Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), Representative Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach), and Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) will host a series of town halls in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties on Sunday, July 17th. The legislators will share their thoughts on the soon-to-adjourn legislative session and take questions from constituents on issues of concern.
“There’s a lot to talk about from this recent session and I’m interested in hearing from constituents about how they think we did,” said Johnson. “We have appreciated frequent contacts with our constituents throughout the session. Theses town halls give us the opportunity for a face-to-face conversation about legislation initiatives and actions.”
Town halls will be held in Astoria, Seaside, Tillamook, and Pacific City. All events will be held on Sunday, July 17th.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than talking to my friends and neighbors about the issues that matter to our community. I encourage everyone to come out and share your feelings about the session that just ended and offer up good ideas for next year,” said Witt.
“We fulfilled our constitutional duty to balance the state budget during challenging economic times and in an evenly divided House. I am eager to travel the Coast and listen to thoughts and ideas from everyone back home. You are the reason I come to Salem every year,” said Boone.
Details are as follows:
Astoria Town Hall – 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
The Red Building Loft
20 Basin Street
Astoria, OR 97103
Seaside Town Hall – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Seaside City Hall
Council Chamber
989 Broadway
Seaside, OR 97138
Tillamook Town Hall – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Tillamook County Fairgrounds
4603 East Third Street
Tillamook, OR 97141-0455
Pacific City Town Hall – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Kiwanda Center
34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr.
Pacific City, OR 97135
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Johnson, Witt to hold post-session town halls
Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) will host a series of town halls in Columbia County on Sunday, July 10th. Johnson and Witt will share their thoughts on the soon-to-adjourn legislative session and take questions from constituents on issues of concern.
“There’s a lot to talk about from this recent session and I’m interested in hearing from constituents about how they think we did,” said Johnson. “We have appreciated frequent contacts with our constituents throughout the session. Theses town halls give us the opportunity for a face-to-face conversation about legislation initiatives and actions.”
Town halls will be held in Clatskanie, Columbia City, Scappoose, Sauvies’ Island, and Vernonia. All events will be held on Sunday, July 10th.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than talking to my friends and neighbors about the issues that matter to our community. I encourage everyone to come out and share your feelings about the session that just ended and offer up good ideas for next year,” said Witt.
Details are as follows:
Clatskanie Town Hall – 8:30 AM -10:00 AM
Clatskanie River Inn
600 E Columbia River Hwy
Clatskanie, OR 97016
Columbia City Town Hall – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Columbia City Community Hall
1850 Second Street
Columbia City, OR 97018
Scappoose Town Hall – 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Scappoose Library
52469 SE 2nd Street
Scappoose, OR 97056
Sauvies’ Island Town Hall – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Sauvies’ Island Grange
14443NW Charlton Road
Portland, OR 97231
Vernonia Town Hall – 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Scout Cabin
901 Park Drive
Vernonia, OR 97064
“There’s a lot to talk about from this recent session and I’m interested in hearing from constituents about how they think we did,” said Johnson. “We have appreciated frequent contacts with our constituents throughout the session. Theses town halls give us the opportunity for a face-to-face conversation about legislation initiatives and actions.”
Town halls will be held in Clatskanie, Columbia City, Scappoose, Sauvies’ Island, and Vernonia. All events will be held on Sunday, July 10th.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than talking to my friends and neighbors about the issues that matter to our community. I encourage everyone to come out and share your feelings about the session that just ended and offer up good ideas for next year,” said Witt.
Details are as follows:
Clatskanie Town Hall – 8:30 AM -10:00 AM
Clatskanie River Inn
600 E Columbia River Hwy
Clatskanie, OR 97016
Columbia City Town Hall – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Columbia City Community Hall
1850 Second Street
Columbia City, OR 97018
Scappoose Town Hall – 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Scappoose Library
52469 SE 2nd Street
Scappoose, OR 97056
Sauvies’ Island Town Hall – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Sauvies’ Island Grange
14443NW Charlton Road
Portland, OR 97231
Vernonia Town Hall – 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Scout Cabin
901 Park Drive
Vernonia, OR 97064
Monday, June 27, 2011
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Offers Teen Film Camp
Make a movie this summer! Learn the art of filmmaking from award-winning professionals and tell stories about Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Film Camp will be led by film makers from NW Documentary in Portland and produced by park rangers. With state-of-the-art cameras, in small groups, students will learn to tell simple and innovative stories. Techniques to shoot, write, narrate, and edit video will be covered. Students will also gain skills in sequence imaging, story boarding, developing an artistic eye, and finding the essential ingredients for a good story.
Camp runs August 16-20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cost is $50. A limited number of scholarships are available. Camp is for anyone in 9th-12th grade when camp starts.
To apply, send an application from the http://www.nps.gov/lewi website by July 25.
Sign up fast, there are only 10 spots available.
For questions or further information call 503-861-2471, ext. 220 or email Will_George@nps.gov
Friday, June 24, 2011
NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONERS BRING LAND-USE EXPERIENCE
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners appointed seven new members to the county Planning Commission Wednesday.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate the seven positions on the panel effective June 30, and invited both current members and new applicants to apply for the positions.
On March 28 Board of Commissioners Chairman Dirk Rohne sent a letter to all seven planning commissioners informing them of the board’s actions, thanking them for their service and inviting them to re-apply.
“By serving on the planning commission you invested your time and talent into the community in which we live. Motivated, perhaps, by the desire to have a positive role in improving the quality of life for the benefit of all,” the letter stated. “It is our desire, with respect to your service, to cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission.”
“This decision is not aimed at any one individual member and is not personal,” the letter added.
Clatsop County Ordinance 01-10 states that “all members of any board, commission or committee of the County shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners,” and that “the Board may remove any board, commission or committee member from his or her appointment by affirmative vote of at least three commissioners.”
The county received a total of 14 applications from citizens around Clatsop County. The former members of the planning commission informed the county they would not re-apply for their positions.
On June 22 the board appointed seven of the applicants to the panel. The selection complied with the planning commission bylaws, which allow no more than two members from incorporated cities and no more than two members who work in real estate-related businesses. Members are also to be drawn from the various geographic areas of the county.
The commission will maintain the staggered terms that ensure overlap of membership. Two of the terms expire June 30, 2012, three expire June 30, 2014 and two expire June 30, 2015. The Board of Commissioners left it to the new planning commissioners to choose which member will assume which term.
