SHC28

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Local group makes pillowcases for ailing children

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, members of the St. Helens Lions Club have been working on a special project to brighten the time children must spend at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland.

Lions Club member Kathy Syrstad said the group is assembling brightly colored handmade pillowcases for the children.

It gave all of us a wonderful feeling of doing something positive in a world that needs positive.

This project was chosen because the St. Helens Lions Club supports Ronald McDonald House by saving tabs from beverage cans which they recycle for cash. One of Lions Clubs International focus areas is Childhood Cancer, and Ronald McDonald House hosts guests affected by cancer, among other illnesses.

The Club delivers the accumulated tabs about once a year. Last fall when the 17 pounds of tabs were delivered, Kathy and Jim Syrstad had a tour of the facility and met one of the current guests who has spent a lot of time there in her young life.

“The guests receive a small blanket and stuffed animal when they arrive, but they really enjoy having bright pillowcases when they are available, Kathy said.

“Meeting this positive, young guest personally gave us the idea of putting together a work party of members to construct pillowcases to donate.”

Kathy said she asked the Club for a budget to buy fabric and shopped carefully to get the best

deals she could.

“Hopefully this project will brighten the stay of children at Ronald McDonald House,” she said. “It gave all of us a wonderful feeling of doing something positive in a world that needs positive. With many hands, an afternoon’s work was a big accomplishment.”

The Lions Club delivery of the pillowcases to the Ronald McDonald House is pending. Syrstad said more pillowcases may be

constructed in the future and the Club also plans to work on making dresses out of gently used pillowcases that will be sent to Africa.

Members have also been working on knitting hats for cancer patients and for an anti-bullying group that does school presentations and gives all students a handmade hat.

You can find St. Helens Lions members displaying flags in the community on national holidays,

picking up litter in parks and along roadways, helping to provide vision screening in local schools, among many other projects. The Lions provide help to local residents that can’t afford glasses and hearing aids.

For more information about the St. Helens Lions Club, call 503397-624.

Central Waterfront Open Houses scheduled

Community members are invited to two open houses to learn about the current St. Helens wastewater system, tour the wastewater facility, and hear an overview about the Central Waterfront project.

The open houses are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the wastewater treatment facility, 451 Plymouth Street, in St. Helens. The same information is being presented at both open houses.

The Central Waterfront Property is approximately 50 acres and the current location of the City’s 39-acre wastewater treatment plant facility. The facility’s secondary lagoon was built in 1972 as a partnership with Boise Cascade. Today, the facility is oversized, expensive to maintain, and is not the best use of a large stretch of Columbia River waterfront property. The 50-yearold lagoon also creates environmental permitting challenges due to its age and outdated technology, according to a release from the City of St. Helens.

The City of St. Helens is currently exploring options to repur-

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pose part or all of the wastewater treatment plant facility. By doing so, the City will be able to:

• Provide cohesive connection along the St. Helens waterfront, linking the historic St. Helens Riverfront District to the City’s Industrial Business Park, McCormick Park, and residential areas. This will unite two miles of waterfront property for additional public amenities.

• Improve the St. Helens environment and health of the Columbia River by creating a properly sized wastewater treatment plant facility that uses modern technology to meet today’s environmental standards.

• Promote the economic health of St. Helens by opening prime waterfront land for possible marine and industrial development, additional public amenities, and easier connection to Riverfront District businesses.

• Help keep utility costs in check by creating an appropriately sized wastewater treatment facility with modern technological efficiencies.

If repurposing the wastewater

The St. Helens Central Waterfront property will be the focus of two community opens houses in March and April. Open

facility site can be done safely, St. Helens will be in a unique position to create a waterfront that attracts development, improves resiliency, generates tax revenue, creates jobs, and builds a community asset for residents and visitors alike, according to the release. In 2022, the City of St. Helens

was notified that it would receive $1.4 million in state and federal funding to assist with the Central Waterfront Project.

Read a series of reports about the St. Helens Waterfront Development Projects at thechronicleonline. com.

Courtesy photo from the City of St. Helens

to 1 p.m. April 6 451 Plymouth St. St. Helens

Dockside out, Crooked Creek Brewery in

Crooked Creek Brewery will relocate to the building that has long housed Dockside Steak and Pasta in Old Town St. Helens. David Lauridsen opened Crooked Creek Brewery in St. Helens in 2021 but has always aimed to be in the historic Riverfront District.

“We’ve always wanted to be in the waterfront area. It’s the heart and soul of St. Helens, and obviously, being on the waterfront is prettier than being uptown, so that’s been our goal from day one,” Lauridsen said.

Vol. 141, No. 6

Lauridsen and Crooked Creek Brewery closed the sale of the building located at 343 S. First St. in December of 2022, and have been leasing to the Dockside owners month-by-month since its purchase. This month, the Dockside will close its doors, and Crooked Creek will begin renovations to hopefully have the location open this coming summer.

“We will be relocating down to that location, so we will be closing our uptown location and relocating to the downtown space. We are anticipating a few months’ worth of work because there’s a lot of renovations that need to be done on the building,” Lauridsen said. “So we are planning on working on the space for a few months and hopefully being in there sometime in the summertime, preferably early summer. You know how construction projects go; they seem to get delayed and delayed.”

Until the renovations are complete, Crooked Creek Brewery’s current location at 1935 Columbia Blvd will remain operational. The move will give Crooked Creek Brewery more seating and expand the services it can provide.

“It’s got more space; our current space only has about 40 seats and no kitchen, so we’re

~ Kathy Syrstad, St. Helens Lions Club

Courtesy from the St. Helens Lions Club

The pillowcase makers from left to right, Lions Kim Karber, Rosemary Jeffrey, Kathy Syrstad, Niki Kirsch, Linda McCoy and Jim Syrstad.

Gov. Kotek outlines state budget priorities

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has unveiled her budget recommendations for the 202325 biennium, titled “Mission Focused.”

The recommendations focus on three top priorities:

• Building more housing and reducing homelessness.

• Improving access to mental health and addiction services.

• Improving outcomes in early literacy and K-12 schools.

“Every Oregonian, no matter their race or zip code, deserves to have the same chances,” Kotek said. “My mission as Oregon’s Governor will always be to deliver results and move the state forward to build the Oregon we all want to live in. This vision for Oregon’s future cannot be realized in one budget cycle. But this plan provides a roadmap for how we are going to reach our state’s long-term goals.”

Oregon is entering a challenging and complex budget environment with about $3.5 billion of one-time funding, spurred by resources from the federal government, about to expire, according to Kotek, adding that the recommended budget still includes a path to make targeted investments because of prudent budget management to build historic reserves in recent years.

Kotek has recommended keeping the existing $2 billion of reserve funds in place, and redirect $765 million that would have been automatically added to these reserves into targeted investments aimed at better serving Oregonians in these three key areas.

Highlights of the budget recommendations include:

Housing and homelessness

To reduce unsheltered homelessness, rehouse Oregonians, build and preserve more affordable housing, and increase homeownership, Kotek included the following investments: An urgent, $130 million package to reduce unsheltered homelessness. The Governor is urging the legislature to move forward with this initial investment as quickly as possible, and released the details last week.

New affordable housing

$770 million: General obligation bonds to build more affordable homes for both renters and new homeown ers.

