With little fanfare, the Vancouver Transportation Benefit District Board unanimously approved a $20 license tab fee increase Monday evening. The city council serves as the Transportation Benefit District Board to control vehicle fee revenues.
The $20 fee increase was not a new discussion. An increase in 2018 has been the plan since the fee was first approved in December 2015. Chris Malone, public works finance and asset manager, said the fee assures a “user pays” dimension to the overall funding approach. The $20 — now $40 — fee is also the single largest revenue generator in the street funding strategy.
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 release.
The complaint filed in King County Superior Court claims TVI violated the Consumer Protection Act and Charitable Solicitations Act.
Zachery Scalf, who was driving for UPS, stopped at Natural Grocers in Hazel Dell earlier this month to make a delivery.
When he turned around, he found the rented truck was gone, stolen. Days later, he was fired.
“It sucks, because not only did this thief drive away with the truck, but it’s like they drove away with Zach’s job,” said Alison Gootee, Scalf’s wife.
For nearly 40 years, Cascade Bar & Grill has been a staple of the East Mill Plain neighborhood. But within the last few years, neighbors have been at odds with the establishment over its outdoor seating and live music.
Brandon Webb lives on Southeast Fifth Street behind the bar, 15000 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. The noise didn’t become an issue until Cascade obtained a permit in 2009 for an outdoor beer garden, he said.
