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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Medix Ambulance Service has struggled to meet response time requirements.

While crews cannot show up on time for every emergency call, they are required to meet the standard for at least 90%.

Meeting the benchmark has historically not been a problem. But since the fall of 2021, reports reviewed by The Astorian show Medix has only met the requirement during a handful of months.

“We’re aware of the problem, and we are working every angle that we can come up with to fix it,” Tom Strecker, the general manager of Medix, said. “Medix has been here almost 50 years in Clatsop County. We are part of the community. We care about the community. We don’t want to give bad service. We don’t want to make anybody wait.

“We want to be the stellar service we know we can be, and it’s frustrating when we can’t pull that off. And it’s not for a lack of desire or trying for sure.”

See the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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The executive director of the Sunset Empire Transportation District claimed the agency is out of money and that bus service and other operations should be suspended. But a decision was delayed after a possible financial lifeline emerged from the state.

“We are out of money,” Jeff Hazen, the executive director, told the transit district’s board at a special meeting on Tuesday. “I don’t see any other choice but to shut down service effective tomorrow morning. That’s what I’m recommending.”

The board delayed a decision after an Oregon Department of Transportation official said state money may be available.

Read the story by Ethan Myers by clicking here.

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Rocky shores on the North Coast will receive new state protections.

Ecola Point and Chapman Point were two of six sites approved for special protection designations by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Commission on Thursday.

Andy Lanier, the marine affairs coordinator with the state Department of Land Conservation and Development, said the changes are designed to promote stewardship of the sites, which are experiencing climate change. He said the designation can also help access additional funding for stewardship.

“Interpretation is really one of the ways that people will experience these changes,” Lanier told the commission on Thursday. “Because for many of these areas, currently, there is no interpretation that happens. There may be a sign. But otherwise you’re free to walk and explore and experience these environments, because they are the window to the ocean life for many people.”

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

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— Derrick DePledge