News

• Medical Examiner

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.


• Public Works

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.


• County Manager

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.


• Public Health

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.


• Elections

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.


• County Manager

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.


• Community Development

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.


• Public Health

Clark County Public Health’s Vital Records office is expanding its hours for in-person services to five days per week, beginning Monday, Sept. 19.

People can continue to place orders for birth and death certificates online or by mail; details for ordering certificates are available on the Public Health website. For those who prefer to place orders in-person, here are the Vital Records office hours beginning Monday, Sept. 19:


• County

The intersection of Northeast 99th Street and Northeast 94th Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, Sept. 26. The closure is expected to last at least 20 days but may be extended as needed. Exact start and end dates of the closure are weather dependent.


• Community Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges of connecting older adults to resources, information and each other. These connection challenges existed before the pandemic and will continue into the future. Learn how volunteer coordinators are creatively conducting outreach with older residents, families, friends, faith communities, and neighbors at the next meeting of the Commission on Aging, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

Meeting guests include: