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.

Vancouver, Wash. - Workforce/Artforce, a Clark County employees art exhibit, will be on display in the Rebecca Anstine Sixth Floor Gallery through Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. 

A reception honoring the artists is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at the gallery on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. Pete DuBois Song Circle will provide entertainment. The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Clark County Arts Commission.

Vancouver, Wash. – During the holidays, Americans generate about 1 million extra tons of garbage each week. The waste is often gift packaging, wrapping paper and leftover food.

Fortunately, you can reduce, reuse and recycle during the holiday season without cutting back on holiday cheer, according to Sally Fisher, Outreach Program coordinator.

Follow these tips if you dream of a green Christmas:

Vancouver, Wash. – Thousands of Clark County residents soon will want to dispose of Christmas trees.

Waste Connections, Inc. will pick up trees with yard debris collection or regular garbage service. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless of whether they will be collected with yard debris or garbage.

Before trees are put out, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and other non-tree materials must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees must be put in the garbage; they cannot be recycled with yard debris.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County, the Washington Counties Risk Pool and the parties of Spencer et. al v. Peters et. al have reached a settlement to fully and finally resolve all litigation and related claims. Under the settlement, Clark County and the risk pool jointly will pay Clyde Ray Spencer $6 million to resolve his claims and a related insurance coverage dispute.

Clark County has agreed to pay $5.25 million of the settlement, avoiding protracted and uncertain collection litigation arising from a 2014 jury verdict against two retired Clark County deputy sheriffs.