HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES PAGE 11A DailyAstorian.com // MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018 146TH YEAR, NO. 41 Dollar General plans new store for Knappa North Coast looks to ban plastic bags County, cities in early talks By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian “Paper or plastic?” The question could soon be a waste of breath in Clatsop County. City and county leaders have broached the idea of a plastic bag ban. The con- versation is in its infancy, but discussion around some type of ban could appear on public meeting agendas soon. “It always just disturbs me when I drive someplace and I see them on our roads, trees and ocean,” Astoria Mayor Arline LaMear said. “I’m aware some people like these plastic bags for convenience, but we hope to show how much damage it does to the environment.” LaMear has reached out to a number of local officials, including the Astoria City Council, County Manager Cameron Moore and Scott Lee, the chairman of the county Board of Commissioners. Earlier this month, Gearhart City Councilor Paulina Cockrum also brought up a potential ban. The talks come amid an expanding national discussion on plastic bags. Some states and cities around the country have adopted bans, while others have passed laws specifically blocking local govern- ments from barring the bags. More than a dozen cities in Oregon ONE DOLLAR AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, will phase out the use of plas- tic bags in its stores by 2025. have passed bans, including Manzanita last year. Last week, Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, which owns Fred Meyer, announced it would phase out single-use plastic bags by 2025. “They’re certainly aware this is com- ing down the pike,” LaMear said of local stores that would be affected. “I don’t think they will be opposed to this.” See PLASTIC BAGS, Page 7A Part of a national expansion By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian KNAPPA — Dollar Gen- eral, the national variety store chain approved for a location in Gearhart and denied in Astoria, is proposing another store in Knappa. Cross Development, the Texas-based developer behind the local stores, is scheduled for a hearing in September before the Clat- sop County Planning Com- mission. The developer is seeking a conditional use permit and comprehensive plan amendment to build a 9,100-square-foot store on a 1-acre lot at the corner of U.S. Highway 30 and Hill- crest Loop Road. See STORE, Page 7A ELECTION 2018 Councilor steps aside STANDING TALL Nemlowill was elected in 2014 By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Daily Astorian Astoria City Councilor Zetty Nemlowill will not seek re-election in November. Nemlowill, who represents Ward 1 on the city’s west side, announced her decision this morning, the day before the filing deadline, after months of being unsure what she would do. “It has been a difficult decision because I’m so passionate about Astoria, but this will allow me more time to focus on the work I do out- side of city government,” she said in a statement. Since the beginning of the year, Nemlowill was uncertain about whether she would campaign for Zetty another four-year term. As Nemlowill the filing deadline loomed, no one seemed interested in going after the Ward 1 seat. Then David Drafall, a hairdresser at One Six Five West Bond beauty salon, announced his candidacy in mid-August. Drafall could be unopposed. Nemlowill said she has not heard of anyone else inter- ested in running. City staff have not received any other applications. Nemlowill’s decision ensures the makeup of the City Council will change markedly next year. Mayor Arline LaMear announced in January that she would not run again. City Councilor Cindy Price, who had planned to run for mayor, withdrew from the race this month, citing family reasons. City Councilors Tom Brownson and Bruce Jones are the only councilors who will remain. After Price’s withdrawal, Jones announced he will run for mayor. If Jones loses the mayoral election to Dulcye Taylor, the president of the Asto- ria Downtown Historic District Associa- tion, he would stay on the council, since his Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Bert Little removes the cover off of a new veterans monument in Warrenton during a ceremony on Saturday. The Daily Astorian W The audience at the ceremony gathers around the monument. ARRENTON — The new statue of a Vietnam War soldier, placed near a busy intersection in downtown Warrenton, is the result of a decadeslong effort to honor veterans. An economic downturn stalled fundraising for the statue more than 20 years ago. When the local Veterans of Foreign Wars decided to try again, they were able to secure more than $40,000 in state grants and donations. The statue’s dedication folds into ongoing efforts to improve the appearance of down- town and, in particular, the entry points to the city. “This is a testament to how much our town supports and honors our veterans,” War- renton Mayor Henry Balensifer said at a ded- ication on Saturday. “We are so proud to have this memorial in our town and very grateful for the VFW post as well.” See COUNCILOR, Page 7A Relay team celebrates gift of life Organ donors bond on walk at Hood to Coast MORE INSIDE Hood to Coast apologizes to women’s team. Page 7A By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian SEASIDE — A decade ago, the idea of being an organ donor never crossed Nicole Andergard’s mind. “I mean, before this, I was the kid running from needles at the blood drive,” she laughed. But then she got a call about her best friend, Anna, being admitted to the hospi- tal for kidney issues related to her autoimmune disease. The two had met in kindergarten at Warrenton Grade School, with most of their childhood mem- ories defined by each other. Suddenly, the fear of needles didn’t seem so daunting. While talking to Anna’s parents in the lobby of the hos- pital, Andergard decided on the spot she was going to be her best friend’s kidney donor. Otherwise, her friend could have been put on a long wait- ing list. “To a certain extent, it was selfish,” Andergard said. “I needed my best friend with me in my life.” In honor of her friend, Andergard competes in the Portland to Coast leg of the Hood to Coast Relay with the team “Transplant Trotters” to raise awareness about the need for organ donors. The team, started through the organ transplant non- profit Donate Life Northwest 21 years ago, was one of 400 walking teams to participate in the 37th annual Hood to Coast Relay over the weekend. See RELAY, Page 7A Brenna Visser/The Daily Astorian Nicole Andergard takes a quick selfie of the team before joining their final walker to the finish line at Hood to Coast on Saturday.