Vancouver, WA ‒Taking antibiotics for viral infections such as a cold, the flu or most bronchitis strains will not cure the infection or help you feel better. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses.

Clark County Public Health is urging people with colds and flu not to seek treatment with antibiotics.

“Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good,” said Clark County Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick. “Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of later getting an infection that resists antibiotic treatment.”

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business program will host a free Morning Blend networking event from 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the first-floor community room at LSW Architects, 610 Esther St.

This month, Morning Blend participants have the opportunity to learn how LSW Architects is incorporating sustainability into its design projects and day-to-day practices.  

Staff from LSW, which designed the newly completed STEM building at Clark College, will lead the Morning Blend and answer questions.  

Vancouver, WA – Vancouver resident Susan Wilson is the proud owner of a new iPad mini. Selected at random, Wilson was one of 1,500 people who successfully completed an online quiz about recycling in Clark County.

The quiz is part of Public Health’s Recycling Done Right project, a community effort to reduce the amount of non-recyclables in blue residential recycling carts.

Vancouver, WA – The Board of County Councilors is seeking applicants to fill volunteer positions representing southwest Clark County and agricultural interests on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

Commission members provide recommendations to the county about issues such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste reduction.

Members meet quarterly at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.

Vancouver, WA – Residents now can recycle unused or leftover paint at all Miller Paint and Parkrose Hardware stores in Clark County.

Miller Paint, 111 N.E. 164th Ave., and Parkrose Hardware, 8000 E. Mill Plain Blvd., have joined the county’s Paint Take-Back program, and are accepting latex and oil-based paint for proper disposal at no cost.

Nine paint stores in Clark County now accept paint during business hours:

Vancouver, WA ‒ The local premiere of Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope will be 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Firm Foundations School, 1919 S.W. 25th Ave., Battle Ground. The screening is free and open to the community.

Vancouver, WA ‒ Public Health Program Manager Joe Laxson has been named the 2016 Washington State Environmental Health Director of the Year. Each year, the Washington State Environmental Health Directors presents the award to someone who has demonstrated leadership in the profession at the local and state levels.

Clark County Elections, 1408 Franklin St., Vancouver, will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, to allow voters to pick up replacement ballots and/or take care of any election-related business prior to Tuesday's general election.

For example, if a registered voter has not received a ballot, he or she should contact Elections in person or by calling (360) 397-2345. If a voter recently moved and did not notify Elections with a change of address notice, the ballot will be returned as undeliverable. Ballots cannot be forwarded in the mail.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County is seeking applicants to fill three seats on the five-person Clark County Noxious Weed Control Board.

The weed board advises the Board of County Councilors about managing noxious weeds. State law requires the eradication of Class A noxious weeds, which are non-native species with limited distribution in Washington. For other noxious weeds, the state defers to local officials to determine control and containment requirements.

Vancouver, WA – The vast majority of people say they want to grow old in their current home. Over time, technology will play a key role in making aging-in-place safer, healthier and more comfortable for many seniors and their families.

Hear how to design a successful living environment for the second half of life at the Tuesday, Nov. 15, meeting of the Commission on Aging. The 4:30 p.m. meeting will be in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It is open to the public.