Clatsop County Partners With USDA Wildlife Services To Address Wildlife Conflicts (Photo) - 09/02/26

ASTORIA, OR — Clatsop County is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to provide local assistance when cougars, coyotes, bears, beavers, and other wildlife create problems for residents, property owners and agricultural operations.

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners approved a cooperative services agreement with USDA Wildlife Services in August. The program is designed to reduce wildlife-related damage and address human health and safety concerns.

Under the agreement, Clatsop County will contribute up to $40,000 for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Federal and state funding will provide an additional $13,776.59, bringing the total value of the Clatsop County program to $53,776.59.

Clatsop County's resources will be combined with funding from Columbia County and federal resources to support a Wildlife Services Specialist serving both counties.

How Wildlife Services Can Help

USDA Wildlife Services provides technical assistance and, when needed, direct wildlife management to address conflicts involving cougars, bears, coyotes, beavers, and other wildlife.

Assistance may include advice, training, and recommendations for property owners. When those steps are not enough, Wildlife Services may take direct action focused on specific problem animals or localized groups.

Methods are selected based on factors including safety, humaneness, effectiveness, and legality.

All activities must comply with applicable state and federal laws, and work on private property requires an agreement with the landowner, lessee, or property administrator.

Residents who need assistance with a wildlife conflict can call 971-495-1482.

More information about the USDA Wildlife Services program is available at the national Wildlife Services website: www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-services.

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Candlelight Vigil To Honor Overdose Awareness Day In Clatsop County (Photo) - 08/13/26

ASTORIA, OR – The Clatsop County Department of Public Health invites the community to gather for a candlelight vigil on Monday, August 31, 2026, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.

The event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at Barbey Maritime Center, 2042 Marine Dr, Astoria. 

This evening of remembrance is dedicated to honoring the lives lost to overdose, offering support to grieving families and friends, and raising awareness about overdose prevention.

Attendees are invited to bring a photo, poem, or short personal story to share. Those who would like to speak during the event can sign up in advance at clatsop.co/OverdoseAwarenessSpeaker.

“Overdose is a public health issue,” said Darby McNaughton with Clatsop County Public Health. “We want to remind people that overdose can happen to anyone. Our goal is to provide stigma-free education, resources, and empathy to anyone with substance use disorder to help them better their lives.”

Free naloxone, tacos from Monte Alban, community resources and giveaway items will also be available.

For more information, visit www.clatsopcounty.gov/publichealth or call 503-325-8500.

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PODClatsop Explores How Deflection Is Changing Lives In Clatsop County (Photo) - 08/12/26

New podcast episode highlights partnership between law enforcement and behavioral health and the power of planting the seed for recovery

ASTORIA, OR — A new episode of PODClatsop takes listeners inside the Clatsop County Deflection Program, where law enforcement and behavioral health professionals are working together to give people struggling with substance use another path forward.

Clatsop County Deflection Program Coordinator Christina Schulz and Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare’s Isaiah O’Neill join Clatsop County Public Affairs Officer Jenn Benoit to explain what happens when someone is offered Deflection, how participants are connected with treatment and why a person who initially turns away from help may return when they are ready.

During the episode, listeners hear an emotional message from a former participant thanking O’Neill for helping him through his recovery. The participant initially entered the Deflection Program but did not complete it. After another law enforcement contact, he was offered Deflection again.

This time, he was ready.

O’Neill said the earlier relationship mattered. The participant already knew where to go for help and had established trust with the program. He went on to achieve long-term sobriety, reunite with his family and begin considering becoming a recovery coach.

Schulz explains that the Clatsop County Deflection Program offers two pathways to services. One provides an alternative for qualifying people contacted by law enforcement while in possession of a controlled substance. The second allows law enforcement, Parole and Probation and Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare to refer people known to be struggling with substance use even when they are not facing a possession charge.

Once connected with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, participants receive an individualized assessment and may be connected with outpatient treatment, withdrawal management, residential treatment, recovery supports and other services based on their needs.

The goal is progress and sustained engagement, not expecting recovery to happen overnight.

“People don’t get sober all at once,” O’Neill said during the episode. “It’s a process.”

As of the recording of the episode, 138 people had been offered Deflection in Clatsop County. Of those, 83 entered the program, 36 had graduated and 18 were actively participating.

One of the strengths of Clatsop County’s program is the broad support it receives from law enforcement, behavioral health providers, the District Attorney’s Office and other community partners.

The episode highlights how those partnerships can translate into tangible changes in people’s lives from reducing substance use to finding employment, reconnecting with family and moving from homelessness into stable housing.

“Whether it’s small strides or big strides, we’re giving them the tools,” Schulz said.

Listen to the latest episode of PODClatsop to hear the full conversation and learn more about how the Clatsop County Deflection Program works.

PODClatsop explores the people, places and programs that make Clatsop County unique.

