Seaside Conventer Center does good business in tough economic times
Seaside Civic and Convention Center executive director Russ Vandenberg presents his annual report to the city council. He says it’s been a tough economic time that hasn’t exempted the convention center’s business. <<READ MORE
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Port hopes for clear title to pier one marina building
The Port of Astoria hopes to buy the marina building at pier one from the Bank of Astoria. Executive director Jack Crider says clear title to the building is sought, which would clear up outstanding liens against construction of the building, which was built by former commissioner Glen Taggart. <<READ MORE
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City of Warrenton challenges flood plain maps and wants dikes certified
The City of Warrenton challenges new FEMA flood plain maps, as a city delegation heads to Washington, D.C.; Mayor Gil Gramson and city commission vice chair Mark Kujala make the trip. The city wants the Corps of Engineers to certify the city’s dikes and avoid costly new insurance coverage for property owners. <<READ MORE
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Warrenton School Board dismisses Superintendent Brewington
The Warrenton School Board votes 4-2 not to renew superintendent Craig Brewington’s contract, with board members Jim Gannaway and Darlene Warren dissenting. In protest, Gannaway then announces his resignation effective with the close of the meeting. <<READ MORE
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Public comment sought on parks master plan in Warrenton
About forty people attend the first of two workshops at the Warrenton High School on a proposed parks master plan for the city. The plan to be drafted by the community planning workshop at the University of Oregon. <<READ MORE
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Gearhart voters say no to annexation
Gearhart voters say no to the annexation of the Highlands and Palisades communities. No votes total 312 or 74.46%. <<READ MORE
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May primary lineup set
All three seats on the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners up for election in the May 18 primary election will feature contested races. The filing deadline for the May contest was 5 p.m. Tuesday. << READ MORE
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Westerlund sheds light on log export venture
No word yet on when the Port of Astoria commission will consider entering into a contract with the Bremerton, Washington based Westerlund Log Handlers to export logs from the Port of Astoria. <<READ MORE
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Warrenton parks meeting tonight
Warrenton holds a public workshop tonight at 6 pm at the Warrenton High School cafeteria to get input on a public parks and recreation facilities master plan. The Parks Advisory Board is working with the Community Planning Workshop (CPW) at the University of Oregon. << READ MORE
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Need for Seaside police levy questioned
Critical of a newspaper article that he says distorts crime statistics in his town, Seaside resident John Dunzer nevertheless raises a concern about the need for the upcoming May 18th police levy before voters. The City of Seaside will ask voters to approve a $145,000 annual levy over five years to pay for the purchase of seven new police cars and add one police officer position. <<READ MORE
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Clatsop County's Wegner nominated for national award
Ed Wegner, director of the Clatsop County Transportation and Development Services Department, has been nominated for recognition as one of the country’s best public works leaders. Wegner was chosen for the honor by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association, which put his name in contention for the national group’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award. << READ MORE
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Seaside looks for bio-solids disposal site
The City of Seaside considers disposal of sludge from the sewer lagoon at farm property near the Lewis and Clark River. Previously, the nearby Russ Earl farm had been used by the city but the property changed ownership. <<READ MORE
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ODOT holds second open house on Sunset Tunnel improvements
The Oregon Department of Transportation holds another public open house this Wednesday night regarding proposed improvements to the Sunset Tunnel on highway 26. The meeting is from six to eight p.m. at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. <<READ MORE
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Oregon state treasurer Westlund dies of lung cancer
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon state treasurer Ben Westlund has died after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 60. Westlund campaign manager Stacey Dycus said from the family's home in Bend that he died Sunday morning. << READ MORE
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DSL moves ahead with assessment rules
The Oregon Department of State Lands intends to move ahead with new rules regarding fees for diking districts and property owners along waterways. State Senator Betsy Johnson says DSL Director Louise Solliday won't budge on the issue. << READ MORE
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Fundraising underway for new playground equipment at Astor School
Students and parents raise money for new playground equipment at Astor Elementary School. Astoria city councilor Russ Warr says a playground committee at the school wants to replace the existing play structure which is very old and broken down. <<READ MORE
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Bear Creek Dam gets new waterline
