David Kuhnhausen Selected As County’s Community Development Director - 05/28/26

Vancouver, Wash. – County Manager Kathleen Otto recently appointed David Kuhnhausen as Director of the county’s Community Development Department. His first day will be Monday, June 1.

Kuhnhausen most recently served as interim director of the City of Portland’s Permitting and Development bureau. He worked at the City of Portland for almost two decades serving in several positions including Permitting Services Division Manager and project coordinator.

Kuhnhausen holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business administration, finance and management from the University of Oregon.

“We are excited to have David join our team,” says County Manager Kathleen Otto. “He takes to heart the importance of public service and the direct impact in our community. David has been successful in developing collaborative relationships with the public as well as internal and external stakeholders; enhancing the customer experience through streamlining processes and optimizing operational efficiencies.”

"I am honored by the opportunity to lead Clark County Community Development and am excited to get started!” says Kuhnhausen. “Clark County continues to grow at a rapid rate, and I am committed to working with both staff and the development community to ensure we continue to provide exceptional customer service, that we are evolving to meet industry needs, and that we are upholding safety requirements and service that our communities expect."

The county’s Community Development Department oversees many divisions including the Permit Center, Building Safety, Development Engineering, Animal Protection and Control and the Fire Marshal’s Office. More information is available on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/community-development.

County’s Charter Review Commissioners Available To Meet With Community Groups - 05/28/26

Groups can request a speaker on the county’s website

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Charter Review Commissioners are available to meet community members and visit neighborhood associations, religious groups, community organizations and others to discuss possible charter amendments.

Organizations interested in booking a Charter Review Commissioner to speak are asked to complete a form on the county’s website.

The Commission has scheduled a series of town hall meetings to get feedback from county residents. The town hall events will be held in each of the five county council districts.

The remaining town hall meetings are scheduled as follows:

• District 3: 2 to 4 pm Sunday, June 14, Community Room, Cascade Park Library, 600 NE 136^th Ave.
• District 4: 3 to 5 pm Saturday, June 6, second floor meeting room, Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4^th Ave.
• District 5: 1 to 3 pm Sunday, June 7, Moulton Falls Room, Battle Ground Event Center, 912 E Main St.

Town halls were held previously for Districts 1 and 2.

Charter Review Commissioners will present information on proposed amendments to the county’s charter, seek feedback from town hall participants, and answer questions about the commission’s work. Anyone wishing to provide written comment to the commission may do so via the county’s website.

More information on the Commission’s events is available at https://clark.wa.gov/charter/events.

Any changes to the charter recommended by the Charter Review Commission must go to a countywide vote in a general election. The review commission has set a target of Aug. 4, for submitting any potential changes to the charter to the county Auditor for the November 2026 general election ballot.

Clark County’s home rule charter is the county’s rulebook for how its government is set up and how it operates. It defines roles, powers, elections and processes. It doesn’t set day-to-day policies and cannot override state and federal laws or constitutions.

Fifteen commissioners were elected in November 2025 to serve on the Charter Review Commission. The commission meets at 5 pm on Wednesdays in a hybrid format with both in person and online attendance options. The meetings are held on the sixth floor of the county’s Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. To learn how to join online and provide public comment during a meeting visit https://clark.wa.gov/charter/charter-review-commission-2026-2027. Meeting agendas and video recordings are available on the same web page.

Clark County Auto License Closing June 15-29 For Renovation - 05/28/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Auto License office will close for in-person services June 15-29 for renovations in the customer service area. The renovations will enhance the overall customer service experience and accessibility.

The office is located on the first floor of the Public Service Center at 1300 Franklin St. and will reopen on Tuesday, June 30. While in-person services will not be available during the closure, the office will continue to remain open and fully available by phone and email: 564.397.2288, Auto.License@clark.wa.gov.

Nine additional vehicle licensing subagent locations in Clark County will remain open for in-person services during regular business hours. A list of these locations is available on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/auditor/auto-license-overview.

