A2 • Friday, December 24, 2021 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com
County reaches vaccine milestone against virus
Over 70% vaccinated
By ERICK BENGEL
and GARY WARNER
The Astorian and
Oregon Capital Bureau
Seventy percent of Clat-
sop County residents are
vaccinated against the coro-
navirus, a goal the county
has sought to reach since
vaccines became widely
available to the public ear-
lier this year.
The county reported last
Friday that 27,615 peo-
ple had been vaccinated.
The county’s vaccination
rate is among the highest in
Oregon.
“I think it is a testament
to the collaboration of all
the health care resources in
the county,” Mark Kujala,
the chairman of the county
Board of Commissioners,
said in a text message. “It
showcases good commu-
nications and local media
eff orts to inform residents
of vaccination clinics and
why it is important to get
vaccinated.
“I’m very proud of this
county and hopeful that
the momentum continues
through the booster dose
phase.”
The pace of vaccinations
peaked during the spring and
slowed over the summer and
fall. In late June, for exam-
ple, the vaccination rate was
54%. By late September, it
was 63%.
The county initially set
the goal in the hopes of
reaching herd immunity
against COVID-19. But
public health leaders have
cautioned for the past sev-
eral months that it is unclear
whether the 70% target
will be eff ective as variants
such as delta and omicron
emerge.
In a weekly vaccine task
force update, the county also
reported last Friday that 80%
of residents 18 and older are
at least partially vaccinated.
“We would just urge
other folks who are, maybe
have been, on the sidelines
thinking it over to ask more
questions and, hopefully,
get vaccinated themselves,”
Tom Bennett, a county
spokesman, said.
The vaccine task force is
planning more booster clin-
ics that off er the Moderna
and Pfi zer vaccines. So far,
more than 9,000 residents
have received booster doses,
the county reported.
While the county marked
the vaccination milestone,
state leaders warned of a
new wave of virus cases
driven by the omicron
variant.
“We’re in a race against
the clock,” Gov. Kate
Brown said during an after-
noon press call last Friday.
The new infections come
as Oregon is slowly recover-
ing from the delta surge that
began last July and peaked
in early September.
A forecast released by
Oregon Health & Science
University said the new vari-
ant will push out the domi-
nant delta variant by the last
week of December.
Peter Graven, the lead
author of the OHSU fore-
cast, said omicron doubles
at twice the rate of the delta
variant, doubling the num-
OBITUARIES
needed for those most vul-
nerable to severe illness,
including immunocompro-
mised residents or older
adults living in congregant
settings.
“I’m calling on 1 million
Oregonians to step up and
get a booster shot,” Brown
said.
The Oregon Health
Authority’s weekly report
on virus cases last week
found that unvaccinated
people accounted for just
under 70% of new infec-
tions. Vaccinated people
accounted for just over 30%.
The biggest diff erence is
in severity of illness. Only
4.4% of all vaccine break-
through cases have required
hospitalization, and 1.3%
have died. The average age
of vaccinated people who
died was 81.
NEWS NOTES
George Mark Johannessen
Lacey, Washington
1929 — 2021
George Mark Johannes-
sen passed away on Dec.
6, 2021, while receiving
hospice care at the Lacey
Memory Care facility in
Lacey, Washington
Mark was born in Klo,
Norway, in 1929. He was
the oldest child of seven
born to Trygve and Haldis
Johannessen.
Mark immigrated to the
U.S. in 1948. In New Jer-
sey, he studied American
history and English. Mark
liked to travel, and headed
west to California, where
he became a naturalized
U.S. citizen in 1950.
In California, Mark met
Elizabeth “Betty” Kostiv,
who became his devoted
wife of 67 years. Together
they sponsored and helped
his parents and siblings
emigrate from Norway to
the U.S. Mark and Betty
had two children, Keith
and Kim. They raised
their children in Anaheim,
California.
In California, Mark
began his career in law
enforcement with the
Covina Police Department.
He advanced his career by
joining the Los Angeles
County Sheriff ’s Depart-
ment. Mark was promoted,
and became a lieutenant
investigator with the L.A.
County District Attorney’s
Offi ce.
Mark became the chief
of police of Astoria in
1967, and served until
1972. From 1972 through
1976, he was the chief of
police of Springfi eld, Ore-
gon. The hallmark of his
career was his service to
the community, ethics and
ber of infections every two
days.
“We have about two to
three weeks before we’ll
see omicron accelerate
and become the dominant
strain,” Graven said. “We
expect that cases will ramp
up quickly.”
