Vancouver, Wash. – Beginning at 8:30 am Wednesday, Aug. 7, elections officials will perform a hand count of approximately 600 ballots randomly selected as part of a manual comparison against machine results.

The selected ballots will be counted in the total returns on Election Day. But for this comparison, ballots with the city of Vancouver, Council Position 2 race also will be counted by hand, to check the accuracy of the ballot tabulation equipment.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking volunteers for two boards: the Building, Residential and Plumbing Board of Appeals and the Fire Code Board of Appeals.

The Building Code Board of Appeals will hear appeals relative to application and interpretation of the code. The Fire Code Board of Appeals will determine the suitability of alternate building materials, types of construction, and provide reasonable interpretations of the provisions of the Fire Code.

Terms for both boards will be three years.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ To ensure its ability to report preliminary election results on a timely basis, an update will be made this Friday, Aug. 2 to Clark County’s Hart InterCivic ballot tabulation system. Following implementation of the update, a logic and accuracy test of the 2019 August primary and special election will be conducted.

A logic and accuracy test is required before every election to make sure ballots are programmed properly and results are reporting properly.

Routine water quality testing at Vancouver Lake this week revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The swim beach at the lake is currently closed due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

The Vancouver Lake swim beach will remain closed until tests show cyanotoxins and E. coli bacteria levels do not exceed thresholds. Closure signs are currently posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake.

Vancouver, Wash. – With the warming weather and dry conditions, wildfire season is likely on its way and has already begun elsewhere in the state. Clark County Public Health is urging residents to take steps now to prepare for smoky days with unhealthy air quality.

Vancouver, Wash. – At the close of the regular candidate filing period on Friday, May 17, 2019, Clark County election officials had not received candidate filings for two elected offices: Town of Yacolt, council position number 2 and Washougal School District director, district 1.

Pursuant to Washington state law, an additional special three-day filing period must be held for these offices.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has closed the swim beach at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

Results from water samples taken from Vancouver Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Closure signs are being posted at the swim beach and other public access points to the lake. Public Health is advising against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Treasurer’s Office renewed a long-standing commitment to the Crass Estate.

Lura M. Crass drew up her will in 1933 to include a provision “…for the care, maintenance, support and assistance of Orphan or Homeless children who reside in Clark County, Washington, and who are under the age of 13 years.” The will dictated that the Clark County Treasurer act as trustee and use the funds from the sale of her home to benefit the community.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking nominations and applications to fill a vacant position on the three-member board that oversees Diking District No. 14.

The district is bounded by the Columbia River to the west, Lake River to the north, the western shore of Vancouver Lake to the east, and the vicinity of the intersection of Northwest Old Lower River Road and State Route 501 to the south.

Clark County Public Health has lifted the swim beach closure at Vancouver Lake after recent test results showed reduced E. coli bacteria levels. Public Health has also downgraded the algae advisory at the lake from warning to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

Vancouver Lake is considered safe for swimmers; however, people and pets should avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of blue-green-colored floating scum.