Summer food programs for children are being offered throughout Clatsop County. “When school is out during summer, some students may not get the nutrition or learning opportunities they need, causing a ‘summer gap’ that is difficult to make up once school starts again in the fall,” said Jessica Visinsky, outreach coordinator for Oregon Department of Education. More than 300,000 children in the state are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches during the school year, only 38,908 (continued)
The sale of about 200 leftover controlled big game hunt tags has been delayed until Aug. 1. The process for purchasing the tags changed this year due to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s new electronic licensing system, with leftover tags being sold exclusively online, rather than from license sales agents and vendors. ODFW delayed the sale date from July 1 to Aug. 1 to allow more time for staff to complete testing of the new process before the sale takes place. The delay also provides (continued)
Problems caused by illegal campers have escalated in the past month, prompting a police crackdown on transient camps. But as soon as campers are moved from one spot, a new campsite springs up elsewhere. Those living in the camps ignore police warnings of future arrests, perhaps deeming the consequences negligible since the county jail is too crowded to house the arrestees. “There’s been more of an increase this year than ever before,” Warrenton Police Chief Matt Workman said. “It’s a (continued)
The city is signing a quit claim agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that transfers ownership of Hammond Marina to the city. “I’ve been waiting five years of my life for this,” Mayor Henry Balensifer said. City employees and members of the public in the council chambers applauded after the City Commission gave its unanimous approval to the agreement Tuesday night. Plans to transfer ownership from the federal government to the city are more than a decade in the making; the city (continued)
Don Bohn was named Clatsop County’s new manager Tuesday following a closed session by the county Board of Commissioners. Bohn is assistant county administrator for Washington County and is expected to begin his new position Sept. 16. He replaces Cameron Moore, who retired in January. Assistant County Manager Monica Steele has served as Interim County Manager since Moore’s departure. “I’m excited to join the Clatsop County team, and excited about the work we’re going to do together,” (continued)
Herbert William DeMander Jr (Bill) September 2, 1931- May 8, 2019 Bill DeMander was once asked by his father to help build a chicken coop in their back yard. Ever ready to lend a helping hand and offer up his time, he was proud to serve anyone who asked. Bill was happy to discover that the hard work he put into building such a sturdy and square coop can still be appreciated today. If you happen to visit Espanola, WA, you can still find this perfect example of his giving spirit and work ethic 74 (continued)
Caroline Kotson of Astoria was named to the President’s List for spring semester at Gonzaga University.
Students must earn at least a 3.85 grade-point average to be listed.
Gonzaga University is a private Catholic University in Spokane, Wash. (continued)
Razor clamming closes on Clatsop County beaches beginning Monday, July 15, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The summer closure protects newly set young clams from harvesters, giving them a chance to establish before clamming reopens in the fall. The annual closure, which has been in place since 1967, runs through Sept. 30 from Tillamook Head in Seaside to the mouth of the Columbia River. Razor clam stock assessments also are completed by ODFW during the closure period. (continued)
** VFW plans The local VFW post wants to lease or buy the old Hammond City Hall. “We have been looking for a building for our post and auxiliary for a long time,” said Bert Little, quartermaster of Fort Stevens Post 10580. The structure was once a barracks building at Fort Stevens, was moved to Pacific Drive to become the former city’s government building and then was turned into a library when Hammond disincorporated and was swallowed up by Warrenton. The building and grounds would (continued)
The five top entries in the parade received trophies based on decoration, patriotism, enthusiasm and creativity. Winners of the car show were Best in show: Ross Getchell, 1956 Crown Victoria Mayor’s choice: Craig & Gail Sines, 67 Mustang 390 GT People’s choice: Tom Thies, 1972 Honda 2600 People’s choice: Lonie and Dawnell Wright, 1937 Dodge pickup People’s choice: Len and Janet Mossman, 1955 Airstream Trailer People’s choice: Bill Cook, 1967 Camaro People’s choice: Tim & Melba (continued)
Warrenton’s Fourth of July Parade theme was “Main Street USA” and the patriotic array of Americana strutting its way down the city’s main drag did not disappoint. There were cool cars, rumbling motorcycles, kids on decorated bicycles, service members, clowns, athletes, Boy Scouts, dressed-up pets and candy. Lots and lots of candy. “It was a fun day the entire day,” said Mike Moha, coordinator of Warrenton’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July event. “It looked like everyone had a fun (continued)
What do paint, fluorescent lights, thermometers, motor oil and batteries have in common? They’re all hazardous materials found in the average home. They can pollute the air, ground or water table and potentially spark fires or chemical burns. The county and its partners are in the final stages of constructing a new household hazardous waste facility where all county residents can dispose of these and other products free of charge. The drive-through, 1,600-square-foot solar-powered center took (continued)
Warrenton’s city leaders passed a $36.47 million budget that will be used to fund everything from police and fire to public works and parks in the fiscal year that began Monday. School and county leaders also approved budgets for the year ahead and set property tax levels for their constituents. The biggest shock for some public entities was a spike in the Public Employees Retirement System funding. The city budget’s impact from PERS was an additional $185,657 over the previous fiscal year, (continued)
** May was a busy month for the Clatsop County Planning Department, with Building Codes issuing 250 permits and completing 486 inspections. This represents a 70 percent increase in the number of permits issued over May 2018 and a 28 percent increase in the number of completed inspections. ** County staff has been meeting with architects, designers, engineers, and security electronics consultants to set a timeline for construction of the new jail in Warrenton. The former Oregon Youth Authority (continued)
Wauna Credit Union employees recently donated more than $6,500 for the Food for Kids Program at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Astoria. Employees selected it as their charity of choice during the year. “Our employees care about giving back to our communities and that’s why we chose the Food for Kids program,” said Kristen DeForrest, WCU compliance specialist. “I know this food makes a tremendous impact on the students’ ability to learn and grow, and we hope others will join us (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
An “old wives tale” is defined as “an often traditional belief that is not based on fact,” according to my Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Believe it or not, some “tales” have been going on since the 15th century. Most of us grew up hearing many old wives tales and looked at them simply as fact. This time of the year, especially, we are told that swimming with a full stomach causes cramps, and that one should wait an hour after eating before swimming. This is false, (continued)
Events
Alec Hutson Band, a Boston-based soul-pop group, performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the KALA stage, 1017 Marine Drive, Astoria (across the street from Himani Restaurant.