The new members are:
Bruce Francis of Warrenton
Susana Gladwin of Jewell
Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
Jan Mitchell of Astoria
Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
Mike Tiedeman of Astoria.
The new membership includes a number of citizens with experience in land-use planning, including two former planning commission members. Bruce Francis served on the commission for 11 years, including several years as chairperson, and chaired the panel during the lengthy public hearings over the Bradwood Landing LNG land-use application in 2007. Robert Stricklin also served as chair of the commission in 1997-98.
Jan Mitchell served as a planner for the city of Fresno, Calif. for 24 years, and led a long-term planning team. Kay Foetisch-Robb, a former Community Coordinator for the city of Gresham, was a planning commissioner for the city of Troutdale from 1978 to 1990.
Mike Tiedeman is a long-time local educator and former Knappa High School principal who currently leads the Knappa Schools Foundation. Lianne Thompson, a consultant, has served on a community development non-profit in Manzanita. Susana Gladwin, a farmer, served on a local citizens advisory board when the state’s land-use system was established in the 1970s.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate the seven positions on the panel effective June 30, and invited both current members and new applicants to apply for the positions.
On March 28 Board of Commissioners Chairman Dirk Rohne sent a letter to all seven planning commissioners informing them of the board’s actions, thanking them for their service and inviting them to re-apply.
“By serving on the planning commission you invested your time and talent into the community in which we live. Motivated, perhaps, by the desire to have a positive role in improving the quality of life for the benefit of all,” the letter stated. “It is our desire, with respect to your service, to cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission.”
“This decision is not aimed at any one individual member and is not personal,” the letter added.
Clatsop County Ordinance 01-10 states that “all members of any board, commission or committee of the County shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners,” and that “the Board may remove any board, commission or committee member from his or her appointment by affirmative vote of at least three commissioners.”
The county received a total of 14 applications from citizens around Clatsop County. The former members of the planning commission informed the county they would not re-apply for their positions.
On June 22 the board appointed seven of the applicants to the panel. The selection complied with the planning commission bylaws, which allow no more than two members from incorporated cities and no more than two members who work in real estate-related businesses. Members are also to be drawn from the various geographic areas of the county.
The commission will maintain the staggered terms that ensure overlap of membership. Two of the terms expire June 30, 2012, three expire June 30, 2014 and two expire June 30, 2015. The Board of Commissioners left it to the new planning commissioners to choose which member will assume which term.
The new members are:
Bruce Francis of Warrenton
Susana Gladwin of Jewell
Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
Jan Mitchell of Astoria
Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
Mike Tiedeman of Astoria.
The new membership includes a number of citizens with experience in land-use planning, including two former planning commission members. Bruce Francis served on the commission for 11 years, including several years as chairperson, and chaired the panel during the lengthy public hearings over the Bradwood Landing LNG land-use application in 2007. Robert Stricklin also served as chair of the commission in 1997-98.
Jan Mitchell served as a planner for the city of Fresno, Calif. for 24 years, and led a long-term planning team. Kay Foetisch-Robb, a former Community Coordinator for the city of Gresham, was a planning commissioner for the city of Troutdale from 1978 to 1990.
Mike Tiedeman is a long-time local educator and former Knappa High School principal who currently leads the Knappa Schools Foundation. Lianne Thompson, a consultant, has served on a community development non-profit in Manzanita. Susana Gladwin, a farmer, served on a local citizens advisory board when the state’s land-use system was established in the 1970s.
Clatsop Cty. Board of Commissioners Mtg. Highlights
CLATSOP PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The board appointed seven new members to the county Planning Commission.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate all seven seats on the commission effective June 30 and to invite both current commission members and new applicants to apply. None of the current members re-applied.
Appointed to the panel were:
· Bruce Francis of Warrenton
· Susana Gladwin of Jewell
· Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
· Jan Mitchell of Astoria
· Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
· Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
· Mike Tiedeman of Astoria
Two of the seats are for terms that expire June 30, 2012; three for terms expiring June 30, 2014; and two for terms expiring June 30, 2015. The board did not assign the new appointees to particular terms but will allow them to choose their terms themselves when the commission convenes in July.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Patricia Roberts made a motion to rescind the board’s March 23 decision and to reinstate all the former members. The motion did not receive a second. Roberts abstained from voting on any of the appointments.
Chairperson Dirk Rohne explained that following the board’s March 23 decision he sent a letter to all of the then-current planning commissioners explaining that the board vote reflected a desire to “cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission. We hope to have a balance of viewpoints represented, if you feel you have a different point of view, you may be re-selected for precisely that reason,” he quoted from the letter.
NEW DISTRICTS ADOPTED
The board voted to adopt new boundaries for the five commissioner districts. The redistricting project, required every 10 years to conform the boundaries to shifts in population, resulted in shifts in some boundaries but largely left the existing boundaries intact.
The board adopted without change a map approved in May by a citizen panel.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SHIFT
The board approved a resolution placing the county Community Corrections Department under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office. The vote finalizes a reorganization plan that was given preliminary approval in February that included the closure of the Community Corrections Transition Center in April.
The board’s action included placing the Animal Control Division, which operates the county animal shelter in Warrenton, under the Sheriff’s Office, and naming the Sheriff as the sole Supervisory Authority for the county.
ZONE CHANGES APPROVED
The board approved three separate zone-change requests in Westport. They are:
· Request from Stan Egass for a rezone from Rural Community-Multi Family Residential to Rural Community Commercial for a 0.28-acre property in Westport.
· Request from Wilma Devries for a rezone from Rural Community Commercial to Rural Community-Multi Family Housing for a 1.2-acre property in Westport.
· Application by Clatsop County to rezone a property in Westport that was mistakenly zoned as Rural Community-Multi Family Residential in 2003 with the adoption of the new Rural Community zoning overlay. The county application rezones the property to Rural Community Commercial-Light Industrial.
Action on a fourth zone change application, on property on Dolphin Road near Warrenton, was postponed to allow the applicant to provide additional required information. The request is from Michael Benesch, Warrenton Fiber Co. and Waldo Veelle to rezone 13 acres ? eight acres are to be rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Light Industrial and five acres rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Natural Uplands.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business the board:
-Adopted the Fiscal Year 2011-12 budgets for the county, 4-H and Extension Service Special District, Road District #1, Rural Law Enforcement District and Westport Sewer Service District.
-Approved a special event permit for the 2011 Hood to Coast Relay, scheduled for Aug. 26-27. The permit includes a requirement that the event organizers reimburse the county for costs associated with the event.
