Rye Dilley, a Tukes Valley Middle School student entering eighth grade, revived a defunct Battle Ground Public Schools district newspaper as a student-driven digital magazine — assembling the first 30-page issue in under six weeks alongside a team of about a dozen students. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/tukes-valley-middle-school-student-leads-school-district-news-magazine/ #BattleGround #StudentJournalism #YouthMedia #BattleGroundPublicSchools #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #YourBattleGroundPublicSchools #TukesValley #LocalNews

Washington's Small Business Optimism Index sits at 94.5 — four points below the national average. NFIB data show 19 percent of Washington owners cite labor costs as their top problem, more than double the 8.5 percent national rate, while government regulation and taxes also register far higher than peer states. Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth breaks down what the numbers mean for workers, communities, and state revenue. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-nfib-report-shows-washington-small-businesses-are-feeling-the-pinch-of-labor-costs-regulations-and-high-taxes/ #WashingtonState #SmallBusiness #NFIB #LaborCosts #Taxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Olympia #BusinessPolicy #Opinion #Columns

More than 8,200 people experienced homelessness in Clark County in 2025, including over 2,300 children. The Council for the Homeless annual report documents small but fragile gains in shelter stays and housing stability, while warning that rising costs and tapering federal relief continue to outpace available resources. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/council-for-the-homeless-releases-2025-annual-homeless-response-report/ #ClarkCounty #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #CFTH #Vancouver #WashingtonState #HomelessResponse #AffordableHousing

Clark County's Charter Review Commission voted Wednesday to send all 10 proposed amendments to the November 2026 general election ballot. The amendments include a supermajority requirement for new county taxes, a three-consecutive-term limit for county councilors, and a reduction in initiative signature requirements from 10 percent to 8 percent. Commission Chair Brandon Erickson called the vote a reflection of careful, deliberate review of the county's basic governing document. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-charter-review-commission-passes-10-amendments-to-head-to-general-election/ #ClarkCounty #CharterReview #ClarkCountyPolitics #WashingtonState #CountyGovernment #November2026 #LocalGovernment

Vancouver resident Sharon Nasset makes the case that removing the I-5 bridges is unnecessary — arguing seismic upgrades are feasible, a supplemental bridge one mile west could add capacity, and a second BNSF lift could reduce bridge raises by 95%. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/letter-why-are-we-removing-the-i-5-bridges/ #I5Bridge #ColumbiaRiver #IBR #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Transportation #Opinion #BridgeReplacement #WashingtonState #PacificNorthwest

---

A wetland at the headwaters of Cougar Creek — ditched and drained more than a century ago — has been fully restored at Clark County's 78th Street Heritage Farm. The $4 million project features eight wetland cells and a 35-foot native plant buffer designed to improve water quality, recharge groundwater, and support salmon habitat in the Salmon Creek Watershed. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/community-celebrates-completion-of-wetland-restoration-at-countys-78th-street-heritage-farm/ #ClarkCounty #HeritageFarm #WetlandRestoration #CougarCreek #SalmonHabitat #Vancouver #WashingtonState #PublicWorks #Conservation #Environment

The ramp from southbound I-5 to southbound I-205 at Exit 7 in Vancouver closes Friday, July 10 at 10 p.m. through Saturday at 8 p.m. for pavement repairs and striping. All southbound I-205 lanes between the I-5/I-205 split and Exit 36 at Northeast 134th Street will also close. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/southbound-i-5-to-i-205-connection-closes-for-paving-work-in-vancouver-july-10-11/ #I5 #I205 #Vancouver #WSDOTTraffic #ClarkCounty #RoadClosure #Washington #TrafficAlert

Battle Ground is accepting grant applications for 2027 tourism programs, with funding available for special events, marketing, and operations designed to bring visitors to the city. Applications are due August 31 at 5 p.m. Finance Director Meagan Lowery is the point of contact. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/city-of-battle-ground-offering-2027-tourism-grants/ #BattleGround #ClarkCounty #TourismGrants #LodgingTax #WashingtonState #LocalBusiness #VisitBattleGround

Motorcyclists made up 16 percent of Washington traffic fatalities over the last five years, despite being involved in just 3 percent of all crashes. Law enforcement agencies across Clark County will run High Visibility Enforcement patrols from July 10 through July 26, targeting dangerous behaviors by both riders and drivers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/increased-motorcycle-safety-patrols-coming-to-clark-county-july-10-26/ #TargetZero #MotorcycleSafety #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #TrafficSafety #RideSafeRideOn

Clark County Sheriff's Office deputy Patrick Morgan, 32, died June 30 after a nearly two-year battle with stage IV colon cancer. A husband, father of two, Army veteran, and dedicated deputy, Morgan continued reporting to work throughout his illness. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/ccso-deputy-dies-after-nearly-two-year-battle-with-cancer/ #CCSO #ClarkCounty #PatrickMorgan #LawEnforcement #FallenDeputy #WashingtonState #FirstResponders