Yvonne Dunn Comins, 81, died Nov. 2. A Celebration of Life service is set for noon Saturday, Dec. 7, at First United Methodist Church, 1076 Franklin Ave., Astoria.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her honor to the church. (continued)
Sixteen armed service veterans were showered with a little love and warm quilts by women from the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The quilts were wrapped around each veteran during a ceremony at the monthly meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Fort Stevens Post 10580 on Thursday, Nov. 21. “I know how hard it is to be a veteran or even how hard it is to be a spouse of a veteran,” said Chris Dunn of Quilts of Valor. The quilts are an expression of appreciation and “something to keep the (continued)
Connecting with one’s roots can mean exploring a new world. For 23 teenagers who attend school in Walldorf, Germany, a connection was made in Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside. They came last week to view the historical trail of John Jacob Astor, born in Walldorf and America’s first millionaire. Astoria is named for him. “We’re having a great time over here,” said Jens Albrecht, headmaster of the Walldorf Realschule. His students visited Astoria City Hall, Astor Column, Fort Clatsop, (continued)
The tiny park at the four-way stop has a few unofficial names: Post Office park and flagpole park among them. Tuesday night it got an official name: Warrenton Memorial Plaza. The 0.3-acre park at the crossroads of downtown is undergoing change. Soon it will be a community gathering place. For the past month, a work crew from Big River Construction has been adding concrete walkways and soil amendment and soon will add grass, shrubs, trees, lights and benches. The plaza includes the new veterans (continued)
Warrenton High School students Mark Warren and Jake Morrow gave up a day off to put together food baskets on behalf of Warrenton-Hammond Healthy Kids. It’s the ninth year the nonprofit group has provided a complete Thanksgiving dinner for less fortunate students and their families who live within the Warrenton-Hammond School District. The group partnered with Walmart, as it did last year, for donations of some food products and reduction in the price of others. Walmart Manager Kim Smith and (continued)
After more than three years of rest in Newport’s Yaquina Bay, the skeleton of a 78-foot blue whale was brought back to dry land so it can be preserved and prepared for a public display. With the help of a team of technical divers from Oregon Coast Aquarium and a Forslund Crane operation crew on the dock near Hatfield Marine Science Center, the whale’s 6,500-pound skull, 18-foot mandibles and several large net bags full of vertebrae and other bones were hoisted out of the water Nov. 21. The (continued)
The 2020 U.S. Census officially begins April 1. Clatsop County officials want to make sure residents understand its importance and effect on funding local agencies receive. County staff members are assembling a group of community leaders they hope will spread the message to all residents. Here’s how the census will impact Clatsop County in the decade ahead: ** Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race (continued)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will extend construction through at least the end of the year on the North Jetty. The Corps originally planned to re-open the area and road Nov. 1, but jetty construction and equipment removal from the site has taken longer than anticipated. The jetty, North Jetty Road and nearby parking lots will remain closed. Benson and Waikiki beaches are not affected. The Corps constructed the rubble-mound jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River between 1885 and 1939. (continued)
Applicants are being sought for an open seat on the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. NOHA owns and manages housing for low- and moderate-income people and administers various federal housing assistance programs in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. The board normally meets once a month; the location rotates among the counties. The open seat is for a four-year term representing Clatsop County. The deadline to apply is Dec. 13. To apply, obtain an application form (continued)
Oregonians who don’t get health insurance through their jobs and don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan have until Dec. 15 to sign up for 2020 coverage. To sign up or make changes, go to OregonHealthCare.gov. The website will estimate whether you qualify for help paying for coverage, allow you to skim the plans available in your area, and help you find a local expert who can help you apply for a subsidy and enroll. Darlene Warren Farmers Insurance on Ensign Lane has a local expert who can (continued)
Donna Quinn of Astoria, host of the “Talk of Our Towns” program, heard at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, received the Director’s Award during Coast Community Radio’s annual meeting and breakfast Nov. 2. More than 120 members of Coast Community Radio celebrated KMUN and each other during the event at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall in Astoria. Quinn has hosted the program, which includes interviews with the region’s movers and shak-ers, for 15 years. Reid Johnson of Seaside was named (continued)
Pacific Seafood received a green light from Planning Commissioners to convert an old office building into dorms for seasonal workers. The conditional-use permit requires the company to meet more than 30 city-imposed standards, including limits on who lives there, upgrades to the driveway, exterior landscaping and more. “I think the applicant is trying to be transparent. I think the applicant is trying to do something worthwhile,” Planning Commission Chairman Paul Mitchell said before the (continued)
Works by Astoria artist Darren Orange are on exhibit in the Governor’s Office at the state capitol through Jan. 21. “Those Who Step Into The Same Rivers” is a new body of work that stretches further from literal reference and deeper into abstraction. The artist explores automatism, a practice of intuitive mark making that engages both play and meditative focus. The exhibited works were created in Orange’s studio on the Columbia River. The exhibition title refers to a quote by Greek (continued)
Just as it’s starting to get cold, the rates for NW Natural are going up. The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved a rate increase effective Nov. 1 for customers of NW Natural and two other companies, Avista Utilities and Cascade Natural Gas. There have been several years of rate decreases related to wholesale natural gas costs, according to the PUC. Rates increased, in part, because the cost of natural gas spiked over the last year due to a pipeline explosion last winter, which impacted (continued)
Angora Hiking Club, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2020, elected new officers recently.
