Hospitality leaders say Cannon Beach visitors will bear the burden of higher taxes
The Cannon Beach City Council is seeking additional funding to redevelop a former elementary school, and build a new city hall and police station. Cost estimates for those projects ran higher than expected, so city leaders have proposed lodging tax increases to close the gap. Cannon Beach’s 8% lodging tax rate is significantly lower than other North Coast cities, including Seaside and Astoria. Leaders in the local hospitality industry are pushing back on the proposal, saying it shifts the burden of paying for public projects onto hotels and tourists. (Nicole Bales/The Daily Astorian)
Clark-Cowlitz rescue teams are taking a different approach to mental health crises
A pilot project in Southwest Washington’s Clark and Cowlitz counties is helping rescue workers identify and aid people experiencing mental health crises. About 20% of calls for emergency services involve someone in a mental health crisis. The Co-Response Unit pairs fire agency workers with mental health experts to identify people in crisis, de-escalate situations and meet people’s immediate needs. The pilot project is in its first month and will add two more people to the response team next month. (Mia Ryder-Marks/The Columbian)
Oregon lawmakers will hear public testimony on canola farming restrictions Thursday
Canola farming has strict limitations in Oregon. In the Willamette Valley, the state restricts canola farming to just 500 acres, to protect the region’s specialty seed industry. Canola can cross-pollinate with and transfer pests or disease to brassicas like broccoli, kale and cabbage. Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to make those restrictions permanent. They’re taking public testimony on the proposal Thursday. (Tracy Loew/Salem Statesman-Journal)
This is the moment cyanobacteria have been waiting for 🦠
With temperatures in Oregon set to increase this week, state health officials are warning people about cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater bodies like rivers and lakes. Cyanobacteria multiply in blooms with the right combination of sunlight, nutrients and water temperature. Toxins produced by the bacteria can sicken humans and other animals. The Oregon Health Authority says blooms look like pea soup or green paint and should be avoided. (Tiffany Eckert/KLCC)
Related: An Oregon heat wave is coming. Don’t jump in the river 🥶
Oregon congressmen introduced a bill to let cannabis businesses bank
Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, both Oregon Democrats, are pushing legislation that would remove the threat of penalties for banks that work with cannabis businesses. Because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, conventional banks, credit unions and other financial institutions can’t work with cannabis businesses if they want to avoid being seen as breaking the law. That’s despite cannabis being legal in some form in dozens of states and territories. (Erick Bengel/Rogue Valley Times)