The City of Astoria borrows $680,675 from the Oregon Business Development Department to replace the waterline at Bear Creek Dam. That’s the main water supply line that runs from the city’s sand filtration plant to the dam. <<READ MORE
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Alley wins Dorchester straw poll
Allen Alley, candidate for the Republican nomination for Oregon Governor, won the all-important Dorchester straw poll over the weekend, signaling building momentum in his campaign. The vote was 225 for Allen Alley, 165 for Chris Dudley, and 47 for John Lim. << READ MORE
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Hunsinger says judge wants Port and Oregon LNG to negotiate
Does a judge’s ruling mean that the Port of Astoria and Oregon LNG should sit down and negotiate terms? At issue is the proposed 30-year lease renewal for the Skipanon Peninsula property sought by Oregon LNG to develop an LNG receiving terminal there. <<READ MORE
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Astoria's finest receive meritorius service awards
Astoria Police officers Chris McNeary and Matt Clausen receive meritorious service awards at this week’s Astoria city council meeting. Both officers prevented suicides from occurring in separate incidents. Police Chief Pete Curzon makes the presentations. <<READ MORE
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Necanicum Natural History Park takes shape
The public is invited to attend a visioning workshop in Seaside for the Necanicum Natural History Park. The meeting is scheduled on Thursday, March 11th from five to eight p.m. at the Bob Chisolm Community Center. <<READ MORE
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Franklin Avenue bridge replacement begins mid-month
Work begins in about two weeks to replace the Franklin Avenue Bridge at 38th Street in Astoria. It’s a roughly one-year project to complete. Granite Northwest of Vancouver, Washington is the contractor for the $3.3-million project. <<READ MORE
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Bay City man arrested on Highway 101
A Bay City-area man wanted out of Jackson County was arrested by an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper after resisting arrest Thursday morning during a traffic stop south of Bay City. << READ MORE
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LNG opponents dominate meeting at Knappa
About two-hundred people attend an informational meeting sponsored by the Department of Environmental Quality at the Knappa High School on the Bradwood Landing permitting process. <<READ MORE
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Long Beach has street paving plan
The City of Long Beach has a six year plan ready for street paving. City manager Gene Miles says the plan runs through the year 2016. <READ MORE
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Tapiola Park CSO tank requires engineering support
At a cost of $332,400, the engineering firm of Brown and Caldwell will oversee installation of the new underground combined sewer overflow storage tank at Tapiola Park. The tank is to be located under the girls' softball field. at the park. <<READ MORE
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WDFW schedules more razor clam digs
Marking the start of the spring season, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled razor-clam digs on ocean beaches late this month and again in mid-April. As always, final approval of both digs will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat. << READ MORE
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Wu storm bill passes House
Congressman David Wu votes in favor of the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010, a bipartisan bill that will help secure communities against natural disasters. H.R. 3820, which Congressman Wu introduced, passed by a vote of 335 to 50. << READ MORE
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Port commission still mum on Oregon LNG litigation
No word yet on what the Port of Astoria’s next move is with regard to ongoing litigation with Oregon LNG, the developer that wants to site an LNG receiving terminal at the port’s Skipanon peninsula property in Warrenton. Judges’ decisions so far direct the port to renew the 30-year lease for the property sought by Oregon LNG. <<READ MORE
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Wyden, Merkley introduce LNG bill
Democrats Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are working to repeal portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which gave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the authority to determine the need for and location of LNG terminals. << READ MORE
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Port commissioners say log exports compatible with cruise ships
Port of Astoria executive director Jack Crider is in Washington, D.C. to meet with the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association to lobby for federal funding for key port projects. Commission president Bill Hunsinger says Crider already met this week with Senator Jeff Merkley regarding the proposal to again export logs at the port. <<READ MORE
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ODFW stocks North Coast lakes
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be stocking several north coast lakes with rainbow trout beginning the week of March 8. “We’ve got approximately 21,500 legal-sized rainbow trout scheduled to go into north coast lakes next week,” said Robert Bradley, an ODFW fish biologist in Tillamook. << READ MORE
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Teens car ends up in Neawanna River
Two male 18-year-olds from Seaside sustain minor injuries after their car crashed into the Neawanna River Monday night. Seaside police say Norman Terrill and Jordan Thompson were taken to Providence Seaside Hospital for minor injuries. The driver says he did not see a stop sign at the Wahanna Road and Lewis and Clark Intersection in Seaside and drove into the river around 11:15 Monday night. << READ MORE