They are, left to right, Ellen Norris of Astoria, treasurer; Phuong Van Horn of Astoria, vice president; Kathleen Hudson of Hammond, president; Arline LaMear of Astoria, chief guide; and Debby Halliburton of Ocean Park, Wash., secretary. They are wearing centennial buttons. (continued)
Forget taking a hike up Saddle Mountain during the Thanksgiving break. Public access to Saddle Mountain State Natural Area will be closed Nov. 25 through Dec. 6, according to Oregon Parks and Recreation. The park will reopen early morning on Dec. 7. During the closure, construction crews will make repairs to the park’s entrance road. DNA Mowing & Excavation of Pacific City has been hired to complete the project. Saddle Mountain is off Highway 26, just east of Necanicum Highway/State Route (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
We, the Board of Directors for the Warrenton Rural Fire Protection District, with to thank the citizens of rural Warrenton for recently voting and passing the five-year general operations fund for the district beginning with the 2021-2022 budget.
This continues our fire protection and emergency services contract with the Warrenton Fire Department.
Robert Atadero, Michael Brandon, Robert Kyle, Nancy Ledgerwood, Jan Osterby
Warrenton Rural Fire Protection District (continued)
Nostalgically speaking, it seems we seniors are prone to think positively and that makes us feel good. So is nostalgia a good thing or a bad thing? I went online and looked at some back issues of Psychology Today, a magazine that was a staple in my pastor husband’s office for many years. Several articles I perused seemed to emphasize that nostalgia can be a positive influence on our outlook in life. An example are the sentimental memories we have of ourselves as child trimming the Christmas (continued)
We are reminded to be thankful this time of the year. “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High,” Psalms 9:1-2. I think the majority of seniors can come up with many reasons to be thankful this season of Thanksgiving. I think I speak for many when I say we have so much more than we realize. So what will you say when asked at the Thanksgiving meal to talk (continued)
What to do with that holiday bonus from the boss
As 2019 draws to a close, you may be anticipating – or have already received – a year-end bonus from your employer. Or, you might receive a substantial cash gift for the holidays. (If you’re really lucky, you might get both.) Probably you can think of many ways to spend the money, but how can you use it to help yourself in the long run? Here are a few suggestions: ** Pay off some debts. Virtually all of us carry some type of debt, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For example, (continued)
Events
The problems of marine debris, how it impacts watersheds and how to deal with it is the topic of the next Nature Matters talk. Dorothy Horn, a Portland State University doctoral candidate, will lead the discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Lovell Showroom at Fort George Brewery, 1483 Duane St., Astoria. Horn will present research investigating the impacts of microplastics on invertebrates in Oregon, and some of the ways residents can make changes. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinn (continued)
Holiday events listed in chronological order
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, no one can deny the holidays are in full swing. Even those who hate seeing Christmas decorations at Costco in early October should find themselves fully in the mood. And there are plenty of holidays treats to bring cheer: Santa visits, holiday movies, tree lightings, Christmas bazaars and more. Here are some of the most notable: ** Visits with Santa Visits with Santa, sponsored by the Liberty Theatre and the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, will (continued)
Greater Oregon Behavioral Health and Northwest Senior and Disability Services are sponsoring classes at three different times to teach residents the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. The sessions are meant for anyone – parents, friends, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, police officers, case workers, firefighters and others in positions to recognize and refer someone who’s at risk of committing suicide. The classes are from 3 to 4 p.m. or from 6 to 7 p.m. o (continued)
