SHC14

St. Helens looks to the future

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

A s with any year, 2022 has presented its challenges and highlights.

In St. Helens, the year included both, but there is much to anticipate in the new year. St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh has been at the center of many projects in St. Helens for over a decade.

Waterfront development

Among the city’s accomplishments, Walsh especially emphasized the progress made on the Waterfront Redevelopment project. After years of planning and securing several state and federal grants, the city broke ground on transforming the Columbia Riverfront downtown.

“One of the city’s biggest accomplishments in 2022 was the start of construction on the St. Helens Waterfront Redevelopment Project. It’s taken nearly a decade of planning efforts to get to this point,” Walsh said. “City staff worked closely with the St. Helens City Council, professional consultants, and the community to

develop a vision for the St. Helens waterfront that reconnects the community to the Columbia River and supports the future growth of our economy. There is great potential in our waterfront, and the city is working hard to create a cohesive connection between our historic riverfront district and the

FBI issues national financial sextortion scheme alert

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

The FBI, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, is issuing a national public safety alert regarding an explosion in incidents of children and teens being coerced into sending explicit images online and extorted for money—a crime known as financial sextortion.

Background

Over the past year, law enforcement has received over 7,000 reports related to the online financial sextortion of minors, resulting in at least 3,000 victims, primarily boys, and more than a dozen suicides. A large percentage of these sextortion schemes originate outside of the United States, and primarily in West African countries such as

Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

As many children enter winter break this holiday season, the FBI said the agency and its partners implore parents and caregivers to engage with their kids about financial sextortion schemes so the schemes can be prevented.

“The FBI has seen a horrific increase in reports of financial sextortion schemes targeting minor boys—and the fact is that the many victims who are afraid to come forward are not even included in those numbers,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “The FBI is here for victims, but we also need parents and caregivers to work with us to prevent this crime before it happens and help children come forward if it does. Victims may feel like there is no way out—it is up to all of us to reassure them that they are not in trouble, there is hope, and they are not alone.”

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the U.S. Justice

Department’s Criminal Division said the protection of children is a society’s most sacred duty.

“It calls on each of us to do everything we can to keep kids from harm, including en suring the threats they face are brought into the light and confronted,” he said. “Armed with the information in this alert message, parents, caregiv ers, and children themselves should feel empowered to detect fake identities, take steps to reject any at tempt to obtain private material, and if targeted, have a plan to seek help from a trusted adult.”

Financial sextortion schemes occur in online environments where young people feel most comfortable—using common social media sites, gaming sites, or video chat

applications that feel familiar and safe, according to the FBI. On these platforms, online predators often use fake female accounts and target

Deception

Through deception, predators convince the young person to produce an explicit video or photo. Once predators acquire the images, they threaten to release the compromising material unless the victim sends money or gift cards. Often the predators demand payment through a variety of peer-to-peer payment applications. In many cases, however, predators release the images even if payments are made. The shame, fear, and confusion that victims feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse.

“This is a growing crisis and we’ve seen sextortion completely devastate children and families,” National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CEO Michelle

Oregon construction employment at record highs

on a seasonally adjusted basis in November.

Oregon’s construction industry reached another record high number of jobs in recent months, employing 121,200

The industry bounced back quickly from the COVID recession in which it dropped to about 100,000 jobs in April 2020. It has risen rapidly in 2022, as one of Oregon’s strongest industries this year. Prior to that, the industry added jobs steadily and rapidly during 2013 through 2019, following a prolonged slump in 2009 through 2012, when employment remained near 70,000 for several years after the 2008-09 recession.

Looking back more than 30 years, clearly the industry has been highly cyclical – experiencing booms and busts over the course of multi-year expansions that were followed by briefer, but potentially precipitous contractions.

In the late 1990s the industry hovered close to 80,000 jobs for several years, dropped some jobs in a mild recession and then resumed its climb. Just before the 2008 recession, Oregon’s construction industry was slightly below today’s employment total, at about 104,000 jobs.

Oregon’s economy and population have been on a generally expansionary trend since the late 1980s. Population typically grew

about 1% per year, primarily due to net in-migration – more people moving into Oregon compared with the number moving out. Because the population has been steadily expanding, it can be helpful to look at the construction industry’s total jobs relative

to overall employment. Over the past 30 years, construction has employed between 4% and 6% of Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment. The lowest share during this period occurred in 1992, when 4% were employed in construction. Not far behind was the period from 2010 through 2012

is now charting new record highs.

when about 4.2% of payroll jobs were found in construction. The housing-price boom leading up to the 2008-09 recession coincided with one of the largest

County Economic Team Executive

Courtesy photo

This sky-high view shows the planned area of the St. Helens Riverwalk along the Columbia River.

There is great potential in our waterfront.

~ John Walsh, St. Helens City Administrator

ensure they face justice,” HSI Acting Executive Associate Director Steve K. Francis said. “Criminals who lurk in platforms on the internet are not as anonymous as they think. HSI will continue to leverage cutting-edge technology to end these heinous acts.”

DAVID COOKE Chronicle Guest Article

Construction employment in Oregon bounced back quickly following the COVID recession and

The Chronicle’s IN MEMORIAM 2022

Alice Darlene Grove

Allison Kay Mattson

Ann Cullison

Audrey Fern Howell

Barbara Korhonen

Bernard Warren Overstreet

Betty Elaine Neer

Betty Lou Krenz

Betty Reynolds

Betty Walker

Bonita Lynn Youngberg

Brian James Rofinot

Bruce Klingler

Carl von Brandenfels

Carol Jean Dunning

Carol Wilburn-Huston

Charles Eugene Whittick

Charles Frederick Helwig

Charles Joseph Carsner

Charles Setzer

Charley Wayne Curtiss

Charlotte Mae Robinson Willburn

Christine Louella White

Claire Francis Elizabeth Gardner

Cody Bogardus Allen

Cynthia Carter

Cynthia L. Matzen

Daniel Koch

Daniel Monroe Ferguson

David Lester Rusch

Deann Denise Cole

Deanna Ruth Norred

Delores Brown

Dennis E. Lambert

Dennis Hart Sr.

