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Tuesday,  April 23 , 2024
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Stories by Jessica Prokop

Columbian Local News Editor

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Felicia Adams listens Wednesday during sentencing for her and her husband, Jesse Franks, at the Clark County Courthouse. The pair were found guilty of homicide by abuse and second-degree murder in the 2020 starvation death of their adopted 15-year-old son, Karreon Franks, after a two-week trial in October.

Karreon Franks’ adoptive parents sentenced to decades in prison for his murder

Felicia Adams listens Wednesday during sentencing for her and her husband, Jesse Franks, at the Clark County Courthouse. The pair were found guilty of homicide by abuse and second-degree murder in the 2020 starvation death of their adopted 15-year-old son, Karreon Franks, after a two-week trial in October.

December 6, 2023, 1:44pm Clark County News

With tears welling in her eyes, Judge Suzan Clark on Wednesday sentenced the adoptive mother and father of a 15-year-old boy they starved to death to 35 years and 30 years in prison, respectively. Read story

Abe Lepak speaks to the media after five people were killed Sunday in an apparent murder-suicide in his Orchards neighborhood, according to the Clark County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office, as seen Monday morning.

Shooter kills wife, adult daughters and brother before turning gun on himself in apparent murder-suicide in Orchards

Abe Lepak speaks to the media after five people were killed Sunday in an apparent murder-suicide in his Orchards neighborhood, according to the Clark County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office, as seen Monday morning.

December 4, 2023, 3:15pm Clark County News

A man shot his wife, their two adult daughters and his adult brother before turning the gun on himself, leaving five dead Sunday in an Orchards house. The apparent murder-suicide shocked neighbors who said the family was friendly but largely kept to themselves. Read story

Five people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide at a home in Orchards, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office, as seen Monday morning, Dec. 4, 2023.

Five family members killed in apparent murder-suicide at Orchards home, say Clark County deputies

Five people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide at a home in Orchards, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office, as seen Monday morning, Dec. 4, 2023.

December 3, 2023, 9:59pm Clark County News

Five family members were fatally shot in an apparent murder-suicide Sunday afternoon at an Orchards home. Read story

Electronic storage detection K-9 Hota takes a break at the Vancouver Police Department's West Precinct.

Vancouver Police K-9 Hota has a nose for detection, sniffs out electronic storage devicesvideo icon

Electronic storage detection K-9 Hota takes a break at the Vancouver Police Department's West Precinct.

November 29, 2023, 6:07am Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

The Vancouver Police Department’s newest K-9 officer sat near the door of a room at the department’s West Precinct. The sweet-faced black Labrador retriever looked to his partner for direction. Read story

The Clark County Medical Examiner Office identified Joanna Speaks, 32, of Oregon, as the person found dead April 8 at an abandoned property in Ridgefield.

Portland police take over homicide case of woman found dead in Ridgefield

The Clark County Medical Examiner Office identified Joanna Speaks, 32, of Oregon, as the person found dead April 8 at an abandoned property in Ridgefield.

November 27, 2023, 4:42pm Clark County News

The Portland Police Bureau has taken control of a homicide investigation for a woman whose body was found in April at an abandoned property in Ridgefield. Read story

(IStock.com)

Pedestrian killed Monday identified as 76-year-old Vancouver man

(IStock.com)

November 16, 2023, 3:24pm Clark County News

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified a 76-year-old Vancouver man as the pedestrian who was struck and killed Monday in a crosswalk near the intersection of East Mill Plain Boulevard and V Street. Read story

Clark County is considering establishing a public defenders office rather than contracting with local attorneys to provide for indigent defense. At left, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik appears in Clark County Superior court in 2022.

Clark County Council approves $3 million in ARPA funds to start public defenders office

Clark County is considering establishing a public defenders office rather than contracting with local attorneys to provide for indigent defense. At left, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik appears in Clark County Superior court in 2022.

November 15, 2023, 6:07am Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

After many starts and stops and years of input from attorneys and court and county officials, Clark County is getting a public defense office. Read story

(The Columbian files)

Police respond to shooting at Vancouver Clinic administration office parking lot in east Vancouver

(The Columbian files)

November 7, 2023, 8:31am Clark County News Free

Police are investigating after a man was shot Tuesday morning in the parking lot of the Vancouver Clinic offices in east Vancouver’s Parkside neighborhood. Read story

Defendants Felicia Adams, right, and Jesse Franks, left, stand as the jury enters the room Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at the Clark County Courthouse. The jury found the pair guilty of homicide by abuse and murder in the 2020 death of their adopted son Karreon Franks.

Clark County jury convicts adoptive parents of homicide by abuse, murder in Vancouver boy’s starvation death

Defendants Felicia Adams, right, and Jesse Franks, left, stand as the jury enters the room Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at the Clark County Courthouse. The jury found the pair guilty of homicide by abuse and murder in the 2020 death of their adopted son Karreon Franks.

October 27, 2023, 5:06pm Clark County News

A Clark County jury Friday convicted two adoptive parents of homicide by abuse and second-degree murder in the starvation death of their 15-year-old son — after a chaotic morning in which the defense moved for a mistrial. Read story

Jesse Franks, 58, left, and Felicia Adams, 54, talk before court as attorney Jeff Sowder works nearby at the Clark County Courthouse.

Adoptive parents testify in death of disabled Vancouver boy, say they never withheld food as punishment

Jesse Franks, 58, left, and Felicia Adams, 54, talk before court as attorney Jeff Sowder works nearby at the Clark County Courthouse.

October 26, 2023, 6:59pm Clark County News

Both adoptive parents on trial for murder and abuse in their 15-year-old Vancouver son’s November 2020 starvation death took the witness stand Thursday. Read story