Nine of the 11 fire chiefs in Clatsop County asked to meet with The Astorian to discuss their concerns about emergency response.

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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Fire districts on the North Coast are nearing a breaking point.

At their request, nine of the 11 fire chiefs in Clatsop County sat down with The Astorian at Warrenton City Hall in March to discuss the challenges and the future of firefighting. 

Many fire chiefs cite a vital need for volunteers. 

“I think we’re really close to where we could have two or three major fires, or major mass casualties or something that’s happened, and one of them is not going to get what it needs,” Matt Verley, the fire chief in Hamlet and a volunteer himself, said.

“Every single person in this room will absolutely give 100% to wherever they’re asked to go to, but there’s not enough of us and there’s not enough of the volunteers to be able to manage major incidents.

“With the increased traffic to the coast, it’s going to happen. It might be this year.”

See the story by Ethan Myers by clicking here.

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An anti-vaping campaign will target youth on the North Coast.

In 2020, nearly 15% of eighth graders in Clatsop County reported vaping in the past 30 days, surpassing the state average of 5%, according to data collected by the Oregon Health Authority. Youth surveyed in the sixth grade also reported vaping more than the state average, while students in the 11th grade reported vaping less.

The survey data is also troubling in neighboring Columbia and Tillamook counties.

“Our goal is not to create any stigma or blame towards individuals who use tobacco,” said Abby Welter, a Clatsop County health promotion specialist. The tobacco industry has “these really insidious tactics to get people hooked to their products despite knowing all the harms of it. That’s what we’re trying to prevent from continuing.

“We want to create avenues for people to have more education and awareness on it — because education is power — so that they can make an informed decision for themselves.”

Read the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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Cannon Beach will explore a lodging tax increase to help fund redevelopment of its City Hall and police station and a former elementary school.

The tax proposal was floated after estimates for the projects came in higher than expected.

“Tonight is just (to) present those options to the council, and they will decide what they want to move forward with at a later date,” City Manager Bruce St. Denis said at a City Council work session on Tuesday night. “We’re not going to be making any commitments for funding and we’re not going to be tearing any parts of the building down. But those opportunities will be coming.”

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

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— Derrick DePledge