Thank you for your interest in reading The Astorian. Here are a few stories that you might have missed this week:

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#TimberUnity, inspired by loggers, truck drivers and farmers, quickly became a political force in Salem a few years back, providing the grassroots energy that helped corporate timber, manufacturing and utility interests fend off cap and trade.

Through convoys and demonstrations, #TimberUnity helped create the political climate that drove Republican walkouts and doomed cap-and-trade bills in 2019 and 2020. #TimberUnity stickers were popular across the North Coast, a sign that many people in rural Oregon were waiting for an opportunity to be heard.

But over the past few years, the movement has fractured. Gov. Kate Brown used an executive order to bypass the Legislature and implement a Climate Protection Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. #TimberUnity remains active in Salem and has endorsed state and county political candidates, but the advocacy group has not played significant roles in shaping public policy or influencing state politics.

Several original leaders have split from the group, disillusioned by what the movement has become.

Jeff Leavy, a log truck driver, said political opportunists seized on #TimberUnity’s initial success, took control and ultimately left the leadership divided.

“The way it all started was absolutely pure,” he said.

Read the report by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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Two large donations have helped Clatsop Community College enhance vocational education.

The college foundation received over $430,000 for automotive instruction from the World of Speed Museum after the motor sports attraction in Wilsonville closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ed Reed, a former welding instructor at the college, worked with the foundation to donate $400,000 for supplies and an endowed scholarship fund. Reed died in 2021.

The focus of the career and technical education programs at the college is to help students land jobs and in turn boost the workforce.

“So helping our community, helping our region and being there to really give our students good, solid family-wage jobs and skills that they can take really anywhere,” Kristen Wilkin, the dean of workforce education and training for the college, said.

See the story by Ethan Myers’ by clicking here.

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In Cannon Beach, the city and the fire district are partnering to add more lifeguards during the peak tourist season.

An intergovernmental agreement approved by the City Council in May allows fire district staff and volunteers to bookend the typical lifeguard season. It also allows the fire district’s five lifeguards to fill shifts during the summer when needed.

“It’s really just a win-win because water rescue ultimately falls under the fire department, so it’s something that is good to include them on,” Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn said. “I think we’ll continue to build the team and work together, making it stronger, because it’s not as easy to get any employees anymore.”

Take a look at Nicole Bales’ report by clicking here.

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