Columbia Memorial Hospital is about to jump into the next phase of construction for a major expansion project at its Astoria campus even though federal funding for key parts of that work remains in limbo. Hospital leaders aren’t sure if the push forward will jeopardize access to that money in the future, but they say…
The cause of a fire at one of the tallest coastal Douglas fir trees in the world is still under investigation. The Doerner Fir Tree in Oregon’s Southern Coast Range is black from its bottom to its top following a mysterious fire first reported in its canopy in mid-August. Investigators ruled out lightning strikes. Now,…
The Clatsop County Animal Shelter is at capacity after dogs and cats seized in an animal neglect case arrived last week. While the shelter still must respond to reports of animals at large and continues to work to connect stray animals with owners, it is not able to take pets being voluntarily surrendered by their…
A small red and white sign bolted to a metal post warns: “Danger. Do not jump from rocks.” Above it, a larger brown sign tells people not to camp or park overnight. The signs are posted in the gravel parking lot for the popular Youngs River Falls recreational site outside of Astoria and they are…
Last week, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia produced a tsunami that spread across the Pacific Ocean and triggered a tsunami advisory on the West Coast. For communities on Oregon’s North Coast and in Southwest Washington, it didn’t amount to much. Emergency managers said they saw tsunami wave heights of about half…
Still struggling with how to address issues tied to homelessness in downtown Astoria, city leaders say they plan to take another look at Astoria’s camping ordinances. This comes on the heels of the failure of another ordinance that would have temporarily banned people from downtown Astoria for up to 90 days if they committed certain…
An investigation into workplace conduct issues at the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office is ongoing, but several current and former employees attended a Clatsop County Board of Commissioner’s meeting last week to draw further attention to the matter. During a public comment period, Kaelee Kinney, a trial assistant, said district attorney staff have been bringing…
A tsunami advisory has been cancelled for the coastal areas of Oregon and Washington state following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake Tuesday off the coast of Russia. Earlier Wednesday morning the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency confirmed they were seeing wave heights that were well below a foot.
A tsunami advisory remains in effect this morning for the coastal areas of Oregon and Washington state following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake yesterday off the coast of Russia. While this does not mean massive flooding or a full tsunami for the area, local emergency management agencies warn we could continue to see higher than normal…
A tsunami watch for the coastal areas of California, Oregon and Washington state as well as British Columbia and Alaska has been upgraded to a tsunami advisory. Tsunami waves can be expected between 11:40 and 11:55 p.m. Wave heights on Long Beach, Wash., are expected to be less than a foot, according to the National…
It started with bagpipes. John Goff, a volunteer programmer with KMUN, wandered Exchange Street between 14th and 15th streets, pipes under his arm, to open the community radio station’s block party on Saturday. Along the block, nonprofits set up tents and tables and were prepared to talk to all-comers about their organization and engage them…
In the weeks after a tragic hit-and-run accident in Astoria, there have been calls for city leaders to address safety issues along a tricky and dangerous stretch of Irving Avenue. On Tuesday, the Astoria Planning Commission, acting as the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, promised to follow up with city staff on ways to ease problem…
City leaders have approved a new program meant to provide clearer guidance on how people might be able to land grant funding and loans through Astoria’s urban renewal districts. In the past requesting funds through the districts was a fairly informal process: a group or individual would come to the Astoria City Council, acting as…
An investigation into workplace conduct issues at the Clatsop County District Attorney’s office has left the office short-staffed, causing confusion and consternation for those dealing with the fallout. Two employees were placed on indefinite leave at the end of June, tied to an ongoing investigation ordered by the county, according to people familiar with the…
Local groups rallied to bring a crowd to a naturalization ceremony on Oregon’s North Coast after hearing some families were nervous about attending. Thirty people from 17 countries became American citizens ahead of the Fourth of July holiday at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Warrenton — and the crowd watching the ceremony was…
