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

Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents will have ample opportunity to safely dispose of household hazardous waste and other materials during nine free collection events.

Residents can drop off household hazardous waste, including pesticides, paints, solvents, thinners, motor oils and cleaners. Block foam, electronic equipment, old tires without rims, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units and scrap metal also will be accepted.

In addition, each event will partner with local food banks to collect nonperishable food donations.

The first 2015 Recycling Day… Read More

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of a man whose body was discovered 20 years ago.

The Medical Examiner’s Office recently identified James Orin Johnson Sr. as the unidentified person found in Ridgefield on Jan. 13, 2002. Johnson was 32 years old at the time of his death.

The Medical Examiner’s Office submitted a DNA sample from the remains to Bode Technology, a forensic DNA laboratory in Virginia that provides forensic genealogy services and specializes in the extraction of DNA from challenging human remains samples. The forensic… Read More