The board directed staff to review the current event permit ordinance and develop language that would allow the county to act as an agent for other public entities such as fire districts that also receive reimbursement from Hood to Coast for their expenses.
-Approved a loan of $45,000 from the county General Fund to the Marine Patrol program in the Sheriff’s Office to provide operating funds until September, when the program receives funding from the State of Oregon.
-Approved the 2011-13 Public Health agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for funding of health services through the county Public Health Department.
-Approved contracts with Oregon Health Authority for addiction and mental health services and food-borne illness prevention.
The board appointed seven new members to the county Planning Commission.
On March 23 the board voted to vacate all seven seats on the commission effective June 30 and to invite both current commission members and new applicants to apply. None of the current members re-applied.
Appointed to the panel were:
· Bruce Francis of Warrenton
· Susana Gladwin of Jewell
· Kay Foetisch-Robb of Seaside
· Jan Mitchell of Astoria
· Robert Stricklin of Warrenton
· Lianne Thompson of Arch Cape
· Mike Tiedeman of Astoria
Two of the seats are for terms that expire June 30, 2012; three for terms expiring June 30, 2014; and two for terms expiring June 30, 2015. The board did not assign the new appointees to particular terms but will allow them to choose their terms themselves when the commission convenes in July.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Patricia Roberts made a motion to rescind the board’s March 23 decision and to reinstate all the former members. The motion did not receive a second. Roberts abstained from voting on any of the appointments.
Chairperson Dirk Rohne explained that following the board’s March 23 decision he sent a letter to all of the then-current planning commissioners explaining that the board vote reflected a desire to “cast a wider net to see what interest there may be in serving on the very important land planning commission. We hope to have a balance of viewpoints represented, if you feel you have a different point of view, you may be re-selected for precisely that reason,” he quoted from the letter.
NEW DISTRICTS ADOPTED
The board voted to adopt new boundaries for the five commissioner districts. The redistricting project, required every 10 years to conform the boundaries to shifts in population, resulted in shifts in some boundaries but largely left the existing boundaries intact.
The board adopted without change a map approved in May by a citizen panel.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SHIFT
The board approved a resolution placing the county Community Corrections Department under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office. The vote finalizes a reorganization plan that was given preliminary approval in February that included the closure of the Community Corrections Transition Center in April.
The board’s action included placing the Animal Control Division, which operates the county animal shelter in Warrenton, under the Sheriff’s Office, and naming the Sheriff as the sole Supervisory Authority for the county.
ZONE CHANGES APPROVED
The board approved three separate zone-change requests in Westport. They are:
· Request from Stan Egass for a rezone from Rural Community-Multi Family Residential to Rural Community Commercial for a 0.28-acre property in Westport.
· Request from Wilma Devries for a rezone from Rural Community Commercial to Rural Community-Multi Family Housing for a 1.2-acre property in Westport.
· Application by Clatsop County to rezone a property in Westport that was mistakenly zoned as Rural Community-Multi Family Residential in 2003 with the adoption of the new Rural Community zoning overlay. The county application rezones the property to Rural Community Commercial-Light Industrial.
Action on a fourth zone change application, on property on Dolphin Road near Warrenton, was postponed to allow the applicant to provide additional required information. The request is from Michael Benesch, Warrenton Fiber Co. and Waldo Veelle to rezone 13 acres ? eight acres are to be rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Light Industrial and five acres rezoned from Residential Agriculture-5 to Natural Uplands.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business the board:
-Adopted the Fiscal Year 2011-12 budgets for the county, 4-H and Extension Service Special District, Road District #1, Rural Law Enforcement District and Westport Sewer Service District.
-Approved a special event permit for the 2011 Hood to Coast Relay, scheduled for Aug. 26-27. The permit includes a requirement that the event organizers reimburse the county for costs associated with the event.
The board directed staff to review the current event permit ordinance and develop language that would allow the county to act as an agent for other public entities such as fire districts that also receive reimbursement from Hood to Coast for their expenses.
-Approved a loan of $45,000 from the county General Fund to the Marine Patrol program in the Sheriff’s Office to provide operating funds until September, when the program receives funding from the State of Oregon.
-Approved the 2011-13 Public Health agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for funding of health services through the county Public Health Department.
-Approved contracts with Oregon Health Authority for addiction and mental health services and food-borne illness prevention.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
CLATSOP COUNTY SEEKS ATTORNEY FEES FROM OREGON PIPELINE
Clatsop County filed a motion in circuit court yesterday (Monday) seeking reimbursement for more than $60,000 in attorney fees incurred in the legal dispute over the county’s jurisdiction of the Oregon Pipeline LLC land-use application.
The motion claims the county should not be liable for the fees, which total $61,758.
The county’s position is that legal maneuvers by Oregon Pipeline resulted in unnecessary delays in the proceedings.
The county and Oregon Pipeline recently went to court on a “writ of mandamus” motion claiming the county had exceeded the legal deadline for issuing a final decision for Oregon Pipeline’s consolidated land use application .
Following a hearing in Clatsop County Circuit Court last month, Judge Phil Nelson denied Oregon Pipeline’s mandamus motion. The company has appealed that ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Clatsop County is seeking reimbursement under state law that allows a judge to award legal fees to the prevailing party in a mandamus action.
The board is awaiting the outcome of the mandamus issue, including the appeal to the Court of Appeals, before taking further action on the application.
The motion claims the county should not be liable for the fees, which total $61,758.
The county’s position is that legal maneuvers by Oregon Pipeline resulted in unnecessary delays in the proceedings.
The county and Oregon Pipeline recently went to court on a “writ of mandamus” motion claiming the county had exceeded the legal deadline for issuing a final decision for Oregon Pipeline’s consolidated land use application .
Following a hearing in Clatsop County Circuit Court last month, Judge Phil Nelson denied Oregon Pipeline’s mandamus motion. The company has appealed that ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Clatsop County is seeking reimbursement under state law that allows a judge to award legal fees to the prevailing party in a mandamus action.
The board is awaiting the outcome of the mandamus issue, including the appeal to the Court of Appeals, before taking further action on the application.
New online process offers easy search for unclaimed property in Oregon
More than two million individuals, businesses and organizations have lost track of money - a lot of it. Nearly $400 million is available for claim by the owners or their heirs, and it just got easier to find.
Oregon's Department of State Lands (DSL) houses the state's Unclaimed Property Program, and has recently launched an online claim service to make it easier and faster for citizens to search for and claim their lost money.
