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Wednesday, February 15, 2023

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Popular fireworks still on at St. Helens

Over the past two years, the City of St. Helens has been searching for a nonprofit or other group to take over the annual Independence Day fireworks display.

In 2022, the St. Helens City Council included approximately $20,000 as an incentive.

As of this week, there have been no takers, according to St. Helens Communication Officer Crystal King. Still, the popular celebration that draws hundreds to the Columbia River shoreline will be conducted again this July.

“The city is currently in an 18-month contract with E2C, which includes managing the Independence Day Celebration and 2023 fireworks show,” King said. “The contract includes the goal of working with a community partner to host the 2023 event.”

Community decision

King said the city officials are basing the decision to not be responsible for the fireworks display on a community survey conducted two years ago.

“The City of St. Helens conducted a survey asking the St. Helens community about the 2021 fireworks show and the city’s involvement in its future,” King said.

“Approximately 450 people took the survey, with responses indicating that people preferred a community organization to take over the event. While the city did not find a community group to lead the event in 2021 or 2022, there is still a desire for a qualified organization

to take over the Independence Day celebration.”

King said any group interested in working with the City to transfer the event to their community organization should contact City Administrator John Walsh at jwalsh@ sthelensoreon.gov.

In that process, King said St. Helens would turn over the entire event to a qualified community organization, including organizing all events for the day, hosting the fireworks show, and fundraising for the event.

The city traditionally offers support to community events, such as the Kiwanis Community Parade, through coordination with the city’s public works and administration departments.

Decades-long tradition

According to King, city officials continue to believe that the Independence Day Fireworks are a true and worthwhile tradition and should be maintained.

“The city believes that recognizing and celebrating our country’s independence is certainly a worthwhile tradition,” King said.

“Whether that celebration includes fireworks or not is something that we want our community to decide.

Fireworks have long been a tradition of Independence Day celebrations, dating back to the first annual celebration in 1777. St. Helens has also had a decades-long tradition of hosting a fireworks show on July 4.”

King said however, there has

State Supreme Court issues Measure 114 ruling

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

T he Oregon Supreme Court has ruled against allowing Measure 114 to take effect.

The measure would require a permit to purchase a firearm and a background check. The measure triggered a firestorm from gun shop owners and others that it was unconstitutional.

The court ruled against a petition filed by the Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in January.

The measure was narrowly approved by voters in November but has been on hold due to continuing court challenges. Read the court decision in the information below provided by the Oregon Supreme Court. Cases decided February 9, 2023.

Joseph Arnold, et al. v. Tina Kotek et al., (CC 22CV41008) (SC S069998)

On petition for a writ of mandamus filed January 13, 2023; considered and under advisement on January 31, 2023. The petition for a writ of mandamus is denied without prejudice. The motion for stay is dismissed as moot without

prejudice. Opinion of the Court Per Curiam.

Today, the Oregon Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of mandamus filed by the state, which had asked the Court to vacate two preliminary orders

City names Employee of the Year

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The City of St. Helens has selected St. Helens Public Works Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator Ethan Stirling as its Employee of the year for 2022.

Opinion ......................... A4

Poll ................................ A4

Community Calendar A4

Obituaries ..................... A5

Classified Ads ............. A6

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National Dental Month A9

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Vol. 141, No. 7

Stirling was hired at the City of St. Helens in February 2016 as a Public Works Utility Worker I. He was promoted to the Water Systems Operator in May 2019 and to Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator in April 2022.

Stirling was nominated by five City employees from multiple departments. All the nominations noted Stirling’s thoughtful and responsive approach to employee safety concerns and his initiative in increasing safety training and protocols since his promotion to Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator in 2022.

He is described by multiple co-workers as someone who always has a positive attitude and was recognized for his professionalism and proactive approach to his job.

How the process works

Each year, the City of St. Helens names an employee of the year who consistently goes above and beyond for the public and fellow co-workers.

Nominations are submitted by City employees and then reviewed by a panel of community members to make a final selection.

For the 2022 Employee of the

Year selection process, the City assembled a panel of seven community members who are not related to the City of St. Helens to judge nominations.

The panel was asked to set aside all bias and judge the nominees solely based on the nominations received, emphasizing the quality of the nomination and employee rather than the quantity of nominations.

History

The St. Helens Employee of the Year program was implemented in 2013. The City identifies the Employee of the Year as the following.

• An employee of the year is someone who consistently exemplifies behaviors that reflect favorably on the City.

• The employee is one who goes above and beyond on a regular basis.

• Someone who goes the extra mile to help customers, both internally and externally.

