Clark County Today: Week in Review, Sept. 11, 2026

0:00The Interstate Bridge replacement program is under fire this week with new scrutiny over how a project that was supposed to cost between $3.2 and $4.8 billion in 2020 has ballooned to a current projection of $15.2 billion. After more than six years of work, the IBR remains only about 30% designed and 30% funded. The program spent $321.7 million just to reach a record of decision that was originally budgeted at $44 million. With John Lee writing an opinion, asks who has been collecting guaranteed profit throughout that process and a public poll is now open asking Clark County residents how confident they are in the program's current management. On the political front, a new survey of 400 likely in November 2026 General Election Voters conducted August 1 through 3rd by peak insights finds taxes and government spending are the top concern for Clark County voters with 25% naming it their primary issue. 74% say rising costs worry than more than a year ago and only 29% say the county is

1:02headed in the right direction. In a separate political development, Auditor candidate Eileen Quiring O'Brien announced that her first act in office would be ordering a full independent third party audit of the Clark County Auditor's office, covering financial records, election operations, voter roles, contracting, and taxpayer resource use. The office has been led by Gregg Kimsey for nearly three decades. Also drawing attention is a letter from Camus resident Anna Miller who challenges the Clark County Council's removal of Councillor Michelle Bellcott from the C-Tran board. Bellcott was removed for refusing to vote as the council majority directed. Miller argues no written rule requiring that vote existed at the time and that the council only adopted new provisions addressing the issue afterward. On a lighter note, the Building Industry Association of Clark County opens this year's GRO Parade of Homes this week. Now in its 49th year, the event features eight homes in the Emerald Growth Community of Sam and Creek. Tickets are $20 for adults, with a portion benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At Orchard's Elementary in Vancouver, Seattle Rain FC defender Jordan Bug, 20 years old,

2:06joined students September 4th for the grand opening of Clark County's first-ever soccer mini-pitch, funded by the Ray Foundation and CVS Health. Two students made the ceremonial first kicks. Washington State now has 52 such mini-pitches. In this week, Vancouver resident John Lee, a former Delta pilots union leader, shared his memories of September 11th, 2001. He was asleep at home when the phone rang that morning. He went on to serve on a 10-person committee that drafted dozens of security recommendations, presented directly to the Secretary of Transportation, some of which became standard practice at airports across the country. To receive Clark County today's weekly newsletter with local reporting, opinion, sports, and community coverage delivered to your inbox every Friday, sign up at Clark County today