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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
Open Oregon rally in St. Helens
ecial Report Sp
2021
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Courtesy photo from OSP
Oregon State Police K-9 Jaxson has retired.
OSP K-9 Jaxson retires
STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Oregon State Police (OSP) announced the retirement of K-9 Jaxson. OSP outlines Jaxson’s distinguished career in a Facebook post, which states that Jaxson provided a valuable service to the State of Oregon in criminal interdiction during his service. Jaxson started his career with OSP in March of 2015. While working with his handler, Jaxson has been responsible for the following total career finds and seizures: • U.S. Currency: $1,721,275.50 • Methamphetamine: 257,307.39 grams (567.26 pounds) • Cocaine: 48,917.59 grams (107.84 pounds) • Heroin: 51,711.08 grams (114 pounds) • Marijuana: 142,782.06 grams (314.70 pounds) 200 Plants • Marijuana Extract: 3,628.74 grams (8 pounds) • Psilocybin Mushrooms: 20,348.00 grams (44.80 pounds) • Fentanyl: 3,813.79 grams (8.4 pounds) • Ecstasy: 836.24 grams • Ketamine: 148 grams • OxyContin: 615 grams • Xanax: 1,000 tablets • Firearms: 24 • Total K9 field applications: 174 The OSP Facebook post states that Jaxson’s life will continue to be with his handler enjoying family time and spending summers camping and traveling with the family. In its Facebook post, OSP wished Jaxson a comfortable and happy life in retirement. Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Cartoon ..................... A4 Obituaries ................. A6 TV Guide ................... A7 Classified Ads ......... A8 Legals .................... A8-9
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An Open Oregon rally at Plaza Square in the Old Town District of St. Helens drew approximately 75 people Saturday afternoon, Jan. 9. The featured speaker, Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam, told The Chronicle following his address that the movement’s message is simple. “These business owners in these small communities throughout Oregon are really to the end of their rope and it is time that they open,” he said. Pulliam said the businesses should reopen under high requirements one level beneath the governor’s mandate with proper face coverings, social distancing and sanitation. “What we don’t understand is where is the science that shows that these local business owners contribute to the spread of COJeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Several people attending the rally held signs to express their opinions. See more VID more than big box stores?” photos with this story at thechronicleonline.com. Pulliam said. According to Pulliam, Gov. cerning the reopening push. CEO of the Oregon RestauKate Brown has not provided “I’m hoping that the majorrant and Lodging Association, such information. He said the ity of Oregon and our businesses provided the following statement followers of Open Oregon will will abide by these safety protoafter The Chronicle’s request for continue to support business col and do what’s right to keep the association’s reaction. operators who decide to defy themselves safe, family members “Restaurants in Oregon the state mandated health and located in extreme risk counsafety requirements and decide to safe, and community members safe,” Brown said. ties as defined by the Oregon reopen. Brown also issued a full Health Authority have officially “We have to support these reached their breaking point. The main street businesses throughout statement in December about the reopening push and possible economic restrictions putting Oregon,” he said. “They are the penalties facing violators. Read employers out of business is the heart and soul of our commuthat statement at thechronicleonnity.” line.com. Brown issued the following Jason Brandt, president and statement on Friday, Jan. 8, conSee RALLY Page A9
Country perspective: Magruder maps 2021 MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of special reports you’ll read only in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle and at thechronicleonline.com in the weeks ahead providing insight from members of our community into what we might expect in 2021. The following report focuses on a viewpoint from Columbia County. On the first county commission meeting of the year Wednesday, Jan. 6, Margaret Magruder was voted the new chair of the commission. She was reelected to serve a second term in November and is joined on the council by Henry Heimuller and Casey Garrett. Magruder said she is hopeful that 2021 will bring a return to normalcy to the lives of county residents. “Hopefully the coming year will see COVID-19 cases diminish and a successful vaccination program implemented so citizens can get back to work, restaurants gyms, bowling alleys and other types of closed businesses can open and students can get back to school,” she said. The county public health department is busy coordinating vaccination and testing programs for the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. The effect of the pandemic and associated restrictions and safety guidelines have disrupted the normal procedures for county business. “The social distancing requirements of the pandemic made us even more aware of the need to expand our working space for the safety and convenience of our employees and the public,” Magruder said. That awareness led the county to lease the John Gumm School building to house the public health department and create a new meeting space for the Board of Commission and other committee meetings. The meeting space will allow for improved audio and visual functions as well as updated virtual meeting tools, she said. The need for reliable broadband service has become clear over 2020 when schools starting online learning and people began to work from home. She said the
Lions Club donates benches
Courtesy photo from Kathy Syrstad
This is one of the two benches that will soon be placed in McCormick Park. The benches are donated by the St. Helens Lions Club, which recycles plastic bags in exchange for the benches. MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Two new benches will be installed in McCormick Park, thanks to an ongoing effort by the St. Helens Lions Club. The service organization started a recycling project two years ago through TREX, a company that cre-
ates composite decking. The local group collects, sorts and weighs plastic bags. When they have 500 pounds of plastic bags, they turn the bags into a collection site that turns them in to the company. Then, TREX sends out a a 4-foot bench in return. The club has donated 27 benches to various spots around St. Helens since starting this project, and
e C h r o nicle
intends to keep going. Every school in St. Helens has a bench from the project, and the most recent site in the area to receive a bench donation was Dalton Lake Nature Preserve. Each bench includes a plaque that says the bench is part of a service project of the Lions Club. See BENCH Page A9
See MAGRUDER Page A5
Truckload Meat Sale will be back! March 11th and 12th. Also, check your mailbox for valuable coupons for the month of January.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Oregon landslide risk rises
Drawing courtesy of the City of St. Helens
This is a conceptual drawing of what the new St. Helens public safety facility might look like.
