The head of the Clatsop County Health Department held a news conference today with head nursing staff from hospitals in Astoria and Seaside, to talk about the renewed and escalating pandemic in the county, fueled by the delta variant. She called the rebounding crisis a “wildfire” that is beyond containment. Joanne Rideout reports. Scroll down…
Local News
Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) has received positive test result notifications for 4 additional COVID-19 cases in Wahkiakum County residents. This brings Wahkiakum to a cumulative total of 195 cases with 23 of those potentially active and 5 fatalities. Health and Human Services is working to identify anyone who may have an exposure…
The Cedar Butte Fire continues to burn approximately 18 miles east of Tillamook off Highway 6 near Cedar Butte Road. The fire has grown from 50 to approximately 60 acres. The fire is burning largely in slash in a recent harvest unit on State Forest land and does not pose a threat to any structures. …
In response to the new surge in coronavirus infections, demand for COVID-19 testing is outstripping the capacity of local health providers. As a result, the Clatsop County Public Health Department will provide testing to the public by appointment only beginning this coming Wednesday, Aug. 18. The change is necessary to allow Public Health to focus its resources…
The City of Astoria is reporting that an individual associated with public safety functions at the Public Safety Building, has tested positive for COVID-19. The City Manager was notified that the last time this individual was in the Public Safety Building on August 4. Staff is working with Clatsop County Public Health Department to notify…
Astoria, OR – With COVID-19 cases on the unfortunate upswing both nationally and statewide, Columbia Memorial Hospital is canceling elective surgeries and converting more rooms to negative pressure environments to help ensure beds are available for those who need care. Cases in Oregon are rapidly rising, and data released by OHSU predicts that by Labor…
Oregon Health Authority yesterday reported 2,387 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, a record number of cases per day. Nine people died. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 670, which is five more than yesterday. There are 177 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is five more…
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released yesterday, showed continued steep increases in daily cases and hospitalizations. OHA reported 8,304 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 8. That represents a 40 percent increase over the previous week. There were 322 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from 256…
A wildfire burning in the Tillamook State Forest is visible from Highway 6, according to state officials. KATU in Portland reported yesterday that the Cedar Butte Fire, as it’s now called, is currently about 25 to 30 acres in scope. It’s located 18 miles east of Tillamook and north of Highway 6. Both helicopters and…
For years, Fort George Brewery blew a work whistle at its downtown brewery every day, audible in and near downtown Astoria. For some, it was a kind of connection during the pandemic. The whistle was moved earlier this year, but that’s not the end of the story. KMUN’s Jacob Lewin reports: Ever since Fort George…
With 18 new cases a day, some of the covid-19 spread we’re now seeing in Clatsop County is coming from people who have been vaccinated. KMUN’s Jacob Lewin spoke with County Public Health Director Margo Lalich and has this report: While the large majority of new covid cases involve the unvaccinated, locally about 15-percent of…
By Austin Jenkins, Northwest News Service. With COVID-19 cases once again surging and vaccination rates lagging in many parts of the state, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday ordered most state employees, as well as workers in private health care, long-term care and congregate settings to get fully vaccinated by October 18…
(Whistle Will Return). Reporter: Jacob Lewin For years, Fort George Brewery blew a work whistle at its downtown brewery every day, audible in and near downtown Astoria. For some, it was a kind of connection during the pandemic. The whistle was moved earlier this year, but that’s not the end of the story. Ever since…
PUBLIC HEALTH ENDORSES NEW STATE, FEDERAL MASK GUIDANCE Clatsop County Public Health is asking the public to observe new state and federal recommendations to wear face masks indoors to help control the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in response to a nationwide surge in cases, issued guidelines…
A crew of historic preservation students spent the past two weeks working on a century-old, women-owned commercial building in Astoria, Oregon. The project, funded by the TAWANI Foundation, is part of an effort to get more women involved in the preservation trades. Joanne Rideout reports. Photo: Students get a lesson in period window restoration as…
Around 1 p.m. on yesterday, Seaside Dispatch received a report of a structure fire at the Seaside Golf Course. Seaside Fire & Rescue found a utility shed there engulfed in flames. The blaze quickly escalated to a two-alarm fire with Seaside Fire receiving mutual aid from Gearhart, Cannon Beach, and Hamlet Fire Departments. Firefighters arriving…
