Ridgefield’s Fourth of July festival returns with all-day events including a fun run, live music, food, crafts, a parade, and more. Organizers expect around 5,000 people to attend the community celebration honoring Independence Day. https://clarkcountytoday.com/people/ridgefield-to-once-again-host-fourth-of-july-celebration/ #RidgefieldWA #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #RidgefieldParade #RidgefieldFestival #FunRun #LiveMusic #OverlookPark #CommunityEvent

The 142nd Wing will mark Independence Day with regional flyovers, including Ridgefield at 11 a.m. Pilots flying F-15 Eagles will honor the sacrifice of U.S. service members with a tribute across Northwest skies. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/142nd-wing-to-conduct-independence-day-flyovers/ #IndependenceDay #F15Flyover #142ndWing #OregonAirGuard #RidgefieldWA #MilitaryTribute #ColMcAllister #AirNationalGuard #FlyoverSchedule

Washington ranks among the most expensive states for childcare, with married couples spending up to 13% of income and single parents paying over 40%. WalletHub’s new report highlights economic and regulatory pressures driving costs. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/report-washington-state-has-3rd-highest-childcare-costs-in-the-us/ #WashingtonState #ChildcareCosts #WalletHub #CarleenJohnson #TheCenterSquare #SingleParents #HB1648 #CostOfLiving #ChildCareCrisis

Pam Lewison with Washington Policy Center uses Fourth of July cookout data to examine regional food costs and spotlight the struggles facing American farmers. Her opinion piece urges renewed appreciation for agriculture's national importance. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-emphasize-the-need-for-agriculture/ #FourthOfJuly #FoodCosts #WashingtonPolicyCenter #PamLewison #CookoutPrices #AgricultureMatters #AmericanFarmBureau #PotatoSaladPrices #GroundBeef

Heads up for Ridgefield-area drivers: WSDOT will close three off-ramps on northbound I-5 July 8–9 for testing of wrong-way driving detection systems. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/plan-ahead-for-ramp-closures-on-i-5-near-ridgefield-july-8-9/ #I5Closures #WSDOT #RidgefieldTraffic #WrongWayDetection #TransportationUpdate #ClarkCounty

Washington has unveiled a new wildlife connectivity action plan to reduce collisions and reconnect critical habitat. Developed by WDFW and WSDOT, the strategy identifies key road segments and statewide wildlife corridors, aiming to improve both public safety and ecosystem resilience. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/new-state-plan-aims-to-reconnect-washington-wildlife-make-roads-safer/ #WAHCAP #WDFW #WSDOT #WildlifeCorridors #HabitatConnectivity #ClimateResilience #WashingtonWildlife #RoadSafety #ConservationPlanning #ArcGIS

In his latest column, Lars Larson takes aim at Portland City Hall’s response to the failed state transportation bill, calling the panic over a 2 percent funding loss overblown. He urges officials to tighten their belts and fix the roads. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-oh-the-humanity/ #LarsLarson #Opinion #PortlandPolitics #PBOT #StreetMaintenance #TransportationBill #BudgetShortfall #NorthwestNonsense #PortlandCityHall #Potholes

In this letter to the editor, Vancouver resident Wynn Grcich questions Clark County’s public health leadership and expresses concern over vaccines, fluoridation, and transparency. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-inquiring-minds-want-to-know/ #LetterToTheEditor #ClarkCounty #PublicHealth #Vaccines #Fluoride #Opinion #WynnGrcich #Melnick #COVIDConcerns #FluoridationDebate

A taxpayer-funded hotline in Washington allows residents — including illegal immigrants — to report U.S. citizens for legally protected speech. Critics warn the new system, launched by the Attorney General’s office, could chill First Amendment rights and expand government surveillance. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-hotline-allows-illegal-immigrants-to-report-u-s-citizens-for-first-amendment-activity/ #FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment #WashingtonAG #BiasHotline #SB5427 #GovernmentOverreach #PublicSurveillance #JavierValdez #CatalinaVelasquez #FIRE

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is renewing its call for help in finding Robert “Bob” Sarkkinen, missing since May 2018 in the Battle Ground area. His family is offering a $5,000 reward. Detectives say foul play is not suspected, but they’re urging the public to come forward with any information. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/family-offers-5000-reward-for-information-regarding-missing-person/ #MissingPerson #ClarkCountySheriff #BattleGroundWA #RobertSarkkinen #RewardOffered #PublicAssistance #UnsolvedCases #MajorCrimesUnit #MissingSince2018 #HelpFindBob