Park district cool to warming center in Seaside – February 10, 2021 The future of a warming center in Seaside is in question after Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District board members asked to table the proposal for now. “This just came in our radar last week,” board member Celeste Bodner said. “There’s a whole…
Seaside plans warming center: Housed in former middle school – February 2, 2021 A warming center could open later this month at the former Broadway Middle School in Seaside. Modeled after the Astoria Warming Center, the warming center, housed in the newly renamed Sunset Recreation Center, will provide overnight shelter in inclement weather and when…
Oregon could limit bans on homeless camping – February 2, 2021 Cities and counties around Oregon would be unable to enact sweeping laws banning homeless people from camping on public land, under a bill introduced by House Speaker Tina Kotek Tuesday. Instead, under House Bill 3115, local governments would be required to adopt policies that…
New homes may be small, but pack a environmentally sustainable punch – January 24/26, 2021 When Mary Ostafi and her husband, Joe Ostafi, drove up to the model home of Hiatus Roanoke in northwest Bend, she knew she had found her place. Everything about the 1,200 -square -foot home hit all her must-have buttons. Sustainable…
Housing options in the works for Astoria – January 11, 2021 Astoria’s population peaked a century ago at around 14,000 people, driven by the region’s fishing and logging economy and military presence. The city’s population has since shrunk to 9,675, according to the most recent estimates from Portland State University. Astoria City Councilor Roger Rocka…
Letter: Shelter space (letter by Troy Haskell) – December 26, 2020 Open letter to Gov. Kate Brown: I know you have more on your platter than you could imagine, but your people need you. As a recently retired veteran and general contractor, I know Oregon has some of the strictest building codes in the country.…
Behind the News: ‘It’s wasting a whole lot of potential’ – December 26, 2020 Arline LaMear has learned the gears of government often turn slowly. The former librarian ran for mayor in 2014 on the promise of a new Astoria Library. As mayor, she created a homelessness solutions task force in 2017 to confront the…
Project Homeless Connect canceled over virus – December 11, 2020 Clatsop Community Action has canceled the 11th annual Project Homeless Connect over the coronavirus. Every January, the event brings together over 40 nonprofit, government and faith-based agencies on the North Coast to offer services to the homeless. “With heavy heart, CCA has decided to cancel…
Trash encampments defy city, pile up at Mill Ponds – December 8, 2020 The entrance to Mill Ponds is only a few feet from U.S. Highway 101 in south Seaside, but a few steps in, the sidewalk ends and low reeds bristle along the water. Wide paths provide entry into a dark and deeply wooded…
Astoria Warming Center prepares for ‘COVID season’ – November 2, 2020 The Astoria Warming Center had barely shut its doors at the end of the season in March when board members began planning for a “COVID season” in November. Now they will begin operations on Nov. 15 with a new executive director — Clatsop County…