The OHSU report said
early studies in Europe
show vaccines and earlier
exposure to the virus are
not as eff ective against omi-
cron as earlier variations of
COVID-19.
The Pfi zer and Moderna
two-shot vaccination loses
about 50% of its protective
power with omicron. The
third booster shot of Pfi zer
or Moderna vaccine, now
authorized for anyone over
age 16, off ers signifi cant
additional protection.
The booster is especially
Elk attacks
reported in
Cannon Beach
CANNON BEACH —
Elk have attacked dogs in
two separate incidents this
month.
The fi rst, which took
place in a city park in late
afternoon, resulted in slight
injuries to the dog, possibly
an injured paw, Police Chief
Jason Schermerhorn said.
In the second, an elk
attacked a woman and her
dog in the north end of
Les Shirley Park at night.
The woman, a part-time
resident, refused medical
treatment, but Schermer-
horn said he learned the
dog’s injuries were more
extensive than in the fi rst
incident.
The chief said that elk
reports usually involve
crashes on the highway. He
spoke with Sgt. Joe War-
wick, of the Oregon State
Police’s fi sh and wildlife
division.
“(Warwick) said that
every time that he’s heard
of a so-called elk attack, it’s
involving a dog,” Scher-
merhorn said, “and it’s
because the elk see them as
wolves and they’re just pro-
tecting themselves and their
herd.”
Cyclist killed after
hit by motorist on
U.S. Highway 101
A bicyclist was struck
and killed on U.S. High-
way 101 south of Seaside
on Saturday.
Oregon State Police
troopers and emergency
personnel responded to the
report of a bicyclist hit by a
vehicle on the highway near
milepost 25 shortly after
6 p.m.
A Seaside man was trav-
eling northbound in a gray
Nissan Frontier when he
failed to drive within his
lane and struck a bicyclist,
Zane Belshe, 59, of Sea-
side, who was riding on the
northbound shoulder.
Belshe sustained fatal
injuries and was pro-
nounced dead at the scene.
Holmes remained at the
scene, police said, and the
Nissan Frontier was towed.
The investigation is
ongoing.
George Johannessen
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
professionalism.
Mark
was a member of the Inter-
national Association of
Chiefs of Police.
Mark was success-
ful in real estate as an
agent and broker, as well
as a developer in build-
ing and remodeling homes
and apartments in Grays
Harbor County, Wash-
ington. Mark and Betty
retired to Mason County,
Washington.
Mark was a devoted
husband and father. He
relished taking his fam-
ily on trips and cruises.
Mark loved sailing, camp-
ing, fi shing and to travel.
He frequently traveled to
Norway and Costa Rica.
Mark was an avid reader.
He loved his wife, his fam-
ily, and was proud to be of
service to his community.
Mark is survived by
his wife, Betty, and their
two children, Keith and
Kim. Dad will be missed,
and was dearly loved by
his family. “Vi elsker deg,
Far” in Norwegian means,
“We love you, Dad.”
DEATH NOTICE
SEASIDE POLICE DEPT.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
Dec. 10
10:58 p.m., Bend: A possible
puppy scam originating from
Seaside was reported.
Dec. 11
1:05 p.m., 200 block 13th Ave-
nue: Suspicious circumstances
are reported.
3:02 p.m., Wahanna: An un-
accompanied dog is reported
wandering at large.
5:54 p.m., 500 block S. Lincoln:
A disturbance is reported. On
arrival, police speak to all par-
ties and options are given.
11:20 p.m., 300 block Broad-
way: An assault is reported.
The parties are separated and a
case taken.
11:43 p.m., 2100 block Lewis
and Clark Road: Following a re-
ported disturbance, one person
is arrested on a warrant and
transported to the Clatsop jail.
Lorna M. Brandt
OBITUARY POLICY
The Seaside Signal publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can include a
small photo and, for veterans, a fl ag symbol at no charge. The deadline for
all obituaries is 9 a.m. the business day prior.
10:42 a.m., Beach: A female
transient living in the dunes is
reported yelling and scream-
ing. She is advised to clean up
the area and move on.
9:55 p.m., 1100 block Broad-
way: A man is reported scream-
ing in the area.
Dec. 14
8:42 a.m., Beach: Tents report-
ed.
11:32 a.m., 300 block Hillside
Loop: Goats are reported at
large; police learn the goats
are on loan to clear vegetation
and they escaped; their owner
is contacted and the goats are
rounded up.
9:29 p.m. 11th and Necanicum:
Harassment is reported.
10:51 p.m., 400 block Third Av-
enue: Caller requests help with
her intoxicated husband.