Moving Oregonians out of unsheltered homelessness

$172.2 million: Rapid rehousing resources and connections to long-term rent assistance to maintain housing stability. This reflects the state’s first investment in an on-going, long-term rent assistance program.

New permanent, supportive housing

$130 million: Create new units of permanent supportive housing, and maintain the rent assistance and services needed for this housing.

Affordable housing preservation

$118 million: Lottery and General Fund to preserve existing affordable homes, including manufactured homes.

Ongoing homelessness prevention

$73 million: Create an ongoing homelessness prevention program in Oregon.

Maintain shelter operations

$24.1 million: Maintain shelter operations in the state, including the operation of the 600 new shelter beds created through the early investment package and Project Turnkey projects.

Housing Production and Accountability Office (HPAO)

$2.2 million: Create a new state office to reduce land use and permitting barriers that stand in the way of building more housing.

Mental health and addiction services

To disrupt the harmful and expensive homelessness-jailhospital pipeline, decrease preventable deaths from substance use and behavioral health needs, and stabilize the behavioral health workforce, Governor Kotek included the following recommendations:

Continue investments in substance use treatment and services

$278.9 million: Addiction treatment, overdose prevention, peer support services, housing assistance, and employment services – funded by Measure 110 grants and a 1115 waiver allowing for Medicaid coverage of substance use disorders (SUD) facility-based treatment and peer services.

Continue funding new

services, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs), Peer Respite Centers, co-occuring disorder treatment, System of Care Advisory Council, Interdisciplinary Assessment Teams for children and housing for transition-age youth.

Community mental health

$127.4 million: Continue 30% Medicaid rate increases for increased behavioral health worker wages.

Continue behavioral health provider incentives

$60 million: Loan repayment, scholarships and tuition stipends for licensed behavioral health providers and students in the workforce pipeline.

Oregon State Hospital

$50.2 million: Increase positions at the state hospital to support a sustainable 24/7 staffing model; establish a dedicated Health Equity Unit at the state hospital to address the needs of staff; support the OSH Complex Case Management Unit to meet the needs of patients with complex needs and ensure the safety of staff and patients; and upgrade OSH facilities to improve patient recovery and safety of both patients and staff.

Mobile crisis teams

$47.6 million: Ongoing funding for programs like CAHOOTS to divert individuals from hospital and jail, including response and stabilization services for youth and their families.

Increase residential and facility capacity

$40 million: Ongoing funding to support operation of additional mental health residential capacity funded in 2021 and to continue the state’s investment in the development of additional residential and facility capacity.

Harm reduction clearinghouse

$40 million: Continue support of the harm reduction clearinghouse to reduce preventable deaths associated with opioid use.

Health Care Provider Incentive Program

$20 million: Nearly double OHA’s Health Care Provider Incentive Program, with a priority to increase Oregon’s

Members sought for Housing Production Council

Crisis prevention system

$18.4 million: Fund 988 call centers, the nationwide service connecting people with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Early learning and K-12 education

To improve student literacy, stabilize early childhood services and ensure Oregon children are better served by K-12 schools, Kotek included the following recommendations: Increase the state school fund

$9.9 billion: Kotek is recommending increasing the State School Fund to $9.9 billion and fully funding High School Success (formerly Measure 98) to help improve graduation rates and give students the tools to be career and college ready.

Ensure all kids are learning to read, and reading to learn

$100 million: Evidencebased, targeted literacy strategies to ensure preschool and elementary school educators have the training, time, materials, and ongoing coaching they need to integrate evidence-based literacy strategies with culturally responsive approaches.

Expanding physical capacity of early learning facilities

$100 million: Create and upgrade the physical space early learning providers need, along with technical assistance to navigate the expansion and renovation processes.

Early Learning Program Enhancement

$62.5 million: Provide a living wage to early learn-

ing professionals to stabilize and value the workforce by enhancing rates for Oregon Pre-Kindergarten (OPK), Preschool Promise, Healthy Families Oregon, Relief Nurseries, and the Early Childhood Equity Fund.

Employment-Related Day Care (ERDC) enhancements

$41.3 million: Increase rates for ERDC providers, provide funding for a limited caseload expansion for ERDC, support the transfer of ERDC from Oregon Department of Human Services, provide funding to make IT system changes to expand program eligibility, and support child care supply building and ERDC access.

Enrichment programming for all grades

$30 million: Continue to offer students opportunities to connect with each other to support their well-being following years of pandemicimpacted learning. Funding will be provided by Tribes and community-based organizations.

Literacy-focused summer programming provided by districts

$20 million: Evidencebased strategies and integrated with culturally responsive approaches for preschool and elementary (P-5) students. Requires districts to provide a 50% local match.

Expand and enhance existing targeted strategies

$18 million: Increase investments in Student Success Plans (e.g. American Indian/ Alaska Native State Plan, African American/Black Student Success Plan, LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan) and add funding for additional plans

for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders and Refugees and Immigrant student populations.

Kotek outlined her state budget proposal during a media briefing Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Salem.

Senate Republicans respond

In response to Kotek’s proposal, Oregon Senate Republicans released the following statement:

“According to the most recent revenue forecast, Oregon families will receive an average of $5,200 back on their taxes in the form of a surplus credit known as the “Kicker,” Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) said. “I’m relieved to see that the Governor’s proposed budget doesn’t pull money from the Kicker – it’s the right thing to do.”

“Oregonians across the state feel the impacts of inflation and other rising costs. They deserve to spend their hard-earned money how they see fit – to plan for emergencies and spur the economy,” Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) said.

“The Republican Majority worked to enshrine the Kicker in Oregon’s Constitution in the 1990’s and we are still committed to protecting it today,” Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) said.

“This session, we introduced legislation urging Congress to propose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Legislature needs to send a strong message to Congress in order to safeguard present and future generations from the undue burdens our growing national debt presents,” Oregon State Senator Fred Girod (R-Stayton) said.

“I look forward to giving testimony on this very important piece of legislation and urge the Committee Chair to schedule a public hearing as soon as possible,” Knopp said.

Senate Joint Memorial 1 was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs. Knopp is the Chief Sponsor and Girod the Regular Sponsor. It has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

Follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Gov. Tina Kotek is accepting applications for her newly created Housing Production Advisory Council.

The council was established through an executive order on January 10, Kotek’s first full day in office.

The order established an annual housing production goal of 36,000 additional housing units at all levels of affordability across the state to address Oregon’s current housing shortage and keep pace with projected population growth. That’s an ambitious target – about an 80 percent increase over current construction trends – and would set Oregon on a path to build 360,000 additional homes over the next decade, according to a release from Kotek’s office.

The Housing Production Advisory Council will be responsible for proposing an action plan to meet the state’s housing production goals.

It will be composed of 25 members, including the Governor or her designee,

bipartisan members of the Oregon House and Senate, relevant state agency directors, and a Tribal member. The largest share of members (18) will be appointed by the Governor with the goal of assembling a highly effective, diverse and representative council, ready to get to work for Oregonians.

The Governor is looking to appoint housing developers with expertise in permanent supportive, affordable, and market rate housing, representatives of rural and coastal communities, communities of color, local government representatives, and experts in land use, fair housing, permitting, workforce development, and construction.

Applications are due February 15, 2023. Appointees will begin work on the Council in early March.

The executive order dictates that two co-chairs be appointed, one living or working in an urban area and the other in a rural area. The Council is scheduled

to provide a recommended framework for their action plan by April 1, 2023. For more information contact the governor’s office at 503-378-4582.

