A group of 400 soldiers trained for deployment to Kosovo last week at Camp Rilea in Warrenton. On Saturday, friends and family wished them well during mobilization ceremonies in Portland. Task Force Jungleer is the last of the 41st Brigade units to mobilize. The brigade began deploying task forces around the globe beginning in September. The total deployment is the second-largest deployment of the brigade since World War II, following the 2009 Iraq deployment. The 41st is made up of 3,000 (continued)
The city of Warrenton should pay $10,800 for alleged safety and health violations within the fire department, the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Division decided. The violation deemed most grievous – and the one that received the largest fine – dealt with the use of respirators in protecting firefighters. “We have gone over the citation with a fine-tooth comb and many of the issues have been addressed,” City Manager Linda Engbretson said in a statement issued Jan. 3. “We are (continued)
Hammond’s post office has been closed since Dec. 20, when a part of the ceiling became unstable and ceiling tiles fell to the floor. “It happened a few weeks ago on the 20th, the Friday before Christmas,” Hammond’s postal clerk said. “It was really stormy out and the ceiling came loose on the inside.” At least one construction person has been out to look at the damage, but employees there do not know when repairs will be scheduled. In the meantime, “we’ll tell people what we (continued)
The Port of Astoria unanimously approved a tax-incentive plan Tuesday night for the owners of Fort George Brewery, who intend to build a tasting room and warehouse at the former Astoria Warehousing complex on Marine Drive. “Right now the plan is to get into the distribution and manufacture of beer out of the warehouse and, at some point, we’re interested in having a taproom there on the property as well,” said Chris Nemlowill, co-owner of Fort George Brewery. “We estimate opening and (continued)
Gordon W. Wahlman, a retired heavy equipment operator, died at home Friday, Jan. 3, of cardiac arrest. He was 91. Wahlman was born in Seaside on Feb. 19, 1928, to Ownie and Violet Wahlman and was the first of his generation born in the United States. He graduated from Seaside High School and served in both the Navy and the Army, attaining the rank of sergeant. His first job was as a truck driver for Crown Zellerbach when he was 16. Later, he worked for Ken Hood Construction in Milwaukie, (continued)
A large recreational vehicle park and campground has been proposed on vacant land along the Skipanon River. Chinook Village RV Park would have 99 spaces for campers, plus yurts, portable cabins and/or tiny homes, all for short-term stays. In addition, there are two new apartment complexes planned in the general vicinity. Both apartment projects are on the Planning Commission’s Jan. 9 agenda for public hearings. The proposed 30-acre campground also will require a public hearing before it can (continued)
News laws went into effect this week designed to protect the environment, right some wrongs, and raise money for transportation projects. Following are the main new rules in Oregon that people may notice. ** Plastic bag ban ** Grocery stores and restaurants are banned from offering single-use plastic bags at checkout lines. Oregon joins California, New York and Hawaii in banning single-use plastic bags. Those who forget to bring a reusable bag will be charged 5 cents for each paper bag or other (continued)
West Coast trawlers scored a major win in the 2020 federal spending plan signed into law by President Trump late last month. The pair of bills set funding for every agency in the federal government, providing many with a significant spending boost. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., proposed the government forgive more than $10 million in accrued loan interest that was forced onto the West Coast groundfishing fleet. “(It’s) a huge victory for our coastal communities in Oregon and up and down th (continued)
Underwater robotics is a popular extracurricular activity in the Warrenton-Hammond School District and others in the state. An underwater robotic glider is the key for real-world research conducted through a joint effort of Oregon State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Researchers have developed an effective method to measure sound levels on the ocean floor. “Healthy marine ecosystems need to have noise levels within particular ranges,” said Joe Haxel, an (continued)
Those traveling south on Interstate 5 during the holidays may have noticed some improvements in the, ahem, facilities. There should be no more potty lines at the Oak Grove rest area north of Eugene. The stop is sporting new restrooms. The new construction, on both the north and southbound sides of Interstate 5, triples the capacity of the buildings they replaced. “The original restroom facilities at Oak Grove were inadequate for the amount of traffic the rest area receives,” said Daphn (continued)
Portland Community College closed escrow this week on property in Columbia County on which it plans to build a workforce training center. The land – just over 17 acres – is in Scappoose, 80 miles east of Warrenton. “We’re thrilled to share that PCC now has land in Scappoose, and even happier that construction will soon begin,” said Sylvia Kelley, PCC’s executive vice president. “Many thanks to our constituents in Columbia County, who have patiently waited as the college worke (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