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ODOT recommends increasing height of Sunset Tunnel
ODOT metro area manager David Kim says the state’s preferred recommendation for improving Sunset Tunnel on highway 101 includes the controversial two and a half foot vertical clearance enhancement. Re-lining the tunnel, installing new lighting, and improving vertical clearance will cost about $13-million. <<READ MORE
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Shively Park fountain finds new home
The Astoria city council follows the recommendation of Clatsop County Historical Society executive director Mac Burns and Pacific Power to place the old Shively Park Fountain at the Maritime Memorial Park in Uniontown. He says the park and riverwalk are well known and well used. <<READ MORE
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4-year-old killed by family dog
A 4-year-old girl from Svensen was killed by one of the family's dogs Sunday afternoon. The Clatsop County Sheriff's office says 4-year-old Ashlynn Anderson was attacked by one of her family's two Rottweilers. The girl was taken to OHSU via Lifeflight and was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital. The dogs have been quarantined at the Clatsop County Animal Shelter. << READ MORE
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TLC promotes Cokley
TLC Federal Credit Union announces the promotion of Mardi Cokley to the position of Mortgage and Consumer Loan Officer. Ms. Cokley will assist members with all aspects of consumer and mortgage loans at the Seaside branch. << READ MORE
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Coast Guard rescues man from biplane crash
The Coast Guard rescues a 54-year-old man from a forested area 21 miles southeast of North Bend, Oregon, after his plane crashed Sunday. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langely Air Force Base, Va., notified the Coast Guard of the crash at approximately 2:45 p.m. << READ MORE
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Newport oyster recall
Oregon Oyster Farms, Inc. is issuing a product recall involving oyster meat and oysters in the shell harvested in Yaquina Bay, Newport, Oregon from February 1–24, 2010. Oyster meat includes all 1/2 pint containers, pint containers, half gallon containers, and 4 gallon buckets. << READ MORE
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Franklin Avenue bridge kickoff meeting
A construction kick-off open house will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Astor Elementary School, 3550 Franklin Ave. in Astoria. The City of Astoria in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation is beginning construction on a project to replace the Franklin Avenue Bridge over 38th Street in the Adair-Uppertown historic district. <<READ MORE>>
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County board adopts stewardship program for county parks
Clatsop County Natural Resources Manager Steve Meshke and Barry Sims of Trout Mountain Forestry present an inventory and stewardship program for eleven county parks. The board goes on to adopt basic policies. <<READ MORE>>
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Guiding principles adopted by county board
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners adopts a new statement of guiding principles. Commissioner Bob Mushen says the new statement was crafted following a recent board retreat. <<READ MORE>>
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Auditor gives Port of Astoria a clean opinion
Partner Kammy Austin of the firm of Merina and Associates gives the Port of Astoria a “clean opinion” on its audit for fiscal year 2009. Austin says overall the audit went very well and there were no significant difficulties. No significant accounting principles were adopted. {{READ MORE}}
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Seaside All American City status on hold
At the recommendation of Seaside Civic and Convention Center executive director Russ Vandenberg, the city council agrees to wait a year before applying for All American City status. As Vandenberg explains, the deadline to apply now is just too tight. {{READ MORE}}
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Clatsop County seeks new alcohol and drug provider
Clatsop County looks to finding an alternative drug and alcohol treatment provider, now that Lifeworks Northwest has given notice to no longer provide the services. County manager Duane Cole says staff is looking at alternatives and talking with potential new providers. {{READ MORE}}
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Astoria vulnerable to earthquake/tsunami in the future
Scientists are talking about a new model for predicting the impact of seaquakes and the potential for damaging tsunamis. The new model is a game-changer according to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. <<READ MORE ABOUT IMPACTS ON ASTORIA AND WARRENTON HERE
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Warrenton works to become 'Tsunami Ready'
The Warrenton city commission agrees to participate with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) in becoming "Tsunami Ready, Tsunami Prepared." The agency is ready to draft new floodplain maps that will include coastal cities, including Warrenton. << READ MORE
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Astoria police look for chainsaws' owner
On 02/17/2010 the Astoria Police Department recovered two chainsaws that are believed to be stolen. Efforts to locate the owners by other means have been unsuccessful. The saws are both Stihl chainsaws. Both saws have distinctive markings. << READ MORE
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Warrenton seeks S.W. Juniper L.I.D.
