Local News


More on COVID Vaccines

Clatsop County expects to start using a new shipment of six hundred doses of COVID-19 vaccine today. For the first time, some seniors—outside of those in congregate care facilities—will be eligible. KMUN’s Jacob Lewin reports. Two hundred county residents over the age of 80 are expected to get the vaccines this week—one hundred today in Seaside…


WAHKIAKUM COVID-19 VACCINATION WAIT LIST

Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services is establishing a Covid-19 vaccination wait list. Residents who want the vaccine are urged to call the department at 360-795-1076, next week (Feb 16-19) Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 7pm. At this time the wait list is for: Anyone 18 or older with underlying conditions.   Underlying conditions are…


Today’s the day: details on senior vaccinations in Oregon

Oregon will begin vaccinating seniors this week. Joanne Rideout reports on options in Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties.   [Note: scroll down to bottom of story for how to get connected to vaccine resources in your county.] Starting today, Oregon seniors 80 years and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Starting now through the…


Good News: Oregon COVID vaccines for seniors start Monday

Good News: Oregon COVID vaccines for seniors start Monday Starting Monday, Oregon will being vaccinating senior members of the public, as the vaccine rollout enters Phase 1B. Previously, vaccines had been initially distributed to health care and other essential workers. Beginning Monday, Feb. 8, people age 80 and older can begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Seniors…


Personal Information of 1.6 million Washington Unemployment Claimants Compromised in Hack of Third-Party Software

Personal information relating to the unemployment claims of 1.6 million Washington State residents was compromised after unauthorized access was gained to files being transferred via third-party software used by the state auditor’s office. In a news release on Monday, Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy said the compromised data included Social Security numbers and personal banking…


Oregon’s Columbia County Considers Port Expansion

The Port of Columbia County is asking county commissioners to rezone more than 800 acres at Port Westward near Clatskanie for industrial uses. Environmentalists are concerned that it could lead to construction of a methanol plant that would release a vast amount of global warming gases. Wednesday, January 27th is the deadline to comment on…




County plans for vaccine distribution but unsure when supplies will arrive

Clatsop County is completely out of COVID-19 vaccine and isn’t totally sure when it will be getting more. Meanwhile the county is planning mass events for when the vaccine does arrive. KMUN’s Jacob Lewin reports. Chris Laman is the incident commander for the county vaccine task force. To put it mildly, he was surprised when no…


Washington Launches Vaccine Partnership, Online Phase Finder

Washington Governor Jay Inslee on Monday announced a public-private partnership with the goal of creating new vaccination sites and making state residents age 65 and over immediately eligible. As the vaccination effort widens the state has launched an online tool named Phase Finder for citizens to check eligibility and sign up to be notified when…


ASTORIA NORDIC PARK EFFORT REACHES $1 MILLION MILESTONE

Astoria Nordic Heritage Park devotees are celebrating as their fundraising goals for the project just reached an important milestone of $1 million. Efforts to build a monument to honor Nordic immigrants to the Oregon’s North Coast and to celebrate the heritage and traditions their descendants hold dear started in 2015. Phase One of the project…


Landslide Knocks Astoria Home from Foundation. No injuries

CITY OF ASTORIA RESPONDS TO LANDSLIDE IN UNIONTOWN Astoria Public Works has closed Alameda Avenue between Kingston Street and Ilwaco Street due to a landslide caused by the recent heavy rains. Wednesday morning, at 2:58 AM the Astoria Police, Astoria Fire Department and Medix were dispatched to 367 Alameda Avenue. The home had been pushed from its foundation and was resting across…


THREE JUVENILES ARRESTED IN SEASIDE ON MULTIPLE CHARGES

Very early Monday morning at approximately 1:09 AM, Seaside Police responded to a report of a firearm being discharged on the beach near the turnaround.  Officers located and arrested two juvenile males who were in possession of a pistol, also a third juvenile male in a parked vehicle, who was also found to be in possession of a pistol.  All…


Oregon US Senator Jeff Merkley Describes Senate Chamber Scene During Capitol Unrest

Oregon US Senator Jeff Merkley spoke on a Zoom call with Oregon reporters after being evacuated from the Senate Chamber on Wednesday as protesters stormed the Capitol. The following is audio from the call as he described the scene and his thoughts as events unfolded.  


