Clark College collects career fashions for job-hunting students
Bring on the fancy duds. But hold the mile-high shoulder pads, please.
Can mental health treatment help halt gun violence?
Earlier intervention is welcome, local experts say, but such help is no panacea for mass shootings that have plagued nation
Build a better, tighter, more diligent mental health system and it likely will catch troubled people who otherwise might have gone ballistic -- literally.
Vancouver charity the Giving Closet helps the very poor
Midtown Vancouver isn't exactly the slums of Calcutta. But when Denise Currie was on a church mission in India in the late 1990s, her mission leader passed along this message, which came straight from the lips of Mother Teresa: "There is poverty in America, too. You need to stay home and serve the ones in your own backyard."
Agency on aging fields criticism
State looking into a complaint alleging deadly lack of safety
A complaint filed with the state against the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities alleges that bad management practices, unwieldy bureaucracy and a hostile work environment have led to unsafe conditions, and at least one death, among the agency's elderly and disabled clients.
Alumnae return to The Academy for fun, future
Women remember good times, contemplate plans for historic Vancouver building
The laughter and fun probably weren't much different decades ago.
Serendipity Players tackles area black history in white America
Theater scene's lack of diversity with play that takes unflinching look at black experience in U.S.
Barriers to theater are the same as barriers to mainstream American life. If your skin is dark or you don't speak the King's English, if you're disabled, or older, or gay, or otherwise "different" — you may find the curtain essentially closed.
"In White America" seasoned with local recollections
What's it been like for blacks to live in Vancouver and Portland — that is, "In White America"?
Recuperated owl flies free at lake
The call came Nov. 26 to Arden and Sherry Hagen: An owl was perched in a tree in downtown Vancouver. The Hagens, members of the board of the Vancouver Audubon Society, spotted the big bird just overhead at the corner of 11th and Main streets.
It takes a community to raise a barn
A shop fire draws together people John Matson helped
John Matson stood back and trembled with emotion while dozens of people scurried around his Hockinson property, trying to replace the irreplaceable.
Data on Community Services Northwest clients missing
Computer with personal, health-related notes may have been gone 3 months
A laptop computer that went missing from a local nonprofit agency contains personal and health-related information of as many as 2,400 current and former clients.
Personal data goes missing from local nonprofit
Laptop computer contained personal, health information for mental health clients
Computer discovered missing on Dec. 6; legal 60-day notification arrives
Help and healing for homeless at outreach event
Annual event offers medical care, job assistance and a touch of comfort
Good news for Kimberly Fling: Type 2 diabetes hasn't damaged her eyes. Fling is 20, pregnant, and homeless; she and her husband are staying with his mother. "For now," she said.
Vancouver Women's Foundation helps women in dire straits
One was a domestic violence survivor who needed to get out of town -- immediately. The Vancouver Women's Foundation paid for her bus fare to safe relatives in another part of the country, where she could start life over again.
Volunteers help in many ways on MLK Day of Service
Teenagers Kendall Record, Frances Calvin and Kaliyah Davis spent Monday morning digging junk out of a dry roadside ditch in Blandford Canyon, the steep north-south furrow that cuts through Vancouver's Heights neighborhoods.
Across Clark County, the King Day of Service lasts for a long weekend
Indoors and out, volunteers can lend their strengths and talents
The birthday of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., became a federal holiday in 1983. It took another decade for a federal law to create the King Day of Service — honoring the slain activist by encouraging all Americans to get busy helping out in their own communities.
Local nonprofits find volunteers scarce after holiday rush
They seek more people who can help year-round
Since Christmas Day, the volunteer hotline at Share has been "dead."
Deal on 'fiscal cliff' brings IRA benefit to elders, charities
The deal that saved America from toppling over that cliff -- you know the one -- includes a short-lived tax advantage for senior citizens and the charities they support.
Rotary to show film, foster discussion about peace
Tom Shadyac was a successful comedian, director and Hollywood goofball — the mastermind behind cinematic classics like "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" — when accumulated head injuries and a bad bicycle accident turned his whole life upside down.
The Arc chooses Piper as director
Ex-community services chief to head agency fordevelopmentally disabled
Michael Piper has been hired as the new executive director of financially ailing The Arc of Southwest Washington. Piper, who has worked as Clark County's director of community services and as Vancouver's sustainability coordinator, begins the job Feb. 1.
2012: The Year Through Your Lens
Reader-submitted photos give glimpse into neighborly spirit
Our readers are quite the shutterbugs.
Bits and Pieces: Novel idea born from mind crime
Mel Sanders emerged from a Sifton convenience store and stopped in front of a car that was ripe for the picking. Door open, keys in the ignition, motor running -- and no driver in sight.
Railroad Earth rumbles into Portland
Bluegrass-steeped band sets 3-night run at Crystal Ballroom
Amid the spitfire fiddle and flatpick guitar solos, the sparkling mandolin accompaniment, the heavy-duty drumming and soulful, soaring vocals, it’s easy to miss the bass that anchors Railroad Earth.
Torn apart by drug abuse, family now reunited in recovery
Local couple describe pain of losing children, long rebuilding process
Worst of all was the silence.
Bigger grants will attack inherited poverty in county
Gates gift inspires new focus on early education and "wraparound" services
Poverty that drags families down generation after generation is the target of a new round of expanded grants offered to Clark County nonprofits by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.
Family, friends celebrate life of Valree Joshua
African-American educator, organizer, volunteer died Dec. 3 at 92
"Sweet baby, we all have it within us to stand up and make the world a better place."
