The city is in the process of tweaking policies governing events held in the city, water fees and rules, and sidewalks. There are no broad sweeping changes proposed, but some people may be affected by the rule-tightening. “This became a very hot topic because of problems we’ve uncovered,” Community Development Director Kevin Cronin told city commissioners when describing proposed changes to the group events policy. The current policy, which covers city parks, was adopted in 2012 and is (continued)
Northwest Community Alliance, a nonprofit group supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was recognized by Oregon Business magazine as one of the 2018 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon. “It was like the Emmys and Oscars,” said Shantell Stevens, associate director. “No one knew who the top three were for each of the small, medium and large organizations, or where they were ranked and when they were announced, they were surprised and grateful and everyone (continued)
Four Clatsop County residents recently graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove. Richard Hiebert of Astoria earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Chelsea Tumbarello of Astoria earned a master's degree in speech-language pathology, Mackenzie Walgren of Gearhart earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and Jordan Miller of Seaside earned a bachelor’s degree in applied theater and sociology. Miller also graduated magna cum laude. (continued)
It was a disappointing loss last Saturday for Warrenton’s volleyball team. They lost to Santiam Christian in three straight sets, 18-25, 12-25, and 15-25. “Could you talk to me about last Saturday's game?” senior Fernanda Alvarez said. So we sat at a table in the high school’s cafeteria. “Coach (Staci) Miethe told us to play as hard as we could, we had nothing to lose against a team ranked No. 2 in the state,” she said. “But I was astounded by the loss. It hurt me very badly. I (continued)
Preliminary findings from a new countywide housing study offer multiple potential strategies for addressing the region’s housing crisis. Suggestions include offering incentives to developers, allowing nontraditional housing and flexible zoning. The public is invited to learn more about the findings and offer their own questions and comments at two open houses in November. The open houses are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at 857 Commercial St., Astoria, and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Seaside City (continued)
Bank of the Pacific will close its Warrenton branch next year as a way to consolidate operations, the bank announced in an Oct. 18 letter to customers. “After a great deal of thought and consideration, we have decided to consolidate the operations of our Warrenton branch into our Astoria and Seaside locations,” wrote Denise Portmann, president and chief executive for Bank of the Pacific. The closure is effective Feb. 1. The Warrenton branch’s ATM will remain open for deposits an (continued)
We lost our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother, Bettie Marie Rubens on Wednesday, October 10th. She passed away very peacefully surrounded by family at the home of her son, Joseph F. Rubens, Jr., Vancouver, WA, after a short illness. Her husband of 71 years, JF Rubens, Sr. preceded her in death, June 11, 2016. They would announce every anniversary with words taken from a W.H. Auden poem: “I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you Till China and Africa (continued)
Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is soliciting princess names from local Scandinavian lodges. The court consists of a Junior Court of princesses, Senior Court of princesses, a crown bearer and a junior and senior court chaperone. If you have a child interested in representing their nationality, contact one of the following individuals for information. Those interested in being a chaperone should email asmfaprincesscommittee@gmail.com. Court duties begin in November and go through (continued)
Nominations are being accepted for the annual George Award and Richard Ford Distinguished Service Award. The awards, sponsored by the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, will be announced during the organization’s annual meeting and banquet Jan. 26. The recipients should be humble strong leaders who often work behind the scenes to make our communities better. There’s an old saying “Let George Do It.” A tongue-in-cheek statement meaning “let someone else do the job.” The chamber (continued)
