The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, October 28, 2022
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Columbia Inn in Astoria Could Be Converted Into Housing For The Homeless
Clatsop County may have found a site for developing an emergency shelter and transitional housing project. On Wednesday, the county Board of Commissioners authorized the county manager to sign a purchase and sale agreement for the Columbia Inn in Astoria located on Marine Drive near Fifth Street.
The property has 22 rooms and could house about 44 people, the county said in a statement.
Funding for the $2.4 million purchase will come from Project Turnkey 2.0, a state program that turns vacant or underused hotels and motels into bed space for vulnerable individuals.
Clatsop County has had among the highest rates of homelessness per capita in the state. The county would own the property, which would be operated by a nonprofit. Wraparound services would be provided on site.
In late 2020, the state Legislature created the original Project Turnkey with $65 million to help people facing homelessness, including those who had lost homes in wildfires. The investment resulted in 19 new shelters — totaling about 865 new shelter units — across 13 counties, according to the Oregon Community Foundation, which manages the program.
This year, the Legislature expanded the program, adding $50 million to convert another 10 or so properties.
The county applied the first time and was unsuccessful. The county tried again with Project Turnkey 2.0 and succeeded, though county staff did not identify a property or someone to operate it, Bohn said. The county worked with a broker, Brian Resendez of SVN Bluestone & Hockley in Portland, who reached out to a number of hoteliers.
The agreement between the county and the inn is nonbinding. If the Oregon Community Foundation deems the property unsuitable, or if the county has serious concerns, the project will not go forward, Bohn said.
“It is going to take a lot of stars to still align for this to move forward,” Bohn said. He added that “this is the first step, but I think it’s an important step.”
The county now enters a due-diligence process. This includes working with nonprofit providers — Clatsop Community Action, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers, The Harbor and LiFEBoat Services — to identify an operator and set up an operations plan.
“Our work really begins now,” Bohn said.
The due-diligence process will have a community education element, but that will come into play after the county gets an assessment of the property, Bohn said.
“We need to make sure that OCF feels comfortable with the purchase potential before we engage very widely on it,” Bohn said.
Earlier this month, Astoria leaders announced they met with the county to discuss the project and the city’s needs.
Interim City Manager Paul Benoit, Mayor Bruce Jones and Police Chief Stacy Kelly had expressed support for the project.
Benoit said county leaders assured the city the shelter would be well managed and not devolve into a nuisance for the neighborhood.
“There is no question that shelter is desperately needed in the city and region and we all acknowledge that communities have a responsibility to work cooperatively on finding solutions,” Benoit said in an email. “Project Turnkey is one such solution.”
Jones applauded the county’s efforts.
“Having spent my entire four-year term urging the state and federal government to step up to the plate to support rural communities like ours with funding for shelter services, I’m gratified to see a solution finally in sight,” he said in a statement. “While no location will satisfy everyone, the Columbia Inn is close to services and transportation yet away from the downtown core and is the best available location.
“Providing safe shelter will reduce the number of people camping on our public land and put more unhoused people on a viable path to permanent housing.”
Marine Board Recognized with National Compass and Boating Safety Awards
The Oregon State Marine Board received two national awards during the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) annual conference, held in Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 27-30, 2022. Oregon had three representatives in attendance: Boating Safety Advocate Luke Martinez, Boating Safety Education Coordinator MariAnn McKenzie, and Boating Safety Program Manager/Boating Law Administrator, Brian Paulsen.
The Marine Board’s Boating Safety Advocate Luke Martinez of Curry County was nominated for and received, the 2022 Boating Safety Award. The NASBLA Boating Safety Award is bestowed upon a state or local government individual involved in boating safety who has demonstrated outstanding performance, among other criteria. Martinez was awarded for going above and beyond in public outreach, school education, and hands-on events since beginning the role in early 2020. Additionally, Martinez partnered with the U.S. Forest Service on water patrols and created boating and water safety videos in partnership with the Curry County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and other entities. He also is a member of the county’s Search and Rescue Team. Martinez’s outgoing and enthusiastic personality is contagious to boaters, as are his upbeat safety messages. He is very knowledgeable about the local waters and continues to educate the locals and children about boating and water safety. Martinez is a shining star, an asset to boaters in his community, and to the Oregon State Marine Board. “We’re very excited he and the state of Oregon were recognized,” said Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Manager for the agency. “Luke deserves this award.”
After Martinez received the award, Oregon representatives were surprised when the Oregon State Marine Board was recognized shortly thereafter, with the 2022 Compass Award. The Compass Award recognizes a NASBLA member agency for significant measures and leadership taken to develop a model of performance in a specific area. In the maritime domain, a compass is a tool that we use to help chart new territory or navigate through and beyond unfamiliar waters and challenges that lie ahead.
