Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Works is asking residents to avoid flooded areas on trails in Clark County parks. Heavy rain overnight has caused minor flooding in several parks throughout Clark County. Portions of the Daybreak Regional Park Trail and the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail have been closed due to water over the trail.
Parks Maintenance Crews have been working through the morning to assess and repair damage caused by overnight storms. The flooded portions of trails have been taped off with signs posted to restrict pedestrian access.
With improving weather conditions over the next several days, crews anticipate the water will recede within the next 24 to 48 hours. Park users should avoid the area during that time. If you encounter a flooded area, please avoid the area and report your findings to Clark County Public Works at: https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/report-park-road.
Stay up to date with the latest Clark County parks information by visiting our website: https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/clark-county-parks. You can also find real-time information on the Public Works Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and on NextDoor.
###
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recycler program is offering a free training this winter for people interested in becoming program volunteers. Anyone interested in composting and recycling, and who wants to be part of a community working toward a sustainable future should consider becoming a Master Composter Recycler volunteer.
The free training provides volunteers with the tools and knowledge to build a hot compost pile, tend a worm bin, clean with green cleaners, and reduce waste. Volunteers are asked to share what they learn by completing community service hours in exchange for the training. Volunteers represent the program at community events, maintain compost demonstration sites, and share their knowledge with neighbors and community groups.
Applications are now being accepted for the Master Composter Recycler training. The virtual classes will be held via Zoom and are scheduled for 7-8:30 pm Wednesdays.
Here are the training dates and topics:
- Feb. 3: Backyard Composting
- Fe. 10: Worm Bin Composting
- Feb. 17: Lasagna (layer/sheet) Composting
- Feb. 24: Composting Science
- March 3: Green Cleaning
- March 10: Recycling Done Right
- March 17: Preventing Food Waste
To register for the training, visit the Master Composter Recycler website. Participants will receive a confirmation email after applications are reviewed.
The Master Composter Recycler program educates the community about easy ways to reduce waste, increase recycling, and rethink our impact on natural resources. For more information about the program, visit the website, call 564.397.7333 or email mcr@clark.wa.gov.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Charter Review Commission held its first meeting Thursday, Jan. 7. All 15 commissioners were present for the meeting that was held on the WebEx platform.
The commissioners scheduled their next meeting for 5 pm Wednesday, Jan. 27. The meeting will be on WebEx. Anyone interested can listen to meeting by calling 1.408.418.9388 and entering the access code 146-587-4996. CVTV will stream the meeting live on Channel 23/323 and online at www.cvtv.org.
In November 2014, the voters of Clark County voted to adopt the home rule charter form of government. The Clark County Charter went into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
The charter contains a requirement that it be reviewed by a 15-member elected review commission. Three members are elected countywide and each of the four county councilor districts has three commissioners as well. As required in the charter, commission members were elected in November 2020, five years after adoption of the charter. Any changes to the charter that the review commission recommends would go to a countywide vote in a general election.
Per the charter, the commissioner with the highest number of votes was to convene the commission. At-large commissioner Eric Holt received the highest number of votes and chaired the Jan. 7 meeting. The commissioners will discuss selection of a chair at the Jan. 27 meeting.
Information from the Jan. 7 meeting, including a link to CVTV’s coverage can be found on the County Council Meeting page under the Jan. 7 date at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings.
Information on the Review Commission can be found on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/county-manager/charter-review-commission. The site will be updated throughout the review process.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking community members with expertise in or experience with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to serve on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board.
The two open positions begin immediately. One is an unexpired term running through Dec. 31, 2022. The second is a three-year term that ends Dec. 31, 2023.
The advisory board makes recommendations to the county council relating to developmental disabilities services and issues. Members provide leadership to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of community programs.
Members appointed to the board include people knowledgeable about developmental disabilities or interested in services to persons with developmental disabilities in the community. Family members, individuals from the business community or other interested individuals are encouraged to apply.
Clark County values diversity and the advisory board has adopted equity as a priority. People identifying as black, indigenous and people of color as well as other historically under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.
The advisory board meets at 5:15 pm the first Wednesday of every month. Currently, these meetings are held via an online meeting platform.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, Clark County Council, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or email to Michelle.Pfenning@clark.wa.gov.