Courtesy photo from YouTube

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s budget priorities include funding for homelessness solutions, mental health and schools.

Metro Creative Connection

The Governor’s order established an annual housing production goal of 36,000 additional housing units at all levels of affordability across the state to address Oregon’s current housing shortage and keep pace with projected population growth.

Business Oregon highlights St. Helens

ens was established as a river port in the 1840s and thrived for years as a shipping hub. The city was later sustained by timber-related industries, including lumber and paper mills. When these mills closed in the early 2000s, the privatelyowned sites lay abandoned

and community/stakeholder workshops for both sites, in preparation for acquiring the properties. Another Brownfields Redevelopment grant allowed the city to develop a plan to reclaim a wastewater treatment lagoon between the two former industrial sites. When

front Project. The city has also received state legislature appropriated funds to complete a site assessment and feasibility study for the wastewater treatment lagoon reclamation project. Construction on the Streets and Utilities Extensions began in November 2022,

In the second profile Business Oregon highlights Pacific Stainless Products.

“Pacific Stainless Products is a world-class custom metal fabrication company headquartered in St. Helens, Oregon. Over the last 30 years the company has become a key supplier to companies in the aerospace, architectural, food science, and semiconductor industries. Today, with some help from Business Oregon, Pacific Stainless is poised to help lead the

emerged as an important part of Pacific Stainless’ business. While the demand from the company’s core customers has been consistent year-over-year, product growth for semi-conductor parts has more than doubled in the last three years. With a $1.5 million award from Business Oregon’s Emerging Opportunity Fund, Pacific Stainless will further invest in the equipment and workforce development programs it needs to capitalize on the surge in demand for semiconductor

that has moved out of state in recent years. The total impact of this project, including the value-added finishing that Oregon companies like Lam Research do with Pacific Stainless products, could amount to adding more than $100 million to Oregon’s economy,” the Business Oregon profile states. Pacific Stainless Products is located at 58500 McNulty Way in St. Helens. To reach Pacific Stainless Products, call 888-6182122.

First-ever state arts and culture caucus

Recognizing the vital role arts and culture play in the livability and prosperity of Oregon communities –and in enriching the lives of Oregonians – nine members of the Oregon Legislature have come together in a bi-partisan fashion to form the state’s first-ever Arts and Culture Caucus.

Coordinated by Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland), the Arts and Culture Caucus’ inaugural membership includes Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City); Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas); Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Portland); Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis); Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena); Rep. John Lively (D-Springfield); Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland); and Sen. Deb Patterson (D-Salem). Caucus membership is expected to expand.

“Arts and culture are so important to Oregon,” Nosse said. “All around our state, every day there are concerts, comedy events, public hearings, podcasts, theatrical performances, debates and community events that bring the people of our state together. We must support the cultural and community

hubs in our neighborhoods and I hope this caucus will continue to ensure arts and culture thrive in this state.”

The Caucus will serve as a resource to the Oregon Legislature on key issues impacting the arts and culture sector. Its members will work closely with stakeholders including the Oregon Arts Commission, the Or-

egon Cultural Trust (and its Statewide Partners) and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon to stay informed on the latest research and issues. It will also set an agenda on priorities for arts and culture legislation, including a sustainable and robust funding mechanism for arts and cultural initiatives.

Nosse and other members of the Caucus were instrumental in designating more than $100 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds and American Rescue Plan funds to sustain Oregon arts, heritage and humanities organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a survey conducted by Business Oregon, Travel Oregon and the Small Business Develop ment Center Network, only the accommodation indus

try suffered greater losses.

Large cultural organizations continue to feel the impact, with many reporting that ticket sales remain only about 50 percent of prepandemic levels.

Members of the Arts and Culture Caucus are currently considering legislative concepts and bills put forward by the Arts Commission, the Cultural Trust and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector contributed $8 billion to Oregon’s economy in 2020, representing 3.3 percent of the state’s GDP, 60,994 jobs and total compensation of $4.8 billion. Oregon nonprofit cultural organizations alone contribute at least $687 million and support 22,299 jobs. This adds $53 million to local and state government revenue.

“Public funding for arts and creativity is a high-return investment that benefits every Oregonian in every city, town and rural community across the state,” said Harlen Springer, vice chair of the Arts Commission. Springer collaborated

tural Trust Chair Niki Price and Sue Hildick, senior advisor to the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, to support formation of the Arts and Culture Caucus.

“This is a momentous occasion for Oregon’s 1,500+ arts, heritage and humanities organizations, and all who support them,” Oregon Cultural Trust Chair Niki Price said. “We applaud the Legislators who immediately signed up, and the Arts Commissioners who initiated the concept.”

“This year could be transformational for arts and culture in Oregon, making sure every Oregonian has access to creativity in their local community,” Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon President J.S. May said. “We are honored that the caucus policymakers are elevating the needs of the creative sector both shortterm and long-term to help our economy, our mental health and our healing from the pandemic.”

The public is invited to meet Caucus members at a launch event scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday,

Tyler Tolles is Elks Teen of the Month

SUBMITTED BY ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL

St. Helens High School is pleased to announce that Tyler Tolles has been se lected as the December Elks Student of the Month.

Tyler is an outstanding young man who excels as a student, athlete, and com munity member. When Tyler learned he had received this award, he stated, It is good to be recognized for this award; many other students qualify as well.” Tyler’s response is not unexpected, as he is a very humble soul who cares about others and their feel ings.

As a student, Tyler is con stantly learning and partici pating in what is happening. According to one teacher, Mr. Meeuwsen, Tyler is just outstanding, he wants to learn and is interested in the world around him and how it works, he is the type of student that makes it fun to be a teacher.” Tyler’s work is excellent as well, and his responses to questions are always thoughtful and engag ing. Tyler helps to make a classroom a better place to be.

As an athlete, Tyler par ticipates in football, basket ball, and golf. He has been the team captain in all three

Courtesy photo

A recent performance at the Sisters Folk Festival.

Courtesy from Business Oregon

Groundbreaking ceremony celebrating construction on the Waterfront Redevelopment Project in the City of St. Helens. Front, Mayor Rick Scholl. Back, left to right, Stephen Topaz, Doug Morton, John Walsh, Mouhamad Zahar, Jessica Chilton and Patrick Birkle.

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo Tyler Tolles

Starting new garden beds with no dig method

During the next four to six months, the organic matter will decompose and shrink and the grass underneath will suffer from lack of sun. Some gardeners cover the entire bed with black plastic to speed the process. The compost must be moist, though not saturated, to decompose.

Columbia County Extension office).

February 18

Learn how to prune fruit trees & grapes and set mole traps, too

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Works/HHW%20Schedule%202023.jpg.

Whether you are thinking of a vegetable garden or new flowerbeds, there is a no-dig method that has proven very useful in the Pacific Northwest. Be warned that this process takes four to six months to work well, so it might be a little late for an early spring garden.

If you want to sharply define the outline of the bed, take string and lay it out.

Then take a sharp shovel (those square bladed ones are great) and dig a small trench four inches wide by four inches deep following the string outline. Throw the excavated material into the future bed. Cover all the bed area with about one-half inch of newspaper. This will help to suppress perennial weeds, especially grass. Then cover the entire area with eight to twelve inches of compost, manure or mulch mixed with compost or manure. Sprinkle about 10 pounds of lime per 100 square feet into the compost/manure as you are shoveling it onto the future bed.