While writing recently about the smells of winter, it occurred to me that winter is much quieter, too. There’s so much to be thankful about as we are now almost halfway through the first month of the new year. Not only the first month of the new year, but the very beginning of the first year of yet another decade. In thinking of the new year, some sundry thoughts come to mind that perhaps are age related. You think? Winter is definitely quieter than summer. I live in an apartment complex (continued)
** Ten years ago ** ** January 2010 ** Gil Gramson is reappointed mayor by the City Commission. Mark Kujala is appointed vice mayor. The body of a missing Warrenton man, Gary Culp Jr., 37, is found near Warrenton Deep Sea Market. A medical examiner rules the death an accidental drowning. Brooklyn Campbell breaks the Warrenton High School girls basketball scoring record with 34 points in a single game. Dennis Warren receives a lifetime service award and is inducted into the state chapter of the (continued)
“Time is the coin of your life. It’s the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” -- Carl Sandburg. The new year is upon us. An expression that inspired or challenged my thinking processes was “Father Time.” Webster’s Dictionary defines the personification of time as an old man, usually in a white robe, having a white beard, and carrying a scythe. I can’t help but ponder the gender connection. Why (continued)
Events
Art Circle, a creative community group, meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. A new session started Jan. 14.
All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided. Those living with cancer or chronic conditions are urged to attend.
The group and supplies are free. While drop-ins are welcome, registration is encouraged by calling 503-338-4520. Art Circle meets at the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. (continued)
A documentary on Harry Belafonte, “Sing Your Song,” will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St., Astoria.
The legendary singer left a lasting legacy through his music and as a leader in the civil rights movement in America and for social justice globally.
Admission is $10. Doors open half an hour before showtime. (continued)
The 32nd annual crab feed to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Benefit Fund is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17-18, at Warrenton Community Center, 170 S.W. Third St. No reservations are required. Dinners include a whole fresh Dungeness crab with all the trimmings, coleslaw, garlic bread, dessert and drinks. Cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and those younger than 12. A half-crab dinner is available for $10. Meals also can be prepared to go. The Deep Sea Fishermen’s Benefit (continued)
Those curious about what the explorers Lewis and Clark ate on their journey will be interested in the next installment of the In Their Footsteps free monthly speaker series. Jennifer Burns Bright, a food educator, recipe developer and travel writer, will lead the discussion at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, in the Netul River Room in the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center. Burns Bright, who lives in Astoria, teaches Northwest food history and culinary skills on land and onboard Columbia/Snake Rivers and (continued)
Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer has called a town hall meeting on land-use law and planning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.
A representative from the Department of Land Conservation and Development will address the group and the conversation will focus on Warrenton’s rules.
The town hall is open to the public and will be held at Warrenton Community Center, 170 S.W. Third St. (continued)
A workshop on how climate change affects the county’s comprehensive plan is set for 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 24, at 857 Commercial St., Astoria. The discussion will be led by Christine Shirley, climate change resilience coordinator with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. The agency is working to address mitigation of and adaptation to climate change in three areas, land use and transportation, natural hazards, and coastal management. The meeting is open to the (continued)
Clatsop County’s new Household Hazardous Waste Facility, which has been under construction for a year, opens to the public for the first time this weekend. The facility will accept material from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It’s at 1789 Williamsport Road, adjacent to Recology’s Astoria transfer station. The collection center is specially designed to receive and handle toxic, flammable and otherwise hazardous products that can pose a risk in the home and to the environment. Major categories (continued)
An AARP Smart Driver course is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in the meeting room at Elk Meadow Homeowners Cooperative, 701 N.W. Warrenton Drive. The six-hour course is a refresher on driver safety and is open to the public. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, contact instructor Mel Jasmin at 503-861-2030. Those who take the course often find they’re better at managing and accommodating common age-related changes in vision, hearing and (continued)
Art Circle, a creative community group, meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. A new session starts Tuesday, Jan. 14.