Dennis Michael Bailey

Donald Leader

Donald Thomas Ferguson

Dorothy Marie Hobizal

Douglas James Goertzen

Duane Washington

Eldine Joanne Anderson

Eleanor DeLonais

Elizabeth Manly

Eric Dahlgren

Ervin Max Seufert

Esther Elizabeth Mann

Eugene Grant Hoffman

Evelyn J. Lampman

Evelyn Rickert Elliott

Evelyn Simmons

Everett V. Stermer

Florence Eidem

Frances Steinmetz

Frank E. Lohrke

Frank Lewis Ziegler

Gail Ann Parker

Gail Rene Klobes

George

Georgine Marie Williamson

Gerald Boldenow

Gerildyn Nedra Johnson Ginni Davis

Glenn Dale Stroh

Gordon Driscoll

Gordon Hughson

Gregory Shaffer

Helen Doris Hasselblad

Helen Marie Horab

Helen P. Gahr

Holly Marie McCartney

Jackie L. Osborn

James Joseph Langlo

James Lloyd Overcast

James Lokken

Janice Agnes Kramer

Jay Willard Whipple

Jerry Charles Henderson John L. Stephenson

John P. Vardanega

Johnny George Gunn

Joseph Burnham

Joyce Ann Heller

Judith Diane Hill Kammie Kay Garver

Karen Clarice Lee Karen Michelle Wray

Karen Mysinger

Katharine Ellen Settle

Katherine Grace Allen

Kathryn Houghtelling

Kelly Bledsoe

Kendall Alfred Adams

Kenneth Vance Kenneth Walter Eib Lee. E. Enneberg

Lenard Grant Olsen

Leonard Hegele

Linda Jane Larson

Linda L. White

Linda Lee Spitze

Lola Ellen Pritchard

Loren Eugene Olson

Loren Straeffler

Mabel Virginia Shadley Hoag

Margaret Esther Whitney

Marilyn Jane Evans

Marilyn Kent

Mario Padilla

Martha Cramer

Martha De Rosa-Gray

Martina Carpenter

Mary Georgine Booth

Mary Jo Simpson

Mary Lois Scott

Marzella Lee Coughlin

Mavis Jane Tysdal

Melinda E. Harshbarger

Melody Davis

Melvina Brown

Michael A. Walker

Michael Danchok

Michael Paschall

Michael William Nowling

Milo Harold Wold

Neil Harrison Bundy Nina Burch

Nonie Marie Kern

Norman Chval

Norman James Martin

Parnell Hovland

Patrick Allen Beaston

Patrick Edmund Slevin

Patrick McKean

Patrick Michael Paul Jr.

Paul Bertin Lampa

Phillip Michael Jauron

Randy Marie Dixon

Raymond Eugene Carpenter Rev. Doctor Allyn C. Rieke

Richard Hoffman

Richard M. Simpson Richard Roberts

Robert Byron Tracey

Robert Edwards

Robert G. Laird

Robert Joseph Cernac

Robert Lawrence Archibald

Sandra

Sandra Olson

Scott Alan Moffett

Shelley Minyard

Shirley Folwick

Shirley Kallio

Stephanie Jo Cramer Volk

Susan Annette Jauron

Thomas Alden Henderson

Thomas Sutton

Timothy Martin

Tony Richard Crawford

Ursula Hannelore Murray

Vella Painter

Vera Leona Roth

Vickie Ann Espinoza

Violet Elizabeth Aiger Endebo

Virginia Jenny Loe

Walter James Kisor

Walter Posch

Walter Widmer

Warren D. Gould

Warren Edward Dines

William Burge

William Jauron

William Joseph Tupker William W. Coy

Winnifred Ann Lokken

Wynette Lee Cate

Yvonne Joyce Stevenson

Everett Riley Timmons

Norman Kreman

Robert M. Lalande

Robert R. Peterson Sr. Robin Ray Eidem

Rod Granger

Rodney Steven Pellham Roger Bullis Roger Warren Lain Roger Welliver

Ruby Olmstead Ruth Ziak

Marie Adenau Byers

Oregon to see significant federal funding in 2023

services targeted

Funding included in the U.S. Congress’s annual omnibus appropriations package will boost affordable housing, health care, mental health, education, transportation services and more in Oregon, according to Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.

The legislation passed in the Senate and was expected to clear the House of Representatives before being signed into law by President Biden.

“At a time when Oregon’s working families are struggling with the high costs of everything from rent to prescription drugs to gas and groceries, it’s critical that our country prioritizes quality, affordable health care, housing, and education—and that’s exactly what this funding package does,” Merkley said. “We’re delivering major investments that will support affordable housing, health care, research, and education, which will have a huge impact on families in every corner of our state and nation.”

“I’m happy the policies I’ve championed to make housing, education and health care more affordable in Oregon and nationwide have made it into this year’s government spending bill,” Wyden said. “Oregon families will benefit from increased investments in affordable housing programs–particularly in rural communities– as well as critical investments to improve child, maternal and mental health care. I’m also proud to see Congress invest in our children’s future by making education more accessible and investing in career and technical training. I’ll keep up the fight in the Senate to help Oregon families thrive in today’s economy and for future generations.”

Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which wrote the bill and is considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.

Key elements that will benefit Oregon families in the funding bills include:

Housing

Affordable Housing: As rural and urban communities across Oregon continue to experience housing crises, the bill includes an increase for affordable housing programs for some of Oregon’s most vulnerable people—low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, including $14.907 billion for housing unit specific rental assistance. The bill also protects funding for housing programs that benefit the elderly and people with disabilities.

Rural Housing: The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Rural Capacity Building Program received $13.5 million and $6 million, respectively. SHOP provides funds for non-profit sweat-equity homebuilders, such as Habitat for Humanity, to cover land purchases and infrastructure costs. The Rural Capacity funds are intended to build the capacity of rural low-income housing non-profits by providing training, information, technical assistance, and financing.

HUD-Veterans Affairs

Supportive Housing: The program received an additional $50 million to provide rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans, along with case management and clinical services. This increase will provide additional rental vouchers for veterans experiencing homelessness, and when combined with prior year appropriations and available unleased vouchers, has the potential to eliminate veteran homelessness based on the most recent complete data available. These vouchers have been critical to reducing veterans’ homelessness by 55.3 percent since 2010.

