Astoria landslide encroaches

onto part of Commercial Street

A landslide on the south side of Astoria’s Commercial Street between Fourth and Sixth streets that initially occurred on Jan. 7 has slid farther downhill, encroaching on a portion of Commercial Street.

To reduce potential hazards, the Astoria Fire Department has removed limbs from trees that had been leaning into the roadway. No injuries or property damage has occurred.

Commercial Street between Fourth and Sixth streets will be closed to vehicular traffic until further notice.

Summer reservations to reopen

at Cape Lookout State Park

Cape Lookout State Park will move its construction closure to fall 2025, which means summer campground reservations will reopen.

The park was slated to close temporarily for construction starting in spring 2025, but the schedule has changed.

All reservable campsites in A, B, C and D loops as well as deluxe cabins and yurts will be reservable online for stays May 31 through a six-month reservation window starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Originally, the project included moving camp loops A and B to higher ground and away from encroaching seawater, but unexpected geological and safety concerns prevented the move. Now the work will focus on extending the life of the existing infrastructure and is slated to include:

• Reinforcing the existing dune to prevent seawater from entering the camp loops.

• Upgrading electrical and water systems in C and D loops.

• Day use improvements.

• Replacing the campground restroom/shower building.

The work is scheduled to begin in fall 2025 and extend into spring or summer 2026. The campground and day-use area will be closed during construction.

— The Astorian

Oregon’s new kid governor

focuses on climate change

Oregon’s newest kid governor wants the state to focus on addressing climate change.

That’s the platform on which Rosie Lanenga, a fifth-grader at Portland’s Riverdale Grade School, was elected by her peers from across the state.

“I think it’s a pressing issue,” Lanenga said. “I want Oregon to stay as beautiful as it is right now, and climate change is affecting that, and I want to make sure Oregon is safe.”

Lanenga was sworn in at the Oregon State Capitol on Thursday along with six members of her kid governor cabinet.

In 2017, Oregon became the second state, behind Connecticut, to adopt the Kid Governor program as a way to introduce civic education to fifth-graders. As part of the program, interested fifth-graders can run for office by creating a campaign video.

Oregon’s Secretary of State office received 22 video entries from kid gubernatorial hopefuls across the state. A panel of judges narrowed the nominees to seven candidates. In November, those candidates were voted on by thousands of fifth-graders from nearly 100 classrooms across Oregon.

The top vote-getter was named kid governor while the other candidates became cabinet members.

— The Oregonian