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Monday,  September 16 , 2024

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Photo of Mia Ryder-Marks

Stories by Mia Ryder-Marks

Columbian staff reporter

Charles Hanset started the Sonya Fund in honor of his sister, who died from an overdose in 2014. The fund helps families who have had a loved one die due to homelessness, substance use or a mental health condition.

Founder of nonprofit Thrive2Survive keeps sister’s memory alive with Sonya Fund

Charles Hanset started the Sonya Fund in honor of his sister, who died from an overdose in 2014. The fund helps families who have had a loved one die due to homelessness, substance use or a mental health condition.

December 28, 2023, 6:06am Clark County Health

Charles Hanset carries his sister’s legacy with him every day. She died of an overdose in 2014. He had her name, Sonya, permanently inked into the skin on the side of his neck. Read story

Attendees hold candles Friday, Dec. 21, 2023, during a Homeless Persons Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Vancouver.

Outreach workers share obituaries for those in Clark County homeless community that died in 2023

Attendees hold candles Friday, Dec. 21, 2023, during a Homeless Persons Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Vancouver.

December 22, 2023, 12:35pm Clark County News

Homeless outreach workers and service providers wrote these obituaries for 18 or the 43 people connected to the homeless communities who died in the past year. (The obituaries are edited for clarity.) Read story

Artist Kent Huggins puts the finishing touches on a painting of Santa Claus while creating holiday scenes on businesses&rsquo; windows in downtown Vancouver for free, as seen at Center Stage Clothiers on Wednesday afternoon.

Artist spreads cheer with Christmas murals in downtown Vancouver as he seeks redemption from former life as ‘a mean fellow’

Artist Kent Huggins puts the finishing touches on a painting of Santa Claus while creating holiday scenes on businesses&rsquo; windows in downtown Vancouver for free, as seen at Center Stage Clothiers on Wednesday afternoon.

December 22, 2023, 6:04am Clark County News

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Vancouver. But instead of Old St. Nick with a sled full of toys spreading holiday cheer, it’s a man with a wheelbarrow full of paint. Read story

Attendees hold candles Friday, Dec. 21, 2023, during a Homeless Persons Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Vancouver.

Mourners gather for National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day event in downtown Vancouver

Attendees hold candles Friday, Dec. 21, 2023, during a Homeless Persons Memorial Day event at St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Vancouver.

December 21, 2023, 7:03pm Clark County News

Gloved fingers wrapped around candlesticks on Thursday to memorialize the 43 people who died over the past year while experiencing homelessness. Read story

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Vancouver-based property-management owners told to pay $1M for unlawful eviction notices

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December 15, 2023, 6:38pm Clark County News

Vancouver-based property-management owners Denise and Michael Werner have been ordered to pay nearly $1 million in penalties for unlawfully issuing eviction notices and threatening to shut off utilities at an Ilwaco mobile home community, Beacon Charters and RV Park. Read story

The city of Vancouver's fourth Safe Stay opened Friday. The pallet shelter community&rsquo;s opening was well attended by community members and politicians, including Gov. Jay Inslee.

Vancouver’s fourth Safe Stay opens; Gov. Jay Inslee says communities are life saving for homeless residents

The city of Vancouver's fourth Safe Stay opened Friday. The pallet shelter community&rsquo;s opening was well attended by community members and politicians, including Gov. Jay Inslee.

December 15, 2023, 5:11pm Clark County News

A handful of people who were experiencing homelessness in Vancouver will be home for the holidays. Read story

Living Hope Church will host its annual living Nativity scene over the weekend. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pair of socks, which will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness.

Vancouver’s Living Hope Church to host live Nativity scene in conjuction with a sock drive

Living Hope Church will host its annual living Nativity scene over the weekend. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pair of socks, which will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness.

December 14, 2023, 4:06pm Clark County News

Living Hope Church will host its annual living Nativity scene this weekend. Read story

High rents and increases are pushing Washington residents out of their homes, according to recent data.

Rent hikes pushing tenants out of homes in Clark County, around Washington

High rents and increases are pushing Washington residents out of their homes, according to recent data.

December 14, 2023, 6:08am Business

Last year, Mary Moore paid about $1,600 a month to rent an apartment in Vancouver. But when a $250 rent hike pushed beyond her budget, the 69-year-old was forced to move. Read story

Churches are in desperate need of volunteers this holiday season. Shelters are an important resource for connecting people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.

Volunteers needed for Clark County homeless winter shelters

Churches are in desperate need of volunteers this holiday season. Shelters are an important resource for connecting people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.

December 14, 2023, 6:08am Clark County News

Jane Seidel remembers the moment she realized winter shelters made a real difference in our community. Read story

Casey Jewell, left, and her son, Charley Jewell, live in a mobile home with a large hole in the kitchen ceiling. Cassie Jewell said the hole formed last spring and has since grown.

Rights without a remedy: Washington law creates dilemma for low-income renter at mobile home park on Highway 99

Casey Jewell, left, and her son, Charley Jewell, live in a mobile home with a large hole in the kitchen ceiling. Cassie Jewell said the hole formed last spring and has since grown.

December 13, 2023, 6:05am Business

A pair of pork chops wait in Casey Jewell’s freezer. They’re one of her son’s favorite foods, and she’d like to cook them for him. Read story