Community Funded Journalism

Living Houseless

Angellina Ricker, 23, fixes the rain cover around the tent she shares with her boyfriend in downtown Vancouver in early January. Ricker became homeless after aging out of the foster care system in Clark County. She now speaks out against the vulnerabilities to human trafficking that homeless and foster youth face.

Hundreds in Washington go missing from foster care

January 29, 2023, 6:04am Clark County News

As young adults age out of the U.S. foster care system, some inevitably fall through society’s cracks, becoming homeless shortly after leaving state care. But others aren’t accounted for in that data: Thousands of kids nationwide go missing from state care every year, putting them in danger of exploitation and… Read story

Washington State Capitol Legislative Building (iStock.com)

Washington bills aim to slow rent increases

January 29, 2023, 6:00am Clark County News

Two parallel rent-stabilization bills have hit the legislation table this year. Introduced by state Reps. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, and Alex Ramel, D-Bellingham, House Bills 1388 and 1389 aim to ensure reasonable and predictable rent hikes in Washington. Read story

A recently planted tree sits tied to support posts at Bagley Park.

Vancouver to revise urban forestry plan as it aims for equity, climate goals

January 27, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

In recent years, Vancouver has become abundantly dotted with trees so young they need supportive stakes to encourage their skybound posture, avoiding any potential for crookedness. Read story

The Barbers hairstylists Debi Norman, right, and Lynell Felix, left, cut the hair of Alicia Haddix, second from right, and Arthur Walton, on Thursday as part of Project Homeless Connect at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The event brings multiple services under one roof for a day to help out those experiencing homelessness.

Point in Time Count provides snapshot of homelessness in Clark County

January 26, 2023, 5:31pm Clark County News

The faint hues of morning light snuck through pockets of crumbling darkness early Thursday morning, spotlighting 13 groups of volunteers on a mission to count those who spent the night on Vancouver streets. Read story

Saddle Dam on Yale Lake, one of three large reservoirs on the North Fork of the Lewis River, will be retrofitted due to seismic concerns, leading to park closures and a temporary displacement of nearby elk habitats.

PacifiCorp Energy prepares for seismic retrofit of Yale Lake’s Saddle Dam

January 26, 2023, 6:00am Clark County News

An unassuming grassy slope at the southern edge of Yale Lake on the North Fork Lewis River plays a crucial role in preventing the 3,780-acre reservoir from pouring into the land below. Read story

Is Vancouver tax part of affordable housing solution?

Cars pass by continuing construction on Fourth Plain Community Commons in Vancouver. The mixed-use housing complex has 106 affordable units developed by the Vancouver Housing Authority, using $1.5 million from the city's Affordable Housing Fund.

In Vancouver’s special election on Feb. 14, residents will determine the future of the city’s Affordable Housing Fund by voting on Proposition 3, a property tax increase that would sustain the fund for 10 more years. As voters consider their positions, The Columbian answered 10 common questions that community members… Read story

Horizon Air phasing out its Bombardier Q400 turboprop airplane fleet

One of Horizon Air's last Bombardier Q400 planes loads Portland-bound passengers Monday at Spokane International Airport. The final flight for customers is Thursday as the airline completes its transition to an all-E175 jet fleet.

January 25, 2023, 6:35pm Business

For two decades Horizon Air’s Bombardier Q400 turboprop fleet was the way passengers reached small airports around the Pacific Northwest. Now, the ubiquitous plane will take one last spin for customers Thursday as the airline phases out the plane and completes a transition to an all-E175 jet fleet. Read story

Vancouver seeks site for new Safe Park as people living in vehicles prompt concerns

A motorist traveling north on Fort Vancouver Way passes two recreational vehicles parked near Clark College, an area that has become home for several people living in their vehicles.

Last fall, Irma Lucero noticed a recreational vehicle parked outside a house she owns in Vancouver’s Fruit Valley neighborhood. The vehicle sat on the street for about a month and a half. She never saw its owner, but it was clear to her that someone was living inside. Read story