‘Distracted’ drivers face tougher
penalties beginning Sunday
Oregon’s new “distracted
driving” law goes into effect
Oct. 1, specifically targeting
those using a cell phone or
other electronic device while
driving.
A distracted driver crash
occurs every 2 1/2 hours in
Oregon, according to the Or-
egon Department of Trans-
portation.
From 2011-15 there were
917 crashes resulting in 14
fatalities and 1,330 inju-
ries, caused by drivers re-
ported to have been using a
cell phone at the time of the
crash, according to the Na-
tional Highway Transporta-
tion Safety Administration.
During those same years,
there were 110 crashes,
resulting in 166 injuries
caused by drivers aged 16
to 18 who were reported to
have been using a cell phone
at the time of the crash.
Oregon House Bill 2597
makes it illegal to drive while
holding or using an electron-
ic device such as a cell phone,
tablet, GPS or laptop.
There are some exceptions
– such as calling 9-1-1 to re-
port an emergency – but
drivers may need to prove
this to the court if ticketed.
September 29, 2017
T he C olumbia P ress
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The new law does not apply
to use of hands-free or built-
in devices for those 18 or old-
er; using the phone to sum-
mon medical help when no
one else is available to make
the call; emergency respond-
ers using a device in the scope
of their employment.
It is not legal to use the device
when stopped at a stop light,
stop sign or stuck in traffic.
Violations and fines associat-
ed with the new law have been
increased: a first offense that
doesn’t contribute to a crash
is a Class B Violation with a
maximum fine of $1000. A
second offense (or if the first
offense contributes to a crash)
is a Class A violation with a
maximum fine of $2,500. A
third offense within 10 years
is a Class B misdemeanor
and could result in a $6,250
fine and up to one year in jail.
For a first offense that does
not contribute to a crash, the
court may suspend the fine*
if the driver completes an
approved distracted driving
avoidance class, and shows
proof to the court, within
four months. Only the fine
is suspended -- the violation
will still be recorded on the
offender’s driving record.
This Weekend
Plant workshop provides help with tools, dahlias
A plant workshop provid-
ing tips on winterizing your
garden at 10 a.m. Satur-
day, Sept. 30, at the Clatsop
County Fairgrounds, 92937
Walluski Loop, Astoria. Ad-
mission is free, although
donations to the Clatsop
County Food Bank will be
accepted.
The event includes a plant
sale, home and garden trea-
sures sale, a plant division
demonstration, soil pH
testing, garden tool sharp-
ening, crafts and garden fun
for children and advice from
master gardeners. Food will
be available at the concession
stands.
Workshops and speakers:
• Fall/Winter Garden Prep
and Growing Winter Veggies,
10:30 a.m. by Teresa Retzlaff.
• Dahlia Care and Winter
Protection Methods, 12:30
p.m. by Joanie Chapel.
• Cleaning, Sharpening and
Storing Garden Tools, 2 p.m.
by Chuck Meyers.
Clatsop County beaches reopen Sunday to razor clamming
Razor clamming on Clatsop
County beaches reopens Oct.
1 after a 16-month closure.
Clamming had been closed
since July 2016 due to high
levels of biotoxins found
in the clams and an annual
closure to protect newly set
young clams that runs from
July 15-Sept. 30 each year.
While other parts of the
state’s coast have been open
to clamming, Clatsop Coun-
ty beaches are the most pop-
ular spot and account for 90
percent of Oregon’s harvest.
Oregon Department of Ag-
riculture tests shellfish tox-
ins twice per month, as tides
permit, to determine if ra-
(Sept. 8 and 22) show clams
are safe.
In summer 2016, the last
time folks could go clam-
ming, collectors had a re-
cord year, with most reach-
ing their daily bag limit of 15
in a short time. Clammers
will find different condi-
tions now; ODFW’s annual
survey found significant-
ly lower numbers of razor
clams since surveys began
in 2004.
Razor clam populations
are cyclical and the pop-
ulation appears to be in a
zor clams and other shellfish low-abundance period, fol-
are safe to eat. Results from lowing a very high-abun-
ODA’s two most recent tests dance period in 2015-16.
News in Brief
Low-cost flu shots
available at clinic
Coastal Family Health Cen-
ter is offering several flu shot
clinics for the public with no
appointments necessary.
Flu vaccines cause antibod-
ies to develop in the body
about two weeks after vacci-
nation. These antibodies pro-
vide protection against infec-
tion. Getting the vaccine now
is recommended.
Cost is $20. Clinics are 3 to
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 4,
11 and 18.
Coastal Family Health Cen-
ter is at 2158 Exchange St.,
Suite 304, Astoria.
High school GED
classes offered
An orientation for GED,
or general education devel-
opment, classes is set for 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6,
in Columbia Hall room 114 at
Clatstop Community College.
The classes are open to stu-
dents ages 16 and older who
wish to earn a high school
credential.
Fall classes started Sept. 25.
Those younger than 18
must provide a “Release from
Compulsory Education” form
from your high school before
attending classes or taking
the GED tests.
GED classes are offered in
English or Spanish, and Clat-
sop Community College also
offers ESL classes and tutor-
ing.
There is no cost for enroll-
ment and study materials are
provided.
Class offerings are available
in Astoria, Clatskanie and
Seaside. Students attend an
orientation before starting
class and will enroll at the
first class.
For more information, con-
tact Allison deFreese at 503-
338-2347.
Auditions set for
local ‘Scrooged’
Astor Street Opry Compa-
ny holds open auditions at 6
p.m. Oct. 8 and 9 for the hol-
iday production of “Scrooged
in Astoria.”
Written by Judith Niland
with music by Philip Morill,
it will be directed by Bill Carr
and choreographed by Chris-
Lynn Taylor. Performances are
weekends, Dec. 1 through 23.
The play is stylized as a
1960s holiday TV special
and is loosely based on the
Charles Dickens classic, “A
Christmas Carol.”
No previous theater or mu-
sic experience is necessary
for any of the small or large
parts for over 26 actors and
actresses age 12 and older.
Auditions are at the play-
house, 129 W. Bond St., Astoria.