Where did the fire-displaced Astoria businesses go?

Tiffany Estes has composed a blog for displaced Astoria business. You can find a map of where businesses have re-located, either permanently or temporarily.


A benefit concert for employees of the Cannery Cafe will take place New Years Eve, 9pm, at the Elks Lodge in Astoria, 3rd floor. Four on the Floor and the Swaggers will play. Contact Betsy Lennon for details, 503-791-9855.

Improved returns demonstrate Columbia salmon protection

Spawning fish find more habitat, while predators pose threat, report says.

Surface passage improvements for fish now in place at all federal dams on the Lower Columbia and Snake rivers boosted the safe migration of juvenile salmon and steelhead, one of several key advances outlined in a new federal assessment of progress in protecting Columbia and Snake fish.

The passage improvements such as spillway weirs, also called fish slides, help speed young fish downstream past dams by keeping them near the water surface, where they naturally migrate. Installation of a spillway weir at Little Goose Dam on the Snake River last year means all eight federal Snake and Lower Columbia dams now provide surface passage for fish. Tests at Little Goose found that 99.4 percent of yearling chinook, 99.8 percent of steelhead and 95.2 percent of sub-yearling chinook passed the dam safely.

An impassable culvert on Idaho's Salt Creek, a tributary of the South Fork of the Salmon River, blocked about 3.6 miles of salmon habitat.
SOURCE: 2009 Progress Report
“Almost all of the fish are coming through the dam safely now and we’re on track to meet passage standards at all of the other projects,” said Witt Anderson, Director of Programs, Northwest Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The results come from a new report describing the second year of progress by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration in implementing NOAA-Fisheries’ biological opinion for the Federal Columbia River Power System. The biological opinion outlines protections for fish affected by federal dams, promoting positive trends in salmon survival and returns. For instance, in-river survival of juvenile Snake River steelhead migrating to the ocean in 2009 reached its highest level in 12 years, a sign the fish are benefiting from improved surface passage.

Among other results in the new report:

Federal agencies in 2009 restored water to salmon and steelhead streams that otherwise dwindle or run dry at the same time fish are returning to spawn. The 190 cubic feet per second of flow restored to streams in the Columbia River Basin last year exceeds the average amount of water consumed by Portland and nearby cities. The agencies since 2005 have protected and restored stream flows totaling more than three times the average water use of Seattle and Portland combined.

The agencies fine-tuned spring and summer spill patterns at each dam to best help juvenile fish headed downstream. A video description is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS_NGj79y2I

Efforts to redistribute a large colony of Caspian terns in the Columbia River estuary helped reduce their predation on juvenile salmon and steelhead from about 15 million fish in 1999 to 6.4 million in 2009. However, double-crested cormorant predation on these fish is a growing concern, and agencies are accelerating efforts to address the issue. Together cormorants and terns consumed 17.5 million juvenile salmon and steelhead in 2009, about 15 percent of all those that reached the estuary.

The agencies in 2009 reopened nearly 265 miles of spawning and other salmon and steelhead habitat that had been blocked by impassible culverts, diversions or other obstacles. Since 2005 the agencies have restored access to a total of 845 miles of habitat.

Replacing the Salt Creek culvert with a bridge reopened healthy habitat to salmon, steelhead, bull trout and cutthroat trout.
SOURCE: 2009 Progress Report
“Fish are returning in numbers we haven’t seen in decades and to places they haven’t been for decades,” said Lorri Bodi, acting vice president for Environment, Fish and Wildlife at the Bonneville Power Administration. “It’s good evidence of the way states, tribes and federal agencies are working together on behalf of fish and communities.”

The biological opinion specifies performance standards for safe passage of juvenile fish past each federal dam. Tests so far indicate that results are on track to meet those standards through a combination of spill, surface passage improvements that increase the benefits of spill and other actions.

The full 2009 Progress Report and other background material is available at
http://www.salmonrecovery.gov/BiologicalOpinions/FCRPS/BiopImplementation/2009FCRPSBiOpProgressReport.aspx

A video describing the biological opinion’s commitment to spill is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS_NGj79y2I

REWARD OFFERED TO HELP SOLVE DEER POACHING CASE NEAR LINCOLN CITY

Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division troopers are asking for the public's help for information to identify the suspect(s) responsible for an unlawful killing of a buck deer in late November near Lincoln City. This deer poaching case happened during the 2nd Coast Rifle Bull Elk Season and a $500 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

According to Senior Trooper Ryan Kehr, on November 23, 2010 OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers located a buck blacktail deer shot and left to waste off Forest Service Road 17 near Lincoln City. The deer was found thrown over the embankment next to the road. Kehr believes the deer was killed within the previous 12 hours and the antlers had been cut off. Troopers were not able to salvage the meat.

OSP urges anyone with information concerning this poaching incident to call the OSP Turn in Poacher (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888, or Senior Trooper Kehr at (541) 270-0097.

The Oregon Hunter's Association in cooperation with Leupold and Stevens is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this crime.

#10 Sixth Street Building released to owners/property managers

The investigation into the fire scene at #1 and #10 6th street continues. After meeting today, investigators turned over the building at #10 6th Street to the property managers. Despite the building being turned over to the parties with ownership interest in the building, the building has been declared as unsafe. Prior to anyone being admitted to the building, a safety plan must be approved by the City of Astoria’s building official. Any tenants looking attempting to obtain access to the building should contact the property management company.

Police investigators will still be on scene at #10 6th Street during the day. They hope to turn this building over to the property manager as well.

While the cause of the fire has not been confirmed investigators are targeting theories and working to prove or disprove them. Current indications are that the primary cause is likely electrical. Interviews and scene investigation will continue for some time. Several investigators working for insurance companies will begin investigating the fire attempting to determine fault and liability. This investigation will be done in cooperation with the investigation into possible criminal actions.

Investigators are looking for video or photos of the fire. They also are interested in any information that witnesses may have related to the fire. The lead investigator for the fire is Detective Andrew Randall who can be reached at 503.338.6411 x 2547

Further information will be released by the police department using www.astoriadispatch.org, www.twitter.com/AstoriaPD and at Astoria Police Department’s page on www.facebook.com

Comments sought for proposed Transportation Enhancement projects, including those in Oregon Coastal Counties

The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking input from the public on 85 projects from around the state under consideration for funding through the Transportation Enhancement program. The Transportation Enhancement (TE) program provides federal funds for projects that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental value of the transportation system, such as bicycle facilities, historic preservation and archaeological research.

Following an application process, ODOT received project proposals requesting a total of $107 million. Projects that have advanced to the public comment phase represent about $92 million, and ODOT has approximately $16 million available to fund TE projects. Responses received from the public, organizations and stakeholders will help ODOT determine which projects to advance to the Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee for final evaluation and selection. The list of projects is posted online.

Comments may be submitted through an Internet survey. Those without access to the Internet may contact the Transportation Enhancement Program Manager at (503) 986-3528 to request a print version of the survey. Comments will be accepted Dec. 17, 2010 through Jan. 28, 2011.

Gathering for Community Support at Three Cups Coffee House Tonight (Monday, Dec 20)

Photo: Seattle P.I.
There will be a gathering to provide support to folks who have been impacted by the Cannery Café/#10 Sixth Street fire this Monday evening, December 20th at 6:30 p.m. at Three Cups Coffee House, in the Columbia River Coffee Roasters Building at 279 West Marine Drive in Astoria. This event will be hosted by a team of local mental health clinicians to provide trauma debriefing and support. Anyone who feels impacted by the fire and/or who wishes to express their support for those impacted is welcome to attend. In addition to group support, the mental health team will provide information about mental health resources which are available to individuals and businesses in coping with the aftermath of the fire. The team plans to provide additional venues for group support to address the developing mental health needs of our community around this issue. For further information, contact Nancy Karacand at 503 325-2895 or 503 791-8809.

Fort Clatsop Holiday Happenings

December 26 -January 1

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park will offer special programs about the Corps of Discovery's winter at Fort Clatsop on the days following Christmas.

Starting December 26 Fort Clatsop will feature scheduled living history programs by park rangers in period costume each day through January 1. Events include flintlock muzzle-loading programs at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30; talks about various aspects of the explorers winter at Fort Clatsop at 11:30, and skill demonstrations such as quill pen writing at 12:30 and 2:30. Ranger-guided walks on the Netul River Trail will be offered this week at 11:00 and 2:00. Each day will start and end with The Star Spangled Banner talk (9:30 and 4:30) about the second flag of the United States that flies at the fort.

In addition to the programs being offered at the fort, there are movies in the visitor center. "A Clatsop Winter Story",a 22-minute movie about the 1805-06 winter from a Clatsop Indian perspective, will be offered on each hour and "Lewis and Clark: Confluence of Time and Courage", a 34-minute movie about the entire voyage, will be offered at 24 minutes after each hour.

The park is closed on Christmas Day, December 25.

