Elk are a curiosity for tourists and many residents, but no one should think of them as sweet, docile creatures, a state wildlife biologist told a group attending a town hall meeting. “Elk don’t understand the intention of a person,” said Herman Biederbeck of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Nearly all the recent incidents involving negative elk-human interactions were due to improper behavior by a human, he said. Mayor Henry Balensifer called the April 12 meeting aft (continued)
Tuition at Clatsop Community College will increase $3, effective summer term 2018. The college’s Board of Directors voted 6-1 in favor of the increase at their Tuesday night meeting. “We have come out of the financial crisis the college went through and we need to be responsible to students and the college to not put ourselves in that situation again,” board member Robert Duehmig said. “As much as I hate an increase that affects student costs, we need to be able to keep the services and (continued)
Those who want to vote in the May 15 primary election and those who want to change their party affiliations have until April 24. All forms must be hand-delivered by 5 p.m. or postmarked on or before April 24. To be eligible to vote, you must be an Oregon resident, a U.S. citizen, and be at least 18 years old by Election Day. For voters not registered with a political party, the Independent Party of Oregon has chosen to open its primary election to voters who are not members of any party for (continued)
April 13, 1933: Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Northern Cheyenne, is born in Auburn, Calif. He will become a judo champion, a jeweler and a U.S. senator from Colorado (1993-2005). For a time, he is the only American Indian in Congress. April 14, 2007: The Morongo Indian reservation in Southern California and its 775 adult members reportedly received roughly $15,000 to $20,000 per person, per month in casino profits. Twenty years earlier, the tribe’s average annual household income was $13,000. (continued)
My iPhone is truly an amazing tool that can evoke all kinds of emotions into my day, especially when I zero in on the weather. I’m following weather in 19 locations and, would you believe, Tuesday of this week there was rain for only our area and Auburn, Wash.? As children we used to say, “No fair.” My husband always encouraged our six kids and me to focus on the good of a situation, especially if it were something we had no control over. So why am I complaining about everyone except tw (continued)
April 6, 1875: Black Horse is one of several Southern Cheyenne sent to prison in St. Augustine, Fla., (from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency - later called Fort Reno), for their part in the uprisings in Indian Territory, and Texas. While handcuffed, he attempts to escape by hiding among the rest of his tribe. He is pursued and mortally wounded by Army guards under the command of Capt. Andrew Bennett, 5th Infantry. Several shots miss Black Horse and hit other Cheyenne. The Cheyenne retaliate (continued)
Many of my senior friends and acquaintances have begun groaning about fixing meals. Especially if it’s only themselves who need to eat. As seniors, does it even matter what, when or if we eat regular meals? Many of us have taken that bumpy, painful ambulance ride to the hospital. I know I’ve had my turn and, sad to tell you, but it seems there are no shock absorbers on that vehicle. Maybe it depends on who is driving. Anyway, so many times what do we hear when the doctor looks us over? (continued)
Warrenton is a very exciting place to be. We’ve seen unprecedented growth in the past 10 years. This has translated into a cornucopia of shopping and dining choices, and we’re building more housing than any other city in the county. There’s something for just about everybody. There’s no denying — these changes have come with growing pains, but we are poised to meet those challenges. The primary question we’re asking is “What decisions can we make now to ensure Warrenton is a great (continued)
Thousands of people flood the North Coast each year -- filling hotels, campgrounds and restaurants – as part of the annual Astoria-Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival. “Crabfest” is the region’s biggest festival and, perhaps, its biggest money-maker. Nearly 300 people volunteer to staff shifts doing everything from taking tickets and coordinating parking to guarding emergency exits. A dozen service groups tackle some of the hardest jobs – emptying trash, cleaning up afterward (continued)
A festival that celebrates the best of the Northwest ought to have some great seafood. And the Crab, Wine and Seafood Festival doesn’t disappoint. Astoria Rotary Club offers full- and half-crab dinners, along with several sides, in the main event hall. Most of the other food vendors can be found in the food tent, including the Astoria Clowns with their shrimp or crab melts, and the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce with its oyster booth. “Almost all offer some sort of seafood option,” (continued)
Getting to “crabfest” is easy, as long as you know what you’re doing. The festival is held mostly indoors at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria. Don’t bother trying to park at the fairgrounds; it’s expensive ($15 per car, cash only!) and the lots fill up quickly. And those with RVs or trailers won’t find any room at all. So take the shuttle. It drops attendees off at the front door and it costs a mere $3 (again, cash only!). If you’re staying in a hotel (continued)
