Local News

LOCAL NEWS: Washington’s Wahkiakum County poise to move into Phase 3 In Washington, Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay at Home order ended yesterday (Sunday).  Most of the state’s less populous counties are already in the second phase of the four phase re-opening process.  One local county will soon apply to move to phase 3.  KMUN’s Kathleen Morgain explains.  Script…

LOCAL NEWS: Rural internet during the pandemic: never good, but now a serious problem Ever since schools and businesses closed in Oregon in March, kids and parents have embarked on a new journey – living, working and learning at home, all together, all of a sudden. Joanne Rideout takes a look at their experience, and…

LOCAL NEWS: Wahkiakum County Health Director Chris Bischoff talks about reopening  Partial script below. Scroll down to Listen. [8:24] Wahkiakum County is one of ten counties in Washington granted permission to apply for a variance that would allow a faster transition to the second phase of the state’s four phase re-opening plan.  To get approval,…

LOCAL NEWS: Seaside cancels July 4th fireworks The City of Seaside, Oregon, has canceled its annual Fourth of July fireworks display for this year. Money was an issue. So was the risk of having thousands of people crowded together on the beach during a pandemic. Joanne Rideout has more. Chamber of Commerce CEO Brian Owen…

LOCAL NEWS: Wahkiakum County Targets Limited Testing, Recommends Masks    Script below, Scroll down to Listen: [1:45] Southwest Washington’s  Wahkiakum County  is targeting limited testing with telephone screening and now is recommending wearing masks while in public.  Kathleen Morgain has more. The County is holding steady with two reported positive test results for COVID-19.  In a briefing Friday, Health…

LOCAL NEWS: Seaside offers financial aid to residents and businesses The Seaside City Council met last night and approved financial relief measures. Joanne Rideout has more. The council approved three separate proposals to help ease the burden for residents and business owners struggling with financial issues because of COVID-19. Their first proposal is aimed at…

  LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop Community College moves classes online   Personnel at Clatsop Community College have been working hard to move classes online.Today, the school reopens…..virtually. Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin has details: {1:47}   The college extended spring break so instructors could adapt to the new online technology:   “It’s been amazing. The faculty…

LOCAL NEWS: A look at local hospitals   Although Oregon has well below the national rate of covid-19 virus infection, the University of Washington is projecting 550 deaths in the state through the first wave. A U-W report projects hospital use won’t peak until May 6 th and area hospitals are not relaxing. Coast Community Radio’s…

Wahkiakum County, Washington, has its first diagnosed COVID-19 case. And Clatsop County now has its fourth.  Joanne Rideout reports. Script follows, Scroll down to Listen. Wahkiakum County Health Dept director Chris Bischoff said the case was diagnosed last night, and announced today, after the department had contacted all contacts of the patient. The department has…

LOCAL NEWS: Federal CARES Act aid for small farms uncertain The recently passed CARES act was intended to aid individuals and small businesses to weather the COVID 19 storm. Now some small farms are discovering that help for them was not included. Kathleen Morgain has one farm’s response. Script follows, scroll down to Listen: The…

While Oregon is still grappling with shortages of equipment for health providers, Oregon Department of Energy (OEM) Manager Andrew Phelps says the state has had some help from within. Joanne Rideout has more. Script follows, Scroll Down to Listen [2:24] Phelps told reporters Tuesday that while the state is still seeking PPE, or personal protective…

LOCAL NEWS: Help due for local renters   Rent will be due tomorrow for many people on the North Coast and some won’t be able to make it because of covid-19-related layoffs. Community action agencies are stepping in to help. Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin has details:     Script follows, Scroll down to Listen:{1:51}   Clatsop Community…

LOCAL NEWS: Schools respond to COVID crisis This week local schools will be doing more to respond to the coronavirus crisis including expanded meal programs, the start of childcare for essential workers, and a roll-out of at-home learning materials. Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin has details:   Script follows, Scroll down to Listen [1:47] After…

  LOCAL NEWS: Childcare help for essential workers   While kids are home from school, some of their parents have to go to work to provide essential services and need childcare. In Clatsop and Pacific counties, they’ll be getting help. Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin reports:   Script follows, Scroll down to Listen:   While Oregon…

LOCAL BREAKING NEWS: Clatsop County announces 2nd confirmed COVID-19 case Wednesday morning, Clatsop County announced the county’s second confirmed COVID-19 case. Joanne Rideout reports. Clatsop County Health Department Director Mike McNickle released the info in a phone call with media. Mike McNickle: “This morning we were notified by OHA, Oregon Health Authority, that we have…

BREAKING LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop County has its first confirmed COVID case by Joanne Rideout The coronavirus has arrived on the north Oregon coast. KMUN’s Joanne Rideout reports. [1:22] Clatsop County Health Director Mike McNickle held a press conference by phone with media at 10 am Monday to announce that the county has its first case….

