»INSIDE
DUNGENESS CRAB
SEASON DELAYED • A2
148TH YEAR, NO. 62
WEEKEND EDITION // SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020
$1.50
CORONAVIRUS
Lawmakers
make case
for more
cutters
EVICTION SQUABBLE IN
WARRENTON ENDANGERS
NEW PROJECTS
Coast Guard vessels
won’t arrive until 2024
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Astorian
Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian
The owner of Youngs Bay Plaza is trying to evict Ross Stores over a rent dispute.
Landlord wants to evict Ross Stores
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Astorian
W
ARRENTON — Atlas
Youngs Bay, the owner
of Youngs Bay Plaza, is
trying to evict Ross Stores, the dis-
count clothing chain that has occupied
a large storefront since 2003, for not
paying rent.
The dispute has blocked other proj-
ects at the shopping center, including
an expansion of Providence Health &
Services’ Warrenton clinic and a new
Chipotle Mexican Grill.
The parties met in Circuit Court
on Thursday. Oral arguments in
the case were pushed until after
Thanksgiving.
Atlas alleges Ross failed to pay
rent of more than $14,000 last month.
After sending a notice of default and
failing to collect, the landlord termi-
nated the lease and attempted to evict
Ross earlier this month before the
retailer refused to give the space up,
the landlord’s attorneys wrote in court
fi lings.
See Plaza, Page A3
Gap in virus relief
funding almost fi lled
County left out of
state grant portal
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Astorian
Business groups have
nearly fi lled a gap between
the $2.4 million requested in
coronavirus relief grants and
available funding, with more
support coming.
Around 400 businesses
across
Clatsop,
Tilla-
mook and Columbia coun-
ties, along with portions
of western Washington
County, applied for federal
relief funneled through the
state to the Columbia-Pa-
cifi c Economic Develop-
ment District and then to
local support groups. The
money had to be allocated
this month.
MORE INSIDE
County reports new virus cases • A3
Ward 4
race goes
to recount
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Astorian
A hand recount will be held in the
Ward 4 race for Astoria City Council after
the most recent vote count showed a tie.
Tom Hilton, the owner of Hanthorn
Crab Co., and Lisa Morley, a behavioral
workplace safety consultant, were tied at
360 votes, or 29.8% to 29.8%.
Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian
See Relief, Page A3
MARCH
3
APRIL
3
See Recount, Page A3
Several local businesses have sought relief funds during the coronavirus pandemic.
Clatsop County surpassed 300 reported cases of COVID-19 in November, a local milestone in the global pandemic.
Four hospitalizations and one death have been reported.
332
REPORTED CASES
40
MAY
2
26
JULY
AUGUST
See Cutters, Page A3
Hilton and Morley are
tied for east side seat
A Coronavirus Snapshot
JUNE
Members of Oregon’s congressional
delegation are calling on the U.S. Coast
Guard to double the number of new fast
response cutters at North Tongue Point.
The Coast Guard chose Astoria over
Newport for two of the 154-foot cutters,
meant to replace the 1980s-era patrol
boats nearing the end of service life. The
cutters will homeport near Tongue Point
Job Corps Center.
U.S. Sen . Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen.
Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Rep.
Suzanne Bonamici, recently wrote a letter
22
SEPTEMBER
125
33
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
78