Four months later, you can plant potted perennial plants directly into the bed and top with a layer of nutrient rich compost. Remove the black plastic prior to planting, of course.

For vegetable gardens that you will seed, the entire mass can be tilled in. The grass crowns underneath should be largely dead, though seeds of both grass and broadleaf weeds will return. Add organic or conventional fertilizers to feed the vegetables.

Gardening-related events

February and March

February 18

Annual grafting workshop

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, February 18 in the OSU Extension office in St. Helens.

Participants will receive instruction on grafting and have five rootstocks that they can graft a number of different apple varieties onto their rootstocks in the workshop. Cost: $20. We can only accept 15 people since knives will be in use and we need space to keep everyone safe. You can pre-register by calling 503-397-3462 (the

Saturday, February 18 at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Bring your clippers.

February 23

Growing the good stuff: from sweet potatoes to bitter melons

Columbia County Master Gardener Chapter meeting. Program, which is first, is open to the public. OSU Extension office, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23.

Feb. 25

Hazardous Waste Collection Day

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take your leftover solvents, brake fluids, antifreeze, fluorescent lights, house-hold cleaners, batteries, miscellaneous chemicals, and household and garden pesticides to the hazardous waste collection day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25. The event will be held at the St. Helens/Columbia County Transfer Station, 1601 Railroad Avenue in St. Helens. These are great events that can help keep our wonderful state cleaner. See link for more information: https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/media/Public%20

Develop small business backbone in this economy or the next

It’s often observed –accurately – that small business is the backbone of our economy, and that is no exception to that here in Columbia County. The pandemic exposed an extreme need for small business access to resources and business resiliency planning. Less than a year since establishing Columbia County’s first-ever Small Business Development Center (SBDC) under the Columbia Economic Team (CET), and partnered with Keep it Local, we can confidently state that we’ve been able to connect our core business community with valuable tools for success. Already, we’re working directly with more than 80 of your neighboring business owners and start-ups in our county’s economy.

Strong local economy

Currently, based on local indicators our county’s economy is strong, with local spending up from years past, and the entrepreneurial spirit alive. However, with nagging inflation, persistent interest rate hikes, and speculation about a looming potential recession knocking on our door, how can we be prepared? Given our county’s resiliency through the memorable recent COVID restrictions, variants, and related challenges, in many ways we are better prepared than ever before. But there are solid, fundamental measures we can all take to ensure our businesses sustain growth and best weather any storm.

A sobering statistic that varies slightly in different regions but rings true here in Columbia County is that 75% of businesses fail in their first five years. A better statistic, however, is that when a business takes the time, effort, and discipline to set up a business plan

and seek business advising, there’s a 65% success rate for that business thriving and making it past 5 years.

The Columbia county SBDC is your resource center to help start, run and grow your best small businesses through any economic climate. We do this by providing free, absolutely confidential one-on-one business advising on everything from business plan development and management, loan application packaging with access to capital, marketing plan strategies, connecting to accounting resources, navigating business regulations, hiring, managing, and retailing your team, succession planning, and much more. Looking ahead and planning for both seen or unforeseen challenges is what you need to do, and what we help you do.

Challenges

Local business expansions and start-ups are happening all over, with plenty of potential for more growth throughout the county.

One particular challenge we’ve found in our business community is being able to attract, cultivate, and properly market to customers and clientele consistently, sustainably, year-round – in all economic climates. Recognizing this need, we’ve collaborated with Keep it Local and other partners to bring back the highly anticipated Marketing For Success Series, which hits all the core elements challenging businesses in an uncertain consumer climate.

Kicking off on Wednesday, February 8. This weekly series invites you gear up and polish up with topics like Create a Marketing Plan For The New Year, Marketing 101, Social Media Tips & Tricks, Get The Most Out Of Your Website, Advice For Selling Online, and even

Workshops With a Marketing Professional. And there’s no charge, at all, for any of it – courtesy

of Keep it Local and sponsors.

Not only do these classes offer highly usable strategy, techniques, tips, and expertise for being able to take your business, or start-up, to the next level, they also offer the connections and resources needed to thrive here in Columbia County and beyond. Classes are filling up quickly, however, you can still sign up via Eventbrite: https:// www.eventbrite.com/cc/ winter-2023-marketing-forsuccess-series-1668339.

Congratulations

We’ve all come through the unprecedented times of a pandemic. The result of workplace and other changes is that more people are going out on their own to provide, and sell, products and services of many kinds – as their own boss. If that’s you, congratulations!

If you’ve been at this awhile but are feeling stagnation or competition – congratulations to you, too! Especially as we look toward a sluggish economy, either way you can position to navigate through. Do the right things: Have a plan; Minimize or manage risk and debt; and take full advantage of resources and help that are offered.

Why would you not?

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. It’s a good feeling when you are part of that and when your own ideas and initiatives succeed. Our communities provide you with the SBDC, and the customers, to weather this or any environment. Feel free to ask us for a hand; Always ask customers for the sale.

Jason Moon is the Director of Columbia County Small Business Development Center. He may be reached at 503-410-1506 or at jason@columbiacountyoregon.com.

March 1

Columbia County

bee school 2023

Columbia County Oregon Beekeepers will hold a class for beginning beekeepers.

First, you need to become a member of the club ($25 individual or $30 family) and then Bee School is $25. It includes three two-hour online classes March 1st, March 2, and March 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Then an afternoon in the hive educational visit will be held on either April 8 (or April 15 if the weather is bad April 8) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the St Helens area address to be announced to participants. Contact Linda Zahl to register 503-799-7073.

March 11

Columbia County small woodlands tree sale

The Columbia County Small Woodlands Association has an annual tree sale in St. Helens. You can purchase a variety of trees in very small quantities. The sale this year will be Saturday, March 11 at the Lawrence Oil parking lot (845 N. Columbia River Highway) in St. Helens

from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They sell both forest tree seedlings, some native shrubs, and some ornamental tree seedlings. Get there early for the best selection. It is very well attended.

Food preservation

You can get up-to-date and accurate answers to your food preservation questions by calling our office at 503397-3462 and ask to speak to Jenny Rudolph.

Important notes

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/

State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter

The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Contact resources Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462

Local graduate becomes Multnomah County Sheriff

A Columbia County high school graduate’s journey has become a history making event.

“I am excited to take on this role and honored to be the first woman elected as Sheriff in Multnomah County. Over my career, I have been a trailblazer because I’ve had to be,” Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell told The Chronicle.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Morrisey O’Donnell was sworn in as the 41st Sheriff of Multnomah County. It is the first time in the 168-year history of the agency that a woman has been elected to the position. Multnomah County is the most populous in Oregon and includes Portland.

“I hope that by seeing a woman hold the highest rank in law enforcement in the county, a position that is so often held by a man, that I can empower other girls and women to dream big,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

As sheriff, Morrisey O’Donnell assumes the position with goals she wants to accomplish. Some of the significant things she wants to address are:

• Reducing gun violence through proven strategies for prevention, intervention, and collaboration with system partners and community

stakeholders.

• Improving safety on our streets by increasing education and enforcement of dangerous driving behavior.

• Investing in alternative service models and supports by partnering with service providers, such as mental health and addiction specialists who are focused on outreach efforts, housing, education, job skills, and treatment opportunities.

