Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office - MEDIA RELEASE - 04/15/26

The following information is in reference to a death investigated by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. This investigation is related to an incident on April 9, 2026 in Vancouver.

This individual died on 04/09/2026 in Vancouver, WA.

The name of the decedent: Peters, Naomi Lealani   Age: 33 years

The decedent was a resident of (city/state): Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death:  Multiple sharp force injuries

Manner of death:  Homicide

How the injury occurred: Injured by other person(s)

Place of injury: Decedent’s residence

Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to Vancouver Police Department.

Media release issue date: 04/15/2026

County’s Commission On Aging Continues Discussion On Mobility At April Meeting - 04/13/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Commission on Aging will continue their four-part series on mobility at its April meeting.  The COA welcomes professionals from the Community in Motion and the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington for a discussion about mobility challenges and solutions for older adults.

The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, and is open to the public.

Commission on Aging meetings are held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Attend in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or join by phone or computer through information provided at: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging-meetings.

Commission meetings are carried on CVTV Channel 23/323 and online at www.cvtv.org. To see replay times, go to www.cvtv.org.

The Commission on Aging, supported by the of the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.

County Council To Hold Hearing On Preferred Land Use Alternative For Comprehensive Plan Update (Photo) - 04/10/26

Vancouver, Wash. - Clark County is revising its Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, a 20-year guide for managing growth and development with respect to the natural environment and available resources. In addition, the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal, Woodland and Yacolt are also updating their comprehensive plans.

Three land use alternatives were studied for the cities referenced above and the county in a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that was the subject of a 60-day review and public comment period which ended on Nov. 30, 2025. The City of Vancouver is also updating its Comprehensive Plan and is preparing separate environmental documentation.

County Council has scheduled a public hearing to take public testimony and select a preferred land use alternative. A final EIS will be prepared on the selected alternative.

The hearing will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 4 p.m. in a hybrid format. The hearing will continue, if necessary, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Attendees can join in person in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or virtually via Webex. Information on how to attend the meeting can be found on the council’s meeting page at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings.

Proposed mapping and related information is available at https://bit.ly/2025CPUpdate. The staff report and related materials will be available 15 days prior to the hearing date on the county's website at https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/2025-update-meeting-and-event-information. Copies are also available by request to Jose Alvarez, Jose.Alvarez@clark.wa.gov, 564-397-4898. For other formats, contact the Clark County ADA Office at ADA@clark.wa.gov, voice 564-397-2322, Relay 711 or 800-833-6388, Fax 564-397-6165.

Written comments for the hearing can be submitted via the county website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/councilors/public-comment. Written public comments may be submitted between 8 a.m. April 10, 2026, and by the end of the hearing on April 28, 2026. Comments can also be read into the record. Instructions are available on the county website at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings.

Staff would appreciate receiving written testimony at least 24 hours before the hearing to ensure that it is forwarded to the Councilors prior to the hearing. Written testimony may also be submitted for the record during the hearing.

Learn more about the county Comprehensive Plan Update project, Your Future. Your Voice. at: https://bit.ly/2025CPUpdate.

County Seeks Public Comment On Plans Tied To CDBG And HOME Funding - 04/09/26

Council will hold May 5 public hearing on annual action plans

Vancouver, Wash. – All comments are welcomed and encouraged regarding the draft 2026 Clark County Annual Action Plan and substantial amendment to the 2025 Annual Action Plan.

The draft 2026 Annual Action Plan outlines the proposed activities to support the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

The substantial amendment to the 2025 Annual Action Plan outlines how Clark County proposes to reallocate CDBG funds.

In accordance with Consolidated Plan requirements at 24 CFR Part 91 Subpart B and the county’s Citizen Participation Plan, draft Annual Action Plans and changes to the Annual Action Plan through a Substantial Amendment are advertised to provide opportunity for public comment.

The Clark County Council will hold a Public Hearing 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Information about how to access this meeting is available at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information.

Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted by email to Nooreen.Ebraim@clark.wa.gov or by calling 564.397.7834.

Comments will be accepted through Monday, May 11, 2026.

Program Year 2026 proposed activities:

Battle Ground Healthcare – Dental Services. Provide dental services to low-income individuals. $98,831 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Lutheran Community Services Northwest – Health Services. Provide health system navigation to low-income individuals. $75,000 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

City of Battle Ground – N Parkway Avenue Sidewalks. Installation of sidewalks between N 25th St. and N Onsdorff Blvd. in Battle Ground where gaps exist. $303,000 of reprogrammed CDBG funds and program income.

Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF) – Childcare Business Assistance. Business assistance and educational resources for microenterprise childcare businesses. $76,500 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Upwards Care – Childcare Business Assistance. Business assistance and educational resources for microenterprise childcare businesses. $105,500 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Fourth Plain Forward –Business Assistance. Business assistance and educational resources for microenterprise owners. $282,455 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Latinx Business Assistance. Technical business assistance provided by a bilingual staff to Latino microenterprise owners. Up to $133,500 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Proud Ground – Homebuyer Assistance. Homebuyer assistance for three first-time homebuyers using a community land trust model to keep the homes permanently affordable. $127,687 of PY2026 CDBG funds, $4,267 of CDBG program income, and $120,268 of HOME reprogrammed funds.