More than 140 wines entered his year’s “Unwined” competition, which was held a month before the Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival. Judges spent the morning sipping and selecting the best and then members of the public got to do the same during an evening event upstairs at the Liberty Theatre. This year’s judges were Allen Cox, editor-in-chief of Northwest Travel & Life magazine; Joseph V. Micallef, a best-selling author and syndicated columnist; Kerry McDaniel Boenisch, owner of (continued)
A ribbon-cutting and open house for Sunset Empire Transportation District’s Transit Center is set for 11:45 a.m. Thursday, April 26, at the transit center on Marine Drive. The transit center is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On Jan. 27, 1993, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners held a hearing to consider formation of the proposed transportation district to encompass all of Clatsop County (excluding the city limits of Gearhart at that time). The final public hearing was March 10, (continued)
Two new health classes start up next week and are free to attendees. “Cancer: Thriving and Surviving” is 9:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays, April 16 through May 21. The class is open to anyone living with cancer and their caregiver/support person. The workshop is designed to enhance regular treatment and covers frustration fatigue, pain, isolation and making decisions about treatment and complementary therapies. “Living Well with Chronic Conditions” is 9:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, April (continued)
Wauna Credit Union will hold a youth savings challenge the entire month of April at all its branches. Any child or teenager making a savings deposit will receive fun gifts and is eligible to win prizes. Financial education opportunities for kids will be available as well. A 2017 national survey found that about 60 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings and nearly 40 percent had none. (continued)
“See How They Run,” a play presented by Astor Street Opry Company, begins its monthlong run today, March 30, at the playhouse, 129 W. Bond St., Astoria. The fast-paced farce is set in post-World War II Europe in an English vicarage. Characters include an American actor and actress, a cockney maid, a drunken spinster, four clergymen and a bishop. The play is at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through April 28 with two Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The box office window opens an hour befo (continued)
A Warrenton woman was injured Monday when she was struck by a truck while riding her bicycle on Highway 101 south of Costco. Marvel L. Williams, 33, was riding south on the northbound highway shoulder when a 2014 Toyota Tacoma struck her about 5:38 p.m. She was taken by ambulance to Columbia Memorial Hospital with a broken shoulder and broken ankle. The vehicle that struck her was driven by Curtis R. Schluter, 22, of Warrenton, who told officers he didn’t see the bicyclist until after he’d (continued)
A Hammond man was arrested on suspicion of assault after a sheriff’s deputy spotted him in an altercation with his brother. A sheriff’s sergeant who was serving some civil paperwork pulled into the family’s driveway in the 200 block of Tyee Street about 8:45 p.m. April 3 and saw one of the brothers bent over, holding his chest and having some difficulty breathing, according to a probable cause declaration filed by Warrenton Police Department. The man told the deputy his brother accused (continued)
Six local law enforcement agencies have joined together to develop a citizen patrol, sometimes referred to as the “eyes and ears of law enforcement.” The 2018 Citizen Police Academy begins Tuesday, April 17, and runs through mid-June. Attendees will learn about the different aspects of law enforcement including crime scenes, investigations, use of Tasers and firearms and they’ll get to tour various facilities including the Clatsop County Jail. Classes are 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through (continued)
Warrants Arrest, 10 p.m. April 4, 400 block Northwest Ridge Road. Caleb Daniel Connell, 30, of Warrenton was pick up on an outstanding probation violation warrant and released pending a court hearing. Thefts Items stolen from campsite, 7:40 p.m. March 29, transient camp behind Goodwill. A 56-year-old man reported someone took his clothes, cell phone and bicycle tire. Purse stolen, 9:13 p.m. April 7, Walgreens. Wallet stolen from purse, 12:38 p.m. April 8, Costco. Four stolen trailers, 12:36 (continued)
Thefts/burglaries Employee theft, 12:22 a.m. March 23, Fred Meyer. Jeremy Robert Hahn, 39, of Warrenton was arrested on suspicion of theft II and released pending a court hearing. Suspicious circumstances/disturbances Malicious mischief, 2:56 p.m. March 27, Warrenton Community Library. An outside electrical box was tampered with and a padlock opened. Disorderly conduct, 10:15 p.m. March 27, Warrenton Mini Mart parking lot. Joe W. Blackler, 36, of Warrenton was arrested on suspicion of (continued)