All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided. Those living with cancer or chronic conditions are urged to attend.
The group and supplies are free. While drop-ins are welcome, registration is encouraged by calling 503-338-4520. Art Circle meets at the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. (continued)
The Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing program will host readings by leading contemporary writers during its 10-day residency in Seaside. The series offers a rare opportunity for the public to hear leading writers read on successive evenings. The readings are free and at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. The lineup includes Kwame Dawes, recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize; Pete Fromm, five-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Literary Award; and many (continued)
Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Collaborative is sponsoring a series of informal lunch-time conversations this month focused on improving health. All meetings are from 11 a.m. to noon in the activity room at the CMH-OHSU Knight Center, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. **Jan. 8: ** Registered Dietitian Grace Laman explores the power of nutrition in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. She shares hot topics in nutrition, cooking demonstrations and recipes each month. **Jan. 9: ** Tips, (continued)
Police and Public Safety
A small Coast Guard boat capsized in the Columbia River after being hit by a large wake Saturday morning.
The four crew members were rescued by the Columbia Bar Pilot vessel Connor Foss just off Pier 39 and no one was injured, according to the Coast Guard.
The 25-foot vessel was an Aids to Navigation boat, in the river to maintain buoys and assist other boaters in finding the navigation channel.
The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol towed the capsized boat to the pier. (continued)
** Warrants ** Warrant service, 7:32 p.m. Dec. 31, 100 block South Highway 101. Angela Marie Cushman, 38, of Seaside was arrested on a Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office warrant and booked at Clatsop County Jail. Warrant service, 2:34 p.m. Jan. 3, Highway 101 between Ocean Crest and Kia. James Earl Harrod, 34, no known address, was arrested on a Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office warrant and booked at Clatsop County Jail. ** Thefts and burglaries ** Credit card theft, 10:24 a.m. Dec. 27, 1000 (continued)
** Thefts and burglaries ** Theft of propane tanks, 1:06 p.m. Dec. 24, 800 block Seventh Avenue, Hammond. A man reported the theft of two 15-gallon propane tanks from his travel trailer valued at $150. Shoplifting, 5:35 p.m. Dec. 24, Fred Meyer. Hannah L. Havranek, 28, no known address, was cited for second-degree theft and criminal trespassing after she allegedly attempted to leave the store without paying for $874 in groceries, clothes, backpacks and tools. Shoplifting, 5:35 p.m. Dec. 26, (continued)
Education
Warrenton’s girls basketball team suffered two recent losses, but still came away looking like champs. The first contest, a Jan. 8 game against Seaside, was a real contest between Warrenton’s Kenzie Ramsey and Seaside’s Lilli Taylor. First-quarter stats showed Ramsey owning all but one point of the Warrior offense. She had 6 points (two 3s) of a 7-14 Warrior deficit. At half time, she had 11 of a 14-16 deficit. Only Annie Heyen added points to the total. Seaside’s Lilli Taylor owned 8 (continued)
It was disconcerting to see several Warrenton boys basketball starters emerge from the locker room for warm-ups last Friday night in street clothes. They sauntered over to the spectator end of the team bench and sat down. What rectified the situation, though, was that the Warriors’ bench came through like knights in shining armor, helping rout the visiting Colton Vikings 44-30. “Tonight was a great opportunity for the guys in our program to step into new roles and get out of their comfort (continued)
The Warrenton girls wrestling team traveled last Friday and Saturday to one of the largest girls wrestling tournaments in the nation, the Kelso High School Tournament. Nearly 800 girls competed in the two-day event with each bracket boasting 45 to 77 wrestlers. Tournaments like this are a valuable wrestling experience and a pretty cool life experience, too. The Warriors finished 51 out of 102 Washington and Oregon schools. All of the girls battled and we had some big wins across the lineup. (continued)
The Warrenton Warriors boys basketball team defeated the Astoria Fishermen Saturday night by 56-34. The Fishermen had a commanding 17-11 lead in the first quarter, but couldn’t maintain it. They fell behind 26-19 by halftime. “We doubled down on defense,” Warrenton Coach Nate McBride said on the difference between the two quarters. “We then played ball control on offense, forcing open shots.” Dawson Little led the Warrior offense with 19 points. He was followed by Austin Little and (continued)
