Census shows Wahkiakum County's ethnic mix unchanged

According to the 2010 census the ethnic breakdown for Wahkiakum County’s population of 3,978 is 94 percent White. Black persons were .03 percent of the total, American Indian and Alaska Native 1.3 percent, Asian persons 0.6 percent, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders 0.2 percent.
Of the 3,824 Wahkiakum County residents counted in the 2000 census, 93.5 percent were White. Blacks were 0.03 percent of the total, Native Americans 1.6, Asians 0.5, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders 0.1 percent.
People reporting two or more races in 2010 were 3.1 percent, compared to 2.5 percent in 2000.
The Associated Press reported Wahkiakum County is one of the least expensive places for a single-parent family with one preschooler and one school-age child to live, reporting the family would need $32,997 a year to be self-sufficient. Most expensive places to live would be East King County at $65,690.

Ruby Murray, The Wahkiakum County Eagle.

OREGON GIVES TAXPAYERS A SECOND CHANCE TO BID ON TAX CREDITS

If you missed the state tax credit auction in November, you'll get another chance to bid in December.

The Oregon departments of Energy and Revenue are re-opening the auction so that more taxpayers can bid on the nearly $1.1 million in tax credits remaining. Bidding starts tomorrow ((December 1)) at 9 a.m. Pacific Time and runs through 5 p.m. PT, December 9.

The auction is open to individuals and to businesses that will owe tax when they file their 2011 Oregon tax return. The credits will reduce the amount of tax they'll owe. Unused portions may be carried forward for up to three years.

Here's how it works: The tax credits are available in $1,000 increments. Minimum bid is $950. Place your bid online at www.oregon.gov/dor.

To complete your bid, you must submit your payment so that it reaches the Department of Revenue by 5 p.m. PT, December 16, 2011. If you don't submit payment, your bid won't count.

If you're a winning bidder, the Oregon Department of Energy will issue a credit certificate.

The money raised in the auction will help support local renewable energy projects including biomass, solar and geothermal.

SEASIDE TO TEST TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM

The City of Seaside will be testing its Tsunami Warning System on Wednesday, December 7th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This test will be to monitor and assess the notification system and will not be used as a public information trial alert. The warning will begin with three beeps and consist of a voice message stating, "This is a test. This is a test of the emergency warning system. This is only a test." The message will be broadcast in English and Spanish

ReliaCards users to receive free and unlimited point-of-sale, bank teller and U.S. Bank ATM transactions

New fee structure reached as part of negotiations for state’s electronic payment card contract

State Treasurer Ted Wheeler and U.S. Bank have agreed to make point-of-sale, bank teller and U.S. Bank ATM transactions free and unlimited for Oregonians who receive unemployment and child support payments via state-issued ReliaCards.

The new terms were reached as part of ongoing negotiations over the state’s electronic payment card services, which have yet to be finalized. A full fee schedule will be available after the contract is final. The current contract is set to expire Dec. 31.

“The changes we have negotiated will benefit Oregon card users and taxpayers,” said Treasurer Wheeler. “I want to thank U.S. Bank for listening to the needs of Oregonians and for their commitment to making the program even better for all involved.”

“U.S. Bank has provided banking and financial services to Oregonians for more than 120 years and continues to be an advocate for a stronger community,” said Malia Wasson, president of U.S. Bank in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We are pleased to be able to restructure our ReliaCard program so that it meets the needs of the State of Oregon and our shared constituents and clients.”

Oregon began providing payments through electronic payment cards in 2007 for unemployment and child support recipients. About half of the Oregonians who receive payments choose to have the money directly deposited for free to their bank accounts. Those who do not choose the free direct deposit option can have payments posted for free to any reloadable prepaid card, including U.S. Bank ReliaCard.

Under the revamped fee schedule, cardholders will:

· have free and unlimited withdrawals from US Bank-branded ATMs. That is a significant improvement from the current contract, which allows cardholders two free ATM visits a month;

· be allowed unlimited cash withdrawals from bank branch teller windows (over-the-counter cash withdrawals);

· continue to make point-of-sale purchases and receive cash back with no charge, like any debit card, at any merchant that accepts VISA-branded debit cards;

· continue to have two withdrawals a month from non-U.S. Bank-branded ATMs, without U.S. Bank charges. That is a unique benefit in Oregon’s contract that was negotiated because of the understanding that not all Oregonians live near a U.S. Bank branch; and

· no longer have access to overdraft protection as federal law changes make this option unavailable.

Before the advent the electronic payment card program, the state printed, mailed and processed hundreds of thousands of additional checks each month. As a result, costs to taxpayers were significantly higher. Between 2007 and December 2010, the accumulated savings as a result of just the Employment Department shift was estimated to be at least $11.5 million.
photo courtesy of ouroregon.org

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and Oregon 102nd Civil Support Team members to receive medals Wednesday

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River members will be awarded Army Achievement Medals and members of the Oregon National Guard 102nd Civil Support Team (CST) will be awarded Coast Guard Achievement Medals during a ceremony at Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., Wednesday, at 10 a.m.

The medals are being awarded to honor the Coast Guard and Army National Guard partnership during the offshore boarding of the vessel Pan Pac Spirit Apr. 8, 2011.

The freight vessel Pan Pac Spirit transited through waters in the vicinity of Fukushima, Japan. The vessel passed radiation screening and was cleared to enter port.

The collaborative efforts of Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., Air Station Astoria, Ore., Marine Safety Unit Portland, Ore., and Oregon National Guard 102nd CST provided a skilled and thorough risk assessment to help ensure the health and safety of the populace within the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone.

Click here for more information about the boarding.

Open Horse Riding starts at Clatsop Fairgrounds Wed Nov 30

Open Horse Riding at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds will start this Wednesday Nov. 30th. The indoor arena will be open from 6pm to 9pm almost every Wed. through the winter. The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Posse members will be supervising. The cost is $5 per rider. Helmets are recommended for all riders, but those aged 18 and under, are required to wear one. You need to get out and your horse needs some exercise. For more information contact the fairgrounds at 503.325.4600.

National Park Service kicks off planning for Colewort Creek. Public Meeting at 7 pm, December 1, 2011

On December 1, the National Park Service willl hold a scoping meeting at the Netul Room in the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center to kick-off public planning for the proposed Colewort Creek Salmon Recovery Project.
The project proposes to return an additional 15 acres on the south bank of Colewort Creek from pastureland to wetlands by excavating tidal channels out of fill material. The project also proposes to improve habitat along existing tidal channels on the north bank.

The purpose of the Project is (1) to restore Colewort Creek to conditions known the Clatsop, Chinook and other tribes in the late 18th and early 19th century and experienced by the Lewis and Clark expedition and (2) to help satisfy federal legal responsibilities under the 2008 Biological Opinion for the Federal Columbia River Power System (2008 Bi-Op).

Colewort Creek Restoration Plan, Thursday, December 1, 2011, Public Meeting: 7 pm, Fort Clatsop Visitor Center at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.