A unit of the National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop is located southwest of Astoria, Oregon, three miles southeast of U.S. Highway 101. The park, including the Fort to Sea Trail, the visitor center, fort, Netul River Trail, and the parking lots, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lewis and Clark NHP also includes the Salt Works site near the Promenade in Seaside. Come and visit these sites during the time of year the expedition stayed on the coast. Leashed dogs are welcome on the walks and at the programs held outdoors. Admission to the Fort Clatsop unit of the park is $3 per adult; there is no admission fee for Netul Landing, the Fort to Sea Trail, or the Salt Works. For further information, call the park at 503-861-2471 ext. 214 or visit the
park's web site

Lower Columbia Alternative Monthly: Hipfish among businesses lost and damaged by fire in Astoria

Fire destroyed two historic buildings on Astoria’s waterfront this morning, Gunderson’s Cannery Cafe building, which was once the Bumble Bee Cannery, and an office building at Number 10, Sixth Street, home to a dozen business, including the Lazy Spoon Cafe, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, Salon Verve (“vair-VAY”) and the monthly alternative area newspaper: Hipfish. As of noon today, Hipfish publisher Dinah Urell had not been able to gain access to the building to assess the damage.

Dinah Urell.wav “I’ve lost thousands of dollars of computer equipment and I had a lot of personal stuff in there too, expensive musical instruments and a lot...I’ve lost...pretty much everything.” (:13)

She added that the business did not have insurance coverage.

Astoria blaze destroys Cannery Cafe

by Joanne Rideout

Firefighters from around the region battled a huge blaze last night in Astoria that started at the Cannery Cafe on the waterfront at 6th Street.

Astoria Police Department Public Information Officer Tara Constantine said the fire began around 10:30 pm at the restaurant, and quickly spread to the nearby #10 Sixth Street office building next door.

By midnight, seven area fire departments were on the scene trying to control the fire. As of about 2:00 am Astoria, Lewis and Clark, Olney, Warrenton, Seaside, Gearhart and Knappa departments were all fighting the blaze, with Cannon Beach firefighters also standing by.

Constantine said about 50 firefighters battled the fire into the wee hours of Friday morning. The US Coast Guard was also standing by on the water, along with the Clatsop County Marine Patrol.

Constantine said Pacific Power had shut off electricity to surrounding businesses within a three block radius of the blaze as a precaution.

She said the Red Cross was on scene offering water and snacks to firefighters. So far the cause of the fire is unknown, but the state fire marshal was on the scene during the blaze, and planned to begin investigating as soon as the fire was completely out.

Astoria fire officials expressed concern that the fire could spread along the Astoria Riverwalk to other buildings via the supporting network of old timbers that hold up the adjacent waterfront buildings.

Marine Drive near Sixth Street is closed and traffic is being detoured to 5th and 7th streets. Drivers should expect delays.

OUTGOING CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS HONORED FOR SERVICE TO COUNTY

Jeff Hazen, Bob Mushen and John Raichl were honored for their service Wednesday night at the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria following their final meeting as Clatsop County commissioners.

Commissioner Patricia Roberts presented each of the three with a plaque and thanked them for their service.

“You’ve done a great job, and the county is better off for it,” Roberts told them.

Hazen, assistant manager for Costco and former Warrenton mayor, was elected to the District 1 seat in 2006 and served the last two years as chair. Former Clatsop County Sheriff John Raichl was appointed to the District 3 seat in 2008 following the voter recall of Commissioner Richard Lee. Bob Mushen, a retired physician, was picked in December 2009 for the vacant District 5 seat formerly held by Ann Samuelson, also recalled.

Hazen thanked county staff and supporters. “It’s been an honor,” he told the audience.

Raichl said he’s enjoyed working with the rest of the board and wished luck to the three incoming commissioners.

Taking the places of the three outgoing board members are Peter Huhtala (District 1), Scott Lee (District 3) and Debra Birkby (Dist. 5). They will be sworn in to office at the board’s Jan. 12 meeting at the Boyington Building.

Highlight's of Wednesday's meeting of the Clatsop County Commisssioners

In yesterday’s meeting of the Clatsop County Commissioners, the board voted unanimously to accept a purchase offer for the Carlyle Apartments complex in Seaside.
Seaside attorney Donn Bauske will pay $825,000 in a lease/purchase agreement. The 25-unit facility will remain in operation as rental housing following the transfer.
The property came into the county’s ownership following a legal dispute over a reversionary clause in the property deed.

The board also voted to approve the legalization of Simonsen Road in Svensen.
County Engineer Ron Ash told the board that a handful of affected landowners had raised questions or concerns about the project, and that the Road Division hosted a community meeting December 1st in Knappa to address their issues. Three owners requested compensation for the portions of their land covered by the new right-of-way, but Ash said they are not entitled to compensation because no structures are impacted.
No one offered testimony at yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) hearing.

The board approved a grant from the Oregon Emergency Management Office to fund the Clatsop County Emergency Management Division. The grant, for up to $182,000 for the 2010-11 federal fiscal year, is pass-through funding from the Federal Emergency Management Administration, and provides half the annual funding for the county’s emergency preparedness programs.

Rare Oregon Tornado hits Aumsville

"The strongest tornado to strike Oregon and Washington in 17 years tore through the small western Oregon town of Aumsville just before noon Tuesday. The National Weather Service has preliminarily classified today's tornado as an EF2 on the enhanced fujita scale." Special thanks to the Portland office of the National Weather Service for also posting this radar loop of Tuesday's tornado.

"In comparison, Tuesday's tornado was the strongest to strike NW Oregon and SW Washington since an F2 tornado rolled through Oregon's Yamhill and Washington counties on December 8th 1993, where no no injuries were reported. The Vancouver, Washington tornado of April 5th 1972, which was an F3, stands alone in the record books. Six people were killed in Vancouver and over 300 people were injured when the deadliest west coast tornado in recorded history struck just before 1pm. Vancouver's Peter S. Ogden Elementary School was demolished. Many students were trapped and injured. The tornado went on to level a nearby bowling alley and shopping center before dissipating after a nearly eight mile long path of destruction. The Vancouver tornado of 1972 was also the deadliest in the United States in 1972."

"Oregon and Washington have reported a combined total of 202 tornados since records have been kept in 1950. Those totals are split nearly equally between the two states with most registering either an F0 or F1 (called an EF0 and EF1 now days). Only two tornados in Oregon and Washington history have been classified as an F3. The first struck near Seattle on December 12th 1969 with only a few injuries reported. The second was the deadly Vancouver, Washington tornado in 1972."

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR CLATSOP COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Applications are being sought for two open seats on the Clatsop County Housing Authority.

The housing authority analyzes the housing needs of low-income people in Clatsop County, develops plans to meet those needs, and selects and implements specific housing programs and projects consistent with those needs and plans. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

The open positions are both for four-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2014. The appointments will be made by the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

Application forms are available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us or by contacting the Clatsop County Manager’s office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria, OR 97103 or at (503) 325-1000.

Completed applications must be submitted to the County Manager’s office by Dec. 30.

CLATSOP SHERIFF’S OFFICE OFFERS ATV SAFETY COURSE FOR YOUTH

The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office is offering ATV safety classes to county youth Dec. 27 and 28 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds.

By January 2012 all youth under age 16 riding ATV's on public lands in Oregon will be required to have completed a "hands-on" class, or received certification from a recognized ATV Safety Evaluator.

To help youngsters meet this new mandate the Sheriff’s Office is presenting the ATV Safety Institute Ridercourse, a four-hour safety course which satisfies the new requirement.

The Dec. 27 course is for youth ages 6 to 11, and the Dec. 28 course for youth ages 12 to 15 and any interested adults. Both courses begin at 10 a.m. The Sheriff’s Office has two ATV's for each age group available for those who may not have their own machine but who wish to take the class. The class size is limited to four students each. The classes take place indoors at the County Fairgrounds arena on Walluski Loop.

Should these classes fill, more will be scheduled.

The ATV Safety Institute sets the fee for the class. Youth are normally charged $55 for the class, but Oregon Parks and Recreation Department contributes $45 per Oregon resident student, leaving a balance charged to the student of $10.

Enrollment is handled by the ATV Safety Institute. Students call Enrollment Express at 800-887-2887. Additional information is available at www.atvsafety.org or www.rideatvoregon.org.

Students and parents are encouraged to obtain the Oregon ATV Safety Education Card prior to riding this course. Go to www.rideatvoregon.org to take this online course and receive the card, all of which is at no charge.

Warning about distemper in Astoria's wild racoons

In the past two weeks the Astoria Police Department has responded to numerous complaints about sick and injured raccoons. The department was advised that there has been a serious outbreak of distemper in raccoons, and found it necessary to humanely destroy two of the raccoons that were encountered. In one case the officer stated that the raccoon was acting wildly abnormal and that its fur appeared matted and spiked. Citizens are reminded that raccoons are wild animals that sometimes carry diseases that could be harmful to people and to pets. The forested areas in Astoria provide habitat for raccoons and other wild animals, and citizens encountering raccoons or other wild animals should leave them alone and call the police if the animals appear injured, sick or diseased.

