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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Johanna Ogden has spent more than a decade researching — and working to preserve — the stories of people from India who lived in towns along the Columbia River, including Astoria, during the early 20th century.

In a new book, the Portland-based historian frames these often-overlooked stories within broader contexts.

“Punjabi Rebels of the Columbia River: The Global Fight for Independence and Citizenship,” tells the story of the Ghadar movement, a radical political party formed in Astoria that sought Indian independence from British colonial rule, inspiring later movements in the years leading up to India’s independence in 1947.

The book also details a related U.S. Supreme Court citizenship case involving Bhagat Singh Thind, who was a supporter of the movement.

“It gets to some really deep questions about the constitution of race, the constitution of citizenship, how those are built in, I believe, to our current times,” Ogden said. “You start pulling on these threads about, ‘Why did something happen?’”

See the story by Lissa Brewer by clicking here.

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Gearhart is evaluating two options as locations for a new public safety building: the fire station on Pacific Way and Lesley Miller Park at the intersection of Pacific Way and S. Marion Avenue.

In a post to the city’s blog, Fire Chief Josh Como said the city is focusing on city-owned properties due to limited property availability, financial considerations, timeliness and efficiency.

“By comparing locations, the aim is to address the concerns of all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and demonstrating that we are considering all viable options,” he said.

Gearhart has sought to build a new firehouse or public safety building for years to replace the aging fire station on Pacific Way, which was built in 1958.

The fire station has long been the preferred choice as the location for a new firehouse or public safety building among a vocal faction of residents. Many of these residents led the opposition to a $14.5 million bond measure in 2022 that would have financed a new firehouse off Highlands Lane along U.S. Highway 101.

After learning that Lesley Miller Park is a potential option, a growing number of residents want the city to take the park off the table.

Members of the Friends of Lesley Miller Park sent a letter to the city last week opposing the location, arguing that residents have overwhelmingly weighed in against the park in surveys about a new firehouse.

Read the story by Jasmine Lewin by clicking here.

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Across Clatsop County, local governments are considering ballot measures and ordinances that could shape the future of psychedelic mushroom use on the North Coast.

Psilocybin, sometimes referred to as “magic mushrooms,” is a substance derived from fungi. Although it remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level — meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse — the drug has been used for spiritual and ceremonial purposes for centuries, and research suggests it may help address depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction.

In November 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 109, a first-of-its-kind law that authorized the Oregon Health Authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, testing and distribution of psilocybin. Two years later, some jurisdictions — like Cannon Beach — adopted time, place and manner regulations for psilocybin-related businesses, while others — like Clatsop County, Seaside and Warrenton — established temporary moratoriums on them.

The temporary moratoriums will sunset at the end of December, leaving jurisdictions with two main options: placing a permanent moratorium on the ballot, or following in other cities’ footsteps and developing new regulations.

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

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— Derrick DePledge