Courtesy photo from the Oregon Department of Transportation
Debris from the hillside slid down and covered a portion of Highway 30 east of Astoria last week. The highway was fully reopened late Friday. Jan. 8. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (ODOGAMI) issued a landslide advisory for the region Monday, Jan, 11. The advisory followed the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Flood Watch posted earlier Monday. The NWS is forecasting a prolonged period of rain through Wednesday morning. Four to eight inches of rain is expected across the higher terrain with around two inches for the interior valleys. The rain will be heavy at times, and there could be locally higher rain totals. Snow levels will be above 6000 feet, and snow melt may contribute to excessive run off. Heavy rain can trigger landslides, rock fall, and debris flows in steep terrain, and the risk is higher in burn areas, according to ODOGAMI. Find the latest information at https://alerts.weather. gov/cap/or.php?x=1 Debris flow danger ODOGAMI said debris
flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk. If your home, work, or route is in a watch area: Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. • Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately. • Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow
has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream. • Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road. A landslide closed Highway 30 three miles east of Astoria for a time last week. Crews were able to remove the rocks, mud and other debris and reopen the highway by late Friday. Jan. 8. The Oregon Department of Transportation’s Lou Torres said the highway slide was caused by excessive rainfall and unstable soils. Torres said drivers need to keep both hands on the steering wheel, mind on driving and eliminate distractions. “Be prepared for winter driving conditions which can mean dealing with wet and icy roads, snow, high water and possibly rock and mud slides,” Torres said. For more landslide and debris flow information, visit https://www.oregongeology. org/Landslide/debrisflow.htm
First responders get COVID vaccines
Courtesy photo from CRFR
A member of the Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) crew gets her COVID-19 vaccination. STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Local first responders are receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations. The Columbia County Unified Fire Services Vaccination Group is a cooperative of Columbia County,
Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District and Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District with assistance from the Scappoose Police Department. The objective of this group is to provide and dispense COVID-19 vaccines to Columbia County
employees in the 1-A phase under the guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority. In the current operational periods, vaccines are being administered to fire, EMS, police and additional first responders and public safety employees. Vaccines have been successfully administered to 130 out of the 470 public safety employees within the county. As the operational periods continue more doses will be given at various locations. This ongoing phase of vaccinations along with our required Personal Protective Equipment will ensure that essential public safety personnel will be able to stay safe and continue providing protection and crucial emergency services to the community. Updates on the agencies progress and pertinent community information will be provided as necessary, according to a release from the agencies.
THERE IS NOT A WORD TO DESCRIBE ~ Words cannot express the gratitude and heartfelt thanks that we have for each and every community member, friend, client, stranger, business, and others who stepped up this past holiday season to help Turning Point and H.O.P.E. of Rainier handle the influx of need for our families. I am overwhelmed with joy at the spirit our communities have shown in others’ time of need. That is truly what Christmas is all about. At first, I was going to list each and every one of you who helped us a ccomplish what seemed impossible this year – but again, the amount of you who opened your hearts to our communities was more than I ever expected.
The current St. Helens Police station is located at 150 S.13th Street.
Public safety facility recommendations MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Plans to build a new facility to house the St. Helens Police Department are moving forward. An ad hoc committee formed of community members and local leaders presented recommendations Jan. 6 to the city council concerning the proposed new public safety facility. In the recommendations, the committee urged the council to include a robust community engagement period to solicit public feedback before moving forward. The design for the facility includes space for city council meetings, municipal court rooms and police areas. It also includes a panic room of sorts that residents in danger can access if they are being followed and push a button to securely lock themselves in the room at any time of the day or night. Ad hoc committee member and Columbia County Port Commissioner Chris Iverson said the need for an
expanded building was clear, and that the project engineers recommended a building 10 times the size of the current police station. “If that doesn’t say there’s a need for this facility, I don’t know what does,” he said. The staff- and committeerecommended site for the new facility is located at the corner of Old Portland and Kaster roads due to its access to Highway 30 and room for expansion. “It just made the most sense out of every site that was identified,” Iverson said. The committee considered 10 potential site locations around the city. The current police station is located on South 13th Street in St. Helens, in a 2,200 square foot facility that was built 48 years ago. Committee members and community leaders said the police department has outgrown the building. The proposed new facility size would be approximately 22,000 square feet. Funding for the facility could come from one of two
sources: a general obligation bond supported by property taxes or a public safety fund. “It’s never an easy issue when you’re asking people for more money,” Iverson said, adding that sooner or later an expanded facility would be needed to meet the needs of the community. The ad hoc committee recommended the public safety fund to spread the share of the cost more equitably to residents. Matt Brown, city finance director, said this option would also ease the individual contributions depending on how large the city grows and expands in the future. It would also allow the city more flexibility on how to use the money, he said. “I’m not asking you to make a decision today, we just wanted to lay out some of the groundwork,” Brown said. The presentation to the city council was informative and no decisions were made. Another discussion about the facility will take place at the Jan. 20 council meeting.
Local man gets 9 years in prison A St. Helens man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to sex abuse crimes. Patrick Harper, 36, was sentenced in Columbia County Court on Jan. 5 for two counts of first degree sexual abuse and one count of attempted first degree unlawful sexual penetration. The sentencing includes an additional 10 years of post-prison supervision for charges related to sex crimes against a minor, according to court records. Harper’s guilty plea follows a 911 call in which St. Helens police officers responded to on Sept. 12, in the 59000 block of Oak Ridge Street in St. Helens. Officers arrived on scene
Courtesy photo from St. Helens Police
Patrick Harper
and, after interviewing the suspect, arrested Harper for
three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and harassment. Following Harper’s arrest, St. Helens police investigators conducted numerous interviews, collected evidence related to the case, and ensured the safety of the victim as the investigation unfolded. A Columbia County Grand Jury indicted Harper on charges of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree and four counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. During the investigation. St. Helens Police worked in partnership with the Department of Human Services, Oregon State Police, and CARES Northwest.
Pet
of the Month
So please accept this small gesture as our way of saying Thank You to each and every one of you. We really could not have done this without the kindness, generosity, and love that came from all of you. Kelly Miller – Executive Director Volunteers & staff Turning Point – Clatskanie H.O.P.E. of Rainier - Rainier
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Meet Maggie Meow Contact Columbia Humane Society Website: columbiahumane.com Phone: 503-397-4353
“Maggie Meow is a very sweet little girl and is about 14 weeks old. She’s very playful and is going to make a great addition to your family.”
urbanpacific REALESTATE Columbia County Division Turning Point: 220 E Columbia River Hwy. Clatskanie, OR • (503) 728-3126 Hope of Rainier: 404 E A St, Rainier, OR • (503) 556-0701 Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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253 S. 1st Street, St Helens, OR 97051 503.329.7269 mobile urbanpacificrealestate.com
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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School district thanks school board
Courtesy photo from the St. Helens School District
the school district. St. Helens will join 196 other districts across Oregon in celebrating the members this month. The St. Helens School “Too often the efforts of District is celebrating School school board members go unBoard Recognition Month recognized,” Superintendent by posting messages on its Scot Stockwell said. reader boards and encouragIn St. Helens, the board is ing local businesses to do the made up of Trinity Monasame. han as chair, Ryan Scholl as School board members vice chair, Melody Killens, are unpaid elected officials Kellie Smith and Bill Amos. who represent residents’ At the Jan. 27 meeting, the views and priorities when district will recognize each 01-06-21decisions 3x15D Janthat Clearance:Layout 1 1/4/21 12:50 PM Page 1 making affect member’s contribution and STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Courtesy photo from Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon continues to move forward with COVID-19 vaccinations.