Website blows whistle on alleged tissue scam
West-side neighbors say survey takers try to gain entry to homes
Word is spreading among west-side neighbors regarding what seems like a blatant scam involving … tissues.
Salvation Army finds space to sort donations this season
December always is a busy, bustling month for the Salvation Army. Food for the hungry, toys for needy children and all sorts of other donated stuff passes through the organization's hands. So far this year, according to business manager Steve Rusk, 700 families have signed up with the Salvation Army to receive toy packs for Christmas.
Fundraising goal closer for Share
McClaskey Foundation gives $50,000 to program
An intergenerational team of Vancouver power brokers on Friday lent their stature to the final drive to finish and pay off Share's future headquarters in central Vancouver.
Walk & Knock's new president hopes for big year
Donation bag for annual Clark County food drive in today's Columbian
Roxie Olsen grew up going to food banks. "I come from an impoverished background, and we did participate in food banks here in Clark County," she said.
Big gift from Big Al: home for abuse survivors
Bowling center owner, wife pay for half of duplex
If you called it Big Al's Refuge, you wouldn't be wrong.
Local travelers find selves in line of fire
Church group was in Jerusalem when hostilities broke out
They expected to be moved and inspired, and they were. They didn't expect the worry, warnings and a quick getaway.
Give thanks for free meals
Local restaurants, groups offer companionship in addition to turkey
Here's our updated listing of free Thanksgiving meals that are being offered in Clark County on Thursday. Whether you're in need of food or just holiday companionship, these doors are open to you.n Chronis' Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Vancouver will offer its traditional holiday dinner from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted as always by restaurateur Chuck Chronis and his friend, Superior Court Judge Rich Melnick. The free meal is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 819 Main St. Full turkey dinner with vegetables, mashed potatoes, dessert, milk, coffee and tea are on tap. All are welcome.
Warm words for wet days
Here's a list of great reads that'll keep you cozy this winter
Days are colder. Nights are longer. TV is dumber, ever dumber.
Bits 'n' pieces: Spinning gold from his apartment
If you're driving around Stockford Village -- that's 99th Street just west of Interstate 5 -- try spinning your radio dial all the way up to AM 1700.
Stepping up to combat hunger, homelessness
Outreach groups share information at 'Get the Facts' meet
Eric Olmsted used to think he understood what homelessness must be like.
Thanksgiving meals being served
Several groups begin offering free dinners around area
Thanksgiving will come early for some Clark County residents. For most others the big day is, as always, the fourth Thursday in November.
Grants grow a greener Vancouver
Vancouver Watersheds Alliance program pays to build raised garden beds at Wy'east Middle School as part of goal to clean up groundwater
The lonely, empty courtyard of Wy'east Middle School is looking a little happier -- and healthier -- these days.
WHO concert supports the homeless
Organization provides shelter beds for those who need them during the winter
One musical night can make a difference all winter long. Especially when it brings in thousands of dollars to help keep people off the cold streets overnight.
Clark County Food Bank staff try living on food stamps
Challenge being held in observance of Homeless Awareness Week
Audrey and Connor Williams are living on a food budget of $8 a day. For both of them.
Adoptive parents value sibling bonds
3 brothers among those they have brought into Vancouver family
Life for Trina and Forest Anders used to be so quiet. Their adult children were grown and gone, their youngest daughter was well behaved and mellow.
Sandy relief expedition beset by nor'easter
Clark County Red Cross volunteers find flexibility is necessary in face of changing conditions
Randy Anderson and Wendy Parmeter spent six days driving a Red Cross emergency response vehicle from Vancouver to New York City, where they intended to get busy with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
Clothing drive keeps Arc afloat
Nonprofit agency makes progress with budget woes
Three hundred and forty thousand pounds of donated clothing isn't exactly a million. But it's still a huge haul for the Arc of Southwest Washington.
What's Up With That? Unsecured loads are largely illegal, but …
At the intersection of Southeast 192nd Avenue and state Highway 14, there is an active gravel pit. Trucks leave the pit and enter Highway 14 without their loads covered. Isn't this against state law? There is frequently a state police truck enforcement vehicle at the intersection of 164th and Highway 14, yet I have never seen a truck with an uncovered load stopped.
Saving lives on the border
Clark County volunteers trod Arizona desert carrying food, water for undocumented aliens sneaking into U.S. from Mexico
A little white cross in the Arizona desert marks the last resting place of a 13-year-old girl from Mexico. She died of dehydration while trying to sneak into the United States. She was separated from her parents along the way. Nobody knows what happened to the parents.
Students' rendition of Romeo is groovy
High school is so full of over-the-top comedy and depths-of-your-soul tragedy, it's really just like Shakespeare.
Unfinished Hazel Dell development a nightmare for residents
Robert Freedman and Robert Holczer have spent years staring at a construction site in limbo.
Faith community discusses homelessness solutions
Local effort aims to offer help beyond emergency shelter
There are approximately 2,000 homeless people in Clark County, according to the last annual count undertaken by the Council for the Homeless.
Speaker: Defend the right to vote
'Get everybody to the polls,' NAACP convention is told
With barely two weeks until Election Day, a prominent civil rights lawyer urged black people in Vancouver to unleash the power of their influence by voting -- and by making sure their entire community votes.
Brokenhearted Sikhs await fire answers
Community has decisions to make after unfinished temple is destroyed
Tragic accident, or racist hatred?
Van plan aims to get seniors moving
VHA, volunteer work to aid downtown denizens with transportation issues
Lorraine Harrington is shy but cheerful by nature. Sometimes she closes her apartment door and keeps to herself. But she really loves putting on a big smile and hitting the town.