Clark County – Housing Preservation Program. Provide essential housing repairs to low-income homeowners to maintain their existing housing safely and affordably. $216,662 of PY2026 CDBG and $183,338 of HOME reprogrammed and program income.

Columbia Non-Profit Housing – River and Main. New construction of a 40-unit fully affordable housing complex serving low-income seniors ages 62 and older in Washougal. $400,000 of HOME reprogrammed funds.

Foundation for the Challenged – FFC Homes XV. Acquisition and renovation of two homes to be used as housing for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are low-income. $203,000 of PY 2026 HOME funds.

Janus Youth Programs – The Nest TBRA program. Tenant-based rental assistance program assisting homeless youth ages 18-25 by providing case management and rent and utility payments. $227,300 of reprogrammed HOME funds and $60,000 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Share – Affordable Housing & Stability Program TBRA program. Tenant-based rental assistance program assisting individuals and families by providing case management and rent and utility payments. $214,367 of PY2026 HOME funds, $17,903 of reprogrammed HOME funds and $69,230 of PY2026 CDBG funds.

Program Year 2026 contingency activities:

The following applications were selected as contingency projects in the event any of the awarded applications cannot move forward.

Greater Vancouver Chamber – Business assistance. Business assistance and educational resources for microenterprise owners. Up to $75,000 of CDBG funds.

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity – Homebuyer Assistance. Homebuyer assistance for six first-time homebuyers using a community land trust model to keep the homes permanently affordable. Up to $300,000 of HOME funds.

Substantial Amendment to Program Year 2025 activities:

Canceled Project: Funding allocated to Clark County – 701 E Main St. Building Improvements project has been rescinded. Returned $201,500 of PY2025 funds.

New Funding: City of Battle Ground – N Parkway Avenue Sidewalks. Installation of sidewalks between N 25th St. and N Onsdorff Blvd. in Battle Ground where gaps exist. $201,500 of PY2025 funds.

UPDATE_4/2/26: Inmate With Pending Charges In Clark County Escapes Western State Hospital (Photo) - 04/03/26

UPDATE_4/2/26: Joshua Dylan Rice is 45 years old, not 35 years old as previously reported. 

CORRECTION: Please note that this individual may have associates in North Bend, Oregon. An earlier version of the release incorrectly said North Bend, Washington. 

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County was notified this afternoon that a Clark County inmate being held in Western State Hospital in Lakewood has escaped. Joshua Dylan Rice broke out of the hospital at approximately 8 pm March 31.

Rice currently has pending robbery 1, and theft of a motor vehicle charges in Clark County Superior Court. Due to the violent nature of these crimes, he should be considered dangerous. He also has known criminal history in Multnomah County.

Rice is a 45-year-old white male with blue eyes. He is approximately six feet tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He may have associates in the Salmon Creek area and potentially North Bend, Oregon.

Anyone who sees Rice or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact 911.

Please see the attached images of Joshua Rice.

Free In-person Workshops Promote Composting And Sustainable Living (Photo) - 04/02/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is hosting a series of free in-person workshops that teach practical composting and sustainable living strategies. In these sessions, participants learn how to shrink their environmental impact through hands-on composting, green cleaning, smarter recycling and preventing food waste.

• Worm Bin Composting: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 at Cascade Park Community Library (600 NE 136th Ave). Learn how to use red worms to turn food scraps into all-natural fertilizer for your garden. 
• Low Waste Chef: 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18 at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn how to save money by preventing food waste in the kitchen. 
• Backyard Composting: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 22 at Waste Connections of Clark County (9411 NE 94th Ave). Learn how to build a hot compost pile using the SMART method.  
• Recycling Done Right – Curbside and Beyond: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn how to be an expert recycler and why only certain items can go into your blue recycling cart and glass bin. 
• Green Cleaning: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 6 at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn how to make three versatile and environmentally friendly household cleaners. See how fun and safe cleaning can be. Participants will be eligible to receive a free green cleaning kit.
• Gardening with Compost: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 13 at Waste Connections of Clark County. Move towards a fertilizer-free garden by using compost to create a healthy and robust soil ecosystem. Learn about a variety of home compost methods (Bokashi, vermicompost, backyard bin compost, trench compost and leaf mulch) and how to apply compost to your garden.  
• Recycling Done Right – Curbside and Beyond: 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 20 at Waste Connections of Clark County. Learn how to be an expert recycler and why only certain items can go into your blue recycling cart and glass bin. 

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. To register, visit the Composter Recycler website. Participants will receive a confirmation email after successful registration.

Recordings of previous workshops are also available on the Composter Recycler website.

The Composter Recycler program educates the community about easy ways to reduce waste, increase recycling and create healthier homes. For more information about the program, visit the website or email info@clarkcountycomposts.org. 

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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Clark County Seeks Volunteer For Law And Justice Council - 04/02/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for an open seat on the Clark County Law and Justice Council.

