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Stories by Alexis Weisend

Columbian staff reporter

A for sale sign sits outside a vacant building on Northeast 94th Avenue on Aug. 21 in Vancouver, where the city plans to construct a 150-bed homeless shelter.

Clark County Council votes to give $4.85 million to Vancouver shelter project — if it’s legal

A for sale sign sits outside a vacant building on Northeast 94th Avenue on Aug. 21 in Vancouver, where the city plans to construct a 150-bed homeless shelter.

February 20, 2025, 12:43pm Clark County News

The Clark County Council approved a motion Wednesday to allocate $4.85 million from the combined use of mental health sales tax funds and opioid settlement funds toward the city of Vancouver’s plans for a large homeless shelter in the Van Mall neighborhood — if it’s legal and the money is… Read story

Clark County reopened its Down Payment Assistance program Tuesday after the program’s first funding allocation ran out within a month.

Clark County makes up to $60,000 in down payment help available to qualifying homebuyers

Clark County reopened its Down Payment Assistance program Tuesday after the program’s first funding allocation ran out within a month.

February 18, 2025, 1:36pm Business

Up to $60,000 in down payment assistance is now available for some first-time homebuyers in Clark County — an opportunity that may become increasingly rare. Read story

Local immigration attorney Mercedes Riggs said people have flocked to her office for help amid the recent onslaught of immigration-related executive orders.

‘This is not being paranoid’: Immigrants in Clark County fearful of mass deportation threats

Local immigration attorney Mercedes Riggs said people have flocked to her office for help amid the recent onslaught of immigration-related executive orders.

February 15, 2025, 6:13am Clark County News

those both with and without documentation — are terrified of the mass deportations that President Donald Trump has promised. Read story

State Sens. Adrian Cortes, from left, and Paul Harris and Reps. John Ley and David Stuebe.

Clark County’s freshman lawmakers introduce bills that reflect campaign promises

State Sens. Adrian Cortes, from left, and Paul Harris and Reps. John Ley and David Stuebe.

February 15, 2025, 6:12am Clark County News

Freshman legislators from Clark County are finding their footing in Olympia. They have introduced bills aimed at health, education and the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project. Read story

Roy Wilson (The Columbian files)

Former Cowlitz Indian Tribe chairman and spiritual leader Roy Wilson, 97, dies

Roy Wilson (The Columbian files)

February 14, 2025, 2:40pm Clark County News

Former Cowlitz Indian Tribe chairman and spiritual leader Roy Wilson died early Tuesday morning at age 97, just days before the 25th anniversary of the tribe’s federal recognition on Thursday. Read story

Superior Court Judge Emily Sheldrick presides over the unlawful detainer docket Thursday afternoon at the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. Clark County once again has the highest number of eviction filings per capita in the state. Attorneys and judges warn they won’t be able to keep up if the rising case load continues.

Clark County again has highest eviction rate per capita in Washington and it shows no signs of slowing

Superior Court Judge Emily Sheldrick presides over the unlawful detainer docket Thursday afternoon at the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. Clark County once again has the highest number of eviction filings per capita in the state. Attorneys and judges warn they won’t be able to keep up if the rising case load continues.

February 11, 2025, 6:10am Business

For the second consecutive year, Clark County had the highest per capita rate of eviction filings of any Washington county in 2024, according to Washington Administrative Office of the Courts data. Read story

The winter sun casts shadows of Sebastian Stoecker, 3, of Vancouver, left, as he plays with his mom, Bailey Stoecker, at Esther Short Park on Jan. 23. Stoecker struggles to pay her bills despite working full time as a caregiver.

‘It never seems to be enough’: Clark County residents earning a bit over minimum wage struggle to pay bills, stave off homelessness

The winter sun casts shadows of Sebastian Stoecker, 3, of Vancouver, left, as he plays with his mom, Bailey Stoecker, at Esther Short Park on Jan. 23. Stoecker struggles to pay her bills despite working full time as a caregiver.

February 8, 2025, 6:14am Business

Although Washington’s minimum wage went up to $16.66 an hour Jan. 1, Clark County workers earning that — and even a bit more — describe triaging bills and bunking with other families to make ends meet. Read story

Tents line West 11th Street in downtown Vancouver in summer 2024. While Vancouver has not changed its policies on homeless camping in the wake of Grants Pass, ore.

Battle Ground the latest city in Southwest Washington to ban unlawful camping on public property

Tents line West 11th Street in downtown Vancouver in summer 2024. While Vancouver has not changed its policies on homeless camping in the wake of Grants Pass, ore.

February 4, 2025, 1:36pm Clark County News

The city of Battle Ground is the latest Southwest Washington jurisdiction to ban unlawful camping on public property since a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it easier to do so. Read story

Yacolt Republican Joe Kent has been nominated to lead the National Counterterrorism Center.

Trump nominates Joe Kent as director of National Counterterrorism Center

Yacolt Republican Joe Kent has been nominated to lead the National Counterterrorism Center.

February 3, 2025, 8:11pm Clark County News

President Donald Trump has nominated Yacolt Republican Joe Kent, who lost two bids to represent Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, to become director of the National Counterterrorism Center. Read story

Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Elementary, right, is next to Vancouver Art Hub, where the city of Vancouver operates a winter homeless shelter.

Large number of families, children stay at winter shelter next to Vancouver elementary school

Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Elementary, right, is next to Vancouver Art Hub, where the city of Vancouver operates a winter homeless shelter.

February 3, 2025, 6:10am Clark County News

Since the city of Vancouver opened a winter shelter next to an elementary school in mid-December, it’s been packed with an unexpectedly high proportion of families with young children, staff say. Read story