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Clatsop County Sheriff Alerts Public About Scam

Clatsop County Sheriff Matt Phillips is urging the public to be aware of attempts to financially scam Clatsop County residents.

A recent effort involved callers stating that a warrant would be issued for a person’s arrest unless they paid immediately. 

It is common for scam callers to say they are with law enforcement or the Internal Revenue Service and ask for banking information or for the individual to send payment by gift cards or wire transfers.

“They are going to try to scare you and fluster you into sending money. One Clatsop County resident recently was tricked into sending nearly $300,000. Others were for gift cards of $100 or $200,” Sheriff Phillips said. “We have received about 50 calls from concerned residents and we want to make it clear that the Clatsop County Sheriff’s office never, ever will call a person and ask for money to pay any fine or to avoid arrest.

In some cases, caller ID may display the name Sheriff or other law enforcement employee. “Don’t answer that call. Instead, call us back at 503-325-8635,” Phillips said.



The Clatsop County Sheriff’s office has put together tips on how to avoid being scammed are available at the Clatsop County Sheriff scam alert web page.

During Tsunami Awareness Week Assembly Point Details Become Available

During Tsunami Awareness Week Clatsop County Emergency Management is encouraging residents and business owners to visit tsunami assembly locations in Clatsop County.

“The time to know assembly points and evacuation routes maps is now, not when a Tsunami is heading towards shore,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director.

“Recently, we took assembly point locations and added crossroads so people can more quickly find this safe area,” Gibbs said.

Read more.

Applications Invited for Two Planning Commission Vacancies

Clatsop County is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the Clatsop County Planning Commission. 

“Planning commission members play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of our communities and property values,” said Gail Henrikson, community development director. “We strive to see that all geographical areas of the county are represented to the greatest extent possible.”

Committee application forms are available at ClatsopCounty.gov or at the County Manager’s office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410 in Astoria. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024.

Read more.

Public Invited to Comment on Updates to Estuarine Resources, Coastal Shorelands, and Beaches and Dunes Goals

For the first time in more than 40 years, Clatsop County Development will update plans regarding estuarine resources, coastal shorelands, and beaches and dunes.

The public is invited to attend a presentation and provide comment from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria. Light refreshments will be served. Two additional public meetings will be scheduled in the future. Visit ClatsopCounty.gov for more updates.

The Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan describes the long-term vision for unincorporated Clatsop County, looking ahead to set direction for the County’s growth over the next 20 years. It contains common goals that guide development within the County, including in the areas of land use, environment, transportation, economic development, housing and resource use.

Clatsop County is updating three portions of the Comprehensive Plan: Estuarine Resources (Goal 16), Coastal Shorelands (Goal 17), and Beaches and Dunes (Goal 18). 

Read More.

The U.S. Department of Education has begun what it describes as a one-time payment count adjustment for certain federal student loans toward the income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

This could lead to borrowers potentially having their loans forgiven if they consolidate commercially owned Federal Family Education Loan or Perkins Loans into a federal Direct Loan by April 30, 2024.

Borrowers will need to visit the Federal Student Loan student loan consolidation webpage on studentaid.gov to consolidate into Direct Loans by April 30, 2024.



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Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici’s staff will host student loan workshops in April with Oregon student loan expert Lane Thompson to answer questions about student loans. 

The workshop will provide information about an upcoming April 30, 2024, deadline that requires immediate action from certain borrowers to apply to have their entire student loan balance forgiven or receive more credit toward forgiveness.

 

Register online for a free workshop online.

Clatsop County homeowners who need to repair or replace septic systems that are damaged, non-working or have failed are encouraged to look into a new program.

Financial assistance to help with the costs can be provided to individuals and homeowners. Depending upon eligibility they could receive a:



• Grant which does not have to be paid back
• No-interest, no payment loan, with a 30-year term or due when the title changes  

This program will serve up to 105 participants, both homes and small businesses. To be eligible, household income must be at 120% of area median income or less, and the septic system must be on private property in Columbia, Clatsop or Tillamook counties.

Application Form

Clatsop County Voices: Paul Benoit is interviewed by his granddaughter Lucy about his work on the Astoria Riverwalk

Clatsop County has been collecting your stories for our Clatsop County Voices campaign. 

Lucy Benoit, 9, interviewed her “Pepere” about his favorite project while working for the City of Astoria. Paul Benoit was the Community Development Director in the 80’s when he had the idea to make the Riverwalk a usable space for the community. 

Listen to Lucy and Paul's conversation, and more.