Could you have misplaced a check or lost track of a bank account? If so, your money may be waiting for you to claim. Simply check for your name on the unclaimed property website.
The new service also includes details on each listing, and a tracking feature to help claimants monitor the status of their claim.
"It's so easy now to search for your name, and with two million owners reported, there is a high likelihood of finding money due to you or a relative," said the program's manager, Patrick Tate. While a few large amounts are reported, most are between $50 and $500, said Tate.
Reported assets include inactive bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, refunds and payroll checks. Businesses and organizations are required by law to send all unclaimed assets to DSL after a specific period of time - generally three years - and after trying to find owners. Once reported, there is no time limit for the owner to file their claim.
Unclaimed property is held for claim by owners in the Common School Fund, a trust fund established at statehood to benefit Oregon's public schools, and administered by DSL. Earnings from the fund are distributed twice a year by the Oregon Department of Education; in 2010, $50.5 million was sent to Oregon's 197 public school districts.
In 2010, DSL returned $18 million to owners. Check for your name today, and check back often, as new information is added to the website regularly.
Oregon's Department of State Lands (DSL) houses the state's Unclaimed Property Program, and has recently launched an online claim service to make it easier and faster for citizens to search for and claim their lost money.
Could you have misplaced a check or lost track of a bank account? If so, your money may be waiting for you to claim. Simply check for your name on the unclaimed property website.
The new service also includes details on each listing, and a tracking feature to help claimants monitor the status of their claim.
"It's so easy now to search for your name, and with two million owners reported, there is a high likelihood of finding money due to you or a relative," said the program's manager, Patrick Tate. While a few large amounts are reported, most are between $50 and $500, said Tate.
Reported assets include inactive bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, refunds and payroll checks. Businesses and organizations are required by law to send all unclaimed assets to DSL after a specific period of time - generally three years - and after trying to find owners. Once reported, there is no time limit for the owner to file their claim.
Unclaimed property is held for claim by owners in the Common School Fund, a trust fund established at statehood to benefit Oregon's public schools, and administered by DSL. Earnings from the fund are distributed twice a year by the Oregon Department of Education; in 2010, $50.5 million was sent to Oregon's 197 public school districts.
In 2010, DSL returned $18 million to owners. Check for your name today, and check back often, as new information is added to the website regularly.
Monday, June 20, 2011
PERTUSSIS CASE, STATISTICS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION
A recent case of pertussis, or whooping cough, diagnosed in a local child has prompted the Clatsop County Public Health Department to stress the importance of immunization.
The case, discovered last week, involved a school-age child who was not immunized against the illness because the parents received an exemption under Oregon law governing childhood vaccinations.
Figures released earlier this month by the Oregon Public Health Division show that a small but growing number of families in Oregon are refusing immunization for their children under the state’s religious exemption rule: a source of concern to public health experts who say the illnesses that vaccines prevent pose a real threat to the public’s health.
“Public health is everybody’s business,” Clatsop County Public Health Director Margo Lalich said. “Preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases by vaccinating our children is one very effective to ensure the health of our children and the community.”
The state health statistics show that the number of kindergartners in Oregon not vaccinated due to religious exemption totaled 5.6 percent: up from 2.4 percent 10 years ago. The figure for Clatsop County was 6 percent.
Children are required to be immunized against a range of diseases in order to attend school, but Oregon has one of the most lenient laws governing vaccination refusal, allowing parents to claim religious exemption for any “belief, practice or ethical value.”
The rise in the number of non-immunized children has been mirrored by growing incidences of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles and pertussis, both in Oregon and nationwide.
Once a common and often fatal illness among children, pertussis rates fell dramatically in the United States after the 1940s, thanks largely to widespread immunization. In the past several years, however, there has been a resurgence of the disease ? in Oregon, 282 cases were reported in 2010, 13 of which required hospitalization, according to the state health division. Earlier this year several pertussis cases were reported at an elementary school in Clatsop County.
Called whooping cough because of the deep, prolonged coughing fits the illness causes, pertussis can be fatal to infants up to 12 months old, and also poses a risk to pregnant women, who can pass it on to their unborn children. Adults who contract the illness can develop pneumonia and require hospitalization.
The pertussis vaccine is typically given to infants or young children as part of the combined diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DtaP) vaccine, and as a booster shot to adolescents.
In the most recent local case, the Clatsop County Public Health Department tested the child’s relatives and determined they were not infected, and notified school officials in the neighboring county where the child attended school. The child did not require hospitalization.
The department stresses that childhood vaccines for pertussis, measles, chicken pox and other illnesses are proven safe and effective. But immunization is only truly effective when at least 95 percent of the population is covered. This “herd immunity” prevents individual cases from spreading and potentially reaching those who may be particularly vulnerable, including children who can’t be immunized because of age or medical condition.
FACTS
· Side effects of vaccines, in the rare cases when they do occur, typically involve only soreness and rashes. Numerous scientific studies have found NO link between vaccines and autism.
· Vaccine-targeted illnesses are potentially dangerous. Chicken pox can cause pneumonia, rubella can cause birth defects, and children can die from any vaccine-preventable disease. And a child with only mild symptoms of a disease can still pass it on to someone much more vulnerable, such as an infant or person with a weakened immune system.
· Mercury was banned from childhood vaccines in 2001.
· Outbreaks of contagious diseases, even among one person, can tax the resources of local health departments, which are required under law not only to test the infected patient but also to investigate people with whom that person may have been in contact.
To find out more, go to www.healthoregon.org.
For more information on receiving immunizations, talk to your primary care provider or call the Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500.
The federal Vaccine For Children program provides assistance for families for whom cost may be a barrier to receiving immunization. To find out about eligibility for the program, contact the Public Health Department.
The case, discovered last week, involved a school-age child who was not immunized against the illness because the parents received an exemption under Oregon law governing childhood vaccinations.
Figures released earlier this month by the Oregon Public Health Division show that a small but growing number of families in Oregon are refusing immunization for their children under the state’s religious exemption rule: a source of concern to public health experts who say the illnesses that vaccines prevent pose a real threat to the public’s health.
“Public health is everybody’s business,” Clatsop County Public Health Director Margo Lalich said. “Preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases by vaccinating our children is one very effective to ensure the health of our children and the community.”
The state health statistics show that the number of kindergartners in Oregon not vaccinated due to religious exemption totaled 5.6 percent: up from 2.4 percent 10 years ago. The figure for Clatsop County was 6 percent.
