UPDATE: Davy Crockett owner gets four months in prison for oil spills
His efforts to salvage barge led to $22 million cleanup operation
An Ellensburg man was sentenced Monday to four months in prison for the botched salvage of a barge that spilled oil into the Columbia River near Camas. Bret A. Simpson, 53, owner of Principle Metals, pleaded guilty in July 2012 to illegally discharging oil in late 2010 and early 2011 from the Davy Crockett barge and failing to report it to authorities. The crimes spawned a 10-month, $22 million oil cleanup and salvage operation,paid for by taxpayers.
UPDATE: Former bodybuilder gets nine years for robberies, chase
Drug addict fled across state lines after thefts
A former bodybuilder was sentenced today in Clark County Superior Court to more than nine years in prison for a bistate crime spree June 20 that included two bank robberies, a high-speed chase and carjackings.
Ex-police officer tried in assault case
Former Washougal cop accused of punching mentally ill man in car
A former Washougal police officer was tried Thursday in Clark County District Court on an accusation he repeatedly punched a mentally ill man restrained in the back of his patrol car in July.
Two Vancouver men charged in Mexico-to-Washington drug ring
Hector M. Hernandez-Hernandez, 36, and Alberto Bernal-Rodriguez, 43, both of Vancouver, are among 13 defendants charged today with conspiracy to traffic large quantities of drugs from Mexico to Washington.
Former Skamania County auditor's hearing delayed
He may face jail time for not completing community service requirements
A hearing for a former Skamania County auditor accused of violating terms of his probation has been delayed until March 21.
Suspect in possibly gang-related attempted murder appears in court
A 30-year-old man appeared today in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of a possibly gang-related attempted murder of a man who was shot in the head Jan. 26 at downtown Vancouver's Econo Lodge.
Storro hopes to shed light on mental illness issues
Undiagnosed condition cited in suicide try, hoax
Bethany Storro has been accused of being an attention seeker, a racist and a scam artist. She purposefully damaged her face with drain cleaner in 2010 and then concocted a story about being attacked by a nonexistent black woman. Then, she accepted thousands of dollars in donations from people in the community who believed her story.
Starbucks stabbing suspect may have been motivated by religious extremism (with video)
Affidavit says he made statements about "his willingness to die for Islam"
A 55-year-old suspect in the stabbing of two people in a Starbucks coffee shop drive-thru at one of the busiest intersections in Clark County may have been motivated by religious extremism, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Oregon man who led police on high-speed chase gets 60 days
Deal enabled him to plead guilty to just one charge
An Oregon man who led police on a 12-mile, high-speed chase Feb. 27 between Fairview, Ore., and Vancouver was sentenced in Clark County Superior Court on Monday to 60 days in jail for taking a motor vehicle without permission.
Ex-auditor called back to court
Former Skamania County official failed to fulfill probation terms
A former Skamania County auditor, who pleaded guilty to shredding public documents, may face jail time for failing to complete the community service hours required under his probation.
Man pleads not guilty in drive-by
Alleged driver for shooting is charged as an accomplice
A Vancouver man pleaded not guilty Friday in Clark County Superior Court to being an accomplice in a drive-by shooting Jan. 26 in Orchards.
Man pleads guilty in burglary tied to murder case
A 23-year-old Vancouver man, who is linked with a local murder suspect, pleaded guilty Friday to burglarizing a Battle Ground home Sept. 24 and trafficking stolen property.
Man pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide of Woodland teen
A 20-year-old Battle Ground man pleaded not guilty today to a charge of vehicular homicide of a 17-year-old Woodland girl, who died in a Nov. 23 traffic collision on state Highway 502 while a passenger in his car.
Vancouver man linked to murder suspect pleads guilty to BG burglary
Samuel A. Scory, 23, of Vancouver pleaded guilty today to a Sept. 24 burglary in Battle Ground and a trafficking stolen property in exchange for reduced charges. He will be sentenced April 12.
Teen pleads not guilty in Orchards drive-by shooting
He allegedly fired shots at teen who failed to procure pot
Kevin T. Barsotti, 18, pleaded not guilty today to shooting at another teenage boy Jan. 26 after the boy failed to score marijuana for their group of friends.
