Stories by Alexis Weisend

Columbian staff reporter

@weisend_alexis

(360) 735-4536

alexis.weisend@columbian.com

Volunteer Mark Gutman lends a hand during the AARP Tax-Aide program at the Luepke Senior Center in 2022. The Clark County Assessor’s Office will hold events from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 17 at the Firstenburg Community Center in the Resource Classroom and May 31 at the Luepke Senior Center to help people apply for a state property tax exemption program for seniors and people with disabilities.

Clark County homeowners age 61 or older may qualify for a property tax break but many don’t know it

May 14, 2024, 11:51am Business

Older homeowners and people with disabilities could be saving thousands in property taxes but Clark County Assessor’s Office staff say a state tax-exemption program is underutilized. Read story

Law enforcement on lookout for man who broke into east Vancouver home, threatened resident with gun, stole car

May 13, 2024, 5:23pm Clark County News

Local law enforcement officers are looking for a man who broke into an east Vancouver home Saturday and threatened the resident with a handgun before stealing his SUV. Read story

A former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the agency alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination. The suit names Fire Chief Kristan Maurer, here in July in front of a new fire engine.

Federal judge dismisses hate crime, battery claims filed against Clark County Fire District 6 by Black former firefighter

May 13, 2024, 4:59pm Clark County News

A federal judge dismissed claims of hate crime and battery in a lawsuit where a Black former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter alleges a white recruit acted out a lynching by placing a noose around his neck during a knot-tying training in June 2022. Read story

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a serial burglar who appears to be posing as a door-to-door salesman.

Serial burglar hits Felida, Camas, Salmon Creek warns Clark County Sheriff’s Office

May 13, 2024, 12:17pm Clark County News

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a serial burglar who appears to be posing as a door-to-door salesman. If no one responds to his knock, he breaks in through windows at the back of the house. Read story

Dylan Bowling, 8, from left, joins father, Chris Bowling, 39, sister, Emma, 13, brother, Wyatt, 10 months, and mother, Crystal Bowling, 38, as they take a break with their recreational vehicle in Ridgefield before dropping it off at the dealership. The family of five moved from a home in California to Clark County for the husband to accept a new job but had trouble finding housing they could afford.

Down payment on home out of reach as Clark County’s high rents challenge middle-income family

May 10, 2024, 6:04am Clark County News

After renting a $6,000-a-month house in San Diego, Crystal Bowling never expected to have trouble finding housing in Clark County — especially after her husband secured a higher-paying job. Read story

Clark County’s drug court is quiet in wake of Blake Decision, say officials

Vancouver police Officer Cole Larson talks with a motorist before confiscating a device used to smoke fentanyl and issuing a citation on April 4. Therapeutic drug courts have seen lower participation since decriminalization of drug possession.

Drug possession is no longer a felony in Washington as of 2021. Advocates lauded the change, arguing that criminalization of drugs has historically led to disproportionate imprisonment of people of color. However, lighter consequences for drug possession are pushing more people in Clark County to accept traditional sentences rather than… Read story

Housing a top struggle for undocumented immigrants in Clark County

Rent was going up again for the decaying Vancouver apartment where Isabel lived with her husband and two sons. And though it was difficult to pay, she knew her family would scrape together any amount of money to stay in their home. Read story