About 300 children participated in an Easter egg hunt at Robinson Community Park on April 3. The event, sponsored by Spruce Up Warrenton, divided children into several age categories and cordoned off areas of the park reserved specifically for each age group. (continued)
Clatsop County remains at “moderate-risk” for the COVID-19 virus at least through April 23, the state announced this week. The rate of new infections rose slightly during the two-week monitoring period between March 21 and April 3, but remained below 100 cases per 100,000 population – the threshold between moderate and high risk. During that period, Oregon Health Authority recorded 38 local cases, equal to 96.6 per 100,000. While in the moderate-risk designation, restaurants, bars, gyms, (continued)
Hordie Bodden Bodden again showed his football prowess last Thursday at Yamhill-Carlton. He scored four touchdowns — three in the air and one on the ground. It led the Warrenton High School football team to a 46-12 win. “It was kind of a crazy week,” Coach Ian O’Brien said. “We were scheduled to play Clatskanie Friday, but when we learned they might not have enough players, we attempted to match up with other schools.” Rainier had cancelled its game with Yamhill, so a match was (continued)
Warrenton’s Thursday night volleyball matchup was a three-set win against the Rainier Columbians, the last match of the regular season. The “regular season” is an interesting way to describe it. The pandemic-riddled playing season has been anything but regular. Warrenton was 25-22, 25-23, and 25-23. No win was easy, but it made for a strong finish for the season. “I'm so glad we got to celebrate a win with my senior role models,” said Aaliya Watson, a sophomore. The final game (continued)
First published in the April 2 print edition
Even a pandemic can’t stop Clatsop County’s most steadfast sign of spring: Pioneer Presbyterian Church’s daffodil cross. Last weekend, church members inserted dozens of blooms in the ground on the church’s front lawn, blooms grown in the fields surrounding the church. But the bulbs planted last fall are a midseason variety and many hadn’t reached full spring splendor. Then came winds on Sunday and Monday that wreaked a bit of havoc. “This time it’s a little skimpy,” admitted the (continued)
The US Naval Ship Mercy attracted a crowd of onlookers in Clatsop County on Saturday as it made its way to the Pacific Ocean after eight months of repairs in Portland. The massive 894-foot-long hospital ship received a major overhaul at Vigor Industrial Shipyard that included a flight deck upgrade, propulsion and structural work. The ship now has a month of sea trials and other post-maintenance tests and training. The Mercy was built in 1976 as an oil tanker, the SS Worth. One of its captains (continued)
First published in the April 2 print edition
A Warrenton woman was arrested on a variety of charges, including robbery, after she kicked and hit a police officer who chased her as she was trying to flee from a local retail store. Ashly Alexandria Lukoszyk, 36, was booked at Clatsop County Jail on suspicion of second-degree theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, escape, assaulting a police officer, fourth-degree assault, and resisting arrest. About 7:30 p.m. March 27, Walmart’s asset-protection officers spotted a woman going (continued)
Twenty Oregon counties were granted the authority to begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine to expanded eligibility groups, the state announced Wednesday. Clatsop was not among them. The counties declared they have plenty of vaccine and the pool of takers is drying up. Those counties are Benton, Coos, Crook, Deschutes, Douglas Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wheeler. “Moving up vaccination in these counties (continued)
Warrenton's Cross Country team came in second at the 3A/2A/1A district championships on Tuesday. The competition was hosted by Southwest Christian School and held at Wildcat Trail in South Beaverton. “We are trying to make history today as the first Warrenton team to qualify for state cross country,” Coach Josh Fry said before the meet. By the end of the day, they’d achieved their goal. Forrest Cooley, the boys’ captain, came in third overall; Zander Moha, sixth, Indy Freyer, eighth, (continued)
The Warrenton Warriors took the match during a spring break volleyball game against the Banks Braves. Not only did the Warriors win, but it was virtually no contest. The team went up 2-0 in the first set with Avyree Miethe serving and they never looked back. Set scores were 25-22, 25-18, and 25-19. While the Braves should have been up to it and contesting their losses, they didn’t seem to be. Warrenton showed a level of enthusiasm and energy that has been in short supply in many previou (continued)
Home team Warrenton walked away victorious in a March 26 match-up with the Yamhill-Carlton Tigers, two undefeated league rivals. “We want to win the turnover battle,” Tigers Coach Brennon Mossholder said before the game. “We haven’t had a single turnover in our first three games. We want to keep that streak going.” The Tigers suffered two turnovers in the first quarter of Friday night’s game, owing to the Warriors defense. “They have beaten us the last two years in a row,” (continued)
Oregon Department of Transportation seeks public comment on its plan for Highway 101 improvements through Gearhart. Improvements are essential, the agency says, because Highway 101 is an important route for freight and other commerce, for residents and visitors to Gearhart and the coast. The stretch through Gearhart has safety issues, particularly for those walking, biking, and crossing the highway. Possible improvements include changing the number of traffic lanes, adding sidewalks and bike (continued)