Homeless Assistance and Prevention: The bill includes $3.6 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $50 million increase that will benefit organizations across

Oregon. Within that funding, rapid rehousing programs for victims of domestic violence received an additional $52 million; homeless youth programs received $107 million; and Emergency Solutions Grants—particularly important to the Portland metro area—received $290 million to support street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program: The bill includes $1.5 billion for the program to provide states and localities with flexible resources to respond to their affordable housing challenges, including rental housing and paths to homeownership for low-income families.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation: The program, also known as NeighborWorks America, received $166 million. The national nonprofit offers support for affordable housing and community development through public-private partnerships.

Community Development: The bipartisan bill includes $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program funds vital housing rehabilitation, supportive services, public improvements and economic development projects in communities across Oregon and the nation while encouraging local investment.

Healthcare

Rural Health: The bill includes critical investments in health care access and delivery in rural areas, including $145 million for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program and $12.5 million for State Offices of Rural Health, including the Oregon Office of Rural Health. The bill also includes $5 million to establish an Office of Rural Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—language based off Senator Merkley’s Rural Health Equity Act and a bipartisan priority he led the charge in championing.

Nursing: The bill includes $300 million to support current nurses in Oregon and across the country and address the nursing workforce shortage. Merkley led 40 senators in a letter to the committee leaders to push for an increase in federal funding for nursing workforce development programs, which support nurses at all levels of education, training, and retention.

Reproductive Health Care: The bill includes funding for reproductive health care programs, including nearly $300 million for the Title X Family Planning Program and $101 million for teen pregnancy prevention.

Maternal and Child Health: The bill includes over $1.33 billion for programs to improve maternal and child health, including $324 million specifically to combat this country’s maternal mortality crisis and $8 million in new funding to increase training and support for Certified Nurse Midwives with a focus on practitioners working in rural and underserved communities.

Mental and Behavioral Health Care: The bill includes $1.01 billion for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant—an increase of $150 million—to improve mental health services in all 50 states. Oregon benefited from over $22 million in program funding in years prior. The bill includes over $600

million for suicide prevention programs, including $501.6 million in funding for 9-8-8, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Medical Research: The bill includes a $2.5 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health, totaling $47.5 billion in the fight against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and other devastating diseases. The bill also includes funding to further research and provide a more comprehensive understanding of COVID-19, including susceptibility and long COVID.

Community Health Centers: The bill includes $1.86 billion in funding to support ongoing efforts to increase accessibility of medical services through community health centers. These centers serve a vital role in ensuring access to primary care for rural and underserved communities.

Rebuilding our Public Health System: Bolstering our public health infrastructure is a matter of both public health and national security, and this bill includes a $760 million increase for the CDC to continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future public health challenges. The bill also includes $965 million, an increase of $120 million, to improve and expand the Strategic National Stockpile, which is critical to ensuring that doctors, nurses, and other health care providers have the equipment and resources they need in the event of another public health emergency.

Education

Education Research: The bill includes $807 million for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to support innovation, research, and evaluation in education, including evaluating strategies to combat learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. Merkley led 19 senators in a letter to the committee advocating for this investment; the University of Oregon continues to be one of the top IES grant recipient institutions in the nation.

Child Care and Early Education: The bill includes over $20 billion to support access to child care and early education nationwide, including over $8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, a 30% increase, $12 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, and $315 million for preschool development grants to build or enhance preschool program infrastructure.

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Education: The bill includes over $52 million for programs for migrant students and seasonal farmworkers. Through this program, higher education and nonprofit organizations can receive funding to give migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their children the opportunity to attend higher education or earn their GED. Oregon State University, Chemeketa Community College, Portland Community College, Treasure Valley Community College, and community-based organizations in Oregon receive funds through this program.

Accessible Education: The bill includes $15.15 billion, nearly a $1 billion increase, for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) state grants program, including funding to assist states in providing a free, appropriate education for children with disabilities and provide support services for over 7.6 million students

nationwide, including those participating in early intervention and preschool programs.

Student Support: The bill includes $1.2 billion for TRIO, a suite of eight educational programs that supports students from first-generation college students and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds; as the first person in his family to graduate from college, Merkley knows firsthand the value of this type of

support and has been a fierce advocate for the funding. The bill also includes a $500 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award, the cornerstone of student financial aid, which would increase the total maximum Pell grant award to $7,395 for the 2023 – 2024 school year. This is the largest increase in the maximum Pell grant award since the 2009 –2010 school year.

Career Training: The bill includes $2.2 billion, a $100 million increase, for Career, Technical and Adult Education, which supports the workforce and economy by training young people to fill in-demand, twenty-first century jobs.

Community Services Block Grants: The bill includes $804 million for the program which provides critical support for rural Oregon communities, an increase of $34 million. Merkley led 30 Senators, including Senator Wyden, in a letter to the committee pushing to preserve and increase funding for the program.

Community Service: The bill funds AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers at $103 million; Senior Corps programs at $237 million; and State AmeriCorps grants at $557 million.

Transportation

Capital Investment Grant Program: The bill includes nearly $2.210 billion for the program, which provides funding for major transit investments that support sustainable transportation and reduced congestion in cities like Portland, Eugene, and Salem.

RAISE Grants: The program received an $800 million investment for FY23, in addition to $2.5 billion available in FY23 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This critical transportation grants program has helped fund projects across Oregon, such as over $13 million for the McGilchrist Complete Street Improvements in Salem.

Essential Air Service and Contract Towers: Merkley and Wyden secured $354,827,000 for the Essential Air Service. The Essential Air Service program supports flights between the City of Pendleton and Portland International Airport, a vital connection to support economic development across Eastern Oregon. Additionally, the bill provides $187.8 million for FAA Contract Towers. There are six contract towers across Oregon, and this funding ensures their continued operation.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Metro Creative Connection

Deny gas transmission line permits, Wyden, Merkley say

SENATOR RON WYDEN SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY Chronicle Guest Column

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Richard Glick, and FERC commissioners urging them to listen to the Oregon Attorney General and deny permits for TC Energy’s Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress project.

“In order to reach a netzero emissions economy by 2050, President Biden pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52% by 2030, below 2005 levels,” wrote Merkley and Wyden. “According to FERCs FEIS, the project would emit 2.3 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions each year, until at least 2052. Your FEIS predicts the project will cause nine billion dollars in climaterelated damage over the next 28 years. And that’s with a methodology that systematically minimizes the pipeline’s climate impacts. Adding new emissions through pipeline expansions like the GTN Xpress is incompatible with President Biden’s

pledge.”

In their letter, the Senators highlight how Oregon has enacted policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions— moving away from fossil gas—including investing in renewable energy. These policies show how renewable alternatives can meet energy demands without the climate and safety risks caused by fossil fuels.

“The GTN Xpress would risk the safety of frontline communities and the planet for a project that isn’t necessary,” they write. “FERC itself said in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that it cannot determine the end use for the 51,000 Dth/d that Tourmaline Marketing Corp has subscribed for, a clear indication that demand for the project is uncertain. Adding fossil gas infrastructure in a region that is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy risks sticking ratepayers with the costs of an underutilized project and it isn’t in the public interest.”

Merkley and Wyden’s letter continues by urging the FERC chairman and commissioners to listen to Oregon when it says the GTN Xpress is incompatible with climate objectives, highlighting how moving forward would not

be in the public’s interest.

“Expanding fossil gas through the GTN Xpress will undermine the efforts in Oregon to support a cleaner, safer, and effective alternative to fossil gas. Rather than helping Americans, GTN Xpress would be supporting a market for dirty fossil gas from a foreign country,” they conclude.

Full text of the letter follows below:

Dear Chairman Glick and Commissioners Danly, Clements, Christie, and Phillips: We are writing to express our opposition to the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress project, docket number CP22-2 and to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject TC Energy Corporation’s (formerly TransCanada Corporation) application.

In order to reach a netzero emissions economy by 2050, President Biden pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52% by 2030, below 2005 levels. According to FERCs FEIS, the project would emit 2.3 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions each year, until at least 2052. Your FEIS predicts the project will cause nine

CRFR, community members spread the Christmas Spirit

billion dollars in climaterelated damage over the next 28 years. And that’s with a methodology that systematically minimizes the pipeline’s climate impacts. Adding new emissions through pipeline expansions like the GTN Xpress is incompatible with President Biden’s pledge.

The International Energy Administration has been clear, “if governments are serious about the climate crisis, there can be no new investments in oil, gas and coal.” Yet if built, the GTN Xpress would increase the capacity of TC Energy’s pipeline by at least 150,000 Dth/D, and possible as much as 25,000 Dth/D. This proposed fossil gas pipeline expansion is incompatible with the United States global commitments to combat climate chaos.

Approving the GTN Xpress would also undermine efforts by Oregon to lead the fight against climate chaos. Oregon has enacted policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move away from fossil gas, including making investments in renewable energy. Renewable alternatives can meet energy demands without the climate and safety risks caused by fossil fuels.

The GTN Xpress would risk the safety of frontline communities and the planet for a project that isn’t necessary. FERC itself said in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that it cannot determine the end use for the 51,000 Dth/d that Tourmaline Marketing Corp has subscribed for, a clear indication that demand for the project is uncertain. Adding fossil gas infrastructure in a region that is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy risks sticking ratepayers with the costs of an underutilized project and it isn’t in the public interest.

The GTN Xpress FEIS illustrates flaws in FERC’s environmental reviews that lead to systemic undercounting of the climate impacts from pipeline projects. FERC discarded the established and growing body of peerreviewed, academic literature indicating that supply side policies have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions by not even considering emissions from upstream production. FERC also assumes that fossil gas will be completely combusted without fugitive emissions despite academic literature showing that leaks exist throughout the entire fossil gas supply and distri-

bution chain. FERCs methodology biases its analysis by minimizing the impacts that projects have on the climate. In the final EIS FERC disregarded the downstream emissions for fossil gas subscribed to by a Canadian fossil gas producer – a third of the total subscribed gas -- because FERC claims it is not “reasonably foreseeable” where the fossil gas would be used. FERC took this step despite the fact that no public comment on the DEIS even recommended it. FERCs decision creates a perverse incentive for companies to hide the actual usages of their products in order to hide the full impacts of their project and is a deeply troubling practice.

We strongly urge FERC to listen to Oregon when it says that the GTN Xpress is incompatible with climate objectives and is not in the public interest. Expanding fossil gas through the GTN Xpress will undermine the efforts in Oregon to support a cleaner, safer, and effective alternative to fossil gas. Rather than helping Americans, GTN Xpress would be supporting a market for dirty fossil gas from a foreign country. We urge you to reject TC Energy’s application.

According

SEXTORTION

From Page A1

DeLaune said. “As the leading nonprofit focused on child protection, we’ve seen first-hand the rise in these cases worldwide. The best defense against this crime is to talk to your children about what to do if they’re targeted online. We want everyone to know help is out there and they’re not alone.”

What if you or your child is a victim?

If young people are being exploited, they are victims of a crime and should report it. Contact the FBI Portland Field Office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.

The National Center for

Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined steps parents and young people can take if they or their child are a victim of sextortion, including:

• Remember, the predator is to blame, not your child or you.

• Get help before deciding whether to pay money or otherwise comply with the predator. Cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail and continued harassment.

• Report the predator’s account via the platform’s safety feature.

• Block the predator and Do Not Delete the profile or messages because that can be helpful to law enforcement in identifying and stopping them.

• Let NCMEC help get explicit images of you off

Editorial policy: Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chronicle views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Write to us: We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know.

Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of

the internet.

Visit missingkids.org/ IsYourExplicitContentOutThere to learn how to notify companies yourself or visit cybertipline.org to report to us for help with the process.

Ask for help. This can be a very complex problem and may require help from adults or law enforcement.

If you don’t feel that you have adults in your corner, you can reach out to NCMEC for support at gethelp@ncmec.org or call NCMEC at 1-800-THELOST.

