Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2016)
143RD YEAR, NO. 177 WEEKEND EDITION // ONE DOLLAR FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 THE ELK WHISPERER REMEMBERING JOHN FRASER FRIDAY EXTRA 1C FRIDAY EXTRA 2C Seaside steps up Seagull boys rule the Clatsop Clash, move to Final Four By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian HILLSBORO — Back in November, Astoria head coach Kevin Goin stated, “Sea- side has to be the clear-cut favorite,” in Cowapa League boys basketball. In Decem- ber, Seaside coach Bill Westerholm said, “I have a feeling we’ll see Astoria in the championship game of our Tournament (of Champions).” Little did either coach know at the time (both predictions came true, by the way), that their teams were headed for a Clat- sop Clash meeting in the state tournament Tuarter¿ nals. See CLASH, Page 11A SEASIDE GIRLS VS. MAZAMA PRESS PLAY College Lady Gulls fall in quarterfinals See Sports, Page 10A Gambling addiction on rise in Clatsop County; few seek treatment By KYLE SPURR The Daily Astorian FREE HELP llison Jewell’s gam- bling addiction started as entertainment. Never much of a drinker, Jewell would play video poker in bars on the nights she was the designated driver for her friends. Soon, a compulsion took hold. She would sneak to play a quick video poker game on lunch breaks from work or before picking up her children at day care. Before the Astoria woman sought treatment last spring, she was in crisis. One spree cost her $600 in 20 minutes. Her credit card was maxed out. She had to ¿ le for bankruptcy. Jewell estimates she lost at least $20,000. “The most frustrating part is that it’s a daily battle,” she said. “Some days are better and I don’t feel an urge to gam- ble. Other days, I have to constantly distract the addict part of my brain.” Jewell’s experience is rare in Clat- sop County. Not her problem gam- bling, which addiction experts believe is on the rise, but the treatment. There were 772 problem gamblers Gambling hotline: 1-877-MY-LIMIT (877-695-4648) Oregon Lottery: www.oregonlottery.org/ play-responsibly in Clatsop County in 2009, according to the most recent data from the Addic- tions and Mental Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority. Only seven received treatment at that time. This year, a dozen people are in treatment, a fraction of the gamblers who suffer from addiction. The average debt for gamblers in treatment is $32,000, but many people on the lower rungs of the economic lad- der, who have little disposable income, also get trapped. Christina Porter, who is on a ¿ xed income, has lost about $8,000 gam- bling. If she had more money to spend, she said, her debt could be as high as $50,000. Porter was already in treatment for gambling addiction when she moved from Portland to Seaside four months ago. Friends tell her to stay away from the video poker machines that are within walking distance from her home, but the temptation is strong. “It’s a lot easier said than done,” Porter said. “It’s an addiction.” Free treatment Devonna Edwards, a newly certi- ¿ ed gambling addiction counselor at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, is the lone provider in the county. She said people do not realize treatment is free for those who gamble in Oregon. The Oregon Lottery diverts a small percentage of proceeds to fund gam- bling treatment programs statewide. Since 1992, the Oregon Lottery gen- erated more than $81 million for treatment. Edwards meets with people individ- ually and in groups. She gets referrals from the problem gambling hotline, 1-877-MY-LIMIT . Jewell and Porter gather with a few others in a group session every Wednesday evening in Warrenton. Edwards talks with the group about the cycle of gambling, which often starts with anticipation and planning. It then moves toward consequences and See GAMBLING, Page 12A gets offer on arts center Unnamed buyer wants to build affordable housing By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian Clatsop Community College has received an offer from out-of-town investors to buy both the Performing Arts Center and adjacent Josie Peper Building as part of an affordable housing development. Gerald Hamilton, the interim president of the college, said the college board has not made any decisions on the property. The offer was unsolicited, and the perform- ing arts building has not been surplused, a required move before a sale . Karen Radditz, the real estate agent repre- senting the college on the offer, described the buyers as out-of-town investors but declined to name them. She said the buyers intend to create affordable housing, including apart- ments and short-term living areas for peo- ple staying at Columbia Memorial Hospital, while keeping the performing arts building as a community center. See COLLEGE, Page 9A Gearhart tackles short-term rental rules Septic concerns play key role in discussion By R.J. MARX The Daily Astorian GEARHART — Even as the wind whistled and howled Wednesday night, a full contingent of Gearhart City Coun- cil and Planning Commission members gathered at City Hall to hammer out a proposed short-term rental ordinance. They hope to have the policy in place by summer. SPRING FORWARD “We need to look at the big picture,” Planning Commission er David Smith said. “We need to look at where we are and where we need to go.” Mayor Dianne Widdop added, “We don’t want to have a hotel on a resi- dential street .” .Minimum night stays, number of guests, registration, licens- ing and inspection procedures all ¿ gure in plans to regulate Gearhart’s short- term rental properties. It’s about the septic %ut before of¿ cials attacked those issues, they received a lesson in septic See GEARHART, Page 12A Russ Taggard listens as Mike McNickle gives a presentation on septic concerns for short-term rental properties. R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday at 2 a.m. when clocks are turned to 3 a.m. Sunrise and sunset will be about one hour later than the day before, which means there will be more light in the evening.
