News

• Public Health

Routine water quality testing at Vancouver Lake this week revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The swim beach at the lake is currently closed due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

The Vancouver Lake swim beach will remain closed until tests show cyanotoxins and E. coli bacteria levels do not exceed thresholds. Closure signs are currently posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – With the warming weather and dry conditions, wildfire season is likely on its way and has already begun elsewhere in the state. Clark County Public Health is urging residents to take steps now to prepare for smoky days with unhealthy air quality.


• Elections

Vancouver, Wash. – At the close of the regular candidate filing period on Friday, May 17, 2019, Clark County election officials had not received candidate filings for two elected offices: Town of Yacolt, council position number 2 and Washougal School District director, district 1.

Pursuant to Washington state law, an additional special three-day filing period must be held for these offices.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has closed the swim beach at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

Results from water samples taken from Vancouver Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Closure signs are being posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake. Public Health is advising against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing.


• Treasurer

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Treasurer’s Office renewed a long-standing commitment to the Crass Estate.

Lura M. Crass drew up her will in 1933 to include a provision “…for the care, maintenance, support and assistance of Orphan or Homeless children who reside in Clark County, Washington, and who are under the age of 13 years.” The will dictated that the Clark County Treasurer act as trustee and use the funds from the sale of her home to benefit the community.


• Clark County Council

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking nominations and applications to fill a vacant position on the three-member board that oversees Diking District No. 14.

The district is bounded by the Columbia River to the west, Lake River to the north, the western shore of Vancouver Lake to the east, and the vicinity of the intersection of Northwest Old Lower River Road and State Route 501 to the south.


• Public Health

Clark County Public Health has lifted the swim beach closure at Vancouver Lake after recent test results showed reduced E. coli bacteria levels. Public Health has also downgraded the algae advisory at the lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

Vancouver Lake is considered safe for swimmers; however, people and pets should avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of blue-green-colored floating scum.


• Elections

Vancouver, Wash. – Ballots are in the mail to all registered voters in County Council District 4; cities of Vancouver, Battle Ground, and Town of Yacolt; Vancouver Public Schools and Green Mountain School District; Emergency Management Services District 1 and East County Fire and Rescue for the upcoming Aug. 6 primary.


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. – Drivers in the Mount Vista area should prepare for a full closure of Northeast 159th Street between Northeast 57th Avenue and Northeast 50th Avenue beginning Monday, July 22.

Contractor crews installing sanitary lines in the area noticed erosion and deterioration of the soil beneath the roadway. The closure will allow contractor Tapani Inc., of Battle Ground, to finish the installation of the sanitary lines, stabilize the ground beneath the roadway and repair those portions of the road.


• Community Planning

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications to fill a second vacancy on the volunteer Planning Commission.

The position is filling a current vacancy, and begins August 1 through December 31, 2019.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the council on land-use planning, zoning and development in areas outside cities and about issues such as growth management, roads, public facilities, development regulations and applicable county ordinances.