The Columbian

Community Funded Journalism

Living Houseless

A truck prepares to leave the Washougal Pit on July 25, 2018.

Columbia River Gorge Commission upholds local residents’ appeal involving Washougal pit mining

May 6, 2025, 11:35am Business

The Columbia River Gorge Commission on Wednesday upheld an appeal filed by Friends of the Columbia River Gorge and local residents involving Clark County’s denial of an application for mining at the Washougal Pit. Read story

A sign for Council for the Homeless hangs above the front door of the organization’s new office in central Vancouver.

Council for the Homeless consolidates staff under one roof in central Vancouver

May 6, 2025, 6:10am Community Funded Journalism Updated 2 days ago

When Council for the Homeless operated out of two offices, staff said it wasn’t uncommon for clients to show up at the wrong building. Those who had appointments at the Andresen Road location would often show up at the Main Street office, or vice versa. Read story

A sign for Oregon Health and Science University sits on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at OSHU in Portland. The 180-day review period for OHSU and Legacy HealthÄôs proposed merger is almost up.

OHSU and Legacy cancel planned merger worth billions after nearly two years

May 5, 2025, 11:46am Business

Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health have called off plans to integrate the two health care systems in a deal estimated to be worth billions. Read story

Tom Britain and wife Angela of Ridgefield make lunch, something Tom was unable to do while recovering from sepsis and an appendectomy. He and Angela, who has a doctorate in nursing, discuss the circumstances surrounding his hourslong wait in two different hospitals for his emergency surgery.

Her husband needed his appendix out; after delays at PeaceHealth and Kaiser, he ended up with sepsis

May 3, 2025, 6:14am Business

Appendectomies are among the most common surgeries performed in the United States with about 300,000 a year. Yet, a delay in receiving this routine procedure nearly cost Ridgefield resident Tom Brittain, 56, his life. Read story

Judge John Fairgrieve listens as lawyers talk at the Clark County Courthouse on Sept. 21, 2023. Eviction costs for landlords are skyrocketing in Clark County due to rising evictions and Washington laws passed during the pandemic.

Rising costs of eviction – as much as $10,000 – weighs on landlords in Clark County

May 3, 2025, 6:12am Business

It’s now likely more expensive than ever to evict someone in Clark County. Landlords see the high prices as problematic. Tenants see them as necessary. Read story

The Washington State Department of Health urges residents to be sure they have received their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine amid a national measles outbreak.

As outbreaks across the country grow, Clark County officials stress vaccination, not misinformation

May 3, 2025, 6:11am Clark County Health

As a measles outbreak surges across the United States — with five reported cases in Washington — public health officials are urging the community to get vaccinated against the disease. Read story

In this April 8, 2003, file photo, steam rises from Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station, Washington state’s only nuclear power plant, near Richland.

Bill allows nuclear fusion energy projects to use state’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council process

May 3, 2025, 6:10am Business

The feasibility of nuclear-powered energy sources is once again being considered by public utilities and other energy suppliers, as statewide goals for reducing carbon emissions ramp up. Read story

The image of Allen Morseman, residential recycle route driver for Waste Connections, is reflected in his truck’s review mirror as he makes the rounds in Hazel Dell on Nov. 21, 2023. Senate Bill 5284, passed by the Washington Legislature this session, creates a statewide plan for recycling.

Changes in curbside recycling likely to mean higher costs for Clark County residents

May 2, 2025, 6:10am Business

Most Clark County residents have curbside recycling available. A new bill passed by the Washington Legislature this session could spell changes, and higher costs, for local residents. Read story