Distemper is a disease that can be transferred to pets through outside food and water dishes. Many wild animals, raccoons in particular, frequent areas where pet food is left outside. Citizens are encouraged to avoid feeding and watering their pets outside. Although some wild animals appear cute and cuddly, remember that they are wild and are not pets. For your safety keep pets and children away from wild animals, don’t feed them and never approach or try to pet them.

CLATSOP COUNTY UPDATES WEBMAPS PROPERTY DATA SYSTEM

Clatsop County’s Webmaps service is new, improved and more easily available on a variety of Internet browsers.

Webmaps is an interactive mapping system that allows users to quickly find information regarding zoning, tax codes, service districts and other data about any property in the county.

The county Central Services Department recently upgraded the system to add more types of data, and also expanded its availability to the Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers, along with Internet Explorer.

To view Webmaps, go to the Clatsop County website at www.co.clatsop.or.us and click on “Webmaps.”

RENOVATION OF ASTORIA CITY HALL

A public Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Astoria City Hall. Project architects Hal Ayotte and Phil Chubb will be present to review plans for the renovation project and to answer any questions.

The Open House will be followed by a special meeting of the City Council beginning at 6:00 p.m. At that meeting, the Mayor and City Council will be fully briefed on the progress and status of the renovation project.

ODFW REFUSES TO JOIN WASHINGTON IN PROTECTING COLUMBIA RIVER SALMON AND STEELHEAD

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Commission refused to adopt a barbless hook regulation to maximize protection of wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River. Even though the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife did adopt a barbless hook regulation for sport fisheries, the rule could not be implemented because of the ODFW opposition.

WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the prospect of having incompatible fishing regulations on a portion of the Columbia River jointly managed by the two states prompted him to delay the barbless rule for at least a year.

"Among all western states including the province of British Columbia, Canada, Oregon is unique in its opposition to requiring barbless hooks in sport fisheries to reduce harm and maximize survival of wild salmonids caught in fisheries targeting hatchery fish," said Bill Bakke of the Native Fish Society.

"The Native Fish Society has compiled data on the conservation benefits of barbless hooks for the ODFW, but the agency has decided to ignore the best available science in its management," said Bakke.

"The two states have worked together for nearly a hundred years to avoid conflicting fishing regulations that would create confusion for anglers on the Columbia River," Anderson said. "Delaying the barbless rule is disappointing, but we're going to continue to pursue it."

Anderson said barbless hooks, knotless nets and careful handling of released fish are all ways that anglers can contribute to recovery of wild salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia River.

"Anything we can do to rebuild wild runs will ultimately help maintain or expand fishing opportunities for hatchery fish," Anderson said. "We hope that all anglers will get behind that idea and voluntarily switch to barbless hooks."

Give an Oregon College Savings Contribution for the holidays

Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler has a suggestion that could pay dividends: Help pay for somebody’s education with a contribution though the Oregon College Savings Plan.

The popular plan allows families to invest to help pay for an array of higher education costs, from tuition to books to room and board. At the same time, those who make contributions can qualify for tax benefits such as a deduction worth as much as $4,180 a year from Oregon income taxes and the annual federal gift tax exclusion.

“Education is the gift that will keep on giving,” said Treasurer Wheeler, who is the chairman of the Oregon 529 College Savings Board. “What better way to celebrate the holidays than to give a gift of a better future?”

Oregon College Savings accounts can be started for $25 and additional contributions can be as little as $25. Any investment gains are both state and federal tax-free.

In addition, the Oregon 529 College Savings Board improved the plan substantially in 2010 with new diversified investment options and lower fees, which will help to stretch dollars further and allow families to invest with confidence. Starting this year, those choices include a socially responsible fund and a “principal protected” option that’s designed to protect the principal investment and guarantee an annual return.

There is no age limit for a beneficiary of an Oregon 529 College Savings Account, so you can help a child save for education that’s years away, or help pay to send an adult to college today. The savings can be used for qualified expenses at higher education institutions nationwide.

Anybody who is 18 or older can open and contribute to a college savings account – including aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and even friends – and you don’t need to live in Oregon to give. Only Oregon taxpayers qualify for the Oregon tax deduction for contributions. In addition, gifts through the Oregon 529 College Savings Network can reduce the value of an estate under the annual federal gift tax exclusion.

Visit http://www.oregoncollegesavings.com/news/gift.shtml to learn more about giving a gift of education, and even to print off holiday certificates.

The Oregon 529 College Savings Network has rebounded strongly since the market malaise of early 2009. Because of better performing markets and new contributions, the combined value of the investment accounts in the system now exceed $1.2 billion – a record for the Oregon-sponsored plan.

Families have two paths to save: They can start accounts and invest on their own in the Oregon College Savings Plan or can use the services of investment advisors and choose portfolios administered by MFS Investment Management.

The Oregon College Savings Plan is administered by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc.

New Northwest Broadcasters CEO to purchase local stations.

New Northwest Broadcasters CEO Trila (“TRY-la”) Bumstead has entered into a purchase agreement for her own recently launched broadcast company to acquire five local stations including Astoria news/talk station KAST.

According to the Coast River Business Journal, Bumstead’s Ohana Media Group recently won a bid to purchase the local stations, as well as four additional stations located in Anchorage, Alaska.

Seattle-based New Northwest Broadcasters has been in a voluntary receivership status since May 17.

At a company party in Astoria last Saturday night Bumstead said, quote: “We’ve entered into a purchase agreement (with NNB). The next step is to file a request with the FCC to approve the transfer.”

Once the FCC receives the request, it will review the application, accept public comments and approve or deny the request.

Bumstead said her company: Ohana Media Group, expects the FCC to approve the deal, with the closing to take place in April or May.

When completed, Ohana will own area stations KAST 1370 AM; KKEE 1230 AM; KCRX 102.3 FM; KVAS 103.9 FM; and KLMY 99.7 FM.

Comments sought on Warrenton Costco Access Road.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment on a request by Clatsop County to improve vehicle access to the new Costco location in Warrenton. The County is planning to fill approximately 2.85 acres of wetlands to construct a new road to connect State Highway 105 (the old Highway 101 Business) to the intersection of Ensign Lane and SE 19th Street. Comments on the project are due January 3rd. You can get more information on the Army Corps of Engineers Portland District website.

OREGON ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS COMES TO AN END

Oregon Employment Department still waiting word on unemployment benefits extension

Salem - The additional $25 weekly payment that has been added to individual weekly unemployment benefits will come to an end this week. Known as Federal Additional Compensation (FAC), the additional payment was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. FAC was first paid in February, 2009.

Individuals filing for unemployment benefits will see their final FAC payment in next week's benefit payment. Since the beginning of the program, individuals have received more than $353 million in FAC benefits.

Also, Congress continues to debate extending the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. The current proposal would extend the program through December 31, 2011.

The Oregon Employment Department will inform affected individuals as soon as word comes from the U.S. Department of Labor. There is no need to call the unemployment insurance centers to inquire on the status of EUC. Phone lines to the unemployment insurance centers are limited and need to remain clear for those needing assistance with their unemployment insurance claims. For the latest information on EUC, visit the Employment Department's website at www.WorkingInOregon.org.

EUC was created in July, 2008 to provide additional benefits for individuals who had exhausted their original 26-week claim. Over time, Congress added three additional tiers of EUC payments. In all, the four tiers of EUC allowed for up to 53 weeks of additional unemployment benefits for qualified individuals.

No new EUC claims could be filed after the week ending November 27, 2010. Those who were receiving EUC as of November 27 can continue to do so until their current tier of benefits exhausts.

It is important to note the program being considered in Congress would not add weeks of benefits to the EUC program. It would only extend the deadline in which a person could file for EUC benefits. In other words, individuals who had already exhausted all 53 weeks of EUC, would not have additional EUC benefits.

Most individuals exhausting regular benefits or their current tier of EUC benefits will be eligible for High Extended Benefits (HEB), a program that allows for up to 20 additional weeks of benefits.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission supports parking permits for state wildlife areas

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has indicated support for an expanded parking fee program at state wildlife areas, but asked ODFW staff to make some minor adjustments to the rule language before making a final decision at its next meeting.

ODFW staff had proposed a three-year rollout of a plan to expand the parking fee currently in place at Sauvie Island to include other popular wildlife areas. The goal of the program is to increase the contribution of non-hunters toward maintaining infrastructure and enhancing wildlife habitat at the wildlife areas.