We invite residents to send stories and photos of family memories that have been passed through generations or a personal recollection of a major event that happened in Clatsop County.

Share your story four ways:

1. Call 503-325-7870 and record your story
2. Record a conversation with a family member and upload the audio file
3. Email [email protected] to request an interview
4. Write up your story and send it to: Clatsop County; 800 Exchange St., Suite 410; Astoria, OR 97103 or [email protected]

Stories will be posted through June 30 at the Clatsop County Voices webpage. After that the County will donate them to the Clatsop County Historical Society.

For more information, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.

Monthly Veteran's Breakfast Returns

The monthly Clatsop County Veteran’s breakfast is returning at a new location and a Veteran Service Officer will be present to answer questions and schedule meetings with veterans.

The next free breakfast is 8-10 a.m. Thursday, April 4, at Lum’s Auto Center in Warrenton. The April breakfast is being provided by Pig N Pancake. Future breakfasts will be scheduled for the first Thursday of the month.

Lum’s Auto Center is located at 1605 SE Ensign Ln, Warrenton. For more information, contact Sam Jeans at the Clatsop County Veteran Service Office.

Sunday, March 31 is Deadline to Remove Studded Tires

With the arrival of Spring comes the Sunday, March 31 deadline to remove studded tires. Long-term weather forecasts this year do not support an extension of the studded tire season. 

Driving with studded tires after the deadline can result in a fine. Law enforcement may issue a citation, a Class C traffic violation, with a $165 fine.



Read more.

Clatsop County Fair is accepting vendor applications for the 2024 Clatsop County Fair. The vendor application must be completed online. The deadline is Monday, July 1, 2024 or until capacity is reached.

Read more.

Oregonians 65 and older can now get an additional dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine. They are most at risk for severe outcomes of the virus.



Read more.

Crews will be:

• Performing road repairs on Sunset Beach Lane
• Brush chopping on Lewis and Clark Road
• Performing ditch maintenance on Logan Road and Youngs River Road
• Grading gravel roads within the Hamlet area and Lower Nehalem Road
• Performing shoulder work on Hillcrest Loop, MP 1.5 - 2.5. Minor delays can be expected

Traffic Impacts – County Roads

INTERMITTENT ROAD CLOSURE— Lewis and Clark Road, MP 10.3 to MP 10.9:

• Thursday, March 28, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., film crews will be present on Lewis and Clark Road from MP 10.3 to MP 10.9 (Lewis and Clark Road, from Lewis and Clark Mainline to .5 miles north). Expect intermittent delays in each direction.

Week of April 1

BRIDGE INSPECTIONS— One-lane traffic can be expected. Follow flagger instructions:

• Tuesday, April 2, Neacoxie Lake Bridge on Sunset Beach Lane  
• Tuesday, April 2, Svensen Slough Bridge on Svensen Island Road

Week of April 8

ROAD CLOSURE—Youngs River Road at MP 6:

• Thursday, April 11, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Youngs River Road will be closed to all traffic at MP 6 for a culvert replacement.

May 2024 Primary Election Candidate Filing Opens

Elections

The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, April 30, for the May 21, 2024 primary election.

Recording Hours Change

Recording office hours changed to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recording information

We have developed a way for you to search for free for a document that has been recorded in Clatsop County without coming in or calling our office. 

Once you find the document you are looking for, you can request an email copy without paying a research fee.  

Just go to our website under Recording Information – Records Research, click on Locate a Document.

Passports

An appointment is required prior to coming in for new passport processing.

Routine service can take 6-8 weeks; Expedite service can take 2-3 weeks. Forms are available at www.travel.state.gov  

Appointment Scheduling Saves You Time

Please go to our webpage and schedule an appointment for passports, park passes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recordings with us.

If you do not have an appointment, you may be asked to wait if we are with someone who has scheduled an appointment. 

Clatsop County is a great place to work. Find out about current Clatsop County career opportunities where you can make a difference every day.

• Administrative Assistant II. Closes 4/17/24
• Election Worker (Temporary). Open until filled
• Emergency Management Coordinator – Outreach.  Closes 4/12/24
• Emergency Management Coordinator – Planning.  Closes 4/12/24
• Electrical Inspector. Open until filled
• Parole & Probation Deputy I or II. Open until filled
• Seasonal Road Maintenance Worker (Temporary). Open until filled
• Senior Human Resources Business Partner. Closes 4/14/24
• Environmental Health Specialist I/II. Open until filled

If you have questions, concerns, feedback, or need assistance, please contact Human Resources. We’re happy to help!

Clatsop County is committed to being transparent and providing the information you need, when you need it.

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