Astoria eyes downtown lot for new affordable housing project
Astoria is looking to acquire a downtown property that could be used for affordable housing. Over the past several months, Clatsop County has put up 31 properties throughout the county for expressions of interest from cities, nonprofits and others seeking to develop housing, child care or social services. One of the lots is the site of the former Darigold Building at Ninth and Duane streets. The property is used for parking, but the city said that with its strategic location downtown, it could be a good place for a housing project. (Nicole Bales / The Astorian)
Lane County’s transfer station at Glenwood could be moving, will be rebuilt either way
People who use the Glenwood Transfer Station could be taking trash and recyclables elsewhere within a few years. And if the current transfer station does stay where it is now on 17th Avenue off Glenwood Boulevard right by Interstate 5, it could look very different. The transfer station — one of 15 operated by Lane County and open to the public for self-hauling — needs rebuilding, regardless of whether it’s on the current site or somewhere else, said Jeff Orlandini, the county’s waste management division manager. Springfield is looking to develop Glenwood into a vibrant neighborhood, starting with the riverfront. (Megan Banta/Register-Guard)
Multnomah County library construction to ramp up soon
Multnomah County’s library expansion projects are ramping up as two libraries slated for major construction prepare to close this winter and the Central Library is set to reopen. The Central Library in downtown Portland, which has been closed since August, will reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Among other projects slated for 2023 are the rebuilding of the Holgate Library and the expansion of the Midland Library, both of which are in Southeast Portland. The Holgate Library will close on Dec. 5 and won’t reopen until 2024. The Midland Library will close on Dec. 23 and also is expected to reopen in 2024. (Max Egener/Business Tribune)
PETA sends OHSU cease and desist letter over false statements to kids
Oregon Health & Science University was slapped with a cease and desist order for reportedly lying to sixth-grade students about whether an animal rights group doctored videos from OHSU’s primate testing lab. OHSU declined to comment on whether the organization believes PETA manipulated videos but pointed to a lengthy explanation issued in 2020 outlining its research methods and primate living conditions. This isn’t the first time PETA has sparred with OHSU. PETA has repeatedly denounced the experiments on primates and other animals at OHSU’s animal research facilities. (Courtney Vaughn/Portland Tribune)
Oregon Highway 38 gets a little brighter with lights on new Scottsburg Bridge
Lined with steep hills and tall trees, Oregon Highway 38 can be a dark and challenging drive for some travelers. But ODOT has lit the way for those who pass through the small town of Scottsburg. Earlier this week, ODOT turned on the lights of the pylons at each end of the new Scottsburg Bridge, which spans the Umpqua River about 15 miles east of Reedsport. Bob Grubbs, the ODOT engineer who led the design of the new bridge, said the pylons are an homage to Conde B. McCullough, who created many of Oregon’s most celebrated bridges along the coast in the 1920s and 1930s. (The World Link staff)
Cannon Beach, Tolovana State Park health advisory lifted
Oregon Health Authority has lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Cannon Beach and Tolovana State Park in Clatsop County. The health authority issued the advisory on Oct. 27 after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters. Results from follow-up tests by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality showed lower bacteria levels. (Cannon Beach Gazette staff)