If adopted at the Jan. 7, 2011 Commission meeting in Salem, the program requiring either a $7 daily parking permit or a $22 annual permit would be phased in on the following schedule:

Jan. 1, 2012: Denman, E.E. Wilson, Ladd Marsh, Summer Lake (and continuing at Sauvie Island, where fees are already in place)
Jan. 1, 2013: Klamath, Fern Ridge, White River, Phillip W. Schneider
Jan. 1, 2014: Elkhorn, Columbia Basin, Jewell Meadows

The parking permit revenue would be used to improve habitat and infrastructure, and to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities at wildlife areas. Currently, operation and maintenance of the areas is funded by federal excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition and hunting license fees.

A free annual parking permit would be included with any annual hunting or combination license or Sport Pac. The free parking permit would not be included with fishing licenses.

College Football's "Civil War" to Benefit OR Food Bank

Fans of the Oregon Ducks and Oregon Beavers don't generally agree on things...except this month. In December, their rivalry is being put to charitable use, to benefit the Oregon Food Bank network. People can make small cash donations and root for their teams at the same time, by cell phone. Sending a text message to 2-0-2-2-2, you can text "GoDucks5" or "GoBeavs5" to make a five-dollar donation. Substitute the number 10 and it's a 10-dollar donation, which will then appear on the cell phone bill. In Corvallis, Ryan McCambridge with Linn-Benton Food Share says the money is much-needed.

"We're seeing 13,000 individuals eating from an emergency food box each month, just in our two-county area, and this has been going on for months on end now – which is, as you can imagine, unprecedented."

McCambridge says O-S-U staff members and students are big backers of the Food Bank. Many volunteer during the year, and the school also has a month-long food drive in February.
In the home county of the Beavers, one in three residents is eligible for emergency food assistance...although the proceeds from this "Civil War Food Battle" will benefit every corner of the state, according to Dawn Woodward with Food for Lane County in Eugene.

"Twenty-five percent of the money is going to come to Food for Lane County, and 25 percent will go to Linn-Benton Food Share. And the other 50 percent is going to be distributed throughout Oregon, to the other food banks."

Woodward says the U of O is a major contributor of canned goods and volunteers throughout the year, and also shares its surplus prepared foods from cafeterias with the local Food Bank.
The cell phone fundraiser, dubbed the "Civil War Food Battle," runs through December. The Oregon Food Bank hopes to make it an annual event.

Coast Guard to celebrate the life of Captain Rod Leland

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River will honor the memory of Capt. Rod Leland during a ceremony held in the Sector Columbia River hangar, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will celebrate Leland's life and service to the community and the Coast Guard.

Leland, who once served as commanding officer of Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria, later served as the Astoria City Manager and contributed greatly to Oregon's North Coast community.

Members of the public are invited to attend. RSVPs can be confirmed at http://web.me.com/rod.leland or by calling Lt. j.g. Leo Lake at 503-861-6231.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, Educational Programs at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, or Lower Columbia Hospice. Contributions can be mailed directly to the organization or to:

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River
Attn: LTJG Leo Lake
2185 SE 12th Place
Warrenton, Ore. 97146

Tillmook County Road budget cuts, public meeting scheduled

The Tillamook County Road Department will be taking an approximate $800,000 budget cut in Fiscal Year 2012 and a further $500,000 budget cut in Fiscal Yer 2013, or almost half of current road revenues. A Tillamook County Road Risk Management Workshop public meeting will be held on December 6th, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Tillamook County Library Meeting rooms to identify how upcoming budget cuts will be taken, and which road services reduced or eliminated. The Board will be seeking input from the public and the County Road Advisory Committee to make these tough decisions.

AHAB Siren in Ocean Park Inadvertently Activated

Wednesday morning around 8:40 a.m. the All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) siren located near 216th and V Lane in Ocean Park was inadvertently activated. A technician working onsite accidentally activated the siren causing it to sound the actual warning tone for about two seconds.

The AHAB outdoor warning system will be tested as regularly scheduled on Monday, December 6, 2010 at noon.

Citizens with questions or concerns should contact the Pacific County Emergency Management office at (360) 642-9340 or (360) 875-9340.

Oregon, Washington to host sturgeon meetings

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Members of the public will get their first look at a new sturgeon conservation plan and be asked to weigh in on management of sturgeon in the lower Columbia and lower Willamette rivers during a series of meetings that will take place the first week of December.

At the meetings, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will give the public a preview of its draft Lower Columbia River White Sturgeon Conservation Plan. ODFW staff has been working for more than a year with fishery co-managers and biologists to craft a plan that will provide for the long-term health of the white sturgeon population below Bonneville dam. The plan is scheduled for review and possible adoption by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission next April.

“White sturgeon are a unique species and a tremendous resource for the region. We want to ensure that the population remains viable and productive into the future,” said Steve Williams, deputy administrator of ODFW’s Fish Division. “Before we take this plan to our commission next spring, we want to hear from the public what kinds of conservation actions they want to see for white sturgeon.”

The proposed conservation plan describes current and desired status of the white sturgeon, proposes conservation thresholds, and lays out strategies for protecting and rebuilding the white sturgeon population. The plan addresses how sport and commercial fishing, predation, habitat changes, and operation of the Columbia River hydro system affect white sturgeon populations.

In addition to unveiling Oregon’s proposed sturgeon conservation plan, fishery managers from both states will present the latest information about sturgeon population trends, fishery performance, and other factors they will consider when setting sport and commercial fishing seasons and harvest guidelines for the Columbia River in 2011-2013.

The two states will jointly host three meetings at the following locations:

· Longview: Dec. 6, 6-8:30 p.m. Cowlitz Co. Public Utility District, 961 12th Ave.

· Clackamas: Dec. 7, 6-8:30 p.m. ODFW Northwest Region Headquarters, 17330 SE Evelyn St.

· Astoria: Dec. 9, 6-8:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Drive.

Fishery managers say new catch guidelines for sturgeon will likely reflect recent declines in the lower Columbia River sturgeon population.

Additionally, ODFW will host a fourth meeting to present the latest information on population status and fishery options for the Willamette River in 2011. The location and meeting time for the Willamette sturgeon meeting is:

· Clackamas: Dec. 8, 7-8:30 p.m. ODFW Northwest Region Headquarters, 17330 SE Evelyn St.

Cape Lookout Public Meetings

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will invite public discussion on Cape Lookout State Park and its eroding shoreline Dec. 7 in Netarts and Dec. 8 in Wilsonville. The meetings will be the first step in developing a new master plan for the park's future.

The Netarts session will run from 6-8 p.m. in the Netarts-Oceanside RFD Community Hall, 1235 Fifth Street Loop. OPRD will hold the Dec. 8 meeting at the Wilsonville Public Library, 8200 S.W. Wilsonville Road from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

OPRD will use the first round of meetings to seek ideas about how to offer safe, diverse recreation in the future while adjusting to the park's shoreline changes. Comments received from attendees and during a 30-day written comment period will help planners develop a first draft of the new plan to present in a second round of meetings early next year. Written comments can be sent to OPRD master planning coordinator Ron Campbell at 725 Summer Street N.E., Suite C, Salem, Oregon 97301; or by e-mail to Ron.Cambell@state.or.us.

An advisory committee with members representing recreation and natural resource interests also will hold its first meeting Dec. 7 at the Netarts-Oceanside RFD Community Hall. The session, from 2-4 p.m., will be open to the public, but discussion will be limited to committee members and OPRD staff only.

The meeting sites are accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by calling 503-986-0655.

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips From Astoria Fire and Rescue

Astoria Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone about the importance of fire safety in the kitchen during the Thanksgiving holiday. Every year cooking-related fires increase during the holidays. From 2005 through 2009, there were 3,500 cooking-related fires in Oregon causing six deaths, 231 injuries and $37 million in property loss.

Here are some cooking safety tips:

· Keep a close eye on your cooking, never leave cooking food unattended.

· Keep your cooking area clean, including stovetop, oven, and exhaust fan.

· Keep potholders, dishtowels and other combustibles away from stove burners.

· Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.

· Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

· Watch your sleeves. Loose sleeves over burners can ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids.

· Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it.

· Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.

If you plan to cook in a turkey fryer this Thanksgiving, be sure to use it outdoors (not on a wooden deck or in your garage), away from any combustible materials, and do not leave it unattended. Make sure that the fryer is placed on a flat stable surface and do not overfill the fryer with cooking oil.

Turkey fryer safety tips:

· Do not move the fryer once it has been started.

· Keep children away from the cooking unit.

· Raise and lower food slowly to reduce splatter and prevent burns.

· Cover bare skin when adding or removing food from the fryer.

· Make sure to have at least two feet of space between the propane tank and the fryer burner.

· If the oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the fryer gas supply off.

· Never attempt to use water to extinguish or cool the hot oil.

· Make sure the oil is completely cool before removing it from the fryer.

Astoria Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community to test their smoke alarms monthly and to have smoke alarms on every level of their home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom. For more information contact Astoria Fire & Rescue at 503-325-2345.

