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Thursday,  November 14 , 2024

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Photo of Patty Hastings

Stories by Patty Hastings

Columbian Social Services, Demographics, Faith

Hundreds of volunteers made their way to the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail to plant trees as part of the annual MLK Day of Service in 2015.

MLK Day of Service volunteer opportunities abound

Hundreds of volunteers made their way to the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail to plant trees as part of the annual MLK Day of Service in 2015.

January 12, 2016, 6:00am Clark County News

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted as once saying, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?' " Read story

A man looks out from a balcony at 15 West Apartments, an affordable housing complex in downtown Vancouver. The 120-unit building will rent to people earning 60 percent of the median income or less.

Vancouver explores affordable housing ideas

A man looks out from a balcony at 15 West Apartments, an affordable housing complex in downtown Vancouver. The 120-unit building will rent to people earning 60 percent of the median income or less.

January 11, 2016, 8:30pm Clark County News

Housing advocates have reiterated again and again that one way to make a major dent in Vancouver's housing crisis is to increase the supply of affordable housing. Read story

Randy Larson of Salmon Creek Outfitters talks about his business in Uptown Village on Dec.

New shops, new locations mark change in downtown Vancouver

Randy Larson of Salmon Creek Outfitters talks about his business in Uptown Village on Dec.

January 6, 2016, 6:01am Business

Downtown Vancouver is playing musical chairs, of sorts. New stores are coming in, others are moving down the street, and some old establishments have closed up shop. Read story

Denise Currie, founder of the Giving Closet, stands among racks of clothing at the nonprofit. &quot;I empty my closet all the time,&quot; she said.

Giving Closet offers more than clothes

Denise Currie, founder of the Giving Closet, stands among racks of clothing at the nonprofit. &quot;I empty my closet all the time,&quot; she said.

January 2, 2016, 7:37pm Clark County News

Emergency supplies assist families living in poverty, domestic violence victims Read story

Sadie, an adult tabby, perches on a play structure at Furry Friends&#039; halfway house.

Cat shelter looking for a new place to call home

Sadie, an adult tabby, perches on a play structure at Furry Friends&#039; halfway house.

December 28, 2015, 5:21pm Clark County News

At first glance, the three-bedroom ranch house seems like a cat's dream. There are scratching posts galore, lots of shelves for climbing, cushy places to nap and "catios" for sunbathing. The rooms have kitschy names such as Camp Meow-a-lotta, Purrific Ocean and Garden of Kneadin. Read story

Jerad Nichols of Long Beach stands next to a hut he helped build through Huts for Hope during a visit Wednesday at Esther Short Park in Vancouver. The nonprofit group began building shelters for the homeless a year ago.

Huts for Hope delivers shelter to couple in need

Jerad Nichols of Long Beach stands next to a hut he helped build through Huts for Hope during a visit Wednesday at Esther Short Park in Vancouver. The nonprofit group began building shelters for the homeless a year ago.

December 23, 2015, 7:26pm Clark County News

Huts for Hope has evolved its mobile hut design after giving away its first shelter one year ago. Each successive hut, created to provide emergency shelter for a homeless person, was built to be lighter and comfier than the last. Read story

A motorist exits the parking lot Wednesday morning at Parc Central apartments in Vancouver.

Renting cheaper for Clark County housing

A motorist exits the parking lot Wednesday morning at Parc Central apartments in Vancouver.

December 23, 2015, 10:50am Business

Is it more affordable to rent or buy housing in Clark County? According to RealtyTrac, those earning an average wage are better off renting in 2016. Read story

Kaylin Tompkins and her four children in the basement of a family she knows through Facebook Wednesday November 4 , 2015. The 29-year-old supports her family on $600 in welfare and $400 in EBT every month. She's trying to find more permanent housing until her fiancé is released from prison.

Families in search of secure housing face ‘vicious cycle’

Kaylin Tompkins and her four children in the basement of a family she knows through Facebook Wednesday November 4 , 2015. The 29-year-old supports her family on $600 in welfare and $400 in EBT every month. She's trying to find more permanent housing until her fiancé is released from prison.

December 20, 2015, 6:00am Clark County News

Kaylin Tompkins sits cross-legged on the carpet surrounded by her four children. She tickles them, cuddles them and asks them questions in that high-pitched mom voice reserved for little ones. Karly, 7, sits quietly, hands folded, on her mom’s leg while 1½-year-old AJ dives into his mom’s lap. The twins… Read story

Record year for Community Foundation

December 19, 2015, 6:01am Clark County News

This year was a big year for the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington -- the biggest, actually. In 2015, the nonprofit disbursed more than $1.2 million in discretionary grant money to nonprofits and charitable programs in Southwest Washington. That's a 36 percent increase over last year and a record for… Read story

Jenna Plant of Vancouver, from center with alligator, chats with fellow shoppers Makenna Elliott, 16, and her mom, Rene, during Black Friday shopping Friday morning, Nov. 27, 2015 at the Southeast 164th Avenue Fred Meyer.

Finance website projects higher holiday spending this year

Jenna Plant of Vancouver, from center with alligator, chats with fellow shoppers Makenna Elliott, 16, and her mom, Rene, during Black Friday shopping Friday morning, Nov. 27, 2015 at the Southeast 164th Avenue Fred Meyer.

December 13, 2015, 6:10am Clark County News

Clark County is on track to spend more this holiday season, based on higher retail sales over the last several years and improved finances for some households. Retail spending in Clark County has gone up 24 percent over the last 10 years during the fourth quarter, which covers those key… Read story