King tides return to Oregon Coast

King tides return to the Oregon Coast on Sunday.

These higher-than-normal surges are a seasonal occurrence that happen due to increased gravitational influence when the sun, moon and earth are in alignment and when the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth and earth’s orbit is closest to the sun.

A sequence of king tides will begin Sunday and continue through Tuesday. The next sequence will begin on Jan. 11.

The higher-than-normal high tides that accompany king tides can be dangerous. Local and state officials recommend people practice extra caution on the beach.

Commercial crabbing to open

on southern Oregon Coast

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open along the southern Oregon Coast in time to put crab on the table for Christmas.

Fishery managers announced crab vessels will be allowed to set gear beginning Sunday from Cape Falcon near Manzanita south to the California border. The first pull of ocean crab pots starts Wednesday.

Commercial crabbing is delayed on the North Coast until levels of the marine toxin domoic acid drop in crab caught in Washington state. More testing is needed in Washington to determine crab is safe. The two fisheries will start together.

Crab tested in Oregon’s harvest areas have remained well below alert levels.

The recreational crab fishery is already open along the entire Oregon Coast.

Warrenton couple displaced after driver crashes into their home

A Warrenton couple was displaced Monday night after an alleged drunken driver crashed into their home.

William Page-Lagerquist, 21, of Warrenton, was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, driving without a license and driving uninsured.

Police say Page-Lagerquist crashed into the home off of Pacific Drive just after 10 p.m. The vehicle came to a rest in the master bedroom of the home, where two people were sleeping.

The driver sustained minor injuries.

County transfers property

to Camp Kiwanilong

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the transfer of 180 acres off of Ridge Road in Warrenton to Camp Kiwanilong.

The property has long been leased to Camp Kiwanilong Board Inc. for youth activities, but the county said leasing the property requires a significant amount of staff time and potential costs.

The property will revert back to the county if it is not used by the organization for youth.

County to distribute free face masks

Clatsop County will distribute free KN95 face masks Thursday at multiple locations to combat the coronavirus.

The drive-thru handout events will take place between 2 and 4 p.m. at Elsie-Vinemaple Fire Station, Seaside Fire Station, Astoria Aquatic Center, Cannon Beach City Hall, Knappa Fire Station, Warrenton Fire Station and Gearhart Fire Station.

When people drive to the front of the line they will be asked to stay in their car, hold up fingers to show the number of masks needed and roll down the window to receive the bag of masks.

— The Astorian