Receipt of this award identifies an agency whose program, effort, or initiative has truly enhanced our nation’s safety and security, and one that has become a model for other states to follow.
The Oregon State Marine Board was recognized with the distinguished Compass Award for developing and implementing a Waterway Access Grant Program, with direct engagement and collaboration from various paddling groups over a 10-year period. The Waterway Access Grant program receives revenue from permit sales from paddlecraft 10 feet long and longer. Grants are awarded to public boating facility managers to provide new or improved access for paddlers. Grants also help fund education and equipment for non-profit organizations that offer paddling opportunities to Veterans and underserved communities to learn and experience boating at their local waterways.
The conference hosted more than 200 attendees from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including Boating Law Administrators (BLAs), agency officials, and marine industry stakeholders. NMMA sponsored a networking event on the first night of the conference where the team had the opportunity to connect with over 30 BLAs and discuss various issues impacting the recreational boating industry, including boating access, boater education and safety, and the recreational impact of the industry across the U.S.
View the list of NASBLA Award winners.
Subject Leaving Scene of Domestic Disturbance Crashes Into Police Vehicle
Lincoln City Police arrested 41-year-old Jason R. Thomas of Lincoln City, in connection with a domestic violence call they responded to. In addition, The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thomas after they were asked to investigate a traffic crash involving Thomas and a Lincoln City Police vehicle.
On October 27, 2022 at about 11:19 AM, Lincoln City Police Officers responded to the 2100 block of NE Reef Ave for a report of a domestic disturbance occurring at the location. As officers arrived, they saw a man on a motorcycle quickly leave the area. A few moments later, another officer responding to the call advised that a motorcycle had just crashed into his patrol car at the intersection on NE 21st Street and NE Oar Ave. The driver of the motorcycle, identified Jason R. Thomas, did not appear to be injured and was determined to have been involved in the domestic disturbance.
During the investigation at the domestic disturbance scene, probable cause was developed indicating Thomas had assaulted his girlfriend. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was asked to respond to the scene to investigate the crash involving the motorcycle hitting the Lincoln City Police patrol vehicle. It appeared that in the process of fleeing the disturbance scene, the motorcycle was traveling west bound on NE 21st Street and went into the oncoming lane of travel to pass a stopped vehicle. The officer was stopped with his emergency overhead lights activated in the eastbound lane of NE 21st Street at the intersection of NE Oar. Thomas was unable to control his motorcycle, laid it over and skidded into the front of the stopped patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle sustained only minor damage and the officer was not injured. The motorcycle was later towed from the scene.
Thomas was taken into custody at the crash scene and was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital to be medically checked before being transported to the Lincoln County Jail. Thomas was lodged in the jail on the following charges: two counts of Domestic Assault IV, two counts of Strangulation (Domestic), and two counts of Menacing (Domestic). In addition, The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office charged Thomas with Reckless Driving in connection to the crash.
The Lincoln City Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the case.
Wednesday’s 3.2 Earthquake off the Coast of Bandon
A 3.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded on the outer fault line of the two that run parallel with the Oregon Coast Wednesday, Oct. 26. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was located west of Bandon at a depth of six-miles.
Survey Finds Oregonians Cite Homelessness As Chief Concern
A state survey found Many Oregonians want elected leaders to tackle homelessness.
Thirty-seven percent of 1,878 Oregonians surveyed identified the state’s homelessness crisis as the most pressing issue, according to a survey by the Portland-based nonpartisan Oregon Values and Beliefs Center. The online survey of Oregonians 18 and older was conducted Sept. 13 to 21.
Differences emerged across geographic regions. In the tri-county Portland region, 47% of respondents called homeless the top problem, the highest of any area. That compares with 36% in the Willamette Valley and 29% in the rest of the state.
“I have never been threatened by the homeless but recognize that it is an issue that demands action,” said one Multnomah County man who participated in the survey. “While there are other issues that will influence my vote at other levels, this is the primary issue at the local level.”
Homelessness has emerged as the key issue among candidates running for election Nov. 8, with Republicans bashing Oregon’s Democratic leadership for the problem. On any day as of January 2020, nearly 14,700 people in Oregon had no stable housing, according to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homeless. It said about 4,300 were chronically homeless.
The overall result was similar to an April survey, in which 35% identified homelessness as the top issue.
Respondents said their second top issue was affordable housing, identified by 15% of respondents. The third issue was crime and safety, according to 12% of participants. Women highlighted housing needs more than men – 17% versus 12%.
And 8% of Oregonians ranked addiction, substance abuse and drugs as the most important issue, making it fourth on the list. That rate was similar across most demographic groups. A total of 6% of respondents ranked the cost of living, prices and inflation as the most important issue, making it fifth on the list.
Those with a high school education were more concerned about inflation – 10% – than those with some college education, 3% to 4%. The survey has a margin of error of 2.47%.
