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Stories by Patty Hastings

Columbian Social Services, Demographics, Faith

A storefront near the northeast corner of Northeast Andresen Road and Fourth Plain Boulevard was the longtime home of a Value Village store. It’s now home to Dick Hannah’s Ram truck dealership.

AG Ferguson files suit against Value Village

A storefront near the northeast corner of Northeast Andresen Road and Fourth Plain Boulevard was the longtime home of a Value Village store. It’s now home to Dick Hannah’s Ram truck dealership.

December 20, 2017, 5:47pm Business

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday a consumer protection lawsuit against TVI Inc., the for-profit company that owns Value Village, which used to have a Vancouver location. Ferguson alleges that the Bellevue-based company “deceived thousands of Washington consumers and donors for more than a decade,” according to a news… Read story

Andy Silver, executive director of the Council for the Homeless, swears an oath before testifying at a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed relocation of the day center for homeless people.

Hearing on moving day center for homeless draws crowd

Andy Silver, executive director of the Council for the Homeless, swears an oath before testifying at a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed relocation of the day center for homeless people.

December 19, 2017, 10:01pm Clark County News

Dozens of people attended Tuesday’s heated public hearing on the potential relocation of Vancouver’s day center for homeless people. Many residents, business owners and property owners oppose the idea while others, including service providers and formerly homeless people, support it. Read story

William McCrandall works on Clark County Adventist Community Services’ new building at 3114 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., which the organization bought from the Red Cross in July.

New Adventist food pantry takes shape, runs into delays

William McCrandall works on Clark County Adventist Community Services’ new building at 3114 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., which the organization bought from the Red Cross in July.

December 19, 2017, 6:00am Churches & Religion

Construction of Clark County Adventist Community Services’ bigger, better food pantry in central Vancouver is moving along. The project, though, is taking longer and is more involved than originally thought. Read story

Free Thanksgiving dinner in 2016 at WareHouse ’23. Organizers of the popular dinner have revived the long-standing tradition to again serve those in need. The dinner, which began in 1982, started as a collaboration between the Chronis family and former Clark County Judge Rich Melnick.

Vancouver restaurants to serve holiday meal to those in need

Free Thanksgiving dinner in 2016 at WareHouse ’23. Organizers of the popular dinner have revived the long-standing tradition to again serve those in need. The dinner, which began in 1982, started as a collaboration between the Chronis family and former Clark County Judge Rich Melnick.

December 18, 2017, 6:03am Clark County News

A couple of local restaurants are cooking up Christmas cheer for those less fortunate. Read story

Judy Smith, left, and Marge Kleen, both of Vancouver, share a laugh as they work on their knitting projects during their weekly Knitty Gritty Heroes meet up at Vista Court, an income-restricted senior apartment complex in downtown Vancouver. The women have made more than 500 hats and 13 fleece blankets for local people experiencing homelessness.

Seniors knit hats, blankets for homeless

Judy Smith, left, and Marge Kleen, both of Vancouver, share a laugh as they work on their knitting projects during their weekly Knitty Gritty Heroes meet up at Vista Court, an income-restricted senior apartment complex in downtown Vancouver. The women have made more than 500 hats and 13 fleece blankets for local people experiencing homelessness.

December 14, 2017, 6:00am Clark County News

Judy Smith thinks it’s sad seeing the negativity toward homeless people, especially considering how easy it is to become homeless. As the 69-year-old entered the community room at Vista Court, she set down a hat she’d recently finished knitting. Read story

Jen Riley, from left, greets her daughter, Savannah, 8, with her wife, Kris, after school in Ridgefield on Tuesday afternoon.

Same-sex parents navigate ups and downs of making a family

Jen Riley, from left, greets her daughter, Savannah, 8, with her wife, Kris, after school in Ridgefield on Tuesday afternoon.

December 12, 2017, 6:00am Clark County News

There are so many different ways to make a family, Kris and Jen Riley say. Some kids have one mom or one dad. Some kids are adopted. Some have two dads. And some, like their daughter, have two moms. Read story

Erica Erland and Mel Buckner work on a puzzle together on Monday evening Nov. 27, 2017, at their home in Vancouver. Mel proposed to Erica singing a Karaoke version of Bruno Mars' "Marry You" in 2012, and a year later they were married on Sept. 1, 2013, in a best friend's backyard in Vancouver.

Same-sex couple appreciate the benefits of marriage

Erica Erland and Mel Buckner work on a puzzle together on Monday evening Nov. 27, 2017, at their home in Vancouver. Mel proposed to Erica singing a Karaoke version of Bruno Mars' "Marry You" in 2012, and a year later they were married on Sept. 1, 2013, in a best friend's backyard in Vancouver.

December 11, 2017, 6:00am Clark County News

A medical emergency derailed Erica Erland and Mel Buckner's honeymoon in New England, but because they were married Erland was able to arrange for emergency care for her incapacitated wife. Read story

James Griener, left, offers a toast to his husband, Paul Harris, as they celebrate Paul's birthday with a quiet dinner and a birthday cake at their Camas home Monday night, Dec. 4, 2017. The couple, who have been together for decades, were finally able to legally get married in 2012.

Five years after legalized gay marriage, couple reflect on living their dream

James Griener, left, offers a toast to his husband, Paul Harris, as they celebrate Paul's birthday with a quiet dinner and a birthday cake at their Camas home Monday night, Dec. 4, 2017. The couple, who have been together for decades, were finally able to legally get married in 2012.

December 10, 2017, 6:00am Clark County News

Paul Harris and James Griener met on a crisp winter day in 1972 on the Brooklyn Heights promenade, a walkway overlooking the East River and the Manhattan skyline. In two days, they’ll have been married five years. Read story

Hudson House on the Kaiser shipyard site in Vancouver.

VHA’s role in Vancouver reaches back to WWII

Hudson House on the Kaiser shipyard site in Vancouver.

December 3, 2017, 6:05am Clark County News

The Vancouver Housing Authority turned 75 in February. It's the oldest agency in Clark County that develops housing affordable to low-income families. It's also known for managing the local Section 8, or Housing Choice Voucher Program, which provides rental assistance to struggling households. Read story

Plumbing foreman Steve Beskow installs pipes in November at Meriwether Place on Fourth Plain Boulevard. The 30-unit complex will be one of the first completed projects using Affordable Housing Fund money.

Affordable Housing Fund makes gains, city says

Plumbing foreman Steve Beskow installs pipes in November at Meriwether Place on Fourth Plain Boulevard. The 30-unit complex will be one of the first completed projects using Affordable Housing Fund money.

December 3, 2017, 6:05am Clark County News

One year later: A look at Vancouver’s solution to a vexing issue Read story