Many transactions can be completed online. Visit https://clark.wa.gov/auditor/auto-license-overview for more information.

Clark County Public Works Reminds Residents To Secure Loads Before Hauling, To Reduce Dangerous Roadside Debris And Litter (Photo) - 05/27/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Solid Waste, a division of Public Works, is participating in the Washington State Department of Ecology’s “Secure Your Loads for Safer Roads” campaign throughout June. The effort focuses on reducing unsecured vehicle loads, which are a major source of roadside litter and a serious safety risk for drivers.

National Secure Your Load Day, observed on June 6, honors those who have been killed or injured in collisions caused by unsecured loads. In Washington, unsecured loads contribute to more than 300 crashes each year.

Unsecured loads are also a significant contributor to litter in Clark County. In 2025, more than 150,000 pounds of roadside litter were collected through Ecology’s Litter Crew and Clark County Public Works Adopt‑A‑Road programs.

Residents can help reduce litter and support cleaner roadways by participating in the Adopt‑A‑Road program. Volunteers choose an eligible road segment, complete a brief orientation and training, and commit to three cleanup events per year with friends, neighbors, family, or coworkers. Public Works provides supplies and the disposal of collected litter.

Preventing litter is even more effective than cleaning it up. Throughout the month, Clark County Green Neighbors will share tips, information and resources on the program’s Facebook and Instagram profiles about securing vehicle loads.

Statewide, the Department of Ecology will promote Secure Your Load messaging. The Washington State Patrol will increase enforcement throughout June. Fines for unsecured loads can be as high as $5,000 and may include jail time.

To help ensure loads are fully secured before driving, Clark County Solid Waste encourages residents to consider the following:

• Would I feel safe if my family were driving behind me?
• Will my load stay secure if I brake suddenly, hit a bump, turn a corner, or drive uphill?
• Could anything fall or blow out of my vehicle?
• Will any items break down or disintegrate if it rains?
• Did I double-check that everything is secured?

Learn more about proper load securement at clark.wa.gov/public-works/self-haul-options.

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office - MEDIA RELEASE - 05/27/26

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office contracts with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to provide medical examiner services. The following information is in reference to a death investigated by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. This release provides updated information in the investigation related to a death at ilani hotel in October 2025. Cause and manner of death have been updated; this information was pending at the time of the previous media release.

This individual was found on 10/05/2025 in Ridgefield, WA.

The name of the decedent: Arslan   Age: 38 years

The decedent was a resident of (city/state): Lynnwood, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death:  Fentanyl toxicity

Manner of death:  Homicide

Place of injury: Hotel

How injury occurred: Fentanyl administered by other person(s)

Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department.

Media release issue date: 05/27/2026 (previous media release date: 11/06/2025)

New Parks Partnership Program Aims To Bring More Services And Activities To Clark County Parks - 05/26/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County has launched a new parks partnership program to bring more activities and visitor services into county parks. The goal is to make parks more active, welcoming places for the community.

Through this program, businesses and organizations can offer a variety of services in parks. These may include fitness classes, guided activities, educational programs, recreational activities, or food and beverage options. By working with local partners, the county hopes to create more vibrant parks, support local economic growth and enhance the maintenance and usability of public spaces.

The program is open to all types of businesses, including mobile vendors, established companies and community organizations. Anyone interested in applying or learning more about requirements, available locations, or guidelines can visit the program webpage.

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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Collaborative Work Of Art On Display At The Rebecca Anstine Gallery (Photo) - 05/22/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Artist K.C. Madsen facilitated a collaboration involving Vancouver School of Arts and Academics that resulted in a work of art now on display at the Rebecca Anstine Gallery. The show will run through the end of June 2026.

The gallery is on the sixth floor of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It is open 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

A reception for the artists will be held at the gallery 5-7 pm Friday, May 29. The event is sponsored by the Clark County Arts Commission. It is free and open to the public.

