Vancouver, WA – Finding a competent, reliable contractor can seem like a major hurdle to building or remodeling your home. Even with a good contractor, building new or renovating the old can be stressful, expensive and involve unpleasant surprises.

Learn simple steps to avoid a bad experience and ensure a successful home building project at the Tuesday, Sept. 20, meeting of the Commission on Aging.

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, WA ‒ Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway lifted the county’s ban on recreational fires Friday, but a ban on land clearing and open burns remains in place.

Effective immediately, Clark County residents can have recreational fires in metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pits such as those in improved campgrounds or available at stores.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County Community Services is reminding residents who are low-income to complete a survey about their family’s needs by the end of the month.

The survey, which can be completed online or on paper, will take approximately 12 minutes. It is strictly confidential. It is available through Sept. 30.

An online English version is available at http://goo.gl/forms/jCMSWCMQY2iqg1x42.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business program recognized three businesses at Thursday’s Morning Blend networking event at the new downtown Hudson Building. The event had record attendance and was followed by a green ribbon cutting.

County Manager Mark McCauley presented awards to Pacific Continental Bank, professional design firm Mackenzie and development company Killian Pacific for obtaining their Green Business Certification.  

Vancouver, WA – The Board of County Councilors is seeking applicants to fill a volunteer position on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

The position represents the southwest area of the county. Applicants must live south of 179th Street and west of State Route 503, or Northeast 117th Avenue.

The three-year term begins Oct. 1.

The commission meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Auto Licensing and Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St.

Vancouver, WA – Effective immediately, recreational fires are now prohibited under the current land clearing burn ban throughout unincorporated Clark County.

The recreational fire prohibition follows a similar statewide ban imposed yesterday by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The state is prohibiting all outdoor burning, including campfires in fire pits and the use of charcoal briquettes in state forests, parks and lands protected by Natural Resources firefighters.

Vancouver, WA ‒ A Clark County woman in her 60s has acquired the Zika virus while traveling in Central America, a region listed in Zika travel advisories issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vancouver, WA ‒ With temperatures expected to approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit Thursday through Saturday, Public Health officials are urging residents to protect themselves during the hot spell.

“We are encouraging 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.”

Vancouver, WA – The Board of County Councilors is seeking applicants for two positions on the Public Facilities District board of directors. Both terms begin Jan. 1, 2017 and end Dec. 31, 2020.

The Public Facilities District was created by the then-Board of County Commissioners in 2002 to participate in development of regional centers such as the convention center in Vancouver and exhibition hall at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

Board members receive $50 per day while attending meetings.

Vancouver, WA – The Board of Health is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Clark County Public Health Advisory Council. The board is recruiting for:

• A consumer of public health services
• A representative of a local social or human services agency

Both openings are for three-year terms that begin Oct. 1, 2016.