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 is no longer a child care desert for preschoolers.

A report from Oregon State University in May revealed a nearly 5% increase in available child care slots across the state between March 2020 and December. In Clatsop County, the percentage of children aged 3 to 5 in licensed care increased to 41% from 28% in 2020.

Clatsop County is one of eight counties to move out of child care desert status for preschool-age children since 2020, according to the report. The county, like all but rural Gilliam County, remains a child care desert for infants and toddlers.

See the story by Rebecca Norden-Bright by clicking here.

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Residents in Gearhart will likely see significant water rate increases over the next few years as the city looks to stabilize the water fund.

A water rate study presented to the City Council on Wednesday night showed that Gearhart’s commitment to keeping water rates low while costs rose and the city relied on water purchased from Warrenton has put the water fund in an untenable position.

Without a six-figure transfer from the water reserve fund, the water fund was on track to run out of money.

Gearhart, which has not raised water rates since 2013, has lower rates than neighboring cities.

A consultant has suggested phased rate increases: 10% in January, 10% in January 2025 and 4% annually in future years. The consultant also recommended containing labor, materials and services costs.

Read the story by Abby Sourwine by clicking here.

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Astoria is wading into code changes for a waterfront master plan between Pier 1 and the Astoria Bridge in Uniontown.

The outline for redevelopment, crafted by the Portland-based landscape architecture firm Walker Macy, was signed off by the Port of Astoria and the city last year after a nine-month public process.

The vision includes a new hotel to replace the Astoria Riverwalk Inn, space for private marine industrial uses on Pier 1 and concepts for a market hall, fishing village and boardwalk around the West Mooring Basin.

While the Port and city reached agreement on the outline, city code changes are necessary to implement the concept.

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

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