The show features two exhibits:

 Exhibit A: Evidence of an art occurrence
 

This was a collaboration involving Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (VSAA) fine arts, music, dance and film students and art teacher Crystal Zeller and family—all under the direction of artist K.C. Madsen, who “conducted” the performance on Saturday March 29, 2014. There was no audience present, only performers and documenters.

Everyone wore white Tyvek coveralls. Pots of paint from a specific color palette along with various widths of brushes were provided. Plastic sheeting covered the floor of the VOCA art space and two long rolls of white paper were laid out to capture the evidence.

At Madsen’s prompt, music played and the visual arts students started to paint the dancers’ coveralls. The dancers were encouraged to respond to the music being played and use the paper as their stage to step on, roll on, or paint with movements of their bodies and feet.

The art students also painted each other. Madsen “conducted” with the use of visible cards showing prompts for both the dancers and the visual artists to respond to.

The performance was video-recorded and photographed by participating students. Documentation of the performance was then shared with the public as a part of downtown Vancouver’s First Friday Art Walk, April 4, 2014.

Exhibit B: A collaboration with the past

Artist K.C Madsen returned to VSAA to facilitate workshops in which she encouraged current students to collaborate with a group of students from 2014. Exhibit A: Evidence of an Art Occurrence was an orchestrated yet spontaneous event that resulted in two 4x50-foot paintings as well as other documentation of the event.

Now, twelve years later, students have responded with new art “occurrence,” Exhibit B: A collaboration with the past. On February 9, 2026, Madsen gave each participant a piece of the original painting and asked them to respond to this past evidence as a current VSAA student. The new paintings were then assembled into an 8x20-foot mural.

The creation and assembly were energetic and spontaneous, as students were prompted to place their attention in the present moment—in the process of making rather than on the end product. And yet the mural holds all the energy and evidence of a process from students, both past and present.

Public Health Offers Tips For Staying Safe In Local Waters This Summer - 05/21/26

Vancouver, Wash. – This Memorial Day weekend, Clark County Public Health is reminding people to take caution in and around local lakes and rivers. This weekend may mark the unofficial start of summer, but lakes and rivers in Southwest Washington are still cold, and water may be moving quickly.

Even as temperatures outside get warmer, local lakes and rivers are still cold enough to shock even the strongest swimmers. When a swimmer’s body hits the cold water, it can trigger a sudden, rapid increase in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The uncontrolled breathing can cause people to gasp and inhale water, leading to potential drowning.

Public Health urges people of all ages to follow these tips for safe swimming and recreating in all bodies of water throughout the summer:

• Know your limits. Drowning often occurs when swimmers tire.
• Avoid fast-flowing waters, including local rivers that may appear calm and ocean beaches with riptides.
• Don’t swim alone.
• Avoid distractions when children are swimming or near water. Children should be supervised by adults anytime they are in or around water. Supervision requires complete attention, even if another adult is present.
• Wear a life jacket. Children, teens and adults should wear life jackets while boating, using a personal watercraft, inner tubing or while using other water sports equipment. Life jackets should also be worn while swimming in lakes, rivers or the ocean. Life jackets are available to borrow from loaner stations at several local waterbodies. By law, children 12 years and younger must wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest on all vessels 18 feet or smaller.
• Avoid alcohol and marijuana use when swimming or boating.
• Don’t dive into shallow water or jump off bridges or cliffs. Even familiar swimming spots may have developed new underwater hazards during the winter. And this year’s drought conditions may mean waters that were once deep are now shallow.
• Swim in designated swimming areas only. Signs will let you know when and where it’s safe to swim.
• Enroll children in swim lessons when they are ready. Early and frequent swim lessons will teach children the skills needed to stay safe while in and around water.

Water quality monitoring
Public Health also encourages residents to check for water quality advisories before heading out to local lakes. Throughout the summer, Public Health monitors the water quality at the county’s three designated swim beaches – Vancouver Lake, Klineline Pond and Battle Ground Lake – checking the waterbodies for bacteria that could make swimmers sick. Public Health will issue advisories if bacteria levels exceed state thresholds and may pose a risk to people swimming or wading in the water.