State to focus on vaccines, schools MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Two of the state’s top priorities are to ramp up vaccinations in Oregon and get children back into classrooms, Gov. Kate Brown announced Friday. National Guard For the former, Brown said the Oregon National Guard will be deployed to assist with COVID-19 vaccination efforts to help reach the goal she set last week of administering 12,000 vaccine doses a day. Brown first announced that National Guard members would be providing vaccine support in Oregon starting last weekend at a mass vaccination event at the state fairgrounds in Salem. The Governor’s Office later announced that the National Guard had been called up on orders and were expected to begin their support role in Salem by Tuesday instead. The goal was to vaccinate 250 people per hour and guard members would be providing logistical and nursing support. As of Monday, 99,627 total doses of vaccine had been administered across the state. Both the available vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) require two doses to be effective, and 4,828 people have been fully vaccinated with 94,799 having received their first dose. Within Columbia County, 29 people have been fully vaccinated and 557 people have received their first dose, as of Monday. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has delivered vaccine doses to 190 sites across the state already and expects to allocate doses to an additional 30 this week, OHA Director Pat Allen said. The 12,000 vaccine doses per day plan comes on the heels of a raised COVID-19 transmission rate across the state, Allen said. The transmission rate estimates how many people an infected person will spread the virus to; a transmission rate of 1.0 would indicate that a person with the virus passes it to one other person. The state’s estimated state transmission rate fell in late November to 0.8 and stayed low through mid-December, but the winter holidays brought a sharp increase, Allen said. The estimate the OHA has, as of Dec. 23, is a transmission rate between 1.14 and 1.45.
“This estimation does not reflect any potential further increase in transmission related to social gatherings over Christmas and New Year’s Eve,” Allen said. “This means we could continue to see a sharp increase in diagnosed cases.”
interaction standpoint. It’s been really challenging for our children, so this needs to be a priority.” Further decisions about which groups of people will next be prioritized for vaccinations will be decided in the coming weeks.
In-person learning
COVID-19 cases
In the effort to get students back into classrooms, Brown announced in December that the state guidance and metrics on when districts can be reopened moved from mandatory to advisory— giving districts more local control. The change took effect at the start of the new year. “All of our schools will still be required to adhere to health and safety measures,” Brown said. “They must continue to work in close consultation with local public health departments.” Colt Gill, director of the Oregon Department of Education, said two factors remain important for districts determining when students will return to in-person instruction. The first is to ensure community case rates stay low so COVID-19 is not regularly introduced to the schools and disrupting the learning environment. The second is the district’s ability to implement health and safety protocols and requirements for the schools The department has over 160 health and safety protocols that need to be in place at schools that reopen and remain mandatory, he said. Some of the requirements include entry screening protocols, use of facial coverings, physical distancing, cohorting and frequent hand washing. “These protocols are mitigating the risk of transmission in schools in Oregon and across the country, and really around the world, when they are implemented with fidelity,” Gill said. The state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee met for the first time yesterday and approved teachers and staff at K-12 schools to be next in line for the vaccine after the phase 1-A group which includes emergency responders. healthcare workers and residents and staff at long-term care facilities. “I know the impacts for our children — having to learn online— have been very, very challenging,” Brown said. “Not just from an educational standpoint, but from a social and emotional standpoint, also from a social
COVID-19 cases continue to be on the rise in Columbia County. On Saturday, the OHA reported 25 new cases in the county—the secondhighest single-day case count in the county. From Friday to Sunday, 54 new cases were reported. The total number of cases in the county was 975 as of Monday with a death tolld of 16. At the end of this week, the state will announce which counties, if any, are changing classification in its risk assessment framework which determines a county’s risk level (from “lower risk” to “extreme risk”) of spreading COVID-19. The framework took effect in early December and Columbia County has been classified as at an “extreme risk” of spreading COVID-19 since it took effect. Counties classified as extreme risk must follow a strict set of restrictions, like disallowing in person dining and limiting retail capacity. Counties classified at a high risk still operate under restrictions, but some are eased, like offering limited indoor dining. To be categorized as at a “high risk” instead of extreme risk, the county case rate must be between 100-200 per 100,000 people over 14 days and the test positivity rate must be between 8-10%. The county’s test positivity rate has remained lower than the range identified for counties at an extreme risk, however the two-week case count has remained high. The average two-week total number of new cases in the county is 145, which equals a case rate of around 275 per 100,000 people. It is unlikely that the county will be moved to high risk this week. Statewide, the death toll rose to 1,613 over the weekend the total case count to 126,607 as of Monday. New modeling from the OHA projects a higher average number of new daily cases and hospitalizations using the estimated transmission rate of 1.29.
thank them for supporting the children and staff of the St. Helens School District. “Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a yearround effort on their part,” Stockwell said. “They are dedicated individuals who are committed to improving student achievement and go fighting for the best for all of our students.”
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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Viewpoints
Oregon’s new beginning Attention to wildfires, business, agriculture
BRAD WITT Chronicle Guest Column
Monday, Jan. 11, marked a new beginning in Oregon, as I and other re-elected and newly elected Senators and Representatives took our oath of office to officially begin the work of the 81st Oregon Legislative Assembly. Our laws are developed through committee hearings and work, and this session I will again Chair the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. I will also serve on the House Committee on Water and House Committee on Business and Labor. This week bills will be introduced, committee assignments are officially announced, and lawmakers will prepare for the Legislative Session which convenes Tuesday January 19th. This is an exciting time as we renew friendships and meet new lawmakers who bring new ideas and energy to the lawmaking process. More pandemic relief During the 3rd Special Session of the 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly, we approved additional funding for Pandemic Response, and Wildfire Recovery. The Emergency Board met last Friday to allocate those funds. School districts will receive $325 million in federal funds for grants to meet the education needs of responding to the pandemic, federal funds in the amount of $116 million will go to emergency rental and utility assistance. $100 million will fund a commercial rent relief program, $46 million for the Worker Relief Fund and the Quarantined worker fund, and create a Small Enterprise Fund for business assistance. The Oregon Health Authority will receive $19 million for public health response, and other appropriations will go to support programs for seniors, disabled, daycare, camps and others impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.
The 2020 Oregon Wildfire season was the worst on record, and on Friday the E-Board allocated money for wildfire relief, including $36 million for wildfire debris removal, $31 million for shelter, food and other services to Oregonians impacted by wildfires. Jackson County’s Housing Authority will receive a $25 million grant to replace workforce housing lost to fire. $27 million will go to wildlife recovery, prevention and preparedness activities which includes supplementing the wildfire aviation program, increasing fire program staffing and expanding the partnership and planning programs. Among the bills I’ll be introducing this week is House Bill 2730 this bill seeks to set rules relating to business interruption insurance. The legislation would prohibit certain conduct by insurers with respect to business interruption claims, and provide an opportunity for insured business entities to seek actual damages for the insurers’ violation of provisions. In the time of this pandemic, it would hard to find a business that hasn’t suffered an interruption, so this bill will clarify insurance rules. HB 2724 will require the State Department of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to advise the department on policies related to Oregon crops. Currently, the legislature is asked to decide where to allow certain crops, like canola, to be grown. It’s my opinion that the farming community would have a better idea about implementing agricultural rules and policies, and there are very few farmers serving in the Oregon House or Senate. This will allow farmers to have a stronger voice in regulatory matters. After meeting with constituents and hearing their concerns over the past several months, I’ve developed many other bills I’m introducing and will be writing about those in the weeks to come.
