­ The 2013 poster art for Astoria Sunday Market features fruit and vegetablecarvings by award-winning chef and artist Jimmy Zhang. He created the iconic images of thetrolley, Astoria-Megler Bridge and Columbia River using green radish, butternut squash,eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and acorn squash.

Chef Zhang is founder of Art Chef, Inc. He graduated from the Culinary Arts Institute inChina in 1989 as a chef with a personal interest in the ancient fruit and vegetable carving

art.

APPLICATIONS FOR OREGON HERITAGE PRESERVATION SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

Would you like to attend a preservation-related conference, workshop, or training in the next year? The Oregon Heritage Preservation Scholarship provides financial assistance for Oregon residents to attend a preservation-related conference, workshop, or training in the United States between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Eligible travel expenses include registration fees, transportation, lodging and meals.

BOARD OF CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVES PHASE TWO OF COUNTY TOBACCO PLAN; TAKES EFFECT MAY 24

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on April 24 approved the second step of a two-phase initiative to make the county’s facilities smoking- and tobacco-free.

The board-adopted ordinance extends a smoking and tobacco-free campus designation to the County Courthouse, Sheriff’s Office/Jail and Marine Patrol boat slip in Astoria, and the Animal Shelter and Parole and Probation offices in Warrenton. The ordinance, which prohibits the use of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco anywhere on county property, takes effect May 24. Violations would be classified as Class B violations and carry a fine of up to $300.

Sunset Empire Transportation District Seeks Volunteers for District Budget Committee

The Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners is seeking volunteers from Clatsop County who would like to serve on the District Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is comprised of 7 District Board Members and 7 community members who are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Board meetings are held up to 2 times a year and members serve a 2 year term.

BETSY JOHNSON UPDATE

Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson was scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday, April 24, for hip injuries she suffered in a traffic accident on Monday.  

Johnson, 62 is on three powerful budget committees in the Legislature.  She is conducting legislative business from her hospital bed this week.  As of yesterday (Tues) there is no estimate on when she will be able to return to her State Senate duties at the capitol.

On her Facebook page the senator is requesting well-wishers not to send flowers, since ethics rules require her to report any gift over $50 and it is difficult to determine costs of the flowers.   Cards can be sent to her district office: PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056

Johnson is serving her second term in the Oregon Senate. Since 2009 she has served as vice co-chair of the joint Ways and Means Committee, which sets the state budget.  

(The Senator will be taping her weekly radio show: This Week with Betsy Johnson.  The show is heard on Coast Community Radio's  KCPB 90.9 at 10:30pm  Friday nights, it can also be downloaded as a podcast on Friday, from our website at coast radio dot org)

CLATSOP COUNTY ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY SET FOR MAY 4

Are hidden dangers lurking in your home?

Cleansers, pesticides and other chemicals make our lives more convenient, but they can also pose health risks.

To help local residents get rid of unused or unneeded hazardous waste products in their homes, Clatsop County is hosting its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2320 SE 12^th Place, Warrenton, near the Astoria Airport.

County residents can bring in a variety of toxic, flammable and other materials for disposal at no charge.

The following items are examples of what will be accepted:

·   Bug, weed, pest killers

·   Poisons, cleaners, rechargeable batteries

·   Paints, stains, thinners, solvents, wood preservatives

·   Auto/boat fluids, gas, antifreeze

·   Mercury-containing thermometers, fluorescent light tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs

·   Home arts, photography, hobby supplies and more

Project Update on the City of Astoria 11th St CSO Separation project.

The contractor, Tapani, is making steady progress on the 8^th St and Commercial intersection that is still expected to be open to traffic by Monday, April 22^nd.

PROJECT SCHEDULETapani has provided the following schedule of anticipated work for the next week:

• Crews will continue work within the 8^th St and Commercial intersection.
• Construction will begin on 8^th St between Commercial and Duane. The intersection of 8^th and Duane will remain open while the intersection of 8^th St and Commercial is closed to traffic.
• Construction on 10^th Street between Duane and Exchange is expected to be completed today. A single traffic lane will be restored by tonight and be open through the weekend.
• Construction on Exchange between 9^th and 10^th Streets will begin early next week. Intermittent traffic delays and minor road closures will be necessary on Exchange Street, but alternative routes will be available.

FIVE ARRESTED IN WARRENTON ON DRUG CHARGES

Clatsop County Drug Task Force detectives executed search warrants, resulting in the arrest of five subjects in Warrenton, Tuesday evening.  Detectives received information regarding a high volume of drug activity at 112 SW Alder Ct. Warrenton, Oregon.  A subsequent investigation corroborated the information, with detectives witnessing multiple subjects known to be involved with drug use frequenting the residence.  Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence with the assistance of Clatsop County deputies as well as Parole and Probation Officers.  Upon entry, multiple subjects were interrupted in the process of smoking heroin, sometimes referred to as "Chasing the Dragon".  One subject was apprehended as he attempted to flee out the back door.

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS HONOR COUNTY VOLUNTEERS

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday honored Volunteer of the Year recipients and recognized the almost 500 citizens who donate their time to the county.

In 2012, 494 volunteers provided 20,923 hours of service to the county, representing a value of $463,235.

Individual Volunteer of the Year is Debbie Morrow, who was honored for her more than 20 years of advocacy for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill, and service on the boards of a variety of organizations including Women’s Resource Center, Coast Rehabilitation Services and Clatsop County Human Services Advisory Council.

Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Meeting Highlights Wed, Apr 10

Department reorganization introduced

The board of commissioners conducted the first reading of an ordinance reorganizing some county services.

The new administrative structure changes the Central Services Department to the Budget and Finance Department, and moves two current Central Service functions to two other departments – Building and Grounds to Public Works, and Information Systems to the County Manager’s Office, which will be renamed the Administrative Services Department. The Assessment and Taxation Department, which since 2010 has been overseen by the Central Services Director, will again be a stand-alone department. The position of Assistant County Manager – which was vacated in December 2012 when Nicole Williams moved from that position to become County Clerk – will be eliminated.

The changes are projected to result in $265,704 in savings in the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for April 24.

NAMES RELEASED - FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH - HIGHWAY 26 WEST OF MANNING

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Tuesday afternoon's single vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 26 in the Coast Range west of Manning in Columbia County. The crash resulted in the death of an adult female and serious injury to her husband who was driving the vehicle.

On April 9, 2013 at approximately 2:12 p.m., a 2003 Buick Century driven by STEPHEN DOUGHERTY, age 71, from Beaverton, was eastbound on Highway 26 near milepost 34. For an unknown reason, the car traveled across the westbound lanes and off the shoulder where it struck and became wedged into several trees. The driver, who was seriously injured, was able to get out of the car and went out to the highway where he flagged down help from passing motorists.

OR 6 paving project to start on April 29

A project that will pave OR 6 (Wilson River Highway) between milepost 39 and 51.5 and the ramp connections between OR 6 and U.S. 26 and OR 47 and OR 6 will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 29, weather permitting. 
A contractor working for the Oregon Department of Transportation will begin with the paving of the OR 6/U.S. 26 ramps at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 29.   This will require the closure of the ramp for two consecutive nights. The detour during the closure is OR 47 to and from U.S. 26. 

Court of Appeals agrees to hear case challenging safety review for LNG tankers

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s review of LNG tanker traffic on the Columbia River.  The court made the determination on Friday.

Federal law requires the Coast Guard to issue a letter of recommendation on the suitability of the Columbia River for LNG tanker traffic as it relates to safety and security.  In 2009, the Coast Guard determined that although not suitable at the time, the Columbia could be made suitable for LNG tanker traffic.

Lauren Goldberg, staff attorney for the environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper, said LNG tankers have the potential to adversely affect public safety and shipping traffic on the Columbia.

E. coli outbreak linked to several types of frozen food products expands

One connected case of E. coli in Washington

Escherichia coli

The Washington State Department of Health is warning people that several types of frozen food products – Farm Rich, Market Day, and Schwan’s brands –have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli. The products were distributed widely throughout Washington.
The recalls are related to a national E. coli outbreak that sickened 27 people from 15 states, including a Pierce County woman in her 20s.
“The foods in this recall were sent to stores throughout our state,” said Dave Gifford, Food Safety program manager. “E. coli can be very serious. We’re asking people to look at the recall list, check their freezers carefully, and throw out any of these products that they find.”
The type of E. coli in this outbreak is a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121 (STEC O121), which is similar to E. coli O157:H7. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.  It can sometimes result in severe, life-threatening illness.
The recalled product list continues to expand and now includes several varieties of frozen snacks and mini-meal products. The full list of the products currently covered by the recall, is on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN RESULTS PRESENTED TO ASTORIA CITIZENS THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH

Astoria citizens and civic leaders have taken part in the Building Blocks for a Successful Downtown program spearheaded by the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association.  The Association hired urban strategist Michele Reeves, who has been interviewing local business owners, conducting workshops and researching in the downtown area.
 

Reeves will present her findings to the public tonight at 5:45pm at the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center, 588 16th Street in Astoria. Doors open at 5:30pm. 

Columbia River Fiscal Impact Advisory Committee meets April 3

The Columbia River Fiscal Impact Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 at ODFW Headquarters Building. 

The advisory group will review the recently updated fiscal impact statement for the new management framework for non-tribal Lower Columbia River fisheries approved by  the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission  in December 2012.  The group will make a recommendation to the Commission on whether the revised fiscal impact statement adequately assesses the fiscal impact of the new rules. 

The framework  include a higher priority for the sport fishery in the Columbia River mainstem, a gradual shift of non-tribal commercial gillnets to enhanced off-channel areas and development of new commercial selective gears for the mainstem.  Implementation of these new rules is currently stayed by the Oregon Court of Appeals. 

BONAMICI ANNOUNCES BIPARTISAN TSUNAMI CLEANUP BILL, WARRENTON TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici has made plans for an announcement today in Astoria about a new bipartisan tsunami debris cleanup bill that will allow Oregon and other states to receive federal funding for expenses already incurred in the cleanup effort efforts so far.
The event will occur this afternoon at 2:15 at Columbia Hall Room 219 on the Clatsop Community College campus in Astoria.
Bonamici's spokesman says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received $5 million dollars from the Government of Japan to assist with cleanup activities, but the agency can't spend it on clean-ups that have already occurred, such as the dock fragment that washed up in Newport last year.
Also locally, Bonamici will hold a Town Hall meeting in Warrenton this evening at 6pm, at the Warrenton Community Center, 225 South Main Avenue.