The City of Warrenton may initiate a local improvement district for street improvements at S.W. Juniper. The issue will be discussed at the March 9th regular city commission meeting. Two new housing developments are locating in the area; residents would be asked to share in the costs of the improvements with the city. << READ MORE
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Baird announces Head Start funding
Congressman Brian Baird announces the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1.3 million in grant funding to expand Early Head Start services in Southwest Washington. The grant is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. << READ MORE
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Lalich takes over Clatsop County Public Health Department
Clatsop County manager Duane Cole selects Margo Lalich to head the county’s Public Health Department. “We’re very pleased to have someone of Margo’s caliber to lead the department,” Cole said. “The county is fortunate to have a person who’s shown such a great commitment to public health.” << READ MORE
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WSP still getting tips on Trooper Johnson shooting
The Washington State Patrol continues to receive tips from the community regarding the February 13th shooting of Trooper Scott Johnson in Long Beach. Trooper Johnson was shot in the back of the head while inventorying the contents of a vehicle about to be towed on State Route 103 near 12th Street. << READ MORE
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Seaside seeks federal dollars for Avenue U Bridge
Seaside city councilor Jay Barber to help lobby next month for $3.5-million in federal funding to replace the seismically unsound Avenue U Bridge. Mayor Don Larson credits Oregon Congressman David Wu for expediting earlier funding for tsunami preparedness in the city. $1-million is also sought to upgrade facilities at the city’s sewer treatment plant. << READ MORE
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Warrenton to hold parks workshop
On March 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Warrenton High School (1700 SE Main), the City of Warrenton will hold a public workshop to obtain input from all city residents on public parks and recreation facilities in Warrenton. The Parks Advisory Board is working with the Community Planning Workshop (CPW) at the University of Oregon to create a Parks Master Plan. << READ MORE
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Clatsop State Forest thinning begins
Oregon workers will begin pre-commercial thinning treatments on 413 acres of the Clatsop State Forest this month to improve forest health. Funded by a $28,910 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, the project will open up selected younger tree stands with an aim to boost the growth and vigor of the remaining trees. << READ MORE
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Old U.S.101 bridge to close
The Oregon Department of Transportation will close the Lewis and Clark Bridge (Old U.S. 101) to all traffic Tuesday and Wednesday, February 22-24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day for maintenance crews to replace bridge timbers. The planned work was changed to coincide with the daily tides. << READ MORE
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Biomass plant negotiations continue
Port of Astoria executive director Jack Crider hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding soon with Tongue Point Investors for the siting of a biomass plant on 6.5-acres at North Tongue Point. Principal partner in the group is Dean Larson of Trails End Recovery. Crider says talks also continue with Warrenton Fiber about that company building a sawmill at North Tongue Point.<< READ MORE
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Police look for elk killer
Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the suspect(s) responsible for the illegal kill and waste of three elk in the Trask Unit near Tillamook. A reward of up to $ 1000.00 is being offered by the Oregon Hunter's Association for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. << READ MORE
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Gillnet ban initiative may still loom
A sports fishery special interest group pulls its proposed statewide ballot initiative to ban gillnet fishing. Astoria city councilor Peter Roscoe-who represents the city on fisheries issues-tells KAST that the Oregon Attorney General revised the initiative. Even though it still had teeth, the group chose to withdraw the initiative at this time. << READ MORE
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Long Beach moves forward with water treatment plant
The City of Long Beach nears completion of a long time city goal: The council this week approves a $3,959,763 bid received from Rotschy Construction of Vancounver, Washington to construct the city’s new water treatment plant in the hills south of the city. The engineer’s estimate for the project is about $5.4-million. << READ MORE
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Astoria brewery hopes to start selling canned beer
The expansion of the Ft. George Brewery moves forward within the old Hayward Ocean Crest building in downtown Astoria. The Astoria city council hears first reading of the ordinance to rezone an area from general commercial to central commercial. Ft.George—doing business as Big Beams, LLC—hopes to market canned beer from the brewery in downtown Astoria. << READ MORE
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Census road tour in Seaside
The 2010 U.S. Census Road Tour makes a stop in Seaside Thursday afternoon. Seaside Mayor Don Larson says it's important for everyone to take the time to fill out the forms, which should show up in your mailbox by the middle of March. << READ MORE
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Astoria police looking for armed robbers
Astoria police are looking for two male suspects in an early morning robbery that injured two people in the 1300 block of Franklin in Astoria. Astoria police say the two white males, in their late teens or early 20's, wearing face masks and black hoodies forced their way into a home around 4 am. One of the residents escaped and called out for help. Some callers told police they heard a gunshot, but that has not been substantiated. One suspect is 5'7" to 5'9", medium to thin build, wearing a dark FBI baseball cap. The second is between 5'9 and 6 ft tall with a medium to thin build. Anyone with information about the case should call Detective Andrew Randall at (503) 338-6411 Ext. 24. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Police say if you see them, do not approach them and call 911 immediately.
