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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Salute to America 2022

8th Annual Let Freedom Bells Ring Independence Day Events 2022 There are three main Independence Day events happening in the area on July 4. For more event details, visit the Discovery Columbia County website.

July 4 Pancake Breakfast The Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District will hold a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Scappoose Fire Station, 52751 Columbia River Highway. The cost is donation only with the procedures to be used for high school graduation scholarships sponsored by the Scappoose Firefighters Association. For additional details, call 503-5435026.

Let Freedom Ring Event A community celebration is set for Independence Day, July 4, in St. Helens that will include bell ringing to honor veterans and those currently serving in the United States Armed Services. The celebration will be in the Columbia Courthouse Plaza at 230 Strand St. in St. Helens and will include a flag raising at 1:30 p.m., speakers, and a countdown to 2 p.m. for big bells to ring. The Big Bell ringing locations include the Columbia County Courthouse steps, Warrior Rock Replica behind the courthouse, First United Methodist, St. Frederic Catholic, Plymouth Presbyterian, Christ Episcopal Churches, Columbia River Fire & Rescue St. Helens Station, and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose. The public is encouraged to attend.

July 4 St. Helens Fireworks Fireworks display at approximately 10 p.m. from a barge on the Columbia River in the Riverfront District of St. Helens.

See the story on the front page of the June 29 Chronicle and visit the city’s website for additional information.

July 4 Clatskanie Fireworks Fireworks display to be launched from the Clatskanie City Park at nightfall. Other events include a city parade and food and vendors at the city park throughout Independence Day.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

This large bell at the Columbia River Fire & Rescue Station at 105 S. 12th Street in St. Helens is one of several large community bells that will ring on Independence Day. STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

A community celebration is set for Independence Day, July 4, in St. Helens that will include bell ringing to honor veterans and those currently serving in the United States Armed Services.

History In a 1963 a proclamation

by President John F. Kennedy to revive “Let’s Ring Freedom Bells” was issued to bring unity to our country and honor those who protect our freedoms, according to local Freedom Bells coordinator Judy Thompson.

In the same year a resolution by the U.S. Senate with the U.S. House of Representatives concurring, declared that the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be observed each year by the ringing of bells throughout the United States at the hour

of 2 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, in the afternoon of the 4th day of July, or at such other time on that day as may be determined by local authority, and calls upon civic and other community leaders to take appropriate steps to encourage public participation in such an observance.

“Let Freedom Ring was established to revive the spirit of patriotism and to have importance and meaning for Independence Day,” Thompson said. “This celebration is in accordance with U.S. Congressional Resolution 25 and passed in 1963. Bells across America are rung 13 times at 2 p.m. in honor of the thirteen original states represented by the signers of the Declaration of Independence.”

In 1965 St. Helens participated in the nationwide Let Freedom Ring observance.

“We are unsure of how many years St. Helens continued this nationwide celebration,” Thompson said. “In 2015 a small group

Wishing you a safe & happy

4th of July

Courtesy photo

The 2021 Bell Ringers included members from the American Legion Post 42, Scappoose VFW Post 1440, Post 4362, Scout Troop 106, and community representatives.

of community members discovered this celebration and re-established our own Let Freedom Bells Ring. The St. Helens American Legion Post 42 and Scappoose VFW Post 4362 enthusiastically became our community’s big bell ringers.”

Independence Day event Bell ringers synchronize their watches with the Courthouse Plaza Clock tower for all the participating bells to ring at 2 p.m. and ring 13 times. Scout Troop 106, American Heritage Girls and Trail Life are assisting with celebration to honor veterans, service members, firefighters, law enforcement, those that protect our freedoms, according to Thompson.

The Big Bell ringing locations include the Columbia County Courthouse steps, Warrior Rock Replica behind the courthouse, First United Methodist, St. Frederic Catholic, Plymouth Presbyterian,

Christ Episcopal Churches, Columbia River Fire & Rescue St. Helens Station on Columbia Boulevard, Station, and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose.

“The July 4 local celebration will be in the Columbia Courthouse Plaza at 230 Strand St. in St. Helens,” Thompson said. “The theme is ‘Salute to America’ and will include a flag raising at 1:30 p.m., speakers, and a countdown to 2 p.m. for big bells to ring.”

