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Commissioner Lianne Thompson

Impact to Veteran Benefits: Potential federal shut down

With a potential Federal Government shutdown occurring on Sunday, October 1, some services may not be available.

Available Services

• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, & Vet Centers will be open
• VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits
• Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will continue
• The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue decisions on Veterans’ cases
• VA Contact Centers (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) are open 24/7

Services Not Available During a Shutdown

• VA will not provide veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities
• VA education benefits contact center (GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551) will be closed
• VA benefits regional offices will be closed
• Public affairs and outreach to Veterans will cease
• No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries. Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries will not be processed. No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates
• No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based, and community-based partners by VA Central Office

The Oregon Dept. of Veteran Services, Clatsop County Veteran services, and tribal veteran services will remain open during any federal shutdown.

With the return of colder temperatures, people spending more time indoors, and children and youth back at school, Respiratory Virus Season has returned.

Clatsop County Department of Public Health has suggestions on how you and loved ones can stay healthy:



• Stay home if you feel sick or have any symptoms
• Wash your hands frequently and before eating
• Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu for those six months and older
• Get vaccinated for those who are RSV eligible
• Cover your cough

Burn Ban to be Lifted

The Oregon Department of Forestry has declared that fire season will end 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, and the Clatsop County Fire Defense Board recently voted to lift burn ban restrictions at the same time.

“Although this is good news, all of Clatsop County remains in drought conditions, with 62% in severe drought and 38% in extreme drought,” said Clatsop County Emergency Management Director Justin Gibbs. “That means we still need to be vigilant when burning.”

Read more.

Domestic Violence Proclamation

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation on Wednesday raising awareness of Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

Domestic violence occurs across all populations, regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, or class.

One in 3 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime and domestic violence is the single largest cause of injury and homicide for women.

Children exposed to domestic violence experience terror, isolation, guilt, helplessness and grief and have a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior and substance abuse, and becoming victims of crime. 

From left to right: Clatsop County Juvenile Probation Counselor Laura Parker, Vice Chair and Clatsop County Commissioner Courtney Bangs, Deputy Public Health Director Jill Quakenbush and Clatsop County Commissioner Pam Wev stand by cutouts that tell the story of women and child victims of domestic violence.

New Community Newsletter

Clatsop County Community Development Department is launching a quarterly newsletter in October to keep you informed about land use issues, short-term rentals, and more.

Sign up today.

Clatsop County is Selected for Mass Timber Project

Clatsop County has been selected by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development to participate in the Mass Timber Code-UP Technical Assistance project.  

Mass timber is a new category of wood product that consists of multiple solid wood panels nailed or glued together. The end result is a product which provides exceptional strength and stability and is a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel.

The project is intended to modernize the County’s planning and development codes to accommodate modular mass timber housing.  



DLCD will provide a consultant team, technical assistance and local project support via AmeriCorps Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE). The initial project initiation meeting with Clatsop County Community Development staff was Tuesday, September 26.

Purrfect Storm Pet Adoption Campaign Recap

Final numbers are in for the Purrfect Storm Pet Adoption Campaign. More than 100 animals were adopted: 40 dogs, 59 cats and 2 geese.



Our first ever podcast features Justin Dersham, Clatsop County Animal Shelter Manager.

Enjoy!

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test with messages going to cell phones and radios and televisions. These tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time/2:20 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

Emergency Preparedness Fair is This Saturday

Free Tips, Free Survival Tools and Food

Clatsop County’s free emergency preparedness Get Ready Fair returns this Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Warrior Hall at Camp Rilea in Warrenton.

This event will help you and your family prepare for a natural disaster. You’ll be able to talk with local experts to learn about preparedness and learn how to care for yourself and your family in the event of an earthquake, flood, winter storm, or other disaster.

Activities are designed to educate and encourage kids and adults to be more prepared to help themselves and others in their neighborhood during an emergency. 

Participants will learn how to make a plan and see examples of preparedness kits that would allow them to be self-sufficient for up to seven days during an emergency. 

The event will include outdoor displays and more than 25 exhibitor tables featuring a broad range of disaster-related resources and subject matter experts. Preparedness presentations and raffle drawings will take place every 30 minutes beginning at 12 p.m.

Take the Poll

Emergency Preparedness Campaign

Week 4: Water and Food

We’re halfway through our 6 Weeks Ready campaign to help you and others prepare for a natural or man-made disaster.

After sharing some basic planning and preparation guidance in the first three weeks, Week 4 focuses on emergency food and water storage. 

You may usually have enough food on hand to last a few days, but what about water? And what if you needed enough food and water to get by for two weeks or longer?

Read more.

Septic Issues? A New Program May Help

A new program is available to help Clatsop County homeowners repair or replace septic systems that are damaged, non-working or have failed.

“It can be expensive to fix septic issues but this program can provide relief to individuals and small businesses.  Eligible individuals may receive a no-interest, no payment loan, with a 30-year term or due when the title changes.  In other situations, they could receive a grant which does not have to be paid back,” said Casey Mitchell, weatherization & housing rehab program manager for Community Action Team Inc.

This program is open to up to 105 participants. 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

Westport Park Caretaker Position Open

Clatsop County Parks Department is seeking a park caretaker to help operate and maintain the award-winning Westport County Park.

The caretaker position is for a 3.5-month contract period beginning Sunday, Oct. 1 and ending Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

The caretaker will live on site in the caretaker’s own fully operable self-contained recreational vehicle (RV) or travel trailer or motorhome type for the duration of the contract. A maximum of two pets maximum are allowed with restrictions. The County will provide full hook ups including electric, water, and sewer as well as garbage.

Read more.

Candidates Sought for Fair and Expo Board

The Clatsop County Board of Commissions is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the Clatsop County Fair Board. 

The deadline to submit completed applications is 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 31.

The Clatsop County Fair Board operates and otherwise manages the Fairgrounds with the assistance of staff. This includes recruiting for bookings, scheduling, establishing rental fees, general promotion, food service, concessions, maintenance and all other related operational activities.

Read more.

$30,000 in Grants Now Available to Local Service Providers

On behalf of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, a total of $30,000 is being made available to be distributed to local not-for-profit social human services organizations that address Clatsop County community needs.

The Clatsop County Human Services Advisory Council will review grant applications and make recommendations to the Board based on the Board’s annual strategic planning goals.

Online applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. To be eligible for consideration, the county online application must be completed. Grants will be awarded in Spring 2024.

Read more.

Crews will be crack sealing at the Klaskanine River Bridge (Youngs River Road milepost 10.55). There will be one lane closure with minimal delays. Flaggers will be present.

Crews will perform:

• Brush chopping on Vesper Road and in the Knappa & Olney areas
• Ditch maintenance on Knappa Dock Road, Ziak Gnat Creek Road and Lewis & Clark Road
• Grading at Saddle Mountain Road and Lower Nehalem River Road
• Replacing driveway culverts on G Road and 7th Lane in Jeffers Garden

Elections

Candidate filing window has opened for the May 21, 2024 Primary Election. Positions include Precinct Committee Persons, Commissioner District 2, Commissioner District 4 and Sheriff. 

Recording Information

You can now search for a document that has been recorded in Clatsop County. In coordination with Information Systems we have developed a way to search for a document before coming in or calling our office.

Once you find the document you are looking for you can request a 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 RECOMMENDED prior to coming in for new passport processing. Routine service can take 10-13 weeks or longer. Expedite service can take 7-9 weeks. 

• 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 that 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.

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

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