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Astoria Trolley back on the tracks soon
City of Astoria public works director Ken Cook confirms that short term repairs to the pilings under waterfront railroad trestles will allow the trolley to take to the tracks again this spring. The city looks at funding options for more significant repairs in the future. << READ MORE
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Astoria city council wishes shot trooper a speedy recovery
The Astoria city council wishes a speedy recovery to Washington State Patrol Trooper Scott Johnson, who was shot by a pedestrian in Long Beach last week. Mayor Willis Van Dusen says the City of Astoria will send Johnson a card and flowers. Van Dusen says it's one community on both sides of the river. << READ MORE
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Denver Street project moving forward
The $6.3-million project to install a large underground combined sewer overflow storage tank at Tapiola Park is ready to proceed. Caterpillars and trucks line the staging area at the park, where the new tank will be installed under the girls' softball field. Public works director Ken Cook says the project should be "substantially" completed by December of this year. << READ MORE
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U.S. District Judge sides with Oregon LNG
In a ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Mossman denies a motion by the Port to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Oregon LNG over the port's failure to renew a lease with the Oregon Department of State Lands for land on the Skipanon Peninsula. The Port, in turn, subleases that land to Oregon LNG. << READ MORE
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Seaside police arrested alleged kidnapper
Seaside police arrest an armed man who allegedly kidnapped a 16-year-old female runaway in Tualatin Tuesday afternoon. Tualatin police notified Seaside of the possible kidnapping and provided a description of the suspect and teenager and the vehicle. The man, who has a concealed handgun permit, was armed with a handgun. No arrests have been made or criminal charges filed. << READ MORE
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Port takes next step in logging export business
The Port of Astoria commission Tuesday unanimously approves a non-binding Letter of Intent with Westerlund Log Handlers of Bremerton, Washington. Ships would load logs at the face of pier one, with a sorting yard at pier three. The target market is Asian countries. << READ MORE
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Denver Street project meeting tonight
A public open house will be held tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Astoria High School, 1001 W Marine Drive in Astoria. The City of Astoria Public Works Department is inviting the public to drop by for an informational neighborhood open house about the Denver Street Storage Project. << READ MORE
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Port to repair east basin causeway
The Port of Astoria commission Tuesday votes unanimously to fund east basin causeway repairs by borrowing money from a state grant sitting in a Port escrow account-- a grant that was to be used for Bornstein Seafood’s interpretive center, or fish factory project. << READ MORE
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Fisherman's Festival honors Captain Phil Harris
The board of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival unanimously approved renaming its signature competition to honor Captain Phil Harris who recently passed away February 9 following a stroke earlier this month. Captain Harris is best known for skippering the F/V Cornelia Marie on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” hit television series. << READ MORE
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Water study not needed for Beerman Creek, says Lewis and Clark resident
Lewis and Clark resident Jim Smith says the county doesn't need to spend $80,000 for a water study to determine a fix for the flooding problem on highway 101 near Beerman Creek south of Seaside. Smith-whose background is in construction-offers his plan to increase the flow of drainage and change the elevation and routing of pipes to eliminate the flooding problem. << READ MORE
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Clatsop County gets nearly $124 thousand dollars for drug treatment
Clatsop County receives $123,800 in state funding for supervision, services, and sanctions for drug addicted persons. << READ MORE
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Roberts offers ODF forest harvest levels input
Clatsop County Commissioner Patricia Roberts offers input to the Oregon Department of Forestry regarding process and policy when considering forestry harvest levels. << READ MORE
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