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.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The public is invited to shop for farm-fresh food and regional products when the Franklin Street Farmers Market opens for eight Wednesdays this summer in the plaza outside the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The market’s debut will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. It will run the same time each Wednesday through Aug. 30.

Eight to 12 vendors who regularly have booths at the Saturday farmers market near Esther Short Park will participate. Products will include produce, flowers, berries, meat, eggs and bakery items.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County residents will get a chance to wander through 15 diverse natural gardens that showcase earth-friendly gardening techniques during the Green Neighbors Natural Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 23.

Booklets with details about the free, self-guided garden tour can be downloaded from www.clarkgreenneighbors.org/gardentour or found at:

Vancouver, Wash. – Northeast Padden Parkway, from its intersection with Northeast 78^th Street east to Andresen Road, will close this weekend so a contractor can repair surface defects and pave the roadway.

The closure is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday, July 7, and end no later than 5 a.m. Monday, July 10.

This work is weather dependent. In case of a weather cancellation, the closure will be rescheduled for the following weekend, from 8 p.m. Friday, July 14, until no later than 5 a.m. Monday, July 17.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County will close a section of Northeast Lockwood Creek Road east of La Center next month so a contractor can install a retaining wall and guardrail to improve safety.

Beginning Monday, July 10, Northeast Lockwood Creek Road will be closed to through traffic from Northeast 40^th Avenue east to Northeast Morcroft Road. The closure is expected to last about six weeks. Residents of the area, emergency vehicles and deliveries will have access.