• Focusing on recruiting and retention strategies to promote long-term agency growth and the health and well-being of our employees.

Finding her path

While Morrisey O’Donnell has achieved great things in law enforcement, it wasn’t always a career she envisioned for herself.

“My commitment to community safety started at a young age, when my father survived a shooting during an armed robbery at his business in Westport. I experienced firsthand the impacts gun violence can have in our lives and in our community,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “However, when I went off to college at the University of Portland, I did not think my future was in law enforcement.”

Growing up in Clatskanie, Morrisey O’Donnell attended Clatskanie Middle/

CrossWord solution

High School and was pas sionate about music.

“I started college as a music major. I grew up playing the saxophone,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “When I was at Clatskanie High School, I had a wonderful band teacher named Dee Wooley who encouraged me to follow this passion.”

“She was a great sax player,” Wooley recalled.

However, different interests arose as she went through her education at UP. After going on a ride-along with one of her friends from Clatskanie in the Portland Police Bureau, Morrisey O’Donnell has a newfound passion.

“At that time, a whole new possibility for my future opened up,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “I switched

to studying criminal justice and began my journey in public safety.”

Supportive foundation

Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell has served the sheriff’s office for 26 years. In 1996, she began as a corrections deputy. After serving as deputy, lieutenant, captain, chief deputy, and undersheriff before being elected sheriff with %62 of the vote. At Clatskanie High School, Morrisey O’Donnell remembers being empowered to dream big.

“Starting from a young age, I was told by many educators, like my PE teacher Kathi Jackson, that I could do anything I set my mind to,” Morrisey O’Donnell

said.

According to Kirk Blecha, a former math and science teacher at Clatskanie High School during Morrisey O’Donnell’s time, she was always a great athlete and a good student.

“Am I surprised that she is in law enforcement? Absolutely not,” Blecha said.

“She always seemed to be a caring goal orientated young lady. And being a good athlete, she would fit into an occupation where being athletically fit is a necessity.”

Coming from a small town, Morrisey O’Donnell had plenty of obstacles to navigate en route to her current position. Still, for those who may have dreams of serving their community, she gave an encouraging message.

“As students and other young people think about their future careers, I would tell them to be open to all possibilities. I left my small town believing I would be in the music industry, and completely changed directions,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “Because I had a passion for serving my community, law enforcement ended up being a really good fit. I know that right now it may be a challenging time to enter this profession, but at the heart of everything we do is a willingness and dedication to serve.”

Who We Are is a frequent presentation by The Chronicle highlighting community members who are making a positive difference in the lives of others.

COVID tests expiration days extended

Expiration dates for Ab bott Laboratories and iHealth COVID-19 rapid tests have been extended.

Effective immediately all Abbott BinaxNOW test kits have a shelf life of 22 months from date of manufacture and all iHealth self-test kits have a shelf life of 15 months from date of manufacture.

The Oregon Health Au thority (OHA) will continue to supply Abbott test kits for use under CLIA certification of waiver to health care pro viders who accept Medicare and Medicaid or otherwise serve vulnerable populations. These testing supplies are expected to remain available through July 2024. Organizations in Oregon may order Abbott BinaxNOW tests at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/ form/5ebd5f9f9a854d7bab7e 00f48d2464bd.

OHA will also continue to

William Charles Hooper of St. Helens, Oregon passed away January 30, 2023 at the age of 86. William was born July 27, 1936 to William Aurthur and Fern Bernice (Van Cleave) Hooper in St. Helens, Oregon. He was a longtime resident of Columbia County, growing up and attending school and graduating with the class of 1955 from Scappoose High.

After graduation he attended one year of Business school at NW School of Commerce. Bill then went to work for the railroad.

On April 25, 1964, Bill married Diane Lee Tupper at the 1st Christian Church in St. Helens, they were

supply iHealth self-test kits to priority partners serving populations with limited or no access to testing. Priority partners include hospitals, local public health and tribal

authorities, organizations serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers, state and federally funded early learning programs, community-based organizations, behavioral

obituAries

William “Bill” Charles Hooper

July

27, 1936 ~ Jan. 30, 2023

to Coos County, Oregon. They lived in Myrtle Point for seven years, Bill owned a store and joined the local Rotary Club. He was also involved at the Myrtle Point High School helping seniors with competency tests for graduation. He received an award for years of service doing this.

health facilities, homeless service sites, and K-12 schools. These testing supplies will remain available until supplies are exhausted. Organizations may order iHealth self-tests at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/49ad9b1c6 0fc4e5888a637fef31c4fac. iHealth Rapid Antigen tests are authorized for nonprescription home use with self-collected anterior nasal swab samples from individuals age 15 or older who have symptoms of COVID-19 within the first seven days of symptom onset. People age 2-15 may use the test, if an adult collects the swab samples. Test results are available in 15 minutes. Rapid antigen tests, such as the iHealth tests, are not typically accepted as proof of a negative COVID-19 test for travel.

members there for many years. After 11 years with the railroad, he got a job with P&G Grocery in Scappoose where he stayed for another 11 years before he and Diane moved down

When they returned back to Columbia County, he became the owner of the Rainier Liquor Store. He owned and operated it from 1992 – 2001 before retiring and selling the store.

In 2012, he and Diane joined Grace Baptist Church in St. Helens. Bill always enjoyed being involved in his churches

and he loved signing in the choir. Traveling was one of his favorite pastimes. He and Diane spent a lot of time camping and traveling to many popular tourist sites. Hawaii was his favorite destination and something he spoke about often. Bill is survived by his wife, Diane Hooper, and their two daughters, Traci Brumbles and Lori Looney; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and his brother Dick Doerschlag. He was preceded in death by his sister Janet Graham.

A celebration of life will be held Sat., Feb. 11, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in St. Helens, Oregon. Please sign our online guestbook at www. columbiafh.com.

Courtesy photo

Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell being sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Courtesy photo from Clatskanie Middle/High School A photo of Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell from the Clatskanie Middle/High School yearbook in 1992.

Oregon’s health care workforce ‘crisis’

Oregon needs to improve the supply and distribution of health care providers, enhance the resiliency and well-being of health care workers and increase diversity among the health care workforce to provide more culturally and linguistically responsive care, a new report by Oregon State University (OSU) researchers found.

The report was developed by OSU for the Oregon Health Policy Board as part of a contract with the Oregon Health Authority, fulfilling a 2017 law that requires biennial assessment of the state’s health care workforce for the purpose of informing the state Legislature. It includes recommendations for how state agencies and legislators can address the most pressing problems.

The findings

Though the findings were not surprising, they did paint a dire picture, said lead author Dr. Tao Li, an assistant professor in OSU’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences.

“We all understood that burnout among health care providers would be high, especially during the pandemic,” said Li, who also holds a medical degree. “When we really dug into the report and compiled the existing data from different areas, we noted that wow, there is a severe health care crisis. Health care workers really need support, because the burnout level is just higher than I expected.”

The 111-page report discusses how the health care sector saw significant job losses during the first two years of the pandemic, which have been largely regained

over the past year, and how employment trends varied within the health care sector. However, Li said, researchers do not yet have enough data to analyze the long-term physical and emotional impacts the pandemic has had on providers.