These federal agencies are encouraging parents and caregivers to take a moment to learn how sextortion works and how to talk to your children about it. Information, resources, and conversation guides are available at fbi.gov/StopSextortion.

an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper.

To verify authenticity, all letters must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number (just your city of residence). Submissions may be emailed to chroniclenews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office.

Letters policy: This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and

blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online.

Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

Dozens of dedicated residents and business operators and employees teamed up with Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) to conduct the annual Toy N Joy Drive. The donated toys and other gifts were bagged up and delivered to local fami-

lies just in time for Christmas. CRFR hosts the annual Toy N Joy Program, which is supported by a network of volunteers and the fire agency employees. The mission is to bring Christmas presents to families in need all over Colum-

bia County, through community donations, according to CRFR.

to a 2019 report from Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization, 13% of Columbia County residents are below the poverty level.

Courtesy photo from CRFR

CRFR members, Les Schwab Tire Store employees, and other community members load up a CRFR vehicle to make the Christmas gift deliveries just in time for the holiday.

Joe Warren Publisher

Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor

Jon Campbell Advertising Sales

Kelli Nicholson Office Manager

James Yang Creative Director

Jon Lowrance Driver

Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Oregon Public Utility Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $25.80 27.00 per month and business services are $42.00 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible lowincome individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

CenturyLink also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

For both programs, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/ community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

Bridges Oregon was scheduled to begin managing Oregon’s Communication Facilitator services Jan. 2.

The new program provides DeafBlind Oregonians, who communicate using American Sign Language through tactile or close vision methods, with access to make and receive video-to-video and Video Relay Service calls.

Communication Facilitator services, a program of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), also supports Oregonians who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing with a mobility disability in their arms or hands that affects their expressive communication.

When a person on the video screen is unable to understand as a result, the Communication Facilitator uses their receptive skills to relay or convey the Deaf or Hard of Hearing person’s message, according to the services administrators.

“Communication is a basic human need. Access to communication using video platforms is essential for staying connected with others

and for participation in society, government, education, and healthcare. Communication Facilitator services will address this lack of access that many in the community experience,” Jon Cray, a program manager at the PUC, and Chad Ludwig, Executive Director of Bridges Oregon, said.

“Oregon is the first state to pass legislation, House Bill 3205, during the 2019 legislative session, to expand

the Telecommunications Devices Access Program to offer Communication Facilitator services to Oregonians who are DeafBlind or are deaf or hard of hearing with an upper mobility disability,” the release states.

About Bridges Oregon Bridges Oregon is a nonprofit organization for Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing

or face other communication barriers. The nonprofit’s mission is to facilitate equity, inclusiveness, and to provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education, and communication.

For more information about Bridges Oregon Communication Facilitator services, visit https://bridgesoregon.org/cf/ or contact request@bridgesoregon.org or call 971-800-6258.

Oregon Veterans Home Loan Program increasing

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will increase the maximum loan limit for the Oregon Veteran Home Loan for 2023, conforming to loan limits for mortgages set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). ODVA will now accept loans up to the new maximum loan amount of $726,200, an increase of $79,000 from $647,200

in 2022, for funding on or after January 1, 2023.

The Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program offers eligible veterans fixedrate financing for owneroccupied, single-family residences in Oregon. The veteran home loan product is a non-expiring, lifetime benefit for any eligible Oregon veteran and may be used up to four times. The program provides financing

for purchases only and cannot be used for refinancing.

This state benefit is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guarantee and has lent nearly $9 billion in lowinterest home loans to more than 336,000 veterans since 1945.

To be eligible, a veteran must have served on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, as documented on

obituaries

Brian James Rofinot was born April 24, 1952 as the third son to Frank and Ruby Rofinot of Eugene, Oregon. Sadly, Brian passed away on Dec. 11, 2022 due to heart complications.

Brian’s middle childhood years were spent in California where his love of music began. Specifically, his love of drums. He was a drummer from a soul level. Anyone who knew Brian, knew that.

After graduating from St. Helens High School in 1970, he joined the Navy. He was a mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1972.

After leaving the Navy, he returned to the Bay Area where he embarked on his love of the drums once again. He was the drummer for the rock band “Sassy,” where they played local venue’s all around the Bay Area. He continued to expand his drumming career during his 20’s and earned his living managing a van fabrication shop called Classic Van’s.

‘work ethic’ and he touched many young lives. His love of drumming continued throughout while he played

with multiple bands over the years.

Brian’s claim to fame, besides being an awesome drummer, was his incredible talent as a Journeyman Master Stone Mason. His love was granite and marble. He was a master at spiral stone cases and everything else stone.

Brian’s main love in life were his sons and his grandsons. You could see the love swell in his heart when he talked about them. His other loves were music, hunting, fishing, clamming, motorcycles and classic cars. After more than 30 years he completed the restoration of his 1969 Chevelle, which he was so proud of. Some of favorite activities were long road trips with his wife Bonnie on the Harley, the most memorable trip was to Sturgis in 2007. He never once missed an opportunity to spend time with his grandsons in Eastern Oregon at the family cabin.

Brian is predeceased in

their DD-214, and must meet one of the service criteria outlined on ODVA’s website.

For more information about the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Home Loan, and program eligibility, visit www.orvethomeloans.com or call 800-633-6826 to speak with an ODVA home loan specialist.

death by his son Benjamin; Karen Velasquez Rofinot; Frank and Ruby Rofinot (mother/father); Dennis Rofinot (brother); and James Rofinot (nephew).

He is survived by his lovely wife Bonnie Rofinot; son Keith; daughter-in-law Corrie Rofinot; grandsons, Seeley and Isaac Rofinot; brother Wayne and his wife Margaret Rofinot; many nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Cindy Palmer Koonz, Sheila Brame, and Mike Palmer; and ten step grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2023 at the Elks Lodge in St. Helens Oregon. In lieu of flowers the family would like to help support the St. Helens High Band Program. Please mail or drop off donations to 2375 Gable Road, St. Helens OR, 97051. Make check payable to St. Helens High School Band. Please sign our online guestbook at www. columbiafh.com.

Columbia County’s trusted local

Courtesy photo

View an American Sign Language translated video at https://youtu.be/9WXoeAon5Xc.