Statement by Governor Kulongoski on December Revenue Forecast

(Salem) – "Today's revenue forecast delivers some good short-term news. The increase will help us balance the budget for the remainder of this biennium and will avoid additional cuts to services at this time. But it does not accelerate what continues to look like a slow-growth recovery.

In fact, with this forecast, the challenge for our next budget period just got more difficult.

"The one-time additional revenue predicted for this biennium is the result of the Dept. of Revenue's ongoing efforts to true up their tax withholding tables. It is important to maintain the integrity of that system and keep our tax collections up to date.

"But, longer term, our challenges persist - and we must continue to proceed and budget with prudence, as well as focus on job creation. Last month's announcement of a major expansion by Intel and this week's improved jobs report are steps in the right direction. But we cannot be satisfied with a slow-growth recovery.

"Also, it will be a mistake to treat the additional revenue forecasted for this biennium as a windfall. We should use that revenue to help address what will now be a $3.5 billion shortfall in the next budget period. The need to "reset" our budget is now all the more compelling.

"In the weeks ahead, I will continue to work with the legislature and with Governor-elect Kitzhaber to better position the state to address the tough decisions that confront us in the next budget period and to continue to improve our economy in the years ahead."

Construction in hibernation this winter on the SR 433 Longview/Rainier Lewis and Clark Bridge

Drivers on the State Route 433 Lewis and Clark Bridge will pass construction equipment this winter, but they won’t see work crews or traffic impacts until next spring.

Earlier this fall, contractor crews on the SR 433, Lewis and Clark Bridge Painter project wrapped the south end of the bridge with cables in preparation for painting work to restore and preserve the historic bridge. Winter weather is not conducive for painting, so crews will move off the roadway this week, but leave the cables and a height restriction behind.

A height restriction of 16.5 feet has been in effect on the bridge since crews began work in September, and will remain in place throughout the duration of the project.

The cables wrapped around the bridge’s outside structure form the framework for containment platforms that will enclose workers and materials during painting work. Crews will use the platforms next spring while sandblasting and repainting the steel supports above the roadway.

This work is part of the third and final phase of a project to restore and preserve the historic bridge. The bridge is an important transportation link between Washington and Oregon carrying 21,000 vehicles per day, 13 percent of which are trucks moving freight.

This $40 million phase of construction includes $12.3 million in funding through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and was awarded to Odyssey/Geronimo JV of Houston, Penn., in June.

The project is on schedule to be complete by fall 2013.

Turning Colder Next Week

It now appears increasingly likely that the Pacific Northwest will see the arrival of an arctic air mass early next week. Computer guidance is now coming into better agreement with the evolution of cold arctic air that is forecast to slide into the Pacific Northwest from Canada. Snow levels will already be quite low over the weekend before the coldest air arrives. The timing of this change to much colder weather would also coincide with the heavily traveled holiday week. It is still to early to tell exactly how much, if any, low elevation snow will accompany this system, but this will surely be the coldest air mass to invade the Pacific Northwest since December of 2009. In fact, some of the most recent data suggests that daytime highs could be even colder yet, with high temperatures struggling to get above freezing in Portland and Seattle. If these "colder" model solutions were to verify, this would be the first time that Portland has experienced three back-to-back-to-back arctic outbreaks in 25 years that resulted in the high temperature at the Portland International Airport being held to 32 degrees or below. Again, those are the coldest model solutions. One has to go back to the winter of 1983/84, 1984/85 and 1985/86 to find three consecutive winters where Portland recorded high temperatures at or below 32 degrees for daytime highs at the airport."

ASTORIA WINTER MARKET JOINS LOCAL MERCHANTS FOR SATURDAY NIGHT SHOPPING NOVEMBER 27!

Santa Claus is coming to town! Get ready to tell Santa your secret wishes for the holidays. He’ll visit Astoria Winter Market where his trusty elf is available to take photos. Come see Santa November 20/21, November 27/28, December 11/12, and December 18/19. Astoria Winter Market is open 11 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday now through December 19 at the 14th Street Pilot Station.

The Holiday Season sparkles in Astoria as Astoria Winter Market joins local merchants in staying open until 8 pm on Saturday, November 27, to kick off downtown holiday shopping. The Astoria Riverfront Trolley is also running until 8 (weather permitting!) the same evening and Liberty Theater is featuring the delightful movie Polar Express for a one-time showing starting at 3 pm. Admission is free thanks to the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association and Liberty Theater.

CAMP TILLAMOOK TO RECEIVE BLM'S LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP AWARD

Since 2003 scores of Camp Tillamook youth offenders have participated in riparian habitat restoration projects on seven watersheds in the Tillamook Resource Area.

Camp Tillamook Director Denessa Martin will be in Salem Thursday to accept the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Landscape Stewardship Award recognizing the work, which has been done in an area encompassing 11 miles, 50 acres and 25 landowners.

The work not only improves riparian habitats but also benefits youth by strengthening their work ethic, promoting their understanding of how to conduct themselves on the job and supporting their commitment to protecting the environment. Camp Tillamook is a 25-bed transitional facility serving male youth.

The BLM award recognizes groups and individuals who promote collaboration to achieve shared natural resources protection and enhancement goals. Camp Tillamook is a member of the Tillamook Resource Area Riparian Restoration Partnership, all of whose 10 members received the award.

Restoring streamside vegetation is done to reduce pollutants, stabilize river and stream banks, lower stream temperatures and improve habitat for the four types of salmon that inhabit Tillamook Resource Area waters. Youth participation in the work helps OYA fulfill its mission to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

OYA has custody of approximately 900 offenders ages 12 to 24 in correctional and transitional facilities in Albany, Burns, Florence, Grants Pass, La Grande, Salem, Tillamook, Warrenton and Woodburn, and the agency supervises approximately 1,100 offenders on parole and probation in communities throughout the state.

Grants of $218,000 to North Coast nonprofits help increase access to critical services

For victims of sexual and domestic assault, the lack of safe shelter can be life-threatening. The Pioneer House Homeless Shelter offers much-needed respite for these victims as well as other low-income residents in Clatsop County. A $25,000 from The Oregon Community Foundation will help support these critical services.

As a community foundation, OCF works with individuals, families and businesses to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. The $218,000 in grants to the North Coast was part of more than $7,360,000 in grants made statewide.

“The vision of the founders of The Oregon Community Foundation was to build a permanent source of support for the state. Thanks to donors around the state, we are able to ensure that communities continue to get that support, at a time when it is most needed,” said OCF President Greg Chaillé.

Other grants awarded on the North Coast include:

Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific Astoria $1,000 for general support

Cannon Beach Community Food Systems Cannon Beach $5,000 for the backpack program

Columbia Learning Center St. Helens $20,000 for "The Chance to Become Scholarship" program

Lower Columbia Youth Soccer Association Warrenton $16,000 for lighting for the second of three fields

North Coast Land Conservancy Seaside $5,000 for capacity-building efforts

Rainier School District Rainier $7,000 to send sixth-grade students to Rainier Outdoor School

Rinehart Clinic Wheeler $5,000 for general support

Seaside Kids, Inc. Seaside $16,000 to complete the Broadway Park renovation project

Vernonia Education Foundation Vernonia $50,000 to build a new K-12 campus on high ground, which will also serve as a community and cultural center

Newport Symphony Orchestra Newport $15,000 for general support

North Lincoln Hospital Foundation Lincoln City $40,000 for a new building on hospital district property for the Samaritan Early Learning Center

Oregon Coast Community College Foundation Newport $2,000 for scholarship funding



For a complete listing of grants, visit www.oregoncf.org.

CLATSOP COUNTY UPDATES WEBMAPS PROPERTY DATA SYSTEM

Clatsop County’s Webmaps service is new, improved and more easily available on a variety of Internet browsers.

Webmaps is an interactive mapping system that allows users to quickly find information regarding zoning, tax codes, service districts and other data about any property in the county.

The county Central Services Department recently upgraded the system to add more types of data, and also expanded its availability to the Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers, along with Internet Explorer.

To view Webmaps, go to the Clatsop County website at www.co.clatsop.or.us and click on “Webmaps.”

OSPIRG’s Response to Initial Recommendations of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

Statement from Jon Bartholomew, Policy Advocate for the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) on the initial recommendations released today by the co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform:

“This initial proposal is a solid step toward the common ground necessary to make government more accountable for its spending. It tackles wasteful programs within the Departments of Defense and Agriculture that had, until now, been “off the table” and long-supported by powerful special interests. The draft report also begins the process of addressing corporate tax loopholes for industries operating overseas and for the oil and gas industry.

“We’re especially pleased to see some of the specific recommendations included that we’ve been working hard to bring to light with our allies from across the political spectrum.

“We do not endorse all of the recommendations and several raise concern. Among them, across the board spending cuts do not safeguard national priorities and can be counterproductive. We strongly encourage the Commission in its final report to prioritize closing additional special interest tax loopholes over reducing support for assets that serve the public.”