Public Health also monitors swim beaches and other local waterbodies for harmful algal blooms that can pose a health risk to people and can be fatal to pets. Public Health will issue advisories at waterbodies with elevated toxin levels from algal blooms.

When Public Health issues water quality advisories, signs are posted at the waterbody and information about the advisories is posted on the Public Health website and social media. People can also subscribe to Public Health’s weekly newsletter, In the Splash, to receive advisory updates via email every Friday.

For more information about swim beach advisories and other public health topics, follow Clark County Public Health on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and look for Public Health updates on Nextdoor.

Clark County Seeks Public Comment On The Parks And Nature Capital Improvement Plan (Photo) - 05/19/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County has published a draft of the 2026-2032 Parks and Nature, and Lands Capital Improvement Plan. Residents are encouraged to review the draft plan and submit comments now through June 19.

The proposed six-year plan includes major maintenance projects, recreation enhancements at existing parks, and the development of new parks. Projects in the plan address the needs identified in the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which was created with community input and adopted by the Clark County Council in April 2022.

New projects and programs in the draft plan include:

• Recreation and access enhancements at Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Regional Park
• Access improvements at Hazel Dell Community Park
• Recreation facility improvements at Pacific Community Park
• 78th Street Heritage Farm access improvements
• Design and development of a neighborhood park in the Mount Vista neighborhood
• Design and development of a neighborhood park in the Minnehaha neighborhood
• Park plan updates for Lewisville Regional Park and Hockinson Meadows Community Park
• Recreation and access improvements at Whipple Creek Regional Park

To submit comments, residents can review the plan on the Parks and Nature parks projects webpage and email comments to pwparksprojects@clark.wa.gov between May 19 and June 19.

At the conclusion of the public comment period, the Clark County Parks Advisory Board will review the plan and comments at its July meeting. Following a recommendation for adoption from the Parks Advisory Board, the draft plan will be presented to the Clark County Planning Commission for review at a work session in August or September. Following Planning Commission review, the plan will be submitted to the Clark County Council for review and adoption in October.

Projects in the capital improvement plan are funded by park impact fees, real estate excise taxes, the county’s general fund, and grant funds.

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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Clark County Youth House Hosts Art Show June 4 (Photo) - 05/14/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Youth House is hosting an art show on Thursday, June 4, from 5 to 8 pm.

The event, Beautiful Bonds: A Youth House Art Show about Connecting the Threads Between Us, features young artists who are supported by and volunteer at the Youth House. The art show will be at the Youth House, 1012 Esther St. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

There will be many forms of art including canvas paintings, handmade cards, photography, multimedia artwork, a coloring book and more. Many of the young artists will be present to answer questions about their art, and some of the pieces will be available for purchase (cash only).

The Clark County Youth House is a youth empowerment center developed by Clark County Community Services. Youth House programs strive to increase the number of positive relationships, opportunities, skills, and recognition among each young person involved.

Programs within the house include the Clark County Youth Commission and Teens for Tomorrow Peer Education Program. For more information, visit https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/youth-house.

Youth Drug Prevention Team Seeks New Members Ages 12-18 Years - 05/13/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Teens For Tomorrow, peer education program is recruiting youth to fill vacant positions for the 2026-2027 program year.

Members serve a one-year term but can recommit to serve multiple terms. Teens For Tomorrow requires 4-8 hours of work each month.

What is Teens for Tomorrow (TFT)?

• TFT strives to create a safe space for youth to talk about drug and alcohol prevention, share accurate information and resources, promote mental health, and elevate youth leadership. 
• A year with TFT looks like planning and leading youth trainings, sharing ideas with lawmakers, creating vape quit kits, developing community-wide prevention campaigns, designing an art show, and more.
• TFT is an excellent opportunity for teens interested in gaining volunteer experience, discovering their strengths and leadership style, learning and practicing presentation skills, building their resume and making friends with youth from other schools while doing important work.
• We are funded by Clark County Community Services, which supports youth leaders who want to be a part of the solution for preventing addiction and improving mental health among youth in our community.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Applicants must:

• Live in Clark County 

• Be 12-18 years old next school year 
• Be passionate about youth drug/alcohol prevention and mental health

We welcome applications from youth who have had past use/experimentation but are no longer using, youth who are in recovery, and youth who have never used substances. All of these voices are needed in prevention work! 

