LEWIS ELECTED CHAIR OF OREGON HERITAGE COMMISSION

David G. Lewis, the tribal historian of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, has been elected the chair of the Oregon Heritage Commission. He replaces Jan Mitchell of Astoria whose term on the commission ends next month.

"I look forward to this opportunity knowing that I have the support of my tribe and of the other commissioners," said Lewis.

COLUMBIA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DETERMINES MAY 3, 2013 OSP TROOPER-INVOLVED SHOOTING JUSTIFIED UNDER OREGON LAW

Following a review of an investigation into the May 3, 2013 officer-involved shooting by an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper, Columbia County District Attorney R. Stephen Atchison determined the use of deadly force was justified under Oregon law. The District Attorney's finding was forwarded this week to OSP and Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the lead investigating agency, after deciding a grand jury review was not necessary.

Highway 30 closed near Portland

For commuters from Oregon's North Coast to Portland:
All lanes of US 30 are closed near Portland Wednesday morning after several large trees fell across the road and damaged some utility lines. The road is closed between the St. Johns Bridge and Northwest Kittridge Avenue and will remain closed through the morning.

City of Astoria 11th St CSO Separation project update

The contractor, Tapani, will not work on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27th), so construction will be Tuesday through Friday (May 28-31).

On 8th St, the new waterline that has been installed from Commercial to Franklin is expected to be put into service. Also next week, Century Link will be working on removing/relocating a telephone vault at the intersection of 8th St and Exchange to allow installation of the new sewer and storm pipe.

Tapani is expected to finish the final stretch of storm pipe installation from Jerome to Kensington on 10^th St next week. Concrete installation of curbs and intersection corner ramps is expected to be done over the next couple weeks on 10th St.

Americorps Volunteer wanted for Pacific County, WA Emergency Management

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency is seeking qualified candidates to become an AmeriCorps service member to support the Disaster Preparedness Public Education Outreach project. The member will build and strengthen the local volunteer base by developing a strong public education outreach program to enhance disaster preparedness and response needs in Pacific County communities.

Applications will be accepted until June 21, 2013. To apply, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=50690&fromSearch=true.

Pacific County to Distribute Starter Emergency Supply Kits for Low Income Families

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency will be hosting an emergency supply kit event designed to distribute starter emergency supply kits to low income families of Pacific County. Participants will learn how to respond personally to a disaster, as well as how to use the supplies in their kits. Everyone is encouraged to attend this training; however, kits are limited to the first 20 residents who meet specified income levels.

Supplies to create these kits were donated by Pacific County residents in a disaster preparedness supply drive that was held in January. Supplies gathered include 101 bottles of water, 26 flashlights, 13 fleece blankets, 50 knit hats, and many others.

The event will be held at the North Willapa Harbor Grange (3198 State Rt. 105, Grayland, WA) on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

Dungeness Crab Commerical Fisheries Investigation In Newport, Oregon

An investigation by the Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division at the Newport Area Command office is leading to multiple charges for several individuals including a Tidewater-area man previously charged with the unlawful sale of commercial/sport caught Dungeness crab to a local café.
After the completion of a commercial fisheries investigation in 2011-2012 that led to charges for Keith Paulson, age 64, from Tidewater, additional complaints regarding Paulson were reported. Allegations of several crimes between August and November 2012 led to more charges by the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.
On May 14, Paulson was also charged with Unlawful Sale of Sport Caught Crab, Exceeding the Daily Limit of Sport Caught Crab, Failure to Sell to a Licensed Wholesale Dealer, and Failure to Sell/Retain for Personal Use.
Others implicated during the investigation were cited to appear in court on various charges.
The owner of the Dock of the Bay, Jana Boatright, age 51, from, Waldport, is being charged with Unlawful Possession of Sport Caught Crab and Unlawful Sale of Sport Caught Crab.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMINSSIONERS MEETING WEDNESDAY MAY 22

Official minutes available once approved by board

Storage land-use amendment

The board adopted an ordinance amending county land-use rules to allow emergency storage shelters on forest-zoned lands. The amendment accommodates a project of the City of Cannon Beach, which plans to install metal storage containers for use by residents to store emergency supplies for use following a tsunami or other disaster. Current land-use rules do not allow the structures in forest-zoned land.

Hellberg Award presentation

The board recognized former Public Health staff members Belinda Kruger and Christie Larson for their service to Clatsop County with the Katherine Hellberg Distinguished Service Award. Kruger, who joined the county in 1977, headed the department’s family-planning and reproductive health services, while Larson, who joined in 1981, led the communicable disease office.