Avista Customers to Pay Higher Natural Gas Rates Due to Increased Gas Prices Starting November 1st
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved an increase in natural gas rates for Avista Utilities customers due to significant increases in global natural gas prices reflected in the annual purchased gas adjustment and related filings. The increase goes into effect November 1, 2022.
The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies, including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas, and NW Natural, to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas, known as the purchased gas adjustment (PGA). This allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price.
The PUC recently approved an overall increase in rates of $25.6 million or approximately 20.4 percent for Avista customers due to the PGA and related filings when compared to 2021 company gross revenues. The increase, effective November 1, is largely due to the significant increase in natural gas prices globally.
“We recognize that increasing rates at a time when Oregonians are already dealing with high inflation presents challenges for many customers,” said Megan Decker, PUC Chair. “Unfortunately, global events drive the price for utilities to purchase natural gas. There’s simply no way to avoid these higher prices impacting customers. However, there may be options available to residential customers to help reduce the bottom line impact.”
To increase energy efficiency and save on future natural gas bills, customers are encouraged to view Energy Trust of Oregon’s low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, newly available utility discount programs, and the Comfort Level Billing program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.
View the impact to each customer type as a result of this decision below:
- Residential Customers – The monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 48 therms per month will increase by $12.53, or 18.4 percent, from $68.17 to $80.70.
- Commercial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 203 therms per month will increase by $47.08, or 18.9 percent, from $248.72 to $295.76.
- Industrial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 3,969 therms per month will increase by $919.77, or 36.5 percent, from $2,517.49 to $3,437.26.
Avista Utilities serves nearly 106,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.
# # # The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
Weyerhaeuser Announces Resolution of Work Stoppage in Oregon and Washington – Normal operations to resume with approval of new contract with IAM
Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today announced the successful resolution of a work stoppage involving members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union in Oregon and Washington.
Weyerhaeuser has approximately 1,200 employees who are members of IAM, including employees in the company’s Wood Products and Timberlands organizations, and the approval of a new contract will result in the restoration of operations at all sites.
“We know this has been a difficult process for everyone involved, and we have appreciated the patience and professionalism of all parties as we worked through the negotiation,” said Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer for Weyerhaeuser. “Our people are what make Weyerhaeuser special, and we are committed to providing safe, reliable jobs with competitive wages and benefits that support our employees and their families. We believe this contract accomplishes those goals, and we are excited to welcome everyone back and resume normal operations as soon as possible.”
ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER -Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2021, we generated $10.2 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,200 people who serve customers worldwide. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
Taxpayer Advocate urges Oregonians to volunteer at tax clinics
Salem, OR—The Internal Revenue Service is once again recruiting people to assist in the free preparation of taxes as part of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, and the Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Advocate is encouraging Oregonians to volunteer.
“Oregon needs more VITA sites and volunteers,” said Codi Trudell, who was named as Oregon’s first Taxpayer Advocate in January. “There are significant tax credit benefits available to low-income individuals and families, but they need to file a tax return to claim the benefit. By volunteering to help fill out and file those returns, Oregonians can make a difference in their communities.”
Trudell said that in addition to the need for volunteers, the IRS is also seeking organizations to sponsor VITA and TCE clinics to be staffed by the volunteers.
In the 2021 tax season, there were VITA and/or TCE clinics in 15 different Oregon counties—up and down the coast, in the Willamette valley, and both central and eastern Oregon. In the 2022 tax season, nearly 22,000 Oregon income tax returns were filed on behalf of taxpayers by volunteers at VITA clinics across the state.
The VITA and TCE programs include training in how to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. Across the country, thousands of people volunteer each year and prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.
Volunteers are assigned to work with a sponsoring organization, first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a location in the community. Training is offered both online and in the classroom. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends, and the hours are flexible.
Additional information is available on the IRS website. Interested persons can submit an inquiry now using the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up moving them one step closer to becoming a VITA or TCE tax volunteer and giving back to their community. The IRS will share information about those interested in volunteering with sponsoring organizations for follow-up contact.
Organizations with an interest in partnering with the IRS to sponsor or host a free tax preparation site in Oregon can also complete and submit the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up.
To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.
Video clip
See Oregon Taxpayer Advocate Codi Trudell explain the need for VITA volunteers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODYeWDWGmtQ
OHA offers tips to stay safe during Halloween events and activities
PORTLAND, Ore. – As ghosts, ghouls and goblins young and old head out for trick-or-treating, haunted houses and spooky gatherings in the coming days, Oregon Health Authority is offering tips for staying safe from injuries and illnesses while celebrating Halloween.
COVID-19, flu prevention
Numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have dropped dramatically since the surges of early 2022. But public health officials expect another increase in cases of COVID-19, as well as influenza and other respiratory viruses, as people head indoors to escape the cold, wet fall weather.