LOCAL NEWS: Astoria Co-op goes all out to protect customers, workers from COVID-19 If there’s one local business that’s a model of being corona virus-ready, it is the Astoria Co-op. Starting today, the co-op will add curbside pick-up.  Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin reports: Co-op Manager Matt Stanley says compared to a couple of weeks…

LOCAL NEWS: Coastal communities shut down as spring break tourists swarm by Joanne Rideout Coastal officials in Oregon and Washington sprang into action this weekend, responding to an influx of spring break visitors on beaches and other recreation areas during a state of emergency over COVID-19. Joanne Rideout reports. Script follows, scroll down to Listen…

LOCAL NEWS: Listen to KMUN’s Evening Newscast, Thursday, March 19, 2020 In tonight’s Northwest News, host Dylan Hauser Shaulk brings you these stories from Coast Community Radio’s local reporting team: Joanne Rideout, Jacob Lewin and Kathleen Morgain. More on closures of area municipal offices A look at COVID-19 testing in Pacific and Wahkiakum counties in…

LOCAL NEWS: Governor makes declaration as hospital shortages loom Oregon Governor Kate Brown is ordering hospitals and other health care providers to stop elective procedures. The move is designed to conserve crucial medical supplies. Coast Community Radio’s Jacob Lewin has details. (Script below, scroll down to Listen: [1:08]) The Oregon Health Authority says the state is…

LOCAL NEWS: Tillamook County emergency director throws his hat in the ring Tillamook County official shifts gears to run for sheriff.  Joanne Rideout reports. Gordon McCraw, Tillamook County emergency management director, also known to Coast Community Radio listeners as the station’s meteorologist, has announced his candidacy in the November election for Tillamook County Sheriff. McCraw…

LOCAL NEWS: Pacific Power $45K grant will fund Astoria electric car charging stations Lovely! A story that’s not about the coronavirus! A boost for electric car owners is headed for Astoria. Joanne Rideout reports. Pacific Power will award the City of Astoria a $45,000 grant to install two electric vehicle charging stations at the Astoria…

LOCAL NEWS: Pacific Power says no shutoffs Pacific Power will not disconnect customers in Oregon, Washington and California during emergency response to COVID-19. Joanne Rideout reports. Pacific Power says they are temporarily suspending disconnections and late fees for non-payment for customers in Oregon, Washington and California to support the state of emergency declared in all…

LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop Circuit Court enacts COVID restrictions Clatsop County Circuit Court has new COVID-19 protocols in place. Joanne Rideout has more. Read below, scroll down to Listen: [:42] Most hearings have been rescheduled till after May 1, and may be extended depending on what happens. Court hearings that are scheduled during this time will…

LOCAL NEWS: COVID-19 kills Clark County couple A husband and wife, both in their 80s and living in separate care facilities in Clark County, Washington, have both died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Joanne Rideout reports. [1:28] They were both hospitalized last week at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in…

LOCAL NEWS: WA donors asked to give blood to stem shortage by Joanne Rideout The Washington State Department of Health is asking eligible donors to give blood. Growing concerns about COVID-19 are cancelling blood drives and causing a shortage of blood available for patients. The state health department says it’s a significant public health risk….

LOCAL NEWS: COVID-19 testing ongoing in Clatsop County Clatsop County residents have a lot of questions about COVID-19 testing locally.  Here’s an update. by Joanne Rideout Clatsop County Health Dept Director Mike McNickle said, contrary to rumors circulating on social media and elsewhere, people are indeed being tested locally in the county for the virus. …

LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop County declares public emergency The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted Monday March 16 to declare a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The declaration will be in place through May 1. By declaring an emergency, the county can now take actions such as declaring curfews, placing limits on public…

LOCAL NEWS: City of Astoria says no water shutoffs The City of Astoria is giving water customers a break during COVID-19. Joanne Rideout has more. The City of Astoria has announced that temporarily, city water service will not be canceled without a request from the customer.  The temporary policy, announced Monday, was enacted in response…