Reporter Paul Valencia embraces his new role, going out to board meetings, council meetings, to homeless camps, or to interview local politicians, and while he will always write about sports, he is proud to help Clark County Today with its main mission
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
See Grok’s analysis of this story
A year ago in this space, I explained how my role as a reporter at Clark County Today has changed significantly. When I was hired here in 2017, I was known as a sports guy, with 99 percent of my two decades of previous reporting experience centered around sports.
Even after first coming to Clark County Today, I was probably around 75 percent sports and human interest features outside of sports.
It was my forte.
Through the years, though, the staffing at CCT has changed and so, too, have the roles for those of us who call Clark County Today our work home.
My editor? He loves sports and sports coverage.
The owner of Clark County Today? He appreciates sports coverage, too — he wants a wide range of community happenings to be featured on this site.
So, yes, sports will always remain a part of my job. Just not the top priority anymore.
The mission of this small yet dedicated staff is to bring readers news they can use, and also to ensure that points of view that other media outlets might ignore or dismiss are highlighted. Free speech is celebrated at Clark County Today. The conservative voice will be heard at Clark County Today. That’s not the case at many other media outlets.
For the most part, though, I do not delve into the opinion world in my news coverage. For the most part, I report, then get out of the way. We have an editor and a host of contributors who write opinion pieces on those news items.
Looking back on my 2025 news coverage was kind of overwhelming. It was a challenge. It was exhilarating.
One of the biggest stories of 2025 will continue in 2026 — the C-TRAN Board of Directors, the Clark County Council, and the act of Michelle Belkot being removed from the C-TRAN Board by the Clark County Council. (Find more coverage here)
Wow, that’s a mouthful.
It was, and remains, chaotic. Lawsuits. One that has been withdrawn, and another that is still pending. A criminal investigation that led to recommendations of fines and a possible charge. Oh, and in the meantime, the composition of the C-TRAN Board of Directors is likely going to change in 2026, but we do not know how just yet. Of course, lawyers are involved.
Oh, and the meeting that started this whole thing? That was in March of 2025, and having to do with language in an agreement with C-TRAN potentially paying for operations and maintenance costs for light rail on a new bridge for Interstate 5. … Wait a minute. Was this 2025 or 2010?
In all, I wrote 27 pieces on C-TRAN, Belkot, and the whole ordeal.
That does not include separate pieces on light rail and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. (Find more coverage here)
In February and March, we had a four-part series from my interview with Clark County Sheriff John Horch.
- Discussions with the Sheriff, Part 1: Staff shortage is a crisis at Clark County Sheriff’s Office
- Discussions with the Sheriff Part 2: CCSO ‘does not do federal enforcement’ but won’t ‘leave fellow law enforcement’
- Discussions with the Sheriff, Part 3: Body-worn cameras help with transparency as well as training,
- Discussions with the Sheriff, Part 4: Sheriff Horch says communication is key in his role
We continued our coverage of homeless issues. What do you think Clark County? Is the problem getting better or worse?
In April, we reported that camps set up on one side of Andresen Road along the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail were cleared out every few weeks, only for the homeless to set up camp on the other side of the street, just a few hundred yards away. Seriously. Every few weeks, the city cleared them out and allowed the homeless to just set up down the way.
This, we found out, had been happening for quite some time. In April, we were told the city could not keep the homeless from setting up along the trail because there was nowhere else for them to find shelter. Yet in July, the city put up signs saying no camping there, and the homeless were moved out of the area.
Meanwhile, the homeless camps near the Share House close to downtown Vancouver were only getting larger as the year progressed.
We continued our coverage of Save Vancouver Streets throughout 2025. That grassroots organization has seen some legal defeats but still inspired citizens to speak up against city leaders.
We also highlighted some high-profile visits. Katy Faust of Them Before Us was a guest speaker. So, too, was Scott Presler. These are famous conservative influencers. Then there was Dr. Ben Carson’s appearance at the downtown Hilton.
We also localized some big national stories.
Clark County Today was the only media in attendance when Stephen Davis of Turning Point USA came to Vancouver to visit with a local chapter. That was back in May. In September, Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk was killed in Utah. Here at home, we were there when the local chapter had another gathering in Kirk’s honor, vowing to keep his work alive.