• Responds to inquiries in an efficient and timely manner.

entered in a pending trial court action challenging Ballot Measure 114 (2022), enacted by the voters at the November 2022 General Election. Measure 114 made several statutory changes pertaining to fire-

arms, including requiring a permit to purchase a firearm (“permit-topurchase requirement”); requiring completion of a criminal background check before a firearm may be purchased, acquired, delivered, or transferred (“background-check requirement”); and imposing restrictions regarding “large-capacity” magazines (“large-capacity magazine restrictions”), generally defined as fixed or detachable ammunition feeding devices with a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Shortly after the election, plaintiffs filed in the Harney County Circuit Court a declaratory judgment action against three state defendants (“the state”), asserting that Measure 114 was unconstitutional under Article I, section 27, of the Oregon Constitution.

Plaintiffs also sought preliminary relief, which the trial court granted in two orders: (1) a

See MEASURE 114 Page A5

Serving Columbia County since 1881

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

The 2022 St. Helens Fourth of July fireworks display was conducted from a large barge in the Columbia River.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

The bank along the Columbia River filled with vehicles and spectators for the 2022 St. Helens fireworks display. See

SNAP emergency food allotments ending

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

Approximately 416,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in extra food benefits during February in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. This will be the final emergency allotment provided to Oregonians.

Having a plan ahead of time will reduce the chance of experiencing an emergency or crisis later.

~ Fariborz Pakseresht, ODHS) Director

March 2023 will be the first month since April 2020 that most people on SNAP in Oregon will only receive their regular SNAP food benefits.

“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Director Fariborz Pakseresht said. “As Oregon continues to be impacted by COVID-19 and the rising cost of food, we know that without these emergency food benefits

some in Oregon may experience hardship and hunger.”

Fariborz said he is encouraging people who are concerned to start planning for this change today.

“Having a plan ahead of time will reduce the chance of experiencing an emergency or crisis later,” he said. “There are food supports available to everyone in Oregon, you can find what is available in your community by contacting our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank or by visiting needfood.oregon.gov.”

“It’s critical that Oregonians facing reduced support for groceries know that food remains available to all who need it,” Oregon Food Bank CEO Susannah Morgan said. “Across rural, urban and suburban communities, more than 1,400 free food markets, pantries and meal sites are moving mountains to make sure families have the resources we need to fill the gap. And everyone is welcome — regardless of race, gender, religion or immigration status.”

“The end of the emergency allotments, as we all know, will be a very hard time for many folks and families, but we know there are great people at 211, ODHS and our partner agencies who stand ready to help and will lead with compassion to help the community navigate this change,” 211info Emergency Management Director Kerry Hoeschen said. “At 211info we are available 24/7 to provide information and referrals to agencies offering support for a wide variety of needs such as rent and utility pay-

SNAP is a federal program

ment support.” The service includes more than 1,000 food resources across Oregon and Southwest Washington such as food pantries, farmers markets, community gardens, fresh food distribution and summer food programs for all Oregonians. To find out more about general resources and food programs contact 211info. Language interpreters are available.

Preparing for the change

Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Feb. 11. Emergency allotments will be issued Feb. 28 or March 2 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

Oregonians who receive SNAP are encouraged to prepare for this change in the amount of food benefits they receive. Having a plan ahead of time will reduce the chance of experiencing an emergency or crisis later. Find out what your regu-

Courtesy photo

lar SNAP benefit amount is. Knowing your regular SNAP benefit can help you budget. You can check how much your regular benefits are by accessing your EBT account online at www.ebtEDGE. com or by logging into your ONE account at Benefits. oregon.gov.

Questions about your SNAP benefits can also be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075. The ONE Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

Regular SNAP benefits are added to EBT cards between the first and the ninth day of the month. Tell ODHS if your income has decreased. A decrease in your income may mean you qualify for more SNAP benefits. Tell ODHS if there are more people in your household. An increase to the number of people in your household may increase your SNAP food benefits.

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

• Online at: Benefits.

oregon.gov

• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309

• By fax at: 503-378-5628

• By phone at: 1-800-6999075 or TTY 711, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

Know what food supports are in your area. There are many different organizations providing food support in communities throughout Oregon:

• Find food resources in your community: needfood. oregon.gov

• Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank. org

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

SNAP Background

Remember that SNAP has changed since April 2020. In addition to the temporary emergency food benefits due to COVID-19, SNAP has experienced other permanent changes that will support people’s ability to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families.

On October 1, 2021, regular SNAP food benefits were permanently increased by an average of about $36 per person, per month.

In January 2022, Oregon increased the income eligi-

bility limit for SNAP up to 200% of the federal poverty level. This means that an individual with up to $2,265 in income per month, or a family of three with up to $3,838 in income per month, are eligible to receive SNAP food benefits.

