OUR 115th Year August 19, 2022 $1.00 SEASIDESIGNAL.COM Homeless policy is working, city, advocates say Changes allow six-day consecutive stay By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal The Seaside City Coun- cil formally adopted a revised camping ordi- nance, with amendments that extend the length-of- stay for homeless camp- ers and RVs. A third and fi nal council reading Aug. 8 extended hours for over- night camping to six con- secutive days before home- less campers are required to move their tents and RVs. The ordinance, which went into eff ect July 1, had required permitted camp- ers to enter the camping area at 8 p.m. and leave at 8 a.m., when the gates would be locked for the day. The council revised the policy in late July. Camp- ers may now stay 24 hours a day, six days a week, as long as they obey condi- tions of the ordinance and keep their sites clean. Gates to the Alder Mill entrance close Thursdays at 10 a.m., at which time all belongings must be taken off the property. Per- mitted campers may return at 4 p.m. when the gates are reopened. Two weeks in, Seamus McVey, a homeless advo- cate, said the new policy is working. “I wanted to let you all know that they’ve not only been very appreciative of the changes that have come so far, but that they left the property very clean last Thursday, and are looking forward to being able to continue to do that.” “I was able to go out last Thursday after the closure had happened and it did not appear that anyone had been there,” City Manager Spencer Kyle said. “Apart from some matted grass where tents were, the site was very clean and noth- ing was left behind. It’ll be great for everyone if they’re able to keep that up.” See Homeless, Page A3 CENTER COURT Crowds fl ock to Seaside for volleyball weekend Providence Seaside Hospital’s distribution of $135,000 in grant fund- ing will help seven organi- zations in Clatsop County address pressing needs related to housing, behav- ioral health and equity over the next year. Providence annu- ally distributes commu- nity health grants to local organizations based on high-priority needs. These are identifi ed through a needs assessment —com- pleted every three years — and regular input from an advisory committee com- prised of community rep- resentatives and the hospi- tal’s leadership team. “We had that conversa- tion back in January, dis- cussing what are the most pressing needs, and what are our community part- ners and community mem- bers telling us as well?” Rachel Smith, commu- nity health manager, said. “Housing is so, so critical and there is not enough of it. And similarly with men- tal and behavioral health — it has signifi cant needs and is so widespread.” Providence determines the local funding alloca- tion at a regional level, and the allocation varies from year to year. According to Smith, this was the largest year yet in terms of fund- ing, partially because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that utiliza- tion of social and behav- ioral health services has increased in the past year. easide’s 40th beach volleyball tourna- ment opened Aug. 11 under crystal blue skies and 71 degree tempera- tures. Cheers and screams went up after a well-placed spike or heated volley. The running play-by- play by Ken Heman, of Seaside Visitors Bureau, kept the crowd juiced and into the game. Adam Israel, a businessman, community booster and former Seaside Seagulls athlete, pumped up enthusiasm, leading cheers at center court. “This year’s volleyball event is the biggest one,” co-tournament director PT Thilavanh said near center court. More than 1,800 teams registered, bringing an estimated 40,000 visitors to Seaside. Competition has “defi - nitely improved” over the years, Thilavanh said, with many pros joining tourna- ment play. Kevin McColloch, chief operations offi cer of Vol- leyball Life, a 10-year professional beach vol- leyball player and coach at University of Califor- nia, Davis, kept technol- ogy running smoothly with a remote feed manag- ing court assignments and scores. Juniors and adult play started Friday, with fi nals Saturday. It ended Sunday morning with quads and sixes. By 9 a.m. Monday morning, most of the nets were gone as crews dis- mantled stages and stan- dards. Center court was quiet except for a few strag- glers, leftover beach chairs and gulls — with Seaside’s 41st year ahead in 2023. S Brian Owen, director of the Seaside Civic and Convention Center and former Seaside Chamber of Commerce CEO; Katie McCloud, acting director of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce; men’s winners Avery Drost and Chase Frishman; and tournament directors Mike Griffi n of Bad Boys Volleyball and PT Thilavanh of NWAS Volleyball. Women’s champions Molly Turner and Carly Skjodt with Seaside Mayor Jay Barber. Seaside’s Ken Heman rallied the crowd throughout the weekend. Dave Shaw onstage and Karl Dugan at right. R.J. Marx See Grants, Page A3 Photos by Jeff TerHar Seaside Signal Grants designed to meet mental health needs By KATHERINE LACAZE For Seaside Signal Men’s doubles competition at center court. Volleyball play began Aug. 11 with junior play on center court. Music, beer ... and a 198-mile relay for runners and walkers What’s new at this year’s Hood to Coast By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal R.J. Marx Hood to Coast 2021 showed smaller crowds but equal enthusiasm from runners and fans. The annual Hood to Coast relays begin Aug. 26 at the Tim- berline Lodge on Mount Hood and ends in Seaside. The relay began in 1982 in Pacifi c City, with eight teams. In 1989, the race moved to Seaside, with 750 teams. More than 13,000 runners and 5,400 walkers will make the jour- ney this year, in what organizers describe as “the largest relay race in the world.” A toll-free information num- ber, waste recycling and a virtual handbook are among changes ahead at this year’s Hood to Coast relay. At a City Council meeting last fall, the event’s chief opera- tions offi cer Dan Floyd presented a check for almost $29,000 to the city from the event. The economic impact for the city overall from visitors is estimated between $1.2 million and $7.8 million. In 2021, the relay raised $600,000 for can- cer services. The Providence Cancer Insti- tute has received more than $6 million to support cancer research, treatment and support services. This year’s goal is to raise $650,000 for the institute, Floyd said. See Hood to Coast, Page A3 TRAVEL ADVISORIES The Hood to Coast relays advises traffi c fl ow may be aff ected in the follow- ing areas: Oregon Route 47: Friday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. to Sat- urday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. Oregon Route 202: Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. to Saturday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. Young’s River Loop: on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 1:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lewis and Clark Road: Saturday, Aug. 27, 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. U.S. Highway 101: Saturday, Aug. 27, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.