Teen accused in Hockinson vehicular homicide appears in court
Bail set at $200,000 over concerns he might flee to Ukraine, where family members live
A Vancouver teenager appeared today in Clark County Superior Court on accusations of vehicular homicide in the death of a teenage friend early Tuesday and fleeing the crash scene east of Hockinson.
Same-sex couple's future in legal limbo
Visa issues plague two women who married in Vancouver in December
One of the first same-sex couples married in Clark County now faces uncertainty about whether they can legally remain together in the country.
Dance of honor & history
Annual pow-wow pays tribute to veterans, keeps Native American tradition thriving
When U.S. soldiers returned home from Vietnam, some were received with disapproval, if not outright hostility, said Vietnam veteran Arnold Littlehead of Vancouver.
Man pleads not guilty in rape, kidnap case
Woman alleges he bound, attacked her during break-up
A 34-year-old Vancouver man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he kidnapped, imprisoned and raped his married ex-lover after she broke up with him.
Mock trial addresses real issues
Local high school students stage domestic terrorism plot case
Federal prosecutors had to prove that Hutaree Jones, leader of a Sovereign Citizens group, masterminded a domestic terrorism plot to blow a hole in a ferry filled with 1,189 U.S. Navy officers and other passengers crossing the bay to Cedar, Wash.
Oregon man accused of bistate police chase appears in court
He is being held on $40,000 bail
Daniel Edstrom, 23, of Gresham faces charges in Clark County Superior Court of attempt to elude police and possession of a stolen vehicle at his March 14 arraignment. He faces similar charges in Oregon.
Man challenges validity of state constitution
Amboy resident says he shouldn't have to pay property taxes
An antigovernment activist has requested a jury trial in Clark County Superior Court to challenge the county's authority to foreclose on his Amboy home.
Man accused of being driver in drive-by shooting
Target, shooter were allegedly among friends hanging out
A Vancouver man, 21, appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court for allegedly being an accomplice in a drive-by shooting on Jan. 26 in Hazel Dell.
Driver in fatal collision appears in court
Battle Ground man faces vehicular homicide charge
A 20-year-old Battle Ground man appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court on an allegation that his reckless driving caused the death of a 17-year-old Woodland girl in a Nov. 23 traffic collision on state Highway 502.
Hopefuls emerge for Clark County bench job
Five have applied so far to succeed Judge Diane Woolard
At least five candidates are seeking to succeed retiring Judge Diane Woolard on the Clark County Superior Court bench.
Library district looks ahead
Agency aims to keep services ‘robust’ amid belt-tightening
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District stretches from Woodland to Goldendale and represents the community’s long-standing dedication to literacy.
County growing older and younger
Populations of kids, elders on the rise in family-oriented area
With a lower cost of living than the rest of the metro area, Clark County is an enclave of middle-class family life.
Hazel Dell teen accused in drive-by shooting
He allegedly fired at teen who failed to find them some pot
A Hazel Dell man, 19, is accused of shooting at the feet of another teen during a Jan. 26 marijuana run.
Vancouver man held, charged with rape, abduction
Alleged victim said she'd tried to end affair
A 34-year-old Vancouver man appeared Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court on accusations he abducted, imprisoned and raped his married ex-lover after she broke up with him.
Vancouver woman pleads not guilty in embezzlement case
Resident allegedly took $41,000 from nonprofit
A 36-year-old Vancouver woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court to allegations she embezzled more than $41,000 from a Vancouver nonprofit that offers dental services for low-income patients.
UPDATE: Getaway driver gets 10 years in Camas, other burglaries
Camas girl, 10, was home alone during one of the break-ins
Jacob Mattila, 19, of Amboy was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for driving a getaway vehicle in three Clark County burglaries. Mykel Bru, 25, of Vancouver, one of the burglars got 14 months.
Storro: 'In the mirror, I saw a … monster'
In TV interview, perpetrator of Vancouver acid hoax explains how mental illness led her to harm herself
A troubled young Vancouver woman, who attracted national attention after she purposefully damaged her face with drain cleaner, then concocted a story about being attacked, appeared Monday on ABC News' "Good Morning America" in her first broadcast interview since the 2010 incident.
