The Columbia Press
1
Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly
www.thecolumbiapress.com
Shorter list of
new laws for 2021
Vol. 5, Issue 2
January 8, 2021
Minimizing the harm of natural disasters
County releases
draft action plan
The Columbia Press
Last year, Oregonians had to adjust
to new laws that required shoppers
to bring their own bags and prohibit-
ed most plastic straws at restaurants
and fast-food stands. And then the
pandemic put those laws on hold.
Most years, there are plenty of new
laws that begin on Jan. 1. This year,
lawmakers spent much of the year
dealing with the pandemic, such as
passing legislation to distribute per-
sonal protection equipment and now,
vaccines.
That leaves few big legislative
changes. But in a year that put most
of our lives in turmoil, fewer new
laws may be OK with most of us.
Here’s a rundown of what is chang-
ing:
By Cindy Yingst
The Columbia Press
Above: An Oregon
Department of Transpor-
tation bulldozer removes
trees and other debris
from one of the high-
ways after last Septem-
ber’s fires. (Courtesy
ODOT)
Left: Harbor Drive in
Warrenton is flooded
after a storm in the early
1900s. (Oregon State
Archives)
Tobacco-tax increase
A series of cigarette tax increas-
es and a new tax on inhalants began
Jan. 1.
The new taxes were approved by
Oregon voters in November as part of
Measure 108.
Cigarettes are now an extra $2 per
pack of 20 or $2.50 per pack of 25.
Little cigars must now be sold in
packs of 20 or more and taxed as cig-
arettes.
Vaping and e-cigarettes will be
taxed at a rate of 65 percent of the
wholesale purchase price.
The cap on the cigar tax rose from
50 cents to $1.
The new tax revenue goes to the Or-
egon Health Authority to fund health
care coverage for low-income fami-
lies, including mental health services,
and public health programs.
Obtaining identification
Oregon no longer requires proof
of legal residency to get a driver’s li-
cense or state ID card.
See ‘Laws’ on Page 6
50 ¢
Living in Clatsop County isn’t for
the faint of heart.
We’re threatened by drought,
erosion, tsunami, flood, landslide,
volcanic ashfall, wildfire, wind-
storms and winter weather, which
includes ice storms and freezing
rain.
The “acts of God” scenarios are
spelled out in a report just released
by the county, “Clatsop County
Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Haz-
ards Mitigation Plan.”
The 582-page report details the
hazards posed to every communi-
ty and major public facility in the
county. And it provides a plan for
lessening the potential harm.
“The most important thing is that
the whole community has a hand in
developing the plan,” said Tiffany
Brown, Clatsop County’s director of
Emergency Management. “FEMA
puts great emphasis on ‘communi-
ty planning,’ and it’s not just a re-
See ‘Hazards’ on Page 4
Camp K getting Wi-Fi thanks to area businesses
Three local businesses have joined
forces with the school district to pro-
vide Wi-Fi for students at Camp Ki-
wanilong.
The district has been using the camp
through a contract signed last year. It
provides an additional location with
room to spread out during the pandem-
ic. Districts have been required to en-
sure students maintain social distanc-
ing and other health practices.
Pacific Seafood, Lum’s Auto Center
and Providence Seaside Hospital paid
for the installation.
The introduction of Wi-Fi at the camp
allows the district to expand its hybrid/
on-site learning program. As many as
400 students will have access to out-
door education activities while also
completing their distant learning with
in-person support from district staff.
Camp Kiwanilong will have the added
benefit of Wi-Fi year-round, which will
enhance their camping opportunities
for the public during summer months.
“While our mission at Pacific Seafood
is to feed the world, our passion is to
support our local communities,” said
John King, the company’s general man-
ager. “We are proud to have the oppor-
tunity to invest, along with Lum’s Auto
Center, Providence Seaside Hospital
and the school district, in a resource
for our community that will help ex-
pand opportunities for safe, in-person
learning in the short term, but also will
enhance community programming for
years to come.”
Students participating in on-site
or hybrid learning rotate with a
See ‘Camp’ on Page 3