Children are required to be immunized against a range of diseases in order to attend school, but Oregon has one of the most lenient laws governing vaccination refusal, allowing parents to claim religious exemption for any “belief, practice or ethical value.”
The rise in the number of non-immunized children has been mirrored by growing incidences of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles and pertussis, both in Oregon and nationwide.
Once a common and often fatal illness among children, pertussis rates fell dramatically in the United States after the 1940s, thanks largely to widespread immunization. In the past several years, however, there has been a resurgence of the disease ? in Oregon, 282 cases were reported in 2010, 13 of which required hospitalization, according to the state health division. Earlier this year several pertussis cases were reported at an elementary school in Clatsop County.
Called whooping cough because of the deep, prolonged coughing fits the illness causes, pertussis can be fatal to infants up to 12 months old, and also poses a risk to pregnant women, who can pass it on to their unborn children. Adults who contract the illness can develop pneumonia and require hospitalization.
The pertussis vaccine is typically given to infants or young children as part of the combined diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DtaP) vaccine, and as a booster shot to adolescents.
In the most recent local case, the Clatsop County Public Health Department tested the child’s relatives and determined they were not infected, and notified school officials in the neighboring county where the child attended school. The child did not require hospitalization.
The department stresses that childhood vaccines for pertussis, measles, chicken pox and other illnesses are proven safe and effective. But immunization is only truly effective when at least 95 percent of the population is covered. This “herd immunity” prevents individual cases from spreading and potentially reaching those who may be particularly vulnerable, including children who can’t be immunized because of age or medical condition.
FACTS
· Side effects of vaccines, in the rare cases when they do occur, typically involve only soreness and rashes. Numerous scientific studies have found NO link between vaccines and autism.
· Vaccine-targeted illnesses are potentially dangerous. Chicken pox can cause pneumonia, rubella can cause birth defects, and children can die from any vaccine-preventable disease. And a child with only mild symptoms of a disease can still pass it on to someone much more vulnerable, such as an infant or person with a weakened immune system.
· Mercury was banned from childhood vaccines in 2001.
· Outbreaks of contagious diseases, even among one person, can tax the resources of local health departments, which are required under law not only to test the infected patient but also to investigate people with whom that person may have been in contact.
To find out more, go to www.healthoregon.org.
For more information on receiving immunizations, talk to your primary care provider or call the Clatsop County Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500.
The federal Vaccine For Children program provides assistance for families for whom cost may be a barrier to receiving immunization. To find out about eligibility for the program, contact the Public Health Department.
Friday, June 10, 2011
SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING
You are invited to attend the next ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). This workshop is designed for counselors, teachers, law enforcement, faith community, mental health specialists, and other "gatekeepers" who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. ASIST is recognized as an Evidence-Based Practice by the state of Oregon.
Over 1,000,000 people have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop. ASIST will help you recognize the warning signs of suicide, assess risk and prepare you to intervene. Emphasizing structured small-group discussions and practice, ASIST trainers use case-studies and 2 award-winning audiovisuals.
Dates: July 7th and 8th,2011
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Clatsop Community College,
1653 Jerome Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103
Cost: $65.00 includes refreshments and lunch
Credit Available: CEU’s and Training Credits Available
Trainers: Leeann Grasseth and Teresa Enyart
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop. Pre-registration and attendance for the two full days is required. To insure quality training, there is a cap on the number of participants, so reserve your spot by registering now. Registration ends June 30, 2011.
To pre-register or for more information, contact the Clatsop County Juvenile Department:
Janet Evans or Teresa Crouter , 503 325-8601 tcrouter@co.clatsop.or.us
Over 1,000,000 people have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop. ASIST will help you recognize the warning signs of suicide, assess risk and prepare you to intervene. Emphasizing structured small-group discussions and practice, ASIST trainers use case-studies and 2 award-winning audiovisuals.
Dates: July 7th and 8th,2011
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Clatsop Community College,
1653 Jerome Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103
Cost: $65.00 includes refreshments and lunch
Credit Available: CEU’s and Training Credits Available
Trainers: Leeann Grasseth and Teresa Enyart
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop. Pre-registration and attendance for the two full days is required. To insure quality training, there is a cap on the number of participants, so reserve your spot by registering now. Registration ends June 30, 2011.
To pre-register or for more information, contact the Clatsop County Juvenile Department:
Janet Evans or Teresa Crouter , 503 325-8601 tcrouter@co.clatsop.or.us
Pacific County Hams Prepare for Annual Field Day Communications Event
The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club (PCARC) will participate for the 10th year in the annual North American Field Day operating event the weekend of June 25th. Again this year the event will be held jointly at the Port of Peninsula and Morehead Park in Nahcotta. This waterfront area has proven to be an excellent site for radio transmissions and is utilized through the generosity of both entities.
ARRL Field Day is the highlight of the Pacific County Amateur Radio Club calendar. Each year many Pacific County amateur operators gather to operate in the field without commercial power and with temporary antennas as might happen in a real emergency. While the event is not a formal contest, an objective is to work as many stations as possible on most of the amateur bands and to practice operating in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions.
All told the Pacific County Amateur Radio Club will have five operating radio stations: a “Get on the Air” Station open to the public, a Single Side Band Voice Station, a Morse Code Station, a Packet (digital) Station, and a VHF Station, demonstrating a wide range of capabilities. The VHF station will make one or more contacts via Amateur radio satellite, for example. Friday is dedicated to setting up the stations and antennas, including making test contacts to prove the viability of the each set-up.
The public is invited to observe amateur radio at work and learn how to make contact with other radio stations in North America. One station is dedicated for use by the public and for amateurs who do not typically operate on the short-wave bands. The best time to visit operations is Saturday midday through late afternoon. Stop by the “Get on the Air” tent to learn first-hand about radio operations, pick up a brochure, take a tour, or to ask questions about becoming a licensed radio amateur. Participate at the VHF station by sending an email via radio to a friend or family member. The PCARC hopes that people will come and see for themselves that this is not your grandfather's radio!
The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club meets the second Saturday of each month at 9:00AM at Hunter’s Inn in Naselle. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is encouraged to attend. For more information contact: Dick Lemke, President 665-2438 or Bob Cline, Emergency Services Volunteer 665-4496.
ARRL Field Day is the highlight of the Pacific County Amateur Radio Club calendar. Each year many Pacific County amateur operators gather to operate in the field without commercial power and with temporary antennas as might happen in a real emergency. While the event is not a formal contest, an objective is to work as many stations as possible on most of the amateur bands and to practice operating in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions.
