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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The state has provided a $500,000 loan to help the struggling Sunset Empire Transportation District, which suspended bus service and other operations in late April.

The transit district has said it will use the money to help restore some paratransit services on Monday and will look to revive bus routes soon.

Jeff Hazen, the executive director of the agency, resigned after the dire financial situation came to light. 

Paul Lewicki, the agency’s former operations manager who retired from his role in 2022, will take over as interim director.

“Our priority is to get service back on the road,” Lewicki said.

State auditors are conducting financial and managerial audits, a spokeswoman for Gov. Tina Kotek said, and the state will pursue appropriate corrective actions once the full scope of problems is understood.

See the story by Ethan Myers by clicking here.

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The estimated price tag for the expansion project at Columbia Memorial Hospital? $175 million.

The Astoria hospital disclosed the figure in a filing with the Oregon Health Authority.

Erik Thorsen, Columbia Memorial’s CEO, had previously declined to provide a cost estimate for the project when asked by The Astorian, explaining that it was premature.

“The construction budget listed in the OHA application is a preliminary estimate. The final budget will not be known until CMH has completed the design phase of the project, which is anticipated to be in 2024,” Thorsen said in a statement.

The report is part of a collaboration between The Astorian and Coast Community Radio.

Read the story by Jacob Lewin by clicking here.

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Warrenton has heard pitches for new tenants at the former Skipanon Marine and RV Supply building.

The proposals include two auto repair shops, a seafood company, a brewery and the neighboring performing arts school. Residents ranked the options and submitted their input to the city at an open house on Thursday.

City Manager Esther Moberg said the city will look to extend a three- to- five-year lease to the selected business.

“The (City) Commission wanted community input and wanted to make sure the community had a chance to review who was interested for the next lessee,” she said.

Take a look at Ethan Myers’ report by clicking here.

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— Derrick DePledge