Top Stories: Emergency care in Clark County, Ledges at the Palisades, Hockinson School District moves
May 23-Are more May showers on the way? Check out our local weather forecast to see what's in store.
Here are some of the top stories on columbian.com this week.
1."I was scared for my life": Emergency care at Clark County hospital sparks concerns
Kali VonDrogan knew she needed emergency medical help after spending two days unable to keep down food or water. The pain across her abdomen, sides and lower back became so intense she could barely move.
Across the country, patients are upset about overflowing emergency rooms, and Clark County is no exception. Residents are increasingly seeking emergency care here instead of crossing the Columbia River to Portland. In addition, the county's aging population and lack of access to primary care have contributed to increased pressure on PeaceHealth's Vancouver emergency department, said Patrick Vogelsong, PeaceHealth's director of nursing for emergency services.
* Patients say emergency department at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center left them frustrated, in pain
2. Ledges at Palisades construction continues on border of Camas, Vancouver
The massive Ledges at Palisades under construction atop a prominent hillside on the border of Camas and Vancouver continues to pique the curiosity of passersby.
People write and call The Columbian regularly in search of updates. Vancouver-based Kirkland Development broke ground on its Ledges at the Palisades project in 2021. Dean Kirkland, chairman of Kirkland Development, said last spring he expected the project to be done by early 2026. While it's not yet complete, Kirkland said the project is going well.
* Kirkland chairman says massive housing project going well
3. 'Trying to adjust to the realities that we face': Hockinson School District considers moving fifth grade from elementary to middle school
Hockinson School District has 2,080 students, which makes it one of the smallest districts in Clark County. Yet close to half of those students - 924 - attend Hockinson Heights Elementary, making it one of the biggest public elementary schools in the state.
With school staff, as many as 1,050 people are on a campus each day that's feeling the strain of overcrowding.
* Survey finds parents concerned about putting fifth- and eighth-graders at same campus
4. Brush Prairie man in court accused of vehicular assault in road rage incident at Vancouver restaurant parking lot
A Brush Prairie man is accused of hitting two teenage boys with his car after one of the teens allegedly harassed him while on an electric dirt bike in the parking lot of a Vancouver fast-food restaurant last week.
Vancouver police said both the man and the teenager are facing criminal allegations in what the department described as a road rage incident.
* Teenager faces harassment allegations
5. Lawsuit: Tapani Inc. negligent in accident that cost worker his lower leg
A man has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Battle Ground construction company Tapani Inc. after one of six 5,000-pound pipes he was delivering to a construction site fell off the truck and crushed his leg.
The driver, Raj Jaggi, filed the suit May 8 in Clark County Superior Court stemming from the 2023 incident that resulted in his leg being amputated.
* Battle Ground construction company named in complaint stemming from 2023 incident in Wallula
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 7:08 AM.