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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Multiple ongoing projects throughout Intersection improvements on Highway 30 Page A3 the city

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On Stage!

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Systems down: City still offline

Christine Menges / The Chronicle

This sign was posted Thursday, Jan. 16 outside the St. Helens Public Library alerting patrons of computer issues inside the city agency. STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Children practice their roles during the Missoula Children’s Theater rehearsal of Cinderella.

Local children become actors, actresses JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

It’s not often that The Chronicle gets an invitation to go back stage for a behind-the-scenes look at a Missoula Children’s Theater production, so we took advantage of the opportunity on Jan. 14, just a few days before the production of Cinderella in St. Helens. Local children spent their afternoons last week on stage at St. Helens High School rehearsing for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Cinderella. Missoula Children’s Theatre

first year tour actor director Sydney Hover and second year tour actor director Johnathan Handley showed The Chronicle how they work with the children to prepare for the play. “The biggest thing they can pull off is learning what to do in this play,” Handley said. “We hand them a script at the beginning of the week, you know that can be literally impossible for some, but in five days they do. So I think that is the biggest accomplishment for them. It is always astonishing!” “I hope that they come away with the ability to work hard and believe in themselves, and the

confidence to take the lessons that they learned, do this show, and take those lessons with them for the rest of their life,” Hover said. Hover said she takes away pride in helping the children. “It’s really exciting to see the kids experience the major of theatre for the first time,” she said. “Maybe they’ve done it a hundred times, but each time is different in theatre.” “For me, I get a great sense of purpose,” Handley said. “I am making a difference in a field that I have chosen as my career. This makes us take a back seat and really see theatre from a different side. It is re-

ally a positive accomplishment for us and the kids.” During the rehearsals, Hover and Handley show each child what their role is and how to perform it. “We help them until they feel confident and that they feel good about it,” Hover said. “Building that confidence is very important. That’s what theater taught me and I think everyone can learn a little bit of it through theatre as well.” “For some of these children, this is all they will do on stage, so our

See THEATER Page A11

Controlling Columbia County’s Mosquitoes JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

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In a new proactive approach to control mosquitoes and the diseases they can spread, the Columbia Drainage Vector Control District will use high technology in their efforts this spring and summer. West Nile Virus The District has purchased two drones to add to their tool box of control equipment that also includes a helicopter and on-land vehicle pesticide spraying. Columbia Drainage Vector Control District Director Mike Roberts said the drones will help District crew members locate and treat mosquito breeding areas all along the Columbia River and other areas in Columbia County. The District’s boundaries stretch from the Multnomah County line to the Clatsop County line and seven miles inland from the Columbia River. Roberts said adding the hi-tech drones are critical in helping to track down mosquitoes that could be carrying the West Nile Virus (WNV). “We found West Nile Virus in bird species in Columbia County a few years ago,” he said. “What we are seeing is with the warmer and longer summers the mosquito spe-

cies that carry West Nile are moving farther north from California and Southern Oregon into our area. We predict we will have more West Nile in the future.” According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), WNV is carried by mosquitoes and can infect humans, horses, and birds. Humans can only get the virus

from the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease does not spread from other animals to humans, or from person to person. Most infections are mild, with fever and flu-like symptoms, but severe infections may cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and rarely, death. WNV was first detected in humans in Oregon in 2005. There have been 195 human cases of the virus in Oregon between 2005 and 2019, according to the OHA. Preventing WNV • Avoid mosquito bites.

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• Mosquito-proof your home by draining standing water where mosquitoes breed. • Help your community by reporting sick or dead birds to reduce your risk for becoming sick. The Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority works with local health departments, mosquito control districts and other agencies to detect and test for the presence of WNV. The mosquitoes can breed along the river front and in ponds, old tires and anything that can hold water. “There are species of mosquitoes that have a flight range of 20 miles, that’s why it is very important that we treat these species,” he said. Now, with a small scout drone that can land on water in the search for the mosquitoes and a large drone that will be used to drop approved pesticides onto the mosquito breeding areas, the District is gearing up for a more intense control effort. “Beforehand, we would go into the fields with trucks to locate and treat the mosquito breeding areas, but there are many locations we would not get to because of road hazards and mud,” Roberts said. “In the spring we would use a helicopter, which would allow us to treat about 600 acres at a time. Roberts said the helicopter could

See MOSQUITOES Page A6

Most City of St. Helens city departments are still without computers, email and phone services, although some computers are slowly coming back online, according to city staff The Chronicle spoke with Tuesday morning, Jan. 21 Previously, all City of St. Helens city departments had been without computers, email and phone services until at least late Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16, a disruption that had begun Tuesday, Jan. 14. The Chronicle went to St. Helens City Hall Thursday afternoon and spoke with Matt Brown, Assistant City Administrator, who said the systems are down for unplanned maintenance. Brown said he would be unable to answer any further questions about the offline issues for the time being, and the city would release another statement sometime next week. According to a statement posted at the City of St. Helens website Tuesday, Jan. 14, all the City’s phones, email, and computer systems are offline and will remain so until at least Tuesday, Jan. 21. This affects all City departments, including City Hall, Library, Public Works, Police, and the Recreation Center. Emergency 911 and non-emergency dispatch (503-397-1521) are still working. “If you need to reach a City department before next week, you will need to go to their physical location to speak to a staff member,” the City’s website message reads. “We apologize for this inconvenience. I.T. staff is aware of the issue and working hard to resolve the problem.” There have been no official details released by the City about what caused the systems disruption. On Jan. 16, there were signs of the offline disruption throughout the city. The St. Helens Public Library had a notice posted in front of the building on 18th Street informing patrons that the library computers were down. The city library director Margaret Jeffries referred The Chronicle back to city hall for further details about the offline issues. At approximately 3 p.m., The Chronicle went to the St. Helens Police Department just a few blocks from the city library and found a notice on that agency’s front door that the police quarters were temporarily closed and that officers were conducting business elsewhere. The notice instructed people to call 911 for any emergencies. The notice did not indicate that the closure was related to the offline issue. St. Helens City Council President Doug Morten told the Chronicle that the council is not involved with the systems disruption and it is currently a city staff issue. Follow this developing story online at thechronicleonline.com

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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Multiple ongoing projects throughout the city

Christine Menges / The Chronicle

The Columbia View Park amphitheater and stage, which will get a new design soon. CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Changes are coming to different sites throughout the city of St. Helens; namely the Columbia View Park stage, rental rates for the St. Helens Recreation Center, a site plan for an RV Park and a lease agreement between the city and the Masonic Building. All were discussed at a recent city council work session on Jan. 15. Columbia View Park stage On the list of items city councilors and staff discussed were upcoming changes to the gazebo and stage in the amphitheater at Columbia View Park. At an October 2019 work session, City Administrator John Walsh spoke with councilors about the need to improve the stage at the amphitheater at Columbia

