National Park and Clatsop Community College Team to Protect Historic Sites

The National Park Service and Clatsop Community College have entered into a multi-year agreement to collaborate in the study and documentation of several culturally-significant sites that are related to the mission of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon and Washington.

The project will include historical research, reports documenting cultural significance and integrity, and recommendations for site protection.  Clatsop Community College students will gain experience in the protection of historic sites through research and documentation. The resulting reports and recommendations will be used by the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in future study, interpretation and management of the cultural resources of the Park.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent Scott Tucker says, "Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is thrilled to be partnering with Clatsop Community College to further the education mission of both of our institutions. To be able to provide local students the opportunity to have hands on experience in their national park is just one way the NPS hopes to inspire the next generation of park employee, supporter and steward."

Clatsop Community College is uniquely situated to participate in this work. Through the College's award-winning Historic Preservation and Restoration Program, students learn construction and restoration skills in hands-on experiences where they work to preserve structures across our region. They combine this with classes on researching and documenting historic structures, a complicated process that is critical for many preservation projects. For more information, visit www.clatsopcc.edu/preservation.

GRIMES TERMINATED FROM CLATSOP COUNTY CLERK POSITION

   

County Manager Scott Somers announced Friday, Dec. 19 that Clatsop County Clerk Maeve Kennedy Grimes has been terminated from her position, effective immediately.

Grimes was placed on administrative leave Oct. 20 after two errors were discovered in the Nov. 4 General election mail-in ballot. As a result of the errors the county was required to distribute supplemental ballots to county voters.

An investigation by Somers found that the Clerk’s Office did not follow its established protocol for proof-reading the draft ballots before the election.

Grimes served as Clatsop County Clerk from 2011 to 2012, then returned to the position in June 2013.

Clerk of the Board Valerie Crafard, who was appointed Interim County Clerk after Grimes was placed on administrative leave, will continue in that role while the county moves forward to fill the position on a permanent basis.

TEMPORARY JOBS WITH US FOREST SERVICE FOR 2015. APPLICATION PERIOD STARTS IN JANUARY

More than 600 temporary jobs will be advertised with the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and Washington starting in January

There will be openings in specialties such as fire, trails, timber, recreation, fisheries and archaeology.

Jim Pena, the Pacific Northwest regional forester, said in a press release:  "If you are interested in working with a dedicated team of people who take pride in managing public lands, we invite you to consider joining the Forest Service,".

Applications can be completed online.

CLATSOP MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY

OSU Clatsop County Extension Service Master Gardener Program, is taking applications until tomorrow (Dec 19) for one of the most popular volunteer programs in Oregon. Classes will be held at Clatsop Community College main campus on Wednesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Jan. 6 and ending March 18.
 
Volunteers receive over 60 hours of intensive gardening education in exchange for 60 hours of volunteer time.
The master gardener curriculum provides volunteers with information and references on subjects such as botany, soil management, pruning techniques, integrated pest management and more. OSU Extension faculty, veteran master gardeners and experts in their respective fields will teach the classes.
Students of all ages and abilities, beginners and experienced gardeners alike, are welcomed to participate in the program.

Apply to the Extension office by Friday, Dec. 19.  Applications are available online at www.extension.oregonstate.edu/clatsop/gardening/master-gardener-classes-events, at the Clatsop County Extension office located at 2001 Marine Drive, room 210, or by calling 503-325-8573.

PIPELINE RULING: COURT SIDES WITH COUNTY ON COMMISSIONER BIAS ISSUE

  

The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned a state land-use board ruling that a Clatsop County commissioner showed bias in rejecting an application from Oregon Pipeline Company LLC.

The decision, issued Wednesday, Dec. 17, sends the issue back to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) for further review of the issues surrounding the project, which involves the construction of 41 miles of pipeline to serve a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Warrenton.

FREE GUIDED FIRST DAY HIKES RETURN TO OREGON STATE PARKS ON JAN. 1

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will ring in 2015 with 31 guided hikes in state parks on New Year's Day. This is the fourth year that OPRD has participated in First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative sponsored by America's State Parks.  Last year, more than 940 people participated in First Day Hikes in Oregon.

Oregon Parks and Recreation will waive the day-use parking fees on Jan. 1 for all visitors to participating state parks that normally require a permit. 29 parks are participating in First Day Hikes this year, including Ecola State Park and Fort Stevens State Park.  The guided hike at Ecola will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.--meet at the Ecola Point parking lot near Indian Beach trailhead.  The Fort Stevens hike will take place from 9-11 a.m.--meet at Coffenbury Lake north parking lot.

ASTORIA REGATTA ASSOCIATION ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2015.

Kathy Koppen Dean and Kevin Leahy have been elected co-Presidents of the Astoria Regatta Associationfor 2015.

Vice-President is Mitch Mitchum. Secretary Sara Crowell. Treasurer Dan Arnoth.

Peter Roscoe serves as the Past President.

Other board members are Becky Johnson, Carol Olson, Cliff & Roxanne Fick, Dena Tuveng, Len Tumbarello, Paul Winiarz and Sue Gallagher

The board has apporoved the addition of a part-time project coordinator, a new funded position within the Regatta Association. Request for Proposal (RFP) will be sent out through media and other channels for this position. Interested parties are asked to send inquiries to astoriaregattaassociation@gmail.comAjob description and other details will be provided.

2015 will be the 121^st Astoria Regatta, and there will be a major community effort to engage more members of the entire region to aid in planning and being part of this recognized and honored “Oregon Heritage Tradition” festival. Email the astoriaregattaassociation@gmail.com to learn more information of how to get involved, or contact Kathy Koppen Dean at 520-437-8431 or Kevin Leahy at 503-325-8841.

The theme for the 2015 Astoria Regatta will be decided at the January general membership meeting.