Amanda Cowan/The Columbian
Legislation enforcement officers examine a capturing on the Cascade Park Safeway retailer on Dec. 5. It was one in all seven native shootings involving police to date in 2024.
Craig Brown is The Columbian’s editor. Contact him at 360-735-4514 or craig.brown@columbian.com.
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I like Erin’s thought, however I wished to pay homage to the normal method. So right here is my subjective listing of the ten most vital native tales of the 12 months:
Police shootings: As of Wednesday, this 12 months, native legislation enforcement officers had shot seven individuals. That’s rather a lot. The entire shootings are both nonetheless below investigation or authorized assessment. A newly shaped state company is investigating the newest capturing. Investigators can be helped by footage from physique cameras, worn by most native legislation enforcement officers.
Ridgefield retail: What for years was a metropolis and not using a grocery store now has its personal Costco, which opened this fall. In March, social media went dizzy when In-N-Out confirmed it could open its first Washington restaurant in the identical procuring heart. Extra retailers are coming there, too.
Vancouver waterfront: The brand new parking storage opened at The Waterfront Vancouver, as did The Springs, a big assisted dwelling heart. Development has practically wrapped up on the new workplace complicated anchoring the east finish, and the Port of Vancouver’s contractors have been readying the previous Purple Lion Resort pier for redevelopment.
Interstate Bridge Alternative Program: The long-delayed Draft Supplemental Environmental Affect Assertion was lastly revealed, and a big chunk of federal cash was recognized for the long-anticipated challenge. However the gentle rail could require new taxes to function.
Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s affect: In March, one other 10,000 sq. toes was added to the occasion heart at ilani, and the tribe seems poised to purchase Tri-Mountain Golf Course from the county. In the meantime, the Cowlitz have change into leaders in Clark County on the whole lot from renewable vitality to charitable giving to cultural occasions.
Elections: Moderates did exceptionally properly in native races, together with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. The Clark County Council’s new average majority brings hope the county and Vancouver may go collectively extra efficiently on the coverage degree to handle widespread issues, akin to homelessness and nonviolent crime.
Homelessness doesn’t get a lot worse (or a lot better): The annual point-in-time rely discovered homelessness rose 5 p.c in Clark County, in contrast with 9 p.c nationally and 23 p.c in King County. Clark County had fewer homeless veterans, home violence survivors and unaccompanied minors than final 12 months. Town has proposed a 150-bed bridge shelter within the Van Mall neighborhood, however too many individuals reside outside, notably alongside West Mill Plain Boulevard.
Police academy: Clark County has fewer police than common in a state that has fewer police than common. A brand new police coaching academy in Vancouver, which ought to improve officer recruitment, graduated its firstclass in late spring.
College budgets: As federal funding to assist public colleges via the COVID-19 pandemic expired, college districts needed to make painful spending reductions. Some districts, together with Washougal, are on a state warning listing. The disaster may improve in 2025, because the state confronts its personal price range deficit.
Southeast Mill Plain improvement: Two auto dealerships (one changing a Safeway), a second In-N-Out and extra are deliberate for the neighborhood of the long-gone Evergreen Airport.