This letter is in response to misleading campaign materials being circulated by Warrenton mayoral candidate John Washington. In one of his campaign fliers, Mr. Washington claims the Warrenton Community Library was stolen from Hammond. He also seems to imply that the Warrenton Community Library Board, and past and present members of the Warrenton City Commission, were involved in a conspiracy to intentionally deprive Hammond residents of library services. Each member of our current seven-person, (continued)
Initially I was going to remain silent throughout the political season. However, with the dirty politics and blatant lies bestowed upon my husband, John Washington, I am compelled to speak out. First, I would like to express that I have no issues with Mayor Henry Balensifer and wish him the best. Letter writer Lori Beth Kulp accused John of misrepresenting the purpose of executive sessions, and went on to state that he “would convince the city attorney that these executive sessions should (continued)
Last week, I received my voter’s pamphlet in the mail. I always enjoy reading the “arguments in favor” and “arguments against” for all the measures. On Measure 4-198 Warrenton School District 30C bond proposal, there were no “arguments against.” I would like to remedy that lapse. For a $200,000 home, the tax increase per year for 31 years is $536 ($2.68 times 200). More each year as the property increases in value. I very much doubt my Social Security increase is going to cover (continued)
Asking a sacrifice of taxpayers to invest in present and future generations of Warrenton-Hammond kids is not a decision made lightly. Several years of thoughtful analysis, weighing options, and researching contingencies, led to the design of the Warrenton-Hammond School Bond proposal. Underlying this decision is the fundamental goal of doing what’s prudent in the most affordable way possible for our community. We started by watching Warrenton’s population grow and anticipate the impact of (continued)
Passing the Warrenton School Bond is crucial. Can we put a value on our children’s safety? The proposed property for the new middle school would be out of the tsunami zone. It would provide a safe shelter for all children and community members if needed. Overcrowding at the grade school is a major concern. In 1980, I was one of the first teachers to get the opportunity to teach in this beautiful new building. Back then, there were approximately 500 students. Now there are 800 students and a (continued)
Northwest Senior and Disability Services presents a series of free classes on Medicare during open enrollment for the program. Astoria: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, or 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the Coho Room, 2021 Marine Drive. Seaside: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Ave. A. Registration is not required as walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 503-861-4200. (continued)
Tickets go on sale Oct. 15 for the 44th season of the Little Ballet Theatre’s “Nutcracker.” “Nutcracker” includes a cast of 80 dancers, a 55-piece orchestra conducted by Cory Pedersen, and a 12-voice choir. The performance is suitable for all ages and takes the audience on a magical journey to 1840, at the Stahlbaum family holiday party. The mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer brings a mechanical doll, a pair of tumbling harlequins, and a lovable dancing bear to entertain the elegantly (continued)
North Coast Symphonic Band returns to the Liberty Theatre for its 38th season in October. The community band, with Dave Becker as conductor and musical director, is a self-supporting nonprofit group with 50 volunteer musicians. The group provides two of its four annual concerts for free. The first concert of the season is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. “Dances of Enchantment” will feature a collaboration between the North Coast Symphonic Band and 3 Leg Torso, a well-known ethnic folk band from (continued)
** Thefts and burglaries Shoplifting, 12:53 p.m. Oct. 19, Rite Aid. Hannah L. Havranek, 27, no known address, was cited for criminal third-degree theft. Shoplifting, 9 p.m. Oct. 23, Rite Aid. Woman with two-colored hair (half pink) left store without paying for items. Subject could not be located. Shoplifting, 3:45 p.m. Oct. 25, Walmart. Frank William Seaman, 41, no known address, was cited for criminal third-degree theft. Shoplifting, 5 p.m. Oct. 26, Walmart. Tiffany Lynn MacPherson, 34, of (continued)
** Thefts and burglaries Shoplifting, 6:11 p.m. Oct. 8, Rite Aid. Jared Curtis Cupit, 43, of Warrenton was cited for criminal third-degree theft after he attempted to leave the store without paying for $2.49 in candy. Stolen bicycles, 10:06 a.m. Oct. 13, Fort Stevens State Park. A Bonney Lake, Wash., man reported three bicycles valued at $1,500 were stolen from his campsite. Shoplifting, 5:20 p.m. Oct. 17, Walmart. Kylee Anne Pitts, 21, of Astoria was cited for criminal second-degree theft. (continued)