The Columbia Press
1
Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly
www.thecolumbiapress.com
UO study
State should try
new tactics to get
folks vaccinated
50 ¢
Vol. 5, Issue 33
August 13, 2021
Business left in limbo while city demands fixes
By Cindy Yingst
The Columbia Press
By Jim Murez
University of Oregon
Oregon could make further in-
roads in vaccinating residents against
COVID-19 if officials shift their method
for reaching those who remain hesitant
to get the shots, a study by the Univer-
sity of Oregon finds.
A recent survey conducted by two UO
faculty members, “Achieving Covid-19
Herd Immunity in Oregon: Progress
& Challenges,” showed that a notable
number of those who are yet unvac-
cinated could still be persuaded to do
so using the right approach; the key is
finding which would be most effective,
the study’s authors wrote.
Oregon is ahead of most states when it
comes to COVID-19 vaccination rates,
with more than 70 percent of adults at
least partially vaccinated.
But the rates vary widely around the
state, ranging from more than 70 per-
cent vaccinated in certain counties to
less than 40 percent in others.
Ben Clark and Robert Parker of
Sturgeon Paul’s
processes fish and
sells bait to both
commercial and
sport fishermen.
The business sits
on property leased
from the city of War-
renton.
Left: Hammond
Marina at low tide
Wednesday morn-
ing.
Cindy Yingst
See ‘Vaccinations’ on Page 4
A vendor at Hammond Marina
received frustrating news Tuesday
night when city commissioners de-
clined to approve the transfer of his
business to a new vendor until all
violations of his lease are remedied.
The land where Sturgeon Paul
sits is owned by the city of Warren-
ton; the structure and business on
top of the land are owned by Paul
Leitch, who leases the land from
the city for $1,129 per month.
“This has been drug out too long.
What was there was already there,”
an angry Leitch said to commis-
sioners moments after the meeting
was adjourned.
Earlier that day, building inspec-
tors and the city toured the prop-
erty and found building code vio-
lations and violations of the lease,
City Manager Linda Engbretson
said. Specifically, plumbing and
electrical work had been done
without permits and it appeared
living quarters had been added, a
violation of both the lease and zon-
ing laws.
See ‘Lease’ on Page 6
BottleDrop makes returning recyclables easy
The Columbia Press
Clatsop County gets its first bulk bottle and
can redemption center Friday, Aug. 13, fol-
lowing a ribbon cutting at Fred Meyer that in-
cludes local politicians.
“We’re excited to be able to provide this new
convenience for our customers,” said Jeffery
Temple, Fred Meyer’s director of corporate af-
fairs.
The new BottleDrop facility is the first of its
kind on the North Oregon Coast, he said.
It’s a welcome change for those who want to
do the responsible thing by recycling alumi-
num cans. No more waiting in long lines with
sketchy people or dealing with machines that
frequently break.
Instead, residents have the option of re-
deeming Oregon 10-cent refund containers
through bagged bulk recycling instead of re-
deeming them one container at a time.
Bag drop locations make it fast and easy for
residents to return, redeem and recycle quali-
fying beverage containers in BottleDrop green
bags, which can be purchased at the Warren-
ton store.
Customers also can sign up for a BottleDrop
account at the store kiosk and print bag tag
See ‘BottleDrop’ on Page 4
Customers wait outside the old recycling center on Tuesday.