Keith in 1978, Brian moved back to St. Helens to raise his family. He purchased a Mobil gas station business in St. Helens along with another in Scappoose. He owned and operated these stations for many years. He loved to hire high school students to teach them about

Brian James Rofinot

April 24, 1952 ~ Dec. 11, 2022

Alcoholics Anonymous Info-line, (503) 366-0667 www.pdxaa.org 502

Immediate Opening Sewing Part- time 6-Noon, M-Th. Apply in person only. 33550 SE Santosh St. Scappoose, OR 97056.

Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com

Dental Assistant

St. Helens Dental

Care is looking for a Full Time Dental Assistant to join our team. Qualified applicants must have their X- Ray and EFDA license. Applicants must be willing to work Monday through Friday. We are a stateof-the-art practice and offer a positive working environment. Please drop off your resume

in person Monday through Wednesday to our office at 575 S. Columbia River Hwy. in St. Helens, Oregon 97051.

Sweeper Truck Driver

To the local retired, night owl’s, and those with extra time who want a simple income: Help keep our local lots clean by driving sweeper truck

routes at night! We offer a set and predictable schedule, consistent income, and a relaxed and independent job with nothing to worry about! All that we ask for is an insurable driving record, a minimum age of 25, consistency and attention. Please send your information to anoasphalt@gmail. com and we will follow up.

CH22-1237

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of WILLIAM WESLEY COY, Deceased. Case No. 22PB10380 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons

having claims against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice to the personal representative at 52490 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056, or the claims may be barred. All

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE VACANCIES The St. Helens School District No. 502 is seeking applicants for three (3 ) vacancies on the District Budget Committee. Each term has an initial three year appointment. Due to pre -existing vacancies, not all vacancies have a full three year term remaining. Position v acancies and their expiration are as follows: Position Years of Appointment Calendar Date Expiration Budget Year Expiration 1 Full Term – 3 Years Remaining 6/30/2 5 202 4 -202 5 2 Full Term – 3 Years Remaining 6/30/25 2024 -2025 4 1 Year Remaining 6/30/23 2023 -2024 Each term requires the attendance of several evening meetings during the course of the year. Applications are available for pick up at St. Helens School District Office, 474 North 16th Street, St. Helens, Oregon or online at www.sthelens.k12.or.us and will be accepted until the close of business on Friday February 3rd , 202 3 In the case of multiple applicants, the Board will interviews interested persons at the board meeting on Wednesday, February 8th , 202 3

ST. HELENS

From Page A1

Hwy. CH22-1239 The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

-

-

poose 53567 PUBLIC LIEN SALE U-STORE SELF STORAGE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Christian R-029, Kenneth Frasier II M-037, Robert Hegre G-046, Heather Moran M-033, Troy Silva G-056 GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION SOLD BY STORAGE LOT. Cash and Credit Cards.

Supporting the local businesses downtown and throughout St. Helens remains a crucial priority for the city. Additionally, the city has been working to increase tourism and draw people from outside of St. Helens.

Growing Rural Oregon (GRO) recently welcomed St. Helens as the newest member of their initiative.

“GRO is supported by the Ford Family Foundation,” Walsh said. “As a member, St. Helens will be equipped to identify growth and investment opportunities, leverage best practices, and connect to new ideas, resources, and industry leaders in order to grow our economic opportunities.”

Supporting local businesses

“Large crowds visited our City during the summer and fall as we hosted 13 Nights on the River, Independence Day fireworks, and Spirit of Halloweentown events,” Walsh said. “Tourism is an economic support for many of our local businesses, and we continue to explore ways that we can improve our efforts and introduce new people to our City.”

Though the year has brought achievements in many areas, it has also had challenges. The city and the world continue to deal with the pandemic, a hurdle that has lasted just under three years. However, Walsh noted that budgeting had been one of the biggest challenges for St. Helens.

“Budgeting for the needs of our growing City is one of our main challenges,” Walsh said. “As we face increasing operating expenses, aging infrastructure, and maintaining funding for our existing services, we need to balance the many needs of our city while also planning for future needs. This is something that will continue into 2023 as we work to fund critical capital projects and ensure we have appropriate staffing levels.”

Looking ahead

In the new year, there is a lot that Walsh and the City are hoping to achieve. Staffing essential positions is a point of emphasis, in addition to the many infrastructure and construction projects the city hopes to complete.

St. Helens is working on upgrading several “key areas” where the sewer system is at capacity. Walsh also noted that adding “necessary

utility infrastructure” to the Industrial Business Park on Kaster Road to attract new industry to the community is ongoing.

In 2023, St. Helens is anticipating the start of construction on the Riverwalk Project that will expand Columbia View Park and the first phase of a public riverwalk along the bank of the Columbia River. The city anticipates starting construction on this project by the fall of 2023.

The city seeks to fill essential roles with new hires, and the positions exist in several key areas the city needs to fill.

“We recently started recruitment for a new engineering position and are actively recruiting for a new finance director, utility worker, and police officers. Fully staffing our Police and Public Works Departments is essential to supporting a livable and safe community,” Walsh said.

In addition to finding

new people to fill empty positions, the city will welcome new faces to the city council in the new year. City Councilors Brandon Sundeen and Mark Gundersen won their appointments in the November election and will begin their terms in January. Walsh emphasized that the council will work together to bring the new council members up to speed and work together to serve the community best.

“Together, we will work to set priorities for the new year and find ways to address the ongoing needs of our community,” Walsh said.

As 2022 comes to a close, there have been plenty of challenges, but St. Helens has also seen another year of growth and progress on various fronts.

The Chronicle will continue to track the city’s efforts. Follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Oregon receives $1.4B in monumental settlements

In a monumental year for public health-related legal settlements, including the most recent nearly $700 million settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination in Oregon, the Oregon Department of Justice (ODJ) has recently signed onto eight multi-state agreements with companies that either distributed, produced or sold opioids, bringing Oregon’s share up to $701.5 million to fund opioid abatement and recovery.

