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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2020)
A2 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 IN BRIEF College discloses coronavirus case Clatsop Community College has disclosed that a previously reported coronavirus case in the county is a student at the college. Christopher Breitmeyer, the college president, said in an email Thursday that the student was dis- tance learning, was not on campus recently and had no contact with other students. He declined to pro- vide any other details. The county also did not provide any details. The county reported Friday that a man living in the northern part of the county has tested positive for the coronavirus. The man is in his 60s and is recovering at home. The man is not a worker at Bornstein Seafoods in Astoria or Pacifi c Seafood in Warrenton, which have had outbreaks. Ten workers at Pacifi c Seafood in Warrenton have tested positive for the virus. The county has also reported that a contact of one of the workers had tested positive. Twenty-eight workers at Bornstein Seafoods in Astoria have tested positive, including 19 from Clat- sop County. The county has clarifi ed a description of 35 work- ers at Bornstein Seafoods who were tested the day after the fi rst reported case at the seafood processor. The county had said the workers had exhibited virus symptoms, but later said they had symptoms or were contacts of the fi rst case. A county spokesman, after questions by The Asto- rian, said Thursday that most of those workers were tested because they were contacts. Before the outbreaks at the seafood processing plants, the county had reported six positive cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 3,541 cases and 137 deaths from the virus statewide as of Friday morning. The health authority tracked 1,042 test results in Clatsop County, including 36 positive cases. The health authority had tracked 37 cases on Wednesday, but the county believes it was caused by a case being duplicated. The county said the new case brings the total to 37. Camp Kiwanilong cancels summer youth program Camp Kiwanilong announced Wednesday that the summer youth program is canceled because of the coronavirus. Tuition will be refunded to families. But the camp is accepting donations as it relies on grants, registra- tion fees and donations to operate. “It is our hope to provide a connection to camp for your child in some capacity,” the camp’s board said in a letter to families. “Our summer staff will be working on ways to connect with your campers virtually. Please follow us on social media and check our website for updates on how to keep Camp Kiwanilong in your hearts this summer.” — The Astorian ON THE RECORD Burglary at Home Depot in War- On Record • Jesse the James Ellis, 41, renton for theft in the sec- of Ontario, was indicted Thursday for burglary in the fi rst degree, theft in the fi rst degree and theft in the second degree. Forgery • Desiree Gayle Grieve, 27, was indicted Wednesday for forgery in the fi rst degree. Theft • Samantha Ann Manz, 27, of Gearhart, was arrested Wednesday ond degree. DUII • Cindy Mae McE- wen, 58, of Astoria, was arrested Wednesday on U.S. Highway 30 and Parker Lane for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. • Avery Roy Eager, 32, of Chinook, Washington, was arrested Wednesday on the New Youngs Bay Bridge for DUII. PUBLIC MEETINGS MONDAY Astoria School Board, 2:30 p.m., (electronic meeting). Knappa School Board, 5:30 p.m., (electronic meeting). Seaside Budget Committee, 6 p.m., (electronic meeting). Astoria City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, 1095 Duane St. TUESDAY Union Health District, 8 a.m., Providence Seaside Hospital Education Center, Room B. Miles Crossing Sanitary Sewer District Board, 3 p.m., budget meeting, 34583 U.S. Highway 101 Business. Port of Astoria Commission, 4 p.m., (electronic meeting). Astoria Historic Landmarks Commission, 5:15 p.m., City Hall, 1095 Duane St. Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District, 5:15 p.m., (electronic meeting). Seaside School District Board of Directors, 7 p.m., (elec- tronic meeting). PUBLIC MEETINGS 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 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. COPYRIGHT © Entire contents © Copyright, 2020 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 Out of County Rates available at 800-781-3214 DIGITAL EZpay (per month) .................................................................................................................