COVID-19 vaccinations
Oregon began administering the COVID-19 vaccine 90 days ago, and health officials have now administered 100,000 doses. A number of my constituents have reached out to me, asking that we not require everyone to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, due to their fears about vaccine safety. I am not aware of any plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory, but I hope the majority of Oregonians choose to voluntarily receive it as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been shown to be safe. Until we have built community immunity against this virus, we will have slower progress and recovery from the pandemic. What’s next Because of the COVID-19 restrictions the Capitol building remains closed to the public. The length of the closure will depend on how soon we can get the infection rate under control. With the vaccine and other health precautions, I’m hoping we will soon be welcoming Oregonians back into the Capitol. The rest of this week we will continue our organizational efforts preparing for next Tuesday when the 2021 officially convenes. As we enter the 180-day session, it’s more important than ever that I hear from my constituents. If you have concerns or comment about a state issue, agency or proposed legislation, please contact my office. It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives as we undertake this important work together. Rep. Brad Witt serves House District 31. He may be reached at: • Email: Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov • Telephone: 503-9861431 • 900 Court St NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301 • Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt
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Police Reports The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Scappoose Police Department Dec. 27 • Police responded to a disturbance on NW Wickstrom Drive. Following the investigation, it wasdeterminedthattheincident occurredoutinthecountyandthe ColumbiaCountySheriff’sOffice took over the investigation. •PoliceweredispatchedtoJackpotFoodMarkettothereportofa theft.Itwasreportedthatamale subjectstolesomehuntingcalls andplacedthestolenmerchandise into an empty coffee cup. This case is pending location of the subject. Dec. 28 • Officers were dispatched to thereportofapossibleviolation ofarestrainingorder.Following the investigation, a 48-year-old Scappoose man was arrested forviolationofrestrainingorder, burglaryIandcriminalmischiefIII. Hewastransportedtoandlodged in jail. •Policecontactedasubjectnear NW Williams and NE Second
Streetafterreceivingacomplaint ofamotorhomeinthearea,andit wasbelievedtwomenwereliving init.Whiletalkingwiththesubject, it was determined that he had multiplewarrants.Aspolicewere placinghimunderarrest,hefled onfoot.Aftertheshortfootpursuit, thesubjectwastakenintocustody and arrested for the multiple felonywarrants,resistingarrest, interferingwithpeaceofficerand givingfalseinformationtoapeace officer. He was lodged in jail. Dec. 29 •AtheftreportonSEMyrtleStreet wastakenbypoliceofficers.The victimreportedthatautilitytrailer wasstolenfromhisproperty.After furtherinvestigation,thevictim also stated that a set of tires, a chainsaw and a tow hitch were alsomissing.Thecaseispending further suspect information. Jan. 1 •Policerespondedtoaresidence in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway after the victim reported they had been threatenedwithahandgun.Following the investigation, a 23-year-old Scappoose man was issued a citationformenacingandreleased at the scene. Jan. 2 •AtheftattheScappooseLiquor Store was reported to police. It was reported that an unknown female stole a bottle of alcohol worth approximately $17. The femalefledthestorewithunpaid merchandise and got into a vehicleheadingsouthonHighway 30. The case is pending further suspect information.
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Jan. 3 • Police responded to a traffic accidentneartheintersectionof ColumbiaRiverHighwayandSW MapleStreet,withunknowninjuries.Followingtheinvestigation, one driver was cited for driving uninsuredandmedicsclearedall involved. Oregon State Police Jan. 4 •Ataround4p.m.,OregonState Police officers responded to a singlevehicle,non-injurycrash onHighway47nearmilepost57. A 93-year-old Astoria woman’s vehicle was headed northboundandlefttheroadwayand sideswiped a pole. There was no damage to the pole and the vehicle was towed. • Just before 11 p.m., officers responded to a nearly head on crashonHighway30nearmilepost53.A38-year-oldClatskanie womandrivingablackSuburban washeadedwestboundonthe highway and pulled into the eastboundshoulder.Whenthe vehicle pulled back onto the roadway it crashed into a black DodgeDartheadingeastbound. The Suburban continued to headwestbounddrivingonthree tires. The driver of the runaway vehiclewasstoppedatthescene of another driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) crash on Beaver Falls Road that ColumbiaCountydeputieswere handling.Thedriversubmittedto afieldsobrietytest,wasimpaired andwastransferredtoColumbia CountyJailwithabloodalcohol concentration of 0.16%. Both vehicles were towed.