Application deadline is 5pm Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021.
To learn more about the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board go to https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/developmental-disabilities-advisory-board.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council will consider revising the county’s fireworks rules during a public hearing at 10 am Tuesday, Feb. 2.
The council will consider repealing code language it adopted in December 2020 that restricted sales and use of fireworks to “safe and sane” fireworks.
The “safe and sane” provision prohibited fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than 1 foot into the air or more than 6 feet on the ground.
Any changes the council makes to the code at this hearing would apply to the unincorporated areas in Clark County.
The council currently is holding its hearings virtually on WebEx. Anyone wishing to listen to the hearing on WebEx can call 1.408.418.9388 and enter the access code 146-269-6857. CVTV also will cover the hearing and viewers can watch on Channel 23/323 or the CVTV website at www.cvtv.org.
Anyone wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing can submit their comment online at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings. All written comments will be provided to the county councilors and read aloud during the public hearing.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site will open to the public at 9 am Tuesday and offer free testing five days per week.
The site will feature drive-thru and walk-up testing and is available at no cost to everyone, regardless of income level, health insurance coverage or immigration status. Testing at the site is recommended for people ages 4 and older who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
The testing site will operate 9 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday in the Tower Mall parking lot, 5403 E Mill Plain Blvd. The site is expected to operate for several months and, at full operation, has the capacity to test 1,000 to 1,500 people per day.
Visitors are encouraged to pre-register for testing and sign-up for an arrival time at www.ClarkCountyCOVIDTesting.org, but on-site registration will also be available. The testing process is expected to take 20 to 40 minutes.
Visitors to the site will self-administer the COVID-19 test under the observation of a trained staff member. The site uses an oral saliva PCR test, and visitors shouldn’t experience any discomfort from the testing process. Visitors will cough deeply three to five times and swab the inside of their mouths for 20 seconds. Results are expected within three days.
Safety is a priority at the test site. Face coverings are required for everyone, including those using the drive-thru testing option. Staff working at the testing site will wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow physical distancing requirements. Those using the drive-thru service will remain in their vehicles. The walk-up area will have signs to ensure physical distancing.
“Testing is an important tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “The Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site provides free testing without the need for a visit to a health care provider and, in doing so, removes barriers people often encounter when trying to get tested in our community.”
The test site is made possible through a partnership between Clark County Public Health, city of Vancouver, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), Washington State Department of Health and Curative.
City of Vancouver will maintain day-to-day management and operation of the site. Clark County Public Health is overseeing training on proper test administration and providing all necessary health and safety protocols. CRESA is supplying face coverings and other personal protective equipment. Site and staffing costs are primarily covered by the Washington State Department of Health. And Curative is the lab conducting the testing.
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health and the city of Vancouver will host a joint media briefing Monday morning to discuss the Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site set to open next week. Media will also have an opportunity to visit the testing site on Monday afternoon.
The media briefing will take place 9-10 am Monday, Jan. 11 via Zoom. Contact Marissa Armstrong at Clark County Public Health, issa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov">marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov, to receive call information.
The briefing will include:
- Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health, Director and Health Officer
- David Perlick, city of Vancouver, Program Manager
- Dave Fuller, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, Director
- Representative from Washington State Department of Health
Media will also have an opportunity to visit the Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site, 5403 E. Mill Plain Blvd., from noon to 2 pm Monday, Jan. 11. Physical distancing protocols will be followed, and all visitors must wear a face covering while at the site.
To limit the number of people gathering at one time, please register to attend the testing site preview at www.slottr.com/TestingSitePreview.
Key Visuals:
- Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site layout
- Site staff observing sample tests
- Sample participants administering the test
- Attendees may take a sample test to show the test administration process. NOTE: Sample tests collected on Jan. 11 will be safely discarded; they will not be processed for results.
For questions related to on-site media availability, contact Melody Burton at the city of Vancouver, 360.869.8746 or urton@cityofvancouver.us">melody.burton@cityofvancouver.us.
Vancouver, Wash. – The interim county manager is seeking applicants to fill two positions on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board.
Positions include a low-income representative and a community representative from the county’s fourth district, encompassing Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie, Battle Ground, Yacolt and unincorporated areas in east Clark County. See the county district map.
