Vancouver, Wash. – With high temperatures in the forecast for the weekend, Clark County Public Health is reminding people to take caution in and around water – especially area lakes and rivers. In spring and early summer, lakes and rivers in Southwest Washington are still cold, and water may be moving quickly.

“Even as temperatures rise, lakes and rivers are still cold enough to shock and immobilize even the strongest swimmers,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director.

The Clark County Commission on Aging will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Primary agenda topics include discussion of their 2023 year-end work plan, a debrief of the Aging Readiness Plan update project to date, and recognition of outgoing commission members.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently awarded the Clark County Auditor’s Office with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 2021. The GFOA also announced that the Auditor’s Office received the Award for Outstanding Achievement for its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

Clark County is participating in a statewide project to improve high-speed internet access. As part of this project, the county is surveying the community about their access to high-speed internet. Surveys are being sent to community institutions, nonprofit organizations, groups, service providers and residents. The project's goal is to improve internet access in areas that are currently unserved or underserved.

The filing period for citizens wishing to become candidates for elective office is rapidly approaching. Candidates are strongly encouraged to file their declaration online at clark.wa.gov/elections. The online period to file a declaration of candidacy will begin at 9 am, Monday, May 15 and ends 4 pm Friday, May 19, 2023. 

The Clark County Youth House is hosting an art show on Thursday, June 1, from 5 to 8 pm.

The event, And We Stood Our Ground: A Youth House Art Show About Unyielding Youth features young artists sharing their vision for a resilient community after the pandemic. There will be many forms of art including canvas paintings, painted tiles, buttons/pins, photography, mason jars, mugs, multimedia and more. Many of the young artists will be present to answer questions about their art, and some of the pieces will be available for purchase.

The former caretaker residence at Lacamas Regional Park will be demolished May 15-19. The parking lot off Northeast Everett Street will be closed during the demolition. The overflow parking lot off Northeast 35th Avenue will be improved to prepare for the project.

Impacts to park users
May 8-12: The overflow parking lot off Northeast 35th Avenue will be closed for regrading. The work is expected to be complete by Friday May 12 but is dependent on weather.

May 13 and 14: Both parking lots will be open Saturday and Sunday.

Clark County Jail Services is hosting a Public Safety Testing event at 10 am Saturday, May 6. The event will be at the Jail Work Center Facility, 5197 NW Lower River Road.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register visit the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/jail-services/public-safety-testing.

The Clark County Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 9:30 am Friday, May 5, 2023.

The meeting will be held via Teams, and participation information is below.

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Public Health Advisory Council.

The open position is for a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Clark County. The selected applicant will complete an unexpired three-year term that ends Sept. 30, 2024.

The advisory council meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. One meeting per quarter is in person 6-8 pm at various locations across the county. The remaining meetings are 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom.