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Thursday,  September 19 , 2024
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Stories by Alexis Weisend

Columbian staff reporter

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Carol Burbridge, Judy Blevens and Joyce Harms work on a quilt in a back room at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Vancouver.

Made with love for those in need: Quilters are happy to give their creations to Clark County shelters

Carol Burbridge, Judy Blevens and Joyce Harms work on a quilt in a back room at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Vancouver.

September 11, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

For many, the start of fall means the crunching of leaves underfoot and a damp smell in the air. It’s a sign for people to start collecting pumpkin decorations and grabbing a jacket on the way out the door. Read story

James and Sabrina Thayer take a break with their dog, Corkscrew, in their Vancouver tiny home.

Once homeless, Vancouver couple find comfort, stability in tiny-home community

James and Sabrina Thayer take a break with their dog, Corkscrew, in their Vancouver tiny home.

September 7, 2023, 6:07am Clark County News

It’s always Christmastime at Sabrina and James Thayer’s tiny house in Vancouver. Read story

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee talks with local officials and members of the community in July while getting a tour of Fruit Valley Terrace, an affordable housing complex of tiny homes in west Vancouver.

Clark Asks: Where are the affordable housing projects for Clark County?

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee talks with local officials and members of the community in July while getting a tour of Fruit Valley Terrace, an affordable housing complex of tiny homes in west Vancouver.

September 5, 2023, 6:08am Business

Clark County needs to develop more than 50,000 units of low-income housing by 2044 to keep up with the state’s projected housing needs. Read story

Jamie Spinelli chats in 2018 with a resident at Vancouver Community Library. Spinelli said patience and kindness toward those experiencing homelessness is paramount.

Clark Asks: How can you help someone who’s experiencing homelessness in Clark County?

Jamie Spinelli chats in 2018 with a resident at Vancouver Community Library. Spinelli said patience and kindness toward those experiencing homelessness is paramount.

August 31, 2023, 6:08am Clark County News

People pass by residents experiencing homelessness every day in Clark County, where at least 672 people live outside, according to the county’s 2023 Point-in-Time Count. Read story

A sidewalk near the Share House Men's Shelter in downtown Vancouver was empty Thursday afternoon after being packed with tents.

Vancouver again removes homeless camp near Share House

A sidewalk near the Share House Men's Shelter in downtown Vancouver was empty Thursday afternoon after being packed with tents.

August 25, 2023, 6:37pm Clark County News

Only a few people from a downtown Vancouver homeless camp remained along the streets bordering the Share House Men’s Shelter on Thursday after city workers had finished a routine site cleanup. Read story

Lequoya Elliott prepares to hand out hundreds of backpacks full of school supplies. She also makes monthly visits to homeless camps and gives out hygiene kits, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights and whatever else she can afford to buy with the money she's raised.

Clark County woman carries on mother’s legacy helping homeless people

Lequoya Elliott prepares to hand out hundreds of backpacks full of school supplies. She also makes monthly visits to homeless camps and gives out hygiene kits, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights and whatever else she can afford to buy with the money she's raised.

August 24, 2023, 6:04am Clark County News

Lequoya Elliott describes herself as “the behind the scenes person” in the community. Read story

Chialeah Kays, second from left, helps Christopher Crum, 15, look for a backpack during a back to school drive at The Giving Closet. At top, Kays ties a shoelace for 7-year-old Chantrie Larson.

Giving Closet in Vancouver hosts back-to-school event for students in need

Chialeah Kays, second from left, helps Christopher Crum, 15, look for a backpack during a back to school drive at The Giving Closet. At top, Kays ties a shoelace for 7-year-old Chantrie Larson.

August 22, 2023, 7:25pm Clark County News

Kids of all ages are coming out of The Giving Closet, a free community store, clutching pairs of new shoes and backpacks. Across the street, kids are getting haircuts while others wage a water balloon war against each other. Read story

Firefighter Michael Hickey works at the scene Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023, after a blaze destroyed a primary residence and surrounding structures on the same property near La Center on Wednesday night. The incident sparked a significant brush fire that prompted evacuation warnings well into the north county community.

Jenny Creek Fire north of La Center now 90 percent containedvideo icon

Firefighter Michael Hickey works at the scene Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023, after a blaze destroyed a primary residence and surrounding structures on the same property near La Center on Wednesday night. The incident sparked a significant brush fire that prompted evacuation warnings well into the north county community.

August 17, 2023, 6:00pm Clark County News Free

Small plumes of smoke rose from the blackened rubble of a house fire that spread to the wildland behind it the night before. Ash fell on firefighters walking between the remnants of vehicles, barn walls and furniture caked in ash. A large patch of brush across the road from the… Read story

Leticia Amezcua looks for clothes Wednesday at The Giving Closet. Amezcua said she's been shopping for her family here for 15 years. Founder Denise Currie says the free community store could be forced to close in as little as five months if it does not find new funding sources.

Vancouver’s Giving Closet might close doors after loss of major donors

Leticia Amezcua looks for clothes Wednesday at The Giving Closet. Amezcua said she's been shopping for her family here for 15 years. Founder Denise Currie says the free community store could be forced to close in as little as five months if it does not find new funding sources.

August 17, 2023, 6:02am Clark County News

When The Giving Closet opens at 10:30 a.m., a line of adults and children stream in. The kids bolt for the toy section. The parents head for the racks filled with clothes. Read story

Phillip Dick, who has been a volunteer at Living Hope Church for four years, takes a moment to rest while helping those in need at the church's cooling center. The facility featured air conditioning, water, fresh fruit, snacks and fudge bars for those looking to escape the heat.

‘What’s a cooling center?’: Many in Clark County in need have no idea facilities exist

Phillip Dick, who has been a volunteer at Living Hope Church for four years, takes a moment to rest while helping those in need at the church's cooling center. The facility featured air conditioning, water, fresh fruit, snacks and fudge bars for those looking to escape the heat.

August 16, 2023, 6:08am Clark County Health

J.P. Walmer spent the first day living outside chasing the shade to stay out of the 103-degree heat. Read story