In this week's newsletter: A divided council vote on immigration-related language, C-TRAN’s action on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program SEIS, Battle Ground and Washougal levy results, and opinion on Senate Bill 6346 and the I-5 Bridge highlight a week spanning politics, education, transportation, business, and community life. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_february_13_2026 #ClarkCounty #InterstateBridgeReplacement #SchoolLevies #CTran #WashingtonPolitics #CommunityNews

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 to move forward with a modified resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement, following intense public comment and debate over jurisdiction, racial profiling language and support for local law enforcement. The resolution is expected to be read Feb. 17. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-did-the-councils-debate-and-resolution-help-unite-or-divide-the-community/ #ClarkCountyWA #ICE #CountyCouncil #PublicComment #LocalGovernment

The Washington State Senate approved Senate Bill 5974 to impose stricter eligibility standards on sheriffs and police chiefs and restrict volunteer posses, advancing the legislation to the House after party-line debate. This report was first published by the Washington State Standard. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/stricter-standards-for-wa-sheriffs-approved-in-state-senate/ #WashingtonState #WALeg #SB5974 #Sheriffs #PoliceAccountability #WashingtonStateStandard

Journey Theater will present A Year with Frog and Toad at Manor Evangelical Church in Battle Ground, with performances scheduled from Feb. 19 through Feb. 28 featuring local youth performers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/journey-theater-presents-a-year-with-frog-and-toad/ #BattleGround #VancouverWA #JourneyTheater #YouthTheater #ClarkCountyWA #FrogAndToad

In this opinion column, Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center warns that SB 5292 could set the stage for higher Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll taxes by changing the rate-setting formula and adding new reserve requirements. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-sb-5292-pfml-tax-bill-looks-like-a-trap/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #PFML #SB5292 #WashingtonState #PayrollTax

Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto has appointed April Furth as deputy county manager, with Furth returning to Clark County after serving in Chattanooga and previously leading Community Development and the Permit Center. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-manager-appoints-april-furth-as-deputy-county-manager/ #ClarkCountyWA #VancouverWA #LocalGovernment #AprilFurth #KathleenOtto

In this opinion column, Rep. John Ley provides a legislative update on Senate Bill 6346 and a proposed state income tax, developments in the Interstate-5 Bridge Replacement Program, efforts to open the Brockmann Campus, and House Bill 2605 on fibrous silicate materials. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-is-a-state-income-tax-coming-and-the-latest-on-the-i-5-bridge-project/ #Opinion #JohnLey #WashingtonState #I5Bridge #StateIncomeTax #ClarkCountyWA

WSU Vancouver is hosting four free A – Z of Paying for College workshops this spring, offering guidance on grants, scholarships, savings, loans and required financial aid forms, with sessions scheduled from Feb. 24 through May 20. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wsu-vancouver-offers-public-workshop-on-how-to-pay-for-college-8/ #WSUVancouver #ClarkCountyWA #FinancialAid #Scholarships #CollegePlanning #SouthwestWashington

Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to a rollover crash with entrapment at Burton Road and NE 95th Avenue, extricating a trapped occupant within 18 minutes and transporting both patients to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries as the cause remains under investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vfd-responds-to-vehicle-rollover-with-entrapment-on-burton-road/ #VancouverWA #VancouverFire #MotorVehicleAccident #BurtonRoad #AMR #ClarkCountyWA

The Clark County Council voted 3-2 to move forward with a modified resolution addressing reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities, following extended debate over jurisdiction, wording, and support for local law enforcement ahead of a planned Feb. 17 reading. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-council-modifies-language-on-its-resolution-on-ice-activities-in-the-region/ #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #ICE #ClarkCountyCouncil #LocalGovernment #WashingtonState