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Photo of Jessica Prokop

Stories by Jessica Prokop

Columbian Local News Editor

An incarcerated fire crew member assists with a controlled burn in this undated photo.

Plan to move Larch Corrections Center firefighters to Longview on hold

An incarcerated fire crew member assists with a controlled burn in this undated photo.

September 28, 2023, 7:40pm Clark County News

The Washington Department of Corrections says it will hold off on moving Larch Corrections Center firefighters to a reentry center in Longview when the minimum-security prison is set to close next month, leaving Southwest Washington without a nearby inmate firefighting crew. Read story

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

Vancouver woman sentenced for helping boyfriend flee shooting of estranged husband

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

September 25, 2023, 5:11pm Clark County News

A Vancouver woman was sentenced Monday to spend 30 days on the county work crew for helping her boyfriend flee a March shooting at a Hazel Dell apartment complex. Read story

Vancouver fire marshal lifts recreational burn ban

September 23, 2023, 5:12am Clark County News

Due to recent rains and anticipated cooler weather, Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli lifted the recreational burn ban within city limits effective this morning. Read story

A patch from Fire District 3 is pictured in Hockinson on Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, 2020.

Clark County Fire District 3’s fire chief seeks community’s feedback on levy

A patch from Fire District 3 is pictured in Hockinson on Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, 2020.

September 22, 2023, 6:01am Clark County News

Clark County Fire District 3’s fire chief wants to hear from community members about why voters did not approve a fire levy lid lift in the August primary election. Read story

Clark County fire marshal lifts ban on recreational fires

September 22, 2023, 5:46am Clark County News

The Clark County interim fire marshal will lift the ban on recreational fires in unincorporated Clark County effective Saturday morning due to cooler temperatures. Read story

Volunteers sought for Clark County Law and Justice Council

September 22, 2023, 5:38am Clark County News

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for two seats on the five-member county Law and Justice Council. Read story

A former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the agency alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination. The suit names Fire Chief Kristan Maurer, here in July in front of  a new fire engine.

Ex-firefighter sues Clark County Fire District 6 for racial discrimination

A former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the agency alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination. The suit names Fire Chief Kristan Maurer, here in July in front of  a new fire engine.

September 21, 2023, 6:51pm Clark County News

A Black man who is a former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter alleges a white recruit sneaked up behind him, placed a noose around his neck and acted out a lynching during a knot-tying training in June 2022. Read story

FILE - The company logo shines off the hood of a 2021 K5 sedan on display in the Kia exhibit at the Denver auto show Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at Elitch's Gardens in downtown Denver.  Kia is recalling about 320,000 cars in the U.S. to fix a problem that could stop the trunk from being opened from the inside, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The recall covers the Optima midsize car from 2016 through 2018, Optima hybrids and plug-ins from 2017 and 2018, and the Rio small car from 2016 and 2017.

Own a Kia or Hyundai? Vancouver police say beware of thieves

FILE - The company logo shines off the hood of a 2021 K5 sedan on display in the Kia exhibit at the Denver auto show Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at Elitch's Gardens in downtown Denver.  Kia is recalling about 320,000 cars in the U.S. to fix a problem that could stop the trunk from being opened from the inside, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The recall covers the Optima midsize car from 2016 through 2018, Optima hybrids and plug-ins from 2017 and 2018, and the Rio small car from 2016 and 2017.

September 20, 2023, 3:45pm Clark County News

The Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday they have seen a spike in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the past several weeks. The thefts are part of a national trend that affects a number of Kia and Hyundai models built between 2011 and 2021. Read story

A resident spotted this black bear Wednesday morning from their yard near Lacamas Lake.

Bear sighted near Lacamas Lake

A resident spotted this black bear Wednesday morning from their yard near Lacamas Lake.

September 20, 2023, 3:40pm Clark County News

The Camas Police Department on Wednesday said there have been recent sightings of a black bear near Lacamas Lake. Read story

Three Clark County industries — construction, health care and accommodations & food services — each added about 200 jobs in August.

Clark County labor market adds 600 jobs in August, remains in ‘good shape’

Three Clark County industries — construction, health care and accommodations & food services — each added about 200 jobs in August.

September 20, 2023, 6:02am Business

Clark County added 600 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in August as the county’s labor market continued to grow. Read story