While the opioid settlements will mostly be paid out over several years, Oregon has already received more than $27 million this year, with the money going directly to Oregon counties, cities and other state-programs designed for treatment, recovery and prevention services, according to the ODJ. Oregon expects an additional $45.7 million by the end of February. The DOJ stated in a release that through an agreement between the state and local jurisdictions, with some exceptions, the state receives 45% of each settlement, and 55% from each settlement goes to Oregon cities and counties.

In 2022, Oregon has agreed to opioid settlements with Allergan/Teva Pharmaceuticals, Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, CVS, Janssen (subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), Purdue Pharma, Walmart and Walgreens. Last year, Oregon

also finalized an agreement with the consulting company that orchestrated the deceptive advertising of opioids— McKinsey & Co. “As much as I’m pleased to bring home these big recoveries to our state,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said, “It’s a bittersweet feeling. We will never be able to bring back the many, many lives lost to substance use disorder, and, especially at the holidays, so many of their loved ones continue to grieve these losses.

Where does the money go?

In 2022, the Oregon legislature created an Opioid Settlement Preven tion, Treatment and Recovery Board (PTR Board), admin istered by the Oregon Health Authority and overseen by a board of health policy experts and state and local government representatives.

~ Ellen Rosenblum,

Rosenblum said these huge settlements show the state’s commitment to fighting for justice on behalf of these families and so many others who so desperately need treatment and services.

“This money has already started to flow into Oregon, and will be used for treatment, education and prevention efforts. It is my hope that communities throughout the state will soon begin to feel the effects of this influx of funds,” she said.

The PTR Board, which includes as a member Sr. Assistant Attorney General David Hart, administers the state’s 45% share of funds that are to be used exclusively to address substance use disorder and invest in an evidence-based state system to collect, analyze and publish data about the efficacy of substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services across the state. The additional 55% from each settlement goes to Oregon cities and counties and must also be used exclusively to address substance use disorder.

Pharmaceutical companies:

Allergan/Teva Pharmaceuticals: Oregon will get $99.4 million of the $6.6 billion national settlement ($69.8 million from Teva and $29.6 million from Allergan). The national settle-

ments resolve allegations that Allergan/Teva illegally marketed their opioids and failed to maintain ef

get $62 million -

ment for Janssen’s role in manufacturing opioids. Oregon should receive the first installment of $13.7 million in January, with another $32 million due by February 2022.

Purdue Pharma: Oregon will get up to $97 million out of a $6 billion national settlement, pending final court approval. This includes an extra $34 million that Oregon will receive as one of nine states that objected to the original bankruptcy plan, $56 million from the original bankruptcy plan, and up to an additional $7 million depending upon the sale of certain assets.

Pharmacies:

• Walmart: Oregon will get $37.1 million out of a $3.1 billion national settlement.

• Walgreens: Oregon will receive up to $71 million out of a $5.7 billion national settlement.

• CVS: Oregon will get

$65 million out of a $5 billion national settlement.

All three pharmacy cases settled allegations that the pharmacies improperly dispensed excessive amounts of opioids despite red flags that the sales were not for legitimate medical needs. These pharmacy cases (and the Teva/Allergan settlements) must still be joined by a threshold number of state and local governments to become effective.

Distributors:

Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen: For their extensive role in fueling the opioid crisis, these three largest opioid distributors agreed to a $21 billion national settlement. Oregon has already received $25 million of its $270 million share, which will be paid over 18 years.

Previous opioid-related settlements and pending litigation:

McKinsey & Company: Oregon led a multi-state group that settled with McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s largest consulting firms, for assisting opioid manufacturers in promoting opioids. In February 2021, the group, including Oregon, settled for $573 million, with Oregon receiving almost $8 million, which was deposited into the Measure 110 account

to fund substance use disorder services.

Endo International: In 2016, Oregon opened an investigation into Endo, a pharmaceutical company that sold Opana, an extendedrelease opioid like OxyContin. Oregon sued Endo for aggressively promoting the drug, which is no longer on the market. In 2022, Endo filed for bankruptcy and against the Attorney General’s objection, Oregon’s lawsuit has been put on hold. Background on the lawsuit is here.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Senior Assistant Attorney General David Hart and his investigative team, led by health fraud analyst, Adria Decker, who relentlessly pursued these big pharma-related companies for years,” Rosenblum said. “Even when it looked like we could not beat the odds, they simply did not stop fighting and working these cases. Although we have a long way to go before we can say there’s no longer a crisis, the money flowing into Oregon is already starting to make a difference.”

The $698 million settlement reached last week with Monsanto is expected to be wired to Oregon by Monsanto or Bayer (the parent company) in a lump sum by the end of January 2023. It will be used for clean-up and remediation of toxic chemical PCBs in sediment and waters throughout the state.

New study shows increasing risk of anticonvulsants

STEVE LUNDEBERG Chronicle Guest Article

A study by Oregon State University College of Pharmacy researchers suggests that two anticonvulsants often prescribed for chronic pain are only “modestly effective” at pain management and can create an unfavorable risk/ reward situation for patients.

The findings are important because prescriptions for the drugs, gabapentin and pregabalin, have been on the rise for the past decade as the U.S. tries to move away from opioids amid an ongoing and deadly opioid epidemic. With heavy prescribing comes magnified opportunity for misuse of the anticonvulsants, the researchers note.

The study also found that in randomized trials, patients on placebos tended to report one-third to one-half the pain reduction benefit of patients receiving gabapentin or pregabalin. That is considered a high “placebo response,” the authors say, adding that

chronic pain patients who do receive a benefit from the drugs can be at risk of dizziness, confusion, drowsiness and dangerous breathing problems.

The findings, published in Drugs, highlight challenges involving the studies and trials used by the Food and Drug Administration when it considers approving a drug. The study also sheds light on the consequences of the shift away from opioids and the practice of “off-label” prescribing – doctors legally prescribing a medicine for conditions other than those for which the FDA has OK’d it.

The research by Craig Williams, Zainulabdeen AlJammali and Megan Herink looked at a pair of anticonvulsant medications that work the same way in the body. They bind to a certain protein in cells of the central nervous system, alleviating seizures, and in some cases they also relieve neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nervous system activation or dysfunction.

Gabapentin is available under multiple brand names including Neurontin, and pregabalin is commonly sold as Lyrica.

