Vancouver #WashingtonState #CivicParticipation #SocialServices