Clark County and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe are inviting the public to an Oct. 29 open house to review updated plans for the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area. The event will feature restoration updates for Salmon Creek, trail and recreation improvements, and opportunities for community feedback. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-hosting-open-house-on-oct-29-to-present-updates-to-the-restoration-concept-and-trail-plans-for-the-gordy-jolma-family-natural-area/ #ClarkCounty #BattleGround #PublicWorks #CowlitzTribe #SalmonRestoration #Habitat #Trails #PublicMeeting #OutdoorRecreation #LegacyLands

The Yale Park boat ramp on the Lewis River will close Oct. 19 and remain closed indefinitely as Pacific Power lowers Yale Reservoir to meet required salmon water flows. Despite recent rain, low inflows continue to affect hydroelectric operations and recreation access. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/water-releases-for-salmon-on-lewis-river-lead-to-yale-park-boat-ramp-closure/ #ClarkCounty #LewisRiver #PacificPower #Salmon #YaleReservoir #Boating #Hydroelectric #WaterRelease #FERC #Recreation

Clark County Public Works is encouraging residents to give their Halloween pumpkins a second life by composting them instead of sending them to landfills. Options include We Compost drop-off hubs, curbside yard debris or organics service, and backyard composting workshops through the Clark County Composter Recycler program. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/when-halloween-tricks-are-over-residents-can-treat-the-earth-by-composting-pumpkins/ #ClarkCounty #Composting #Sustainability #Halloween #PublicWorks #ClarkGreenNeighbors #Recycling #Pumpkins #EnvironmentalEducation #WasteReduction

The Clark County Council is set to hold a Nov. 18 hearing to consider adopting a five-year Local Homeless Housing Plan. Developed with the Council for the Homeless and supported by ECOnorthwest, the plan outlines local strategies to reduce homelessness through coordinated housing, services, and oversight. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-council-to-hold-hearing-on-local-homeless-plan/ #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #Housing #PublicHearing #CommunityServices #LocalGovernment #CouncilForTheHomeless #VancouverWA #HousingPolicy #ClarkCountyCouncil

Clark County Today’s latest poll asks voters to weigh in on the separation of powers between the County Council and County Manager. As Charter Review Commission candidates debate the balance of authority, residents can share whether they believe the system is working or needs reform. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-how-well-is-clark-countys-current-separation-of-powers-system-working-between-the-county-council-and-county-manager/ #ClarkCounty #Poll #Politics #SeparationOfPowers #CountyCouncil #CountyManager #CharterReview #LocalGovernment #Elections #PublicOpinion

Clark County Today continues its Charter Review Commission election series, highlighting candidates’ ideas on accountability and transparency in local government. From fiscal reviews to citizen committees and ethics reforms, candidates propose new measures to improve oversight and public trust. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/part-iii-charter-review-commission-oversight-and-accountability/ #ClarkCounty #Politics #CharterReview #Elections #Transparency #Accountability #LocalGovernment #Oversight #PublicTrust #ClarkCountyCouncil

C-TRAN board members received an update from the Interstate Bridge Replacement team showing light rail operations and maintenance costs dropping from $21.8 million to $10.3 million—but only because projected service to Vancouver was cut in half. Paul Valencia reports on local concerns over TriMet’s involvement and future funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/interstate-bridge-replacement-team-gives-update-to-c-tran-on-costs-associated-with-light-rail/ #CTRAN #VancouverWA #InterstateBridgeReplacement #LightRail #TriMet #Transportation #IBR #Camas #PublicTransit #Infrastructure

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center examines how Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program has become a regressive payroll tax, disproportionately burdening lower-wage workers while benefiting higher-income earners. She warns that lawmakers’ proposed rate increases could mean another hit to workers’ paychecks. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-pfml-used-by-those-with-upper-incomes-to-bring-all-workers-another-wage-decrease/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #PFML #PaidLeave #ElizabethNew #WorkerRights #Economics #LaborPolicy #WashingtonState #PublicPolicy

Clark and Klickitat counties are hosting free Drug Take-Back Day events Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at several drive-thru sites. ESD 112 and Prevent Coalition partner with local law enforcement and health agencies to promote safe medication disposal and prevent misuse. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-and-klickitat-counties-host-drug-take-back-events-to-promote-safe-disposal/ #ClarkCounty #KlickitatCounty #DrugTakeBackDay #ESD112 #PreventCoalition #PublicHealth #SubstancePrevention #OpioidAwareness #CommunitySafety #WashingtonState

Doug Dahl from The Wise Drive unpacks how Washington’s laws handle four-way stops, explaining why “first to arrive, first to go” isn’t exactly what the law says. He compares Newton’s gravity to driver rules, reminding us that being “almost right” is often good enough for safety. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-almost-right-about-four-way-stops/ #Opinion #TheWiseDrive #DougDahl #WashingtonState #TrafficSafety #FourWayStops #RightOfWay #DrivingTips #PublicSafety #TargetZero