A group of 400 soldiers trained for deployment to Kosovo last week at Camp Rilea in Warrenton. On Saturday, friends and family wished them well during mobilization ceremonies in Portland. Task Force Jungleer is the last of the 41st Brigade units to mobilize. The brigade began deploying task forces around the globe beginning in September. The total deployment is the second-largest deployment of the brigade since World War II, following the 2009 Iraq deployment. The 41st is made up of 3,000 (continued)
Some Warrenton middle schoolers have donned the hats of sail designers, keel engineers, cargo trackers, and documentarians in a science project that pairs them with students in Japan. On Tuesday, the local seventh-graders will present their Goonies-themed miniboat at the Columbia River Martime Museum, as will students from Vancouver, Wash., and Columbia City, Ore. The boats will be turned over to the Columbia River Bar Pilots and Coast Guard for launching. The 5-foot sailboats are equipped with (continued)
A project that’s been many years in the making got another delay Tuesday night. Two property owners in the so-called Spur 104 area requested a delay after a city procedural error led to them getting short notice of hearings. “I really want this to go through, but I want everyone to have a real good understanding of what’s going on,” said Ken Yuill, who owns with family members about 30 percent of the property in the project area. Some were confused by artist renderings of how the area (continued)
** New middle designs ** Warrenton-Hammond school district’s project to build a new middle school south of Walmart is at the end of the design phase and project leaders have moved on to construction bidding documents, a consultant told the school board. Bidding for utilities and foundation work will take place in March, with shovels to the ground in May. The school board approved a $29.4 million project budget Wednesday night. "We're meeting all of our criteria," consultant Scott Rose said. (continued)
Clatsop County seeks applicants to serve on two advisory committees, the Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee and the Human Services Advisory Council. The ambulance committee gathers information from service users, providers and the medical community, monitors coordination of service resources and dispatch procedures and reviews service area boundaries. The group meets four times a year. The vacancy is for a two-year term. The human services panel advises county commissioners (continued)
The city of Warrenton should pay $10,800 for alleged safety and health violations within the fire department, the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Division decided. The violation deemed most grievous – and the one that received the largest fine – dealt with the use of respirators in protecting firefighters. “We have gone over the citation with a fine-tooth comb and many of the issues have been addressed,” City Manager Linda Engbretson said in a statement issued Jan. 3. “We are (continued)
Hammond’s post office has been closed since Dec. 20, when a part of the ceiling became unstable and ceiling tiles fell to the floor. “It happened a few weeks ago on the 20th, the Friday before Christmas,” Hammond’s postal clerk said. “It was really stormy out and the ceiling came loose on the inside.” At least one construction person has been out to look at the damage, but employees there do not know when repairs will be scheduled. In the meantime, “we’ll tell people what we (continued)
The Port of Astoria unanimously approved a tax-incentive plan Tuesday night for the owners of Fort George Brewery, who intend to build a tasting room and warehouse at the former Astoria Warehousing complex on Marine Drive. “Right now the plan is to get into the distribution and manufacture of beer out of the warehouse and, at some point, we’re interested in having a taproom there on the property as well,” said Chris Nemlowill, co-owner of Fort George Brewery. “We estimate opening and (continued)
Columnists & Other Opinions
It may not have made the headlines, but a recently passed piece of legislation could affect the IRAs and 401(k)s of millions of Americans beginning in 2020. So, if you have either of these accounts, or if you run a business, you’ll want to learn more. The new laws, collectively called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, include these noteworthy changes: • Higher age for RMDs – Under current law, you must start taking withdrawals – known as required (continued)
Many of us like to dissect words. For instance, the word crisis has many meanings, especially in the medical world. However, day-to-day life synonyms could include catastrophe, calamity, cataclysm, emergency, and disaster. All those synonyms aptly describe a harrowing situation recently involving the dishwasher at the Warrenton senior meal site, which resulted in an ambulance trip to the hospital. It seems a well-intentioned worker washed the hallway with ammonia and water. It ended up being (continued)
While writing recently about the smells of winter, it occurred to me that winter is much quieter, too. There’s so much to be thankful about as we are now almost halfway through the first month of the new year. Not only the first month of the new year, but the very beginning of the first year of yet another decade. In thinking of the new year, some sundry thoughts come to mind that perhaps are age related. You think? Winter is definitely quieter than summer. I live in an apartment complex (continued)
** Ten years ago ** ** January 2010 ** Gil Gramson is reappointed mayor by the City Commission. Mark Kujala is appointed vice mayor. The body of a missing Warrenton man, Gary Culp Jr., 37, is found near Warrenton Deep Sea Market. A medical examiner rules the death an accidental drowning. Brooklyn Campbell breaks the Warrenton High School girls basketball scoring record with 34 points in a single game. Dennis Warren receives a lifetime service award and is inducted into the state chapter of the (continued)
Events
A retreat designed to foster leadership in young people is seeking applicants. The 4-H “Winter Wonder WORLD (Western Oregon Retreat for Leadership Development) will be held Feb. 15-17 at the Salem 4-H Center. The retreat, organized by teens from throughout Western Oregon, includes leadership classes, pancake art, team challenges, public speaking, rock painting, yoga, hiking, needle felting, friendship bracelets, line dancing, and knitting. Four Clatsop County teens, Tully Daire, Austin Lacy, (continued)
Sunset Empire Transportation District holds its annual “Ridership Appreciation Day” on Tuesday, Jan. 28, with free bus service on all regular routes within Clatsop County. The public also is invited to attend an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day at Astoria Transit Center, 900 Marine Drive. There will be information on services, including several upcoming route changes, as well as refreshments, drawings and prizes. The transit district annually sets aside an appreciation day to show (continued)
A three-session grant-writing workshop for nonprofit groups begins in February, with course credit offered to those who want it from Clatsop Community College. Participants of “Ready, Set, Grant!” will have their proposals reviewed by experts, gain access to customizable templates, and receive one-on-one support. Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 18, March 10 and March 31. Cost is $129 per person, with lunch included. For more information or to sign up, contact Jessie Katon of (continued)
Warrenton High School’s drama department presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie” on three days next week. The story is set in New York City in 1922 and follows the experiences of a young woman who moves to the big city from Kansas in hopes of working for a wealthy man and, eventually, becoming his wife. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29; Friday, Jan. 31; and Saturday, Feb. 1. Doors open half an hour before performances in the auditorium, 1700 S. Main Ave. Admission is $8. During (continued)
An Annie sing-along, for those who love the Broadway musical, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St., Astoria.
Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Tickets are $8; those 18 and younger pay $5. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. with will-call tickets available in the box office two hours before showtime. (continued)
Art Circle, a creative community group, meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. A new session started Jan. 14.
All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided. Those living with cancer or chronic conditions are urged to attend.
The group and supplies are free. While drop-ins are welcome, registration is encouraged by calling 503-338-4520. Art Circle meets at the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. (continued)
Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Collaborative is sponsoring a series of informal lunch-time conversations this month focused on improving health. All meetings are from 11 a.m. to noon in the activity room at the CMH-OHSU Knight Center, 1905 Exchange St., Astoria. **Jan. 8: ** Registered Dietitian Grace Laman explores the power of nutrition in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. She shares hot topics in nutrition, cooking demonstrations and recipes each month. **Jan. 9: ** Tips, (continued)
Police and Public Safety
A homeless man who’d been given a place to stay by a friend turned on that friend after she asked him to leave, according to a police report. Norris Alden Jones Jr., 51, was booked at Clatsop County Jail on seven charges related to a disturbance at the woman’s home Jan. 12. The woman told officers she allowed the man to stay in her home on Northwind Court in Hammond for several days because he had nowhere to live, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Officer Robert Wirt. Over (continued)
** Warrants ** Warrant service, 5:24 p.m. Jan. 8, Walmart. Crystal Monique Rosselot, 35, no known address, was arrested on a Washington state warrant. She was booked at Clatsop County Jail. Warrant service, 5:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 0-100 block Northwest Gardenia Avenue. Debra Kay Meeuwsen, 58, of Astoria was arrested on a failure to appear warrant and booked at Clatsop County Jail. **Thefts and burglaries ** Attempted burglary, 9:03 a.m. Dec. 28, 1200 block Southeast Jetty Avenue. A woman with a Ring (continued)
** Warrants ** Warrant service, 7:32 p.m. Dec. 31, 100 block South Highway 101. Angela Marie Cushman, 38, of Seaside was arrested on a Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office warrant and booked at Clatsop County Jail. Warrant service, 2:34 p.m. Jan. 3, Highway 101 between Ocean Crest and Kia. James Earl Harrod, 34, no known address, was arrested on a Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office warrant and booked at Clatsop County Jail. ** Thefts and burglaries ** Credit card theft, 10:24 a.m. Dec. 27, 1000 (continued)
Education
If you know of a special teacher who has changed your life or your child’s life, consider nominating them for the 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year. Nominations close Friday, Jan. 31. Each year, exceptional teachers are honored in 19 regions across the state, with Oregon’s Teacher of the Year selected from among the regional finalists. The Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize exemplary public-school educators — Oregon teachers who inspire students and make a positive impact (continued)
Warrenton’s girls basketball team suffered two recent losses, but still came away looking like champs. The first contest, a Jan. 8 game against Seaside, was a real contest between Warrenton’s Kenzie Ramsey and Seaside’s Lilli Taylor. First-quarter stats showed Ramsey owning all but one point of the Warrior offense. She had 6 points (two 3s) of a 7-14 Warrior deficit. At half time, she had 11 of a 14-16 deficit. Only Annie Heyen added points to the total. Seaside’s Lilli Taylor owned 8 (continued)
It was disconcerting to see several Warrenton boys basketball starters emerge from the locker room for warm-ups last Friday night in street clothes. They sauntered over to the spectator end of the team bench and sat down. What rectified the situation, though, was that the Warriors’ bench came through like knights in shining armor, helping rout the visiting Colton Vikings 44-30. “Tonight was a great opportunity for the guys in our program to step into new roles and get out of their comfort (continued)
The Warrenton girls wrestling team traveled last Friday and Saturday to one of the largest girls wrestling tournaments in the nation, the Kelso High School Tournament. Nearly 800 girls competed in the two-day event with each bracket boasting 45 to 77 wrestlers. Tournaments like this are a valuable wrestling experience and a pretty cool life experience, too. The Warriors finished 51 out of 102 Washington and Oregon schools. All of the girls battled and we had some big wins across the lineup. (continued)