Tillamook County’s first COVID Death

The Tillamook County Public Health Department announced Tuesday January 5th, that it was notified of the first Tillamook County resident to have died from the COVID-19 virus. The individual had died at their home on Friday January 1st, 2021. The individual had pre-existing conditions. No other information is available at this time. “Our thoughts and…




Person of Interest Turns Himself in to OSP

A man identified as a person who attacked two reporters at the Oregon State capitol on December 21st has turned himself in to Oregon State Police. OSP announced on Monday Jeremy Roberts, age 40, has been lodged at the Marion County jail on charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, assault, harassment and probation violation.


Food Banks offer relief to hungry familes

Food Banks offer relief to hungry familes During this pandemic holiday season, food is a basic need that may be in short supply for families. I talked with a Clatsop County Food bank administrator about how people, who perhaps may never have needed help before, can access local food banks and food pantries. And for…


OSP Responds to Activities at the Oregon State Capitol

  On Monday, December 21, 2020 at approximately 8:30 A.M., a group of people attempted to enter and protest inside the Oregon State Capitol.  The Oregon State Capitol is closed due to COVID precautions.  The Oregon State Capitol had set up televisions outside of the building for people to monitor the proceedings inside.  Oregon State…


PacifiCorp’s Combined Rate Filings Result in Rate Decrease for 2021

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) today authorized an overall $20.9 million, or 1.6 percent decrease in PacifiCorp’s revenue requirement, delaying the recovery of certain costs until after further investigation next year. The decrease in customer rates, effective January 1, 2021, is a result of the general rate case review, which was the company’s first…



Oregon Imposes New Covid-19 Business and Social Restrictions.

On Friday, December 18th, Clatsop County will move into the state’s Extreme Risk category of COVID-19. 29 of Oregon’s 36 counties will be so designated, including all three Portland metro counties. The change will impose further restrictions on bars and restaurants, plus indoor recreation and entertainment establishments. The move was announced Tuesday by Oregon Gov….


FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE TO ARRIVE IN ASTORIA THE WEEK OF DEC 20

By Jacob Lewin   The first batch of covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Astoria next week.  Columbia Memorial Hospital made the announcement on Monday.  CMH will be getting 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which was shown to be 94% successful in recent studies. Pharmacy Director Chris Laman has a lot of confidence…


Requesting public comment on new proposed driving restrictions for some Tillamook County ocean beaches

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is requesting public comment on a proposed administrative rule amendment to restrict motor vehicles on two sections of the ocean beach in southern Tillamook County. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m., February 12, 2021. One change would ban driving year-round from the mouth of Sand Lake south…


Lower Columbia Covid Case Count Monday, December 7

Eight news cases of Covid 19 were reported in Clatsop County on Monday. All individuals are recovering at home. Clatsop county has recorded a total of 418 COVID-19 cases since March. 1 new case was reported in Tillamook County on Saturday, 12 new cases in Columbia County, In Washington, Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services…


LOCAL NEWS: Local surfer injured in Seaside shark attack

LOCAL NEWS: Local surfer injured in Seaside shark attack There was a shark attack Sunday afternoon in Seaside at the Cove, a popular area surfing spot. John Rahl, Seaside assistant city manager, told KOIN TV in Portland that a shark bite was reported around 3:30 pm. Bystanders had pulled the victim out of the water…


LOCAL NEWS: A look at high COVID rates in Pacific County

LOCAL NEWS: A look at high COVID rates in Pacific County Pacific County has one of the highest rates of covid infection in Washington and overall its rate is more than twice as high as that of Clatsop County. However new figures released late yesterday show infections have peaked, at least for now. KMUN’s Jacob…


Washington’s Wahkiakum County Adds 11 new Covid-19 Cases For a Total of 33

Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) received positive test result notifications for 11 COVID-19 cases in Wahkiakum County residents. This brings Wahkiakum to a cumulative total of 33 cases. There is some, but limited, connection to the Wahkiakum School District. Because of the stringent measures in place within the school district including tight cohorts,…