“If we want to make sure that everyone in Oregon can get good health care, we definitely need to invest in the strong foundation of the health care workforce,” he said. “When they don’t get enough support and they get burned out, it will have many negative consequences — it will cost us money and quality of care. We need to address this problem, both nationally and in Oregon.”

Recommendations

The report’s recommendations are grouped into seven main categories. Along

with calls to improve the supply, distribution, diversity and resiliency of health care workers, researchers highlight the need to expand and clarify career pathways and training for many segments of the workforce.

They also recommend expanding telehealth and integrated care models and increasing the use of community-based care providers like health interpreters and peer wellness specialists to connect on a more personal level with their local communities.

“We believe all health care professionals need more support around resiliency and well-being, and many professionals with unclear career pathways need clearer pathways. And some professionals will need increased compensation,” Li said.

“These are the three things we would like to prioritize.”

These priorities align with

very limited up here. Down there, we’ll have closer to 100 seats, and we’ll be able to almost double that with outdoor seating, so it’ll be a much better space for us,” Lauridsen said. “There’s a full kitchen there already, so we anticipate using the kitchen, and we’re probably going to sub out the kitchen operation to someone else.”

Lauridsen said that Crooked Creek Brewery is already in talks with someone local about taking on the food service portion of the business at their new location. Lauridsen said that their current location would remain open during the transition and will likely stay open for a short period after they launch the riverfront operation.

Building in the community

Lauridsen moved to Columbia County in 2016, looking to escape the city. Though Lauridsen worked in the photography industry for 20 years, he was ready to leave that profession to pursue the “pipe dream” of getting a brewery off the ground. Crooked Creek

the overall goal of the biennial health care workforce report, which is to eliminate health inequities altogether, Li said.

The well-being of all health care providers is interconnected, such that negative experiences for one type of provider have a domino effect on other providers, he said. For instance, if a physician quits, all their responsibilities and heavy lifting shift to the nurses.

Health care workers need greater structural supports like more flexibility in scheduling, more available and affordable child care and a reduction in administrative paperwork, the report found. Less tangible workplace supports such as showing providers that their work is valued were also important.

Larger socioeconomic forces compound the pressures health care workers

Brewery had its first “brew day” on Black Friday of 2021. Lauridsen said that since opening, the community reception has been strong.

“People seem to be enjoying the beer, and they keep coming back, so I’ll take that as a good thing. You know, we’ve worked hard to be more than just a brewery; we’re trying to be a community hub; we’re trying to create community,” Lauridsen said. “The way I look at it is our mission is to really create community; it just happens that beer is what we found that we create it around.”

Since its establishment, the brewery has looked to give back to the community. One of the initiatives they’ve started is called “Pints for nonprofits,” which they do the first Thursday of each month.

For the event, Crooked Creek Brewery partners

are facing, such as housing affordability, availability of quality education for workers’ children and employment opportunities for workers’ partners and spouses, Li said.

Next steps

“To address the health care workforce crisis, it’s not something one sector can do,” he said. “Government and nongovernmental entities from different areas need to work together.”

Co-authors of the report were OSU associate professors Jeff Luck and Veronica Irvin, doctoral student Collin Peterson and research analyst Alex Kaiser.

Molly Rosbach works at the OSU Department of Marketing and Research. She may be reached at molly. rosbach@oregonstate.edu.

with a different nonprofit based in Columbia County and gives $2 from every beer sale back to the non profit for the entire day.

Lauridsen is excited about the prospect of the new location and hopes that the brewery will continue to flourish with the community’s support.

“We’re invested in the community, and we’re locals that are passionate about our community and the future of Columbia County and St. Helens,” Lauridsen said. “You know, we want to be part of its growth, so hopefully, the community will continue to embrace us as we relocate.”

At press time The Chronicle was waiting for comments from the Dockside Restaurant owners. Follow updates about this story at www.thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH23-1258

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department Case No. 20PB04739 NOTICE

TO INTERESTED PER-

SONS In the Matter of the Barry Stanley Robinson, Jr., Deceased. NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN that Theresa A. Powell has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to

CH23-1255

the undersigned attorney for the personal representative at 405 W. Arlington Street, Gladstone, OR 97027, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information form the records of the Court, the personal representative, or

the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published on February 8, 2023. Theresa A. Powell, Personal Representative. Joseph Q. Kaufman, OSB No. 872702 Attorney for Per-sonal Representative, 405 W. Arlington Street, Gladstone, OR 97027. Tel (503) 722-3850. Fax (877) 866-1876. joe@jqkaufmanlaw.com.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT

In the Matter of the Estate of DANIEL M. FERGUSON, Deceased. No. 23PB00223

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; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative of the attorneys for the personal representative.

CH23-1259

NOTICE OF HYBRID MEETING

The CC Rider Transit Advisory Committee will be holding a hybrid meeting on February 21, 2023, at 4:30PM at 1155 Deer Island Rd, St. Hel-

ens, Oregon 97051. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet. goto.com/779435229

You can also dial in using

The Columbia County Development Agency (Agency) has published the FY 2021/2022 Annual Report. It is on file at the offices of the Board of County Commissioners located in the Columbia County Courthouse, Room 338, at 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. 97051 and with the Agency. The full information is available to all interested persons. In FY 2021/2022, the Agency received $151,264 in property tax revenue. Expenditures from FY 2021/2022 were $855,799. The estimated tax revenues for FY 2022/2023 are $100,000. The 2022/2023 budget includes $8,440,556 in revenues and expenditures. The impact of carrying out the urban renewal plan on the permanent rate levy tax collections for the preceding year for all taxing districts is shown in the table below Schools and the ESD are not directly impacted by urban renewal due to the State School Fund. The remaining maximum indebtedness for the Area is $15,328,774.84.

Dated

and first published: February 1, 2023. Date of final publication: February 15, 2023. Personal Representative: Elizabeth R. Detsch, 30657 Scappoose Vernonia Hwy, Scappoose, Oregon 97056. Attorneys: VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Telephone: (503) 397-4091.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN RFP

The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals to assist the Port in updating its Strategic Business Plan. Interested and qualified firms may obtain the RFP documents

CH23-1251

on the Port’s website at https://www.portofcolumbiacounty.org/rfps; from the Port Office located at 100 E Street, Columbia City, OR, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday; or via

email at sisco@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2023. For questions, please call 503-397-2888.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT

In the Matter of the Estate of GORDON PHILLIP DRISCOLL, Deceased. No. 22PB11517 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned,

Michelle M. Low, 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. First pub -

CrossWord Puzzle

lished: January 25, 2023.

Michelle M. Low, Personal Representative. Personal Representative: Michelle M. Low 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)-3974091.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: U.S. PRESIDENTS

ACROSS

1. Biased perspective

6. Male sibs

10. Monday Night Football audience

14. Tapiridae representative

15. Rock opera version of “La BohËme”

16. Object of worship

17. Opposite of alpha 18. ____ Spumante

19. Novice

20. *Unanimously elected President

22. Gusto 23. Eggy drink 24. Jig music, pl. 26. Stashed in a hold

30. Penniless

32. Wood turning device

33. Toll payment, e.g.

34. Not slouching

38. Like nay-sayers

39. Of many years

40. Malaria symptom

41. Instagram post

43. River, in Spanish

44. Bell-bottoms bottom 45. Dodge 47. Unexpected 48. The Cat in the Hat’s headgear (2 words)

51. Campbell’s container

52. International Civil Aviation Organization

53. *President Hayes’ first name

60. “Through” in a text?