A more detailed analysis to follow.

Read the U.S. PIRG and National Taxpayers Union study Toward Common Ground: Bridging the Political Divide to Reduce Spending.

Read the U.S. PIRG report, The Next Trillion, which identifies additional revenue proposals.

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Groups is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organization.

SAIF Corporation declares 2009 dividend for policyholders

SAIF Corporation’s board of directors today declared a $100 million dividend for approximately 44,000 current and former customers.

Customers with policies that ended in 2009 are eligible for the dividend. Individual dividend information will be available to employers through SAIF’s website, saif.com, beginning December 1, 2010.

Checks will be mailed to eligible SAIF policyholders during December. Dividend amounts will range from 23.75 percent to 28.13 percent of premium.

PUBLIC INVITED TO ASSIST IN NEW OR STATE FORESTER RECRUITMENT

Recruitment for a new Oregon state forester is underway, and Oregonians are invited to help by sharing their thoughts on the attributes they think the next state forester should have. The Board of Forestry has posted a brief survey online. It takes only a few minutes to complete and will help the board as it recruits candidates for this important position.

The survey can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/DOF. It must be completed by Sunday, Dec. 12.

All responses to the survey will be compiled and used to develop an ideal candidate profile, which the board will reference throughout the selection process.

The board launched a plan last Friday to recruit candidates for the position, with a goal of having a new state forester onboard early next year.

The recruitment process includes the online survey to collect public input, as well as stakeholder and Oregon Department of Forestry employee forums with the finalists, and an opportunity for incoming Gov. Kitzhaber or his representative to meet with the finalists.

Nancy Hirsch, chief of ODF's State Forests Division, has been designated to serve as acting state forester until the position is filled.

Oregon's state forester carries out the Board's overarching policies through leadership of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The state forester serves as director of the department, which provides services including preventing and fighting wildfires, managing state-owned forests, enforcing natural resource protection laws on private forestlands, advising landowners, and providing urban forestry assistance.

The agency has 647 employees and a two-year budget of $303 million.

The state forester also assists and represents the board and department in identifying and resolving policy issues and in working with interest groups, the state legislature, and others.

Coast Guard assists Tillamook County officials locate missing mushroom picker

The Coast Guard assisted the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Department in locating a missing 73-year-old man near Nehalem, Ore., Sunday.

Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., received a report that Lawrence Smith was missing at approximately 4 p.m., and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew at 4:07 p.m. to conduct a search in the vicinity of Nehalem.

At 4:25 p.m. the helicopter crew was able to locate a man walking along a logging road near Highway 53 that matched Smith's description.

The crew passed on the location of the man to the Tillamook County Sherriff’s Department who directed a ground party to the site where they positively identified and recovered Smith.

The report was made to the Tillamook County Sherriff’s Department at noon after Smith went missing while picking mushrooms.

Election Results for the Columbia Pacific Region

Oregon US and State Offices

Oregon US Democratic Senator Ron Wyden won handily over his Republican challenger Jim Huffman, with nearly 56% of the vote to Huffman's 41%.

Oregon 1st District US Representative David Wu has defeated challenger GOP Rob Cornilles, with nearly 55% of the vote over Cornilles nearly 43%.

Oregon 16th District Democratic State Senator Betsy Johnson will retain her seat, with nearly 55% of the vote over Republican Bob Horning's nearly 45%.

Oregon 31st District Democratic State Representative Brad Witt has defeated his Republican challenger Ed DeCoste with 57% of the vote over Decoste's nearly 43%.

In Oregon's 32nd District, Democrate Deborah Boone has retained her seat, with nearly 53% of the vote, over her challenger Republicn Lew Barnes 47%.

City of Astoria:

Mayor Willis Van Dusan will retain his seat, defeating his challenger Bonnie Wingard. Incumbent City Council member Arline LaMear has been elected to another term to the Ward 1 seat, defeating challenger Robert Howard with 78% of the vote to Howard's 20%

Newcomer Karen Mellin has defeated incumbent Ward 3 council member Blair Henninsgaard.

City of Warrenton:

Three term Mayor and Position 4 Commissioner Gil Gramson has lost his bid for re-election to area resident and construction buiness owner Mark Baldwin. Baldwin will take the position 4 commissioner's seat in January. The Board of Commissioners will then elect the new mayor.

Seaside School District

As of this morning's count, voters were supporting the tax measure by nearly 56% to 44%, with a vote count of 2,667 to 2,103.

Tillamook:

Suzanne Weber, a retired teacher with the Tillamook School District, is Tillamook’s first new mayor in 28 years. Weber has defeated her challenger, Joe Martin, with 759 to Martin’s 374,
Weber replaces Bob McPheeters, who announced in August that he would not be running for a 29th year as Tillamook’s mayor.

Rockaway Beach:

The coordinated campaign of Team Rockaway, has claimed victory in the mayor's race and also have filled the three seats up for election for the city council.
Last nights unofficial results reported in the Tillamook Headlight Herald, give challenger Dennis Porter 312 votes, beating out incumbent mayor Terry Walhood's 244 votes.
Walhood was appointed mayor in 2009 following the death of Ray McFarlane.
Jack McClave, was the top vote getter in the city council race, receiving 295 votes in the unofficial tally.
Rodney Breazile, will be seated on the council, after winning 263 votes.
Jon Orloff, , will also take a seat with 253 votes.

SW Washington State:

For US District 3 Representative: Republican Jamie Herrera: 53% of the vote, over Democrat Denny Heck's 47%

19th District SW Washington State Representative's Brian Blake and Dean Takko will retain their seats. Blake led challenger Tim Sutinen (R) with 53% of vote, 17,226 votes to Sutinen's 15,439.

Dean Takko will keep his seat after defeating Kelso Republican Kurt Swanson, 19,388 to 13,376 as of last night.

Pacific County:

Lisa Ayers will take the District 3 Pacific County Commissioner's seat, after defeating fellow Democrat Cathy Russ, 4,114 to 2,914.

Scott Johnson will be the new Pacific County Sheriff, after defeating long time incumbent and fellow Democrat John Didion.

Wahkiakum County:

Bill Coons, running as an independent, defeated incumbent County Assessor Sulema Zerr, 1,043 to 638.

Incumbent District 3 County Commissioner Blair Brady is well ahead of his challenger Lori Scott, as of last night's count, 925 to 746.

Current Undersheriff Jon Dearmore will become the new Wahkiakum County Sheriff, handily defeating his challenger Troy Norris, 1,398 to 259.

In the race for District 3 PUD Commissioner. Dennis Reid is ahead of incumbent Esther Gregg, with 850 votes over Gregg's 758 as of last nights count.

At posting time, there were still 205 votes to be counted in Wahkiakum County.

OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS TODAY FOR OREGON CHILDREN UNDER AGE 19

Oregon families that want to sign up children for an individual health insurance policy ­ or change a child's coverage - can do so from now through Dec. 31. Children can no longer be turned down for health reasons.

Employer-based plans are already prohibited from denying coverage to children and adults based on health. Federal health reform extends this right to children who do not receive insurance through a parent's job and seek an individual policy directly from an insurance company.

However, insurers may limit enrollment to certain times of year so that parents do not wait until a child becomes sick to buy coverage, raising the costs of insurance for everyone.

"While children will be able to get an individual policy regardless of their health, parents need to be aware of new timelines," said Teresa Miller, administrator of the Insurance Division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services set an initial enrollment period from Nov. 1 through the end of 2010. After that, children may be enrolled in the months of February and August, starting with February 2011. These enrollment periods apply to all children seeking an individual policy, not just those with pre-existing conditions.
Coverage starts Jan. 1, 2011 for children enrolled during the Nov. 1-Dec. 31 period.

While two Oregon insurers have said they will no longer offer child-only policies, this type of policy remains available through other insurance companies. Children who are already enrolled in a child-only policy will not lose coverage.

Also, all of Oregon's largest health insurers continue to offer family plans in the individual market and will add children under 19 to these policies during open enrollment periods.

Options outside enrollment periods:
• Insurers must accept children under age 19 who meet certain qualifications throughout the year. These include birth or adoption, exceeding a policy's lifetime limit on benefits, or loss of other coverage due to separation, divorce, death, or end-of-dependent status.
• Insurers may choose to offer coverage to children outside open enrollment periods as long as they do not deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Please check with each company to see if this option is available.
• Families may be able to obtain coverage for their children through Oregon Healthy Kids or the state's high-risk pools for people who cannot get coverage elsewhere. Call Healthy Kids at 1-877-314-5678. Learn more about the high-risk pools at 1-800-848-7280.

People with questions about these new enrollment periods may call Oregon insurance consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 or, in Salem, 503-947-7984.

In January 2014, insurers must also accept adults regardless of health and most people must purchase health insurance.

