News

• Community Planning

Vancouver, Wash. – On Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, the Clark County Council formally decided to postpone  public hearings regarding freight rail dependent uses until 2019.

Following the passage of Senate Bill 5517 in 2017, the county council has been working to implement freight rail dependent uses in Clark County. The bill amended the Growth Management Act to allow “freight rail dependent uses” and gives Clark and Okanogan counties authority to allow such uses adjacent to short line railroads.


• Community Services

Vancouver, Wash. – The West Van for Youth coalition has posted a survey to gather views on youth substance use from families and businesses in the west-side 98660, 98661 and 98663 zip codes.

The survey results will help the coalition know how to better serve youth and families in west Vancouver.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – Flu viruses are beginning to circulate in the community, making now the perfect time to get a seasonal flu shot if you haven’t already been immunized this year. Flu shots are the best method to prevent flu, hospitalization and missed days of school or work.

Flu can occur in any month, but transmission primarily occurs October through May. Getting immunized now ensures you’re protected once flu activity intensifies.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health learned Thursday that a company selling septic additives is calling residents, claiming there is an alert about failing septic systems and offering products to clean systems. Public Health has not issued an alert regarding failing septic systems and encourages residents to research products before using them in septic systems.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is looking for its next class of sustainability ambassadors. The Master Composter Recycler program is now accepting applications for a no-cost 10-week training program that begins in January.

Master Composter Recyclers educate the community about easy ways to reduce waste and recycle right. Program volunteers host backyard composting workshops, share their knowledge at community events, and operate composting demonstration sites.


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Parks will put seasonal trail restrictions in place at Whipple Creek Regional Park next week to preserve the park’s natural surface trails.

Beginning Thursday, Nov. 1, dirt trails will be open only to foot traffic at the 300-acre park off Northwest 179th Street. Equestrians and mountain bikers can continue to use the park’s gravel trails year-round.


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. – Volunteers are needed for two November events to help plant native vegetation near Turtle Pond, along the south side of the popular Salmon Creek Greenway Trail.

Clark County Public Works is removing blackberry, garlic mustard, reed canary grass and other invasive species from the Turtle Pond area, west of the Vancouver Girls Softball Association’s fields.

Volunteers are needed for two planting events: 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, Nov. 3; and 8 am to noon Saturday, Nov. 17.


• Treasurer

Vancouver, Wash. – Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer, stated that second-installment 2018 property taxes are due on Wednesday, Oct. 31. “If you have not received your 2018 second-installment tax statement or have misplaced it, you can visit our website at www.clark.wa.gov/treasurer or contact the Treasurer’s Office at 564.397.2252 for a duplicate statement.”


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has added Lacamas Lake to the blue-green algae advisory issued Tuesday afternoon for nearby Round Lake.

The public should avoid direct contact with water at Round Lake and Lacamas Lake in Camas due to cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae. Blue-green algae produce toxins that can be harmful to people and deadly for small pets that drink the water.


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. –  Volunteers will celebrate national Make a Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 27, by picking up discarded cigarette butts from Clark County and Vancouver parks and by removing English ivy from a county park.

Clark County and the city of Vancouver will coordinate the eighth annual “The Butt Stops Here” cleanup. Volunteers will meet at 9 am in the Bud Van Cleve Community Room at Luke Jensen Sports Park, 4000 NE 78th St. After a brief orientation, volunteers will break into small groups and fan out to parks throughout Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County.