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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2019)
A2 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019 Mental health agency wins new contract IN BRIEF Man with fake handgun arrested for robbery Astoria police arrested an Olympia, Washington, man on Friday after he allegedly tried to rob a gas sta- tion using a fake handgun. Nicholas Strange, 21, went into the Small Stop 76 gas station on Marine Drive and hid beer under his shirt, according to police. He struggled with an atten- dant when confronted. Another employee called the police and told them Strange had what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his pants. When police arrived, attendants and others had pinned Strange to the ground. Police determined he had a pellet gun with the appearance and manufacturer markings of a Glock handgun. They arrested Strange for third-degree robbery. “Though the gun was not utilized by Strange in the taking of property it turned an already tense situ- ation into one that was more dangerous for everyone involved, including Strange”, Deputy Chief Eric Halv- erson said in a news release. “There was no way for the employees at the store or our offi cers to know the gun wasn’t a deadly weapon.” Fire season approaches in the Northwest Fire season in Clatsop County will begin on Monday. The Oregon Department of Forestry says both public and private lands face potential fi re hazard. A countywide burn ban will be in effect. Burn bar- rels will require a burn permit, which people can get through the Department of Forestry and some local fi re departments. Residents may see fi re information boards on major roads entering forest areas which display fi re hazard lev- els from green, being low hazard, to red, being extreme hazard. This year, campfi res will be allowed at campsites if the fi re hazard level is low, but the campfi re ban will go back into effect if the fi re hazard level reaches moderate. For more information about fi re season requirements, call 503-325-7215. To request a burning permit or get more information, call 503-325-5451. Treatment for mental health and addiction By DERRICK DePLEDGE The Astorian Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare has a new two- year county contract to pro- vide mental health and addiction treatment. The private nonprofi t is Clatsop County’s longtime provider, but had to bid for the contract for the fi rst time in several years after county commissioners invited competition. The agency, which has come under public scrutiny over the past several months over management and per- formance challenges, was the only bidder. County commissioners voted for the contract on Wednesday night by consent with no comment. “We feel that they’re making a diligent effort to try and improve that rela- tionship and improve com- munications,” Monica Steele, the interim county manager, said afterward. “So I feel that we’re moving in a good direction.” During the interview pro- cess, county staff said the agency’s management was receptive to community feedback and communicat- ing more frequently with the county. The contract requires weekly briefi ngs with county staff and quar- terly presentations to county commissioners. “We at CBH love being part of this community. We live here. We play here. We raise our families here. This is our home, and we care passionately about the mem- bers of this community,” Amy Baker, the executive director of Clatsop Behav- ioral Healthcare, said in an email. “We look forward to continuing to serve our cli- ents and community for years to come.” Baker has also agreed to a three-year contract exten- sion. She was hired in 2016 after management turmoil at the agency, and survived her own clash with the agency’s board earlier this year. “I am proud of this orga- nization and the work we do,” she said. “We have great community partners who share our vision and commitment to serving this community, and I am look- ing forward to the next three years. So much has been accomplished already, and I am excited for what the future has in store.” The county had also put a contract for developmen- tal disabilities out for bid this year. Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, which has held the contract for years, was the only bidder. But county commission- ers agreed earlier this month to transfer oversight respon- sibility for developmen- tal disabilities to the state Department of Human Ser- vices. The state intends to keep the work with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare. In February, The Astorian detailed a pattern of incon- sistent oversight of adult foster homes in the develop- mental disabilities program. Clatsop Behavioral Health- care has worked with the state to correct problems and make improvements. Coast Guard adds housing in Astoria County commissioners approve new budget County commissioners on Wednesday night approved the budget for the fi scal year that starts in July. The budget is $84.4 million, up from $70.1 million this fi scal year. Most of the increase is related to the remodel and construction of a new jail. County commissioners on Wednesday chose to increase a contingency in the special projects fund by $250,000 to show support for a forest conservation proj- ect in the Arch Cape watershed. The budget committee had rejected adding money for the project, but commis- sioners wanted to include the funds. County celebrates a birthday Clatsop County turns 175 years old this year. The county was created in June 1844, 15 years before Ore- gon became a state, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. County commissioners and staff celebrated the mile- stone before Wednesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting with cake and a history display. Astoria became the county seat after an election in 1854. — The Astorian DEATH June 26, 2019 FOLK, Cheri J., 74, of Gearhart, died in Gearhart. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. ON THE RECORD DUII • Tamara Lou Gun- derson, 60, of Asto- ria, was arrested on Wednesday for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Her blood alcohol content was 0.22%. • Sara Poirier, 36, of Warrenton, was arrested on Wednesday for DUII. PUBLIC MEETINGS MONDAY Astoria City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, 1095 Duane St. TUESDAY Seaside Community Cen- ter Commission, 10 a.m., Bob Chisholm Community Center, 1225 Avenue A. Port of Astoria Commis- sion, 4 p.m., Port offi ces, 10 Pier 1 Suite 209. Established July 1, 1873 (USPS 035-000) Published Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by EO Media Group, 949 Exchange St., PO Box 210, Astoria, OR 97103 Telephone 503-325-3211, 800-781-3211 or Fax 503-325-6573. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Astorian, PO Box 210, Astoria, OR 97103-0210 DailyAstorian.com Clatsop Care Health Dis- trict Board, 5 p.m., Clatsop Care Health and Rehabilita- tion, 646 16th St. Miles Crossing Sanitary Sewer District Board, 6 p.m., 34583 U.S. Highway 101 Business. Seaside Planning Commis- sion, 7 p.m., City Hall, 989 Broadway. Coast Guard Twelve new housing units have been added to Culp Court, bringing the Triumph housing complex on the South Slope of Astoria to 126 units. The Astorian The Coast Guard recently opened 12 new units of housing on Culp Court in Astoria. The completion brings the total number of units in the Triumph housing com- plex on the South Slope to 126, with areas for future construction. The fi rst two phases of housing cost more than $19 million. “These new homes show just how dedicated we are to being a part of Astoria and the surround- ing communities,” Capt. Gretchen Bailey, deputy commander at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, said in a statement. “These houses will give our Coast Guard men and women, and their families, a place Coast Guard A maintenance and operations building will provide support for Coast Guard families throughout Washington state and Oregon and could be used as a contingency operations center in a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami. to call home while serving this community.” The fi rst phase of hous- ing achieved a platinum rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for environmental sustainability. The second phase is on track to achieve the same certifi cation. An operations and main- tenance building near the homes will allow Coast Guard maintenance crews to provide year-round sup- port for Coast Guard fam- ilies throughout Sector Columbia River and is being considered as a con- tingency operations site outside the tsunami inun- dation zone. State seeks comment on South Tongue Point sale The Astorian The Department of State Lands seeks comment on the potential sale of the southern two-thirds of South Tongue Point to the Columbia Land Trust. The land trust has raised more than $1.4 million to buy the former dredge spoil deposit on the eastern edge of Astoria, restore the prop- erty into fi sh and wildlife habitat and transfer it to Clatsop Community Col- lege. The group still needs to raise $141,000 to fund the purchase. The college recently closed on the northern third of South Tongue Point, where it runs the Mari- Doug Gorsline/Columbia Land Trust The State Land Board will likely decide in August or October whether to sell the southern two-thirds of South Tongue Point to the Columbia Land Trust. time and Environmen- tal Research and Training Station, a career-techni- cal campus, and hopes to begin an environmental science program using the COPYRIGHT © Entire contents © Copyright, 2019 by The Astorian. MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MEMBER CERTIFIED AUDIT OF CIRCULATIONS, INC. Printed on recycled paper Subscription rates Eff ective May 1, 2019 MAIL (IN COUNTY) EZpay (per month) ...............................................................................................................$11.25 13 weeks in advance ...........................................................................................................$37.00 26 weeks in advance ...........................................................................................................$71.00 52 weeks in advance ........................................................................................................ $135.00 Pick of the Week The family of Milford Blaine “Steve” Stevens, would like to offer their warm thanks for Flowers; Contributions to the Clatsop Community College Foundation; As well as the many letters of condolences, thoughts & prayers. Moe 1 1/2 year old Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd Blend Ready for destinations near & far, for favorite haunts & trails less traveled. On Behalf of my Husband, I wish a thoughtful thank you to everyone. -Delpha F. Stevens (Read about Moe on Facebook ) Out of County Rates available at 800-781-3214 DIGITAL EZpay (per month) .................................................................................................................$8.00 land trust’s gift as a living laboratory. The state will take pub- lic comment until July 26 on the land sale. The State Land Board, comprised of the governor, secretary of state and the state treasurer, will likely decide in August or October whether to sell the land. Email comments or questions to the Depart- ment of State Lands Real Property Program at real- property@dsl.state.or.us, or contact the Real Prop- erty Program in writing at: Oregon Department of State Lands Real Property Program, 1645 NE Forbes Rd., Suite 112, Bend, OR., 97701. Volunteer Circulation phone number: 503-325-3211 Periodicals postage paid at Astoria, OR ADVERTISING OWNERSHIP All advertising copy and illustrations prepared by The Astorian become the property of The Astorian and may not be reproduced for any use without explicit prior approval. “These homes look great and fi t well with the surrounding community,” said Astoria Mayor Bruce Jones, a former commander of Sector Columbia River. “Astoria is very pleased to be home to more of our local Coast Guard enlisted men and women. Given concerns about the rising cost of housing in Astoria, the addition of these new residential units has the added benefi t of taking a bit of pressure off the local supply- demand curve.” A housing market sur- vey analysis found there will be a defi cit of more than 80 homes for Coast Guard personnel over the next fi ve years, given the projected growth in the agency and the North Coast. 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