View Park. Wauna Credit Union, which sponsors the stage, stipulated they wanted to continue their sponsorship, but move forward with a design and plan for a new stage, according to Walsh. The stage has undergone small changes in the past, namely adding wings to the side to widen it in order to accommodate larger groups, like bands that play during 13 Nights on the River. However, as Jenny Dimsho, Associate Planner for St. Helens, explained to the council at the Jan. 15 work session, a long-term solution is needed to make the stage bigger. In order to develop a funding plan for financing the project, a design plan for the new stage is necessary first, according to Dimsho. Councilors’ opinions on the stage echoed similar sentiments included in the Columbia View Park Expansion Plan, published June 7, 2017 by Vista Planning, associated with Portland State Univer-

sity. According to that plan, the expansion of Columbia View Park is the kickstarter to the overall Waterfront Redevelopment Project. Councilors Ginny Carlson and Doug Morten both emphasized the need for changes to the stage to not block the view of the Columbia River in the background. Carlson also added the stage would need to be suitable for any type of event. Mayor Rick Scholl said the stage would need to be accessible all around and needs to be elevated and back farther. Dimsho floated the idea of having a fabric-style roof, which Morten opposed, saying such a roof would acquire a green mold. Dimsho will work on a design plan for the stage which she will give back to the councilors for review later. The gazebo, which the current stage sits under, was recommended to be relocated elsewhere in the park,

Christine Menges / The Chronicle

The St. Helens Recreation Center, which will soon have a fee to rent out for events.

according to the Columbia View Park Expansion Plan. Recreation Center Rental Rates City staff and councilors also discussed rental rates to be instated at the St. Helens Recreation Center for parties wishing to rent out the facility. There is one caveat to renting out the facility, which is that the center cannot host events where people are expecting to be fed, according to Matt Brown, Assistant City Administrator, because of the current uses and occupancy level of the facility. The proposal for renting out the facility is $30 per hour, plus a security deposit, Brown said. This would cover the staff needed to operate the facility, because according to regulations for the facility, if the center is open, at least one staff member must be present.

RV Park Last March, St. Helens city councilors approved a feasibility study through RV Consulting, Inc. to examine the possibility of constructing an RV Park at 1850 Old Portland Road, across the street from the St. Helens Recreation Center. The site plan for the facility is currently in the early stages, and councilors gave their input on what they would like to see at the Jan. 15 work session. A preliminary site plan indicates 45 units for the RV Park, neighboring a stream. Councilors discussed options on the site plan, mostly regarding site location, especially regarding public access along the stream. The Port of Columbia County, which is in charge of numerous waterfront properties throughout the county, wants to make both sides of the creek accessible to citizens, accord-

ing to Scholl. City Planner Jacob Graichen said the site design plan was preliminary, and that they would put the discussion on hold for the time being. Masonic Building The city has officially taken out a lease on the Masonic Building, for space for tourism activities to occur. The lease is for $3,000 per month for two years, financed by tourism money, a fact that Scholl stressed during the meeting. “This is through an interfund loan, not the general fund. It can’t be for sidewalks, streets. . . It generates its own revenue through sponsorship and advertisements,” Scholl said. The funds operate out of the city’s transient lodging tax, a 10 percent tax that hotels, motels and other overnight rentals pay to the city every year.

Jordan Center hosts grand re-opening Community Events

Christine Menges / The Chronicle

Participants at Saturday’s event put their hand prints on a banner to commemorate the center’s re-opening. CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Columbia Community Mental Health just recently reopened a peer-support center for members of the community who need it. This past Saturday, Jan. 18, The Jordan Center, located at 297 S. 1st Street, celebrated the completion of its renovation in a grand-re-opening ceremony. Opened in 2012, the center was made in honor and memory of Nick Jordan, a well-liked patient of Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) who passed away from cancer. According to CCMH Public Relations and Director of Development, Hope Wirta, the center would have been a place for Jordan to go had he survived to take part in it. Jordan’s mother, Peggy Jordan Hammond, was the impetus to get the center going after first giving funds, according to Wirta. The center draws a crowd of approximately 30 regular participants, Wirta estimates. Since opening in 2012, however, the center has been badly in need of upgrades and refurbishment. The Chronicle sat down with Wirta to talk about the grand re-opening, what it took to get there, and where the center is heading now. The Chronicle: The Center has been open since 2012. Why the decision to re-vamp it? Hope Wirta: It had just gotten really run down, and needed some work put into it. Also, along with the center itself, we’ve changed a little how it’s being run. Originally it was run by peer, run by the people who went there. It was a great idea, it just didn’t work the way it was intended to. It just needed a little more

management. CCMH just started overseeing the center in 2018. We have a supervisor and her name is Samantha Looney. She’ll run the activities, take donations, screen it, so we don’t run into the same problems again. She’ll make connections that need to be made. She’ll be there every Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chronicle: What was added that wasn’t there before? Wirta: There wasn’t a lot added. It was really just a cleaning up, a freshening up. There was electrical work, floor was redone, new kitchen floor put in, new washer and dryer put in. A fresh coat of paint from top to bottom. We put some new furniture in there. Really was just a revamp. A lot of stuff was taken out. And just being really purposeful about it. There’s a group room for groups that come in there to meet. Warmline, a hotline for counseling, comes in and operates there one day a week. There’s a crafting area, and crafts are in the shelves and not just on the floor, so it’s really just little things like that that we did. The Chronicle: How long did the revamp take, and how was it funded? Wirta: The entire process, from raising funds to the grand re-opening, was about six months. This was almost all completely funded by grants and donations. A lot of donated work, a lot of it was because our maintenance crew went in and did all of the work. A lot of it was just elbow grease and paint. The Chronicle: Who is welcome to use the Jordan Center?

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Wirta: The Jordan Center is a peer drop-in center for people that are in recovery, people coping with mental health issues. It’s a center for people to receive social support and peer counseling if they’re recovering from mental health and substance abuse issues. It’s a place where they can just be themselves. It’s a center modeled on peer support, which recent research shows is the best way to support people in recovery. The Chronicle: How do you feel about having a place like the Jordan Center in the community? Wirta: I think it’s amazing. The people that had been going there, even though it was run down, they used it consistently. It was their home away from home, it’s where they’re comfortable, and where they’re happy. It will get good continued use and we’ll hope to build on it more and more. Eventually we’d love to have it open full time. It’s a place to go. It’s a home.

January 23 • Columbia 9-1-1: Communications District Board of Directors Regular Meeting 1 p.m. at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Meeting Room January 25 • Meet the Mayor: Come to this informal meeting from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at City Hall, 1840 Second St., Columbia City, Oregon to discuss any concerns or ideas you have for improving our city. • Shred Day: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. InRoads Scappoose Branch, 52691 Columbia River Highway. Do you have a pile of sensitive mail and other papers that need to be shredded? Bring up to three boxes or bags of paper to the InRoads Credit Union Shred Day event and we’ll shred it for free. January 28 • Email Marketing 101 For Small Business: 5:30-7 p.m. at the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce office, 2194 Columbia Blvd. St. Helens. Call 503-397-0685 to register. Cost is $25.