Hutson, a singer/songwriter who plays multiple instruments, released his album, “Reactions,” last year and toured Europe and the East Coast.
Opening act will be local musicians David Crabtree and Ray Coffey.
Tickets are $15 and available at libertyastoria.showare.com. The venue is for ages 16 and older. (continued)
Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Collaborative is offering several informative and informal lunch-time conversations about ways to improve one’s health. The free presentations are from 11 a.m. to noon in the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative activity room, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. Light bites will be provided. For more information, call 503-338-4520. ** July 26: Join Karin Temple, local labyrinth leader, and facilitators of our morning meditation group to learn about labyrinth (continued)
The magic of the old Gearhart Hotel is featured in a two-act musical that begins July 26 at the Liberty Theatre. Mike Herron wrote the play and all the characters are named after real people who made up the hotel’s colorful history. The musical has eight actors, original songs and choreography, period photos projected as sets and a small orchestra. The musical will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 26 and 27. General admission seats are $25. Doors open half an hour before performance. Tickets (continued)
Clatsop Community College Library has scheduled a series of weekday summer movie matinees dealing with scientific topics and other subjects of interest. The public is invited and welcome to bring a lunch to eat while watching. Each movie is show twice during the week, at noon on Tuesdays and at 1 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is free and popcorn is provided. Each screening is about an hour long and will be shown in the library’s lounge. July 9 and 11: “Numbers as God” from the series Magic (continued)
The 35th season of “Shanghaied in Astoria” opens July 11 at the Astor Street Opry Company Playhouse, 129 W. Bond St. More than two dozen performers, many of them community members who have performed in the show since it started in 1985. The historical comedy and musical melodrama is about a heroine who owns a fishing cannery and a bad guy who wants it for himself. The hero is a Finnish boy named Eric Olsen who has four lovely, but unwed, sisters. The play is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, (continued)
Angora Hiking Club will hike the six-mile Fort-to-Sea Trail at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 6. Members will meet at Sunset Beach in Warrenton for the medium-difficulty trail that ends at Lewis and Clark National Park. It will be led by Arline LaMear. To participate, call her at 503-338-6883. Later in the month, the group will take the Fort Stevens History Hike at Battery Russell, an easy four-mile walk led by park ranger Chad McHugh. Participants should meet at Battery Russell at 9:30 a.m. (continued)
Police and Public Safety
** Warrants Warrant service, 6:15 a.m. July 1, west side of soccer fields. Natasha Irene Ackerman, 35, of Nehalem was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant from Washington County. Traffic stop, 7:18 p.m. July 5, Highway 101 at Ensign Lane. Joseph Asher Woodward, 39, of Seaside was arrested on a warrant from Washington County and also cited for driving while suspended. Warrant service, 10:09 p.m. July 6, Highway 101 at Ensign Lane. Sherman Robert Fanning, 56, of Silverton was arrested on a failure (continued)
A suspected shoplifter became uncooperative and combative when store security pulled her aside at Walmart on Friday, June 28. A Warrenton police officer who happened to be at the store on another matter was called in to help and the incident turned into a full-blown scuffle. The woman was spotted by store security loitering near the front registers about 8:30 p.m. when she walked out of the store with a shopping cart with $209 worth of food, clothes and jewelry. She didn’t go through checkout (continued)
** Warrants Warrant service, 12:33 p.m. June 26, Ross Dress for Less. Thomas Joshua Hayes, 41, of Seaside was arrested on warrants from Clatsop County and Oregon State Parole Board for failure to appear, violating parole and failing to report as a sex offender. ** Thefts and burglaries Shoplifting, 8:31 p.m. June 28, Walmart. Kimmy Lynn Quast, 62, of Longview was arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer. ** (continued)
A Clatsop County sheriff’s deputy is among the graduates of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training’s basic police class.
The 16-week class covers survival skills, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, ethics, cultural diversity, problem solving, community policing, elder abuse, drug recognition, and more.
Deputy Eric Dotson will graduate from the basic police class July 12 in Salem. (continued)
