Coast Guard cutter Alert holds change of command ceremony

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alert held a change of command ceremony Thursday at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.

Cmdr. Lee Crusius, who has had previous tours in the Caribbean and Alaska, replaces Cmdr. Matthew Kolodica, who has served as the Alert’s commanding officer since 2021.

“I am extremely excited to be taking over this role and to continue the long tradition of excellence in rescuing distressed mariners, enforcing our nations laws and defending America,” Crusius said in a statement.

Kolodica will transfer to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where he will serve as the director of professional maritime studies.

“I am truly honored to have commanded such a fine crew and ship,” he said in a statement. “Together, during a 24-month period, our crew accomplished a tremendous amount while demonstrating unwavering resiliency and devotion to duty.”

Regulations announced for fall Chinook and coho fisheries in coastal rivers

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday announced fishing regulations for fall Chinook and coho fisheries in rivers along the Oregon Coast.

An overall better fall salmon season is expected on the coast this year, and the anticipation of a strong return of coho will allow additional rivers to open to wild harvest, the state said in a statement.

The outlook for wild fall Chinook fisheries is also improved, but bag limits are more conservative due to ongoing concerns for Chinook.

The state department took feedback on two potential options for bag limits for the season, but ultimately favored allowing additional harvest in some rivers instead of settling on a coastwide guideline.

Specific regulations for Chinook in the Necanicum River, the Nehalem River area, the Skipanon River and Big Creek, as well as other rivers along the North Coast, can be found at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/northwest-zone.

Proposed regulations for coho are considered tentative until approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service, but can be found at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2023%20Coastal%20Wild%20Coho%20Proposed%20Seasons%20Table.pdf.

Offices to close for Fourth of July

In observance of the Fourth of July on Tuesday, all federal, state, county and city offices and services, including Astoria, Gearhart, Seaside and Cannon Beach city halls, are closed. All U.S. post offices are closed, and there is no mail delivery.

Astoria, Jewell, Knappa, Warrenton-Hammond and Seaside (including Cannon Beach and Gearhart) school district schools, and Clatsop Community College, are closed.

The Astoria Library is closed Tuesday. The Seaside Library and Warrenton Community Library are closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Port of Astoria offices and services are closed.

Garbage collection through Recology Western Oregon and the city of Warrenton garbage collection are not affected by the holiday. Recology Western Oregon’s transfer station is open.

The Sunset Pool in Seaside and the Astoria Aquatic Center are closed.

The Clatsop County Heritage Museum, Oregon Film Museum and Flavel House Museum and Carriage House are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Uppertown Firefighters’ Museum is closed.

Fort Clatsop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunset Empire Transportation (“The Bus”) is running on a partial schedule.

The Astorian offices are closed.

— The Astorian