February 1 6 pm classes Best Western

February 2 • Columbia Humane Society Vaccination Clinic. Noon – 4 p.m. at the Rainier Fire Station, 211 West 2nd St., Rainier. All vaccines offered at a reduced cost. Proceeds from the vaccines help support Columbia Humane Society. To pre-register please call 503-369-7643 or email animalwelfare@ columbiahumane.org. February 8 • Valentines for Vets - Elks Veterans Bunker: 5 p.m. Doors open, 6 p.m. Flag Ceremony with dinner to follow. Silent auction followed by LIVE auction starting at 7:30 p.m. This is the 5th annual Gala Fundraiser dinner and auction at Buccini Hall, St. Frederic Church, 165 S. 14th St., St. Helens. Go to ElksVeteransBunker.org to purchase tickets. Call 503410-5225 or 503-369-7635 for sponsorship or to donate auction items. • Columbia County Oregon Beekeepers and OSU Extension Service presents:

585 S. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens

2020 Bee School 101: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at OSU Columbia County Extension, 505 N Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens. $40 if registered by Feb. 1, $45 if registered after Feb. 1, $20 scholarship available for students and those in need. Please call Linda Zahl at 503799-7073 for information. Refreshments provided. Bring a sack lunch. Topics include: honeybee biology, tools and woodworking, acquiring bees, disease and pathogens, hive manipulations for honey protection, gardening for pollinators and more. February 14 • Apprenticeship Trade Forum: 10 a.m. - noon at the St. Helens High School Auditorium, 2375 Gable Rd, St. Helens, Oregon. The Apprenticeship Coordinators group of Oregon and SW Washingtobn will be presenting information about building trades, training programs, qualifications, benefits, requirements, and available occupations.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

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SNAP: Oregon sues Trump Administration Intersection improvements on Highway 30 Saving Oregon has joined fifteen criteria for states to obtain CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Changes will be coming sometime next year to two intersections on Highway 30 in St. Helens. The intersection of Bennett Road and Highway 30 will be receiving a raised median, making it impossible to turn left onto the highway from the side streets. The other intersection, Millard Road and Highway 30, will be receiving a traffic signal, replacing the flashing yellow caution light currently in place. These changes were discussed at a recent Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 15 by Tony Snyder, area manager in Astoria for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and by Bill Jablonski, Senior Transportation Project Manager for ODOT. Jablonski and Snyder said ODOT is currently doing preliminary engineering for the intersections, and they will go to bid at the end of 2020, with construction set to begin in 2021. The upcoming changes are part of a 10-year-long project, beginning when the area from Millard Road to Bennett Road on Highway 30 was designated a safety corridor in December of 2010, due to the area’s severe accident history, Jablonski said. The safety corridor was decommissioned in November of 2014, after it was shown that ODOT was able to effectively reduce the number of crashes after identifying problems in the safety audit, according to Jablonski. The intersections of Millard Road and Highway 30 and Bennett Road and Highway 30 were two items

Christine Menges / The Chronicle

The intersection of Highway 30 and Millard Road, which will be getting a traffic signal, replacing the flashing yellow light.

identified in the safety audit, according to Jablonski. “There’s still a strong support, in fact we have money in the bank, to actually construct these improvements as what was identified in the safety corridor plan,” Jablonski said. At Millard Road, along with a traffic light, improvements will come to the rail crossing as well, with new gates and flashing lights, Jablonski said. For Bennett Road, Jablonski said the intersection saw 17 crashes in the period from 2011 to 2016, with 12 of those crashes involving turning movements from the side streets onto Highway 30. “That would be a reduction of 12 accidents during this five-year period if these measures would have been in place then,” Jablonski said. Snyder told the commissioners they would hear complaints from constituents about having to drive down the highway about a mile distance from Bennett to Millard in order to turn onto the highway, when previously they could have just driven straight onto the highway.

“This is roughly a mile, so several minutes longer for some of your population, but we’ll eliminate 17 turning accidents,” Snyder said. “And turning accidents, people are entering the highway, they’re coming out of highway speed, and T-bones are some of the most severe compared to stopping at a signal and someone pops in.” An additional improvement the ODOT representatives discussed was extending the right-turn lane that turns onto Portland Road from the highway, so that log trucks do not jut out into the highway when making that turn. Snyder also noted potential future difficulties with working with the railroad in making the improvements, because ODOT cannot control the design on the rail system. “Our relationship with the county, it’s truly a partnership. You need something, we need something,” Snyder said. “Our relationship with the railroad can never really be considered a partnership. So anytime you have a project that involves a rail crossing, unless it’s just routine, is difficult.”

states and New York City in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans. According to a release from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the lawsuit challenges a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend food stamp benefits in places where jobs are scarce. The coalition of state attorneys general is urging the court to declare the rule unlawful and issue an injunction to prevent it from going into effect on April 1, 2020. “The food stamp program (known as “SNAP”) has helped vulnerable Oregonians for over 40 years,” Rosenblum said. “It is hard to fathom why the federal government wants to punish thousands of adults in some of the most employment-impacted areas of our state—people who may not be able to find jobs—by taking away their access to food.” More than 21,000 Oregonians who currently receive benefits could lose them beginning April 1, under the Trump Administration’s plan. While the federal government pays the full cost of SNAP benefits, it shares the costs of administering the program on a 50/50 basis

with the states, which operate the program. Congress amended SNAP in 1996 to introduce a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed individuals aged 18 to 49 who are not disabled or raising children. Congress believed that states were best positioned to assess whether local economic conditions and labor markets provided reasonable employment opportunities. The law allows a waiver of the three-month limit for areas where data is presented by the state demonstrating that the area lacks sufficient jobs. In a declaration filed with the lawsuit, the Director of the Self Sufficiency Program for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Daniel Haun, explained that as of November 2019, Oregon had 347,941 households, for a total of 586,781 Oregonians, who receive SNAP benefits statewide. Of these individuals, 21,886 Oregonians are potentially affected if this rule goes into effect. Their average food benefit ranges from $166-$186 per month. Over the last 24 years, Congress has maintained the

waivers, and allowed states to carry over unused exemptions. It has reauthorized the statute four times without limiting states’ discretion. Shortly after President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, USDA issued a proposed rule announcing these changes. The USDA received more than 100,000 comments—the majority expressing strong opposition from a broad range of stakeholders. Regardless, USDA issued the final rule. In the lawsuit, the states argue that the new rule: • Contradicts statutory language and Congress’s intent for the food-stamp program • Raises healthcare and homelessness costs while lowering economic activity in the states • Amends the law for arbitrary and capricious reasons • Violates federal rulemaking process In addition to Oregon, New York (lead) and Washington D.C. (lead), the participating states include California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, along with the City of New York. The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Middle School information night for Sauvie Island School Middle School Information Night at Sauvie Island School will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Sauvie Island School (14445 NW Charlton Rd., Portland, 97231). It is a great way for current and prospective middle school

families (grades 6-8) to learn about the school. Find out about Sauvie Island School’s place-based approach to education and emphasis on community stewardship. Tour the school’s Joyce Miller Owens Annex, designed specifically for middle school

students. Teachers, students, and alumni will share their experiences and answer your questions. Community welcome. Pizza provided. Please RSVP to: http://www.sauvieislandschool.org/