Clatsop Community College Professor Julie Brown will tackle “Shakespeare & Shipwrecks: What English Royal Navy Ships Can Teach Us about Shakespeare's Plays” during a free lecture Thursday, Dec. 5. The talk is part of the free Ales & Ideas lecture series sponsored by the college and Fort George Brewery and held in the brewery’s Lovell Showroom. During the summer, the English professor studied Shakespeare at Cambridge University in England. Then she visited the sites of several shipwrecks. (continued)
Little Ballet Theatre’s 45th annual production of “The Nutcracker” will be performed Dec. 7 and 8 on stage at the Astoria High School Auditorium, 1001 W. Marine Drive. The full-length production includes a 55-piece symphony orchestra directed by Cory Pedersen, guest artists from Ballet Idaho, beautiful sets and costumes. Performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $21 for adults and $16 for seniors and those younger than 12. A $5 discount (continued)
Police and Public Safety
A convicted sex offender was sentenced Tuesday to 42 years in prison with no possibility of parole. Larry Dean Leach, 48, of Astoria was arrested on a warrant in New Mexico on May 7, 2018. He was brought to Clatsop County and charged with three counts of first-degree rape, three counts of sex abuse, and two counts of sexual misconduct with a child. An investigation into the case, which included three female victims, was led by Warrenton Police Detective Tyler Johnston. Leach’s trial began (continued)
** Warrants Warrant service, 2:42 p.m. Nov. 21, Walmart. Nicholus Allen Lyons, 37, of Astoria was arrested on a failure to appear warrant from Clatsop County Circuit Court. Domestic disturbance inside vehicle, 4:22 p.m. Nov. 22, 1600 block Northwest Peter Iredale Road, Hammond. Danielle G. Kettner, 38, and Nick Robert Adams, 36, both of Seaside, were arrested on warrants from Columbia County Circuit Court. ** Thefts and burglaries Attempted vehicle theft, 10:16 p.m. Nov. 15, 200 block Southwest (continued)
** Warrants Warrant service, 9:47 a.m. Nov. 17, Warrenton Mini Mart. Max Brennan Jones, 27, of Longview, Wash., was arrested on multiple warrants and booked at Clatsop County Jail. Warrant service, 4:11 a.m. Nov. 19, Warrenton Mini Mart. Jared Curtis Cupit, 44, no known address, was arrested on a warrant out of Seaside. ** Thefts and burglaries Shoplifting, 3:45 p.m. Nov. 11, Walmart. Tyler Allen Morrison, 25, of Beaverton and Jessica L. Surratt, 33, of North Plains both were cited for (continued)
Education
Please support the following advertisers. (continued)
The following Warrenton High School students made the Honor Roll for first quarter. ** Grade 9 Dylon M. Atwood, 3.86; Alyssa L. Hallock, 3.57; Shaunasy H. Holloway, 3.67; Angel D. Jimenez, 3.86; Levi T. Johnson, 4.0; Chloe R. Kirkpatrick, 3.67; Collin M. Klebe, 3.86; Charlie A. Leibold, 3.57; Joshua P. Lewis, 3.86; Tolbert D. Lovelady, 3.83; Raymond P. Nairn, 4.0; Brandon C. Runolfson, 3.5; Lathen A. Schultz, 3.5; Aaliyah M. Watson, 3.71. ** Grade 10 Evan D. Augustin, 3.57; Brenna R. Bemus, (continued)
WGS teacher helps students become innovators
There’s a real science to engaging students. The recipe calls for one part encouragement, one part relationship, one part motivation and a good bit of hands-on work. “People like to call it that aha moment, when that lightbulb goes off,” junior high science teacher Dionne Marshall said when asked what she loves about teaching. “I love building relationships with students and getting to know them personally.” Marshall, 37, has been teaching science at Warrenton Grade School for 10 (continued)
Isabella Morrill, Warrenton High School’s student body vice president, was named Co-State Champion in the Oregon Music Education Association’s state music composition contest. She is the first Warrenton student to earn the honor and was competing against students from schools large and small throughout the state. She also is a member of Warrenton High School’s debate team, the only team in Oregon to make the finals of the International Public Policy Forum sponsored by the Brewer (continued)
Quinn Baudouin of Astoria graduated with an associate’s degree in electronic and computer engineering from Grantham University, the institution announced this month.
Baudouin is an electronics technician with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Grantham is an online university that allows students to complete their degree and graduate any week of the year. It offers more than 50 undergraduate, certificate and degree programs. (continued)