Jan. 5 • At around 1:30 p.m., officers respondedtoadrivingcomplaint/ road rage incident on East ColumbiaDriveinScappoose.The suspect was cited and released on a menacing charge and the investigation is ongoing. • Just before 7 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a singlevehiclecrashonHighway 30nearmilepost65.5.Thedriver waswestboundonthehighway and struck a state highway sign andlefttheroadway.Thedriver, a 35-year-old man from Westport, displayed signs of impairment and consented to a field sobrietytest.Hewasimpairedto anoticeabledegreeandarrested and transported to Columbia County Jail. Jan. 6 •Troopers stopped a vehicle on NWOldSt.HelensHighwaynear Highway 30 in Scappoose for a trafficviolationatapproximately 9:16a.m.The27-year-olddriver from Forest Grove was discovered to have a warrant for his arrestoutofWashingtonCounty. Thewarrantwasconfirmedand the driver was placed under arrestandtransportedtoColumbia CountyJailwherehewaslodged for the warrant and his vehicle was towed. •Officersrespondedtoareport ofdisturbanceatTrestleBeach. An investigation revealed a 60-year-oldwomanwasunlawfullycampingovernightonthe beach and confronted by an unidentifiedmaleregardingthe camping. She was intimidated andtoldthereportingpartyshe hadbeenthreatened.Noindica-
tion of a crime occurred and no furtheractiontaken.Thewoman indicatedshewasintheprocess of removing a tent and associated garbage. •Around10:15p,m,,theOregon StatePolicefollowedareported stolenvehiclefromNWMoreland Road to NW Otto Miller Road near milepost 1.5 until other policeunitsarrivedtoassistwith stopping the reported stolen vehicle.Thedriver,a61-year-old man,wastakenintocustodyand transportedtoColumbiaCounty Jail.Hisbloodalcoholconcentrationwas0.10%.Thevehiclewas towed and the Northern CommandCenterattemptedtoreach thereportingparty,HertzRental Vehicles out of Eureka, Calif. Jan. 8 • Oregon State Police were patrolling Highway 30 near milepost 68 around 11 a.m. when a dark colored motorcycle was seen at a high rate of speed, eastbound on the highway.Officersattemptedto catchuptothemotorcycle,but theriderspedoffatahighrateof speed.AnoffdutyAstoriaofficer observedthemotorcyclecrash at Highway 30 and Marshland District Road, recover back on the bike and flee the scene.The motorcyclewaslaterlocatedbehindaClatskanieresidenceand therider,a42-year-oldWestport man,wasidentifiedandarrested forhinderingandtamperingwith evidence. Jan. 9 • The Oregon State Police assisted the Columbia County Sheriffswithaphysicaldomestic
call in Warren. An adult grandson had physically assaulted the grandmother and broke a window at the residence. The 38-year-old Warren man was located,detainedandarrested. • A report of a hunter who shot a sandhill crane at the Sauvie IslandWildlifeAreawasreceived bytheOregonStatePolice.Prior to arriving at the violation, the suspecthuntercalledtoreport he had killed an unlawful bird. The hunter, a 43-year-old Portlandman,statedhewasabeginnerduckhunterandhethought the bird was a snow goose but realizedhewaswrongwhenhe retrieveditandturnedhimselfin. The hunter was warned for the violationandthebirdwasseized for donation. • A trooper observed a hunter shoot a cormorant while the trooperwaspatrollingtheSauvie IslandWildlifeArea.Thehunter, a20-year-oldPortlandman,was contactedanditwasdetermined hewasalsohuntingoutsidehis designated hunting area. The cormorant was seized and the hunter was cited for unlawful take of protected species. • At around 2 p.m. troopers respondedtoWashingtonWay nearViewStreetinRainiertoassist with a crash investigation. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
• View the complete log of calls totheColumbiaCountySheriff’s Officeonlineatthechronicleonline.com. The St. Helens Police log was unavailable.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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Child remains unidentified STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Oregon State Police (OSP) investigators said they have received over 150 tips from people in the United States and Canada following the release of a sketch of the child whose remains were discovered in Lincoln County on Dec. 10. As part of the ongoing investigation into the discovery of a female child’s remains at the Van Duzer Rest Area, OSP said the agency continues to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying the child and the circumstances around her death and to accept information which may lead to the identification of the child. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office has estimated the child’s age to be 6.5 to 10 years old. She is approximately 3’10” to 4’6” tall, and has long hair that is dark brown or black. Her race or ethnic origin has yet to be determined, but DNA analysis is not complete. A sketch, completed by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at OSP’s request had been made public Jan. 4. OSP has not yet released specific details regarding the cause or manner of the child’s death. OSP has partnered with
Courtesy sketch from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
On Jan. 4, investigators released this approximation sketch of the child who’s remains were found in rural Lincoln County on Dec. 10.
the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and numerous state and local agencies across the United States, are using a variety of means to include or exclude known missing persons who match the general description and or the sketch previously released. This may include, but is not limited to, dental records, age, descriptors, and confirmed sightings via verifiable sources, and/or recent
contacts with family or friends that demonstrate they were alive after the remains of the unidentified female were discovered in Lincoln County. In an effort to refocus the public’s attention and reduce duplicative tips, OSP is now prepared to publicly exclude the following reported missing children from our investigation: • Dulce Alavez, age 6, from Bridgeton, NJ • Addyson Gibson, age 12, from Portland, OR • Noelle Johnson, age 7, from Portland, OR • Niayah Bylenga (AKA Niayah Crawford), age 7, from Pendleton, OR or Ritzville, WA • Tarie Price, age 8, from Gretna, NE • Breasia Terrell, age 10, from Davenport, IA OSP is not commenting about the individual methods used to exclude each child. While these children have been excluded from the current investigation, OSP said they are all still reported missing. If you have any information that might help investigators in identifying the child found in rural Lincoln County, call 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677).
State parks reservation changes STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will accept new reservations from one day to six months out beginning Jan. 14. The change is the latest step in managing future reservations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early last summer, the reservation booking window temporarily changed from one day to two weeks, then to 30 days, while OPRD slowly re-opened camping after a two-month closure. In normal times, the reservation window is one day to nine months out. “A shorter reservation window helps us deal with the uncertainty posed by state management of the COVID-19 emergency, and the financial hit of changing, canceling and refunding reservations,” OPRD Director Lisa Sumption said. State parks are funded by
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revenue from park visitors, a small share of the Oregon Lottery, and a portion of state recreational vehicle registrations. “Although revenue stopped during the twomonth closure and continues to be less than what we’ve earned in past years, we’ve adjusted our operations and now are comfortable extending the reservation booking window,” Sumption said. “All of us extend a heartfelt thank you to our visitors as we continue to evaluate our operations to better serve
campers and day-use visitors as we head into the spring and summer.” In addition to the reservation booking window change, all new campsite, yurt and cabin openings will become available at 6 a.m. each day rather than midnight. This minor change is being made to improve customer service. “No more staying up to midnight to make an online reservation,” Sumption said. “If you try to reserve a site beyond the 30-day window at midnight Jan. 14, you will see the sites marked with an ‘X’ for unavailable. All available sites will be marked with an ‘A’ at 6 a.m., Jan. 14, and each day going forward.” Sumption said more changes to the reservation window are possible. Oregon State Parks reservations are accepted online, and by phone at 800-4525687, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed holidays).
Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle
IRS warns of tax fraud STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Law enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are alerting taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam e-mails, texts, and phone calls. The agencies said the scams are designed at tricking you into disclosing personal and financial information that could be used to steal your identity and financial assets. The scams The IRS said it has seen a recent increase in these scams, many of which originate outside the United States. To date, investigations have identified sites hosting hundreds of IRS-related phishing scams. These scam websites have been found to originate in at least 20 different countries. Scammers claiming to be from the IRS, tell you that you are due a federal tax refund, and direct you to a website that appears to be a
genuine IRS site. The bogus sites contain forms or interactive web pages similar to IRS forms and web pages. Don’t be fooled These sites and forms have been modified to request detailed personal and financial information from the e-mail recipients. E-mail addresses involving users in professional and educational communities seem to be heavily targeted. The information obtained is then used to steal the taxpayer identity and financial assets. Typically, identity thieves use someone’s personal data to empty the victim’s financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services, or benefits in the victim’s name and even file fraudulent tax returns. The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails or ask for detailed personal information. Additionally, the IRS never asks people for their PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret
access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. The IRS primarily uses the mail when they need to notify you regarding any tax-related matter. They do not phone you late at night, or text you. Resources For more information about phishing (suspicious e-mails) and identity theft, visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. For information on preventing or handling the aftermath of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web sites at www. consumer.gov/idtheft and www.OnGuardOnline.gov (and click on Topics). Report the fraudulent misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property by calling the treasury inspector general for tax administration toll-free hotline at 1-800-366-4484. For more information and tips, visit www.lincolncountysheriff.net
Budget Committee Vacancy
The City of St. Helens is currently recruiting for a new member to fill a position on the City’s Budget Committee. If you are interested, please go to the City’s website at www.sthelensoregon.gov, click on Your Government, select Boards & Commissions, and download a Boards & Commissions Application. Please call Kathy Payne if you have any questions at 503-366-8217.