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Opinion The Chronicle

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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Joe Heller

Weekly Online Poll Do you primarily use streaming services when watching television? Yes

Last Week’s Results Are you taking the current City of St. Helens survey? 18% Yes

82% No

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Viewpoints

Preparing for the February Session BRAD WITT House District 31 Representative

Hello Friends Last week was an incredibly busy week at the Capitol during Legislative Days, the last we’ll hold before next month’s short Legislative session. Legislative Days are typically held every couple of months during the interim for committee meetings, agency updates, task and work group reports, and information on legislation implementation. This week in committee we focused on legislation we plan to consider at the February short session. On Tuesday in the House interim Committee on Economic Development, we discussed Opportunity Zones. The Opportunity Zone program was passed as part of the 2017 federal tax overhaul and purported to bring investment and economic benefit in low income communities. This

is done with capital gains tax deferral, reduction and elimination for investment within designated Opportunity Zones. If the investment is held for at least five years, the taxes on the capital gains are discounted by 10 to 15 percent. But if they keep the new investment for at least 10 years, the taxes are waived. In our Economic Development Committee discussions, we heard the program described as “a giveaway to wealthy investors” with no requirement that these investments benefit the low-income residents of these arbitrarily designated Opportunity Zones. In essence, Oregon taxpayers are subsidizing luxury developments in the metro area. The entire Portland downtown area has been designated as an Opportunity Zone, and currently federal and state tax breaks will go to wealthy investors for high-end projects in Portland, an area where investment would

happen without these tax incentives. So, we are going to look more closely at this tax scheme. House Bill 4010 is being introduced as a House Revenue Committee bill and will direct the Legislative Revenue Officer to study this program and make recommendations, if appropriate, for legislation to put side boards on these tax breaks. Oregon is the only west coast state that is connected to these federal tax breaks, both Washington and California are not. As Chairman of the House Interim Committee on Natural Resources, we discussed three issues that will become committee bills. The first is LC (Legislative Concept) 129, which will amend residency requirements for wildlife license, tag, and permit application. LC 129 defines “resident” as a person who has resided in Oregon for at least 6 months prior to applying for license, tags or permits. Residency

does not include a person who merely owns property or pays property taxes in the state, or who claims resident privileges in another state or country for any purpose. If adopted, this measure would provide a tool for the Oregon State Police and prosecutors to deal with individuals who have been arrested for wildlife poaching who claimed out-of-state residency. We have had a history of some rather heinous examples of poaching in Oregon, with out-of-state guides engaging in illegal trophy hunting, and we need to provide whatever is necessary for law enforcement to successfully deal with this negative behavior. LC 139 would remove the prohibition of issuing a dog license or tag without proof of rabies vaccination. This was requested by Multnomah County because when pet owners have tried to license their animals via the internet, uploading the rabies vaccination verifi-

cation has been a barrier, causing some owners to abandon the licensing procedure. In Multnomah County, when a pet receives the rabies vaccine, the vet is required to send a certificate of rabies vaccination to the Multnomah County Animal Shelter. The pet owner is contacted if they need to renew the pet license, or if a license has not been issued. If LC 139 is adopted, any Oregon county would still be able to keep their current system. Or to move to the Multnomah County model, where veterinarians are required to report dog vaccinations for rabies to the county. Finally, the committee approved LC 169, to deal with wildfire notification by landowners. The concepts have not been fully determined, this bill will be a placeholder, giving us the opportunity for legislation dealing with wildfires in the coming short session. I am expecting the Febru-

ary session to include robust discussion and legislation covering a variety of issues important to Oregonians. In order to best represent the people of House District 31, I need to hear from you as measures are introduced and taken up for consideration. It is my privilege to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives, so if you do have an issue or concern regarding a state agency, please contact my office. If you are planning to visit the Capitol during the February session, please call in advance to see if we can arrange an appointment, I always enjoy seeing constituents from the district when they visit Salem. Brad Witt serves as State Representative for House District 31. He may be reached at 503-986-1431, and at Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov. Rep. Witt’s website is http://www. oregonlegislature.gov/witt.

Cap and Trade: Clever Accounting and Creative PR NIKOLE YOUNG Chronicle Guest Column

“The real danger is when politicians and CEOs are making it look like real action is happening when in fact almost nothing is being done apart from clever accounting and creative PR.” –Greta Thunberg Thunberg’s right when it comes to Oregon cap-andtrade. Here’s why: the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s board vacancies in industries most vulnerable under today’s cap-and-trade plan reveals intended peril; today’s plan makes records on implementation and outcome confidential; the segmentation and distribution of funds to impacted communities is, at best, tokenism. The Oregon Global Warming Commission is a governor-appointed board of industry leaders

who recommend tactics to reverse climate change (Oregon Global Warming Commission, 2020), like cap-and-trade, without sacrificing their industries’ futures. Sector positions for transportation, forestry, and agriculture remain vacant (Oregon Global Warming Commission, 2020). Governor Brown, allowing these vacancies, snuffs social equity. The result: favoritism, lip-service, and profit. The energy sector’s voting board member, Maria Pope (CEO of PGE), and her interests within the Commission is a fine example. With today’s plan, carbon credits from Oregon are guaranteed to electric companies for the exact amount of emissions they produce, for free (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 21). Not only is this counter-productive to publicized intent, but electric companies can

sell their free carbon credits for profit (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 68). While revenue from what’s sold should benefit customers (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 68), where is accountability if records are inaccessible? Oregon fails on transparency. Pressure on Ginger McCall to represent Governor Brown’s interests and not that of Oregonians led to her resignation as Public Records Advocate (Sabatier, 2019). Over $1 billion is owed to rural counties because Oregon clandestinely reinterpreted the Forest Acquisition Act (Sickinger, 2019). Now, the most impactful piece of legislation in our lifetime is exempt from public records policy (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 51). Citizen welfare isn’t a priority because Oregonians are denied equitable access to these future records. Concessions made in

The Chronicle

today’s plan do little to avert poverty. Today’s plan states, “…shall endeavor to distribute the majority of the moneys [from the Climate Investment Fund] …for uses that benefit impacted communities” (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 60-61). This is after 100% of the Climate Investment Fund is promised to other beneficiaries (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 60-61). Funds designated for impacted communities won’t go to its recipients. State agencies already injuring Oregonians with PERS debt, archaic administrative systems, and failing welfare programs will receive these funds. What’s worse is that deposits into the Climate Investment Fund make up an insignificant portion of forecasted revenue. Moneys will also deposit into the Transportation Decarbonization In-

vestments Account (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 54), Common School Fund (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 65), PUC Trust (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 69), Traded Sector Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program Fund (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 75), and others. Today’s cap-and-trade plan does little to impact climate change. It does, however, advance socioeconomic disparities throughout Oregon. This is done through clever accounting and creative PR. The culprits? Politicians and CEOs. References: LC 0019, LC 0019 (2020). Retrieved from https:// olis.oregonlegislature.gov/ liz/2019I1/Downloads/ CommitteeMeetingDocument/208874 Oregon Global Warming Commission. (2020). About Us. Retrieved from https://

