Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2017)
COAST WEEKEND: BIG KIDS GET TO PLAY IN NEW MUSICAL INSIDE coast w ee kend Every Thursday • March 23, 2017 • coastweekend.com arts & entertainment 144TH YEAR, NO. 190 ONE DOLLAR DailyAstorian.com // THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Couple accused of murder seek bail Suspected in death of Newport man By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Christian J. Wilkins A Clatsop County couple accused of murdering a Newport man last fall may be released from prison before their trial. Christian J. Wilkins 37, and Adeena M. Copell Adeena M. Copell, 40, allegedly killed Howard Daniel Vinge, 71, and dumped his body off U.S. High- way 30 about 3 miles east of Astoria. Vinge died from blunt force trauma to the back of his head, an autopsy later revealed. The couple then allegedly stole Vinge’s white 1993 Allegro Bay motor home with a dark maroon 1991 Lincoln Continental attached on a trailer. They are being charged with murder, second-degree abuse of a corpse and two counts of unau- thorized use of a vehicle. Copell is also facing a hindering prosecution charge. Possible bail L awyers for the couple called for the hearing at arraignments in December. They are scheduled to appear in court Friday for a pre trial Concern and collaboration release hearing. Circuit Court Judge Cindee Matyas will determine how much bail each defendant would need to post, if bail is set at all. Matyas’ ruling will be based on the strength of the state’s case, though it does not necessarily indi- cate whether or not a conviction is likely, District Attorney Josh Mar- quis said. See COUPLE, Page 7A Warrenton wants Port’s help with levee money Kujala hopeful about obtaining state funds By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian Luke Whittaker/EO Media Group Left to right: Keynote speakers Kendall Sawa, CEO of Seaside Providence Hospital, and Erik Thorsen, CEO of Columbia Memo- rial Hospital, discussed the challenges, uncertainties and collaboration among area hospitals Wednesday night in Seaside. Area hospitals bind services, resources By LUKE WHITTAKER EO Media Group S EASIDE — Two Clatsop County health care heavyweights weighed in Wednesday night at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. It wasn’t a boxing match, instead it was an evening of celebration, collaboration and a little uncertainty at the fi fth-annual Clatsop Economic Development Resources business awards, where keynote speakers Erik Thorsen, CEO of Columbia Memorial Hospital, and Ken- dall Sawa, CEO of Providence Seaside Hospi- tal, discussed the current state of affairs at their hospitals. Rising health care costs and staffi ng strug- gles are among the chief concerns facing rural hospitals. Despite having 600 employees — the second most in Clatsop County — Thorsen is calling for more staff to address a growing need. See AWARDS, Page 7A 2017 CEDR AWARD WINNERS Entrepreneurship – Small Business: The Wine Shack & Provisions 124 in Cannon Beach, Steven Sinkler, owner Outstanding Customer Service: Hillcrest Inn in Seaside and Ruth Swenson, manager Visionary Award: Astoria Coffee House and Bistro/Cargo/Carruthers, Jim DeFeo, owner. Business Service to the Commu- nity – Small Business: Kathleen Deland Peterson of Seaside Warrenton is hoping the state will help fund a geotechnical study as part of the city’s efforts to federally certify the levees sep- arating the city from Youngs Bay and the Columbia River. Warrenton Mayor Mark Kujala has asked for the Port of Astoria Commission’s support on a piece of legislation that could provide $10 million statewide for levee projects. Kujala said he recently returned from Salem after testify- ing in favor of House Bill 5025, which would fund the Ore- gon Business Devel- opment Department, also known as Busi- ness Oregon, for the next biennium. He was also in Salem to stump for Senate Bill 5530, which would increase Mark the amount of lottery Kujala bonds going to Busi- ness Oregon’s Special Public Works Fund. The bill includes a $10 million set-aside for levee projects statewide. Warrenton has been trying to prove to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that the 80-year-old, 14-foot levees surround- ing the city can protect from a 100-year fl ood event. Accreditation by FEMA means the properties behind the levees would no lon- ger be considered in the fl ood plain, lowering fl ood insurance rates and easing restrictions on development. See WARRENTON, Page 7A Technological Advancement: Gustafson Logging of Astoria, Mark Gustafson, owner Business Service to the Community – Large Business: Coaster Construction in Cannon Beach, John Nelson, general contractor Job Creation: Pelican Pub and Brewery of Cannon Beach, Jim Prinzing, CEO Entrepreneurship – Large Business: LEKTRO of Warrenton, Eric Paulson, owner Approximately 160 people representing various Clatsop County businesses attended the event held at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center on Wednesday night. Economic Impact: Martin Hospitality of Cannon Beach, Ryan Snyder, CEO Edward Stratton/The Daily Astorian Warrenton has been trying to get the le- vees separating the city from Youngs Bay and the Columbia River accredited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Clatsop County will take the Blue Sky challenge Money would go toward promoting area energy efforts By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Clatsop County will seek to become the second county in the nation to receive a designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its promotion of renewable energy. The Clatsop County Board of Com- missioners voted unanimously to enroll in Pacifi c Power’s program. As part of the company’s Blue Sky Community Challenge, the county will pay an extra 10 percent on its monthly electric bill. That money will then go toward renew- Cameron Moore Dan Gaffney able energy projects. The county will spend an additional $2,700 this year for the project. Residents and businesses are also eligible for the program. If all of Clat- sop County reaches 3 percent participa- tion in the program by the end of the year, Pacifi c Power will fund a 1-Kilo- watt solar generating station at a gov- ernment building. The county’s current participation sits at 2.85 percent. Completion of these two goals would make the county eligible for a Green Power Partner designation from the EPA. “I think that’s a pretty powerful statement,” County Manager Cameron Moore said. In other business Wednesday, commissioners: • A ppointed Dan Gaffney to lead a feasibility study that will determine how to best fund a universal preschool program in the Clatsop and Tillamook counties. The county received a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to study the feasibility of a pay-for-success model of funding, along with other models. Gaffney will receive a $90,000 contract and hire an assistant for $30,000. Both salaries will be funded by the grant. Representatives from the local Way to Wellville will also work on the study. The pay-for- success model, if eventually approved, would involve an investor funding a preschool in the area. Money then saved by the county with more children attending preschool — fewer social or law enforcement issues, for instance — would be paid back with interest. Commissioners tabled the contract at a meeting two weeks ago, expressing concerns about preschool privatization and lack of familiarity with the study. Wednesday’s meeting continued to highlight commissioners’ concerns, See COUNTY, Page 7A