Vancouver, Wash. – Beginning at 8:30 am Wednesday, Aug, 8, elections officials will perform a hand count of approximately 600 ballots randomly selected as part of a manual comparison against machine results.

The selected ballots will be counted in the total returns on Election Day. But for this comparison, the County Council Chair – At Large race on those ballots will also be counted by hand, to check the accuracy of the ballot tabulation equipment.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health lifted the swim beach warning at Klineline Pond today, after the latest water samples did not show elevated levels of bacterial contamination.

Public Health posted warning signs at the swim beach on Tuesday. Routine testing at the pond showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness when water is accidentally swallowed.

Additional water samples were taken Tuesday. Those results came back today and showed acceptable water quality, prompting Public Health to lift the warning.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board and Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce are accepting nominations of businesses and individuals for the Disability Employment Awareness Community Awards.

The awards honor the role people with developmental disabilities have in a dynamic, productive workforce and recognize leadership in the business community.

Nominations are sought in the following categories:

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health lifted the swim beach warning at Battle Ground Lake this morning, after the latest water samples did not show elevated levels of bacterial contamination.

Public Health posted warning signs at the swim beach on Friday. An investigation into two shigellosis cases identified the lake as a possible source of infection. Shigellosis is an infection caused by several strains of shigella, a type of bacteria that can live in human intestines, and is spread through fecal-oral transmission.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Historic Preservation Commission’s Aug. 1 meeting has been rescheduled to 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 15. The meeting will be in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Commission will consider and provide a recommendation to the city of Vancouver on a proposal for the Providence Academy to remove a restaurant building, renovate the Academy west porch, and consider a new mixed use development.

Vancouver, Wash. – Due to the extreme fire danger, effective at 12:01 am Thursday, July 26, recreational fires will be prohibited throughout unincorporated Clark and Skamania counties.

This recreational fire restriction is in addition to the general outdoor burning prohibition that was implemented on July 1. According to Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway this is a preventive measure to reduce the risk of grass or brush fires as a result of escaped camp fires. 

The ban also includes lands protected by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has posted warning signs at Klineline Pond after routine testing showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness when water is accidentally swallowed.

Test results for one of five water samples collected at Klineline Pond on Monday showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The other samples had bacteria levels within acceptable water quality standards.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has posted caution signs at Vancouver Lake due to the possible bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

A blue-green algae bloom has not been detected at the Vancouver Lake swim beach area but suspected blooms were identified at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and the flushing channel near the swim beach. Public Health is currently awaiting sample results from these two locations to determine if toxins are in the water.

Vancouver, Wash. – As one contractor finishes improving one section of Northeast 119th Street, a different contractor is starting to upgrade another section.

McDonald Excavating Inc., a Washougal-based contractor, is completing a two-year project to improve Northeast 119th Street, from Northeast 50th Avenue to Northeast 72nd Avenue.

Rotschy Inc., a Vancouver-based contractor, is in the early stages of a two-year project to improve Northeast 119th Street, from east of Northeast 87th Avenue to Northeast 112th Avenue.

Vancouver, Wash. – Public Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses during the stretch of hot weather this week.

The length of the hot spell, coupled with warm overnight temperatures that provide little relief from the heat, can create a risk to health and safety.