Nika Bartoo-Smith
The Columbian
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Past articles by Nika:
Losing dad bod is kids’ stuff for Camas author
CAMAS — At Lacamas Park on a gray and rainy afternoon in early March, Dylan Koller, who writes under the pen name Dylan Alexander, practiced “animal flow” with his two oldest kids. The three laughed together while pretending to be a bear, a crab and any other animal that came to mind. → Read More
Clark County reports 195 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths
Clark County Public Health reported 195 new COVID-19 cases this week, bringing totals to 112,246 to date. Ten new deaths were reported, bringing the county’s total to 1,057. → Read More
Battle Ground HealthCare, Clark College dental hygiene program partner for free teeth cleanings
BATTLE GROUND — The four dental hygiene bays at Battle Ground HealthCare have been crowded for the past five Tuesdays, filled with instructors and students from the Clark College dental hygiene program. → Read More
Camas, Washougal agencies benefit from 31 grants
The Camas-Washougal Community Chest along with the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation and the Camas Lions Foundation just announced the recipients of 31 grants totaling $140,000. All grant recipients are nonprofits committed to delivering services exclusively to children and families in Camas and Washougal, according to a press release. → Read More
Washington to end health care masking mandates April 3
Face masks will no longer be required at Washington health care facilities starting April 3, the state announced Friday. → Read More
Clark County COVID-19 rate drifted up this week
The Clark County COVID-19 case rate rose slightly this week, with a seven day case rate, measuring new cases per 100,000 people, of 46.7 Thursday, up from 42.9 as of Feb. 23. → Read More
Funds sought for Marshall Park redesign
As Harper’s Playground edges closer to completing the reconstruction of the Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station at Marshall Park, the organization is $400,000 short of its $3.2 million goal. → Read More
Clark County TeenTalk seeks new volunteers
Clark County TeenTalk is looking for new youth volunteers to help run the peer-to-peer support line. → Read More
WHY Community sets goal of providing 2,000 free race entries
WHY Community provided a free opportunity for 1,647 individuals to train for and participate in around 15 local runs and triathlons in 2022. → Read More
Clark County COVID-19 rate slightly down, hospitalizations up
Clark COVID-19 rate slightly down, COVID-19 hospitalizations up → Read More
Proposed Vancouver opioid treatment site topic of public hearing
Columbia River Mental Health Services recently proposed establishing an opioid treatment program in Vancouver at 7105 N.E. 40th St. The Washington Department of Health will host a hearing for public comment at 4:30 p.m. on March 14. → Read More
Is the pandemic over? Clark County health officials say COVID likely here to stay
While many aspects of life have gone back to pre-pandemic norms — we can go to the movies again, schools are reopened, most businesses no longer require a mask, and the nationwide public health emergency will be lifted on May 11 — COVID-19 has left lasting impacts on the community. → Read More
Vancouver Public Schools plans to hire 14 mental health providers with help of $1.7 million grant
Vancouver Public Schools will hire mental health providers for each of its secondary schools using a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the district announced Friday. → Read More
Clark County COVID-19 rate up slightly this week
COVID-19 case rates in Clark County are up slightly this week with a seven day case rate, measuring cases per 100,000 people, of 45.5 Thursday, up from 39.3 as of Feb. 9. Clark County Public Health recorded 193 new cases, bringing the total to 111,616. Eight new deaths were reported, bringing the county’s total to 1,041. The local hospitals remain stressed, with 95.8 percent of hospital beds and… → Read More
Partners4Housing offers free assessments for families with a loved one with a disability
Partners4Housing, an organization that works to find housing solutions for families with a loved one with a disability, has joined with local nonprofits to provide free residential assessments for families across Washington. → Read More
New OHSU facility to focus on reproductive health equity
Last month, Oregon Health & Science University launched a new Center for Reproductive Health Equity to focus on investigating key disparities affecting reproductive health and clinical care. → Read More
Clark County COVID case rate decreases
In Clark County, the COVID-19 activity rate, which measures new cases per 100,000 people over seven days, decreased this week from 50.3 as of Feb. 2 to 39.3 as of Thursday. → Read More
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society replaces cat shelter
WASHOUGAL — Last January, Micki Simeone, executive director of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, was playing with cats in the old cat shelter when she noticed paint bubbling on the walls. → Read More
Harper’s Playground fundraiser extended for project at Marshall Park in Vancouver
As Harper’s Playground continues to raise money for the redesign of Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station at Marshall Park, the deadline to purchase a recognition brick or paver has been extended to Feb. 21. → Read More
COVID case rate up; Clark County hospitals remain near capacity
The Clark County COVID-19 activity rate, which measures new cases per 100,000 people over seven days, slightly increased this week from 43.3 as of Jan. 26 to 50.3 as of Thursday. → Read More