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Late taxes

Our most read story this week was a lawsuit by the city of Seaside against Shilo Inn Seaside Oceanfront for almost $240,000 in lodging taxes and penalties, the fourth time he has sued the Shilo Inn owners since 2016.

The latest court action comes as owner Shilo’s owner faces increasing scrutiny, reportedly owing the federal government more than $20 million for unpaid personal income taxes and employee withholdings.

Read more here.

Housing partnership

A housing and homelessness emergency is being met with an innovative solution at the former Red Lion Inn & Suites. A coalition of community agencies teamed together with CareOregon to purchase the former hotel at 900 S. Holladay for $8 million to provide between 50 and 60 apartments designed for low-income residents and workforce housing for regional health care workers.

What makes this purchase different is the proposed composition of the tenants: a mix of those living in supportive housing and medical and health care professionals.

Will this new model work in Seaside? Follow the story here. 

‘Every quarter counted’

We’ve been following Berkley Sturgell’s campaign for a playground for kids since she was a 10-year-old fifth grader.

A playground created through fundraising efforts by 12-year-old Berkley Sturgell has opened to the public.

Berkley wrote to the city of Gearhart seeking outdoor space for children after the closing of Gearhart Elementary School.

Berkley’s Quarter Mile Challenge, an event held in May 2021 at the former Seaside High School, collected enough quarters to stretch the length of a quarter mile — by Berkley’s estimate, $4,290. She exceeded that, raising almost $12,300.

The playground is located on the north side of Trail’s End park in Gearhart off of A Street. The total cost of the park project is around $87,000, with nearly $34,000 received in donations, City Administrator Chad Sweet said.

Now 12, Berkeley is celebrating the park.

“There were so many generous community members that literally donated one quarter to thousands of dollars to the project, and for that we are extremely grateful,” said her mother, Nicole Sturgell. “Literally, every quarter counted.”

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