Interested youths must submit an application, and finalists must participate in an interview. Applications and submittal directions are online at https://teensfortomorrow.clark.wa.gov/apply.html

Application deadline is 5 pm Wednesday, May 20, 2026. 

For more information or to request an application, please contact Alaina Green, Teens For Tomorrow Peer Education coordinator, at (564) 397–5841 or alaina.green@clark.wa.gov.

Lewisville Regional Park Will Reopen Wednesday, May 13 (Photo) - 05/12/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Lewisville Regional Park will reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 13. The area around the Central picnic shelter, which was destroyed by fire, is closed. A fence and signage have been installed around the closed area. Visitors are reminded that entering areas closed to the public is prohibited.

The fire, which occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 12, is being investigated by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The park was closed on Tuesday during the investigation and preliminary cleanup.

Staff are contacting picnic shelter reservation holders to offer refunds and options for moving their reservations to other locations.

The Central picnic shelter was constructed sometime between 1936 and 1940 under the Works Progress Administration. It was one of the original six structures. The park is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Clark County Heritage Register.

Updates about the park and shelter will be posted to the park webpage. Inquiries about the investigation should be directed to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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Clark County Finance Committee Meeting Scheduled For May 19 - 05/12/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The next Clark County Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for 9:30 am Thursday, May. 19, 2026, in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Room 243.

Pursuant to RCW 42.30.030(2), which encourages public agencies to provide for public access to meetings, this meeting can also be viewed via Teams or joined telephonically.

• Dial-in number: 1-213-262-7043
• Phone ID: 243 552 567#
• Meeting ID: 230 523 984 267 47
• Passcode: Fz9Ve6vG
• Join online here.

See the agenda for the meeting on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/treasurer/investment-reports-meetings.

Media Advisory: Multimedia: May 12 Fire At The Central Picnic Shelter Of Lewisville Regional Park - 05/12/26

Photos and videos from the early morning fire at Lewisville Regional Park are available in this folder, for media use. Please do not share the folder link with the public. Please use “Clark County” in your photo credits.

More videos will be uploaded this afternoon.

While the park is closed, there is no media access to the Central picnic shelter. We are unable to host a press pool during the investigation.

Lewisville Regional Park Closed Tuesday, May 12 Until Further Notice - 05/12/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Early on Tuesday, May 12, a fire was reported at Lewisville Regional Park. The fire has been extinguished, but to ensure safety and not inhibit the work of responders, the park is CLOSED to the public until further notice. We will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available.

Staff are contacting picnic shelter reservation holders about refunds or moving their reservations to other locations.

Updates will be posted to the park webpage.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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County Extends Deadline To Apply For Open Volunteer Position On Homelessness Organization - 05/11/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County, participating cities and community stakeholders are recruiting for two volunteers to join a collaborative policy group addressing the issue of homelessness in the community known as ECHO, Ending Community Homelessness Organization.

The recruitment is for individuals with recent lived experience with homelessness in Clark County. Volunteer term length will be approximately 12 months, with opportunities for subsequent extensions. An honorarium of up to $1,000 annually is available for participants, paid monthly after participation in ECHO that month.

The original deadline for applications has been extended to 5 pm Friday, June 5.

ECHO consists of leaders from Clark County, its cities and other key community stakeholders. ECHO exists as a forum to consider homelessness comprehensively and holistically with the goal of identifying possible gaps and opportunities for further coordination and investment.

This group meets regularly the second Tuesday of every month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the county’s Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Suite 680.

Anyone interested in applying should send a letter of interest to Michelle Pfenning, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.