All told the Pacific County Amateur Radio Club will have five operating radio stations: a “Get on the Air” Station open to the public, a Single Side Band Voice Station, a Morse Code Station, a Packet (digital) Station, and a VHF Station, demonstrating a wide range of capabilities. The VHF station will make one or more contacts via Amateur radio satellite, for example. Friday is dedicated to setting up the stations and antennas, including making test contacts to prove the viability of the each set-up.
The public is invited to observe amateur radio at work and learn how to make contact with other radio stations in North America. One station is dedicated for use by the public and for amateurs who do not typically operate on the short-wave bands. The best time to visit operations is Saturday midday through late afternoon. Stop by the “Get on the Air” tent to learn first-hand about radio operations, pick up a brochure, take a tour, or to ask questions about becoming a licensed radio amateur. Participate at the VHF station by sending an email via radio to a friend or family member. The PCARC hopes that people will come and see for themselves that this is not your grandfather's radio!
The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club meets the second Saturday of each month at 9:00AM at Hunter’s Inn in Naselle. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is encouraged to attend. For more information contact: Dick Lemke, President 665-2438 or Bob Cline, Emergency Services Volunteer 665-4496.
New Commissioners for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
The Oregon Senate confirmed on Tuesday the appointments of Holly Akenson and Michael Finley to represent Oregon’s Eastern and Western districts respectively on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Akenson, of Enterprise, will replace Carter Kerns who has served on the Commission since 2003. Finley, of Medford, will replace Marla Rae who has served on the Commission since 2002.
Holly Akenson is the Director of Wallowa Mountain Institute, the education and outreach arm of Wallowa Resources. Akenson oversees applied research, and education and outreach programs related to the stewardship of the forests and rangelands in Wallowa County. Her background as a wildlife biologist has afforded her many opportunities to remain connected to nature and the land. She is an avid hunter, angler, and wildlife photographer and regularly takes her mule teams on treks into the mountains.
Finley is President of the Turner Foundation, a private grant-making foundation that supports hundreds of grassroots national and international organizations. Before joining the Turner Foundation he spent 32 years with the National Park Service. During his career, Finley was Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park for over six years and also served as Superintendent of Yosemite and Everglades National Parks and Assateague Island National Seashore. He directly managed hunting and fishing activities on National Park Service lands and waters in Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, California, Montana and Wyoming. He was also a commissioned law enforcement ranger and investigator for 10 years. Finley hunts and fishes, and is passionate about public recreation.
In a related issue, Dr. Dan Edge of Corvallis was appointed Commission Chair. Edge succeeds Marla Rae, whose term has expired. Edge heads the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He received bachelor’s degrees in wildlife biology and forestry, a master’s in wildlife biology and a doctorate in forestry, all from the University of Montana. Edge has served on the Commission since 200
Akenson, of Enterprise, will replace Carter Kerns who has served on the Commission since 2003. Finley, of Medford, will replace Marla Rae who has served on the Commission since 2002.
Holly Akenson is the Director of Wallowa Mountain Institute, the education and outreach arm of Wallowa Resources. Akenson oversees applied research, and education and outreach programs related to the stewardship of the forests and rangelands in Wallowa County. Her background as a wildlife biologist has afforded her many opportunities to remain connected to nature and the land. She is an avid hunter, angler, and wildlife photographer and regularly takes her mule teams on treks into the mountains.
Finley is President of the Turner Foundation, a private grant-making foundation that supports hundreds of grassroots national and international organizations. Before joining the Turner Foundation he spent 32 years with the National Park Service. During his career, Finley was Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park for over six years and also served as Superintendent of Yosemite and Everglades National Parks and Assateague Island National Seashore. He directly managed hunting and fishing activities on National Park Service lands and waters in Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, California, Montana and Wyoming. He was also a commissioned law enforcement ranger and investigator for 10 years. Finley hunts and fishes, and is passionate about public recreation.
In a related issue, Dr. Dan Edge of Corvallis was appointed Commission Chair. Edge succeeds Marla Rae, whose term has expired. Edge heads the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He received bachelor’s degrees in wildlife biology and forestry, a master’s in wildlife biology and a doctorate in forestry, all from the University of Montana. Edge has served on the Commission since 200
Thursday, June 9, 2011
NO QUICK ACTION FROM CLATSOP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PENDING ON PIPELINE APPLICATION
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will not move immediately to finalize its reconsideration decision rejecting the land-use application from Oregon Pipeline LLC, despite a recent legal ruling in its favor.
On the advice of legal counsel, the board will instead await the outcome of a challenge to that ruling, a process that will likely take several months.
The advice is based on a ruling from the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), issued in April and re-confirmed last month, that effectively suspended the county’s review process.
On May 16 Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson dismissed a request for a writ of mandamus from Oregon Pipeline, which argued that Clatsop County exceeded the mandated deadline to review and act on its consolidated application to build 41 miles of natural gas pipeline.
Following Judge Nelson’s ruling, on May 24 LUBA issued an order denying Oregon Pipeline’s motion to dismiss the LUBA proceeding concerning the county’s first decision approving the pipeline application in November 2010, and suspending the appeal process until the mandamus issue is fully resolved. This includes any appeals of Nelson’s ruling.
On June 6 Oregon Pipeline filed an appeal of Nelson’s decision with the Oregon Court of Appeals.
In a June 1 letter to the board of commissioners, one of the project opponents, Columbia Riverkeeper, argued that Nelson’s mandamus ruling confirms the county’s jurisdiction over the application, and urged the board to move forward and adopt the proposed findings rejecting the application.
According to attorney Jeff Bennett, Clatsop County’s legal counsel on the Oregon Pipeline issue, the county’s review process is frozen until the mandamus issue is settled, including any appeals.
The board of commissioners originally approved the Oregon Pipeline application in November 2010. That ruling was appealed by Columbia Riverkeeper and other project opponents, and in January the board, with three new members, voted to withdraw that approval in order to reconsider the application.
On March 9 the board of commissioners gave preliminary approval to findings rejecting the application. The board was scheduled to adopt the findings March 30, but on March 29 the Oregon Supreme Court, on a motion from Oregon Pipeline, issued a stay on the county blocking further action until the mandamus issue was resolved in the circuit court.
