A packed meeting at Cascade Park Community Library drew supporters and critics of new language in the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Strategic Plan, with public comment focusing on intellectual freedom, parental rights, equitable access, and calls for the Clark County Council to receive an update from library leadership. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/passionate-arguments-made-before-fort-vancouver-regional-libraries-board-of-trustees/ #VancouverWA #ClarkCountyWA #FVRL #LibraryBoard #PublicComment #StrategicPlan #LocalPolitics

The Center Square Washington reports that the Estate of Paul G. Allen has begun a formal sale process for the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks, with investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins leading a process expected to continue through the 2026 off-season and analysts projecting a potential record-breaking sale price. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/seattle-seahawks-officially-up-for-sale/ #SeattleSeahawks #NFL #SuperBowlLX #WashingtonState #PaulAllen #SportsBusiness

Washington State Standard reports on growing tension between Gov. Bob Ferguson and Democratic lawmakers over how to spend revenue from the proposed 9.9% income tax on adjusted gross household income above $1 million, including debates over small business tax relief, sales tax holidays and the Working Families Tax Credit. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/tension-rising-over-how-to-spend-revenue-from-proposed-wa-income-tax/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #BobFerguson #SB6346 #StateBudget #TaxRelief #Politics

Opinion column by Elizabeth New with Washington Policy Center examines Senate Bill 6346, the proposed 9.9% tax on income above $1 million, the Senate’s 27-22 vote, and the constitutional and legal questions that could follow if the House of Representatives approves it. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-senate-shenanigans-income-tax-debate-double-standards/ #WashingtonState #SB6346 #IncomeTax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ElizabethNew #TaxDebate #StateLegislature #Opinion

Battle Ground Public Schools is now accepting applications for its alternative learning and specialty programs for the 2026-27 school year, including Battle Ground Virtual Academy, CASEE, CAM Academy, Open Doors, River HomeLink and Summit View High School, with varying deadlines and enrollment requirements. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/battle-ground-public-schools-opens-2026-27-enrollment-for-alternative-specialty-programs-and-schools/ #BattleGroundWA #ClarkCountyWA #BattleGroundSchools #AlternativeLearning #SouthwestWashington

Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 2:47 p.m. Feb. 17 to an assault with a weapon at Heritage High School in Vancouver, where a 15-year-old student was stabbed in a bathroom and the suspect was taken into custody and booked into Juvenile Detention Hall. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ccso-responds-to-assault-at-heritage-high-school/ #ClarkCountyWA #VancouverWA #CCSO #HeritageHighSchool #SchoolSafety

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded at 9:14 p.m. Feb. 17 to a cargo hold fire aboard a 656-foot break bulk carrier at the Port of Vancouver, working alongside the ship’s crew and regional partners to stabilize the blaze in under four hours with no reported injuries. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/shipboard-fire-response-at-port-of-vancouver/ #VancouverWA #PortOfVancouver #VancouverFire #ShipboardFire #ColumbiaRiver #ClarkCountyWA

Senate Bill 5973, which would have added new restrictions on paying signature gatherers and required 1,000 signatures at filing, failed to advance in the Washington Legislature after drawing opposition from Let’s Go Washington and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/foes-called-it-the-initiative-killer-now-its-dead-in-the-wa-legislature/ #WashingtonState #Politics #InitiativeProcess #LetsGoWashington #StateLegislature #WAStateStandard

In this letter to the editor, Washougal resident Mike Johnson argues that a proposed Clark County Council resolution condemns federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and urges support for federal immigration laws. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-intent-of-the-proposed-county-council-resolution-appears-to-be-a-general-condemnation-of-our-federal-immigration-enforcement-officers/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Washougal #ICE #ImmigrationPolicy #LetterToTheEditor

The Washington State House approved House Bill 2034 to terminate LEOFF 1, create a new plan and transfer $4.5 billion, prompting sharp criticism from House Republicans and warnings from the LEOFF 1 Coalition about future pension impacts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-house-bill-raids-billions-from-pension-plan-while-lawmakers-also-pass-record-tax-hikes/ #WashingtonState #Politics #LEOFF1 #HouseBill2034 #StatePensions #TheCenterSquare