The deadline to apply is Friday, February 19, 2021.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder, left, joins St. Helens School District Head Nurse Robin Loper, center and State Sen. Betsy Johnson, right, in October unloading and presenting face masks for St. Helens Head Start.
MAGRUDER From Page A1
Library Board Vacancy The City of St. Helens is currently accepting applications to fill a vacant position on the Library Board. If you are interested, please go to the City’s website at www.sthelensoregon.gov, click on Your Government and select Boards and Commissions, and download a Boards & Commissions General Application, or call Kathy Payne at 503-366-8217.
Deadline: 2/5/21 at 5PM
county had intended to make progress on addressing the broadband needs following a broadband study in 2018-19 but the project was stalled. “My personal home connection does not allow me to successfully participate in virtual meetings from my home computer, so I am well aware of the need,” Magruder said. The county is working with Clatsop and Tillamook counties and the ColumbiaPacific Economic Development District to pave a path forward to address the broadband needs for residents in the area, she said. Over the last year, three department heads at the county have retired or moved to different positions and the county is in the process of interviewing candidates to fill the positions, she said. Filling those positions is one of the immediate projects ahead for the commissioners, another is resuming a road project that the pandemic disrupted. “There are a number of
roads in the county that we discovered had not been dedicated to the county, however they have been used and maintained as county roads since their creation,” she said. The majority of the roads are on the drainage district levees and the next step for the project will require obtaining easements and surveys, she said. The CZ Trail project and other improvements to county parks will be addressed as well, she said. Also ahead is a review of the county’s strategic plan, which staff has been developing and refining over the past three years. “These efforts have been on hold this year, however we will renew these discussions to further define our priorities,” she said. “Service, engagement, connection and innovation are the guiding principles of our plan.” Magruder’s individual priorities include economic development, highest and best use of natural resources, she said. Magruder lives in Clatskanie and is a lifelong resident of Columbia County.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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Honoringfallenpoliceofficers
Courtesy photo
Capitol safety plan The Oregon legislative session will begin Tuesday, Jan. 19, with a new safety plan in place.
The start of the regular Oregon Legislature is set for Jan. 19 and state leaders said they have a pandemic safety plan established for the session. The plan provides a framework for how to convene safely for the upcoming session while ensuring transparency and public participation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 1,500 Oregonians. The goal of the plan is to balance the following priorities: • Safety – for the public, building employees, legislators and their staff • Transparency – to ensure that the process is clear and encourages public input • Strong public participation – to make sure proposed legislation receives public review • The completion of the Legislature’s business – to meet the needs of the state “As we continue to address the hardship brought on by the pandemic, this plan will ensure safety, transparency, and strong public participation in the 2021 legislative session,” House Speaker Tina Kotek said. “With essential safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Oregonians from across the state will be able to testify at every public hearing remotely to have their voices heard in the Capitol. Kotek said the plan will require an unprecedented level of coordination and communication to make this session a success for the people of Oregon.
“As we work toward a more equitable recovery from the pandemic and other crises, it will be critical to hear as much as possible from Oregonians in every community,” she said. Senate President Peter Courtney said the state has never seen a session like this before. “We need to keep members and staff safe,” Courtney said. “Legislative staff worked hard to come up with a plan that is safe and transparent. Every session, Oregonians make their voices heard on issues they care about. We need these voices. This plan will make the legislative process more accessible to Oregonians across the state.” The Capitol Operations Safety Plan is the product of a three-month, thorough review of all building operations, according to Courtney and Kotek. A core team of nonpartisan Capitol staff, which included members of the Oregon Capitol Club and the Capitol Press Association, as well as a bipartisan group of legislators and staff members led the review of the plan. The goals of the core team were to develop a plan that complies with public health directives and guidelines while maximizing opportunities for public engagement. Public health officials from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have reviewed and approved of the plan. Infectious disease experts from Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) have toured the Capitol,
reviewed written mitigation efforts, and found the operations plan to be thorough and well-conceived. The session will begin with committees meeting remotely and physical entry to the capitol permitted for authorized personnel. Floor sessions will be limited to necessary business only, with daily floor sessions beginning in April. If public health conditions improve, public entry to the capitol will be expanded in accordance with public health protocols. Authorized personnel who work in the building, including legislators, are instructed to follow public health workplace rules set by Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), including mask usage and maintaining six feet of physical distance from others. Members will be permitted to have staff on-site but will be limited to the office occupancy limits. Remote work will be strongly encouraged for all other staff and legislative agencies. The presiding officers will work with Democratic and Republican caucus leaders to determine when in-person work in the capitol can be expanded. Currently, Marion County is among the 23 of 36 Oregon counties in the Extreme Risk category. County conditions will be monitored weekly beginning in February to determine the potential for expanded entry. Legislators convened on Monday, Jan. 11 for the swearing in of new members and the start of Organizational Days.
Obituaries George Randall “Randy” Williams Jr. Randy Williams, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away on Dec. 25, 2020 at his home at the age of 77. A private memorial will be held at a later date.
Kymberly Capek
May 29, 1959 ~ Jan. 3, 2021
Kymberly Capek, a long-time resident of Columbia County, passed away on Jan. 3, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. No service has been planned at this time.
Mary June Burnham June 3, 1931 ~ Jan. 9, 2021
Mary June Burnham 89, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away in Rainier on Jan. 9, 2021.
Philip Lyman Chamberlain March 9, 1940 ~ Dec. 3, 2020
Philip Lyman Chamberlain passed away in Longview, Washington on Dec. 3, 2020. He was buried in a family plot at Murray Hill Cemetery.
Virginia Rose Erickson Feb. 26, 1933 ~ Jan. 8, 2021
Virginia Rose Erickson 87, of St. Helens, Oregon, passed away on Jan. 8, 2021 in Portland, Oregon.
Columbia County’s trusted local news source
Courtesy photo
Gov. Kate Brown has ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset, Jan. 13, to honor two fallen United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. Violence answers nothing, solves nothing, and offers nothing,” Brown said. “Last week, we saw attacks on our democracy, the Constitution, and the American people. “This is not who we are. Dan and I send our condolences to the families of Officer Sicknick and Officer Liebengood as they mourn and grieve.We remember their dedication and determination, their service, and sacrifice.”
