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Public Health News

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business Program will host a Morning Blend networking event at 8- 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at The Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive.

The Morning Blend is an opportunity to network and discuss green business efforts in a relaxed setting.

“We’re excited The Heathman Lodge is hosting this month’s event,” said Don Benton, Environmental Services director. “It’s a great place to get together during the holidays and hear what other green businesses are doing.”

This free event is open to all Green Business participants and… Read More


Vancouver, WA ‒ Clark County Public Health received a two-year, $100,000 grant from the United Stated Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program to pay for a project to connect Vancouver Public Schools students with more regionally sourced food and food system education. The grant takes effect Dec. 1.

Through this project, public health staff will engage key partners to identify regional food sources and establish farm-to-school connections. Under the grant, Washington State University Clark County Extension will develop a farm-to-fork curriculum and host “farm field” trips… Read More


Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents can dispose of expired or unused medications on Sept. 26 at one of the four prescription drug take-back locations in Vancouver and Battle Ground. All locations will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. They are: • PeaceHealth Memorial Health Center, 100 E. 33rd St. • Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. • Kaiser Permanente-Salmon Creek, 14406 N.E. 20th Ave. • Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. 1st St., Battle Ground The event is sponsored by PREVENT!, a local nonprofit aimed at curbing teen alcohol and drug abuse… Read More


Vancouver, WA – Michael D. Smith of Battle Ground has won an iPad Mini for taking an online quiz testing how much Clark County residents know about recycling. A random number generator selected Smith from approximately 2,000 people who took the quiz. Clark County Department of Environmental Services confirmed he was among those who received a passing grade by answering at least 75 percent of the questions correctly. The quiz is part of Environmental Services’ Recycling Done Right project to decrease the amount of non-recyclables in blue residential recycling carts. From mid-April to May of… Read More


Vancouver, WA — Property owners can learn how to inspect gravity-fed septic systems, maintain wells and septic systems, and avoid costly repairs at a workshop sponsored by Clark County and Washington State University Clark County Extension. The workshop, which also will cover small landowner assistance programs, takes place at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Prairie High School auditorium, 11311 N.E. 119th St. Cost is $15 per household. To register, call (360) 397-6060 ext. 5729 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com/… Read More


Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents will have opportunities this September and October to safely dispose of household hazardous wastes and other materials, including block foam, during the county’s free Green Neighbors Recycling Days. The three Recycling Day events are scheduled for: • Sept. 12, Clark College (Yellow Lot 1), 1900 Fort Vancouver Way • Sept. 19, Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 164th Ave. • Oct. 3, Battle Ground High School, 300 W. Main St. (enter on North Parkway Avenue) Clark County residents can drop off household hazardous wastes including pesticides, paints… Read More


Clark County Public Health has lifted a swim advisory at Vancouver Lake after inspections indicate algae levels no longer pose a threat to those who have contact with the water. “We are pleased to announce that the lake is again safe for swimming and other recreational uses,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. “Conditions could change, however, so we urge people to be watchful and avoid any pockets of the lake that might have a scummy texture and a green, bluish, brownish, or reddish-green color.” Caution signs have been removed at the lake. Signage will be updated if… Read More


Vancouver, WA – Nearly 1,000 Clark County residents participated in the first three recycling events where they properly disposed of household hazardous waste and recycled used electronics and other household items.

The events, in Yacolt, Camas and Ridgefield, netted 145,800 pounds of household hazardous waste and other items. In addition, residents donated 1,846 pounds of nonperishable food to local food banks.

Household hazardous waste includes cleaners, oil-based paint, solvents and other items that should not be put into the trash or poured down drains.

The… Read More


Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents can safely dispose of all medications at four free collection events held this month in Vancouver and La Center. All events will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at: • Clark College, Purple Lot 1, 1800 Fort Vancouver Way • Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. • Kaiser Permanente-Salmon Creek, 14406 N.E. 20th Ave. • La Center City Hall, 214 E. Fourth St. Similar events collected more than 2,400 pounds of medications from more than 1,250 participants last year. The April 25 collection events are sponsored by a community… Read More


Vancouver, WA — Bryce Hackett has been recognized by the Washington State Public Health Association as a 2015 Health Champion in the Outstanding Student category. As the youth representative on the Clark County Public Health Advisory Council, Bryce consistently exhibits leadership in protecting and promoting public health. Recently, he testified before the Clark County Board of Health about the harmful effects of electronic vaping devices. He also joined other public health and school advocates in Olympia to testify in favor of legislation restricting youth access to e-cigarettes. A… Read More