Why emergency food benefits are ending after February 2023

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since April 2020. The 2023 federal spending bill ended funding for emergency allotments. Due to this change, the federal government will no longer allow Oregon to issue emergency food benefits after February 2023.

This means that February 2023 is the final month that ODHS is allowed to provide these emergency food benefits to people receiving SNAP in Oregon.

These emergency food benefits have provided people in Oregon with $1.86 billion in additional money for food since April 2020.

More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www. oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/ Pages/About-SNAP.aspx.

Learn more at https:// govstatus.egov.com/or-dhsbenefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855673-2372.

OHA reports respiratory virus hospitalizations declining

COVID-19

ters for Disease Control and Prevention modeling predicts that COVID-19 hospitalizations are likely to remain flat during February after declining since late December. “We are now well into the new year, with spring rapidly approaching, and I’m happy to report there’s reason for optimism in the months ahead,” Sidelinger said speaking during the OHA’s monthly COVID-19 media briefing Feb. 9.

pandemic throughout this public health emergency. They have weathered Delta and Omicron surges. They, and people in their care, needed the added protection of masks,” he said.

Recent declines in community spread of influenza and RSV are expected to continue into spring, and while state health officials monitor a recent uptick in COVID-19 activity, respiratory virus hospitalizations should keep dropping over the coming weeks.

Reason for optimism

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials said there’s ‘reason for optimism,’ which may mean eventually lifting mask requirement for health care settings.

OHA Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger said RSV activity has dropped significantly since its peak in late November, and the state is close to the end of RSV season.

Influenza activity is expected to decline following a slight and short-lived increase in influenza B cases. And Cen-

The improving conditions, if they continue, could allow OHA to eventually lift the state rule requiring workers in health care settings to wear masks, Sidelinger said. But any change to the rule must be made carefully, in consultation with health care and local public health partners, and agency health advisors and leaders.

“As we move through this new phase of the pandemic, we are reexamining all pandemic-related policies in place, including masking in health care settings, and we’ll be sharing additional information as it becomes available,” Sidelinger said.

Operating under an emergency

The state is still operating under an emergency because of high hospitalizations of patients with respiratory diseases, Sidelinger noted. That emergency gives the state’s health care system additional flexibility to care for patients.

“Members of our health care workforce have been on the front lines of Oregon’s response to the COVID-19

State public health officials are “keeping an eye” on a recent uptick in COVID-19 activity – an increase in test positivity in the last two weeks – that is likely caused by the now-predominant XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant. They also are staying alert to a possible second influenza wave driven by influenza B, which often fills the void left by plummeting influenza A activity late in the flu season.

But as the state closes in on the end of flu and RSV seasons and ramps down its pandemic response with the rest of the country, state officials are seeing “more positive changes that speak to the normalization – and manageability – of COVID-19 in our lives,” Sidelinger said.

For example, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has removed a requirement that patients must test positive for COVID-19 to be prescribed antiviral medicines, according to the OHA. And public health officials are emphasizing the

importance of preparing for COVID-19 exposure and infection – especially those at high risk for severe outcomes – by knowing their risks, making a plan for when they get sick, and taking action if they test positive to protect themselves and those around them.

“And give yourself a leg up on reducing your risk of infection by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster,” Sidelinger said.

Mpox outbreak status

During the media briefing, Sidelinger also discussed the state’s continuing re-

sponse to the mpox outbreak. He said Oregon is still seeing a small number of mpox cases each month, which is expected to continue as the state settles into an endemic phase of the outbreak.

“We are working closely with local public health, health care and community partners to get the word out about the importance and availability of the Jynneos vaccine, and to promote vaccination events as they become available,” he said.

Follow developments here online and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

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

Is Columbia County ready for an earthquake?

The death toll from two major earthquakes that rocked parts of Turkey and Syria has surpassed 36,000, according to media outlets.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake first struck the region in the early morning Feb. 6, followed hours later by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. The destruction as a result of the quakes has been cataclysmic.

For Oregon and much of the west coast of the United States, this earthquake could be a warning of something to come. Scientists have long predicted a 9.0 magnitude earthquake originating from the Pacific northwest’s Cascadia fault. An earthquake of that magnitude could devastate much of the infrastructure on the coast and trigger a tsunami.

In Columbia County, measures and procedures are in place to handle seismic activity, although a disaster of such a significant scale may be difficult to navigate, ready or not. Columbia County Public Information Officer

Mark Pacheco has provided the Chronicle with information about what protective steps the county is taking and where people can find more

information about what to do if there is a natural disaster.

