The Columbian

Clark County Health

Cindy Hovind hugs Eugene Sakai during Sakai's coat drive in honor of his retirement from a 47-year dentistry career at Mount Vista Family Dental in Salmon Creek on Dec. 14. "He's real giving and a happy person that is wonderful to have in the family," said Hovind. Many patients feel like friends to Sakai.

Vancouver dentist marks a life of service

December 28, 2019, 6:02am Clark County Health

Piled against a wall in a tiny office in Mount Vista Family Dental is the evidence, even if Eugene Sakai isn’t ready to make a ruling yet. Read story

A sign outside Bloodworks Northwest near Vancouver Mall encourages people to donate blood in October 2017.

Blood donations dip about 25% during holidays

December 21, 2019, 4:00pm Clark County Health

Sometimes it can feel like you’ve got a thousand things on your mind during the holiday season. Read story

Forum at WSU Vancouver to examine mental health needs

December 21, 2019, 6:00am Clark County Health

State Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, invites mental health experts and providers from throughout Clark County to join her Jan. 7 at Washington State University Vancouver for a discussion on local mental health care needs, and potential solutions to address them. Read story

Free hand sanitizers are given out during the Kick The Flu event for hospital employees at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in October 2018.

Clark County flu positivity nears 40 percent

December 18, 2019, 6:01am Clark County Health

You might have to quarantine relatives this Christmas, and not for their political remarks. Read story

Daybreak Youth Services is pictured in Brush Prairie on May 21, 2019.

Daybreak Youth Services says budget gap could close Brush Prairie, Spokane facilities

December 17, 2019, 12:55pm Clark County Health

A nonprofit that has provided behavioral health treatment to thousands of teens in the Spokane and Clark County areas says it’s facing a $500,000 budget shortfall and may have to close its doors. Read story

Roosevelt in Vancouver, Laurin in Battle Ground added to list of schools with sick kids

December 16, 2019, 5:18pm Clark County Health

Dozens of students are still out at five Vancouver Public Schools elementary campuses, and Battle Ground Public Schools issued a letter to parents at Laurin Middle School after a large group of students there called out sick. Read story

Nathan Ordanza, of Vancouver, boulders at the Source Climbing Center in Vancouver. Ordanza said he likes climbing because it's a good workout that focuses on problem solving. "With the rainy season here, you can still workout without having to go outside," he said.

Indoor rock climbing a winter reprieve

December 16, 2019, 6:02am Clark County Health

When Michael Lary’s dog Coava went missing, the outpouring on social media was heavy enough to make a human feel jealous. Read story

Professionals required to report child abuse suspicions say state’s hotline needs money

December 15, 2019, 6:06am Clark County Health

Last winter registered nurse Peigi Huseby helped a young patient at her Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park Medical Office. The minor was suicidal and Huseby found out it was due to physical and sexual abuse from family members. Read story

Herrera Beutler splits with party, votes for Pelosi prescription drug measure

December 12, 2019, 8:32pm Clark County Health

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, split with her party Thursday to vote in favor of a bill that would give the federal government authority to negotiate lower prescription drug costs. Read story