Stories by Shari Phiel

Columbian staff writer

@Shari_Phiel

(360) 735-4546

Shari.phiel@columbian.com

A complaint has been filed against Chuck Keplar, who is running for Clark County Council, for allegedly failing to disclose payments in excess for $12,000 to the Public Disclosure Commission.

Complaint against Clark County Council candidate Keplar claims he failed to report payments in earlier campaign

October 23, 2024, 3:21pm Clark County News

A complaint filed with Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission claims Clark County Council candidate Chuck Keplar violated state campaign finance rules when he failed to disclose earnings he received while running for an Evergreen Public Schools board seat in 2023. Read story

Despite the urging of dozens of residents, the Clark County Council voted Tuesday not to repeal the Chelatchie Bluff surface mining zoning the council previously approved.

Clark County Council votes to keep zoning ordinance allowing surface mining in Chelatchie Bluff area

October 22, 2024, 5:24pm Business

Special zoning that allows surface mining in the Chelatchie Bluff area will stay in effect, at least for now. On Tuesday, the Clark County Council voted 3-2 against repealing the ordinance that approved the zoning overlay, despite opposition from dozens of residents attending the meeting. Read story

One of the charter amendments on the November ballot would raise the salary range for the Clark County sheriff, currently John Horch.

Charter amendments would raise Clark County sheriff’s salary, change redistricting, initiatives processes

October 21, 2024, 11:05am Clark County News

Clark County voters will decide on three charter amendments in the Nov. 5 election. Read story

Contributed by Clark County Sheriff’s Office
The former La Center police station now serves as a satellite office for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The city now has a formal contract in place with the sheriff’s office, which will provide full-time police services.

There’s a new sheriff in town: La Center contracts with Clark County for police services

October 17, 2024, 4:38pm Clark County News

After more than a year of negotiations, the city of La Center has a formal contract for full-time police services with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Read story

Lacamas park trail closed for repairs

October 17, 2024, 1:51pm Clark County News Free

Clark County Public Works has begun making repairs to the Lacamas Regional Park footbridge located on the trail to the lower falls. The trail, which was closed after an inspection last winter found major structural issues compromising the safety of the footbridge, will remain closed until the repairs are completed. Read story

Celebrate new mural at Dakota dog park inVancouver

October 17, 2024, 1:46pm Clark County News Free

DogPaw Off Leash Parks invites the public to a Nov. 2 celebration of the completion of a new mural at Dakota Memorial Dog Park. The event starts a noon at the dog park, which is within Pacific Community Park on Northeast 172nd Avenue. Read story

Political newcomer candidates for Clark County Council District 3 differ but share priorities, goals

Wil Fuentes, left, and Churck Keplar are vying for the Clark County Council District 3 seat.

About the only thing District 3 Clark County Council candidates Chuck Keplar and Wil Fuentes have in common is that both are relative political newcomers. Keplar has lived in Clark County for 24 years, while Fuentes moved here a few years ago after graduating with a master’s degree from Western… Read story