The Columbia Press
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Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly
www.thecolumbiapress.com
Vol. 4, Issue 52
December 25, 2020
Special delivery: Christmas cheer
The Columbia Press
Community members joined
forces this month to ensure some
of Warrenton’s most vulnerable
children and families have a hap-
py Christmas.
More than 200 children received
donated gifts through Warren-
ton-Hammond Healthy Kids. And
dozens of families received food
boxes through a collection effort
by Warrenton firefighters and vol-
unteers during a series of neigh-
borhood drive-throughs. Still oth-
er students got to “Shop With a
Cop” for Christmas presents.
“This is our fourth year playing
Santa for our local children,” said
Debbie Morrow, co-director with
Pam Ackley of Warrenton-Ham-
mond Healthy Kids. “Our commu-
nity has been so generous, even in
light of COVID. I think they realized
how much our children are missing
out on all of their normal activities,
so they wanted to make sure they
had an extra special Christmas.”
Healthy Kids partnered with War-
renton schools for the toy drive.
While many volunteers have
helped in years past, the pandem-
The Columbia Press
whale-watching sites up and down
the coast. And hikes won’t be led by
rangers this year. But most viewing
sites managed by the state will be
open to visitors, albeit some with re-
duced hours or services.
Before visiting a state park, check
out the Oregon State Parks status
map, which shows open and closed
parks, as well as parks with reduced
services. A new COVID-19 resource,
Parkpulse.io, also is available. The
Clatsop State Forest timber sales
raised $22.7 million in 2020, which
was distributed to the county and
other public service entities.
Details of timber sales, visitors and
other activities in the state’s 729,000
acres of managed forestland are in
the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
annual report released last week.
revenue was approximately $38.3
million in fiscal year 2020.
“The economic, environmental and
social successes detailed in this an-
nual report highlight the broad scope
of benefits healthy working forests
provide to Oregonians and communi-
ties,” State Forester Peter Daugherty
said.
Clatsop County has 147,000 acres
and, in addition to the county, rev-
enue went to Clatsop Community
College, Jewell School District, the
Port of Astoria, Clatsop Care Health
District, Rural Law Enforcement Dis-
trict, Sunset Empire Transportation
District and fire protection districts.
This year, ODF harvested 238 mil-
lion board feet, generating $105.7
million in net revenue. ODF retained
$38.3 million in revenue for oper-
ational costs and distributed $69.2
million to the Council of Forest Trust
Land Counties, of which Clatsop is a
member.
Revenue is distributed based on
timber sales within a particular juris-
diction.
State forests managed by ODF are
distributed across 15 counties, with
the largest being the Clatsop and Til-
See ‘First Day’ on Page 8
See ‘Forest’ on Page 5
See ‘Cheer’ on Page 4
Top right: Santa,
riding on the back of
a decorated fire truck,
greets residents.
Right: A volunteer
gathers food dona-
tions from the back of
a fire vehicle.
Left: Cindy Kirby
starts sorting through
donated toys in the
bus barn.
Photos by Cindy Hansen
Courtesy Debbie Morrow
Celebrate a new start with traditional First Day Hikes
‘Tis the season for whale watch-
ing and state park-sponsored hikes,
which are held annually on the first
day of the new year throughout Ore-
gon.
“Oregonians love these traditions,”
said Lisa Sumption, director of Or-
egon Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment. “But with the pandemic con-
tinuing to affect our communities, we
encourage everyone to visit the whale
watching sites and hike or explore a
state park Jan. 1 on their own.”
To good news: Parking fees will be
waived Jan. 1 for the 25 parks that
normally require a parking permit.
Some parks may display posters
that include recommended hikes and
ranger favorites.
“We encourage visitors to explore
parks close to their homes, wear face
coverings and practice recommend-
ed social distancing,” Sumption said.
“If a park is crowded, please consider
visiting another nearby park.”
There will be no volunteers at the
County receives
$22.7 million in
timber revenue