Top Stories: RV age limits; Harmony View development; Clark County crime report

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Here are the top stories on columbian.com this week:

RV age limits in Vancouver cause strife

After getting a divorce last year, Josh, who asked only his first name be used for privacy, needed a place to live that was affordable and still close to his two young children in Vancouver. With high rents for apartments in the city, he opted to buy a used 21-year-old Pace Arrow RV.

Eight months ago, he called Vancouver Mall RV Park to inquire about month-to-month stays — he needed a stable place to live before he could have his kids stay with him on weekends.

• Owners of vehicles older than 10 years struggle to find parks willing to let them stay

40-acre East Vancouver development to include single-family homes, apartments, restaurant

More development is in the works at east Vancouver’s Section 30. This time a development, Harmony View, is being planned on the northwest corner of the square-mile area, according to planning documents submitted to the city of Vancouver.

The more than 40-acre Harmony View property is located on the corner of Northeast 172nd Avenue and Northeast 18th Street.

• Harmony View project adjacent to Harmony Sports complex at edge of city

Is it legal to drive slowly in the left lane on the highway? 

TACOMA — The most common traffic violation in Washington is driving over the speed limit, according to Swerve Driving School in Seattle. But what about driving under the speed limit?

Unless there is a good reason, driving so slowly that traffic comes to a crawl isn’t acceptable under Washington state law. This is generally true for most states. But how about driving slowly in the left lane on the highway?

• This is the law in WA state

Report: Crime up in Clark County and Washington

Crime rose in Clark County and Washington last year, bucking what appears to be a downward trend nationally, according to a statewide report released Monday.

The 583-page annual Crime in Washington Report, produced by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, shows an 8.5 percent increase in overall crime in Washington last year, compared with 2021. That follows a 3.7 percent increase in the group’s 2021 crime report compared with 2020.

• Annual report shows 8.5% increase last year statewide

Hayden Island holds its breath as Interstate Bridge Project takes shape

HAYDEN ISLAND — Michael Brady stood on a floor of painted roses and held his left arm out.

“This is it,” he said, showing off the new stainless steel refrigerators contrasting with the 50-year-old ice cream display and the old espresso machine he’s working to restore.

• Residents fear I-5 Bridge project will hurt businesses, people; official says program could unlock island’s potential