Vancouver, Wash. ‒ During this week’s extreme temperatures, the best way to keep your dog safe and healthy is to leave him or her at home when you go out, even briefly, Clark County Animal Control and Protection reminds pet owners.

Dogs and cats have no sweat glands to cool them, so leaving a pet alone in a vehicle for even a short time can be life-threatening. Temperatures inside a car can reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit on a mildly warm day, even when the car is parked in the shade and the windows are open slightly.

Vancouver, Wash. – With temperatures expected to reach and exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday through Friday, Public Health officials are urging residents to take precautions.

“We encourage people to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings, and drink plenty of fluids,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. “Elderly people and the very young are especially vulnerable during periods of intense or prolonged heat. Don’t forget your pets.”

Vancouver, WA – The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for two positions on the volunteer Clark County Public Health Advisory Council. The positions are open to Clark County residents who are consumers of public health services.

Both openings are for three-year terms that begin Oct. 1, 2017.

The council meets 6-8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. The meeting is in the second-floor main conference room at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded Clark County Superior Court’s Family Treatment Court a five-year grant totaling nearly $2 million.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, Clark County Elections officials will conduct a hand count of approximately 600 randomly selected ballots as part of a manual comparison against machine results.

The 600 ballots will be counted in the total Aug. 1 election returns, but in this comparison, the Vancouver mayoral race also will be counted by hand to help prove the accuracy of the ballot tabulation equipment.

The procedure was recommended by Washington Secretary of State’s Office, and is now standard procedure in Clark County.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Taxpayers who question the 2017 assessed value of their property have until Monday, Aug. 7, to appeal to the county Board of Equalization. A Notice of Value was mailed to each Clark County property owner in early June.

Appealing the assessed value of property is free and a legal right under RCW 84.40.038 and WAC 458-14-056.

Vancouver, Wash. – A short section of Northeast Salmon Creek Street east of Washington State University Vancouver will close next week so a contractor can shore up an unstable roadside.

Tapani Inc., a Battle Ground-based contractor working for Clark County Public Works, will repair about 50 feet of eroded stream bank immediately east of Northeast 50th Avenue.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health’s Green Business Program will hold a free Morning Blend networking event from 8-9 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at New Seasons Market at Fisher’s Landing, 2100 S.E. 164th Ave.

The market received the program’s first-ever Green Business of the Year award in 2016.

The Morning Blend event is an opportunity to learn about the market’s operational sustainability initiatives from members of its green team. Anyone interested in networking and learning about green business practices is welcome to attend.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Ballots for the Aug. 1 primary and special election will be mailed Friday, July 14, and should start showing up in voters’ mailboxes early next week, according to the Clark County Elections Office.

If a voter does not receive a ballot by Thursday, July 20, he or she should contact the Elections Office at 360.397.2345 and ask for a replacement ballot. Voters can get replacement ballots in person at the Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 15, all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be restricted until further notice.

The fire marshal also is rescinding all burning permits issued prior to the ban. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.