Project Homeless Connect Thursday January 23rd in Tillamook and Long Beach, and Thursday January 30th in Seaside

The annual Project Homeless Connect is taking place this month  in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties in Oregon, and on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington.  These volunteer-run events makes it possible for homeless person to access a variety of services all in one place.  Private and public service providers will offer information and services at the Seaside Convention Center, 415 1st Avenue in Seaside on Thursday, January 30th.  Tillamook County's event takes place on Thursday, January 23rd at Sacred Heart Catholic School Gymnasium at 2311 5th Street.  The Long Beach event also takes place on Thursday the 23rd at the Elks Lodge at 110 North Pacific Highway in downtown Long Beach.  Volunteers are needed in all locations.  Call 503-325-1400 for Clatsop County, 503-842-5261 for Tillamook County

OREGON GRANTS OFFERED FOR HISTORIC MUSEUMS, CEMETERIES, AND PRESERVATION PROJECTS

Oregon Heritage, part of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, is accepting applications for its four grant programs. Separate grant programs offer funding for museums, historic cemeteries, historic building preservation and archaeological projects.

These grant programs, such as the one for historic cemeteries, provide small grants for a variety of project and can be a catalyst for additional local support.

CLATSOP COUNTY TAX DEPARTMENT OFFERS CLASS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

   The Clatsop County Assessment and Taxation Department will host a Business Personal Property training course Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The training will provide business owners information on what is considered personal property in business and how to file returns, and explain tax calculations and collection laws. The course is free of charge.

All businesses are required to file a Confidential Personal Property Return with the county assessor’s office each year.

The class will be offered 10 to 11 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

Due to limited space, reservations are required.

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 regular meeting

Road dedicated

The board officially designated the newly constructed portion of SE Ensign Lane as a public road. The road section, built through the county-owned North Coast Business Park in Warrenton, connects SE 19^th St. and Alternate Highway 101.

Construction of the road was an obligation under the intergovernmental agreement between Clatsop County and the Oregon Department of Transportation for the granting of highway access to the commercial area of the business park.

The board is scheduled to formally accept the road into the county road system Jan. 22.

Public Works Director Ed Wegner singled out the work of project leader Terry Hendryx, engineering technician, who headed the design, inspection and mitigation for the project, which was completed ahead of schedule.

SMOKING BAN IN OREGON STATE PARKS HEARINGS THIS WEEK

Oregon Parks and Recreation is holding meetings this week to take public comment on plans to ban outdoor smoking at state parks. Under the new rules, smoking would be prohibited on hiking trails, picnic areas, waysides and common areas of state campgrounds. People could still smoke in their cars, RVs or tents. 
 
Public hearings will take place today (Jan. 9) at the Champoeg State Heritage Area, Visitor Center, 8239 Champoeg Road N.E., St. Paul, Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Bend Park and Recreation Office, Riverbend Room, 799 S.W. Columbia Street, Bend
and Thursday, Jan. 16, Newport Recreation Center, 225 Avery St S.E., Newport

All public hearings begin at 7 p.m. Written comments may also be e-mailed to oprd.publiccomment@state.or.us  or mailed to  Richard Walkoski, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer St. N.E., Suite C, Salem, OR, 97301.

COVER OREGON APPLICATION FAIR OFFERS CLATSOP COUNTY SIGN-UP ASSISTANCE

   Clatsop County residents interested in applying for health insurance coverage under the Cover Oregon insurance marketplace can get personal assistance at an Application Fair Jan. 22-24 at serveral locations.

The fair will take place:

Jan. 22 – Columbia Memorial Hospital Columbia Center, 2021 Marine Drive, Astoria

Jan. 23 – Providence Seaside Hospital, 725 S. Wahanna Road, Seaside – Room 113

Jan. 24 – Northwest Oregon Housing Authority, 147 S. Main, Warrenton

Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. each day.

Astoria Library Renovation Study Accepted By City Council

Monday night, the Astoria City Council heard the results of a public library renovation study report.  Last year Ruth Metz Associates was hired by the City of Astoria to conduct a community assessment of the public library and how it could better fit the needs of the community.
The needs assessment ran from July to November with public forums and interviews with the library board and staff.  Comments from two public meetings were organized into a community wide survey.  Metz said the survey garnered extensive comments from the community.

“I’ve done many library surveys and never had quite the response, the number of respondents.  We had over 426 people comment through the survey about the library.” 

Metz said the top community priority was an attractive, affordable sustainable library for Astoria, with an updated design to enhance services