The Lewis and Clark City-County Board of Health has hired Drenda Niemann to serve as the next county health officer and director of Lewis and Clark Public Health. She will replace Melanie Reynolds, who is retiring in June after 12 years in the position. For the past 5 years, Niemann has been administrator of the Community Health Promotion Division, which includes family and child health, chronic disease programs, and Medicaid waiver programs. Learn more about the new health officer.

The Lewis and Clark City-County Board of Health has approved fee increases for our environmental services (like septic permitting, variances, and groundwater monitoring) and reviews of licensed establishments (like restaurants). The new fees take effect July 1, 2018. This is the first time the fees have been adjusted since 2009. The changes bring Lewis and Clark County into alignment with what other counties charge for the same services.

While the focus during floods tends to be on protecting property, it’s important to remember that flood water can put your health at risk, too. Flood water mixes with everything it touches, including raw sewage, animal waste, pesticides, and other chemicals. You should assume that flood water is a swirling cocktail of bacteria and other disease-carrying germs that can cause intestinal problems, headaches, flu symptoms, and skin infections. Even when the water subsides, clean-up can be risky. These fact sheets might help:

• Managing Your Septic System During/Following a Flood
• Your Well: What to Do after the Flood
• During and After Flooding: What's Safe to Eat

Helena is one of the first communities in Montana to offer an electronic benefit system for participants in its WIC supplemental nutrition program. The new system, called eWIC, replaces paper benefits with a charge card similar to a credit or debit card. Helena and four other communities began testing the program in June. It’s expected to go statewide later this month. Learn more about eWIC and how you can apply.