Top Stories: Mother, daughter found dead; influx from Oregon; inflation in Clark County

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

Questions over lack of GPS monitoring after bodies of Vancouver mom, daughter found

Many questions remain as the police investigation continues into the deaths of 27-year-old Meshay “Karmen” Melendez and her 7-year-old daughter, Layla Stewart.

As of Thursday, Melendez’s former boyfriend, Kirkland C. Warren, had been named a person of interest in their disappearances but not identified as a suspect in their deaths.

• Melendez, Layla were reported missing March 18 
• Read all of The Columbian’s coverage of Melendez and Layla’s disappearance and death

Police: Bodies of missing mother, daughter found near Washougal

Authorities found two bodies believed to be those of a missing Vancouver woman and her 7-year-old daughter in a rural area east of Washougal, police announced Wednesday.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded at about 9:40 a.m. to a report of suspicious circumstances. A man walking his dog reported finding what he thought were two “life-sized mannequins” down an embankment in thick brush off Southeast Wooding Road near Sunset View Road, according to the agency.

• “The family is grateful for all the community support, and we ask that people respect the privacy of the family while they process and grieve”

Oregonians moving to Clark County in droves; experts cite income tax

If death and taxes are life certainties, surely moving must be a near-certainty. People move for jobs, better homes, convenience, health reasons, better schools, smaller homes — and the list goes on and on.

And while Clark County has long been and continues to be attractive for the relocation of city dwellers, it’s not just city dwellers who relocate. It’s everyone.

• Those making $100,000-plus moved in higher numbers than any other income level

The price of inflation in Clark County

Rent. Food. Utilities. Education. Just about everything is getting more expensive in Clark County.

Prices rose by 6 percent nationally in the 12 months ending in February, down from 6.8 percent the year before.

• Columbian reporters break down how, where costs have increased – and where they’ve stabilized

Wrangling ringworm saves kittens at Humane Society for Southwest Washington

The kittens up for adoption at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington are cute — pouncing on toys and chirping for attention.

Most kittens, however, don’t arrive at the shelter healthy and ready for adoption. Thousands come through shelter’s doors each year with injuries, upper respiratory infections, fleas and ringworm.

• Animal care staff puts in extra time and care for infected cats, prepares them for adoption