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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2019)
A2 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 Fall mushroom season starts early IN BRIEF Gun sense advocacy event in Seaside Indivisible North Coast Oregon is hosting an infor- mational gun sense advocacy event at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 in the Seaside Library Community Room. Hilary Uhlig of the Moms Demand Action Oregon chapter will discuss common-sense solutions to address gun violence. Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement founded in 2012 after the shooting at Sandy Hook Ele- mentary School in Connecticut. — The Astorian Lane County judge dings state over marbled murrelet listing A Lane County Circuit Court judge said the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission violated state rules when it voted not to list a rare seabird as endangered. Early last year, commissioners voted to change the status of the marbled murrelet from threatened to endan- gered under Ore- gon law. The change would have triggered the cre- ation of conserva- tion measures to protect the state- owned coastal old growth forest the seabird relies on for nesting. But it wouldn’t last. A few months later, after a push from the timber industry and coastal lawmakers, com- missioners reversed their decision. “But they didn’t give any reasoning or explanation for why the murrelet no longer was an endangered spe- cies or no longer met these criteria under Oregon law. And that’s what the court jumped on as being com- pletely inadequate,” said Nick Cady, a lawyer for Casca- dia Wildlands, who was involved with the case. In her ruling, Circuit Court Judge Lauren Holland said the commission didn’t “provide any reasoned expla- nation” for reversing their previous decision to up-list the murrelet. “The commission failed to provide a writ- ten basis for the denial.” — Oregon Public Broadcasting Astoria City Councilor Tom Brownson is holding a “Meet Your Councilor” event at 9 a.m. on Saturday at 3 Cups Coffee, 279 W. Marine Drive. Residents are invited to discuss city issues. — The Astorian DEATHS Mortary is in charge of the arrangements. Aug. 12, 2019 MATTHEWS, Michael S., 61, of Astoria, died in Astoria. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. WELCH, Patrick Scott, 56, of Astoria, died in Asto- ria. Caldwell’s Luce-Lay- ton Mortuary of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. ON THE RECORD DUII • Colton A. Watts, 31, of Chehalis, Washington, was arrested early Wednesday at McDonald’s in Astoria for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. His blood alcohol content was 0.09%. • Jordan Flynn Baker, 24, of Seaview, Washing- ton, was arrested Saturday on Fifth Street and Bond Street in Astoria for driv- ing under the infl uence of intoxicants and failure to perform duties as a driver. His blood alcohol content was 0.12%. Assault • Joshua Ray Ship- ley, 18, of Warrenton, was arrested Sunday in Clat- sop County for assault in the second degree, strangu- lation, assault in the fourth degree and tampering with a witness. Strangulation • Joseph Milton Gruhlkey, 32, of Asto- ria, was arrested Tuesday at the East Big Noise and West Big Noise intersec- tion off of U.S. Highway 30 for strangulation, assault in the fourth degree and menacing. Weapons charge • Thai Demetrius Clappe, 37, of Astoria, was arrested Saturday in Asto- ria for two counts of felon in possession of a restricted weapon. PUBLIC MEETINGS THURSDAY Warrenton Planning Com- mission, 5 p.m., City Hall, 225 S. Main Ave. Seaside Transportation Advisory Commission, 6 p.m., City Hall, 989 Broad- way. Established July 1, 1873 Circulation phone number: 503-325-3211 Periodicals postage paid at Astoria, OR (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 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. COPYRIGHT © Entire contents © Copyright, 2019 by The Astorian. MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MEMBER CERTIFIED AUDIT OF CIRCULATIONS, INC. By TOM BANSE Northwest News Network Pacifi c Northwesterners who forage for wild mush- rooms are noticing that the late summer and fall delica- cies are coming in early this year. Edible wild mushrooms are now fl ooding wholesale markets. In the maritime North- west, chanterelles are com- ing in at least three weeks early. In the Cascade Moun- tains, porcinis (aka king boletes) and matsutakes (aka pine mushroom) are poking up earlier than normal, too. “We’re already seeing mushrooms coming in that generally don’t show up until the middle of Septem- ber,” Charlie Wiley, a com- mercial mushroom buyer in s outhwest Washington state and owner of Pacifi c North- west Wild Mushrooms, said. “We’ve got pine mushrooms coming in. I can’t remember ever getting them in August.” Wiley guessed the wild mushrooms were triggered to fruit early by mild, moist summer weather. “Mother Nature is fi nicky and she defi nitely tricked them,” Wiley said . “It’s shap- ing up to be an outstanding mushroom crop this year.” Wiley said wholesale Colin Murphey/The Astorian Mushroom pickers fl ock to Fort Stevens State Park during peak foraging season. prices are falling fast as pick- ers bring in big harvests, which means you might want to keep an eye out for specials at supermarkets and restaurants. A new festival in Ore- gon to celebrate wild mush- rooms had to be moved up by a week to Aug. 25 because the star attraction is arriving early. The Mt. Hood Mead- ows Mushroom Festival was originally scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Vice president Dave Tragethon said his Mount Hood resort previously hosted mushroom dinners in the spring and fall, but expanded the program this year to include guided hikes, cooking demos and a food fest. “We are making this more about discovery and getting into the forest to fi nd some treasures, identifying them and coming up with delicious ways to prepare and present them,” Tragethon said. Novices interested in for- aging for wild mushrooms are strongly urged to go out with a mushroom expert