The Hellberg Award is named for former Public Health Director Katherine “Kay” Hellberg, and recognizes Clatsop County employees “whose careers and actions demonstrate a commitment to the highest ideals and values of public service.”

Motrocycle Testing Ends in Astoria

DMV offices in Astoria and Woodburn will stop accepting appointments for motorcycle skills tests by the end of May.
Motorcycle skills test appointments are still available at several other DMV offices through this year, and skills testing is also available from TEAM Oregon (www.team-oregon.org).
In fact, Oregon is near the end of a five-year transition of all motorcycle skills testing to TEAM Oregon, which also provides the Basic Rider Training course required for a motorcycle endorsement to an Oregon driver license. For details on obtaining a motorcycle endorsement, visit www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/motorcycle_endorse.

RESULTS: SPECIAL ELECTION

In results for the Special Elections in Oregon, there will be changes in the Port of Astoria Commission
For position one, challenger James Campbell defeated 12-year incumbent Larry Pfund with 3,252 votes  or 58 percent of the total over Pfund’s 2,232 votes, or 40 percent.

For Position 2, Stephen Fulton is the winner, with 2,597 votes, or 45 percent of the total.  Second in place was former Warrenton Mayor Gil Gramson, with 1,818 votes (31 percent) and David Maki 1,250 (21 percent)

And Ric Gerttula is the winner for  Position 5 with 2,334 votes (46 percent), a handy win over Mark Mead, who polled 1,996 votes (39 percent) and Brad Smithart, owner of the Astoria Riverwalk Inn.  Smithart got 651 votes (12 percent).

Details Released for Monday's Traffic Fatality South of Tillamook

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Monday morning's single vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 101 about fifteen miles south of Tillamook that resulted in the death of a 20-year old man. The victim's name will be released later today to allow family time for any needed notifications. Speed and failure to wear a safety belt are possible contributing factors.

WESTERN OREGON WASTE BECOMES RECOLOGY WESTERN OREGON - HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Western Oregon Waste will now be known as Recology Western Oregon. 

In December 2010, Recology partnered with Western Oregon Waste and operated under the temporary name of Western Oregon Waste, a Recology company. 

The local new change completes the final stage of the company’s rebranding process.  Updating the name and logo on company equipment, signs and communications will take place over the months to come.

78 evacuated from commercial fishing vessel west of Grays Harbor, Washington

The Coast Guard evacuated 78 crew members from a commercial fishing vessel after an engine room fire was extinguished aboard the Arctic Storm,  approximately 30 miles west of Grays Harbor, Wash., Monday.
Crewmembers aboard the fishing vessel  successfully put out the fire using the Halon chemical firefighting system aboard the ship.

COLUMBIA COUNTY RETIRES OLD PATROL BOATS FOR NEW

 Columbia County Sheriff's Office will soon have two, new patrol boats to help marine law enforcement patrolling the Columbia and other local rivers.

One of the boats is a 25' offshore Alumaweld, manufactured in White City, and comes equipped with twin (EPA and carb-compliant 4-stroke) 150 horsepower outboard motors, and full electronics for emergency response in inclement weather and low visibility. 

Coast Guard Rescue off Sunset Beach Near Warrenton on Friday

The Coast Guard hoisted a person from the water just off Sunset Beach near Warrenton, Ore., Friday.
Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a call reporting a distressed teenaged female in the water off Sunset Beach at approximately 12:50 p.m.
Sector Columbia River sent an already airborne MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria to the scene. The helicopter crew arrived at approximately 1 p.m. to find a male struggling to rescue the imperiled female in the surf approximately 100 yards from shore.
The helicopter crew lowered a rescue basket and the man was able to load the girl into the basket for a hoist. The crew then hoisted the girl to the helicopter and transported her to Air Station Astoria in Warrenton, Ore., where she was placed in the care of awaiting local EMS.

POST OFFICE CLOSURE PROTESTERS CHARGES DROPPED

Retired USPS worker Jamie Partridge

Charges have been dropped against 5 protesters who were arrested on April 17th after refusing to leave the work room of Salem’s main post office mail sorting facility.
 
The five were part of a small crowd of about 35 people protesting against postal sorting plant and post office closures. 

Oregon State Representative Brian Clem joined the protesters briefly on that day.
He and 29 other state legislators have signed a resolution asking Congress to pass the Postal Service Protection Act of 2013.  The proposed bill would eliminate the requirement for pre-funding retirement health benefits, restrict the closure of facilities and recover overpayments to its pension plans.

