Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Treasurer’s Office renewed a long-standing commitment to the Crass Estate.

Lura M. Crass drew up her will in 1933 to include a provision “…for the care, maintenance, support and assistance of Orphan or Homeless children who reside in Clark County, Washington, and who are under the age of 13 years.” The will dictated that the Clark County Treasurer act as trustee and use the funds from the sale of her home to benefit the community.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking nominations and applications to fill a vacant position on the three-member board that oversees Diking District No. 14.

The district is bounded by the Columbia River to the west, Lake River to the north, the western shore of Vancouver Lake to the east, and the vicinity of the intersection of Northwest Old Lower River Road and State Route 501 to the south.

Clark County Public Health has lifted the swim beach closure at Vancouver Lake after recent test results showed reduced E. coli bacteria levels. Public Health has also downgraded the algae advisory at the lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

Vancouver Lake is considered safe for swimmers; however, people and pets should avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of blue-green-colored floating scum.

Vancouver, Wash. – Ballots are in the mail to all registered voters in County Council District 4; cities of Vancouver, Battle Ground, and Town of Yacolt; Vancouver Public Schools and Green Mountain School District; Emergency Management Services District 1 and East County Fire and Rescue for the upcoming Aug. 6 primary.

Vancouver, Wash. – Drivers in the Mount Vista area should prepare for a full closure of Northeast 159th Street between Northeast 57th Avenue and Northeast 50th Avenue beginning Monday, July 22.

Contractor crews installing sanitary lines in the area noticed erosion and deterioration of the soil beneath the roadway. The closure will allow contractor Tapani Inc., of Battle Ground, to finish the installation of the sanitary lines, stabilize the ground beneath the roadway and repair those portions of the road.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications to fill a second vacancy on the volunteer Planning Commission.

The position is filling a current vacancy, and begins August 1 through December 31, 2019.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the council on land-use planning, zoning and development in areas outside cities and about issues such as growth management, roads, public facilities, development regulations and applicable county ordinances.

Clark County Public Health is closing Vancouver Lake to swimmers due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria detected during routine testing. Some E. coli bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal illness if water is accidentally swallowed.  

Due to the elevated bacteria levels, Public Health is closing the lake to swimming and wading. People who fish at the lake should take precautions to avoid water contact.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County has scheduled a public forum to hear residents’ comments regarding permitting private event venues in rural areas.

The forum will be 6-7:30 pm Wednesday, July 31, in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It is open to the public.

The proposed private event venues would typically be permitted independently of  those currently allowed as an accessory use to a winery, and would be available for weddings, celebrations and other private events.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has upgraded its advisory at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake.

Public Health has been monitoring blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at Vancouver Lake since June 12.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council has appointed Robin Grimwade to fill a vacancy on the Columbia River Gorge Commission. The appointment is for a four-year term that begins immediately and continues through June 30, 2023.

Robin lives in Battle Ground and is vice president of corporate projects at Columbia Credit Union. He has advanced and associate diplomas in parks and horticultural management from the University of South Australia. Robin has served on the Clark County Planning Commission since 2017.