It’s not every day that a big government project comes in under budget and ahead of schedule. But that’s what happened on Warrenton’s water meter replacement project. Chris Dials Contracting of Tillamook was able to save taxpayers $17,592 and knock 17 days off the project work schedule. Public Works Director Collin Stelzig had the happy task of asking city commissioners to revise the contract in the city’s favor. “The state was surprised we called,” Stelzig told them. More than two (continued)
The Old-Fashioned Fourth of July committee has begun taking applications for the parade, car show and motorcycle tailgate party. The 2018 theme is “Salute Our Heroes.” “We do not have a single grand marshal this year,” said Mike Moha, committee chairman. “All of our ‘heroes’ are being honored.” Old-Fashioned Fourth of July is sponsored by the city of Warrenton and the Warrenton Business Association. Applications have been e-mailed to prior parade participants. Applications also (continued)
Sunset Empire Transportation District may be changing its fares and passes. The district should go to a flat-rate fare and not use the zone-based system currently in place, Executive Director Jeff Hazen proposes. He recommends a complete overhaul of the Bus Pass program that would have two levels of passes, one for standard riders and the other a reduced-fare pass for seniors, those with disabilities, students and low-income households. “By having reduced fares that include low-incom (continued)
Registration is now open for the 2018 Great Columbia Crossing, one of the region’s most popular events in which runners are allowed to cross the Astoria-Megler bridge on foot. This year’s run is Oct. 14 and several changes are in store for participants. “Runners and walkers can do something they’ve never been able to do before during their trek from Washington to Oregon … focus on their performance without being confined to one lane and without the distraction of passing cars,” says (continued)
Forty-nine students will make their way across the stage in Warrenton High School’s gymnasium tonight as they receive diplomas for surviving a dozen or more years in the educational system. Some truly excelled. All of them completed the minimum tasks the school system placed upon them. They are among the first to go through school with an increased emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and on female achievement in those areas. And some got to benefit from CTE, or career (continued)
Grand opening is 8 a.m. June 13
Dozens of blue-vested workers scurry about the nearly open Walmart, shelving and pricing items. Contractors in yellow safety vests hang the final electrical cables and activate the last security cameras. Two gentlemen greeters man the entryway, ensuring employees, construction workers and visitors get to their destinations. Store Manager Kimberly Smith works on plans for the store’s grand opening, a gala celebration with a Coast Guard presentation, food trucks, Sunday Market vendors and other (continued)
An abundance of seafood is within our reach, waiting to be harvested. But the workers are few and the processing plants far between. “There are no young people coming to the fleet,” said Kevin Dunn, a fisherman and net-maker working out of Warrenton. “It’s a graying industry and trawl boats are expensive.” Oregon State University and Sea Grant Oregon sponsored the second annual Clatsop Commercial Fisheries Tour on Wednesday, taking 100 public officials, reporters and industry (continued)
New building official began work this week in Warrenton
New state regulations set to begin July 1 threaten to shut down some cities’ building programs. A bipartisan group of legislators that includes Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, has gone into overdrive, attempting to quash the law before it goes into effect. “This entire debacle is a clarion call for legislative engagement in the 2019 session,” Johnson said. The new regulations – which would require cities to have building officials on staff -- were issued on an emergency basis by the (continued)
Western snowy plover nests have been found at Fort Stevens State Park, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department reported May 25. Wildlife biologists spotted nests in the Clatsop Spit area, the first to be found there in several decades. The birds have been listed as a threatened species since 1993. “Plovers nesting at Fort Stevens is a huge step for species recovery and people who support a healthy environment,” said Vanessa Blackstone, a parks wildlife biologist. “We can all be proud (continued)
