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The Columbia Press 1 Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly www.thecolumbiapress.com September 25, 2020 Vol. 4, Issue 39 Oath of office makes fire chief’s job ‘official’ Lynn Alsbury, former chief of the Tongue Point Fire Depart- ment, affixes a pin on the collar of his son, Warrenton Fire Chief Brian Alsbury, during the oath of office ceremony Tuesday night. Below: Capt. Chris Penno, Firefighter Lenard Hansen and Division Chief Scott Watson talked about their experiences working the West’s massive fires. The Columbia Press Fire Chief Brian Alsbury was sworn in Tuesday night during one of the city’s first celebratory events since the pandemic hit. Alsbury, 40, was appointed chief nine months ago to replace Tim Demers, who resigned amid con- troversy over departmental safety violations. “Brian’s been on the job for nine months,” City Manager Linda Eng- bretson said. “The city of Warren- ton has a nine-month probation pe- riod (for department heads). I’m so happy to have Brian as part of the team. He’s doing a great job. He’s a great leader.” Warrenton Volunteer Firefighters Association organized a party with cake for Alsbury’s family, the de- partment, and the public after the ceremony. Since many firefighters were in the room, several spoke about their experiences helping other agencies fight the massive wildfires through- out the West. “I’ve been doing this for 13 years and I’ve never seen such devasta- tion,” said Capt. Chris Penno, who was sent to the Beachie Creek Fire. Cindy Yingst The Columbia Press See ‘Oath’ on Page 8 County dealing with four COVID workplace outbreaks The Columbia Press Clatsop County has four work- place outbreaks, including a sec- ond outbreak at Pacific Seafoods in Warrenton, Public Health Director Mike McNickle told county officials Wednesday evening. “It’s been a very fast-moving week,” he said. “We’re waiting for test results of 30 that we took Monday” and 157 more tests were conducted on em- ployees at Pacific Seafoods. In addition, the county is monitor- ing 50 people through contact trac- ing. An alarming 27 new cases of COVID-19 were reported by Clat- sop County Public Health in the past week that ended Wednesday. The cases were from all areas of the county and encompassed a wide range of ages. The new cases prompted school offi- cials to send letters to parents, warn- 50 ¢ ing them the district may be required to return to distance learning for all students. “As you know, our ability to offer in-person instruction this school year is dependent on the COVID metrics published by the Oregon Health Au- thority each week,” wrote Tom Ro- gozinski, superintendent of the War- renton-Hammond School District. “The data published yesterday See ‘Virus’ on Page 4 County to get tough on unsanctioned use of its property By Cindy Yingst The Columbia Press Clatsop County officials are taking a closer look at those who sell firewood and other items on county rights of way. During a work session Wednesday evening, county commissioners talk- ed about placing a moratorium on any activity that encroaches on coun- ty-maintained rights of way, includ- ing Ridge Road, where at least two people are selling firewood on public property. “It’s becoming pretty busy along Ridge Road,” Commissioner Mark Kujala said. “We’ve got a lot more traffic these days that leads to the KOA, Fort Stevens and the marina.” The two firewood stands are open all hours of the day and those who operate them use chain saws and ma- chinery that are bothering the neigh- bors, he said. “In some circumstances, they’ve cleared brush along the county right of way,” Kujala said. “It seems a little bit odd to me that they’re allowed to just trim the buffer between the road and homes.” One of those operations is run by Mitch Simonsen on county right of way adjacent to the property of Allen Berry, who is running for a seat on the Warrenton City Commission. Berry, in an interview two weeks ago, said the county is harassing him at the behest of neighbors who don’t like him. “It’s a neighborhood problem and the county stuck their nose in it,” Ber- ry said. He gave Simonsen permission to use the property as a way for the See ‘County’ on Page 4