Columbia Memorial Hospital is set to receive $6 million from the state of Oregon for a major expansion project at its Astoria campus. Oregon’s House and Senate passed House Bill 5006 on Friday. The bill included the budget allocation for the hospital as well as $700,000 for the Columbia River Maritime Museum’s Mariners Hall Exhibition…
A new rule will ban driving on a popular beach near Manzanita, but one somewhat unexpected group is relieved they won’t lose access: dorymen. At a recent meeting, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to ban vehicles on a stretch of beach that runs from an area known as Neahkahnie Beach, just north…
A federal judge has granted a national preliminary injunction that will halt the closure of Job Corps campuses for now. The decision, issued Wednesday, prevents the Department of Labor from shutting down the Job Corps program while a lawsuit against the closure is still in motion. It follows an extension of a temporary restraining order…
With differing opinions over the intent of a proposed ordinance versus its possible real world impacts, the Astoria City Council voted 3-2 at a Monday night to reject an ordinance that would have temporarily banned people from downtown Astoria if they broke certain laws. The ordinance would have created enhanced enforcement zones in downtown Astoria…
The sidewalk along part of Exchange Street in downtown Astoria is about the right size: Just wide enough to legally camp on, said Timathy Bachteler. Or as legally as he can under the city’s camping ordinance. When he’s all set up, ideally there is still the minimum six feet of “clear, continuous width” for pedestrians…
With looming infrastructure needs and rising costs, water, sewer and garbage rates are going up for Astorians. At a meeting Monday night, the Astoria City Council approved a 6% increase to water and sewer rates. The average residential user could see an increase of around $10 per month, though City Manager Scott Spence noted that…
An ordinance that would temporarily exclude people who are charged with committing certain offenses from parts of Astoria is on hold until next week. After listening to nearly two hours of testimony at a public hearing Monday night, the Astoria City Council opted to continue the meeting to next Monday. They said they wanted more…
Hundreds of people turned out on Oregon’s North Coast to protest President Donald Trump and his policies on Saturday. In Astoria, organizers with Indivisible North Coast Oregon estimate around 1,400 and perhaps as many as 1,800 people assembled along one mile of Marine Drive. In Seaside, between 300 and 400 people attended. Similar protests were…
ASTORIA, Ore — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the closing of Job Corps centers across the nation, days after the Trump administration announced it was shutting down the job training program. The restraining order buys extra time for staff and students at the Tongue Point Job Corps center in Astoria. Some of them faced…
Vacation rentals in Astoria now come with a licensing requirement and a cap on the total number allowed in the city. On Monday, the Astoria City Council voted 4-1 to approve an ordinance establishing a vacation-rental license program and capping the number of rentals at 50. Astoria currently has 43 vacation rentals. Councilors Andy Davis,…
Astoria city leaders will hold community meeting to discuss issues as local Job Corps center prepares to close ASTORIA, Ore. — An estimated 20 students at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria and 18 staff members and their families could lose their housing by the end of the week. The center is due…
Police have identified the victim in a fatal hit and run in Astoria on Sunday. Patricia Harrison, 77, of Astoria died after being hit by a vehicle near 16th Street and Irving Avenue. The suspect allegedly fled the scene and struck another car farther up in the neighborhood then continued on 17th Street. Officers with…
Updated Sunday, June 1, 9:45 p.m. An elderly woman is dead following an alleged hit and run Sunday morning near downtown Astoria. The Astoria Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash near 16th Street and Irving Avenue around 9:18 a.m. The 77-year-old pedestrian died at the scene. The…
Astoria city leaders are considering ways to help close a funding gap for a lower-income housing project downtown. Copeland Commons, a former historic hotel on Marine Drive, would add up to 68 units to a city that has long felt a lack of affordable and workforce-priced housing. The Copeland Commons project has been in the…
There were two types of people outside of the Goonies House one recent afternoon: Capital “F” fans of the classic 80s film “The Goonies,” who couldn’t believe they were actually here — in front of the house from the movie — and the bemused family members and friends indulging them. Minnesota resident Cynthia Ballman…