61. Pelvic bones

62. Plural of #54 Down

63. Andrew Sean Greer’s 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner

64. Reverse action

65. Mother-of-pearl

66. *Lake off Ohio, the state known as “the Mother of Presidents”

67. Baseball’s “The Say Hey Kid”

68. Navigate

DOWN

1. *Present tense of #26

Across

2. Tibetan priest

3. “Singes” in “La PlanËte des singes”

4. Nearly

5. Apprentice

6. Name on apple cider vinegar bottle

7. R in R&R

8. Cognizant of

9. “Sophie’s Choice” protagonist

10. *F in JFK

11. Bye, to Emmanuel

Macron

12. Relating to Scandinavia

13. Casino bandits

21. Sign of assent

25. *Civil Rights Act of 1957 signer

26. Dueler’s blow

27. Hyperbolic tangent

28. Football great Graham

29. *Executive Mansion, colloquially (2 words)

30. Misrepresent

31. Make over

33. *One of four presidents to have never been elected

35. “Goodness gracious!”

36. “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me” band, The ____

37. High school student, usually

42. Spermatozoa counterparts

44. Not marathons, pl. (2 words)

46. Central court in domus

47. Certain frat house letters

48. Ownership document

49. Autumn color

50. Zoroaster follower

51. Pandemonium

54. Elbow-wrist connection

55. Not a slob

56. Like certain Stanley

57. A third of thrice

58. Steak choice

59. Whitetail, e.g.

Community events State releases new salmon habitat map

February 10 and 11 Quilt

Show

Bethany Lutheran Church’s Annual Quilt Show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11 at 34721 Church Road in Warren.

Bring quilts to display from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Call Chris Mollenhour at 503-888-7540 for more information.

February 11 Gala Fundraiser Dinner and Auction: Valentines for Vets 2023

5 p.m. doors open with cash bar. 6 p.m. flag ceremony with dinner to follow. 6:45 p.m. silent auction followed by live auction starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the Elks Veteran Bunker, 125 S. 13th St., St. Helens. Call 503-410-5225 or email info@ elksveteransbunker.org for questions.

February 13 Columbia 9-1-1

Communications District Board of Directors Special Meeting 10 a.m. - For instructions on how to join the meeting go to www.columbia911.com.

The agenda will include: Executive Session under ORS192.660(2)(h) Legal Counsel. The meeting will begin in open session, and will go into Executive Session and then will return to open session following and there may be action taken at the conclusion.

February 18 Community Action Team Home Ownership Education Class

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Action Team, 125 N 17th St., St. Helens. Food and drink provided. This class will cover making the decision to buy, preparing financially to own, mortgages

and closing, shopping for your home and protecting your investment. Call 503-366-6549 or email nhellmich@cat-team.org.

February 25 Columbia County Bridal Expo presented by Dianna’s Formal Affair 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meriweather Place, 1070 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens. Stop by for photography, event planning, wedding cakes, accessories, catering music, flowers, giveaways, samples and more. For more information, contact 503-397-3026 or ColumbiaCountyBridalExpo.com.

March 4 Rodeo Fundraiser

Join the Columbia County Rodeo Committee for dinner, dancing, and a live auction at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $35 per person or reserve a corporate table for eight people for just $300. Contact any Rodeo Committee member or call 503-397-1800. Tickets are limited. 5 p.m. Social Hour. 6 p.m. Dinner. 7 p.m. Live Auction. 8-11 p.m. Live Music.

Ongoing events

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Henry Franzoni ar 360-353-0937 or email to hjfranzoni3@gmail.com. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver. org/events-page.

Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

tered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st Street in St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. Free childcare available. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521 or check the Resonate Facebook page.

Columbian Toastmasters

Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Hwy, Warren, OR 97053 from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503-3690329 for more information.

Overcomers Outreach

Meetings are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose. Call Fred 971-7576389.

Celebrate Recovery

For anyone struggling with addiction, hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free dinner. Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Road in St. Helens. 503-396-7091. Childcare is available. www. yanktoncommunityfellowship.com

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to jruark@countrymedia.net or chronicle -

The 2023 update added approximately 53 miles of essential habitat.

The State of Oregon has released the 2023 essential salmonid habitat map, which shows streams where activities like building docks or adding riprap usually require a removal-fill permit.

The map identifies streams that are critical habitat for Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and other sensitive, threatened or endangered fish species. Oregon law protects these streams by requiring a removal-fill permit for most projects that remove or add any materials. View the map with this story at thechronicleonline. com or visit the Oregon Department of State Lands website.

The map is updated as often as yearly to reflect current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) data.

Oregon Department of State Lands Director Vicki Walker said the regular updates keep habitat information accurate, which in turn helps property owners do their part to protect fish.

orts

The maps are designed as a protection effort for fish.

“Anyone who lives along a river or stream should check the map,” Walker said.

“The first step in protecting fish populations is knowing whether a waterway is essential habitat.”

The 2023 update added approximately 53 miles of essential habitat. Approximately 30 stream miles are no longer essential habitat.

The annual map update pro-

Courtesy from the ODFW

cess includes Tribal engagement and a public review and comment period. The updated map goes into effect February 1 of each year.

Stay informed about future map updates by joining DSL’s email list for essential salmonid habitat map information. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/ dsl.

SHHS basketball season coming to a close

Only four games remain in the season for the St. Helens High School boys basketball team, and they’ll be hoping to end a challenging season on a high note. While they haven’t seen a lot of success in the win column this year, this season has been a period of growth for the program.

With a record of 3-17, the Lions have been adjusting to their reclassification as a 4-A team in the 4A-1 Cowapa League. Last season, the Lions competed as a 5-A school in the 5A-1 Northwest Oregon Conference and finished with a 1-20 record overall. Last season, the Lions ranked 32 out of 32 teams in the 5-A rankings at the end of the season. This year, they have climbed to 29 of the 31 teams in the 4-A1 classification. The Lions have scored wins this year over Hillsboro, Colton, and Tillamook. Within Cowapa League play, the Lions are 1-7 but still have four more games to try and notch another win and

PILLOWCASES

From Page A1

About the Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Oregon and SW Washington provides access to medical care, a home away from home, and a community of

support for seriously ill or injured children and their families.

In 1984, after years of planning, the first Oregon Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to families in need.

Just steps away from OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children, that first House began provid-

ing comfort and relief to families needing to be close to their child’s hospital bed. Nearly four decades later, RMHC of Oregon and SW Washington has expanded from that first 17-room House into a statewide network of four Houses with 79 rooms and four inhospital programs serving thousands of families every year.

continue growing in a season of relative success.

The squad

This season’s team has a good mix of experience and youth, which gives some room to grow in the coming seasons. Their seniors are Tyler Tolles, Korbyn Lee, Noah Vanderzanden, and Thatcher Lyman. Tolles and junior Mitchell Barroso captain the team.

Tolles is in the midst of a productive season for the Lions and leads the team in scoring, assists, and shot percentage with averages of 14.1 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, and 47% from the field, according to MaxPreps. In addition to stellar on-court play, St. Helens High School announced that Tolles was the “December Elks Teen of the Month. The 6’5” sophomore Cameron Cox has been a beast on the board this season, leading the team with 6.4 rebounds per game. Cox is also the second-highest scorer on the team and chips in 10.6 points per game. Cox’s success is some-

thing to monitor, as he may need to take on more responsibility in coming seasons with the departure of the Lions’ senior class.

