Tuesday,  February 11 , 2025

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Photo of Shari Phiel

Stories by Shari Phiel

Columbian staff reporter

Not all holiday waste can be recycled. Make sure only recyclables go in Waste Connections recycle bins.

Not all holiday waste can be recycled in Clark County; make sure you get everything in right bin

Not all holiday waste can be recycled. Make sure only recyclables go in Waste Connections recycle bins.

January 2, 2025, 6:06am Business

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to start cleaning up from the festivities. Clark County Green Neighbors reminds residents that many items cannot be recycled and should not be placed in curbside bins. Read story

After a three-day search for two missing Oregon men, the Skamania County search and rescue team returned to base to find thousands of dollars of equipment were stolen. Thieves cut a hole in a fence and ransacked the shed used to store specialized gear.

Expensive gear stolen from Skamania search and rescue as team searched for two Oregon men later found dead

After a three-day search for two missing Oregon men, the Skamania County search and rescue team returned to base to find thousands of dollars of equipment were stolen. Thieves cut a hole in a fence and ransacked the shed used to store specialized gear.

December 30, 2024, 1:00pm Clark County News

Skamania County’s search and rescue team was hit by thieves over the weekend, just as the team was ending its search for two Oregon men who disappeared in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest while on a Sasquatch hunt. Read story

A loader works at J.E. Storedahl's Daybreak gravel pit in 2015.

Growing Clark County will need aggregate materials. Where should they come from?

A loader works at J.E. Storedahl's Daybreak gravel pit in 2015.

December 28, 2024, 6:13am Business

As Clark County continues to grow, so too will the demand for aggregate materials — the sand, gravel and various sizes of rock needed for construction. Read story

Workers take an electric street sweeper past a shared fuel station on a test run at the city of Vancouver Public Works office March 7, 2023.

Cost of EV street sweepers proves a challenge for city of Vancouver

Workers take an electric street sweeper past a shared fuel station on a test run at the city of Vancouver Public Works office March 7, 2023.

December 28, 2024, 6:12am Clark County News

Nearly two years after the city of Vancouver began looking for an all-electric street sweeper to replace its existing fleet of diesel-powered sweepers, the city has yet to make a purchase. Read story

Library employee Lyn Milner fills packages with sunflower seeds Dec. 19 at the Washougal Community Library.

Planting a seed: FVRLibraries and Vancouver Bee Project seed libraries growing in popularity

Library employee Lyn Milner fills packages with sunflower seeds Dec. 19 at the Washougal Community Library.

December 27, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

Books and movies aren’t the only things you can check out from FVRLibraries. Several branches now offer a seed library, where residents can get seeds for a variety of plants and flowers at no cost. Read story

A car emits exhaust in Cascade Park on Dec. 5.

‘A tall order’: Clark County, Vancouver and other cities struggle to craft required climate plans

A car emits exhaust in Cascade Park on Dec. 5.

December 21, 2024, 6:14am Clark County News

For the first time, Clark County and all of its cities must address climate change in the 20-year plans required by the state’s Growth Management Act. Read story

According to the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024, Washington leads the country in fostering bicycling and related support systems.

Washington top of League of American Bicyclists bike-friendly list

According to the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024, Washington leads the country in fostering bicycling and related support systems.

December 13, 2024, 3:51pm Clark County News

Washington has reclaimed its top spot among the most bicycle-friendly states, according to the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024 rankings. According to the rankings, Washington leads the country in fostering bicycling and related support systems. Read story

Houseboats float on Lake River in Ridgefield. The Port of Ridgefield is finalizing redevelopment plans for its waterfront property to include commercial, retail, residential and light industrial uses.

After decades of cleanup, the Port of Ridgefield is eyeing economic renewal on waterfront

Houseboats float on Lake River in Ridgefield. The Port of Ridgefield is finalizing redevelopment plans for its waterfront property to include commercial, retail, residential and light industrial uses.

December 7, 2024, 6:14am Business

Once a brownfield soaked with toxic chemicals, Ridgefield’s waterfront is poised to again become an economic hub. Read story

A sample of granular activated carbon, used to remove PFAS from water, sits on display during a tour of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Cincinnati. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose restrictions on harmful "forever chemicals" in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable, but experts say removing them will cost billions. (AP Photo/Joshua A.

Clark County’s utilities have little advice on removing PFAS from water

A sample of granular activated carbon, used to remove PFAS from water, sits on display during a tour of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Cincinnati. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose restrictions on harmful "forever chemicals" in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable, but experts say removing them will cost billions. (AP Photo/Joshua A.

December 7, 2024, 6:12am Business

With so-called forever chemicals showing up in municipal water supplies across Clark County, many residents worried about the safety of their water are looking to install water filters. Unfortunately, local water purveyors have little advice for customers. Read story

Clark County Councilors Gary Medvigy, facing left, and Sue Marshall listen during a meeting at the Public Service Center in October. The council voted 3-2 on Wednesday to approve a $871.74 million budget for 2025.

Clark County 2025 budget: No property tax increase, no new staff for sheriff’s office

Clark County Councilors Gary Medvigy, facing left, and Sue Marshall listen during a meeting at the Public Service Center in October. The council voted 3-2 on Wednesday to approve a $871.74 million budget for 2025.

December 6, 2024, 2:55pm Clark County News

The Clark County Council earlier this week approved a 2025 budget that does not raise property tax collections by the 1 percent allowed by state law, which would have added about $1.8 million to the county’s coffers next year. Read story