An Astoria man was killed on Highway 101 Tuesday evening when his white Ford Escape crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on, according to Oregon State Police. Dale Larson, 84, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 5:30 p.m. crash, which occurred near Dellmoor Loop Road. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Larson was headed south when his vehicle struck the northbound black GMC pickup, which was being driven by Jesse Taylor, 38, of Seaside. Taylor, and a passenger in his pickup, (continued)
Nicole Cleary, Medix Ambulance’s primary biller, has been named a 2018 recipient of the Stars of Life Award from the American Ambulance Association. The program honors emergency medical services professionals who stand out and represent excellence in every area of the industry. “Her great attitude is a pleasure to be around and generates a pleasurable work environment, yet still produces high quality work in a very fast-paced job,” Medix Business Office Manager Krista Cuthbert said. (continued)
Two local businessmen have been appointed to the Warrenton Business Association. Mitchell Wright, the manager of Staples in Warrenton, and Tommy Smith, an owner of Main Street Market, both were appointed by the City Commission to four-year terms. The WBA is a city committee designed to advise the commission on issues that affect businesses and determine how the city should best use the business license fees Warrenton’s businesses pay to enhance the local economy. Kailee Kobe, who manages the (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
Age is commonly referred to in many different terms. Writing a column directed specifically toward seniors is challenging, to be sure. You’d think that since I am one, it would be simple Simon. Maybe not so. Recently, I read that many in the post-World War II Baby Boomer Generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) are into their senior years in growing numbers. My six children were born from 1952 to 1960, so that means I’m addressing their needs, too. Do I advise them on taking care of (continued)
June 8, 1871: Kiowa Chief Satanta admits to Gen. William T. Sherman that he and two other Indians led the Warren Wagon Train raid on the Butterfield Trail. Sherman has the three arrested. One of them, Satank, manages to free himself from his handcuffs while being transported to Fort Richardson. Satank attacks a guard with a knife and grabs the rifle of another. He is shot and killed by the remaining soldiers. His body is thrown in a ditch and the group continues to Texas. June 9, 1870: Ely S. (continued)
In my last Mayor’s Message, I talked about our city goals for the coming fiscal year. Those goals are Community Building, Vision Plan Update, Downtown Improvements and Emergency Preparedness. The overarching question that guided the creation of these goals was “What decisions can we make now to ensure Warrenton is a great place to live and raise a family in 10 years?” As some may already know, every Monday at 9 a.m., I hold a constituent coffee at City Hall. Everyone is welcome to come. (continued)
Summer doesn't begin until June 21. So don't complain if we have a little fog or rain. Statistics reveal that June is the most popular month for weddings, followed by August and September. We often hear “For they say when you marry in June, you’re a bride all your life.” In doing a bit of research on why June is so popular for marrying, I found some practical as well as humorous reasons. Let me share a few with you. ** June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. ** (continued)
June 1, 1934: The U.S. government crafts a legal definition for “Indian.” June 2, 1999: American Indians file a class action suit against major tobacco companies contending they were excluded from a $206 billion settlement reached with 46 states the previous year. June 3, 1833: Secretary of War Lewis Cass orders the U.S. Marshal’s Office to remove white settlers and trespassers from Creek Indian lands in Alabama. June 4, 1871: Gen. George Crook takes command of the Department of Arizona, (continued)
Events
“Libraries Rock,” Warrenton Community Library’s Summer Reading Program, is under way. A kick-off party was held June 9 and sign-ups will be taken through June 30. To help, contact the library 503-861-8268. Teens who sign up by this week and complete the entire summer will receive a letter of community service for their college file and an extra entry into the grand prize drawing at the end of summer. ** Wednesdays: Crafts Day ** Saturdays: Saturday Stories at 11 a.m., with members of the (continued)
Christian Church of Warrenton will have its Vacation Bible School from 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 25-29.
This year’s theme is “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus.”