Rollins joins InRoads Stephanie Rollins has joined the InRoads Credit Union team as the new vice president of commercial services. In a release from InRoads, Rollins is described as a financial industry professional who began her banking career as a teller at a small community bank in Texas. She quickly advanced in her career, excelling in consumer, mortgage, and ultimately focusing on commercial lending. “Stephanie brings decades of experience to the InRoads team,” InRoads President/ CEO Brooke Van Vleet said. “Her business insights as
well as her confident, upbeat personality are a perfect fit for the organization.” Rollins has a BBA from LeTourneau University in Texas, including just over two decades of financial services experience. “I am excited to join the InRoads team because of the amazing culture and the focus on our community and the businesses we serve,” Rollins said. “I am so happy to have the opportunity to be a part of this team.” InRoads Credit Union is located at 425 S Columbia River Highway in St. Helens. The credit union may be reached at 503-397-2376.
Stephanie Rollins
Courtesy photo
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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Increased food benefits continuing
STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Department of Human Services will continue to offer increased food benefits in January 2021, to help Oregonians struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit increase applies to current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are receiving less than the maximum allotment. Additionally, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there is also a temporary increase in SNAP benefits of approximately 15% for all recipients. SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive additional benefits as they will be placed directly on their Oregon EBT cards. Households receiving SNAP benefits will see the additional supplement to their benefits based on a maximum allotment scale. For example, if there are four individuals in a household and that household is currently receiving $500 in benefits, the emergency allotment supplement will raise their benefits to the maximum allowed for households of four, which is $680 per month – or an increase of $180. With the additional increase in benefits, the total food benefits for that household would be $782 for the month. Total supplemental benefits will differ based on each household’s regular monthly allotment. The additional benefits were scheduled to be issued Jan. 12 and Jan. 29. The Jan. 29 benefits are for anyone who began receiving SNAP Jan, 12 or after. Households only receive one allotment.
BLM proposes new fees
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public input on its draft business plan to modify fees at day-use sites, campgrounds, and group facilities across the Northwest Oregon District. The district is proposing to increase fees at existing recreation sites, and to establish fees at certain sites that currently do not charge fees or that are proposed for future development. The district is also proposing an annual pass that could be used to cover fees at day-use sites. These fee changes are being proposed to meet site maintenance needs and increasing operating costs. The new proposed fees will enable the BLM to improve services, add amenities desired by visitors, and help ensure the sites remain places the public can be proud of for years to come. The proposal would modify fees at two existing day-use sites, and 13 campgrounds and group facilities. It would establish new fees at 16 day-use sites, campgrounds, and group facilities that currently do not charge fees. Fee approval is also requested for two campground facilities that are proposed for future development. The plan proposes an annual pass that would cost $30 per year and is designed to make it easier for frequent visitors to enjoy public lands while providing cost savings. The draft business plans are available online at www. blm.gov/programs/recreation/ permits-and-fees/businessplans. The public is invited to send feedback to Northwest Oregon District Recreation Staff at BLM_OR_NO_ REC_publiccomments@blm. gov or (503) 315-5935.
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CH21-1569
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of DONALD WILLIAM HILL, Deceased. Case No. 20PB08564 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 persons whose rights may be affected by
the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published, January 13, 2021. DeLeana Wiseman, Personal Representative. Lower Columbia Law Group LLC.
CH21-1570
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY 2021 ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE 1. Notice is hereby given that the Columbia County Board of Commissioner will hold their regularly scheduled meetings every Wednesday, at or after 10:00 AM. These meetings will be held from the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 357-054-141 2. Additionally, the Board will hold their
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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regularly scheduled Work Sessions every Wednesday at or after 1:00 PM from the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. https:// global.gotomeeting.com/ join/357054141 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 357054-141. 3. Any changes and/or cancellations to this schedule will be noticed. 4. This is a public meeting except during the Executive Session. Columbia County
does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request accommodations or to review the County’s ADA Policy, please contact the Board of Commissioners Office at 503397-4322. Dated this 6th day of January, 2021. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, Margaret Magruder, Chair.
CH21-1571
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING CCR Transit Advisory join the meeting from your Committee meeting will be computer, tablet or smartheld via GoToMeeting on phone. https://global.gotoTuesday, January 19, 2021 meeting.com/join/589088157 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (PST) To You can also dial in using Columbia County’s trusted local news source
your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (571) 3173116 Access Code: 589-088157
CH21-1568
PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT Time Change for Regular Meeting January 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. The start time for the January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD has changed. The Board will begin their Regular Meeting
an hour earlier at 5:00 p.m., following the Special Board Workshop. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made at least 48 hours in advance by contacting the Administrative
Assistant at 503-366-9916. Columbia River PUD Board meetings are conducted pursuant to the public meeting laws of the State of Oregon and anyone wishing to attend is welcome. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager
CH21-1567
PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT Special Meeting - Workshop January 19, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD will meet in a workshop setting on January 19, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., to conduct an orientation for new Directors. The topics include power resources, drone use,
a legal orientation, and any other business that may come before the Board. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made at least 48 hours in advance by contacting the Adminis-
trative Assistant at 503-3669916. Columbia River PUD Board meetings are conducted pursuant to the public meeting laws of the State of Oregon and anyone wishing to attend is welcome. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager CH21-1566
CH20-1556
PUBLIC LIEN SALE U- NOTICE OF STORE SELF STORAGE MEETING Auction to be held online at Storageauctions. com. Auction will run from 1/5/2021 10:00 am & end on 1/15/2021 10:00 am. Unclaimed storage lockers to be sold by competitive
bidding. Location: Jodie L Pierce O-019, St. Helens 445 Port Ave, Suite D. GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION SOLD BY STORAGE LOT. Cash and Credit Cards.
McNulty Water PUD Board Meeting will be held January 19, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom. If you would like to attend this Zoom meeting please contact Shannon at 503-397-1301 for information.
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Public Notices CH21-1565
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of FRANK JOSEPH KNUSEL, Deceased. No. 20PB09091 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned has
been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from this date at the office
of VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding
may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the personal representative. Dated and first published: January 6, 2021.
Date of final publication: January 20, 2021. Agnes M. Petersen, Personal Representative. Personal Representative: Agnes M. Petersen c/o VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St.
Helens, OR 97051. Attorney for Personal Representative: Mary Anne Anderson, VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Phone: (503) 397-4091.
The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
RALLY From Page A1
reality we face and those economic restrictions are the law here in Oregon. “Opening up business locations outside of applicable law will result in significant fines. Defying the law is not the answer. Getting past the ongoing health emergency in Oregon is.” Before the rally, The Chronicle contacted St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh about the city of St. Helens’ position concerning the rally. The Chronicle: Are there any permits required for such an event through the city and if so, have the organizers of this event requested such permits and have the permits been issued?