Retrofitting projects

One major retrofitting project the county has undertaken is renovating the historic John Gumm Building in St. Helens, which the county purchased in July of 2021. Pacheco says the county will renovate the building to “add 30,000-square-feet of administrative, museum, and office space.”

When county officials initially decided to purchase the building for $1.5 million, they anticipated it being used in a variety of ways, as a workspace for Columbia County Public Health workers, a new location for a museum, a space for Columbia County Economic Team, and a small business development center in the building. However, almost two years later, the renovations are still ongoing at increasing costs.

Before the county’s purchase, the building had already undergone repairs to address seismic concerns; however, the property has required more work to become operational.

“The previous owner completed significant seismic upgrades to the building, and

the county is expanding on those to meet current standards,” Pacheco said.

Upon completion of the project, the county intends to assess which other buildings may need improvements to withstand seismic activity.

A prepared, coordinated, well-communicated response to emergencies is the best way to curb public panic.

~ Mark Pacheco, Columbia County Public Information Officer

“The county will complete the John Gumm Building renovation project during the summer of 2024,” Pacheco said. “With the completion of that project, the county can then evaluate its other facilities to determine what seismic improvement opportunities exist.”

Preventing public panic

If a catastrophe were to occur, Pacheco emphasized that a well-coordinated

emergency response would be the most effective way to keep people safe and ensure that officials and emergency responders could minimize chaos.

“A prepared, coordinated, well-communicated response to emergencies is the best way to curb public panic,” Pacheco said. “The Columbia County Emergency Management Department has been updating the county’s emergency response procedures and putting together an Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP). The IPP aims to increase public safety by better integrating and coordinating county-wide emergency preparedness efforts over the next three years.”

The IPP planning team includes the county’s Emergency Management team, Sheriff Brian Pixley, Kelly Niles from the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Deputy Chief Eric Smythe of Columbia River Fire and Rescue.

According to Pacheco, the group has selected five preparedness priorities as lines of effort to focus on:

1. Operational Coordination: The plan will better integrate non-public-safety resources such as public

works, utilities, and community-based organizations into public safety operations.

2. Operational Communication: The plan will improve resource integration by establishing specified lines of communication and methods of sharing information throughout the community ranging from nonprofit organizations to cities, county departments, and first responders.

3. Planning: The plan will better integrate and coordinate existing and future public safety plans.

4. Public Information and Warning: The plan will establish a standard of communication in various scenarios and spread best practices to make public safety agencies more effective.

5. Mass Care: This plan will coordinate efforts to provide mass care and shelter support to people, pets, and livestock.

Resources to help people prepare

To better prepare, Pacheco suggested people access the online resources provided by the state.

“The Columbia County Emergency Management Department recommends that

all county residents visit the State of Oregon’s website for emergency preparedness planning information,” Pacheco said.

The information on these sites can give Oregonians information about what the potential dangers may be and strategies on what to do to prepare in an emergency. One of the recommendations is for each Oregonian to have a “2 Weeks Ready” plan.

According to the state’s website, a 2 Weeks Ready plan “recommends people have an emergency plan and enough food, water, and supplies to survive on their own for at least two weeks following any large-scale disaster.” For more information, Pacheco suggested visiting the following websites:

https://www.oregon.gov/ OEM/hazardsprep/Pages/2Weeks-Ready.aspx

https://www.oregon.gov/ oem/hazardsprep/Pages/Business-Preparedness.aspx

https://www.oregon.gov/ oem/hazardsprep/Pages/Individual-Preparedness.aspx

To help support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria, you can donate to the American Red Cross at https://www. redcross.org.

$1.8.M for habitat restoration, conservation

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) will be receiving $1,818,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for habitat restoration and conservation through the National Estuary Program.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the funding Feb. 13.

“Climate chaos and human actions are threatening

to lead to the permanent loss of plants and animals that have defined Oregon, including salmon and steelhead,” said Senator Merkley, who, as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, wrote the legislation funding the EPA. “These EPA funds will help the Columbia River Estuary become more resilient to climate chaos, and at the same time provide

opportunities for Oregonians of all ages to access, enjoy, and learn about what makes the Columbia River special.”

“A healthy, resilient Columbia River Estuary protects our state’s natural treasures, such as our iconic salmon and steelhead populations as well as other essential drivers of our state’s economy and quality of life,” Wyden said. “These restoration resources now

flowing into our state add up to a greener and healthier future for the Columbia River Estuary and the surrounding communities.”

The EPA’s National Estuary Program (NEP) funds projects to restore water quality and ecological integrity across 28 estuaries of national significance and received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NEPs have also been at

the forefront of addressing climate impacts and environmental justice disparities in their watersheds and is part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to underserved communities.