ShakeAlert, an earthquake detection tool operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, has been enabled in Oregon. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management recently presented a free public webinar to explain what ShakeAlert is, how it works, why it’s important, how to enable it, and what to do when an alert is received. A video recording of the webinar is available on OEM’s website and the OEM YouTube channel. ShakeAlert uses science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly and (continued)
Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association, the nonprofit building Astoria Nordic Heritage Park, received $3,179.19 from the Astoria Co-op during the grocery store’s Change for Community program in February. Shoppers rounded up their purchases to the nearest dollar or donated pocket change. The co-op has raised more than $70,000, which includes the donation to the Heritage Association. “The Nordic Park is an important project that will help tell the story of Astoria’s unique heritage,” (continued)
Oregon residents will be able to renew their driver licenses, permits and identification cards online beginning in May, Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services announced. Demand for appointment slots and DMV services remains high because of the COVID-19 backlog, according to the agency. The new feature will save thousands of customers a trip and free up appointment times for others. The renewal feature is at https://dmv2u.oregon.gov/eServices/_/ “We hope that people will consider renewing (continued)
First published in the March 26 print edition
Developing a cohesive master-planned community in an area with 22 property owners – each with their own interests -- is a challenge, city officials are finding. Three years ago, the city rezoned the 20-acre Chelsea Gardens – formerly known as Spur 104 – from residential and industrial zoning to commercial mixed-use. The city’s former community development director organized an elaborate “charrette” over several days that brought planners, property owners and other stakeholders (continued)
Flower stands, vegetable booths and those selling firewood in the public right of way along county-owned roads could soon find new restrictions. An addition to county rules could restrict booths where financial transactions occur. The new ordinance went through a second hearing before Clatsop County commissioners Wednesday evening and was continued to their April 14 meeting as members preferred allowing some traditional activities. “We are a real community and a lot of people identify wi (continued)
Oregon Department of Revenue is joining the IRS and extending the income tax filing deadline for 2020 from April 15 to May 17. Individual taxpayers also can postpone state income tax payments for the 2020 tax year that were due on April 15 to May 17 without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. The postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
Will investors change their post-pandemic behavior?
The COVID-19 pandemic may change our lives in some significant ways. To cite one example, it’s likely we’ll see a lot more people continue to work remotely now that they’ve seen the effectiveness of tools such as videoconferencing. Education, too, may be forever changed. Perhaps just as important, though, is how many people may now think more about the future – including how they invest. If you work with a financial professional, you may have connected with the person over the past (continued)
As Easter approaches, there is one memory that sticks like gum in a full head of hair: Easter hymns. Also, there’s the memory of how we greet family and friends on Easter. We say, “He is risen” and the other person replies, “He is risen indeed.” When I ask my grown kids what their favorite Easter song is, all six usually say, “Christ Arose” and, often, one or the other will begin to sing. “Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!” And (continued)
When I recently read an article about financial institutions adapting their payment processes to the new slower mail, it reminded me of my December experience. It is in no way the fault of the postal employees; we have been spoiled by really good mail service in the past. Now you need to allow several extra days for deliveries. I ordered some meds from my physician in Lake Oswego in mid-December. First Class mail of my small package took eight days to arrive in Warrenton from Lake Oswego. At (continued)
Federal relief money for cities is on its way and there’s a lot of questions from people about what the city is going to do with those dollars. There still are quite a few unknowns — like how much of a cut the state of Oregon will take in “administrative costs” for creating new rules over and above the federal rules for the money. However, we do know that the money will not come all at once. Prior relief dollars distributed to the city were earmarked solely for helping Warrentonians (continued)
Some of us may have decided to catch up on doctor appointments as a way to get out of the house during the pandemic. When the doctors got wise, most reverted to telephone appointments. I was delighted to talk to my doctor for about 20 minutes. Had it not been for the pandemic, I would never have had the opportunity. Have you ever noticed that medical specialties end in “ology”? Oh, yes, like dermatology, urology, optomology, cardiology, psychology, pathology, terminology or even gastrology? (continued)
Events
An art show focusing on Clatsop Community College’s art faculty opened Thursday, April 8, and runs through May 13 in the Royal Nebeker Gallery, 1799 Lexington Ave., Astoria. Faculty members whose works are featured are Lucien Swerdloff, Richard Rowland, David Homer, Miki’ala Souza, Ben Rosenberg, and Kristin Shauck. Two invited practicing artists also featured are Deanna Antony, the current Astoria Visual Arts artist in residence, and Modou Dieng, a multidisciplinary artist based i (continued)