Upcoming games

St. Helens’ upcoming games promise to be tough as they finish their schedule with road games against Seaside, Scappoose, and Astoria and a home game against Tillamook. The Lions couldn’t beat Seaside, Scappoose, or Astoria in their previous matchups and will be looking to get revenge in those games. The game to watch will be the home matchup with Tillamook on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. In their previous two matchups this season, Tillamook and St. Helens have split their results, with each team winning at home. With the game in St. Helens, the Lions will be hoping they can sink their teeth in and get another victory in the best-of-three season series.

Follow St. Helens High School Basketball at osaa. org.

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Courtesy photo from Facebook St. Helens boys basketball in the locker room following their big win over Tillamook, Jan. 13.

Courtesy from the St. Helens Lions Club

Niki Kirsch sewing the pillowcases.

Courtesy from the St. Helens Lions Club

The completed pillowcases to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House.

Date Night in

County

For those looking to get flowers for their special someone, whether it’s a date night or the fastapproaching Valentine’s Day, look no further than Clatskanie Floral. The family-owned floral shop specializes in offering custom arrangements that befit any occasion. Certified florist Linda Depersis, who owns Clatskanie Floral, is the person to call for all things flower related and is more than happy to work with customers to get them the perfect arrangement.

“Everything is special; I do everything custom order. So just go ahead and give me a call, and I can talk you through what color pallets you might like, or he might like,” Depersis said. “We can do pastels, bright, anything, if you like something kind of funky. I love things that are a little out of the box. So, my signature is I usually tuck in something that you don’t normally see or you wouldn’t expect to see in the arrangement.”

Linda Depersis never thought she would become a florist, but she always had a passion for gardening and growing flowers. Growing up, she loved growing flowers with her grandmother and found that populating her garden with flowers was always a priority whenever she moved into a new home. Then, in 2008, Depersis’ passion for cultivating flowers hit a new height when she and her husband purchased and started Barefoot Farm and Flowers in Clatskanie.

“I knew that I was just

going to start growing flow ers. So, we started putting in more and more flowers, and then somewhere along the way, I kind of stumbled into that flower farming is a real job. There’s actually flower farmers out there,” Depersis said. “So we jumped into that, we just kept expanding, and I started growing flowers for the Portland Flower Market.”

As Depersis began working with more florists and flower shops in the area, an opportunity arose for her to purchase Clatskanie Floral, which has been around since 1967

florist. Soon after, she attended the Floral Design Institute in Portland and became a certified florist.

About a year ago, Depersis relocated the floral shop onto the same property as Barefoot Farm and Flowers at 77568 Erickson Dike Road in Clatskanie. They deliver to Portland, Rainier, St Helens, Clatskanie, Astoria, and Longview, WA.

According to Depersis, Valentine’s Day is one of

popular in previous years and what’s trending recently, then she needs to get the right flowers in and prep them for the big day.

“You get all the flowers in, you have to go through, and you process them. You’re cleaning up all the stems, you’re giving them fresh cuts, putting them in a solution to help them drink up so they hydrate. A lot of organizing, getting your vases ready. It’s a lot; it’s a

lot of production,” Depersis

During other parts of the year, Clatskanie Floral sells on-site; however, because it is “shoulder season,” they need to bring in flowers to fill their orders. Some of the most popular flowers to order around Valentine’s are rose lilies, roses, and anything with a nice scent.

Depersis said she wishes that Valentine’s fell at a time in the year when there were opportunities to get flowers in season.

“I wish Valentine’s day was in maybe August

because everyone loves our specialty dahlias and a lot of other flowers we have out there, but they’re not available until the summer,” Depersis said.

With Valentine’s Day being a busy time for flower shops and florists, Depersis said that orders come in different waves. Repeat customers or those who have struggled to get flowers on Valentine’s in the past order well in advance. However, Clatskanie Floral is no stranger to filling lastminute orders for those who had Valentine’s Day sneak up on them. For those wanting to put together an arrangement for their next date or this Valentine’s Day, Depersis urged potential buyers not to wait to get their order in.

“I would say call ahead and get your order in because we will run out of flowers; we always do,” Depersis said. “I wouldn’t wait until the last minute to put your order in. The earlier you do it, the better because then you have the best choice for your favorite colors, your favorite design.”

While Depersis loves every aspect of working with flowers and customers, she always enjoys seeing the reaction of those she’s arranged the flowers for.

“If I ever get to be part of the delivery for Valentine’s Day, which is usually towards the end, just surprising someone and seeing the look on their face when they get this really beautiful arrangement, or just to know that someone was thinking about them; it always makes me feel like the Easter bunny,” Depersis said.

Scappoose Creek Inn gives patrons the perfect staycation

Scappoose Creek Inn, outside of St. Helens, offers the perfect weekend retreat if you’re looking for a getaway but don’t have the time to jet off to an exotic destination.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Scappoose Creek Inn could be the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Located seven miles from St. Helens, 25 miles from downtown Portland, and 70 miles from the coast, Scappoose Creek Inn offers guests the perfect home base for a weekend getaway, with plenty of day trips just a short drive away.

The inn has been operating since 1997, and owners Sherry Quarry and Jeri Anderson have owned the quaint bed and breakfast since 2007. The five-room house on the corner of W Lane Road offers cozy country-style rooms with distinctive antiques and freshly made-from-scratch breakfasts. Their customer service and top-notch food have made them a spot that customers come back to time after time.

“We’ve got what we call our ‘Scappoose Creek Inn family;’ we have a lot of regulars that return because they have family here or business here in the area, so

they want to stay with us,” Quarry said. “They love, usually, our breakfasts are the things they comment the most about, and how clean our rooms are, and just how they feel like they’re coming home when they’re here.”

If they keep coming back, that speaks volumes. We’ve had guests here coming back year-afteryear for 10 and 12 years.

~ Sherry Quarry, Scappoose Inn Co-owner

For breakfast, what’s on the menu depends on what’s available seasonally and how many folks are staying at the inn. Just a couple of things they offer for breakfast are huevos rancheros, Eggs Benedict, homemade biscuits and gravy, and Nutellastuffed French toast with berries. They are also offering complimentary Mimosas with breakfast all of February. For people looking for activities around town, Scappoose Creek Inn is happy to provide some ideas.

“We kind of look at ourselves as the county concierge. It just depends on why they’re here and if

they’ve got time,” Quarry said. “If they’re driving through, or they’re looking to maybe move here in the area, we give them the run down as to where they can go, and what to do, and where to have some fun.”

While they aren’t as big as a Best Western or something like that, Quarry is happy to provide guests a “home away from home,” with home cooking that accommodates dietary requirements and gives people a “comfortable, welcoming place to rest their head.”

As a small business, one of the things that Scappoose Creek Inn is proud of is the number of customers who return again and again. When you stay at Scappoose Creek Inn once, it may become an annual destination.

“Just being able to know that we have a lot of repeat business. So that means that they’re comfortable here and enjoy what it is we’re able to provide them,” Quarry said.

“If they keep coming back, that speaks volumes. We’ve had guests here coming back year-after-year for 10 and 12 years.”

So, if you are looking for a place to stay with someone special, look no further than the Scappoose Creek Inn, where the homey feel and delightful breakfast will make any weekend away a unique experience.