LUBA’s May 24 ruling reads “The Circuit Court’s May 16, 2011 letter opinion has no immediate effect on the reasoning that leads us to conclude that we should (1) deny Oregon Pipeline’s motion to dismiss this appeal and (2) continue the suspension that we ordered on April 8, 2011.”
On the advice of legal counsel, the board will instead await the outcome of a challenge to that ruling, a process that will likely take several months.
The advice is based on a ruling from the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), issued in April and re-confirmed last month, that effectively suspended the county’s review process.
On May 16 Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson dismissed a request for a writ of mandamus from Oregon Pipeline, which argued that Clatsop County exceeded the mandated deadline to review and act on its consolidated application to build 41 miles of natural gas pipeline.
Following Judge Nelson’s ruling, on May 24 LUBA issued an order denying Oregon Pipeline’s motion to dismiss the LUBA proceeding concerning the county’s first decision approving the pipeline application in November 2010, and suspending the appeal process until the mandamus issue is fully resolved. This includes any appeals of Nelson’s ruling.
On June 6 Oregon Pipeline filed an appeal of Nelson’s decision with the Oregon Court of Appeals.
In a June 1 letter to the board of commissioners, one of the project opponents, Columbia Riverkeeper, argued that Nelson’s mandamus ruling confirms the county’s jurisdiction over the application, and urged the board to move forward and adopt the proposed findings rejecting the application.
According to attorney Jeff Bennett, Clatsop County’s legal counsel on the Oregon Pipeline issue, the county’s review process is frozen until the mandamus issue is settled, including any appeals.
The board of commissioners originally approved the Oregon Pipeline application in November 2010. That ruling was appealed by Columbia Riverkeeper and other project opponents, and in January the board, with three new members, voted to withdraw that approval in order to reconsider the application.
On March 9 the board of commissioners gave preliminary approval to findings rejecting the application. The board was scheduled to adopt the findings March 30, but on March 29 the Oregon Supreme Court, on a motion from Oregon Pipeline, issued a stay on the county blocking further action until the mandamus issue was resolved in the circuit court.
LUBA’s May 24 ruling reads “The Circuit Court’s May 16, 2011 letter opinion has no immediate effect on the reasoning that leads us to conclude that we should (1) deny Oregon Pipeline’s motion to dismiss this appeal and (2) continue the suspension that we ordered on April 8, 2011.”
Coast Guard Change of Command Ceremony in Warrenton Today
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 10 a.m., at Sector Columbia River, located at 2185 SE 12th Place Warrenton, Ore.
During the ceremony, Capt. Douglas Kaup will transfer command to Capt. Bruce Jones. Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.
Kaup served as Commander of Sector Columbia River since July 24, 2009, and will retire from the Coast Guard with 31 years of distinguished service at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Jones comes to Sector Columbia River from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as Chief of the Office of Strategic Operations. Jones also served as commander of Air Station New Orleans from 2004-2006, personally flying rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina.
The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.
During the ceremony, Capt. Douglas Kaup will transfer command to Capt. Bruce Jones. Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.
Kaup served as Commander of Sector Columbia River since July 24, 2009, and will retire from the Coast Guard with 31 years of distinguished service at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Jones comes to Sector Columbia River from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as Chief of the Office of Strategic Operations. Jones also served as commander of Air Station New Orleans from 2004-2006, personally flying rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina.
The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.
OREGON PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN CONFIRMS A CAT HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR BUBONIC PLAGUE
One cat in Prineville, Oregon, has tested positive for plague. The cat is recovering. Oregon Public Health Division, Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that that the cat tested positive for plague.
"Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. People can protect themselves, their family members and their pets," said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., M.P.V.M., Oregon Public Health Division veterinarian. "Using flea treatment on your pets is very important, because your pets can bring fleas into your home. Plague is serious but it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early."
Plague is rare in Oregon. Only three human cases have been diagnosed since 1995 and they all recovered. Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. Symptoms typically develop within one to four days after exposure and include fever, chills, headache, weakness and a bloody or watery cough due to infection of the lungs (pneumonia), enlarged, tender lymph nodes, abdominal pain and bleeding into the skin or other organs. People should contact their health care provider if plague is suspected and a veterinarian if pets or other animals exhibit symptoms consistent with the plague.
Early treatment for pets and people with appropriate antibiotics is essential to curing plague infections. Untreated plague can be fatal for animals and people. Antibiotics to prevent or treat plague should be used only under the direction of a health care provider.
Plague can be passed from fleas feeding on infected wild mammals to pets such as cats and to their human owners. Last year two human cases of plague were diagnosed in Lake County. Further investigation found that the family dog had also been exposed to plague. All survived.
"To protect your pets, avoid flea exposure by being around areas with fleas or other pets carrying fleas, and treat your pets for fleas to help prevent this disease," DeBess said. "Call your local veterinarians for assistance in what products are safe for use in pets, because some treatments may be toxic to your pet."
Some additional steps to prevent flea bites are to wear insect repellant, tuck pant cuffs into socks when in areas heavily occupied by rodents, and avoid contact with wildlife including rodents. Pet owners are encouraged to keep cats indoors.
Colin Gillin, D.V.M., Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, reminds people that if they observe sick or dead wildlife to contact the ODFW veterinarians at 1-866-968-2600.
"Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. People can protect themselves, their family members and their pets," said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., M.P.V.M., Oregon Public Health Division veterinarian. "Using flea treatment on your pets is very important, because your pets can bring fleas into your home. Plague is serious but it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early."
Plague is rare in Oregon. Only three human cases have been diagnosed since 1995 and they all recovered. Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. Symptoms typically develop within one to four days after exposure and include fever, chills, headache, weakness and a bloody or watery cough due to infection of the lungs (pneumonia), enlarged, tender lymph nodes, abdominal pain and bleeding into the skin or other organs. People should contact their health care provider if plague is suspected and a veterinarian if pets or other animals exhibit symptoms consistent with the plague.
Early treatment for pets and people with appropriate antibiotics is essential to curing plague infections. Untreated plague can be fatal for animals and people. Antibiotics to prevent or treat plague should be used only under the direction of a health care provider.
Plague can be passed from fleas feeding on infected wild mammals to pets such as cats and to their human owners. Last year two human cases of plague were diagnosed in Lake County. Further investigation found that the family dog had also been exposed to plague. All survived.
"To protect your pets, avoid flea exposure by being around areas with fleas or other pets carrying fleas, and treat your pets for fleas to help prevent this disease," DeBess said. "Call your local veterinarians for assistance in what products are safe for use in pets, because some treatments may be toxic to your pet."
