Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is offering a series of free online workshops for those interested in a sustainable lifestyle. The six-part series will teach participants how to reduce their impact on the planet through composting, waste reduction, and green living.

Here are the webinars offered this fall:

The Clark County Fire Marshal Dan Young has extended the open burning and recreational fire ban indefinitely. The ban will be in place until the county gets a significant rain event. The county will put out notice when the bans are ended.

According to Fire Marshal Dan Young this is a preventive measure to reduce the risk of grass or brush fires in Clark County. 

This action is in-line with DNR and the other counties in Southwest Washington.

On Oct. 3 construction will begin on Northeast Hazel Dell Avenue, between Northeast 99th Street and Northeast 117th Street, to construct and repair sidewalks on both sides of the road. Construction is scheduled to be complete by late February 2023. Impacts to local access traffic and brief delays are possible during construction. Flaggers and signage will direct travelers through the construction area.

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 community is invited to join Clark County Public Works, Parks and Lands at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 to celebrate the opening of the new Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area. The new 118-acre natural area is adjacent to the Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area and supports open space, regional water quality and salmon recovery goals. The property will also increase recreational opportunities in the area.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto today announced the executive leadership team that will lead the recently established Jail Services department. David Shook will be the Director of Jail Services, Joe Barnett will be the Manager of Jail Administration and Bryan Pilakowski will be the Manager of Jail Operations. The team will begin on Monday, Oct. 17. Shook will report to Deputy County Manager Amber Emery.

This Septic Smart Week, Clark County Public Health is reminding homeowners of the importance of keeping onsite septic systems up to date on inspections and maintenance.

By ensuring systems are in good condition, owners can protect their property’s value and avoid needing costly emergency system replacements. Public Health recommends homeowners work with county-certified professionals to complete system inspections and get advice about maintenance, repairs, or onsite septic system replacement.

At 2 pm on Thursday, Sept. 29, the Clark County Elections Office will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the programming that is used to tabulate ballots as well as the accessible voting units for the November 8 General and Special Election.

The test will be held at the Elections Office, 1408 Franklin Street. This test is required under Washington state law before every election. Members of the news media, candidates, jurisdictions with measures on the ballot and the public are invited to attend this test.

Ballots for this election will be mailed on Friday, Oct. 21.

The Clark County Council today approved a resolution establishing a new county department of Jail Services. This is the first step of the conversation to transition the management of the county jail from the Sheriff’s Office to the County Manager’s Office.

Clark County Community Development has been working to implement an electronic plan review program which will went live today, Sept. 19.

Now that the go live is complete, the county will only receive electronic applications and plans. Hard copies will no longer be accepted. This will apply to new applications. However, paper applications currently in the system will continue to be processed as is.