The State of Oregon goes after Bear Stearns & Co.

Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler and Attorney General John Kroger today announced a lawsuit against former financial giant Bear Stearns & Co. to recover losses that were directly attributable to misleading filings in connection with mortgage-backed securities.
State Treasurer Ted Wheeler said, quote: “We believe that these junk investments were intentionally mislabeled and all Oregonians are still reeling from the economic fallout,” “If you hurt Oregonians financially, we are coming after you.” close quote.
The Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund purchased over 57 million of the certificates in five different offerings in 2006 and 2007, at a price of $1 apiece – but the values of many of those securities dropped by more than half, according to the lawsuit.
The economic nosedive of 2007 and 2008 ultimately led to the demise of Bear Stearns. Rather than fall into bankruptcy, the company accepted a takeover bid by JP Morgan in 2008.
The lawsuit against Bear Stearns is Oregon’s second this year in connection with losses from misreported values of mortgage-backed securities. In July, the State Treasury authorized a lawsuit against Countrywide Financial Corp.

Astoria's Big Bang

The source of the unidentified report of an explosion in the downtown area of Astoria last Thursday has been identified. A painting and drywall business experienced a blown tire on their business vehicle. The driver of the vehicle advised that the noise was very loud and sounded like a shotgun blast, however he was not aware that it caused as much concern as it did until his father had read the report of the matter in the Daily Astorian. The driver left a voice mail on Friday evening to relate the source of the noise.

Teams consider final recommendations for marine reserves

Community teams considering marine reserves off the Oregon Coast will be developing their final recommendations and soliciting public comment at a series of meetings in early November.

There will be meetings in Florence, Newport and Astoria to consider three possible marine reserve sites:

Cape Perpetua, Monday, Nov. 8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Siuslaw Fire Dept., 2625 Hwy. 101 N, Florence, Ore.

Cascade Head, Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Oregon Coast Community College, 400 SE College Way, Newport, Ore.

Cape Falcon, Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Clatsop Community College, 1651 Lexington, Ave., Astoria, Ore.

While the community teams will be deciding on their final recommendations in November, which could include a recommendation to not create one or more of the proposed reserves, these meetings will not be the last step in the designation of marine reserves, nor the last opportunity for the public to have input.

According to Cristen Don, ODFW marine reserve staff, ODFW will consult with the Ocean Policy Advisory Council in December prior to taking the community team recommendations to the Oregon Legislature. The Legislature is expected to provide further direction on marine reserves implementation and funding before any sites are designated.

“While there will be additional opportunities for public comment in future stages of this process, this will be the last chance the public has to have input prior to the community teams’ recommendations,” Don said.

At the direction of the 2009 Oregon State Legislature, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been evaluating the three potential marine reserve sites. A local community team was formed for each site to consider the biological, social and economic characteristics of their site, and to submit a marine reserve recommendation to ODFW this fall.

Astoria Rumor escalates to "bomb scare"

At about 9:30 Thursday morning the Astoria Police Department received a telephone call reporting a loud noise, believed to be an explosion, in the area of 8th and Commercial. Responding officers searched nearby parking lots, basements side streets and the entire surrounding area, and were unable to find any sign of an explosion or any damage. Officer Joe Symonds contacted four people that reporting hearing the noise, three of them reporting that it was loud enough to “rattle windows.” Other than the one phone report, there were no other calls of reports. There has been speculation that the noise could have been a sonic boom, seal bomb or other large firework item, however the source of the noise remains undetermined.

The report of this noise set off a reaction that quickly spread to areas outside of Astoria, and by early afternoon the Astoria Police Department had received numerous calls from other law enforcement, the media and the military inquiring about a report that a bomb may have gone off in Astoria. Inquiries were received from as far away as Seattle, Portland and Salem. All of the inquiries were quickly responded to, with the assurance that there was no bomb reported. Officers were amazed at how quickly this report of an unidentified noise changed to a report of a bomb, and how far reaching that information was.

Thursday's incident demonstrated how quickly fear and panic can set in when incorrect information gets passed along without verification. The police department reminds citizens to always be alert to their surroundings and vigilant to things that appear out of the ordinary. When any extraordinary event occurs citizens are urged to remain calm, be sure of their facts and avoid passing along information that is based on assumptions, rumor, innuendo and speculation.

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS CONTINUE PIPELINE APPEALS HEARING TO OCT. 27

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will continue Wednesday’s public hearing on two appeals filed against the Oregon Pipeline LLC land use application to its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

Oregon Pipeline, LLC has applied for conditional use permits and other approvals to build 41 miles of natural gas pipeline to serve the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton. On Aug. 23 a hearings officer approved the application with conditions, but both the applicant and project opponents led by Columbia Riverkeeper appealed the decision.

The board of commissioners elected to hold a public hearing on the appeals but limit testimony to information not reasonably available during the hearings officer’s review.

The entire record for the application, including appeals documents, is available on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Oregon LNG.”

TILLAMOOK Flu Clinic Schedule

TILLAMOOK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

2010 – 2011 REVISED FLU CLINIC SCHEDULE


Monday, October 25
Lunes, 25 de Octubre
Noon - 3 pm
Tillamook County Health Department
801 Pacific, Tillamook

Tuesday, October 26
Martes, 26 de Octubre
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Cape Kiwanda Community Center
34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr, Pacific City

1 pm - 4:30 pm
Cedar Creek Child Care
30720 Hwy 101 S, Cloverdale

Thursday, October 28
Jueves, 28 de Octubre
9 am - Noon
Tillamook County Library
1716 Third St, Tillamook

Friday, October 29
Viernes, 29 de Octubre
2 pm - 4 pm
Tillamook County Health Department
801 Pacific, Tillamook

Tuesday, November 2
Martes, 2 de Noviembre
1 pm - 4 pm
Cloverdale Clinic
34335 Hwy 101, Cloverdale

Wednesday, November 3
Miércoles, 3 de Noviembre
Noon - 3 pm
Godfrey's Garibaldi Pharmacy
510 Garibaldi Ave, Garibaldi

Tuesday, November 9
Martes, 9 de Noviembre
1 pm - 4 pm
Cloverdale Clinic
34335 Hwy 101, Cloverdale

For Flu vaccine, we are able to bill Medicare, Oregon Health Plan, ODS, and Regence Blue Cross of Oregon ONLY (this does not include federal employees or out-of-state Blue Cross). For Pneumonia vaccine, we only bill Medicare or Oregon Health Plan.

$30 for Flu
$50 for Pneumovax
High-Dose Fluzone is available for age 65 and older

Flu Pool Vaccine is available for those who are uninsured/underinsured with a $15 administration fee. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

$15 administration fee for FluMist

ODFW seeks candidates for Fish Passage Task Force

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking three members to represent water users, fishing and conservation interests and the public-at-large on the state’s Fish Passage Task Force.

The Task Force advises the Director and the Department on fish passage matters in Oregon, including cost sharing and priority setting. The nine volunteer members of the Fish Passage Task Force are appointed by the ODFW Director and are eligible to serve two four-year consecutive terms. Task Force members represent water users, fisheries and conservation interests, and the general public.

“The Task Force is instrumental in the successful implementation of Oregon’s Fish Passage Statutes,” said Greg Apke, ODFW Statewide Fish Passage Program Coordinator. “Their role in bringing myriad perspectives into the fish passage arena creates a program that is responsive to both native migratory fish and societal needs.”

State law requires landowners and operators to provide passage for adult and juvenile native migratory fish whenever there is new construction, major replacement, a permit change or abandonment. Providing fish safe and effective access to historic habitat is one of the best ways to conserve and restore Oregon’s native migratory fish populations.

Qualified individuals interested in serving on the Task Force can visit Oregon Fish Passage Task Force or can request additional information or an application from Greg Apke, at (503) 947-6228. He also can be reached by e-mail at greg.d.apke@state.or.us .

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2010.

Oregon LNG's Opponents Renew Call For Pipeline Emergency Response Plan

This week, opponents of the proposed Oregon LNG terminal and pipeline renewed their request for Clatsop County to require an emergency response plan before Clatsop County Commissioners vote on the proposed project. In the wake of the San Bruno pipeline explosion and fire, Clatsop residents are alarmed that Clatsop County commissioners are considering approving the project next week without having any details about emergency response along the pipeline route.

Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, explained the decision facing the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. The Board cannot in good conscience approve the largest pipeline ever constructed in Clatsop County without reviewing an Emergency Response Plan. The proposed Oregon LNG pipeline is larger, would have higher pressure, and would lack the odorization of the San Bruno PG&E pipeline. Given what happened in San Bruno, and the revelation that most agencies don?t even have copies of these plans, the Board needs to ask tough questions about the safety of this proposal.

On Tuesday, Columbia Riverkeeper and partners submitted a blunt five-page letter that detailed the omissions in Oregon LNG's proposal for protecting public safety.

