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Here Comes The Fair

The Clatsop County Fair is Tuesday, July 30 through Saturday, August 3.  

Chock full of fun activities, music and entertainment every day and evening, fair highlights include: 

• Friday, Aug. 2 Joe Nichols Concert with Special Guest, Kassi Ashton 
• Saturday, Aug 3 Latino Night! The Selena Experience Concert 

You don’t need to wait in line at the Fair to purchase your tickets. Get them now online. 

City of Seaside, Ward 1 Recall Election 

• Ballots are due back by election day, Wednesday, July 31, 2024
• The Seaside ballot drop box and the Election office ballot drop box in Astoria are open and will be closed at 8 p.m. on July 31, 2024
• Certification for the recall will be by Monday, August 26, 2024 

General Election November 5, 2024 

• Filing for City offices is now open. Please reach out to your city recorder for filing forms.  
• Filing for Clatsop Soil & Water Conservation District is now open. Forms are available from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. 
• Measure filing deadline is September 5, 2024. 

From left to right: Commissioner Lianne Thompson, Vice-Chair and Commissioner Courtney Bangs, Chair and Commissioner Mark Kujala, Coast Guard Commander Geoffrey Sahlin, Commissioner John Tooyoka, Lieutenant Commander Steve Becker and Commissioner Pamela Wev.

Coast Guard Recognized by Commissioners 

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution proclaiming August 2024 as United States Coast Guard Month. 

The 234th birthday of the US Coast Guard is August 4, 2024. It is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and was established in 1790 by Alexander Hamilton to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling.  

Clatsop County has provided a home for the USCG since 1915 as part of the US Coast Guard’s 13th District. The City of Astoria is a designated Coast Guard City.  

The people serving locally in the Coast Guard contribute many intangible benefits to the local community in addition to the services they provide. They are our neighbors, our friends, and role models and mentors for our young people.  

We wish the Unites States Coast Guard a Happy 234th Birthday! 

Read more. 

2 Residents Appointed to Planning Commission 

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners appointed Shaun Wagner and Henry Idica to the Planning Commissioner at the Board’s July 24, 2024 regular meeting. 

Shaun Wagner represents incorporated District 3 and Henry Idica represents Clatsop Plains in District 2. 

Congratulations to you both! 

County Budget Committee Has Two Vacancies

Clatsop County is accepting applications for two vacancies on the County-wide Budget Committee. 

Budget committee members review the proposed overall county budget, make recommendations and approve the proposed budget for adoption by the county commissioners.

The committee is made up of five local residents appointed by commissioners. The committee generally meets in May to review the proposed budget. One vacancy is for a term ending June 30, 2025, and the other for a term ending June 30, 2027.

It is preferred but not required that applicants live within Commissioner Districts 1 and 4. District 1 includes Warrenton, Hamond and southwest Astoria. District 4 represents areas south and east of Astoria.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, August 19, 2024. To apply, submit an online application at ClatsopCounty.gov. You also may pick up an application at the Clatsop County Manager’s Office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410 in Astoria.

The Board of Commissioners will make the appointment during one of the Fall 2024 Board of Commissioners meetings.

Week 2 - Clatsop County Wildfire Prevention Campaign 

Debris Burning is Leading Reason for Human-Caused Fires 

With fire managers increasing fire danger to high in early July, Clatsop is raising awareness of the dangers of burning. 

“Debris burning is the leading reason for human-caused fires,” said Justin Gibbs, Clatsop County emergency management director. “We urge you to avoid burning yard debris this summer. We can significantly reduce the risk of a large wildfire by waiting to burn or taking extra steps to control a fire.”  

Fire managers increased the fire danger level to High (yellow) for recreationists using the forests in NW-2 and NW-3 weather zones. Burn barrels and residential campfires are not allowed in NW-2 and NW-3 under when fire danger is High. 

How you dispose of your yard debris could prevent a large wildfire.  

• Consider composting, chipping, or covering your pile until it’s safer to burn. Or haul it to a recycling center. 
• If you cannot safely burn your yard debris, cover your pile to let it dry out over the summer. Then burn it in the fall when it is safe again. 

Read more.

ODF Daily Situation Report

Plan Ahead: Wildfires disrupt Travel in Many Parts of Oregon

After a week of wildfire-related road closures, the Oregon Department of Transportation encourages travelers across the state to continue carefully planning their routes.

Fires are still actively burning near many highways, causing them to close and reopen with little notice. With a long, hot summer ahead, wildfire-related disruptions are likely to continue throughout the state making some routes unreliable.

For those who must travel, try to plan a route that is far away from wildfires. Visit TripCheck.com for the latest road conditions before you start your journey. TripCheck provides live updates from our dispatch centers 24 hours a day. It is updated immediately as road conditions change.

Read essential traveling tips.

Look to Our Future:

Take Our Economic Development Survey

The Community Development Department invites community members and local business owners to complete a short survey on future economic development issues facing Clatsop County and northwest Oregon.  

The online survey is open through Aug. 5, 2024, in English and Spanish. 

Listen to our conversation with Clatsop County Planning Manager Jay Blake about the Economic Development Analysis project and survey in Clatsop County. 

Listen to Jay's podcast 

Draft Wildfire Hazard Maps Released for Comment

Draft versions of the statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps are available to the public for review on Oregon State University’s Wildfire Risk Explorer website. 

Read more. 

Crews will be:

• Fog-sealing recently chip-sealed roads County wide. 
• Mowing County wide. Yield to oncoming traffic when passing mowers or wait for the mower to find a safe spot to pull off of the roadway before attempting to pass. 
• Crews will begin striping roads County wide over the next month. Expect up to 20-minute delays OR until the painting crew can safely pull over to allow through traffic. Signage and cones stating ‘Wet Paint’ will be in place, as well as flaggers to direct traffic around the wet paint.  

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WET PAINT. If you drive through wet paint where signage, cones and flaggers are visible, the County WILL NOT be responsible for the cost of cleaning paint off your vehicle. The County currently utilizes a water-based paint for its striping needs. Should you get any of this paint on your vehicle please wash it off IMMEDIATELY with water. 

Traffic Impacts – County Roads

Week of July 29

• Ziak-Gnat Creek Lane is closed to all through-traffic at the Supply Creek Bridge (between Highway 30 and Aldrich Point Road) for a bridge repair project. Use Valley Creek Lane and Brownsmead Hill Road as an alternate route. Detour signs will be in place during the closure. Ziak-Gnat Creek Lane will be closed at the bridge for approximately 8 weeks.

Passports

We are taking appointments for passport processing at this time. An appointment is required prior to coming in for new passport processing. 

Routine service can take six to eight weeks; Expedite service can take two to three weeks. Forms are available at www.travel.state.gov.  

Appointment Scheduling Saves You Time

Please go to our webpage and schedule an appointment for passports, park passes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recordings with us. 

If you do not have an appointment, you may be asked to wait if we are with someone that has scheduled an appointment.

Job Postings

Clatsop County is a great place to work. Find out about current Clatsop County career opportunities where you can make a difference every day.

• Deputy Assessor & Tax Collector (Internal Only) – Closes 7/28
• Deputy County Surveyor – Closes 8/11
• Deputy Sheriff – Corrections – Closes when filled

If you have questions, concerns, feedback, or need assistance, please contact Human Resources. We’re happy to help!

Clatsop County is committed to being transparent and providing the information you need, when you need it.

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