In addition to being approved as an anticonvulsant, gabapentin has one pain-relief “indication,” post-herpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles; an indication is a condition for which the FDA has approved a drug’s use following a review of safety and efficacy studies.

Pregabalin has four painrelated indications: postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, discomfort following spinal cord injury, and fibromyalgia.

The scientists examined the trials submitted to the FDA by makers of gabapentin and pregabalin seeking approval for pain-related indications, as well as the published literature on the comparative pain-relief effectiveness of the two drugs.

They found gabapentin, which the FDA rejected as a diabetic peripheral neuropathy drug, and pregabalin were

similarly effective at controlling pain when compared in studies head-to-head. That is not surprising given that they work the same way, said Williams, a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist.

“In addition, we found that the trials used by the FDA to approve gabepentinoids for pain indications had a couple of key structural weaknesses,” Williams said. “The trials tended to be short, typically lasting one to three months, and the trials typically excluded the simultaneous use of other medications that affect the central nervous system. That’s important because patients taking gabepentinoids are rarely taking them exclusively; they’re often prescribed in conjunction with opioids, muscle relaxants or other epilepsy drugs.”

Numbers from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality note that 20% of Americans with chronic pain are taking a gabapentinoid as the U.S. tries to halt an opioid epidemic that, according to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, killed more than a half-million people in the first two decades of the 21st century.

“New guidance from the CDC to be released soon is expected to call for even greater use of non-opioid analgesics including gabapentinoids,” Williams said.

“But data regarding the use of these drugs for chronic pain is limited, and instances of inappropriate marketing for off-label pain uses are well documented.”

Prescriptions for gabapentin more than doubled between 2004 and 2019 in the U.S., from about 18 million to about 45 million. It’s used off label for a range of conditions including anxiety, postmenopausal hot flashes, migraines and many non-indicated varieties of pain.

Gabapentin can cause euphoria and feelings of intoxication and can make the effect of opioids stronger. A 2017 study found that gabapentin misuse often followed a prescription for an off-label indication.

“Treating pain has been problematic for a long time, and we’re still dealing with the fallout from opioid overuse,” Williams said.

“Gabapentinoids are modestly effective for certain patients; they are rarely extremely effective, and they are not effective at all for some patients because the mechanisms of the pain don’t match up with the mechanisms of the drug.

“Doctors who prescribe gabapentinoids for pain should do so with their eyes wide open and be prepared to stop them if they are ineffective or cause too many side effects,” he added. “Treating pain is about making patients more functional so they can live their lives better, and if they have to deal with adverse effects for a little pain relief, their lives may not be improving.”

Steve Lundeberg is a researcher and writer for Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. He may be reached at steve.lundeberg@oregonstate.edu.

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle.

The money flowing into Oregon is already starting to make a difference.

Oregon Attorney General

Oregon to issue $71 million in emergency benefits in January

gency ends.

97309.

Most residents in Columbia County and across Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in January.

Approximately 421,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits next month.

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.

Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for January, Oregon will also be able to issue them in February 2023. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emer-

“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” Oregon Depart ment of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs Interim Director Jana McLellan said. “The holiday season can also bring additional stress and worry for many Oregonians who are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”

Current SNAP house holds will receive emer gency allotments on Jan. 11, 2023. Emergency allot ments will be issued Jan. 31, 2023 or Feb. 2, 2023 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.

More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.

oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/EmergencyAllotments.aspx.

Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075.

If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-todate information.

You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways:

• Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov.

• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR

• By fax at: 503-3785628.

• By phone at: 1-800699-9075 or TTY 711.

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank. org.

• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.

• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org.

• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/.

• Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center.

For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

To your health?

From

shares of construction jobs, as construction employed 6% of all nonfarm payroll jobs during much of 2006 and 2007. Currently, Oregon’s construction industry is once again as concentrated as that period, with an average of 6% of nonfarm jobs in the industry during the most recent 36 months.

Leading up to the past two national recessions, Oregon’s construction employment has either flat lined, as was the case in 1997 through 2000, or abruptly tanked, as occurred just prior to, and certainly during, the 2008-09 recession. The good news is that construction employment in Oregon bounced back quickly following the COVID recession and is now charting new record highs.

One of the reasons that the economic expansion between 2013 and 2019 – both in Oregon and at the national level – was so long and persistent was due to the pattern of housing starts. In the several years immediately following the

2008-09 recession, building permits and housing starts were very low by historic standards. The low level of residential construction activity and spending was a limiting factor for economic growth, given that new-home building is a major component of change in the overall dollar value of economic activity for a region. In Oregon, residential building permits (single-family and multi-family combined) stagnated near an average monthly rate of 600 during 2009 through 2011, but have since climbed to the current rate averaging close to 1,600 per month over the past six plus years.

Despite the near-tripling of monthly housing permits in the timespan, we’re still well below peak levels seen during several periods during the 1990s and mid2000s, not to mention the house-building boom in the late 1970s, when building permit activity was double the current level.

Construction activity includes more than just building homes and apartments. There is road construction and commercial construc-

tion, as well as remodeling and other forms of construction employment. This brief article looked at the trends over time in residential building permits, as they are a key measurement that is readily available to assess Oregon’s construction industry.

Overall, Oregon’s construction employment trends indicate that over the past two years we have been experiencing high-demand times in the industry. Oregon has gone through several cycles in the construction industry over the past several decades. Currently, the sector is at a record high in terms of overall construction jobs. And, at 6% of total nonfarm payroll jobs, is essentially tied with the record highs in 2006 and 2007 as a share of total jobs when measured relative to the state’s evergrowing population.

David Cooke is the Oregon Employment Department Current Employment Statistics Coordinator. He may be reached at david.c.cooke@employ. oregon.gov or at 971-3755288.

At this time of year, in many different cultures, we toast to our health. Yet, heavy drinking raises our risk for liver disease, breast cancer and depression. This holiday season, give some thought to how much you drink and consider drinking less. It could make a big difference…to your health.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Metro Creative Connection

SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities.

Courtesy from the Oregon Employment Department

Courtesy from the Oregon Employment Department

Courtesy from the Oregon Employment Department