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Friday, August 18, 2023

News

Household Hazardous Waste Event

Clatsop County Environmental Health provides FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events several times per year at the Household Hazardous Waste collection center.

Our next collection event is 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023. The 2023 schedule is available on the Clatsop County website.

The collection center is located at 1780 Williamsport Road in Astoria, next to the Recology of Western Oregon solid waste transfer station.

Oregon Health Authority Issues Recreational Use Advisory for Cullaby Lake

A recreational use health advisory has been issued for Cullaby Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom. The health advisory is in effect while water samples are tested.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is advising that individuals should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present.

“The county parks department has posted ‘Health Advisory in Effect’ signs for the waters of Cullaby Lake at the entrance to both Cullaby Lake Park and Carnahan Park,” said Steve Meshke, Clatsop County Parks natural resources manager.

Advisory signs are also posted at the kiosk, fee booth, swim areas and on reader boards.

Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water is swallowed while swimming, or when water droplets are inhaled during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, numbness, dizziness and fainting.

Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.

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 clients may receive a no-interest, no payment loan, with a 30-year term or due when the title changes. In other client’s 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.

DEQ Financial Aid Repair & Replacement Program

County	Household of 1	Household of 2	Household of 3	Household of 4
Clatsop	$67,032.00	$76,608.00	$86,184.00	$95,760.00
Columbia	$89,460.00	$102,240.00	$115,020.00	$127,800.00
Tillamook	$57,876.00	$66,144.00	$74,412.00	$82,680.00

(Households of larger than 4 have higher income limits)

For information, please contact Community Action Team at 503-410-5833 or email them at [email protected]

Application Form

Community Comes Together to Address Overdoses

An overdose awareness event to shine the spotlight on lives lost to overdoses is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 31, at the Barbey Maritime Center in Astoria.

“We invite the community to come together to remember and celebrate loved ones we lost to an overdose. Together we can prevent future losses of life,” said Jenna King, Clatsop County Public Health Department harm reduction coordinator.

“Clatsop County Public Health and our community partners are committed to showing people how they can help save the lives of loved ones and to provide those resources. Help us end the stigma of addiction,” she said.

Clatsop County Senior Sheriff Deputy Chance Moore and Sergeant Nate Baldwin will share their experiences saving lives by reversing an overdose with naloxone.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of someone they loved who died by overdose. Photos will be displayed on a memorial wall so their story can be shared at the Overdose Awareness Day event.

Event activities include:

Music
Narcan supplies and training
Art projects and activities
Keynote address by Alison Noice, CODA inc. executive director
Free food and beverages provided
Community resources available
Giveaways
Candlelight Vigil

Clatsop Animal Shelter Purrfect Storm Update

The total pet adoptions so far this month have reached 26. Fifteen cats and 11 dogs have found their furever homes during the Raining Cats and Dogs Pet Adoption Campaign.

“The community response to this campaign has warmed our hearts,” said Justin Dersham, Clatsop County Animal Control Supervisor.

This time last year when the shelter was open by appointment only, there were 11 total adoptions.

“There is no disputing the campaign and being open to the public again has definitely helped with adoptions,” said Dersham.

Clatsop County Animal Shelter and Clatsop Animal Assistance created The Raining Cats and Dogs Pet Adoption Campaign to raise public awareness about the urgent need for pet adoptions and to help these cats and dogs find good homes over the next few weeks.

A Barkometer has been created to keep the community informed about the pressures the shelter is weathering. It will be regularly updated on social media and the Clatsop County website. Individuals adopting pets during this campaign will receive a Stormer t-shirt as a thank you.

Adoption fees for dogs and cats include spay/neuter fees, vaccinations and other costs. For more information on how to adopt a shelter animal, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.

Get Ready for Hood To Coast Relay

Runners participating in The Providence Hood to Coast Relay will come through Clatsop County Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26.

A hotline has been established by race organizers for the public to get information or register a complaint. The hotline is active Monday, August 21 through Monday, September 4. The phone number is 844-428-8327.