Term periods are three years, ending Dec. 31, 2023. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms.
Low-income representatives are defined as any person who is nominated by a group who is low-income such as tenants of a low-income housing complex or an agency that predominantly serves people who are low-income such as Council for the Homeless, Share, NAMI, etc.
The twelve-member board makes recommendations about local government funding for basic needs, self-sufficiency and housing programs. Members also advocate for services supporting low-income communities, families and persons.
Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially those from historically oppressed or underserved communities.
Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Rebecca Royce, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or ebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov">rebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov.
Application information can be found at www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/community-action-advisory-board or by calling Rebecca Royce at 564.397.7863.
Deadline is Monday, Jan 25.
Vancouver, Wash. – Crews with Clark County Public Works have closed a 3.7-mile portion of Pacific Highway between Woodland and La Center. The closure will allow crews to make repairs to the roadway that were damaged after heavy rains caused a mudslide.
Pacific Highway will remain closed between Northwest Bratton Road in Woodland and Northwest Bolan Street in La Center. Drivers should take alternate routes during the closure. No through traffic will be allowed, but local access will be maintained.
The closure will remain in place until crews are able to also replace a culvert that failed just north of the intersection of Pacific Highway and Northwest Griffith Road in Woodland. The repair work should take about two weeks but is weather dependent. Once the repair is complete, drivers can anticipate a rough roadway until weather allows the road to be re-paved.
###
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is teaming up with the nonprofit Medication Education & Disposal Project (MED-Project) to provide free disposal of expired, unwanted or unused medicine safely and conveniently.
MED-Project provides residents with convenient, year-round medicine drop-off locations, such as pharmacies, medical facilities and law enforcement offices. In addition to its existing operational programs in several Washington counties, MED-Project has activated more than 150 additional drop-off sites across the state and has plans to add more sites.
The sites accept controlled and non-controlled medications in any dosage form in their original container or a sealed bag. Sites do not accept herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, illicit drugs or pet pesticide products.
In Clark County, there are 12 drop-off sites residents can visit during business hours to dispose of unwanted medicine:
- Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW First St., Battle Ground
- Hi-School Pharmacy, 1365 Lewis River Road, Woodland
- Hi-School Pharmacy, 3200 NE 52nd St., Vancouver
- Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park Pharmacy, 12607 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
- Kaiser Permanente Orchards Pharmacy, 7101 NE 137th Ave., Vancouver
- Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek Pharmacy, 14406 NE 20th Ave., Vancouver
- QFC Pharmacy, 3505 SE 192nd Ave., Vancouver
- Ridgefield Police Department, 116 N Main Ave., Ridgefield
- Rite Aid Pharmacy, 2800 NE 162nd Ave., Vancouver
- Rite Aid Pharmacy, 13511 SE Third Way, Vancouver
- Washougal Police Department, 1320 A St., Washougal
- Woodland Police Department, 200 E Scott Ave., Woodland
People who would prefer mailing back unwanted medicine for disposal can request free, pre-paid, pre-authorized packages by visiting med-project.org/washington or by calling 844.633.7765.
“Proper disposal of unwanted medications protects the health and safety of our community and the environment,” said Janis Koch, Clark County Environmental Public Health director. “These new disposal sites make it more convenient for Clark County residents to safely dispose of medicine they no longer need.”
Unwanted medicines should not be put in garbage or recycling carts and should never be flushed.
Visit the MED-Project website or call 844.633.7765 for drop-off site hours, medicines accepted for disposal, instructions for disposal and safe medicine storage information.
Vancouver, Wash. – After the holiday festivities end, Clark County Public Health urges residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than sending them to the landfill.
Before trees are recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be placed in the garbage.
Waste Connections will pick up trees from customers with yard debris or organics collection or regular garbage service available in most parts of the county. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into smaller sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless of whether they will be collected as yard debris, organics, or garbage.
To recycle trees, Waste Connections customers with yard debris or organics service can:
- Place trees smaller than 5 feet in the yard debris or organics cart at no extra charge
- Place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to an empty yard debris or organics cart at no extra charge
- Place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to a full yard debris cart for an additional fee
Customers who do not have yard debris or organics service can put cut trees next to their garbage containers and pay for an extra 32-gallon collection. Trees collected with garbage will be sent to the landfill and won’t be recycled.
