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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 2021)
The Columbia Press 1 50 ¢ Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly www.thecolumbiapress.com Premarq Center break-ins similar to Astoria burglaries Vol. 5, Issue 34 August 20, 2021 Port puts its hopes in revived boatyard By Cindy Yingst The Columbia Press The Columbia Press Four businesses in and around the Premarq Center and two businesses at Warrenton Highlands shopping center were burglarized early Tues- day. “We are reviewing evidence and any surveillance video that may have been captured,” Police Chief Matt Work- man said. “We are not sure if this is related to a series of similar business burglaries in Astoria the morning prior, but the method of entry is the same.” In all of the burglaries, thieves gained entry by breaking a window or a glass door. On Monday, thieves focused on As- toria, breaking into three restaurants: Silver Salmon Grille, Wet Dog Café, and Himani Indian Cuisine. Those break-ins were reported about 6 a.m. “We know the suspect entered the Silver Salmon and Himani Indian Cuisine and we do not believe they gained entry into the Wet Dog Brew- The revitalization and marketing of the Port of Astoria’s boatyard could be the next step in the agency’s financial health plan. Port commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved applying for a grant from Business Oregon for a boatyard expansion feasibility study. They’re asking for $45,000 and the port would provide a $15,000 match. “We’re going to look at getting a bigger lift, some build- ings, more infrastructure out on Pier 3 and to improve the mooring basins to attract more fishing vessels,” said Matt McGrath, the port’s deputy executive director. The port is looking for ways to bring in more money. From 2014 to 2019, a log exporting business used most of Pier 3 and brought about $1.5 million to the port each year, about 17 percent of the port’s revenue. But shifting interna- tional trade patterns, a U.S. trade war with China, and op- erational constraints made Top: The commercial fishing logging commerce less fea- sible at the Port of Astoria. vessel Pacific Gem of Ab- “The port has since strug- erdeen, Wash., gets some gled to replace this revenue work done at the Port of loss,” port officials wrote in Astoria’s boatyard. the grant application. Left: The marine hoist in “This is one of those deals front of one of the port’s where, from a vision per- buildings. Photos courtesy Port of Astoria See ‘Break-ins’ on Page 2 See ‘Boatyard’ on Page 6 West’s oldest golf course standing proud with Top 100 magazine listing The Columbia Press Gearhart Golf Links was one of two courses in Oregon to make Golf Magazine’s top sites under $150 list. Gearhart Golf Links has been named by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 value cours- es in the United State. Those on the list can be played for under $150. “This is kind of a big one be- cause, well, there’s lots of lists out there and any are great to be on,” said Jason Bangild, general manager at Gearhart Golf Links. “Lists from Golf Di- gest and Golf Magazine, they’re the best. This is definitely one of the better ones.” Bandon Crossings Golf Course is the only other Oregon park in the rankings. Bandon came in at No. 61; Gerhart ranked No. 98. Both courses have a distinctly temperate marine climate, but slightly less wind as they aren’t directly on the ocean. The sandy soil also allows for good winter playing conditions, important as most of the coast gets about 60 inches of rain each winter. Rates are seasonal in Gear- hart, ranging from $60 to $100. Links golf is fairly rare in that most of the action is on the ground instead of in the air, Ban- gild said. Parkland courses are inland, greener and include lots of trees. Desert courses are sim- ilar. “Links is the oldest and purest – built on sand dunes on the link between ocean and usable land,” Bangild said. “You find them all over Ireland, England and Scot- land. ... It’s a firm, fast, rugged landscape. Ruggedness and vast- ness, when reigned in, are among the most beautiful settings you See ‘Golf’ on Page 4