The open position is for a representative of mental health providers.

The Law and Justice Council is established by state law to help coordinate activities of the local criminal justice agencies and develop a community corrections plan for local and state corrections services in the county.

Meetings are currently held at 8 am on the second Thursday of each month in person at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., sixth floor, suite 680 and online via WebEx.

To apply, submit a brief letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, County Manager’s Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000. Applications can also be emailed to michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, May 1, 2026.

County Extends Application Deadline For Commission On Aging Openings - 04/01/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking applicants for three full-term positions, and one partial-term on its Commission on Aging. The commission manages and implements the county’s Aging Readiness Plan and fosters countywide awareness, dialogue and insight into challenges and opportunities for residents of all ages, incomes and abilities.

Positions begin June 1, 2026. Volunteers typically serve three-year terms, which will end May 31, 2029. Residents living anywhere in Clark County may apply.

The county is looking for people who can bring:

• Interest and experience in issues and advocacy for older adults, related to housing; transportation/mobility; supportive services; healthy communities; community engagement; and emergency preparedness which are elements of the Aging Readiness Plan;
• Ethnic, cultural, social, and geographic diversity to the group; and
• Outstanding strategic communication and public speaking skills and experience meeting with a wide range of individuals and organizations.

The Commission is focusing their 2026 work on mobility and housing.

The commission meets 3:15-6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Each meeting includes a work session followed by a public meeting with informational presentations/discussions. Additional meetings, review of materials and related tasks may require an extra 10 hours per month. Meetings currently are being held in a hybrid format, with in-person and virtual options to attend.

Applicants should submit a résumé and letter of interest to Jake Goodwin, County Manager’s Office, at jake.goodwin@clark.wa.gov. Applications also may be mailed to P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000.

The revised submission deadline is 5 pm Friday, April 17, 2026.

The Aging Readiness Plan covers access to housing, transportation, health and safety, a variety of lifestyles, support services, and civic or social engagement. For more on the plan and commission, see www.clark.wa.gov/aging.

County Seeking Young People To Fill 10 Volunteer Positions On Youth Commission - 03/27/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Youth Commission is recruiting youths from all walks of life to fill at least 10 positions for the 2026-2027 program year.

The commission is a group of 30 people ages 12-19 which serves as a voice for Clark County youth. It advises the Clark County Council, county departments and community organizations about how their work can affect young people. It identifies and takes action on youth concerns, educates the community about building strong youth-adult partnerships, and provides leadership opportunities for youth.

All open positions are available for youth who live in Clark County. Additionally, new leader positions are available for youth with no previous leadership experience, and some positions are open to students living in the geographical boundaries of specific school districts as the Youth Commission uses school district boundaries to ensure broad representation of youth from all areas of the county. Woodland applicants must live in the section of the city within Clark County.

Members serve a one-year term but can recommit to serve multiple terms. The Youth Commission requires six to 12 hours of work each month. Meetings are 6:45-8:45 pm the first and third Thursdays of each month, except July and August. These meetings will be in person. Special projects, assignments and subcommittee work add another two to eight hours per month.

The Youth Commission is accepting applications until Thursday, April 23, 2026. Please find the application at www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/youth-commission. Finalists must participate in an in-person interview. If selected, they must be available to attend a mandatory orientation in August.

Youth commissioners work together on various projects and assignments, voicing ideas and contributing their skills and strengths. The commission is continuously striving to be more representative of the county’s diverse population.

For more information about the Clark County Youth Commission, please contact Elizabeth Houston-Hill, program coordinator, at 564.397.5133 or elizabeth.hill@clark.wa.gov. 

County Seeks Applicants For Two Positions On Community Action Advisory Board - 03/24/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking applicants for two positions on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board. These positions include a community representative from the county’s second district and a low-income representative from the county’s fourth district.

Term periods start immediately and are three years, ending December 31, 2028. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms.

The fifteen-member board makes recommendations about local government funding for basic needs, self-sufficiency, and housing programs. Members also advocate for services supporting low-income communities, families and persons at local, state and federal levels.

Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially people of color and from historically oppressed or under-resourced communities.

Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Abby Molloy, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or abby.molloy@clark.wa.gov.

Application information can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/caab-community-action-advisory-board or by calling Abby Molloy at 564.397.7832.

Deadline is Friday, April 10.

County Seeks Applicants For Community Action Advisory Board - 03/19/26

Vancouver, Wash.—The county manager is seeking applicants to fill the position of low-income representative from the county’s fourth district on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board.

Term periods start immediately and are three years, ending December 31, 2028. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms. 

The fifteen-member board makes recommendations about local government funding for basic needs, self-sufficiency, and housing programs. Members also advocate for services supporting low-income communities, families and persons at local, state and federal levels. 

Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially people of color and from historically oppressed or under-resourced communities. 

Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Abby Molloy, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or abby.molloy@clark.wa.gov. 

Application information can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/caab-community-action-advisory-boardor by calling Abby Molloy at 564.397.7832. 

Deadline is Friday, April 10.