Vancouver, WA – As influenza spreads, residents with flu-like illness are asked to contact their health care provider before visiting a hospital emergency department. Contacting your health care provider first will reduce hospital overcrowding, help prevent the spread of flu to others and ensure emergency departments are available to address other serious medical conditions.

“Most people who have the flu will be uncomfortable but do not need to go to an emergency department,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer and Public Health director.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking applicants to fill five positions on the 13-member Clark Communities Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Volunteer service will be a four-year commitment. Residents living anywhere in Clark County can apply. People with experience and expertise in advocating for biking, walking, transit, active transportation, mobility issues, public speaking or serving on boards and commissions are encouraged to apply.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Commission on Aging will present a summary of its fifth year of work to the Board of County Councilors on Tuesday, Jan. 16. 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.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, is the last day to submit a mail-in voter registration form to be eligible to cast a ballot in the Feb. 13 special election. Because Jan. 15 is a national holiday, Elections urges people to mail registration forms no later than Saturday, Jan. 13.

Please send mail-in registration forms to Clark County Elections, PO Box 8815, Vancouver, 98666. The form can be found under Find It Fast or Voter Resources on the Elections website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/elections.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Green Neighbors program is seeking hosts for its 2018 Natural Garden Tour on Sunday, July 15. To participate, residents should practice environmentally friendly gardening techniques and be willing to offer public tours of their yards and gardens.

The annual event is a fun way residents can show off their gardens and the Earth-conscious methods they use to make them blossom. The event gives people a chance to learn gardening techniques, get inspiration for home landscaping, and exchange ideas with others.

Vancouver, Wash. - Clark County Parks is seeking volunteers to assist with two service projects at Lacamas Lake Regional Park in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On Saturday, Jan. 13, volunteers will team up with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for trail maintenance. Please meet in the parking lot at Woodburn Elementary School, 2400 NE Woodburn Drive, Camas.

Vancouver, Wash. – Beginning this month, West Van for Youth and Children’s Home Society will offer a free, 18-week parenting course for up to 10 parents who live in the west-side 98660, 98661 and 98663 zip codes.

The evidence-based Incredible Years parenting classes are for parents and other caregivers of children ages 2-8.

Classes are held each Wednesday from Jan. 17, 2018 through May 23, 2018. Meals and child care will be provided. Each session runs 5:30-8 p.m. at Children’s Home Society, 309 W. 12th St.

Vancouver, Wash. - At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Clark County Elections Office will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the programming that will be used to tabulate ballots and the accessible voting units for the Feb. 13 special election.

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

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s newest Animal Protection and Control officer became qualified to investigate cases of equine neglect and cruelty by attending an investigative training in Colorado, thanks in part to a grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Vancouver, Wash.  - Under Washington law, the Clark County Treasurer’s Office cannot accept prepayment of 2018 property taxes before the end of 2017, Treasurer Doug Lasher said Wednesday.

Some tax experts and others are urging people to pay at least some of their 2018 property taxes before the end of the year, when new tax laws passed by Congress earlier this month go into effect. Lasher said his office has received a number of calls about paying 2018 property taxes early, but that the Treasurer’s Office is unable to accept early payments.