Welcome to a new year, 2023, and greetings from the Seaside Signal and staff. 2022 closed out with a turbulent week of weather, winds, city drama and local tragedy.

Tragic on Highway 26

Bonifacio Nolazco-Pineda, 41, Justin Nolazco-Pedraza, 19, and Alana Nolazco-Pedraza, 4, were killed after a tree fell on the roof of their truck while driving eastbound on the highway near milepost 15 at about 11:30 a.m. In the aftermath of the deadly crash, friends and family mourned a father and two children.

Friends and family remember the father as a beloved and hard-working restaurant worker in Seaside dedicated to his family. Son Justin Nolazco-Pedraza had a bright future with a new career at Astoria Ford.

Justin was “always down to have fun,” friend Karla Saucedo said. “He was the life of the party, whether it was at quinceañeras or getting together with friends. He was special.”

Gearhart lawsuit 

Three residents who were critical of a $14.5 million bond measure for a new firehouse in the May election have filed a lawsuit against the city and several city leaders, claiming they were targeted by the city after the measure was rejected by voters. They allege defamation, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent retention. They are asking for $950,000 in damages.

Year in Review

Don’t miss our special year in review sections. We take a look at the top news of 2022 in Seaside, Gearhart, at the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District and the Seaside School District. Catch up on all the news of the year, who’s who in our local governments and what’s ahead in 2023. 

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