NEW SUNSET TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Sunset Empire Transportation District, Board of Commissioners, announced today their appointment of Jeff Hazen as the new Executive Director for the District. Mr. Hazen brings many years of experience in financial and operational management, marketing and customer service to the District. Mr. Hazen has served in local government as a Clatsop County Commissioner and Warrenton Mayor and is an active member of several community organizations. Mr. Hazen lives in the Hammond area and will start work at the District on September 29th.

Razor clam harvest to re-open Oct. 1 on Clatsop beaches

The Clatsop beaches will re-open to razor clamming Oct. 1 following the annual conservation closure.

During the razor clam conservation closure, ODFW conducted stock assessment surveys to determine the status and health of the population.  From July 15 to Sept. 30 ODFW staff collected information about the distribution, abundance, and sizes of razor clams. Similar surveys have been conducted annually since 2004. 

  

This year’s survey found the highest number of razor clams since ODFW began conducting the assessment.  About 16 million razor clams inhabit the 18-mile stretch of beach located between the Columbia River south jetty and Tillamook Head.  This estimate of clam abundance is significantly greater than the previous peak of 9 million clams in 2005.  The average size of clams was a little over 2 ½ inches, and only a few larger than 4-inches were found.   Razor clams were distributed fairly evenly along the entire stretch of beach.

“These high numbers are very encouraging,” said Matt Hunter, ODFW’s Shellfish Project Leader.  “Clatsop beach hasn’t seen a significant recruitment since 2009 so this bodes well for future years.”

“Come this spring, if the small razors survive the winter, we could have an epic season!” Hunter added.

Board of Clatsop County Commisssioners Meeting Highlights: September 24

Septic inspection program

The board heard a presentation from Environmental Health Supervisor Mike McNickle on the county’s on-site sewer disposal inspection program. Since the county assumed responsibility for the program from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in June, the Public Health and Community Development departments, which administer it, have worked to improve responsiveness for applications, McNickle said, including a one-week turn-around goal for applications.

The program handles inspection and permitting of new septic system installations for residential and small commercial properties and response to complaints of failed systems.

Cullaby Lake advisory

Natural Resources Manager Steve Meshke updated the board on the recent health advisory issued regarding algae blooms in Cullaby Lake. The Oregon Public Health Division issued the advisory Monday, Sept. 22 in response to water sampling that found levels of toxins associated with the blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. The advisory warned visitors against any contact with the lake water, in particular children and pets.

Meshke told the board he was waiting for the results from water testing conducted earlier this week to determine when the advisory could be lifted.

ODFW Salmon and Trout Advisory Committee to meet in Astoria on Oct. 2

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program Advisory Committee will meet in Astoria on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and Thursday, Oct. 2.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1 the board will tour several local STEP projects from 1-5 p.m.  Members of the public may accompany the group during the tour but must provide their own transportation. For additional information on the field trip, contact STEP Program staff at (503) 947-6232.

The committee will meet on Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Astoria at 204, West Marine Drive Astoria, Oregon 97103.

The agenda includes review of 14 mini-grant applications, updates on district STEP activities, setting the 2015 schedule, establishing STEP goals and updates on projects and administrative items.

A copy of the full agenda is available on the ODFW Web site.

REGISTER NOW FOR RACE THE WAVE FUN RUN/WALK SEPT 28

Experts predict a major earthquake and tsunami could strike Oregon at any time. Do you know how to evacuate if the "Big One" hits our state? Register now for Race the Wave, a 5k fun run and walk set for Sunday, Sept. 28, in Cannon Beach. The event will take place along the tsunami evacuation route and include giveaways and an emergency preparedness fair.

"After a major earthquake you will have only a few minutes to get outside the tsunami hazard zone," said Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. "Knowing evacuation routes is critical to your survival."

THOMPSON WINS CLATSOP DISTRICT 5 SEAT ON BOCCC

    The latest unofficial results from the Clatsop County Elections Department say Lianne Thompson will be the new Clatsop County commissioner for District 5, with 59 percent of the vote:  836 votes over candidate Dale Barrett’s 570 votes, or 40 percent of the total.

    Lianne Thompson will begin her term in January when the current District 5 commissioner Matt Samuelson’s term ends.

    District 5 represents the southern portion of Clatsop County including Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Elsie, Jewell and Hamlet and portions of Seaside.  

OREGON MINIMUM WAGE RISES JANUARY 1

Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today announced that Oregon’s minimum wage will increase to $9.25 on January 1, 2015, providing a $.15 per hour raise for 141,822 workers.

The Bureau of Labor and Industries says the adjustment will mean that minimum wage earners working 30 hours a week will have $234 more to spend on goods in 2015. The increase is expected to generate more than $25 million in new consumer spending for Oregon’s economy next year.

Each year, the minimum wage is recalculated by measuring the increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a figure published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to track prices for a fixed “market basket” of goods.  Passed by a coalition of senior, hunger and labor advocates in 2002, Oregon’s minimum wage system ensures that workers don’t lose ground to inflation.

The 2015 minimum wage increase will affect roughly eight percent of Oregon’s workforce.

Apartment fire breaks out in Seaside

On Monday, September 15, 2014 at approximately 9:32 p.m. an apartment fire was reported at 150 S. Wahanna, apartment 7A. Automatic aid responded from Gearhart, Cannon Beach and Hamlet to assist Seaside Fire Department.

Shortly after arriving on scene, the call was expanded to a second alarm.

All occupants of the six-unit building were displaced with Red Cross providing assistance for some of the five families. The apartments are owned by Northwest Oregon Housing Authority, managed by Guardian Management. One of the residents was transported by Medix.

Damage to the property is estimated at $80,000, although total property value is unknown at this time. The scene will be turned over to the Clatsop County Fire Investigation team for further investigation.

Additional agencies involved because of the second alarm included Lewis & Clark Fire, Warrenton Fire and Astoria Fire. Seaside Police and Pacific Power also responded to the call. 

Warmer Temperatures Prompt Forest Closures

The recent hot and dry weather is expected to return on Wednesday, September 10th to Oregon's  north coast.  As of 1:00 a.m. Monday, September 8,  fire officials increased the local fire danger level.  The Clatsop County Fire Fighters Association and the Oregon Department of Forestry want to caution the public to be on the lookout for wildfires.

Locally we have had human caused fires countywide that have local fire officials and forest landowners concerned.  Currently in Clatsop County some industrial forestlands are closed to the public; ODF state forests remain open. Hunters and recreationalists are reminder to have a shovel and an extinguisher or one gallon of water in their vehicles when traveling in the forest.

Campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds or at homes that have an ODF waiver.  Permitted burn barrels may burn until 10:00 daily.

To report a wildfire, call 911 or ODF at 503-325-5451.