Morning Press: Clark County mass vaccination site; Columbia’s historic freezes; housing costs

By Amy Libby, Columbian Web Editor

Published: January 30, 2021, 6:00am

Chuck Adams of La Center, left, gives a thumbs-up while receiving his COVID-19 vaccination from Staff Sgt. Cory Hoveskeland of the National Guard at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds on Tuesday morning, January 26, 2021. Adams said getting the vaccination went smoothly. "I didn't even feel it," he said. Tuesday was the first day of mass vaccinations in Clark County, which are given by appointment only. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

At least we shouldn’t see snow this weekend. For details, check our local weather coverage.

In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories from the week:

Clark County’s mass COVID-19 vaccination site opens

Clark County’s mass COVID-19 vaccination site opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, but all available appointments at the site this week were taken by early Monday morning.

The site, at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

Seven Washington counties to advance to Phase 2 under modified plan

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced changes to the state’s economic reopening plan that allows seven counties to move next week into Phase 2, which allows limited indoor dining among other loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.

The counties that will ease rules include those that constitute the Seattle metro area.

Police: Terrorism didn’t motivate fatal Portland car attack

PORTLAND — Investigators have found no evidence that terrorism, politics or any bias motivated a driver who repeatedly drove into people along streets and sidewalks in Portland killing one and injuring nine others, police said Tuesday.

The driver, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized and was expected to be booked into jail afterward, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release. Police didn’t give the man’s condition or say why he is in a hospital.

Clark County History: Columbia River freezes over

The Columbia River froze at Vancouver on Jan. 26, 1847, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. That winter was among the coldest and corralled the HBMS Modeste in ice. Taking advantage of the time to play, the ship’s and Hudson’s Bay officers crafted makeshift curling stones and turned to a friendly game. The ship’s officers won.

Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for the Columbia to freeze over. Indigenous peoples likely saw it frozen over many times before. An unknown clerk at Canemah (now part of Oregon City) reported in January 1854 the Columbia River was frozen for 30 miles from the Willamette’s mouth.

Clark County homebuilders decry timing of new energy standards, say home prices will go up

Vancouver-area homebuilders say a new round of energy-efficiency standards could add $15,000 or more to the price of new houses, according to the Building Industry Association of Clark County. The timing appears to be their biggest complaint.

“In a time when home prices are skyrocketing due to increased demand (caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and low interest rates), labor and supply chain disruptions, and historically low inventory of existing and newly built homes, this is the absolute worst time to institute new and costly building codes,” the BIA wrote in a press release.