Woman at center of 2010 acid hoax will appear on TV
Bethany Storro to discuss book she co-wrote on two ABC shows
A troubled young Vancouver woman who purposefully damaged her face with drain cleaner, then concocted a story about being attacked, is tentatively scheduled to discuss a book she wrote about her experience at 7 a.m. Monday on ABC's Good Morning America.
Men found guilty of burglarizing Camas house
Girl, 10, was home alone at the time; sentencing set for next week
A Clark County jury has convicted two men of burglarizing a Camas house on Oct. 16 where a 10-year-old girl was home alone.
Boy pleads guilty in rash of vandalism in Lincoln neighborhood
14-year-old faces up to nearly a year in juvenile detention
A 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty Thursday to a vandalism spree in December and January that left several Lincoln neighborhood businesses with broken windows and other damage.
Portland cop sentenced to work crew for threatening wife's boyfriend
James Botaitis, 40, pleaded guilty today to gross misdemeanor harassment and possession of a deadly weapon for threatening his estranged wife's live-in boyfriend. The victim is a registered sex offender.
Camas girl takes stand in burglary trial
She was home alone during break-in, called 911
The jury trial of two men accused of a string of burglaries, including one at a Camas home where a 10-year-old girl was home alone, began Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court.
Homeowner pleads not guilty to killing teen
He claims shooting was self-defense
Sean H. Doucette, 27, of Vancouver claims that Iosif Dumitrash was a car prowler and that he shot the teen in self-defense.
Jury convicts Wellers in child abuse case
Both parents convicted on majority of counts
A Clark County Superior Court jury has convicted Jeffrey and Sandra Weller on a majority of the charges after a week-long child abuse trial.
Large quantity of meth leads to prison term
Vancouver man says he was packaging drugs to return to their owner
A 26-year-old man was sentenced Thursday to 20 months in prison for having more than two kilograms of methamphetamine in his Vancouver apartment.
Teen sentenced to nearly a year's confinement for November crime spree
A Vancouver teen is sentenced to 340 days of confinement for November property crime spree in St. Johns and state Highway 500 areas. He tagged at least 21 vehicles, slashed tires on seven and did other crimes.
Jury deliberates child imprisonment, starvation and beating case
Twelve-member jury considers more than a dozen charges in Vancouver parents accused of imprisoning, starving and beating their adopted twins.
Transient accused of raping woman, 80
Suspect makes court appearance
A 44-year-old transient man appeared today in Clark County Superior Court on accusations that he raped and imprisoned an 80-year-old Vancouver woman.
Wellers deny twins were beaten, starved
Jury to begin deliberations Friday
Sandra Weller took the stand today to deny charges she and husband Jeffrey Weller imprisoned, starved and beat their adopted teenage twins in their east Vancouver home.
Forensic scientist, child abuse expert testify in Weller trial
Doctor says children had scars, were underweight
A forensic scientist testified Wednesday that blood stains on the end of a piece of scrap lumber allegedly used by Jeffrey Weller to repeatedly beat his adopted twins match the DNA of the twin boy.
Twin testifies about alleged abuse, starvation, imprisonment
Adoptive parents on trial in child abuse case
A Child Protective Services investigator testified today that 16-year-old adopted twins were very thin and had dark, sunken eyes when she saw them on Oct. 7, 2011, during a welfare check at the Weller home in East Vancouver's North Hearthwood neighborhood.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Woolard will retire
Judge Diane Woolard, who has been off work since Nov. 20 for health reasons, plans to retire March 31.
Details emerge in child-imprisonment trial
Vancouver couple accused of abusing adopted twins
When investigators crossed the threshold of Jeffrey and Sandra Weller’s home to do a welfare check on Oct. 7, 2011, the tidy living room appeared to be a model of suburban family life. But as officers stepped into other rooms in the North Hearthwood house, they began to see signs of something more sinister, said Clark County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dustin Richardson.
Skyview freshman sentenced for chemical incident
Boy, 14, also sentenced for selling marijuana
A Skyview High School freshman was sentenced Friday to 15 days in Clark County Juvenile Detention for bringing a toxic mixture of chemicals to school on Jan. 24 and exposing other students and staff.
Vancouver man, 73, gets 23 years for wife's murder
Judge applies maximum sentence, considering woman’s plea to live
Victor W. Frye, 73, is sentenced to the maximum for shooting his wife over a monetary dispute related to their pending divorce.
