ASTORIA and LONG BEACH — Trick-or-treaters in Clatsop County are most likely to receive Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Those on the Long Beach Peninsula in Pacific County are more likely to receive salt water taffy as Halloween treats, according to an analysis by CandyStore.com.

Based on 11 years of sales data, the website calculated the most popular Halloween candy choices in each state. This is what they say about the Pacific Northwest:

• “Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state! Wow. Just think of the possibilities on Halloween. If you’re throwing a ghost town takeover Halloween party, better bring your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups candy. Trick-or-treaters love these more than any other candy in Oregon. M&M’s are in second place, Candy corn third.”

• “Aberdeen was once referred to as the roughest town west of the Mississippi. Violence, gambling, drug usage and prostitution were all popular pastimes in this Washington city. It probably wasn’t a place that was very receptive to trick-or-treaters. But I bet they still loved salt water taffy! Salt water taffy had ruled the state a couple years ago, but in last year’s study Tootsie Pops stole the top spot. Well, taffy is back baby! Over 220,000 pounds of salt water taffy are consumed in Washington around Halloween. Maybe that’s how Aberdeen cleaned up its act. They found a new vice.”

SEASIDE — Clatsop Community Bank announced Sept. 13 that it exceeded $100 million in assets for the first time in the bank’s 10-year history. The announcement came shortly after the bank issued its first dividend to shareholders in August.

“We are so pleased to have reached this significant milestone,” said President and CEO Joe Schulte. “It speaks to the confidence our community, our clients and our shareholders have placed in us, as well as to the dedication and hard work of our talented staff and management team. We are fortunate to serve many great businesses, individuals and families in Clatsop County, and we value the relationships we’ve built together.”

WILLAPA BAY — The Coast Guard is seeking public comment while conducting a waterways analysis and management system (WAMS) review of Willapa Bay.

The Coast Guard uses WAMS to validate the adequacy of the existing aids to navigation (ATON) system, and to get a better understanding of the uses of each waterway and general safety issues. WAMS focuses on the present ATON system, marine casualty information, port and harbor resources, changes in recreation and commercial marine vessel usage, and future development projects.

The comment deadline is Feb. 1, 2019. To participate, visit tinyurl.com/Willapa-Navigation-Survey

SEASIDE — A local business Marketing Makeover Workshop is scheduled at Clatsop Community College’s South County Center, 1455 N. Roosevelt Dr., on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The class, taught by Seth Morrisey, Matt Rose and Chelsea Morrisey, is intended for local business owners at all levels who want to generate more customers using simple online marketing strategies. Participants will learn how to:

• Gain clarity with the tools of an effective marketing plan

• Turn Google into a 24-hour sales machine

• Get more quality 5-star reviews

• Target the right customers with meaningful social campaigns

MONTESANO — The Washington Coast Works Business Competition is seeking applications from those with ideas and energy to create or expand a small business that strives towards a triple bottom line: profit, people and place.

Applications for this year’s competition will be due by Oct. 15. Applications and instructions can be downloaded at wacoastworks.org/apply.

Up to 15 finalists will be selected to join the growing Coast Works Alliance, participate in intensive training on sustainable entrepreneurship (sponsored by Key Bank), receive ongoing one-on-one technical assistance, connect to mentors and present their business case statement at a fast-pitch event for a chance to win up to $10,000.

“Coast Works is designed to diversify the local economy through the development of new small businesses and build business leadership in local communities,” says Mike Skinner, Washington Coast Works administrator. “It aims to grow a constituency that supports conservation and sustainable natural resource use and ultimately contribute to a new vision of sustainable community and economic development on the Washington coast.”

To date, 45 emerging entrepreneurs have participated in the Coast Works competition with a wide range of triple bottom line business ideas including fish waste infused biochar fertilizer, wool-fiber cooperative, sustainably foraged bog Labrador tea, u-pick blueberry farm, paper-crete landscaping materials, smoked salmon, off-grid ecological learning centers, local food cooperatives, sustainable farming, bio-diesel powered stump grinding, sustainable tiny homes, and many more.

The competition shows that businesses can be profitable while caring for the places where they are based and supporting the people who work for them and their communities.

A complete calendar of events leading up to the competition is available at www.wacoastworks.org or contact Mike Skinner at (206) 235-6029.