Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Superior Court has appointed Stefanie Ellis as Superior Court Commissioner. She fills a position vacated when Judge Jennifer Snider was appointed as Superior Court Judge.

Ellis is a local attorney who has practiced law since 2007. She has served as assistant city attorney for the city of Vancouver, judge pro tem for Clark County District Court and most recently as owner/partner for Priest and Ellis, PLLC. Her experience also includes serving as adjunct professor in Clark College’s paralegal program.

Vancouver, Wash. – Effective Monday, June 17, all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be restricted due to increased fire danger.

Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway is canceling all burning permits issued in Clark County for this year. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

Clark County typically bans outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 each year. However, a ban can begin sooner or end later depending on conditions.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Correction Facility Advisory Commission, CFAC, a volunteer advisory commission tasked with evaluating options to replace the county jail, this week discussed potential costs of the facility and how to move forward with a recommendation to the county council.

Commission members representing the cities expressed concern regarding the preliminary capital and ongoing operational cost estimates for the new facility. Several commission members said more research was needed on this issue and indicated they would like to be a part of that process.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ At 10 am on Tuesday, June 18, 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 August 6 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 public are invited to attend this test, which is required under Washington law.

Ballots will be mailed Friday, July 19. 

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.

Public Health staff identified today suspected blue-green algae blooms at the Vancouver Lake swim beach, the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and the flushing channel near the swim beach. Public Health is currently awaiting sample results from these locations to determine if toxins are in the water. Results should be available by early next week.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications from local organizations for grants that encourage historic preservation and programs, including preservation of historic documents.

The Historical Promotion Grants program is designed to increase awareness and education to better preserve, exhibit, and/or interpret local history and historic preservation.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council this week adopted its spring supplemental budget which updates the 2019 budget originally adopted in December 2018.

The updated budget includes a 10 percent increase in pay for indigent defense attorneys contracted by the county to represent felony defendants who cannot afford attorneys. The increase goes into effect July 1 and will cost $179,275 for the remainder of 2019. The current rates for indigent defense attorneys have not been increased since 2009.

Vancouver, Wash. – A healthy community provides a readily available, affordable, and abundant selection of healthful eating options through conveniently located fresh produce markets, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and community gardens. Learn about how the presence and access to neighborhood grocery stores and markets encourage higher fruit and vegetable consumption, which supports dietary needs and helps reduce the risk of many diseases at the next meeting of the Commission on Aging, 4:30 pm Wednesday, June 19.

June 12 informational meeting scheduled to discuss updated program

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Veterans Therapeutic Court, VETCO, was established in 2011 to serve veterans with post-plea misdemeanor convictions at the District Court level. To date, 55 veterans have graduated from the court. Major changes to the program now will allow VETCO to serve even more veterans.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Procession of the Species is returning for a third year at the Clark County Recycled Arts Festival, and the community is invited to attend free workshops to create costumes for the parade.

The Procession of the Species is a celebration of community and the natural world, and takes place on the final day of the popular Recycled Arts Festival. Parade participants of all ages dress up in costumes representing animals, plants and elements. Past Clark County processions have featured unicorns, jelly fish, birds, the sun, water, an inchworm and a sloth.