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www.keeporegoncool.org/ about-the-commission Oregon Global Warming Commission. (2020). Commission Members. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.keeporegoncool. org/commission-members Sabatier, J. (2019, September 10). Oregon Public Records Advocate On Why She’s Resigning. Retrieved January 1, 2020, from https:// www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/ ginger-mccall-oregon-publicrecords-advocate-resigning/ Sickinger, T. (2019, November 20). Oregon loses $1 billion timber lawsuit to rural counties. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.oregonlive.com/ politics/2019/11/state-loses1-billion-timber-lawsuit-torural-counties.html Nikole Young is a Clatskanie resident. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One Year in County: $52 One Year Out of County: $72 $3 senior discount for yearly sub

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They should be concise, to the point and original. Letters dealing with disputes or containing criticism of private individuals or businesses will not be published. All letters must be signed (unless emailed) and include the author’s full name, address and daytime telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Letters also may be published on our website.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Voices of the Community Nice to hear facts with data rather than fiction and propaganda On 1/14/2020, the Republican Party of Columbia County put on a Climate Summit with two very brilliant scientists, Chuck Weise and Dr. Gordon Fulks. They agreed to come educate the county on the truth about Anthropogenic Climate Change. There was a great turnout with approximately 95 showing up to learn. There were even a few Democrats including their chair who showed up, rumor has it to educate the scientists. By the time Chuck and Gordon were finished with their presentation, it was

wholly evident to me that what my research had already taught me was true; man-made global warming, or climate change, or whatever they call it next, is pure fallacy and a religion, not science. Chuck and Gordon debunked the propaganda in several different ways. In science, someone comes up with a hypothesis, and others try to disprove it to find the truth; with the global warming propagandists, a hypothesis came out and anyone who questioned it is labeled and attacked as if it is heresy. Global warming caused by man is a redistribution of wealth fraud and a religion. The math used by the alarmists is wrong to begin

with; their “facts” don’t align with the data, carbon doesn’t cause the earth to warm, water droplets do and they are controlled by the sun. The earth has only warmed less than a degree in a hundred years, the earth’s temperature goes in cycles, and we are still nowhere near the temperatures that we had in the past. During the question and answer phase, the radical leftist chair finally showed his ignorance by bloviating left-wing propaganda talking points as if he didn’t listen to the presentation, or didn’t care. He proved once again that with some people, you can give them all of the information in the world, and their minds will not stray

from their indoctrination. Facts don’t have feelings. I challenge everyone to watch the video when it is ready and is put up on the Republican Party’s FB page. The majority party in Salem is going to try and ram cap-ntrade down our throats again in an effort to make Kate Brown the darling of the political environmental movement, so that she can get huge speaking fees for her pursuit of a national office in the future. They don’t care that cap-n-trade will destroy Oregon and its citizens, they are hell bent on our destruction for their own profit. Brad Witt will no doubt be a yes vote for our destruction as he is a yes man for Kate.

Tell the governor no on cap-ntrade and let’s fire Brad Witt in November and elect Brian Stout as our new State Representative. It’s time to have a Representative that doesn’t only represent himself. Chris Brumbles, Deer Island

We need and deserve affordable medication I’m Pat Rubino, and at one point, I almost lost my home due to the cost of my heart medication following the surgery. At the last minute, a program agreed to cover what I needed, but no one should ever face such a stressful situation while also battling

illness. Recent polling shows that it isn’t just me. About one in four Americans can’t afford a prescription. It’s plain wrong. While we all wait on the federal government to act, there is good news. The Oregon legislature has taken up a bill that would allow me to get cheaper prescription drugs from Canada if necessary while we await change that will relieve us all. I am compelled to speak out because, if more of us ask for meaningful action on this issue, our elected leaders will begin to listen. Yes, we need and deserve affordable medications. And yes, we vote. We need relief now. Pat Rubino, St. Helens

Obituaries Estrellita Geraldine “Gerry” Nodland Sept. 28, 1932 ~ Jan. 7, 2020

Estrellita Geraldine “Gerry” Nodland, age 87, passed away on January 7, 2020 in Portland, Oregon surrounded by her children. Gerry Nodland was born on September 28, 1932, in Corning, Arkansas to Christine and Tom Neal. She grew up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and then moved to Oregon with her mother, older sister Thomasina McCoy and brother James Neal. In Oregon, she lived in Burns, Portland, and then Tigard, where she met her high school sweetheart and

ultimately her husband of 52 years and father to her children, Ronald Nodland. Together they lived in Sherwood, Hillsboro, Aloha and Deer Island, Oregon. After high school and her marriage in 1954, Gerry gave birth to five children in seven years. She worked in the administrative office at the Tuality Community Hospital for fifteen years and later as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Gerry was mother to Ronda Nodland, Rita Dunken, Renita VanGrunsven (Ken VanGrunsven), Robin Nod-

land (Scott Monfils) and Chris Nodland. She was a grandmother to fifteen

and a great-grandmother to another fifteen children. Living her life with

Amy Lynn Gray

husband Larry Gray; son Michael Omstead and daughter-in-law Keely Om-

Aug. 22, 1934 ~ Jan. 13, 2020

stead; mother Nancy Smith; stepmother Hattie Bechler; brother David Bechler; sister Lauri Bechler; and sister J.Dean Coombs and brotherin-law Larry Coombs. Amy joined her father, Charles Bechler, resting in heavenly peace, but she will always be here in our hearts. Friends are invited to join Amy’s family for a memorial, celebrating her life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Columbia Funeral Home, 681 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, Oregon. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbiafh.com.

William E. Goodwin was born August 22, 1934 in Hay River, Wisconsin and died surrounded by family at home on January 13, 2020 of congestive heart failure. When he was young, Bill’s family moved west, first to the Prescott area and later to St. Helens. He graduated from St. Helens High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army. Bill went on to work at the local paper mill where he retired after 41 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and going to the

Kenneth J. Leon

May 25, 1944 ~ Jan. 16, 2020

Saturday, January 11, 2020. He was born in Jackson, California on February 18, 1940. Upon completing high school in the Bay Area, he joined the U.S. Navy where he finished his 10-year tour as a photojournalist. A passion never forgotten. He moved to Portland, Oregon in 1972 and by 1978 he met and married his wife, Mary. In 1999 they decided to move to St. Helens so he could enjoy another passion of fishing. A service at Willamette National Cemetery is pending.

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casinos. He was a lifelong member of the St. Helens Elk Lodge #1999.

On March 4, 1955 he married Donna Lungberg and she survives him at home. He is further survived by two sons, Bill of Rainier and Richard (Madeline) of St. Helens; siblings Laura Flynn of St. Helens, Ralph Goodwin of John Day, and Allan Goodwin of St. Helens. He is also survived by six grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Bethany Cemetery in Warren with Pastor Steve Berry officiating.