County’s Commission On Aging To Discuss Intergenerational Housing Alternatives - 05/11/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Commission on Aging will continue their four-part series on housing at its May meeting. The COA welcomes professionals from the Bridge Meadows and Cathedral Park CoHousing communities for a discussion about intergenerational housing, as an affordable housing option.

The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, and is open to the public.

Commission on Aging meetings are held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Attend in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or join by phone or computer through information provided at: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging-meetings.

Commission meetings are carried on CVTV Channel 23/323 and online at www.cvtv.org. To see replay times, go to www.cvtv.org. 

The Commission on Aging, supported by the of the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.

Charter Review Commission Seeks Feedback From Community At Upcoming Town Hall Meetings - 05/08/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Charter Review Commission will hold a series of town hall meetings to get feedback from county residents. The town hall events will be held in each of the five county council districts.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• District 1: 10 am to noon Saturday, May 23, Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St.
• District 2: 3 to 5 pm Sunday, May 17, Bud Van Cleve Room at Luke Jensen Sports Complex, 4000 NE 78^th St.
• District 3: 2 to 4 pm Sunday, June 14, Cascade Park Library, 600 NE 136^th Ave.
• District 4: 3 to 5 pm Saturday, June 6, Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4^th Ave.
• District 5: 1 to 3 pm Sunday, June 7, Moulton Falls Room, Battle Ground Event Center, 912 E Main St.

Charter Review Commissioners will present information on proposed amendments to the county’s charter, seek feedback from town hall participants, and answer questions about the commission’s work. Anyone wishing to provide written comment to the commission may do so via the county’s website.

More information on the Commission’s events is available at https://clark.wa.gov/charter/events.

Any changes to the charter recommended by the Charter Review Commission must go to a countywide vote in a general election. The review commission has set a target of Aug. 4, for submitting any potential changes to the charter to the county Auditor for the November 2026 general election ballot.

Clark County’s home rule charter is the county’s rulebook for how its government is set up and how it operates. It defines roles, powers, elections and processes. It doesn’t set day-to-day policies and cannot override state and federal laws or constitutions.

Fifteen commissioners were elected in November 2025 to serve on the Charter Review Commission. The commission meets at 5 pm on Wednesdays in a hybrid format with both in person and online attendance options. The meetings are held on the sixth floor of the county’s Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. To learn how to join online and provide public comment during a meeting visit https://clark.wa.gov/charter/charter-review-commission-2026-2027. Meeting agendas and video recordings are available on the same web page.

Clark County Seeks Volunteers For The Historic Preservation Commission - 05/05/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking applicants for one position on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. The three-year term will begin on July 1, 2026. The position will be appointed by the County Council.

The seven-member volunteer commission is responsible for:

• Reviewing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
• Reviewing nominations and designating properties to the Clark County Heritage Register
• Conducting design review for changes to buildings and sites on the local register
• Reviewing and deciding applications for the Special Valuation Tax Incentive for historic properties
• Overseeing education and outreach.

The commission typically meets at 6 pm the first Wednesday of each month at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Meetings are currently conducted in a hybrid format via Webex and in person.

The county is looking for people who can bring:

• Interest, experience, or knowledge in history; historic preservation, rehabilitation or restoration; architecture or related disciplines such as planning, American studies or cultural anthropology, archaeology, or geography
• Ethnic, cultural, social, and geographic diversity to the group; and
• Outstanding strategic communication and public speaking skills and experience meeting with a wide range of individuals and organizations

All applicants must be available for an interview with a committee of current Historic Preservation Commissioners. A follow-up interview with the County Council may be required.

To apply, submit a letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, County Manager's Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.

The application deadline is 5 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

For more information about the commission and the Historic Preservation program, please visit www.clark.wa.gov/planning/historic.

Council Chair Marshall To Deliver State Of The County Address At May 19 Event - 05/05/26

Attendees encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to benefit Clark Neighbors Food Project

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Council Chair Sue Marshall will present the 2026 State of the County address at a May 19 event at the county’s Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. in the sixth-floor hearing room. Doors open at 4:45 pm, and the program begins at 5:20 pm.

