The Columbian

Editor's Choice

A pedestrian walks in the shadow of a snow-capped Mount Hood Monday afternoon near Vancouver’s Wintler Park. New research out of Washington State University Vancouver shows that a decades-old warming trend is undermining the Pacific Northwest’s vital snowpack.

Washington State University researchers set out to discover the impact the 2021 heat dome had on snow melt, but what they found revealed an alarming warming trend

December 18, 2023, 2:45pm Clark County News

The Pacific Northwest’s mountainous snow, kept frozen in high elevations, was thought to be resilient to bursts of warmth in the springtime. But this durability may be weakening, threatening a key source of the region’s water supply, according to a study released last week. Read story

Gov. Jay Inslee visits the fourth Safe Stay Community off Main Street on Friday morning. Earlier, he visited with The Columbian’s Editorial Board.

Gov. Jay Inslee optimistic about his proposed 2024 supplemental budget

December 16, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

Gov. Jay Inslee is “cautiously optimistic” that state legislators will approve his proposed 2024 supplemental budget released Wednesday. Inslee met with The Columbian’s Editorial Board Friday to discuss the specifics of the budget. Read story

Sgt. Chris Skidmore speaks to members of the media after five people died in an apparent murder-suicide at a home in Orchards, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, as seen Monday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2023.

Orchards shooting part of sad trend as family members slain at home are largest share of mass killings

December 16, 2023, 6:03am Clark County News

The Dec. 3. murder-suicide in Orchards that left a family of five dead followed a grim trend in the United States: the largest share of mass killings involve family members and happen at home. Read story

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

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

Above, The Ninebark apartments near the Port of Camas-Washougal are among new developments coming to Clark County.

Clark County could see 1,000s more apartments in 2024 as developments in Vancouver, Camas, Washougal take shape

December 15, 2023, 6:04am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Fisher’s Quarry, the Heights, Waterfront Gateway and the Camas-Washougal waterfront — will be moving into their next stages of development next year. Combined, the mixed-use developments are expected to bring thousands of new residential units and tens of thousands of square feet of retail space to the county. Read story

Jerrad Isch walks down the exterior stairs of his Airbnb in Vancouver. He been renting out the unit for about five years and says that it has been a largely positive experience for him and his neighbors.

Vancouver sets public hearing on short-term rentals, most of which are technically illegal in city

December 14, 2023, 6:32pm Clark County News

The Vancouver City Council is hosting a public hearing on proposed regulations for short-term rentals, like Airbnb and VRBO, within Vancouver. The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Read story

Construction continues at The Ledges at Palisades in Camas on Tuesday morning. The multifamily development is one of several around the county slated to come online in the coming years.

Multifamily construction: Occupancy rates in Clark County hit healthy level, rents remain steady, real estate company says

December 14, 2023, 6:09am Business Subscriber Exclusive

With Clark County’s multifamily occupancy rate healthy after having been tight coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, rents in the area have remained steady. And developments are still coming online to accommodate the area’s growing population. Read story