Laurie Caplan, a Clatsop resident who appealed the project along with local group Columbia-Pacific Common Sense, stated, It makes no sense to propose a pipeline with over 19 miles between block valves. It's unsafe, and it's an insult to the residents of our County. We are asking the Commissioners to step in and not allow Oregon LNG to rush ahead with this unneeded pipeline project by cutting corners."

Added Caplan, "The valve for the San Bruno pipeline was less than a mile away from that explosion and fire. It's hard to imagine what would happen if Oregon LNG's pipeline erupted, and we shouldn't wait to ask for answers until after the decision is made."

Pacific County Sheriff John Didion Presents Commendation

At the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency meeting held October 12, 2010 in South Bend, Sheriff John Didion presented Jackie Sheldon a Commendation for volunteer service in recognition of her efforts in organizing the Eye of the Storm Pacific County Community Disaster Preparedness Fair, held September 25, 2010 at the Ocean Park Elementary School and in recognition of her work in response to the December 2007 windstorm. The Commendation read “Jackie Sheldon is hereby recognized for outstanding service and dedication to her community as an advocate for preparedness. In the advent of any disaster situation many lives will be saved as a result of her consistent and hard working efforts.”

In July 2010 the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency staff and Sheriff Didion nominated Jackie Sheldon for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Citizen Corp Individual Achievement Award. The Individual Achievement Award nomination and the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office Commendation illustrate how citizens can take action and do their part to be prepared. The public is a valuable resource in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. Every day citizens like Jackie take part in community emergency planning and problem solving, model programs for use by other individuals, and show how individuals can take action to make a difference in their community.

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency is grateful for citizens like Jackie, who are involved and willing to demonstrate and forward a personal emergency preparedness message and program throughout the year.

Clatsop Election Ballots out Tues, October 19th

Ballots for the Nov. 2nd General Election will be mailed out to all Clatsop County voters starting next Tuesday, October 19th.
Voters will notice that some candidates on the ballot are identified with more than one political party. This is the result of changes adopted by the 2009 Oregon Legislature creating a new process for political parties to nominate their respective candidates called “Cross Nomination.” This new process allows candidates to receive the nomination of up to three parties and to have those nominations printed on the ballot by the candidates’ names.
Ballots can be tracked on the web on the site “Oregon Votes dot org”. From this site you can find out whether you are registered to vote, and after you have mailed or dropped off your ballot, confirm that your county elections office received your ballot.

States reopen lower Columbia chinook season

Chinook salmon fishing will reopen on the lower Columbia River downstream of the Lewis River from Oct. 15 through the end of the year.

In a joint hearing this week, the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife decided to reopen recreational chinook salmon fishing on the Columbia from Buoy 10 upstream approximately 88 miles to the mouth of the Lewis River.

This section had been closed for chinook since Sept. 12 to reduce impacts to federally-listed wild “tule”-stock chinook salmon destined for several lower Columbia River tributaries. Tules are a stock of chinook that spawn primarily in the lower Columbia tributaries. They exhibit a different life-history than “bright”-stock fall chinook, which typically spawn later and migrate farther up the Columbia.

“The tule chinook have moved into the tributaries, so we are able to reopen this area to allow fishing access to other chinook stocks,” said Chris Kern, assistant fisheries manager for ODFW’s Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Program. “The chinook run is definitely winding down and we don’t expect many to be caught from here on out but there are still some upriver brights available.”

Under the rule change, the entire Columbia is open to chinook, coho and steelhead fishing through Dec. 31. The daily bag limit is two adult salmon and steelhead in any combination. Steelhead must be adipose fin-clipped in order to be retained, as must coho in all areas downstream of the Hood River. Chinook may be retained whether they are fin-clipped or not.

“Essentially, this change will bring the entire Columbia River back under permanent Oregon fishing regulations for salmon and steelhead, as outlined in the 2010 fishing pamphlet,” said Kern.

AAUW Candidates Forum Thursday Night in Astoria

Oregon State Representative Brad Witt and his challenger Ed DeCoste have announced that they will be participating in a forum sponsored by the Astoria Chapter of the American Association of University Women and Clatsop Community College.

The Forum will take place Thursday, October 14th at 7pm, at the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center, 16th and Franklin, in Astoria.

Other speakers at the forum will include State Senator Betsy Johnson and her challenger Bob Horning, State Reporesentative Deborah Boone and her challenger Lew Barnes, Astoria Mayer Willis Van Dusen, and Astoria City Council candidates Blair Henningsgaard, Arline Lamear and Karen Mellin. Mr. Ron Howard has also been invited.

The speakers will give an opening statement and then answer brief, written questions submitted by the audience. Questions for the candidates will be taken at the door. Additional questions will be accepted during the forum.

Coast Guard suspends search for man overboard in the Columbia River

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man who fell overboard from his sailing vessel, near Kelley, Ore., at approximately 10 p.m., Sunday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew, from Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Ilwaco, Wash., worked with a Kelly Fire Department rescue vessel and Wahkiakum County Sheriff vessel searching the area for over four hours.

Coast Guard vessels and aircraft have suspended the search pending further developments.

The 46-year-old male was on board the 65-foot sailing vessel Bad Dog when he fell overboard into the Columbia River at approximately 4 p.m., Sunday. The three remaining people on board reported that he was not wearing a life jacket.

For more information contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

COUNTY CONSIDERS SALE OF DARIGOLD BUILDING

Clatsop County is entertaining a proposal to sell the former Darigold building in downtown Astoria to a group eying the site for a non-profit health and social services complex.

The project is being led by Coastal Family Health Center, which proposes to replace the existing cinderblock structure with a new “green” facility housing its own clinic as well as offices for Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare and other social service agencies.

The Darigold building, located at Ninth and Duane streets, was built in 1947 and was in use until the 1960s. Clatsop County acquired the property through tax foreclosure in 1992, and leased the building to the Columbia River Maritime Museum from 1993 to 2006. The county currently uses the building for storage.

According to Coastal Family Health Center, the new health services facility would be a three-story, 40,000-square-foot structure with parking underneath. The building would take advantage of new environmentally-friendly design and construction methods.

“Our vision is to create a facility where non-profit medical care, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment and other community services are offered,” Coastal Family Health Director Jim Coffee said in a letter to the county. “We see this as a fiscal value to the agencies and an opportunity to better coordinate delivery of services to our clients.”

Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare is the county’s contracted provider of substance abuse treatment and mental health services.

The deal may involve a three-way transaction in which the county would acquire two other properties ? the former Morris Glass building at Seventh and Duane streets owned by Randy Stemper, and an adjacent vacant lot owned by David Lum.

Coastal Family Health Center has retained the local business development consulting firm NoLoveNoFish LLC to assist with the project. NoLoveNoFish’s partners include Peter Huhtala, commissioner-elect for District 3 on the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

Mayor Willis Van Dusen proclaims Oregon Days of Culture in Astoria, tonight at 7 PM.

Astoria proclaims Oregon Days of Culture

1095 Duane St. 2nd floor council chambers, Astoria


check out the Oregon Cultural Trust's website at www.oregondaysofculture.org. It lists nearly 600 events and lots of fascinating cultural confessions.

Funds available for Oregon school infrastructure projects

The ‘Safe Routes to School’ program offers $2.2 million in federal funds


SALEM — The Oregon Department of Transportation is accepting applications for
approximately $2.2 million in federal funds for projects that improve safety around Oregon
schools. Safe Routes to School’s infrastructure program provides funding for projects that
increase the opportunity for children to walk and bicycle safely to and from school. Eligible
projects must be located within a two-mile radius of a qualified K-8 school facility.


Applicants may include school districts, qualified K-8 schools, and state and local government
units in cooperation with a qualified school or school district. Nonprofit organizations may also
apply, but only in partnership with a qualified school, school district, or state/local government
unit. The project submission process includes two required deadlines:
1) Notice of Intent - Action Plan due: November 16, 2010
2) Application due: January 14, 2011


Projects will also have to meet the requirement that they can be designed and advance to
construction in 2012 and 2013. Project awards will be announced in May 2011.


Projects chosen for funding will be selected through a statewide competitive process based on
written applications and field review. Local matching funds are not required to receive an award.
Applications and information are available at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/LGS/srts.shtml.

Chinook Canoes Trade Again, October 3rd

On October 3, the Chinook Indian Nation and the tall ship Lady Washington will commemorate the first meeting of Chinookan people with citizens from the young United States.

In 1792, sixty thousand Chinookan people lived along the lower Columbia River. When Robert Gray visited the river that year, the Chinook were masters of one hub of a trading network that extended up the Columbia River as far as Montana and along the Pacific Coast to southeast Alaska and California.

A free living history event titled, “Chinook Nation - U.S.A.: International Trading Partners, 1792-2010” will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 3. The program is offered through a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Historical Society, the Chinook Nation, the National Park Service and the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority.