The Columbian

New projects headed for Southwest Washington as lawmakers approve capital budget

The afternoon sun illuminates the Legislative Building, left, at the Capitol in Olympia in 2018. The Legislature on Wednesday approved a supplemental budget that capital budget that includes money for projects in Southwest Washington.

March 7, 2024, 8:35pm Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

Southwest Washington is about to get a makeover. Local lawmakers secured roughly $82 million for projects across the region in this year’s $1.3 billion supplemental capital budget, which was approved by both chambers Wednesday. It now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for approval. Read story

Gluesenkamp Perez introduces bill to expand free transportation to rural veterans seeking health care

Michael Lary, co-owner of the Source Climbing Center, joined Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on a 2023 visit in downtown Vancouver.

A program in Skamania County that provides rural veterans with free transportation to Veterans Affairs health facilities lost its funding recently, meaning veterans will need to pay for their own transportation to access critical care that can be difficult to find in rural communities. Read story

Christopher J. Withey, 39, appears in Clark County Superior Court on Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson, fourth-degree assault and three counts of felony harassment. The Vancouver man is accused of trying to set fire to Brickhouse Bar & Grill in downtown Vancouver on a busy Friday night.

Vancouver man in court in attempted arson case

March 4, 2024, 6:19pm Clark County News

A Vancouver man suspected of dumping gasoline and attempting to ignite a fire in the entrance of a popular downtown Vancouver bar and restaurant made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court. Read story

Leslie Lewallen, center, who is running as a Republican to represent the 3rd Congressional District, talks with supporters at her campaign headquarters in Camas on Friday afternoon.

3rd District candidate Leslie Lewallen opens office in Camas

March 2, 2024, 6:07am Clark County News

Supporters gathered Friday afternoon to help Leslie Lewallen decorate her campaign’s new offices in downtown Camas. Read story

Washington State Capitol in Olympia (Amanda Snyder/Crosscut)

GOP-backed citizen initiatives still in flux; state lawmakers have held hearings on 3 of 6 measures

March 1, 2024, 6:04am Latest News

As the legislative session draws to a close, bills are barreling toward Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for final approval. Six GOP-backed citizen initiatives, however, remain in flux. Read story

Observers look on as election coordinator Robert Easterly, foreground, conducts logic and accuracy tests before the March 12 presidential primary at the Clark County Elections Office. “It’s a proofing process that makes sure that everything’s correct,” Clark County Elections Director Cathie Garber said.

All systems go: Clark County Elections Office conducts logic, accuracy test ahead of presidential primary

February 29, 2024, 8:09pm Clark County News

Election offices in Washington are required by law to test their ballot counting equipment before every election and invite the public to observe. Typically, the tests generate little interest. This year, however, interest in election processes is growing as a contentious presidential election looms. Read story

17th District Legislators Sen. Lynda Wilson, Rep. Paul Harris, and Rep. Kevin Waters on Feb. 27, 2023.

Housing affordability dominates two town halls by legislators from 17th, 49th districts

February 24, 2024, 6:05am Clark County News

Housing affordability dominated the conversation at two legislative town halls this week, where lawmakers from the 49th and 17th Legislative districts took questions from constituents. Read story

Stories by Dylan Jefferies

Columbian staff writer