Clatsop County Genealogical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, April 16, via Zoom. The featured speaker is Patricia Oberndorf, who will talk about researching German records. She has researched genealogy for more than 30 years, the last six professionally. Her research has spanned most of the United States, from the colonial period to the 20th century. But having married into the Oberndorf family, she has been naturally drawn into research in German genealogy. She is also interested in local (continued)
Volunteer Day of Caring could be the perfect event for those who’d like to show their love to the community but can’t devote volunteer time every week. The Day of Caring is Saturday, April 17, and four projects have been organized by the United Way of Clatsop County: Landscaping at Astoria’s Hilltop Apartments, skimming plastic foam off Long Lake at Camp Kiwanilong, tidying Seaside Community Gardens, and donating essential items at various sites. Drive-through drop-off sites will be open (continued)
“Crossing Borders: Africamerica,” a virtual musical event that traces America’s musical heritage from Africa, through Cuba and into the South, is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18. The concert is free, although donations will be encouraged during the performances. Money collected benefits BRAVO Youth Orchestras, which aims to improve the lives of underserved children through intensive orchestral instruction. Students in the program also will perform alongside professional artists from (continued)
North Coast Chorale will perform live to a live audience, the first in more than a year. The chorale presents “Lux Aeterna,” or “Eternal Light,” a composition by Morten Lauridsen. Selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and other Easter favorites are included. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, April 9, and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11, and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at the Performing Arts Center, 588 16th St., Astoria. Due to COVID restrictions, only 50 tickets will be available for each (continued)
Vendors are sought for a new Sunday market at the Hanthorn Cannery on Pier 39. Hanthorn Cannery Market is a new venture of the cannery’s foundation to raise money and awareness of its efforts to preserve the history of the fishing and canning industry on the lower Columbia River. The market is behind Rogue Public House and adjacent to Hanthorn Crab Company. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays beginning May 1. Vendors who make hand-crafted products are welcome to apply. Products can (continued)
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., is accepting submissions for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to any student in grades 9-12 who lives in or attends school in Oregon’s First Congressional District, which includes Clatsop, Washington, Yamhill, and Columbia counties. Local artists will select the winning student, whose work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for a year. All students who participate will be invited to a virtual reception with the (continued)
Clatsop Community College is offering several classes for the general public that begin this month. Beginning Ukulele: A 10-session class from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays, April 5 to June 14, in room 201 of Towler Hall. Fee is $60. Students should bring their ukulele, a tuner and black stand, if they have them. Intermediate Ukulele: A 10-session class from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, April 5 to June 14, in room 201 of Towler Hall. Fee is $60. All experience players are welcome. Intermediate and Advanced (continued)
Coast Community Radio begins its monthlong spring pledge drive March 15. As the only local noncommercial broadcaster, Coast operates its three stations by relying on funds from the community it serves. “KMUN is a reflection of the community we serve,” Membership Director Janet Fryberger said. “Listener support facilitates and drives our quest to be a refuge through music programming, and a resource through news and local interest shows.” Coast Community Radio is supported by members and (continued)
Clatsop County Master Gardener Association seeks applicants for its annual scholarship program. Awards of up to $1,000 will be given to one or more high school seniors who live in Clatsop County and who plan to attend college, vocational school or a training program that helps them develop skills that contribute to the advancement of sound gardening practices. Awards are made based on a student’s academic standing and interest in horticulture or a related field. Applicants must submit a (continued)
Police and Public Safety
** Warrants ** Warrant service, 7:12 p.m. March 29, 500 block Marlin Avenue. Jacob M. Kitzman, 29, of Warrenton was arrested on a warrant for escape and booked at Clatsop County Jail. Warrant service, 10:43 p.m. March 29, 800 block Marlin Avenue. Mark Edward Warren, 35, no known address, was arrested on a Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office warrant for carrying a concealed weapon. He was booked at Clatsop County Jail. ** Suspicious circumstances and disturbances ** Bullet through window of a (continued)
** Warrants ** Warrant service, 11:15 a.m. March 17, Walgreens parking lot. Fred Kelly, 53, of Warrenton was arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant. ** Thefts and burglaries ** Theft, 6:08 p.m. March 15, Walmart. A man left the store with a shopping cart full of groceries he didn’t purchase. Theft of catalytic converter, 3:19 p.m. March 16, Ocean Crest Chevrolet. ** Suspicious circumstances and disturbances ** Disturbance, 6:39 p.m. March 17, 1400 block Discovery Lane. Illegal camping, 7:56 (continued)