$8.00 Photos by Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian Hair stylist Lena Zschoche does Sarah Perrigo’s hair at Salon Boheme in Astoria on Friday morning. County cautiously reopens from virus restrictions First phase started Friday By EDWARD STRATTON The Astorian Clatsop County was among 31 counties Gov. Kate Brown approved to start eas- ing coronavirus restrictions on Friday. But after outbreaks at two local seafood plants, opinions are mixed on how ready the county is to open the econ- omy and potentially attract more visitors. Brown announced which counties were accepted for reopening during a press conference Thursday. Mult- nomah, Washington and Clackamas counties — the Portland metro area — did not apply. Marion and Polk counties around Salem did not meet reopening crite- ria because of rising rates of hospitalization. Brown stressed that she can’t please everyone, with some believing the state is reopening the economy too quickly, and others thinking the process is too slow. More than 3,8 00 people in Clat- sop County have applied for unemployment benefi ts since her restrictions on businesses and gatherings began. “I’m focused on protect- ing the health and safety of Oregonians, while under- standing that job losses have a negative impact on pub- lic health, both physical and emotional health,” the gov- ernor said. “T he shared goals of good public health and a strong economy are inti- mately connected, and it’s not an either-or scenario.” Brown’s framework for a phased reopening includes hospitalization benchmarks , adequate protective equip- ment and suffi cient hospital capacity to treat a potential surge of virus patients. The county’s fi rst phase focuses on locals, allow- ing up to 25 people to con- gregate . Restaurants, retail stores, child care facilities and personal care businesses like gyms and salons will reopen with reduced seating, social distancing, increased sanita- tion and employees required to wear face masks. The county will still restrict v ehicle access to beaches on weekends. Non- essential travel and short- term lodging in the county will remain closed until a sec- ond phase. The fi rst phase will last at least three weeks before a possible further Hurricane Ron’s is open for to-go orders. T Paul’s Urban Cafe is open for to-go orders. ‘EVEN IF WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MAY 15, YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO ORDER IN ADVANCE, CONTACT PEOPLE BY PHONE, ARRANGE CURBSIDE DELIVERY. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A SHOPPING- AS-USUAL EXPERIENCE.’ Sarah Lu Heath | executive director of the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association reopening. “We knew we had met the criteria with the governor’s plan, but we hope that people will continue to be careful,” Kathleen Sullivan, the chair- woman of the county Board of Commissioners, said. “We’re dealing with a very dangerous virus that does not have treatment or a vaccine yet. “I think that we have shown that we care about our neighbors, and it’s shown over and over again — peo- ple looking after each other and staying home. And I hope that we continue to do that.” Tracing outbreaks The number of people testing positive for coronavi- rus in the county ballooned from six to 36 after outbreaks among employees at Born- stein Seafoods in Astoria and Pacifi c Seafood in Warrenton. The county didn’t see the outbreaks as fatal to reopen- ing, though, with nobody so far hospitalized from the virus. Patrick Allen, the PICK OF THE WEEK Skye Adult female Pit Terrier Blend Jeff Hale Painting • • • • Ready for summer fun? You’ll be singing “You Are My Sunshine” To this pretty girl. Residential Commercial Cedar Roof Treatments Exterior Repaint Specialist Over 25 years local experience 503-440-2169 Jeff Hale, Contractor LICENSED BONDED INSURED CCB#179131 See Reopening, Page A7 VOLUNTEER Fre e Est Fast ima tes Call me ti Any director of the Oregon Health Authority, said Thursday that the county passed mus- ter because it could trace the outbreak to specifi c facilities, giving the state confi dence it could contain the spread of the virus. The county certifi ed it has adequate testing, ability to trace the contacts of those infected, isolation facilities and health and safety guide- lines for businesses. The Public Health Department recently began drive-thru community testing at a house- hold hazardous waste facility near CMH Field and hopes to test 300 people a week. “All business will be required to follow detailed state guidelines on numbers of customers, physical dis- tancing, cleaning and other measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the county said in a statement. Shuttered or restricted for weeks, local businesses have different views on how quickly to reopen. Jim Defeo, the co-owner of the popular Astoria Cof- feehouse & Bistro, laid off more than 40 employees after closing his other restaurant, Carruthers. He turned the cof- feehouse into a to-go window a day after Brown banned seated dining in March. He plans to continue the to-go window during the fi rst phase of reopening, with limited seating outside. Carruthers will remain closed. Sponsored by Bayshore Animal Hospital CLATSOP COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER 1315 SE 19th St., Warrenton • 861- PETS www.dogsncats.org Noon to 4pm, Tues-Sat