That’s why officials recommend everyone get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as they can. And since it does take a couple weeks for vaccines to take full effect, people planning to trick-or-treat and attend Halloween events can keep themselves healthy by wearing masks if they expect to be in crowded settings.
Use the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool to find a COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic, or to be connected to a vaccination or booster opportunity, or call 211 or text ORCOVID to 898211. If you or someone you care can’t leave home, email COVID@211info.org“>ORCOVID@211info.org to be connected to a vaccination or booster opportunity. Find a flu vaccination location by visiting VaccineFinder.org or calling 211.
Food safety
- After trick-or-treating, inspect all candy and treats to make sure wrapping hasn’t been tampered with — look for unusual appearance, discoloration and any tears in wrappers. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Eat a snack before trick-or-treating, or bring one with you, to keep from nibbling on a treat before it’s been inspected.
- Check candy and treat labels for any allergens, such as nuts, if you or your child has a food allergy.
- Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys from Halloween bags.
- Bobbing for apples is a popular game at Halloween parties. Make sure to thoroughly rinse apples and any other fruit being offered, under cool running water before eating to reduce the risk of foodborne bacteria, such as E. coli or salmonella.
- Look for juices and ciders in boxes, bottles or cans typically found in frozen food cases, refrigerated sections or shelves at grocery stores.
Injury prevention
- Wear costumes made with flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon and with bright reflective colors or reflective tape so they are visible to motorists, bicyclists and other pedestrians. Also, avoid risk of tripping by not wearing costumes that are too long or baggy and touch the ground as you walk.
- Some Halloween masks can obscure vision, especially outside when it’s dark. An alternative to masks is wearing Halloween makeup, but make sure to test a small amount on your skin a couple days ahead of time to see that it doesn’t cause a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation.
- Young children can use a spoon to help scoop out the inside of a pumpkin or use a marker to create the pumpkin’s face, but they should leave pumpkin carving to adults or older children under adult supervision.
- Use LED lights instead of candles to light up jack-o-lanterns. If you do use candles, make sure only adults are lighting them and that the pumpkins are not left unattended or near flammable materials.
For more Halloween safety ideas, visit these websites:
- Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2019/10/halloweentips/
- S. Food & Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/halloween-safety-tips-costumes-candy-and-colored-contact-lenses
- Consumer Product Safety Commission: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2022/On-a-Day-for-Goblins-and-Tricks-Make-Safety-a-Treat
All Oregon Voters Should Have Their Ballots by Now – Warned of Disinformation and Lies about Voting
Now that November election ballots are blanketing the state, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is sending out the message that voting here continues to be fair and secure. She says that Oregon has a robust system for ensuring the integrity of elections, including regularly updating voter rolls and checking voter signatures to validate the vote.
“Every single signature is checked. Every one. Not just a sample, not just a statistical amount. Every single signature is checked to make sure that’s the person who actually did vote.”
Former president Donald Trump and his supporters are continuing to repeat lies and disinformation about widespread fraud in U.S. elections and specifically about the security of mail-in voting, which Fagan says is affecting the job of county-level election officials here in Oregon.
“Sadly it’s a conspiracy that’s believed by about one in five Oregon voters and that’s a significant amount of our population,” she said. “We know it’s safe and secure here in Oregon. But yes, those conspiracy theories definitely are wearing on our county elections officials.”
Earlier this week, the Siuslaw News reported on a conservative group called the “Florence Liberty Alliance, which put up a post on its Facebook page asking for volunteers for a “Ballot Box Watch Team.” Fagan’s office is encouraging Oregon voters to “know their rights” and urging anyone who feels someone is trying to intimidate them at the ballot box or elsewhere to report it to her office online, by calling 503-986-1518 or emailing elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
“Intimidation can include aggressive or harassing questions about whether someone is qualified to vote that are intended to interfere with the right to vote … questions about citizenship status, criminal record, residency or other personal information or questions about how you intend to vote.”
Fagan says she hopes that their education campaign “Voting in Oregon Feels Good,” will resonate with Oregonians and encourage voter turnout. Ballots in the November election must be turned in or postmarked by Nov. 8.
All registered voters in Oregon should have received their ballots in the mail by now. Those who have their ballots must be sure to get them turned in or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8, in order to have their votes counted. Ballots put into any official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. that night will be counted.
Anyone who did not get a ballot or received a damaged ballot should contact their county’s elections office to get a new one right away. Find your county elections office
According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, if someone requests a new ballot, their old ballot will be canceled, to prevent any attempts at voting more than once.
Voting in Oregon feels GOOD
It’s time to get #VoteReady: Just grab your ballot and a blue or black pen!
You don’t even need a stamp It’s not a test: you can vote on every candidate and measure, or leave some blank How you vote is private. Make a plan to vote! http://OregonVotes.gov#TrustedInfo2022