BENCH From Page A1
At the Jan. 6 St. Helens City Council meeting, the city accepted the donation graciously. “The Lions Club wants to donate two benches? Great, I love it,” Mayor Rick Scholl said. The benches will likely be placed near Milton Creek and along the edge of the park near the intersection of Old Portland Road and 18th Street. The benches are one part of a changing landscape at McCormick Park. The city council approved a design for a new playground at McCormick Park at its Dec. 16 meeting. The new play structure is designed to be accessible to all children and is funded partially through the Moda Assist Program reward money that the city won in April of 2020. Specific installation dates have not yet been selected, but the city has previously said that work is expected to begin in the spring.
John Walsh: A special use permit is required for any event on public property where over 50 people will be in attendance; however, Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 orders which have been in place for most of last year and have carried over into 2021 do not allow us to issue permits for large events due to the ongoing pandemic. The event organizers have not reached out to us regarding permitting and no permits have been issued. The Chronicle: What preparations are being made by St. Helens Police to ensure citizen safety during this event? Walsh: The St. Helens Police Department has been made aware of the event but organizers have not reached out to the city or the police department to coordinate details. As with any potentially large event that the Lions Club Benches are not the only way the St. Helens Lions Club gives back to the community, club member Kathy Syrstad said. The flags that line parts of Highway 30 and certain streets in town on major holidays are put up by the club and members assist with food-security projects for area students. “We’re not a huge club, but we have a good group of members who are willing to work on projects,” Syrstad said. The club also collects old eyeglasses and helps recycle them to be reused for people in need. They also maintain the exercise stations and perimeters of McCormick Park and provide two small flags on a wooden base to all first grade students to educate them about flags, Syrstad said. This year, due to the pandemic, a video is being produced for the teachers to show the students, she said. To learn more about the local Lions Club, visit e-clubhouse.org/sites/sthelens. City park projects In addition to the upcoming improvements at McCor-
The Chronicle: What are the fines for not following the state-mandated mask wearing and social distancing requirements?
Walsh: The St. Helens Police Department does not impose fines or issue citations for failure to follow the state guidelines. The State of Oregon has outlined the following process for enforcement of the rules: It is a Class C misdemeanor to violate the mask, face covering, face shield requirement. The Oregon Health Authority and Local Public Health Authorities can issue civil penalties and take other enforcement actions for violations of the mask, face covering, face shield requirement. An individual or business that has a state issued license, may be subject to a licensing action for violating the mask, face covering, face shield guidance. All complaints can be directed to Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA): osha.oregon.gov/workers/ Pages/index.aspx.
mick Park, the council also approved a step forward for the Campbell Park project. The city plans to replace the four tennis courts and the basketball court at Campbell Park with three new sport courts to accommodate a variety of net sports, and the city council approved an exemption from the competitive bidding process to procure the work due to a lack of bids. Now, the city will attempt to contact a minimum of three contractors qualified to do the work and get bids directly from them instead of advertising again. The improvements are to replace the courts, which city Communication Director Crystal King previously told The Chronicle had severely degraded since their original construction. The work is funded partially through an Oregon parks and Recreation Grant from the Local Government Grant Program for $187,024 and total project is estimated to cost $312,099, King said. In addition to the new sport court installation, the parking lot will be expanded by 15 feet to allow approximately 25 new spaces, including two ADA spaces.
Work began late last summer for a $312,000 improvement project at Campbell Park in St. Helens.
police are aware of, on-duty officers will monitor the event to ensure it remains peaceful. These events have remained peaceful in St. Helens, and we do not have any reason to believe that this rally will be any different. The Chronicle: Will police enforce social distancing and mask wearing requirements at this event? Walsh: The St. Helens Police Department has followed the lead of Oregon State Police regarding enforcement of COVID-19 social distancing and mask wearing requirements. Our focus is on education and voluntarily compliance rather than enforcement.
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The Chronicle: If the organizers of the Saturday Open Oregon rally at St. Helens have not obtained the legally required permits, would this than be considered an illegal gathering and if so, what action would the city and police take to enforce legalities and to ensure public safety? Walsh: As of right now, we are unable to issue any special use permits due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon. The Open Oregon rally has not been permitted through the city of St. Helens. As with other protests which occurred last year related to the Black Lives Matter movement and counter protests, we acknowledge that people have chosen to exercise their constitutional right to assemble peaceably. We strongly encourage anyone who chooses to gather in groups to adhere to physical
distancing guidelines and wear a face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The St. Helens Police Department has adjusted its staffing levels to ensure that there are adequate officers on duty during this event should any issues arise; however, we anticipate that this rally will remain peaceful as have other protests and rallies which occurred in St. Helens over the past year. St. Helens Police reported no incidents at the Saturday rally. The Chronicle also reached out to St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl asking whether he supported the reopening push. We had not received his response by press time. Join the conversation. Do you believe business owners, including restaurants, should follow the Open Oregon push and reopen? Post your comments with this story at thechronicleonline.com.
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Students press to return to class JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Several students from Rainier Jr./Sr. High School conducted an early morning rally Monday at the school district campus entrance urging the Rainier School District to resume in-person instruction. “On behalf of the majority of the district students, we are urging the school board and administrators to find a sense of urgency to get us back into the classrooms, we can’t just keep waiting,” Rainier Jr/Sr. High School Body President Reese Schimmel said. “I believe our students need a voice in what happens for the rest of the year. We want to be back in the building. Open up.” Interim Superintendent Joseph Hattrick and a team of district administrators met the students at the rally. “We fully support the students,” he said. “One of our goals as educators is to help students take part in the process and navigate life and
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Several students from Rainier Jr./Sr. High School hold signs during the early Monday morning Jan. 11 rally urging the Rainier School District to resume in-person classes.
this is great self-advocacy. Our message to the students is that we are completely on their side and we support them.” Hattrick said he planned to present his proposed roll outs
Welcome to the new year
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to resume in-person instruction to the Rainier School Board during a special meeting Monday night, Jan. 11. “In that I hope to get a message out to the public
about some of the un-shared information from the governor’s office,” Hattrick said. “There is some information that I want to clarify.” According to Hattrick,
one of the main pieces of that un-shared information is a misconception of the school districts’ local control. “While the governor has said the districts have local
control in re-opening, that is not necessarily the case,” he said. “The biggest piece is with the House bill that was passed for liability coverage. That goes away if we don’t follow the metrics, so it is a mixed message.” Getting the district staff vaccinated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is also needed, Hattrick said. Hattrick said he is encouraging district residents to contact elected officials. “To get everybody working together to get kids back into the school buildings,” he said. The Clatskanie School District plans to resume limited grade in-person classes later this month. The St. Helens and Scappoose School Districts have not yet announced specific in-person instruction plans. Columbia County schools have been conducted online since March. Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.