Vancouver, Wash. – Applications are being accepted for the 2018 Master Composter/Recycler training program. The training provides information and resources on composting, recycling, green cleaning, green building, water quality and other aspects of sustainable living.

The 10-week class, sponsored by Public Health’s Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach, meets Wednesdays beginning Jan. 24 and running through March 28. Classes are 6–8:30 p.m.

The training is offered at no cost in exchange for 30 hours of local volunteer time.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Property tax statements for the second half of 2017 are in the mail, Treasurer’s Office Tax Services Manager Alishia Topper announced Friday.

Property tax statements include property tax levy amounts, special assessments and certain fees. The Treasurer’s Office sent 71,000 paper statements, 76,400 postcards to taxpayers whose mortgage companies pay their taxes, and 5,010 e-statements to people who registered to receive tax bills online. 

Vancouver, Wash. – The Board of County Councilors is seeking applicants to fill one of three Clark County-recommended positions on the seven-member Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of trustees.

The position is designated for a Clark County resident living outside the Vancouver and Camas city limits. The term is for seven years and begins January 2018. The recommendation must be jointly approved by Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties.

Vancouver, Wash. – Rain and cooler temperatures have prompted Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway to lift the ban on recreational fires in unincorporated Clark County, effective 12:01 a.m. Friday.

The burn ban took effect on July 15 because of extreme fire danger due to dry conditions and hot temperatures.

Under the modified ban, burning yard debris and material from land clearing will continue to be prohibited until at least Oct. 1, if not longer, depending on fire conditions.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Elections will conduct a logic and accuracy test of programming to tabulate ballots and accessible voting units for the Nov. 7 general election at 10 am Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The test will be  at Clark County Elections, 1408 Franklin St. The public is invited to attend this test, which is required under Washington law.

Ballots for the Nov. 7 general election will be mail to all Clark County registered voters Friday, Oct. 20.

Vancouver, Wash. – In observance of national Septic Smart Week, Sept. 18-22, Clark County Public Health reminds 35,000 Clark County homes and businesses with septic systems to be sure they are effectively treating wastewater.

Good siting, design, installation and ongoing maintenance are essential for treating wastewater, protecting the property owner’s investment and safeguarding the county’s drinking water.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking applicants for an opening on the Clean Water Commission.

Term for the open position begins in January 2018 and ends in December 2020.

The nine-member advisory group makes recommendations to the Board of County Councilors about services, policies and financing needed to meet federal and state requirements for water quality and improve local stormwater management.

Vancouver, Wash. – A free document shredding event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Whole Foods Market, 815 SE 160th Ave.

Clark County residents are invited to bring financial statements, invoices, personal documents, medical bills, pay stubs and tax records for shredding and recycling.

“This event is intended only for documents with sensitive information, such as your phone number, Social Security number or bank account information,” said Jill Krumlauf, an outreach specialist with Clark County Public Health.

Vancouver, Wash.  ̶  The Clark County Arts Commission is seeking nominations for its fifth Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an artist who lives or works in the county and has made a significant contribution to local, national or international arts and culture.

Individuals or groups can be nominated. To be eligible, a nominee must be:

Vancouver, Wash. – Robert Michael Pyle will discuss the updated version of his celebrated account of the Bigfoot legend, Where Bigfoot Walks, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

A lifelong ecologist from Grays River, Wash., Pyle updated the book with new information about the environment that’s said to be home to the hairy beast. He’ll describe his explorations into the Dark Divide, a large, intact wilderness area in Washington’s southern Cascade Mountains.