Helane “Lane” Lee Koniak

Feb. 18, 1940 ~ Jan. 11, 2020

Kenneth J. Leon, 79, of St Helens passed away on

Gerry was preceded in death by her mother Christine Neal; husband Ronald Nodland; and brother James Neal. Gerry is survived by her sister Tommy McCoy; all her children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Young’s Funeral Home, 11831 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

William E. Goodwin

June 29, 1966 ~ Dec. 19, 2019 Amy Lynn Gray (Bechler), a longtime resident of Scappoose, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019, at the Westside Kaiser Foundation Hospital. She was born in Mountain Home, Idaho on June 29, 1966. Over the years, Amy served up many warm smiles as a waitress at Ichabod’s Restaurant. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, camping and cherishing her family, friends and their beloved dog, Rosie. Amy was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is survived by her

great dedication to the Lord and to the many pathways of spirituality, Gerry was a loving daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother, who loved bible study, camping, fishing, gardening, farming, treasure hunting at thrift stores and pie. She had an eye for fashion and bling and never left the house without being presentable. Gerry was known in her community as the sweet, kindhearted, spunky woman who would ask anyone she met, “What’s your name?”

Lane Lee Koniak, who fled Brooklyn in the 1970s and became a distinguished Oregon educator for more than four decades, died on Jan. 16 in Columbia City where she lived with her husband, lifelong Oregonian Ken Doney. She was 75. At her request, there was no service. Lane also is survived by a son Sheperd Doeleman and his wife, Elissa Weitzman; daughter Jeffa Doeleman and her husband, Jack Levy; best friend and “debate foe” Mark Jensen; brother Robert Koniak; and several grandchildren. She finished her teaching career working with visually impaired students for the Education Service District in Washington and Multnomah Counties. After retirement, she helped create and direct a nonprofit organization, Second Sight International, to help people

with vision disabilities worldwide. Her efforts on behalf of Second Sight have included gathering and sending school supplies and basic personal items to weather-devastated regions such as Puerto Rico. She also led an organization that held monthly meetings for people living with Post-polio Syndrome. She was a post-polio survivor herself and later was

a caregiver for one of the attendees. She more recently became a certified volunteer with CERT and a Democratic Party committee person. One of her best friends described her this way: “She was a teacher, mother, wife, seamstress, jewelry maker, tile layer, carpenter, polio survivor, excellent cook, world traveler - never left home without her knife and $100. Something she said

‘every woman should have for emergencies.’” The words of other friends and co-workers say much the same thing: “She was one for the record books - for many reasons.” “What an amazing force she was.” “She was one of a kind, a good friend and always there when you needed her.” “I admire you for helping so many people. You have done so all your life. And you’re knowledgeable about so many things. And I love your laugh...and your huge heart of love.” Her husband, who married late in life because of his Norwegian hippie heritage, acknowledges all of this but says the best way to remember her is to read the bumper sticker on her prized 1999 Toyota Prerunner: “Real women drive trucks.” That was our Lane.

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Sheriff looks ahead to 2nd year in office levy. Why is that necessary now, how much will you be asking for and what specifically would that money find?

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley has completed his first year in office and is looking ahead to year two. In the following conversation, Sheriff Pixley gives us insight into his first year, and what he is hoping for in year two. The Chronicle: What has been the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as Columbia County Sheriff during your first year? Sheriff Biran Pixley: I think the biggest challenges my first year were personnel and culture change. Anytime there is a change of leadership, there is a change in culture that inevitably occurs. Some people are able to adapt more quickly than others. The Chronicle: What has been the most rewarding part of your first year as Columbia County Sheriff? Pixley: The most rewarding part of my first year is the community and employee support. I have received numerous emails, phone calls and letters telling me how proud people are of the positive changes the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been making. Employee commendations from the public have increased and we are attracting great people to work here at CCSO. The Chronicle: Across the nation, law enforcement continues to face the increasing challenge of dealing with offenders that are suffering mental health issues. How are you working to make sure Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies are trained for such challenges in order to make sure offenders and

Courtesy photo

“I think the biggest challenges my first year were personnel and culture change. The most rewarding part of my first year is the community and employee support.” Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff.

the public are safe during law enforcement incidents? Pixley: The majority of our staff are trained in crisis intervention. Crisis intervention is used to offer immediate, short term help to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This training gives deputies additional tools and teaches them how to effectively communicate with those suffering a mental health crisis. We hope to have key employees attend advanced training in crisis intervention, so they can bring further education back and share it with their coworkers. CCSO continues to partner with CCMH and other community partners to ensure we are providing services for individuals with mental health needs. In addition, we are partnering with the DA’s office to identify individuals that need to be evaluated and treated at state facilities as opposed to being in jail. The Chronicle: We understand you are preparing to ask voters to renew the 2016 Columbia County Jail operations

Pixley: The jail levy is up for renewal every four years, and we will be asking voters to again renew the levy in May. There will be no changes to the tax amount, simply a renewal of the current levy so CCSO can continue to have the resources necessary to keep the jail operational. The Chronicle: In the interview with The Chief Newspaper in Clatskanie, you said calls for service had dramatically increased in Clatskanie. Overall across the county is that also the case, and if so, how are you as the top administrator dealing with that? Pixley: Calls for service are increasing across the county. As administrators, we have worked to address the increased workload with our current funding levels. We are trying to identify additional funding sources to allow us to hire more deputies. Despite our best efforts, we do not have sufficient staff to respond as quickly as we would like to all situations. There are also times that I have to respond to calls to assist in the call load. The Chronicle: What are your top three priorities for 2020 and how are you working to accomplish those priorities? Pixley: My top three priorities for 2020 are to renew the jail levy, hire additional corrections deputies, and get our cell extraction team up and running. All of these priorities are in progress and we are working with community partners to accomplish these goals.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Flash Drive For SAFE

Beginning now until January 31, the Kiwanis Day Breakers Club of St. Helens will be holding a Flash Drive for SAFE of Columbia County, formerly known as The Women’s Resource Center. As survivors seek safe shelter and assistance from abusive situations, simple personal items such as soaps,

shampoo and conditioner, as well as personal hygiene products are often left behind. SAFE has a need for full sized items to help these victims feel a part of the community. Also needed are new bath towels and wash clothes. Place items in the collection barrels at the Village Inn Restaurant, at Sunshine Pizza, or

at the St. Helens Chronicle, 1805 S. Columbia Blvd. in St. Helens. Join us in collecting these items. Let’s all work together to make this Flash Drive have a big impact in other people’s lives. For more information, contact Marilyn Allen at 503366-3546.

MOSQUITOES From Page A1

cover approximately 3,000 acres, depending on the flood waters, but it also faced limitations in finding and treating the mosquitoes. Even with the drones, Roberts said there will be control challenges. Drone issues “The issue with the drones is that we have to have a line of sight when using them,” he said. “We will use the drones to their potential but we can’t fly it where we can’t see it. We will use the drone as much as possible when we cannot get to breeding areas with the helicopter.” Roberts said, by law, the drone can have an altitude of only 400 feet so that it does not conflict with airplanes. “So we will be operating the drones at about 100 feet so we are above the trees,” he said. Photo courtesy of Mike Roberts.