until they get the hang of fungi identifi cation. Commercial mushroom foragers hope the unusual early arrival of fall fungi does not lead to an early end of this year’s season as well. “Hopefully, we’ll still get another fl ush of things in the fall,” Dena Wiley, a partner in the Pacifi c North- west Wild Mushrooms com- pany, said. “We count on the October mushrooms to come in for the Thanksgiv- ing holidays.” Remote rescue boat ready for action Brownson to hold meet and greet Saturday Aug. 14, 2019 BANTA, John, 89, of Gearhart, died in Gear- hart. Hughes-Ransom Mortary is in charge of the arrangements. BORST, Vicki, 61, of Seaside, died in Asto- ria. Hughes-Ransom Mor- tary is in charge of the arrangements. BRISTOW, Nadine, 82, of Seaside, died in Sea- side. Hughes-Ransom Driven by mild summer weather 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 Out of County Rates available at 800-781-3214 DIGITAL EZpay (per month) .................................................................................................................$8.00 By LUKE WHITTAKER Chinook Observer LONG BEACH, Wash. — A remote-controlled water rescue drone recently used to save three people in Rock- away Beach will soon be deployed on the Long Beach Peninsula. It’s been dubbed the “Robotic Lifeguard” and the “Robotic Rescue Boat,” but it’s offi cially known by the acronym E.M.I.L.Y, or Emer- gency Integrated Lifesaving lanYard. The Port of Peninsula pur- chased the device as part of an inter government agree- ment with Long Beach. The drone will be kept at the Long Beach Fire Department and will be ready to be deployed following a special training in the coming days. In July , three people were rescued from a rip current in Rockaway Beach after the drone was used to take a rope through the surf, where res- cuers then pulled an adult and two children to safety. The rescue caught the attention of local offi cials. “It has proven lifesaving ability, including just a month Luke Whittaker/Chinook Observer Port of Peninsula Commissioner William Derion holds the water rescue drone E.M.I.L.Y., or Emergency Integrated Lifesaving lanYard ago in Rockaway Beach, that’s what really spear- headed us after we lost a cou- ple clammers last year,” said Port of Peninsula C ommis- sioner William Derion, who represents the port district that includes Long Beach. “We thought it would be great for clam digs, when you get a bunch of people on the beach and sometimes at night. The fi rst responders can send this out and potentially rescue somebody before the surf res- cue comes. With our 28 miles of beach and rip currents, this is something that can be eas- ily thrown into a truck, driven out and tossed into the water. If it saves one life, it’s worth its weight in gold.” The drone was introduced about a decade ago and the fi rst rescue occurred in Depoe Bay in 2012. There are now about 400 craft deployed with rescue agencies in more than 20 countries, according to the manufacturer. Bow to stern, the self-righting boat measures about 4 feet and weighs about 20 pounds. It uses jet pro- pulsion, similar to a J et S ki, capable of more than 20 mph with a 5 -mile range. “This one has a motor that’s meant for white wa- ter conditions,” Derion said. “We thought it would be bet- ter with the currents and surf to upgrade the motor.” There are four handles for people to hang on as they’re pulled in with about 800 yards of towline. A 20-minute rechargeable lithium-polymer battery pow- ers a communication system, including UHF radio and a forward-looking infrared camera mounted on a com- posite Kevlar hull. The infra- red feature should make it possible to home in on swim- mers in trouble in conditions like nighttime clam digs. “Through research and development they just keep getting better and better,” Derion said. The Port of Peninsula paid the bill for the drone, around $13,000. “Our Commissioner Derion teamed up with Mayor (Jerry) Phillips to make this available,” said Jay Personius, the Port of Penin- sula’s executive director. “It’s a winner for the sum- mer and for clam season.” Gov. Brown announces Vacation rental Circuit Court vacancy permits down, room The Astorian Gov. Kate Brown is accepting applications to fi ll Judge Paula Brown- hill’s seat on the Clatsop County Circuit Court. Brownhill announced last week that she would retire in November after 25 years on the bench. The g overnor thanked the j udge for her dedi- cated service, and said she will fi ll the vacancy by appointment. The post would be up for election next year. Applicants must be a member of the Oregon State Bar, a U.S. citizen and an Oregon resident who lives or has principal offi ces in the 18th J udicial D istrict . Interested applicants should mail or deliver their forms to Misha Isaak, General Counsel, Offi ce of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE #254, Salem, OR., 97301-4047. Forms must be received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 3. Thur. - Aug 15 12:00-4:00 taxes up in Gearhart By R.J. MARX The Astorian GEARHART — Two years after Gearhart placed new rules on vacation rent- als, the number of permits has dropped, while tax rev- enue has increased. The rules limit the trans- fer of short-term rental per- mits through sale. The number of permits declined from 98 in 2017 to 81 in 2018 to 79 this year . Despite the slide in per- mits, the tax revenue gener- ated is on the rise. Room tax collec- tions have increased from $294,000 in 2017 to about $345,000 this year. About $211,000, or 61%, comes from hotels and motels , while residential prop- erty and condos make up the difference. T he num- ber of complaints has also dropped, from a high of 15 in 2017-18 to six this year. “Most of all complaints we took were taken care of,” City Administrator Chad Sweet said. Noise, parking and bark- ing dogs “have really been the crux of the issue,” he said. Fri. - Aug 16 10:00-4:00 Sat. - Aug 17 10:00-12:00 facebook.com/dailyastorian (most Items FREE 1:00-2:00) FURNITURE... BOOKS... HOUSEHOLD ITEMS... WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500