Clatsop County Environmental Health licenses and inspects the temporary food booths in Seaside and on Hwy 202 for the race event.

Clatsop County will provide traffic updates on social media and in our Weekly Bulletin enewsletter.

Reminders

Fire Danger is High in Clatop County

The Oregon Department of Forestry has increased Clatsop County’s fire danger level to High (yellow) due to warmer weather temperatures. Open debris burn has been prohibited since fire season began June 14.

“We want to make sure people know that our forests and communities are at high risk for wildfires so we will be sending out a ClatsopAlerts! notification later today,” said Clatsop County Emergency Management Director Justin Gibbs. Visit ClatsopCounty.gov to sign up for ClatsopAlerts!

This alert and wildfire awareness campaign is a collaborative effort of Clatsop County, the Fire Defense Board and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Community Happenings

Check out the Clatsop County website calendar for upcoming county meetings.

Aug. 3-20 | Shanghaied in Astoria | Astoria

Aug. 18-19 | Pacific Northwest Brew Cup Festival | Astoria

Aug. 19 | Astoria Airport Open House & Fly-In | Astoria

Aug. 20-Sept. 3 | Inaugural Cascadia Chamber Opera Festival | Astoria

Aug. 21-27 | Washington State International Kite Festival | Long Beach, WA

Aug. 25-26 | Hood to Coast Relay

Sept. 8-10 | Cannon Beach Cottage Tour | Cannon Beach

Sept. 13-17 | Seaside SandFest | Seaside

Sept. 14-17 | Wheels and Waves Car Show | Seaside

Oct. 8 | Great Columbia Crossing Race 10k run/walk

Oct. 20-22 | Astoria International Film Festival | Astoria

Regional Transportation Reminders

Detours

Eastbound traffic is detouring on Colvin Road.

U.S. 30 is for westbound traffic only between the two Colvin Road intersections. The speed limit on U.S. 30 is 55 m.p.h. There is no local eastbound access on U.S. 30

Colvin Road is for eastbound traffic only, including for local residents. The speed limit on Colvin Road during the detour is 35 mph

Right now, ODOT is paving Colvin Road to prepare for the detour to start. They’re also trimming some trees, putting up new signs and cleaning the ditches. Expect construction noise while these improvements to Colvin Road are made.

Public Works

Clatsop County Public Works Schedule for Monday, August 21 - Friday, August 25

Youngs River Road is now open to all traffic at the Klaskanine River Bridge (MP 10.55).

Beginning August 7, Hillcrest Loop will be closed to all through traffic between Old HWY 30 and Akerstedt Road for culvert replacement projects at MP 0.5 and MP 1.1.

The closure at MP 1.1 will begin on the morning of August 7 and last approximately one week, directly followed by the closure at MP 0.5

The MP 0.5 replacement is anticipated to last approximately three weeks. Utilize Conroy Road and Old HWY 30 as a detour

Detour signage will be in place during the closures

The railroad is conducting their intersection rebuilds at the following location and date:

Starting Tuesday, August 22 – Westport Ferry Road will be closed at the rail crossing. Use Old Mill Town Road as the alternate to reach areas North of the tracks. Households and the fire department south of the tracks will remain accessible.

Crews will perform:

Mowing countywide, weather permitting

Pavement preservation and road repairs on South Wahanna Road and Northup Creek Road

Chip sealing South Wahanna Road. Expect intermittent delays and watch for loose gravel

Fog sealing Knappa Dock Road, Aldrich Point Road and Walluski Loop Road

Road Striping county-wide over the next month. Expect up to 20-minute delays OR until the painting crew can safely pull over to allow through traffic. Signage and cones stating wet paint will be in place, as well as flaggers to direct traffic around the wet paint.

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WET PAINT. If you drive through wet paint where signage, cones and flaggers are visible, the County WILL NOT be responsible for the cost of cleaning paint off your vehicle. The County currently uses a water-based paint for its striping needs. Should you get any of this paint on your vehicle please wash it off IMMEDIATELY with water.

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