Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council and partner agencies YWCA Clark County, NAACP Vancouver, SW WA LULAC, and Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program have scheduled three listening sessions to learn about how systemic racism has impacted residents of Clark County.

These sessions will be a part of informing the county’s response to systemic racism and representing first steps in the county’s effort to take action surrounding racial justice, systems inequities and structural racism in Clark County.

Session details are as follows:

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

The extreme temperatures can create a risk to health and safety.

“Elderly people and young children are especially vulnerable during intense heat,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. “We encourage everyone to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings and drink plenty of fluids.”

Here are some additional steps to take to prevent heat-related illness:

Clark County Public Health and the Battle Ground Public Works Department want to notify residents of a sewage release into Woodin Creek, also known as Weaver Creek, in Battle Ground.

Public Health has determined that the current health threat is low but is cautioning the community to avoid contact with Woodin Creek waters for at least another 24 hours. Anyone who has had contact with water in the creek should wash those areas with warm water and soap.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Ballots for the Aug. 4 primary and special election are in the mail to all registered voters in Clark County.

If a voter does not receive a ballot by Thursday, July 23, please contact the Elections Office at (564) 397-2345 to request a replacement ballot. Replacement ballots also may be requested by mail, email, or in person at the Elections Office at 1408 Franklin St. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is gathering information about an active case of tuberculosis at Heritage High School. While the individual spent time in the building prior to schools closing in March, the risk of the disease spreading to students, staff and the public is low. Public Health currently has no evidence of additional cases at Heritage High School.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ At 2 pm on Monday, July 20, the Clark County Elections Office will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the programming to be used to tabulate ballots and the accessible voting units for the Aug. 4 primary and special election.

The test will be held at the Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St. Members of the news media, jurisdictions with measures on the ballot and the general public are invited to attend this test, which is required under Washington law.

Ballots will be mailed Friday, July 17.   

Vancouver, Wash. – Starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be restricted until further notice.

The Fire Marshal also is rescinding all burning permits issued prior to the ban. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

Clark County Public Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak at a Vancouver food establishment and is concerned people who visited the facility June 19-25 may be at risk of getting sick.

Public Health has so far linked 18 cases – four employees and 14 customers – to Orchards Tap Bar and Grill. Anyone who visited Orchards Tap between June 19 and June 25 should contact their health care provider and request testing for COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s application to move into Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan has been put on pause. This afternoon, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a statewide two-week pause on the reopening process, following an increase in new COVID-19 cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive.

As a result, Clark County will remain in Phase 2.

Clark County Public Health is urging people to stay home this Fourth of July weekend as the county experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Today, Public Health is reporting 40 new cases – the highest number of cases reported in a single day in Clark County since the pandemic began.

From June 23 to June 30, 162 Clark County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, for an average of more than 20 new cases per day. In the first three weeks of June, 164 people tested positive, for an average of more than seven new cases per day.