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In case you missed it, here are some of the top stories of the week:
More Clark County students than ever are considered homeless. Across the county kids are sleeping in homeless shelters, on couches and floors at Grandma’s house, in unfinished garages and basements, in cars and in tents.
The state released its count of homeless students for the 2014-2015 school year Tuesday. Statewide, 35,511 students were counted as homeless. That’s 3.3 percent of the state’s preschool through 12th grade population, and a 9.1 increase from the previous school year.
Learn more about homeless students in Clark County.
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: Rental vacancy rates are extremely low in Vancouver.
Recently released Census data show that it’s not just Vancouver. Rather, it’s a metropolitan and regional trend. The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area wrapped up 2015 with a 2.4 percent vacancy rate — the lowest among the nation’s 75 largest metropolitan statistical areas. And the whole Western region sat at 4.9 percent.
Read more about rental prices in the area.
Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt criticized efforts in Olympia to renew discussions about a crossing over the Columbia River and asked key lawmakers to kill the proposed legislation.
In particular, Leavitt blasted Rep. Liz Pike’s involvement. In a Jan. 26 email to Rep. Judy Clibborn, chair of the House’s Transportation Committee, Leavitt said Pike’s participation “results in an immediate recoil from the political, business and community leadership who are desiring to reach a collaborative and realistic resolution to this regional transportation challenge.”
Learn more about the plan to revive I-5 Bridge talks.
After more than six years of analysis, the Bonneville Power Administration has released its final environmental impact statement on the high-voltage transmission line that could run from Castle Rock to Troutdale, Ore.
The more than 6,000-page final EIS is a major milestone in the BPA’s National Environmental Policy Act review for the siting of a potential 500-kilovolt line.
Get more details on the power line route.
He paced in front of his players, like he had done so many times through the years in his pre-game speeches.
On Tuesday, though, his voice cracked a couple times as he tried to find the perfect words to say goodbye.
After 22 seasons as Columbia River football’s head coach, and 16 before that as an assistant with the program, John O’Rourke is calling it a career.
Read more about John O’Rourke’s years at Columbia River.
The National Marine Fisheries Service says it has completed work on plans for 26 Columbia River hatcheries and is actively working on Endangered Species Act review of 32 more, including 16 on lower Columbia tributaries in Washington.
The numbers from the federal fishery agency were provided in response to a 60-day notice of intent to sue announced Jan. 13 by the Wild Fish Conservancy, which claims the government is funding Columbia River hatcheries prior to meeting mandated review of plans under the Endangered Species Act.
Learn more about the hatchery plans.
