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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Clatsop County may direct a share of federal stimulus money to help staff the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority and create more affordable housing.

The investment could be $325,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars over three fiscal years.

“My belief is that the county cannot do all things, that the county requires partnerships with other agencies and organizations,” County Manager Don Bohn said. The county can “help those others that are providing critical services to be funded at a level that actually represents the need in the community.”

Read the story by Erick Bengel by clicking here.

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The Astoria Warming Center hopes to partner with LiFEBoat Services on a seasonal overnight shelter for the homeless.

Over the past several weeks, the future of the warming center’s shelter at First United Methodist Church has been unclear. While a location has not be settled, the partnership hopes to provide shelter by Nov. 24.

“We are planning to continue renting the space from the church and I believe we will be hosting the season similar to how we’ve done it in the past, but we haven’t cemented those details just yet,” Tiffany Sanford, a board member for the warming center, said in an email.

LiFEBoat Services, on Commercial Street, has been planning for a year-round overnight shelter.

“Nobody else is doing what we’re doing,” said Osarch Orak, of LiFEBoat Services. “And there’s a need — it’s across this nation. There’s this need, and we’re having to fight to provide it. It’s not fair.”

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

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Advocates for a five-year local option levy for the Warrenton Community Library on the November ballot are stressing the importance of voter approval.

The tax rate would increase by 5 cents, from 33 cents to 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, and is estimated to generate nearly $1.5 million.

While the focus has been on the 5-cent increase, the outcome of the measure has major implications. The library is funded by the levy, rather than being supported by the city’s operating budget.

“I think we’re trying to spread the word with folks that this is how the library operates, and without the levy, the library will cease to exist,” Kelsey Balensifer, the chairwoman of the library board, said. “There isn’t money elsewhere in the city of Warrenton’s budget to make this function without the levy.”

See the story by Ethan Myers by clicking here.

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