Clark County’s Green Business program will hold a free virtual Morning Blend networking event 8:30-9:30 am Thursday, Jan. 13 via Zoom.

Morning Blend is an opportunity to network, discuss green business efforts in the workplace, and learn about solutions for reducing our impact on the environment.

The event will feature a presentation by representatives of Clark Public Utilities. Matt Babbitts, energy resources program manager, and Bart Hansen, key account manager, will cover the Solar Net Metering Program, Green Lights Program, Electric Vehicle Program, and the Clean Energy… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach encourages residents to see trash in a new way by attending a free art gallery showing in January.

Waste Connections of Washington and Clark County Public Health present the “Trash to Treasure Artist in Residence” art exhibit. The exhibit features sculptures created by Recycled Arts Festival artist Bill Leigh from unwanted objects discarded at local transfer stations. Each piece of artwork consists of at least 75% recycled materials and will be available for purchase during the gallery showing in January.

After the holiday festivities wind down, Clark County Public Health urges residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than tossing them in the trash.

From Thanksgiving to the New Year, holiday waste accounts for an additional 20 to 25 percent increase in trash, including Christmas trees. The National Christmas Tree Association estimates 25 to 30 million live Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. Clark County is among the top counties in Washington for cut trees.

Before trees are recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed.… Read More

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in two Clark County cases, one of whom is linked to outbreaks among wrestling teams.

The omicron variant was first detected in Washington state earlier this month. As of Wednesday, the state Department of Health had identified more than a dozen cases of the variant, including at least three cases associated with wrestling outbreaks occurring across the state. The Department of Health notified Clark County Public Health of the local omicron cases this weekend.

Molecular and antigen COVID-19 tests detect infections of the SARS… Read More

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed the identity of a woman whose body was discovered 17 years ago.

The Medical Examiner’s Office recently identified Donna Lee Swindell as the unidentified person found in Hazel Dell on Nov. 6, 2004. Swindell was 57 years old at the time of her death. The cause and manner of her death are undetermined.

Randon Walker was a homicide detective with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office when Swindell’s body was discovered. Walker worked the case as a detective, but lost hope that the woman would be identified after exhausting… Read More

Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach encourages people to take steps to reduce waste as they celebrate the holidays.

Household waste in the U.S. and Clark County typically increases 20% to 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Trash cans fill up with holiday food waste, shopping bags, bows and ribbons, packaging, and wrapping paper that contribute an additional 1 million tons a week to our country’s landfills. But by taking a few simple steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, the holiday season can be a little greener.

The holidays may look different this… Read More

Clark County is accepting nominations for the 2022 Green Awards, an annual celebration and awards program recognizing leaders in environmental sustainability.

Clark County Public Health is seeking nominations for organizations and individuals who consider the environment in decision-making and practices. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:

• Green Business Award for a business with 25 or fewer employees
• Green Business Award for a business with more than 25 employees
• Green Business… Read More

Clark County Public Health is warning the community about a recent increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses. Preliminary evidence suggests much of the increase may be due to fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Fentanyl may be added to illicit drugs during their production without the drug user’s knowledge. This has resulted in substantial increases in drug overdose deaths across the country, including in Clark County. In Clark County, fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 200% from 2019 to… Read More

Clark County Public Health has lifted its blue-green algae advisories at Round Lake and Lacamas Lake in Camas. The blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at both lakes have dissipated.

Public Health removed the warning advisory at Lacamas Lake earlier this month after test results from water samples showed toxin levels were no longer elevated. The warning advisory at Round Lake remained in place until the bloom dissipated this week.

The warning advisory signs posted at the lakes are being removed. However, educational signs about blue-green algae will… Read More

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants to fill two volunteer positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

The open positions represent the stakeholders below:

• North Clark County
• Clark County at-large  

Terms for all positions begin immediately and end Sept. 30, 2024.

Commission members act as representatives of their regions or stakeholder groups and advise the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste-reduction programs. Members also, at times… Read More