Some additional steps to prevent flea bites are to wear insect repellant, tuck pant cuffs into socks when in areas heavily occupied by rodents, and avoid contact with wildlife including rodents. Pet owners are encouraged to keep cats indoors.
Colin Gillin, D.V.M., Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, reminds people that if they observe sick or dead wildlife to contact the ODFW veterinarians at 1-866-968-2600.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Structure Fire Tuesday afternoon in Astoria.
Four families were displaced by an apartment fire yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon in Astoria. . Two tenants at 779 Glasgow Street were home and were safely evacuated after discovering the building was on fire. Fire personnel arrived to find flames near the area of the electrical meters. The fire was brought “Under Control” by 4:05pm. Damage from the fire is estimated at $20,000 for the structure and $5,000 for the contents.
The American Red Cross provided assistance with housing, food, and clothing to affected victims.
CLATSOP HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS
Clatsop County is seeking applications for a vacancy on the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority.
The organization owns and manages housing for low- and moderate-income people and administers various federal housing assistance programs in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties.
The vacancy is for a four-year term representing Clatsop County. The board meets once and month, alternating between Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Applicants with a background in property management are encouraged to apply. The county Board of Commissioners will make the appointment.
To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website www.co.clatsop.or.us at “Citizen Involvement.”
The organization owns and manages housing for low- and moderate-income people and administers various federal housing assistance programs in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties.
The vacancy is for a four-year term representing Clatsop County. The board meets once and month, alternating between Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Applicants with a background in property management are encouraged to apply. The county Board of Commissioners will make the appointment.
To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website www.co.clatsop.or.us at “Citizen Involvement.”
Free Fishing on Saturday No license required.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announces a free fishing event this Saturday at Coffenbury Lake at Fort Stevens State Park. Hours are from 10 am to 4 pm Disabled access is available.
FMI - 503-861-3170
Friday, June 3, 2011
No license required during Oregon Free Fishing Weekend June 11-12
June 11-12 is Free Fishing Weekend and on those two days Oregonians won’t need a fishing or shellfish license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state.
“Free Fishing Weekend is a great time to take your spouse, kids or friends on the fishing trip without having to buy a license,” said Rick Hargrave, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife deputy administrator for information/education.
During Free Fishing Weekend, fishing licenses and tags are not required, although all other regulations apply including bag limit and size restrictions. People who already have a combined tag for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut are required to use it.
To help beginning anglers get started, ODFW and its partners are offering over 35 free fishing events throughout the state. At most events there will be free loaner equipment for novice anglers, special events for children, and lots of volunteers to help. For a complete list of events with times and locations, go to http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/2010_free_fishing_events.asp
“Even if you’ve never baited a hook, we can show you how to fish,” Hargrave said.
Free Fishing Weekend is always the first weekend after the first Monday in June. But remember, it’s always free fishing for kids under 14 years old.
“Free Fishing Weekend is a great time to take your spouse, kids or friends on the fishing trip without having to buy a license,” said Rick Hargrave, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife deputy administrator for information/education.
During Free Fishing Weekend, fishing licenses and tags are not required, although all other regulations apply including bag limit and size restrictions. People who already have a combined tag for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut are required to use it.
To help beginning anglers get started, ODFW and its partners are offering over 35 free fishing events throughout the state. At most events there will be free loaner equipment for novice anglers, special events for children, and lots of volunteers to help. For a complete list of events with times and locations, go to http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/2010_free_fishing_events.asp
“Even if you’ve never baited a hook, we can show you how to fish,” Hargrave said.
Free Fishing Weekend is always the first weekend after the first Monday in June. But remember, it’s always free fishing for kids under 14 years old.
CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS HOLD PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 8 ON REDISTRICTING PLAN
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Wednesday, June 8 on the proposed new boundaries for county commissioner districts.
The hearing will be held during the board’s regular meeting beginning at 10 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.
The board will take testimony on and review a proposed redistricting plan approved by a citizen panel last month. The group was convened by the Clatsop County Clerk to meet the requirement of the County Charter that district boundaries be redrawn every 10 years to account for shifts on population revealed in the U.S. Census.
The Redistricting Board reviewed population data and voted to recommend one of several boundary scenarios. The panel’s choice can be viewed on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Redistricting 2011” on the “Clerk/Records” page.
New legislative boundaries must be contiguous, be of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest and be connected by transportation links.
The new boundaries will reflect a change in the method of counting the population. The current districts are based on the number of registered voters, while the new districts are to be based on total population. For that reason, the new proposed boundaries follow census blocks, while the current boundaries are based on voter precincts.
The county sets only the boundaries for county commissioner districts. State legislature and congressional district boundaries are set by the Oregon Legislature.
The hearing will be held during the board’s regular meeting beginning at 10 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.
The board will take testimony on and review a proposed redistricting plan approved by a citizen panel last month. The group was convened by the Clatsop County Clerk to meet the requirement of the County Charter that district boundaries be redrawn every 10 years to account for shifts on population revealed in the U.S. Census.
The Redistricting Board reviewed population data and voted to recommend one of several boundary scenarios. The panel’s choice can be viewed on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Redistricting 2011” on the “Clerk/Records” page.
New legislative boundaries must be contiguous, be of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest and be connected by transportation links.
The new boundaries will reflect a change in the method of counting the population. The current districts are based on the number of registered voters, while the new districts are to be based on total population. For that reason, the new proposed boundaries follow census blocks, while the current boundaries are based on voter precincts.
The county sets only the boundaries for county commissioner districts. State legislature and congressional district boundaries are set by the Oregon Legislature.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fake bomb disrupts traffic in downtown Astoria
On May 31, 2011 at 4:08 pm Astoria Police responded to a report of a possible bomb in the passenger seat of a vehicle. The reporting party had been walking on 10th street past the vehicle and noticed it sitting in the vehicle. Astoria Police responded and found that the device appeared to be an explosive device. Pictures were taken of the device and sent to OSP bomb squad who gave advice to evacuate two blocks. They responded.
Based on the advice from OSP Astoria Police informed about twelve to fourteen businesses of the device and most closed and evacuated. Hwy 30 was restricted, Commercial (Eastbound Hwy 30) was rerouted and Marine Drive (Hwy 30 Westbound) was restricted to one lane while resources were marshaled to close it.
While the evacuation and closures were expanding the registered owner of the vehicle returned and informed officers that the device was a hoax designed to be a prank. The device was removed and dissassembled.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