“Save Christmas trees from the landfill and recycle them to be chipped into mulch,” said Tina Kendall, environmental outreach specialist. “This gives trees a second life in gardens and returns nutrients back into the soil.”
Residents can also recycle Christmas trees of any size for a small fee (typically $5 or less) at the following locations:
- Central Transfer and Recycling, 11034 NE 117th Ave., 360.256.8482
- City Bark, 2419 NE Andresen Road, 360.253.8461
- H&H Wood Recyclers, 8401 NE 117th Ave., 360.892.2805
- McFarlane's Bark, 8806 NE 117th Ave., 360.892.6125
- Triangle Resources, 612 SE Union St., Camas, 360.834.7253
- West Van Materials Center, 6601 NW Old Lower River Road, 360.737.1727
Scouts BSA will collect trees for recycling in many areas of Clark County on Saturday, Jan. 2. The service is free, but donations will be accepted. Scout units may distribute door hangers with pick-up instructions and contact information in their designated areas prior to Jan. 2.
For more information on holiday recycling, visit the Clark County Green Neighbors website.
Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office
MEDIA RELEASE
The following information is in reference to a death investigated
by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This individual died on 12/22/2020 in Vancouver, WA.
The name of the decedent: Zagariya, Liliya Age: 20 Yrs
The decedent was a resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death:
Gunshot wound of the thorax
Manner of death:
Homicide
No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.
Media release issue date: Prepared 12/23/2020
Dr. Martha J. Burt, MD
Medical Examiner, Clark County
Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office
MEDIA RELEASE
The following information is in reference to a death investigated
by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This individual died on 12/22/2020 in Vancouver, WA.
The name of the decedent: Moore, Douglas Age: 58 Yrs
The decedent was a resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death:
Gunshot wound of the chest
Manner of death:
Suicide
No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.
Media release issue date: Prepared 12/23/2020
Dr. Martha J. Burt, MD
Medical Examiner, Clark County
Vancouver, Wash. – Councilor-elect Karen Dill Bowerman is scheduled to be sworn in as a member of the Clark County Council at 10 am Monday, Dec. 28.
The virtual event will be on WebEx. The public can listen to the swearing in by calling 408.418.9388 and using the access code 146 132 1874.
Clark County Clerk Scott Weber will perform the swearing in ceremony.
Karen Dill Bowerman succeeds John Blom representing District 3, which covers part of east Vancouver and a portion of east Clark County.
Councilor Gary Medvigy was re-elected to his seat representing District 4, which covers northeast and southeast Clark County. He will not have a swearing in ceremony.
Fifteen Charter Review Commissioners also will be sworn in on Dec. 28 in a ceremony at 11 am.
The virtual event will be on WebEx. The public can listen to the swearing in by calling 408.418.9388 and using the access code 146 414 8268.
Those elected to perform the first review of the county charter are:
- At large: Doug Lasher, Eric Holt, Mike Dalesandro
- Councilor District 1: Anthony Vendetti, Kim D. Harless, Chris Goodwin
- Councilor District 2: Chuck Green, Kelsey Potter, Dorothy Gasque
- Councilor District 3: Maureen Winningham, Terri Niles, Jeff Angelo
- Councilor District 4: Deanna Rusch, John Latta, Liz Pike
Any changes to the charter that the review commission recommends would go to a countywide vote in a general election.
Both events will be broadcast on CVTV on channel 23/323 and streaming on their website at www.cvtv.org.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Arts Commission is seeking applicants for Clark County Poet Laureate. The position is for two years beginning April 15, 2021.
This is a volunteer position. However, the Arts Commission is working to acquire financial support such as a stipend, grant or honorarium.
Duties of the Poet Laureate include promoting poetry as an art form, expanding access to the literary arts, and encouraging poetry as a regional voice that contributes to a sense of place.
Potential applicants must:
- Be a practicing, published poet
- Be a Clark County resident over 18 years of age
- Have a commitment to community outreach and collaboration
- Have an interest in promoting equity and inclusion through the arts
- Have the flexibility to shape a scope of work that reflects their interests, skills and abilities
Applications are on the county’s website here.
For a more detailed description of the position go to the county’s website.
Application deadline is midnight Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.