Tillamook Hospital Announces Name Change

Tillamook Regional Medical Center

Tillamook Hospital president Larry Davy has announced that effective June 3, Tillamook County General Hospital will change its name to Tillamook Regional Medical Center.  The new name will reflect the growth in service area and scope of services now being offered throughout Tillamook County and beyond.

WASTEWATER PLANT UPGRADE WILL AFFECT ASTORIA’S ALDERBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD

Construction of Astoria’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Effluent Treatment Upgrades project will begin on Monday, May 20^th. The improvements to the WWTP include: dechlorination equipment and instrumentation, chlorine contact chamber upgrades, wastewater effluent flow meter replacement, wastewater effluent pH adjustment equipment and instrumentation, and chlorine feed system upgrades and instrumentation.

On Monday, the contractor, R&G Excavating, will begin mobilizing equipment and materials to the project site that is located just northeast of the Alderbrook neighborhood. There will be an increase in truck traffic in the area for about two weeks as they deliver fill material to the site. After the fill material is installed, there will be a lull in construction activity until mid-June when the major work effort will begin.Construction of this project is expected to be completed in November.

Galizio Appointed to Regional College Accreditation Commission

Clatsop Community College President Dr. Lawrence Galizio has been appointed to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to serve the remaining term of a seat vacated by Dr. Gerald Pumphrey, former President of South Puget Sound Community College. At the end of this term, he will be eligible for election to a new 3-year term.

Two Arrests by Clatsop County Interagency Narcotic Team

 A Clatsop County Narcotics Team investigation has led to the arrest of two subjects Monday afternoon on methamphetamine related charges.  Drug Task Force detectives witnessed an ongoing high volume of drug related activity at the residence located at 940 3^rd Avenue in Seaside, which is within 1,000 feet of the Broadway Middle School and appeared to be related to a significant amount of methamphetamine delivery in the area. 

TALL SHIPS VISIT ASTORIA AND RAINIER THIS WEEK

The brig Lady Washington, the Official Ship of Washington State, and the topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain, begin a seven-week tour of Columbia River ports this week with stops at the Oregon ports of Astoria and Rainier. The ships will be in Astoria Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. The ships will stop overnight in Cathlamet, Wash., before sailing for Rainier. Stops the week of May 19 include St. Helens, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash.

OSU Master Gardener Cris Roberts and Shelly Bowe of Food Roots named as “Inspirational Oregonians”

“I Am Oregon” award sponsored by Meyer Memorial Trust recognizes citizen problem-solvers across the state
Cris Roberts and Shelly Bowe were named two of eleven regional representatives for the “I Am Oregon” campaign, which called on Oregonians to nominate and recognize everyday heroes doing good in their communities. The campaign received more than 1,200 nominations from across the state.

Roberts was nominated for her tireless work spreading research-based horticultural education across Tillamook County and assisting with projects that benefit the community. Roberts serves as Project Leader for the Oregon State University Master Gardener program. She volunteers every Friday and spends half the day at the Tillamook Youth Correctional Facility teaching incarcerated youth gardening skills, helping them to improve the facility and produce food that they can use for meals. The inmates receive high-school science credit for the 11-week course designed by Roberts.

Potters and Soup Makers Unite to benefit the Women's Resource Center in Astoria

Area potters have been creating beautiful bowls this spring to benefit the Clatsop County Women's Resource Center. 

 

Sunday, May 19th marks the 10th annual Soup Bowl Fundraiser for the Women's Resource Center. For the price of a ticket, donors receive a hand-crafted, wood fired original bowl, soup from some of the finest restaurants in the area, hand crafted artisanal bread, locally roasted coffee, and a delicious dessert.

This year's event will be held at the Masonic Temple, 1572 Franklin St in Astoria from 5:00 to 8:30. 

For tickets and additional information, call 503-325 -4962

CCC Approved for Elite USCG Training Ship Program

Clatsop Community College’s Maritime Science Program has received approval from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as an approved Training Ship Program that allows those successfully completing the course of study to be credited with 360 days of sea service, training and testing towards an endorsement as Able Seaman Special (AB-Special) or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) upon Near Coastal or Inland Waters.

With this approval, CCC joins an elite group of USCG-approved Training Ship Programs, and is the only community college in the nation providing an AAS degree associated with 360 days of sea service credit that qualifies students for either an AB-Special credential or OUPV upon Near Coastal or Inland Waters credential.

Clatsop Community College Summer Term Registration Opens

Registration is now open for the Summer Term at Clatsop Community College. A list of credit, workforce training and community education classes is available at www.clatsopcc.edu/register. A printed schedule of summer courses and Arts & Ideas events will be arriving in households soon.