Astoria Police investigate business breakins Astoria Police are investigating two early morning break-ins on Wednesday at local businesses. At about 3:09 AM a caller reported hearing a loud crash at Hong Kong restaurant located at 2813 Marine Dr. Officers arrived and observed that a rock had been thrown through the glass door. The witness reported…
Residents asked to conserve outdoor water use during temporary chlorine shortage An equipment failure at a chlorine plant in Longview, Washington, is causing chlorine shortages around the Pacific Northwest and California. It could take until early July to get supplies moving normally again. Communities should not have to worry about water supplies, but residents are…
COVID update for Friday June 11 Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services has confirmed two 2 additional COVID-19 cases in county residents. The individuals are in self-quarantine. This brings Wahkiakum to a cumulative total of 151 cases with 33 of those potentially active. There is a connection to the Wahkiakum School District. Thanks to ongoing…
Oregon couple fined for illegal crab sales A Hermiston, Oregon, couple has been sentenced to pay $1200 after illegally selling recreationally caught crab on the commercial market. The incident showcases the importance of consumers knowing that the fish and shellfish they buy are legally harvested and handled as a food product. Gerald and Shawna Wilson…
Beaverton man is sentenced in laser incident A Beaverton man was sentenced today for shining a high-powered green laser at a uniformed Federal Protective Service (FPS) officer providing security at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse during a protest in July 2020. Andrew Steven Faulkner, 25, was sentenced to three years’ federal probation to include…
Three new COVID cases in Wahkiakum County Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services has announced 3 additional COVID-19 cases in county residents. The individuals are in self-quarantine. This brings Wahkiakum to a cumulative total of 149 cases with 31 of those potentially active. There are no known connections to the Wahkiakum School District and St….
Clatsop County now in ‘Lower Risk’ category for COVID Starting today, Clatsop County is now in the Lower Risk category for COVID-19, according to statewide metrics. The county had previously been at “Moderate Risk.” The change reflects a lower local rate of new infections. The Oregon Health Authority recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases in the…
Washington COVID eviction moratorium could end June 30 A temporary moratorium on evictions in Washington state, created to assist tenants during the pandemic, is likely to expire at the end of the month. The purpose of the moratorium was to help residents stay in their homes and promote public health and safety by reducing the…
Clatsop County moves to ‘Lower Risk’ COVID-19 category Clatsop County will move from its current “Moderate Risk” designation for COVID-19 to the “Lower Risk” category, beginning Friday, June 4, based on the local rate of new infections. The Oregon Health Authority recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases in the two-week reporting period from May 16 through…
Seven new COVID cases and one death in Wahkiakum County Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services today announced seven new COVID-19 cases and the county’s first fatality from the disease. The individual who died was a female over 80. All seven patients are in self-quarantine. There is a connection to the Wahkiakum School District. Currently,…
Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Wahkiahum County residents Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services confirmed two new COVID-19 cases this morning. Both patients are in self-quarantine. This brings the total new case count this week for the county to eight new cases since Monday. Wahkiakum County has confirmed a cumulative total of 133 cases,…
Merkley to hold virtual Tillamook Town Hall on Thurs., June 3 Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on Thursday, June 3, will hold a remote and telephone town hall for constituents in Tillamook County. He’ll update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., answer questions and invite comments about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon…
Two new COVID-19 cases in Wahkiakum County Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services confirms two additional COVID-19 cases in Wahkiakum County residents. Both are in self-quarantine. There is a connection to the Wahkiakum School District. However, thanks to ongoing close cooperation between the school and Health Department and significant protective measures in place, the school…
Fire danger is up: tips for staying safe and responsible Fire danger is up in the Pacific Northwest, along with nice weather and predicted warm temperatures, and the Oregon Department of Forestry is urging people celebrating Memorial Day weekend to be careful with fire. AAA reports that about 485,000 Oregonians plan to travel over the…