Drone budget The drones were purchased for approximately $20,000 from Blue Skies Drones, a company in Bothell, Washington. The District has a $40,000 helicopter budget. Roberts said he is hopeful the drones will help reduce the use of the

Trevor Schnieder from Cowlitz County Vector, in the hat, and Tom Gutierrez from Blue Skies Drones, test one of the drones that will be used in Columbia County to find and treat mosquito breeding areas.

helicopter and the $40,000 budget. The District’s overall annual budget is $800,000 supported by taxes collected within the District’s boundaries.

For more information, contact Mike Roberts, Director Columbia Drainage Vector Control District, 503397-2898, or mosquitocontrol@cdvcd.org.

Weekly Events Mondays • St. Helens Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. every first and third Monday at the Warren Country Inn. Call 503-369-1005 for more information. • Community Action Team Board of Directors meetings from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month in the CAT boardroom, 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens. No meetings on Monday holidays. • VFW Post #1440 meets at 7 p.m. every second Monday at the Elks Club. For details, call David Belden at 503-397-2147. • Genial Genealogists meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month in the auditorium at the St. Helens Library. • Manga/Anime Club meets from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the St. Helens Library. If you enjoy reading manga, watching anime, listening to J-pop or watching K-dramas. Ages 12 to 18. No meeting on May 27. • Oregon Hunters Association Columbia County Chapter membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Kozy Korner Restaurant in St. Helens. Come at 6:30 p.m. for some good food and visiting. • The Greater St. Helens Aquatic District Board Meetings from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the Eisenschmidt Pool Basement. • The Columbia County Fair Board Meetings take place at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the 4-H Building, 58892 Saulser Rd. (No meeting in December). • St. Helens MS Self-Help Group meets on the third Monday of every month from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Columbia Center, Armstrong Room, 375 18th St., St. Helens, OR. Contact Sheryl Adair at 503-410-0752. • Community Action Team Board of Directors meet on the fourth Monday of every month (except in May, August and December) from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. in the Community Action Team Board Room, 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR 97051. • Greater St. Helens Aquatic District Board Meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Eisenschmidt Pool basement. • St. Helens TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 5 p.m. for weigh in and 5:30 p.m. for meeting at Avamere Assisted Living on the third floor in the Craft Room, 2400 Gable Rd., St. Helens. www.tops.org. Tuesdays • Kiwanis Day Breakers Club meets at 7 a.m. at the Village Inn, 535 S. Columbia River

Highway, St. Helens. For more details contact Marilyn at 503396-0939. • McNulty Water People’s Utility District Board Meeting is at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at 34240 Millard Road, Warren. • Baby Storytime at 10:15 a.m. at the St. Helens Library. Caregivers with children ages six months to two years are invited to join for stories, fingerplays, songs, bounces, tickles, and other activities that support early brain development, language acquisition, and motor skill growth. Stay after for free play. • The Columbia County Law Library will be holding Court Forms Clinics every Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (weather permitting). Get help filling our court forms commonly used in the Columbia County courthouse. The forms are free and the clinic is free. Sign up is required and is available at the courthouse Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or at the Law Library Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Questions, contact 503396- 5344, or ccll@columbiacll. org, or davis12000@aol.com. • Community Meal in the Parish Hall at First Lutheran Church, St. Helens from 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Free dinner. For more details on how to help, or volunteer, call 503-397-0090. Wednesdays • Rotary Club of Columbia County – St. Helens meeting is held at the Warren Country Inn at 12 p.m. For more information, call 503-397-2341. • Columbia SWCD meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens. December’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. • Toddler Storytime at 11:15 a.m. at the St. Helens Library. Bring your two- and threeyear old’s for songs, stories, dances, wiggles and more. Designed to support early brain development, language acquisition, and motor skill growth. Stay after for free play. • Lawyer in the Law Library is a series of talks about common legal problems. Meeting are on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A lawyer will provide basic information and answer your questions about the topic of the evening. Columbia County Law Library, 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Call 503-396-5344 with questions. • Dementia Support Group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Avamere at St. Helens, 2400 Gable Rd. Call 503-366-

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8070 for more information. Library. Bring your own art to month. Doors open at 7 a.m. each month from 12 p.m. – 2 • Stay-And-Play Storytime from work on. All disciplines of art and the meeting starts at 8 a.m. p.m. in the Armstrong Room at 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1 welcome. Guest speakers will discuss the St. Helens Library. Open to p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Scappoose • Preschool Storytime at 11:15 topics that are important to local all writers. Library Meeting Room. Young a.m. at the St. Helens Library. Veterans and their families. All • NAMI Columbia County children are invited for songs, Bring your three to five-yearveterans are welcome to attend. Support Group, National stories, finger plays, and old and their caregivers for • Little Builders for PreAlliance on Mental Illness, rhymes. After story time, the stories, songs and dances with schoolers from 10:30 a.m. meets on the second Saturday kids will have time to play with scientific inquiry and artistic – 11:30 a.m. in the Scappoose of every month from 12 p.m. fun toys and interact with each expression in order to support Library Meeting Room. Build – 2 p.m. at the Elks Veterans other. This program is geared children’s development and fun projects using pulleys, cogs, Bunker, 125 S. 13th St., St toward preschool ages, but growth. wheels, and Legos and enter Helens, Oregon. For more kids of all ages are welcome to • River City Singers seeks the world of STEM for kids. We information, contact Judy attend. new members for community will explore how things work, Thompson, at 503-397-6056, or • Port of Columbia County chorus, directed by Alice Boyer. build new worlds and have fun contact NAMI Oregon, at 503Board of Commissioners hold First United Methodist Church, too. 230-8009. meetings at 8:30 a.m. on the 560 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens • American Legion meet the • Writers Write. Will be held second and fourth Wednesday from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. This is a first Friday of each month at 8 on the first and third Saturday of the month at the Port of non-audition choir. For more a.m., America’s Best Value Inn, of each month from 6 p.m. Columbia County office, 100 E information call 503-396-0939 535 S. Columbia Highway, St. – 8 p.m. at the St. Helens St., Columbia City. or come to any rehearsal. Helens. The meetings are held Library Auditorium. Join your Thursdays • Community Meal in the in the meeting room behind the fellow writers in silent word • Kiwanis Club of St. Helens Parish Hall at First Lutheran lounge. sprints, encourage each other, meets at 12 p.m. at the Elks Church, St. Helens from 5:30 exchange ideas and write. Club. For more information call p.m. – 6 p.m. Free dinner. For Saturdays Open to writers of all ages, 503-397-6503. more details on how to help or • The Ukulele Group meets backgrounds, and introvert • The VFW Auxiliary meets the volunteer call 503-397-0090. Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. – 12 levels. second Thursday of each month • ASD Family Support Group p.m. in the auditorium in the at the St. Helens Senior Center meets every first Thursday from St. Helens Library. Please call Sundays at 1 p.m. Call Sherry at 5037 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at 52588 NE the St. Helens Public Library at • Resonate Recovery from 7 397-2147 for more information. 2nd St., Scappoose, Oregon. 503-397-4544 to register. p.m. – 8 p.m. at 220 S. 1st St, • First Thursday is a quarterly Adults only, no kiddos please • Ukulele Extra Hour – St. Helens. Bible based, Christcommunity meeting at 7 p.m. Bring a snack to share. Receive Instruction in Ukulele Topics centered spiritual recovery with the St. Helens Police support, encouragement and is an extra hour of instruction meeting for those struggling Department held on the first help your family thrive with and coaching to extend your with addictions and compulsive Thursday of the month at ASD. For details, contact musical skills on the ukulele. behavior. Everyone is loved Columbia Center’s auditorium, Sharrie Kreins, at 503-396This is generally scheduled and welcomed. Free childcare 375 S 18th St. in St. Helens. 3361. on the second Saturday of during meeting for infants A new topic is presented at • The Scappoose Rural Fire each month (check the Library through sixth grade. For more each meeting by a police District and Columbia River schedule for any specific information, contact Bert @ officer, or police staff, related Fire and Rescue will have joint month) from noon – 1 p.m. at 503-475-3586, or bnewton@ to community safety, crime board meetings on the second the St. Helens Library. acacialumber.com, Debbie @ prevention, police services, Thursday of each month at 7 • The St. Helens Writers’ Guild 503-560-0521, or check the or seasonal-specific safety p.m. Meetings in the months meets the second Saturday of “Resonate” Facebook page. information. For more details, of January, March, May, July, call 503-397-3333. September and November • Fiber Fanatics meet will be held at 58611 McNulty Thursdays from 10 a.m. – noon Way, St. Helens, Oregon and in the Armstrong Room at the meetings held in the months of St. Helens Library. Join others February, April, June, August, who knit, crochet, spin, weave, October and December will take needle point, cross-stitch, rug place at 33342 SW Meadow hook, and/or embroider in a Dr., Scappoose Oregon. relaxed setting. Bring a snack Showtimes www.ScappooseCinema7.com and enjoy conversations. Fridays • Columbia Arts Guild meets • Veteran’s Breakfast at the Thursdays 10 a.m. in the Village Inn2X3D in theServices Banquet Offered.qxd 1/12/12 10:08 AM Page 1 01-18-12 at2x3D Scap Biz/Tax:01-30-08 auditorium at the St. Helens Room the first Friday of every

