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.