To enroll, contact the church at 503-861-1714. (continued)
A vacation Bible school encompassing all the churches in Astoria (and including any child countywide who wants to attend) will be held June 25 through June 28. Theme of the citywide VBS is “Ocean Commotion” and it runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. It’s for children ages 3 through grade 6. Lunch is included each day. Cost is $15 for the four days or $25 per family, although no child will be turned away for lack of funds. Sign-ups are being taken at fpcastoria.org and click on “Astori (continued)
Lum’s Auto Center is sponsoring “Win a Toyota Camry at the Coast,” a sweepstakes that runs through Aug. 3. Five entrants will be randomly selected as finalists via online or on-site event registrations. One of them will be named as the grand-prize winner during the Diamond Rio concert Aug. 4 at the Clatsop County Fair. The four-remaining finalists will receive a $50 Visa gift card and Toyota-branded promotional items, such as T-shirts, water bottles and more. To enter the sweepstakes or (continued)
Thursdays are Egg Days at the North Coast Food Web.
Farm-fresh chicken and duck eggs will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Food Web, 577 18th St., Astoria.
Hosts are Brutal Hill Farms, Lazy Creek Farms, Spring Up Farm and Blackberry Bog Farm. (continued)
The Oregon Historical Marker Program will dedicate a new historical marker that tells the story of the U.S.S. Shark, which wrecked at the mouth of the Columbia River in 1846. The dedication is at 1 p.m. today, June 15, on Highway 101 at the wayside on Highway 101. Parking is at the Arch Cape Fire Station just south of the wayside. Three of the ship’s carronades (short, smoothbore cast-iron naval cannons) were found at various locations near what is today Arch Cape. A replica of one of those (continued)
RV Palooza, in which those interested in a new recreational vehicle can look through the latest models, will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 15-24, at Rainier City Park on A Street in Rainier.
Guaranty RV will be offering free RV driving classes for those who need help backing up and other sometimes difficult driving tasks. (continued)
The 34th season of “Shanghaied in Astoria” kicks off in July and Astor Street Opry Company has begun selling tickets.
Shanghaied is an award-winning musical melodrama/comedy that’s family friendly.
The season runs from July 12 through Sept. 1. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with three Sunday matinees (July 22, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19).
Tickets are $10 to $20 and available at asocplay.com. (continued)
Artists are invited to compete in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2019 Habitat Conservation Stamp, Waterfowl Stamp and Upland Game Bird Stamp art competitions. Collector’s stamps, art prints and other promotional materials are produced from first place artwork. Winning artists in each contest receive $2,000. Entries can be delivered or shipped to ODFW headquarters between Aug. 31 and Sept. 28, at 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive S.E., Salem, OR 97302. Habitat Conservation Stamp: (continued)
Warrenton High School will celebrate 100 years with an all-school reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 21 in the school’s cafeteria.
All former students are urged to reserve the date. Light refreshments will be served. For questions, call 503-738-3493. (continued)
Police and Public Safety
Work that may affect your travels in the week ahead: ** Astoria: The Netel Grange Bridge on Lewis and Clark Road will be closed today, June 8, beginning at 6 a.m. ** Astoria: Portions of Walluski Loop will be closed south of the fairgrounds for multiple culvert replacements. ** Knappa: Old Highway 30 from Koppisch Road to the Highway 30 intersection will be closed to through traffic. ** Knappa: Abbott Road will be open to one lane only for road maintenance. Drivers can expect delays of up to 20 (continued)
Thefts and burglaries Vehicle prowl, 6:39 a.m. May 30, Fred Meyer parking lot. Someone entered vehicle and took a purse that contained narcotics. Suspicious circumstances/disturbances Neighbor dispute, 3:50 p.m. June 2, 1000 block Southwest Second Street. A man contends his neighbor got gravel all over his driveway while weeding the property line. The neighbor contends the gravel was from a concrete pad the man had poured. The man’s roommate volunteered to clean the mess. Littering, 9:16 p.m. (continued)
Warrants Warrant service, 1:38 p.m. May 28, South Jetty Inn. A woman wanted on warrants was arrested on three additional charges after she attempted to escape, causing a traffic hazard by running in a traffic lane on Pacific Drive. Patricia E. Havens, 26, of Hammond was captured about a block from the motel. She was booked at Clatsop County Jail on three warrants and arrested on suspicion of interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct and escape. Thefts/burglaries Stolen plate, 11:30 (continued)
