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The federal American Rescue Plan Act funneled more than $24.5 million to local governments on the North Coast.

The $1.9 trillion stimulus approved by President Joe Biden and Congress in 2021 was designed to help the nation recover from the coronavirus pandemic, a financial lifeline for communities in search of relief from the public health and economic tolls of the virus.

Under guidance from the federal government and Oregon, local governments could use the money to replace lost revenue, respond to public health challenges, provide premium pay for essential workers and invest in water, sewer, broadband and other infrastructure.

The Astorian asked county and city leaders in Astoria, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside and Cannon Beach how the federal money has been spent so far. The dollars must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the close of 2026.

See the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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For more than a year, residents of a rural neighborhood in Jewell have been living under a boil water notice.

The water that pours from their faucets can be yellowish, sometimes slightly brown and foamy. Laundry washed in the water smells bad even when bleach is used. One family started breaking out in unexplained rashes they now believe were caused by showering in the water.

In order to have clean water, the residents of Evergreen Acres can boil what comes through their pipes. They can buy bottled water. If they have a car, they can load up the trunk with empty containers and drive to a spring off U.S. Highway 26, about 10 to 11 miles away — or they can try to find their water elsewhere.

The Evergreen Acres water system provides drinking water to about 100 people, including families, elderly people and around 20 students in the tiny Jewell School District.

The boil water advisory went into effect in October and December 2022, but some residents said they weren’t aware of it until much later.

Residents say the problems with the water system come down to the operator, Tony Cavin. Officials with the Clatsop County environmental health division indicate that communication with Cavin has been spotty for a while. State records show he has not taken the steps required to address ongoing violations.

Read the story by Katie Frankowicz of our news partner KMUN by clicking here.

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Following a loss of insurance coverage, McClure Park’s beloved embankment slide could be at risk of closing.

Last summer, CIS Oregon, Astoria’s insurer, notified the city that it could no longer cover the slide due to safety and liability concerns. Although the steep, 45-foot slide at Eighth Street and Franklin Avenue has been routinely assessed and meets playground safety inspection standards, the insurer cited worries about the potential for injury if people misused it. Now, the city is actively seeking new insurance.

Since July 1, the slide has been uninsured. If the city can’t find an adequate insurance alternative, it may need to restrict access — but Jonah Dart-Mclean, the city’s parks director, said they’re not in a hurry to make that call.

“It’s a huge community investment and commitment that was made through a volunteer group, and it also is a really popular and beloved amenity that’s pretty unique. In our entire area, not just in the city of Astoria, there’s not a lot of embankment slides of this size and type,” he said. “We really recognize that we have some valuable facets to this slide that we want to be able to preserve if we can.”

Take a look at the report by Olivia Palmer by clicking here.

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— Derrick DePledge