About the Clatsop County Deflection Program

The Clatsop County Deflection Program connects people struggling with substance use with treatment and support through a coordinated partnership involving law enforcement, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation and other community partners. The program emphasizes accountability, engagement and creating opportunities for recovery.

Clatsop County Seeks State Partnership To Advance North Coast Economic Growth (Photo) - 08/07/26

ASTORIA, OR — Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Kujala joined Gov. Tina Kotek and regional leaders Wednesday in Tillamook to discuss economic development opportunities, challenges facing the North Coast economy and opportunities for stronger partnership with the State of Oregon.

Clatsop County is facing significant economic pressures, including anticipated losses in timber revenue associated with the state’s Habitat Conservation Plan and uncertainty surrounding federal funding for the SAFE fisheries program. Against that backdrop, economic growth remains a top County priority.

“We have sites with the potential to bring family-wage jobs, assessed-value growth and tax revenue to our communities,” Kujala said. “What we need is continued cooperation with the state to address permitting, infrastructure and funding challenges so those opportunities can become reality.”

At the meeting, Kujala identified the North Coast Business Park, Tongue Point, and the Port of Astoria Airport Industrial Park as three of the County’s greatest opportunities for economic growth.

Despite their potential to attract investment, create jobs and expand the local tax base, each of these sites faces barriers that can delay or prevent development, including complex permitting requirements, inadequate infrastructure, and the significant costs of preparing industrial land for investment.

At the North Coast Business Park, continued development depends on coordinated permitting and sufficient wastewater capacity. At Tongue Point and Port properties, additional marine, industrial and federal investment will require infrastructure improvements and sustained coordination among local, state, and federal partners. Addressing these barriers will require state agencies to view economic growth as a shared priority and work alongside local communities to move viable projects from opportunity to development.

“If all agencies are looking through the lens of economic growth, rather than just a narrow focus on a conflicting tapestry of rules and regulations that stifle development, there can be progress,” said Kujala. “Economics are often the last consideration, and it should be an over-arching concern, if we are truly interested in Oregon being competitive with other states across the nation.”

As next steps, Clatsop County will continue providing the Governor’s Office with information about the North Coast Business Park, Tongue Point and Port of Astoria properties. The County requested a back-up plan for funding the SAFE program should the BPA continue to signal that they are no longer funding the program. Chair Kujala also requested a letter supporting expanded Coast Guard investment in Clatsop County and assistance with Warrenton wastewater infrastructure.

“Clatsop County has tremendous economic opportunities, but realizing them requires strong partnerships,” Kujala said. “We appreciate the Governor bringing North Coast leaders together and recognizing that the state has an important role in helping communities move projects forward and create good jobs for the people who live here.”

The meeting was part of the Governor’s outreach related to the Oregon Prosperity Plan and included the chairs of Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties, the general manager of the Port of Tillamook, former Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson, Rep. Cyrus Javadi, Gov. Kotek and members of her staff.

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Photo Gov. Tina Kotek and Board Chair Mark Kujala, Wednesday, August 5, 2026 in Tillamook, OR. Provided by Clatsop County

County Budget Committee Vacancy (Photo) - 08/05/26

Clatsop County Residents May Experience Intermittent Wildfire Smoke (Photo) - 08/05/26

ASTORIA, OR — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality expects intermittent wildfire smoke along the coast, including Clatsop County, until further notice as smoke from multiple wildfires in Oregon and Washington moves into coastal areas.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on fire activity, weather patterns and wind direction. Residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality and take precautions when smoke levels increase.

Current conditions are available through the Oregon Smoke Information Blog at www.oregonsmoke.org, DEQ’s Air Quality Index at aqi.oregon.gov, or the free OregonAIR smartphone app.

Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with heart or lung conditions.

Protect Your Health When Smoke Levels Are High

• Stay indoors when possible and keep windows and doors closed. If it becomes too warm, use air conditioning on the recirculate setting or consider moving to a cooler location.
• Limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
• Use high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. A do-it-yourself air cleaner may also help improve indoor air quality.
• Check air quality before spending time outside and avoid areas with the highest smoke levels.
• When air quality improves to moderate or healthy levels—yellow or green on the Air Quality Index—open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
• Follow any breathing or asthma action plan provided by your health care provider and keep necessary medications refilled.

The Oregon Health Authority has released an updated Oregon Air Quality Activity Guide for Children and Youth to help schools, youth-serving organizations and families make informed decisions about outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events.

Information About Masks and Respirators

Cloth masks, dust masks and surgical masks do not protect against the small, harmful particles in wildfire smoke.

NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirators may provide protection when they are properly selected, fitted and worn. Look for a respirator marked with an N, R or P followed by the number 95, 99 or 100.

Respirators are not designed for children because they are not available in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before using a respirator.

Residents should continue monitoring local conditions because air quality may improve or worsen quickly.

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