ASTORIA SCHOOL BOARD NIXES HIGH SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CTR

In a 3-2 vote, with some members abstaining, The Astoria School Board on Wednesday elected to discontinue discussions with Clatsop County Health  for establishing a school-based health center at Astoria High School.  School Board member Brad Pope was one of two who voted for going forward with the planning.  He said unresolved questions going forward were the basis for the votes against proceeding with the plan.

Green Light for CCC Welding and Fabrication Program Expansion

Expansion of the CCC Welding and Fabrication Program received the green light from the State of Oregon last week with completion of a $9.6-million sale of state lottery bonds to fund career and technical or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs at all seventeen community colleges. Lottery bond funding was authorized by HB 5202 approved by the 2012 legislature.

Astoria Regatta Float wins Loyalty Days Grand Sweepstakes Award

The Astoria Regatta Association won the grand sweepstakes award at the Loyalty Days Parade in Long Beach on Sunday, May 5^th, the parades top honor.  The 2013 Regatta court participated during the first parade of the season showcasing the Astoria Regatta, the oldest festival celebration in the state of Oregon.

This year’s Regatta will be held from Wednesday, August 7^th – Sunday, August 11^th, with the theme: “A River Runs to it”.

Coast Guard announces public comment period, meetings regarding Columbia River Crossing project

The U.S. Coast Guard announced, Tuesday a 45-day public comment period extending until June 20, 2013, and two public meetings seeking input from the public regarding impacts to navigation as a result of the proposed project that includes construction of a new fixed bridge across the Columbia River between Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore., that will replace the existing I-5 Bridge.

LOWER COLUMBIA MARCH OF DIMES RAISES $22,700

Approximately 150 Astoria residents joined together in support of the smallest members of the community--babies--by participating in the 2013 March for Babies to benefit March of Dimes.  Maritime Memorial Park was packed with strollers, families and corporate teams who raised $22,700 to help babies be born healthy.  Over half the money raised in the Astoria walk came from a single team: Team Marisa. Led by mission mom Tonya Houston, Team Marisa raised $11,916 for stronger, healthier babies. Throughout Oregon and SW Washington, 12 walks this year raised a total of $1,050,000.

Sunset Empire Transportation District Open Petition for Donated Bus Service

Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for donated transportation services for public events and community efforts. These services should benefit and enhance the community fabric of Clatsop County. The annual limit to the donated services is determined by the District Board each year. Groups or services that wish to petition for donated services must complete the 2013-2014 Donated Transportation Services Application which can be picked up at the SETD Transit Center at 900 Marine Drive in Astoria or can be accessed on the SETD website at www.ridethebus.org.

Oregon US Representative DeFazio Asks for 100,000 Signatures To Avoid Post Office Cuts

U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio and a group of Oregon state lawmakers are pushing for federal legislation they say would avoid the need for postal service cuts.

The politicians gathered with postal workers in a rally on the steps of the state Capitol in Salem on Tuesday. .
DeFazio is trying to collect signatures on a petition to the White House.

"You have to get a 100,000 people to sign this petition…..we worded it very specifically, they can't weasel out of it. They're gonna have to take a position on saving the post office. Whether they endorse our legislation -- my bipartisan, bicameral legislation that's been introduced in the House and Senate and enjoys more support than any other bill related to the postal service, we gotta get 100,000 people to sign up."

As of Wednesday morning, over 13,000 signatures were gathered.

The legislation would prohibit certain cuts and eliminate a requirement for the Postal Service to pre-fund retirees' health care.

Facing severe shortfalls, the U.S. Postal Service has proposed closing mail-processing facilities and some post offices. The USPS has abandoned an earlier plan to eliminate Saturday delivery.

Click here for the link to the petition. 

ODFW Seeks Public Comment on Game Rules

ODFW will host a series of public meetings around the state in early May to accept public comment on proposals for big game hunting seasons. Locally a meeting will be held at the Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Avenue on Monday, May 15th from 4-7pm.

At the meetings, ODFW staff will provide information about herd health and populations, propose the number of controlled big game hunting tags to issue for this year and review concepts for 2014 big game regulations.

GED Test Changes Start in 2014

Beginning January 1, 2014, all GED testing centers will implement a totally new exam that must be taken online at an approved testing center and that complies with Common Core educational standards that were introduced by the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers and adopted across the U.S. The new exam will incorporate more rigorous national standards for high school-equivalent education addressing the needs of students to be college and career-ready.

Clatsop Community College (CCC) encourages all students currently in, or considering, the GED testing process to complete testing by the December 6, 2013 deadline. After this date, those with incomplete test scores will need to start the test process from the beginning in the new system. Partial scores cannot be carried forward.