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Thursday,  October 17 , 2024
Current weather Vancouver, WA

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Photo of Kelsey Turner

Stories by Kelsey Turner

Columbian staff reporter

Retired Judge Rich Melnick, center, has been a steadfast supporter of free holiday meals for anyone that needs them in Clark County for years.

Where to find free holiday meals this weekend in Clark County

Retired Judge Rich Melnick, center, has been a steadfast supporter of free holiday meals for anyone that needs them in Clark County for years.

December 23, 2022, 6:05am Clark County News Free

Between the chaos of winter storms and holiday preparations, some Clark County residents might be wondering where they can get a free meal this weekend. Several individuals and organizations in Vancouver are providing holiday meals available to anyone in need. Read story

Dozens of people attend the annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Vancouver on Wednesday evening, the longest night of the year.

Vancouver Homeless Persons’ Memorial honors those lost in Clark County

Dozens of people attend the annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Vancouver on Wednesday evening, the longest night of the year.

December 22, 2022, 11:59am Clark County Health

At Vancouver’s Safe Parking Zone, Shawn Bacon’s legacy lives on. His RV still sits in the lot, where another Safe Park participant has moved in, according to Steven Culp, the Safe Park’s lead program assistant. Read story

A sign outside a new home at Kennedy Farm lets homebuyers know the property's status in Ridgefield.

Clark County real estate market slows in November

A sign outside a new home at Kennedy Farm lets homebuyers know the property's status in Ridgefield.

December 18, 2022, 6:00am Business

Prospective homebuyers in Clark County and across the nation are facing a similar issue when searching for a home: There are hardly any to choose from. Read story

Vancouver Police Officer Tyler Chavers, a member of the city's Homeless Assistance and Resources Team, talks with people living at a homeless encampment near Share House in downtown Vancouver.

Decriminalization of drug possession leaves officers in Clark County on sidelines

Vancouver Police Officer Tyler Chavers, a member of the city's Homeless Assistance and Resources Team, talks with people living at a homeless encampment near Share House in downtown Vancouver.

December 16, 2022, 6:01am Clark County News

Vancouver neighborhood police officer Tyler Chavers has watched fentanyl take over the city’s streets in the past two years, replacing heroin as the most common opioid involved in overdose deaths. Read story

Jacob Phillips, left, and Tiffany Mercer of XChange's Street Medicine Team stroll past tents to offer medical assistance to those living near the Share House on a Wednesday morning in October.

Outreach workers fight ‘explosion’ of fentanyl in Clark County

Jacob Phillips, left, and Tiffany Mercer of XChange's Street Medicine Team stroll past tents to offer medical assistance to those living near the Share House on a Wednesday morning in October.

December 13, 2022, 6:04am Clark County Health

Jimmy John Howland had never used fentanyl before landing on the streets of Vancouver in May 2021. Howland, 52, had recently lost his leg due to a blood clot. With his disability preventing him from holding a job, he had no source of income and found himself homeless. Read story

Affordable Housing Fund topic of webinar

December 13, 2022, 6:02am Clark County News Free

The Council for the Homeless is hosting a Zoom webinar from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday to inform Vancouver residents about the city’s Affordable Housing Fund levy, which will be up for a vote in the Feb. 14 special election. Read story

Malaya McGant, right, Ari, middle, and Terrell Berry stand outside The Perch youth drop-in center in Vancouver. Berry previously worked with Janus Youth Programs and now works at A Way Home Washington helping youth facing homelessness. McGant and Ari both became homeless at age 19, and Berry has provided them guidance over the years.

Advocates in Clark County help homeless youth find hope

Malaya McGant, right, Ari, middle, and Terrell Berry stand outside The Perch youth drop-in center in Vancouver. Berry previously worked with Janus Youth Programs and now works at A Way Home Washington helping youth facing homelessness. McGant and Ari both became homeless at age 19, and Berry has provided them guidance over the years.

December 11, 2022, 6:05am Clark County News

Malaya McGant and Ari come from different backgrounds, but their paths crossed on the streets of Vancouver. Read story

Malaya McGant stands outside The Perch, a drop-in center for homeless youth in Vancouver. McGant lived in a tent by the Columbia River for a few months when she was 19 before getting help from Janus Youth Programs.

Malaya McGant’s story: ‘It all traces back to mental health’

Malaya McGant stands outside The Perch, a drop-in center for homeless youth in Vancouver. McGant lived in a tent by the Columbia River for a few months when she was 19 before getting help from Janus Youth Programs.

December 11, 2022, 6:04am Community Funded Journalism

At 19 years old, Malaya McGant decided to leave her mother’s house in Clark County for good. Read story

Ari, a 23-year-old living in Clark County, stands outside the Share House men’s shelter in downtown Vancouver. Though Ari said he will always be grateful for his Share House bed, he also experienced abuse as a transgender youth in an all-men’s shelter. “Clark County definitely, completely needs an LGBT shelter and they need it soon,” he said.

Using experience to open eyes, hearts: Trans man recounts facing dangers in Vancouver

Ari, a 23-year-old living in Clark County, stands outside the Share House men’s shelter in downtown Vancouver. Though Ari said he will always be grateful for his Share House bed, he also experienced abuse as a transgender youth in an all-men’s shelter. “Clark County definitely, completely needs an LGBT shelter and they need it soon,” he said.

December 11, 2022, 6:03am Clark County News

Ari clearly remembers his first night in a homeless shelter. It was November 2019 — his 20th birthday. He had been camping on Vancouver’s streets for about four months. Read story

Future homeowner Stephanie Sutton-Davis, left in red, works with construction coordinator Jess Reynolds, in blue, as crews from Habitat for Humanity lend a hand to the housing project Nov. 2. Construction has begun on Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's Johnson Village, a subdivision in east Vancouver that will house nine low-income families.

Future Vancouver homeowners excited as work begins at Habitat for Humanity’s Johnson Village

Future homeowner Stephanie Sutton-Davis, left in red, works with construction coordinator Jess Reynolds, in blue, as crews from Habitat for Humanity lend a hand to the housing project Nov. 2. Construction has begun on Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's Johnson Village, a subdivision in east Vancouver that will house nine low-income families.

December 2, 2022, 6:04am Clark County News

When a friend encouraged Karla Alvarado Martinez to apply for homeownership through Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that builds and rehabilitates homes in Clark County, Martinez didn’t think it was possible. Read story