4:31 p.m., 900 block Fourth
Avenue: A person is arrested on
a warrant.
Dec. 16
7:07 p.m., 1600 block N. Roos-
evelt: A person is arrested on a
warrant.
Two-car crash
9:03 p.m., 1100 block Ave-
nue S: Caller requests welfare
check on someone who is not
responding to phone or texts.
Police checking report the
person is deceased.
SEASIDE FIRE & RESCUE
PUBLIC SAFETY
LOG
Dec. 10
7:06 a.m. 2500 block S. Roos-
evelt: Fire alarm.
10:19 p.m., 300 block S. Roos-
evelt: EMS call.
Dec. 12
9:00 a.m., End of the World: A
transient camp is located.
10:19 a.m., 2200 block S.
Downing: Chimney fi re.
8:43 p.m., 400 block S. Prom:
Hotel employee requests help
with a guest who has been
causing a problem all day.
9:30 a.m., N. Franklin and 19th:
A case is taken for unlawful
lodging.
Dec. 13
9:44 a.m., End of the World:
Caller reports a disturbance in
the area; Police say they fi nd
nothing amiss.
8:04 p.m., 1100 block S. Holla-
day: EMS call.
10:17 a.m., 10th and Necani-
cum: Caller requests assistance
with a harassing neighbor.
5:29 p.m., 600 block S. Edge-
wood: EMS call.
9:04 a.m., 1100 block Broad-
way: Subject reported yelling
at elderly patrons of the pool is
advised he is trespassed.
10:36 a.m., 1200 block Avenue
3:59 p.m., Avenue N and
Ocean Shore: Caller reports an
injured seal. The Aquarium is
advised.
OREGON STATE
POLICE
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
Dec. 12
6:48 a.m., Community Cen-
ter: Caller reports transient
sleeping in the doorway of the
center. The person is advised to
keep moving.
5:32 p.m., 1900 Spruce Drive:
EMS call.
2:13 p.m., 800 block Avenue
N: Theft is reported and a case
is taken.
Dec. 15
Dec. 13
Lorna M. Brandt, 67, of Gearhart, died on December
19, 2021 in Gearhart. Ocean View Funeral & Cremation
Service of Astoria.
F: Caller reports roommate
kicked her door in. She said the
person doesn’t live there but
police say they live in the same
house.
2:12 p.m. Mill Ponds: Fire
investigation.
Dec. 14
11:13 p.m., 1700 block Twelfth
Avenue: EMS call.
Dec. 16
8:32 a.m., 2100 block Sunset
Beach Lane: EMS call.
A 53-year-old Gearhart man
was involved in a two-car
collision Dec. 9 at 6:56 p.m. on
U.S. Highway 101 near Dory-
man Lane. Police say a white
Honda Civic was traveling
north on U.S. Highway 101 near
milepost 16 when the driver
saw a black Buick Regal turning
left onto the highway from a
private driveway. The driver of
the Regal said he noticed the
Civic had only one headlight
and tried to speed up but was
struck on the left rear panel
of their vehicle. The force of
the crash pushed the Civic
across the highway into the
southbound lane. The 17-year-
old driver was transported to
Seaside Providence Hospital for
treatment. The Gearhart man
was issued a citation.
Car on fi re
A car caught on fi re Dec. 10 at
3:16 p.m. on U.S. Highway 26
at milepost 12, eastbound. The
driver of a Kia four-door sedan
said they were near milepost
12 when they saw the engine
smoking. They pulled over
to the shoulder and the car
caught fi re. Hamlet fi refi ghters,
a county deputy and ODOT
were on scene. The cause of the
fi re could not be determined
and the driver and their pas-
senger were given a courtesy
ride by a trooper to Hillsboro.
The Kia was towed.
Give the gift of hope this holiday season!
A Court Appointed Special Advocate is a community volunteer who advocates
for a child who has been abused or neglected. CASA volunteers work hard
to ensure that children in foster care in Clatsop County will have a safe and
nurturing permanent home as soon as possible.
This year, 40 CASA volunteers donated 4,000+ hours serving 115 children in
Clatsop County.
Please consider Clatsop CASA Program in your giving this season and help us
strengthen our mission into 2022!
Checks can be mailed to: PO Box 514, Astoria, OR 97103 or give to CASA’s
Holiday Campaign at: www.clatsopcasa.org
FIND YOUR CAREER AT CMH
columbiamemorial.org/apply
SCAN ME
TO APPLY
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
CMH is hiring for a variety of positions
with advancement opportunities, sign-
on bonuses and excellent benefits,
including up to 28 days PTO and 70%
off hospital services.