Recently, the sports world lost Greg Biffle. In this space, as we look back on 2025, I would like to thank everyone in Clark County who knew Biffle before he became famous, who helped him become the man he became. To so many he was a NASCAR racing legend. But he was so much more than that, with all of his humanitarian acts. And he grew up right here in Clark County.
Of course, I will always consider myself a human interest specialist in this career. I love finding fun stories, as well.
The year 2025 is the year that Ridgefield became the fast food capital of Washington. (OK, maybe an exaggeration. But only maybe.) In-N-Out Burger opened, the first of its kind in our state. Hey Vancouver, you’re next, in 2026!
And my absolute favorite fun story for me? I met the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales at the Clark County Fair.
Thank you for reading in 2025, and we look forward to sharing more stories from the community with you in 2026 and beyond.
This independent analysis was created with Grok, an AI model from xAI. It is not written or edited by ClarkCountyToday.com and is provided to help readers evaluate the article’s sourcing and context.
Quick summary
In this year‑end opinion piece, Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia reflects on shifting from mostly sports coverage to a broader mix of news in 2025, highlighting major stories such as the continuing C‑TRAN board disputes over Michelle Belkot’s removal, recurring homelessness issues in Vancouver, visits from national conservative speakers, and lighter community features ranging from new restaurant openings to appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales.
What Grok notices
- Recounts specific coverage with numbers and dates—such as roughly 27 articles on C‑TRAN issues and a four‑part interview series with the county sheriff—giving readers a concrete sense of where reporting time was spent.
- Links local stories on homelessness, repeated camp clearances, and public‑safety concerns to broader debates happening across the region, while grounding them in particular locations and events.
- Notes several high‑profile conservative speakers and events that brought national political figures into Clark County, connecting local coverage to wider political currents.
- Balances heavier topics with lighter features on fast‑food openings, community gatherings, and the Budweiser Clydesdales, underscoring the outlet’s interest in everyday local life as well as controversy.
- Reflects Paul Valencia’s own perspective on his evolving role and on Clark County Today’s mission to cover both governance and community stories, rather than presenting a neutral audit of news priorities.
Questions worth asking
- How has Clark County Today’s increased emphasis on local governance stories—such as C‑TRAN board actions and homelessness policy—changed reader engagement or feedback over the past year?
- As C‑TRAN‑related lawsuits and board‑composition debates continue into 2026, how might those outcomes shape regional transit planning and funding priorities?
- What patterns emerged in Vancouver’s approach to homelessness in 2025, and how did residents and service providers respond to repeated camp clearances?
- How do visits from national conservative speakers influence local political conversations, organizing, or turnout in Clark County?
- For a community‑focused outlet, what mix of accountability reporting, in‑depth features, and lighter human‑interest pieces best serves readers’ needs?
Research this topic more
- Clark County Council – agendas, minutes, and appointments relevant to C‑TRAN and local policy
- C‑TRAN – board minutes, policy updates, and project information
- City of Vancouver – homelessness initiatives, ordinances, and program reports
- Washington Courts – public access to case records for lawsuits connected to C‑TRAN or local governance disputes
Also read:
- Opinion: Majority party policies still making life more expensive for Washingtonians
Rep. John Ley outlines his opposition to new taxes, raises concerns about state spending, and details legislation he plans to pursue during the 2026 Washington legislative session. - Fluoride fights bubble up around Washington
City councils across Washington are debating whether to remove fluoride from drinking water as dental and health experts cite long-standing evidence of its safety and benefits. - Opinion: What happens when you build a state budget on the most volatile tax sources?
Ryan Frost argues that relying on volatile tax sources like income and capital gains taxes risks destabilizing Washington’s budget and undermining long-term fiscal planning. - Battle Ground City Council welcomes new and re-elected members
The Battle Ground City Council seated new and returning members and selected Eric Overholser as mayor and Aimee Vaile as deputy mayor during its first meeting of 2026. - Ty Stober announces candidacy for Clark County auditor
Vancouver City Council Member Ty Stober announced his candidacy for Clark County auditor following Greg Kimsey’s decision not to seek re-election. - Ridgefield American Legion Post 44 names its Legionnaire of the Year
Ridgefield American Legion Post 44 named Jade Bourke its 2025 Legionnaire of the Year, honoring his leadership, military service, and longstanding contributions to Ridgefield and nearby communities. - Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey announces he won’t seek re-election
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey announced he will not seek re-election after more than 25 years in office, citing confidence in his staff and a desire to continue public service in other ways.
