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Stories by Jake Thomas

Columbian political reporter

Vicki Fitzsimmons walks along what she calls a “pinch point” on Northeast Highway 99 where the sidewalk ends, forcing pedestrians to walk in a bike lane a few feet from fast-moving traffic.

Frustrated resident says Highway 99 corridor still dangerous to pedestrians

Vicki Fitzsimmons walks along what she calls a “pinch point” on Northeast Highway 99 where the sidewalk ends, forcing pedestrians to walk in a bike lane a few feet from fast-moving traffic.

May 16, 2018, 6:05am Clark County Life

Vicki Fitzsimmons recalled going to an open house held by Clark County in 2006 about infrastructure projects along Northeast Highway 99 between Northeast 99th and 117th streets. She recalled hearing some encouraging news about how the project called for more sidewalks along the corridor that’s particularly unfriendly to pedestrians. Read story

Ben Olson of Camas, left, poses for a family photo. A state-paid caregiver for his medically fragile son, he became disillusioned with the Service Employees International Union.

Will the court break public-sector unions?

Ben Olson of Camas, left, poses for a family photo. A state-paid caregiver for his medically fragile son, he became disillusioned with the Service Employees International Union.

May 13, 2018, 6:03am Clark County News

When Monica Stonier first started working full time as a teacher in 2001, she was more focused on learning her students’ names than about her union, the Washington Education Association. But now Stonier, who has since been elected as a Democratic state representative for Vancouver, gives more thought to the… Read story

Is Wisconsin a cautionary tale for unions?

May 13, 2018, 6:03am Clark County News

Wisconsin was once considered a Democratic stronghold. But the GOP has increased its grip on the state since 2011, when Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation aimed at limiting the power of public-sector unions. Read story

Eric Holt, Clark County Council chair candidate

Holt announces run for county council chair

Eric Holt, Clark County Council chair candidate

May 13, 2018, 6:00am Clark County News

The race for Clark County Council chair has drawn its first Democrat. Read story

Jim Moeller, former 49th District state representative and Clark County Council candidate, announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Moeller says he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease

Jim Moeller, former 49th District state representative and Clark County Council candidate, announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

May 9, 2018, 11:26am Clark County News

Jim Moeller said that he has Parkinson’s disease but isn’t dropping his bid for Clark County Council. Read story

David Madore Former Clark County councilor

Judge dismisses Madore Facebook page lawsuit

David Madore Former Clark County councilor

April 26, 2018, 6:02pm Clark County News

A Cowlitz County Superior Court judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking records related to former Clark County Councilor David Madore’s controversial Facebook page. Read story

Marty Snell, then director of Clark County Community Development, speaks to the Clark County Council about the county’s troubled Permit Center in March. Snell abruptly resigned, effective Friday.

County’s code director resigns

Marty Snell, then director of Clark County Community Development, speaks to the Clark County Council about the county’s troubled Permit Center in March. Snell abruptly resigned, effective Friday.

April 21, 2018, 11:21pm Clark County News

Marty Snell has abruptly resigned as Clark County’s director of Community Development, a county department that oversees licensing and code enforcement as well as the troubled Permit Center. Read story

The empty lot on the southeast corner of Northeast 117th Street and Northeast Highway 99 has entered the early stages of development.

Clark Asks: What’s planned at parcel on N.E. 117th, Hwy. 99?

The empty lot on the southeast corner of Northeast 117th Street and Northeast Highway 99 has entered the early stages of development.

April 21, 2018, 6:02am Clark County News

Over the last few years, Vicki Fitzsimmons has watched the changes that have occurred at the empty lot at the intersection at Northeast 117th Street and Highway 99. Read story

iStock.com The Clark County Treasurer’s Office collects the majority of taxes owed. But because of the way state law is structured, some slips away.

Clark County to end pursuit of $114,042 in delinquent taxes

iStock.com The Clark County Treasurer’s Office collects the majority of taxes owed. But because of the way state law is structured, some slips away.

April 12, 2018, 8:25pm Clark County News

This year, almost every Clark County property owner will see an increase in their bill as a result of a school funding package that will increase the statewide property tax from $1.89 to $2.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. Read story

Clark Talks: Political activist tells why he files complaints

April 12, 2018, 6:05am Clark County News

In this edition of Clark Talks, Columbian reporters Katy Sword and Jake Thomas talk with Glen Morgan, a Thurston County conservative activist who has filed a prolific number of complaints, primarily targeting Democrats, with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Read story