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WEDNESDAY EVENING KATU ^ KOIN & DISC _ KGW ( KOPB * KPTV , ESPN C DISN I KPDX Q TBS W

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KATU News at 6 (N) (Live) KOIN 6 News at 6 (N) CBS Evening News Homestead Rescue “Moose Mayhem” KGW News at 6 (N) Wild Travels BBC World 6 O’Clock News (N) 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown (N) Gabby Duran (:35) Raven’s Home Family Feud Family Feud Family Guy Family Guy

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Good Morning America (N) (5:00) CBS This Morning: Saturday (N) The Experience (N) Legendary Locations KGW News at Sunrise (N) Cat in the Hat Molly of Denali Good Day Oregon Saturday (N) Outside the Lines (N) (Live) Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Good Day Oregon Saturday (N) Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers

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Good Morning America (N) In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley (N) Seasons on the Fly Operation Fishing KGW News at Sunrise (N) Peg & Cat (EI) Splash and Bubbles Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers

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Jeopardy! (N) Wheel of Fortune (N) Station 19 A car crashes into Joe’s Bar. Extra (N) Ent. Tonight Young Sheldon (:31) The Unicorn Homestead Rescue: Surviving the Wild (N) Homestead Rescue “Cobbers Nightmare” Tonight With Cassidy Inside Edition (N) Superstore (N) The Good Place (N) PBS NewsHour (N) Oregon Art Beat Oregon Field Guide Family Feud (N) Family Feud Last Man Standing Outmatched “Pilot” X Games Aspen 2020. From Aspen, Colo. (N) (Live) (:05) Raven’s Home (:35) Bunk’d Bunk’d Gabby Duran The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory 8 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

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To Be Announced KATU News at 11 (N) Jimmy Kimmel Live! S.W.A.T. “Good Cop” (N) KOIN 6 News at 11 Late Show-Colbert (:01) Naked and Afraid “Lacey’s Journey” Lacey Jones recalls earlier challenges. Chicago P.D. “The Devil You Know” (N) KGW News at 11 (N) Tonight Show Expedition With Steve Backshall (N) No Passport Required “Los Angeles” 10 O’Clock News (N) 11 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Coop & Cami Sydney to the Max (10:55) Bunk’d Gabby Duran The Simpsons Family Guy Bob’s Burgers The Game The Big Bang Theory Full Frontal Conan (N) Full Frontal

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Grey’s Anatomy (N) (:01) A Million Little Things “The Kiss” (N) (:01) Young Sheldon Mom The Gayle King Grammy Special (N) Reclaimed “Cabin in the Sky” (N) Building Off the Grid “Island Getaway” (N) Will & Grace (N) Perfect Harmony Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Inspector Morse “The Secret of Bay 5B” A parking lot murderer leaves two clues. Deputy Charlie must patrol with Joseph. (N) 10 O’Clock News (N) SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Sydney to the Max (:40) Just Roll With It Coop & Cami Sydney to the Max 9 O’Clock News (N) The Simpsons Family Guy The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

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KATU News at 11 (N) Jimmy Kimmel Live! KOIN 6 News at 11 Late Show-Colbert Homestead Rescue KGW News at 11 (N) Tonight Show Resistance (Part 1 of 6) 11 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory SportsCenter (N) (Live) (10:55) Bunk’d Gabby Duran Bob’s Burgers The Game Conan (N) Full Frontal

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KATU News This Morning Saturday (N) (Live) To Be Announced Lucky Dog “Phoebe” Innovation Nation Mission Unstoppable Pet Vet Dream Team Hope in the Wild (N) College Basketball Addictive Fishing (N) The Next Bite (N) Out Da Bayou (N) Chasin’ the Sun (N) The Explosion Show Straight Talk Inside Edition Clifford-Dog Sesame Street Pinkalicious Cyberchase SciGirls Biz Kid$ Paid Program Paid Program SportsCenter (N) (Live) College GameDay (N) (Live) College Basketball Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Gravity Falls (:20) The Owl House Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens (:25) Big City Greens Paid Program Paid Program Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine

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Winter X Games Aspen. 2020 Winter X Games action from Aspen, Colo. (N) (Live) College Basketball Villanova at Providence. (N) (Live) The Explosion Show Dirty Jobs Mike makes giant bells. Paid Program IMSA Weathertech Championship Figure Skating Garden Smart Garden Home Best of Sewing Quilting Arts Paid Program Paid Program Red Bull Signature Series (N) College Basketball LSU at Texas. (N) (Live) Gabby Duran (:25) Bunk’d Sydney to the Max Sydney to the Max Paid Program Paid Program Paid Program Advanced D ›› “The Legend of Tarzan” (2016) Alexander Skarsgard, Christoph Waltz. (DVS)

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