Following the big bells event, the Larry Jackson Big River Band with vocalist Ellie Wieneke will kick off an hour of what Thompson described as “robust music.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and enjoy the music.

For more information about “Let Freedom Bells Ring,” contact Judy Thompson at 503-397-6056. For a complete schedule of activities visit https://discovercolumbiacounty.com.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

State fire marshal issues fireworks caution JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

You may have seen the tents set up shape in Columbia County that house fireworks sales for the Fourth of July.

The 2022 fireworks retail sales season began Thursday, June 23 and runs through July 6 in Oregon.

“Keep it legal, keep it safe” is the message from the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

The agency has issued an advisory about which fireworks are legal, where they can be used, and how to use them safely.

To reduce the risk of starting a wildfire, a variety of local governments in Oregon have put in place regulations and are even banning the sale or use of fireworks.

It is important to check your local regulations and follow them where you live or where you may be traveling to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, according OSFM Assistant Chief Deputy Mark Johnston.

“We ask that those using fireworks be responsible when using them,” Johnston said.

“Every year, we see fires started because of improper use or use of illegal fireworks.

Our message is to keep it legal and keep it safe as people celebrate the holiday.”

Consumer legal fireworks can only be purchased from permitted fireworks retailers and stands. State regulations also limit where those fireworks may be used.

Johnson asks people who plan to visit public lands and parks to leave all fireworks at home. The possession and use of fireworks are prohibited in national parks and forests, on Bureau of Land Management lands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Courtesy photo

Fire agency officials in Columbia County and across the state are urging caution with all fireworks due to the increasing risk of wildfires.

properties, state beaches, state parks, and in-state campgrounds. The use of fireworks is also prohibited on many private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

For residents who purchase legal fireworks, fire officials encourage everyone to practice the four Bs of safe fireworks use: • Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.

• Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.

Never use fireworks near or on dry grass or vegetation.

• Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Please wait for 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.

• Be aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.

The law Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground without a

permit issued by the OSFM. Fireworks, commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers, are illegal in Oregon without a permit.

Officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $2,500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damages. Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.

The OSFM has published FAQs for commonly answered questions about the sale and legal use of consumer fireworks, permits for the retail sale of fireworks, and state rules for their use and enforcement activities. OSFM’s fireworks education materials for sharing on social media also can be found on its website.

from fireworks-related incidents in 2020, compared to 12 reported for the previous year.

• About 15,600 people were treated in hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries in 2020. There were about 10,000 ER-treated fireworks injuries in 2019.

Other highlights from CPSC’s report: • Of the 18 deaths, 8 of the victims (44 percent) had used alcohol or drugs prior to the incident.

• Most fireworks-related injuries (about 66 percent) oc-

curred in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday (from June 21, 2020 to July 21, 2020). During that one-month period: • Severe injuries related to fireworks increased in 2020.

More consumers were admitted to the hospital, or were transferred to another hospital for treatment, due to severe fireworks injuries in 2020 (21 percent) versus 2019 (12 percent).

• Young adults ages 20-24 saw the biggest spike in visits to the hospital emergency room for fireworks-related injuries, compared to any age

group last year, 17 injuries per 100,000 people in 2020 versus 2.8 per 100,000 people in 2019.

• Firecrackers were the biggest source of ER-treated fireworks injuries (1,600), followed by sparklers (900).

• The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers, at 30 percent.

The head, face and ears were the second most injured body parts, at 22 percent. Eye injuries were third at 15 percent.

• Burns were the most common fireworks-related, emergency room-treated injury, at 44 percent.

By the numbers A report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finds a 50 percent increase in deaths and injuries from fireworks-related incidents in 2020, compared to 2019.

• At least 18 people died

Join us July 4th at St. Helens City Hall for

Raising of the American Flag Ringing of the Bells 1:30 P.M. - 2 P.M.

The American Legion Post 42 St. Helens invites you to our meetings at the Moose They are 7:00 P.M. the 4th Thursday of the month.

Veterans Breakfast at the Moose 9: A.M. 1st Friday Monthly NO HOST

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Moose Lodge #591, 57317 Old Portland Rd., Warren, Oregon For more information call Frank Davis: 1 (503) 936-8539

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