T he C olumbia P ress
1
50 ¢
C latsop C ounty ’ s I ndependent W eekly
www.thecolumbiapress.com
December 13, 2019
City mourns loss of community
‘pillar’ Muriel Dunn
B y C indy y ingst
See ‘Muriel’ on Page 4
New fire chief is
longtime volunteer
B y C indy y ingst
The Columbia Press
The Columbia Press
Muriel Dunn of Warrenton, a life-
long resident, business owner and
quintessential volunteer, died Sat-
urday of complications from pan-
creatic cancer. She was 81.
She’d spent much of last sum-
mer receiving treatment at Oregon
Health Sciences University and was
diagnosed as terminal in October.
She died at home surrounded by
family.
“With the cancer diagnosis, Muri-
el was overwhelmed by the amount
of love and support she received,”
her son, Dennis, wrote. “There were
hundreds of people who prayed,
family drove from all over to visit,
sent cards and called.”
Dennis Dunn chronicled his moth-
er’s treatment and final months
of life on his Facebook page, with
touching photos and words about
her strength of mind and character
while her body deteriorated.
Muriel is best known for her work
with Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Warrenton Christian Church, her
Vol. 3, Issue 50
Above: LeRoy and
Muriel Dunn sit with
her longtime friend,
Rayla Goldberg, at
the Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremonies
in September.
Courtesy Dennis Dunn
Right: Muriel with
friend Terri Coulombe
at a gathering at El
Compadre in Novem-
ber.
Cindy Yingst
Downtown Christmas lighting set for Sunday
Christmas decorations have been up for a while,
but there still are some surprises this weekend
for downtown Warrenton.
Spruce Up Warrenton and Warrenton Busi-
ness Association are hosts for a holiday party
and “light up downtown” event that begins at 4
p.m. Sunday at the Lighthouse Museum at Main
Avenue and Harbor Drive (also known as the
four-way stop).
Santa will be available for photos and he’s
bringing an elf who will help distribute cookies
and hot chocolate.
There will be holiday music and caroling. May-
or Henry Balensifer and other city notables will
welcome the crowd.
Rick Newton donated money from his City
Commission stipend to install a large JOY sign
on the side of the museum. Several high school
students decorated the windows of the Fenton
Building this week. They’ll be using the building
to fill Christmas food and toy baskets, which will
be distributed to needy families before Christ-
mas.
More holiday events can be found on Page 8.
Brian Alsbury, a longtime volun-
teer firefighter for the city, has been
named Warrenton’s new fire chief.
“I’m grateful to be given the op-
portunity to be at the helm of the
Warrenton Fire Department,” Als-
bury said. “I am especially looking
forward to supporting the volunteer
Alsbury
firefighters and career staff so that
we can continue to provide the best
fire (and emergency medical) services to our citi-
zens, the Rural Fire District and those visiting our
great coastal community.”
The decision was announced Wednesday night to
the fire volunteers.
Alsbury is the department’s assistant chief and
also works in the city’s Public Works Department.
He has been a volunteer firefighter and emergency
medical technician for Warrenton since December
2007. Prior to that, he served with the Astoria Fire
Department for seven years.
Alsbury graduated from Astoria High School in
1999, is married and has four children. His father,
See ‘Chief’ on Page 4
New ideas for Spur 104
The Columbia Press
An Astoria architect’s drive to help the county’s
housing shortage could set a new direction for the
Spur 104 area.
Spur 104 runs along Alternate Highway 101 be-
tween Ensign Lane and Ocean Crest.
Stuart Emmons of Emmons Design told Warren-
ton city commissioners on Tuesday that he was
working with a development team that wants to
use the land for three-story multi-family workforce
housing, senior housing, courtyard cottages, tiny
homes or other options that would maximize use
of the property.
The plans took the commission – and the proper-
ty owners -- a bit by surprise.
“That property is so valuable and should be uti-
lized to its full potential,” said Ken Yuill, whose
family owns several parcels in the proposed area. “I
See ‘Development’ on Page 6