The event is free and open to the public. The event will air live on CVTV channel 23/323 and www.CVTV.org. Light refreshments and beverages will be available.

In the speech, Chair Marshall will provide an update on what’s happening in Clark County government. Topics will include an update on the Charter Review Commission progress, the Comprehensive Plan Update, the county’s budget and more.

Clark Neighbors Food Project will be at the event collecting donations of non-perishable food. Food donations will benefit several local food pantries and school family resource centers. The Project began in August 2017 and currently collects approximately 20,000 pounds of food every two months. Learn more about the Project at https://www.clarkfoodproject.org/.

Representatives from the county’s Charter Review Commission will have a table at the event to provide information and answer questions. The county’s Neighborhood Program Coordinator also will be on hand to provide information and let residents know how they can get involved with their local neighborhood associations.

County Council Seeks Applicants For Volunteer Positions On The Solid Waste Advisory Commission - 04/30/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for two volunteer positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, which provides input to the council and staff on solid waste issues and planning for recycling, garbage collection, landfills, waste transfer stations, and waste-reduction programs. The advisory commission also provides feedback to staff throughout the process of updating the county’s Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. This process is currently underway.

One open position represents southwest Clark County, and applicants must live south of Northeast 179th Street and west of State Highway 503.

One open position represents the county at-large, and any resident of Clark County can apply.

Both positions are for a three-year term beginning July 1.

Residents passionate about waste reduction, education and outreach, or with experience in multifamily housing, are encouraged to apply. Candidates with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

To apply, applicants should submit a brief letter of interest and resume to Jake Goodwin, County Manger’s Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or via email to jake.goodwin@clark.wa.gov. The letter of interest should include a description of how the applicant will represent the interests of the residents represented by the position, any relevant personal or professional experience, and their vision for the future of solid waste management in Clark County. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29.

More information about the commission is available on the county website or by contacting solidwaste@clark.wa.gov.
 

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

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County, Community Stakeholders Seek Volunteers For Homelessness Organization - 04/30/26

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County, participating cities and community stakeholders are recruiting for two volunteers to join a collaborative policy group addressing the issue of homelessness in the community known as ECHO, Ending Community Homelessness Organization.

The recruitment is for individuals with recent lived experience with homelessness in Clark County. Volunteer term length will be approximately 12 months, with opportunities for subsequent extensions. An honorarium of up to $1,000 annually is available for participants, paid monthly after participation in ECHO that month.

ECHO consists of leaders from Clark County, its cities and other key community stakeholders. ECHO exists as a forum to consider homelessness comprehensively and holistically with the goal of identifying possible gaps and opportunities for further coordination and investment.

This group meets regularly the second Tuesday of every month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the county’s Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Suite 680.

Anyone interested in applying should send a letter of interest to Michelle Pfenning, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, May 29, 2026.

Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office - MEDIA RELEASE - 04/30/26

The following information is in reference to a death investigated by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. This investigation is related to a shooting in Vancouver on April 27, 2026.

This individual died on 04/27/2026 in Vancouver, WA.

The name of the decedent: Soto Martinez, Hector Edwin   Age: 16 years

The decedent was a resident of (city/state): Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death:  Gunshot wound of torso

Manner of death:  Homicide

How the injury occurred: Shot by other

Place of injury: Parking lot

Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to Vancouver Police Department.

Media release issue date: 04/30/2026

County Seeks Applicants For Community Action Advisory Board - 04/30/26

Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking applicants for two positions on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board. These positions include a community representative from the county’s fifth district and a low-income representative from the county’s fourth district.

Term periods start immediately and are three years, ending Dec. 31, 2028. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms.

The fifteen-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 at local, state and federal levels.

Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially people of color and from historically oppressed or under-resourced communities.

Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Abby Molloy, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or abby.molloy@clark.wa.gov. A map of the county council districts is on the county’s website.

Application information can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/caab-community-action-advisory-board or by calling Abby Molloy at 564.397.7832.

Deadline is Friday, May 22.