The award to LCEP is for habitat restoration projects of varying size and complexity, water trail non-

motorized boat access and infrastructure projects that are focused on education and stewardship, stormwater and green infrastructure projects intended to improve water quality and reduce contaminates to the Lower Columbia River study area, and assessment and monitoring projects intended to provide data on the status and trends of ecosystem conditions in the estuary.

Local schools to share in $72.2M state funding

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Local schools will share in a record $72.2 million from the Common School Fund this year.

Where the money goes

Every one of Oregon’s 197 public school districts receives money from the Common School Fund every year. How much each district receives depends on the number of students served.

The St. Helens School District will receive $349,660. The Scappoose School District gets $277,590. The Clatskanie School District will receive $84,059. The Rainier School District will see $106,031. Portland Public Schools, the state’s largest district, will receive $6.4 million.

The average 2023 distribution is approximately $367,000.

“The Common School Fund is valuable in sustaining all of our efforts across our district,” Baker School District Superintendent Erin Lair said, “everything from maintaining facilities to instruction.”

The Common School

Fund has supported Oregon schools since statehood, when the federal government granted our new state nearly 3.4 million acres “for the use of schools.”

The State Land Board was established to oversee these school lands, which generate revenue for the Fund.

Now valued at $2.1 billion, the Common School Fund is invested by the State Treasurer and the Oregon Investment Council. The Fund earned an average 4.42 percent rate of return over the three-year period ending in 2022.

“We’re incredibly pleased with the Common School Fund’s performance in recent years under Treasury’s management,” State Treasurer Tobias Read said. “These sustained returns will allow us to send a record-setting amount to Oregon public schools. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on students across the state, from increased resources in the classroom to facility improvements.”

Annually, 3.5 percent of the Fund is distributed to schools. The 2023 distribution of $72.2 million, the highest-ever distribution, is $8 million more than the 2022 distribution of $64.2

Pet of the Month

Meet Mouse

Mouse is a very sweet young, one year girl that is energetic but can be very shy. We are working on teaching her to be brave and to experience new things. Once she is comfortable with you she is a complete snuggle bug and will be a constant companion.

million and $12.1 million more than the 2021 distribution of $60.1 million.

Today, approximately 772,000 acres of school lands are managed by the Department of State Lands on behalf of the Land Board. $1.38 million in net income from school land leases, sales, and other land management activities was added to the Fund in fiscal year 2022.

“Generation after generation of Oregon students have been supported by school lands,” Oregon Department of State Lands Director Vicki Walker said. “My grandchildren now benefit from the $2.4 million going to Eugene schools in 2023, just as my children did from past Common School Fund distributions.”

About the State Land Board and the Department of State Lands

The State Land Board consists of Governor Tina Kotek, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund.

The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, man-

aging the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protect-

ing the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide.

Improving butterfly habitat ‘wrong for Oregon’

Editor’s note: The following letter sent to Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley has been submitted by Clatskanie resident Sharon Coates.

Dear Senator Merkley, Well-meaning people sometimes do the wrong things. The attempt to improve habitat for the Monarch butterfly in Oregon by encouraging the propagation of milkweed is the wrong thing for Oregon.

I lived my childhood on a cattle, hay and mint farm west of Clatskanie. As the

February 18 CAT Home

Ownership Education Class

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Action Team (CAT), 125 N 17th Street in 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. For more details, call 503-366-6549, or email nhellmich@cat-team.org.

February 22 Homebuyer Class 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2194 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens, OR 97051. Class includes Amy Moore with Guild Mortgage. Please RSVP call or text to 503-369-7789.

February 23 Scappoose Garden Club Meeting

11 a.m. at 51555 SW Old Portland Road. The program includes a garden tea party and making garden

voiCEs

A good place to go

Not long ago I visited Victorico’s in St. Helens.

I ordered lunch at the “Drive Thru.” Accidentally, the order got pretty screwed up. After my discovery, I

oldest child, who was needed to help out, one of my jobs was to pull up milkweed by the roots and place the plants in a burn barrel; not to leave them on the ground to dry and become mixed with the hay and mint cuttings.

Why? Like tansy ragwort, introduced in the US in the 1600s, milkweed is invasive, deemed toxic, which can severely reduce pasture capacity and desirable forage. I believe these sources give you a sense of why milkweed is not a simple issue:

(1) Search ‘milkweed’ on the site of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at aspca. org;

hats. Bring a hat to embellish. Anyone is welcome to attend.

February 23 Columbia 9-1-1

Communications District Board 9 a.m. at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Directors meeting room / Via Zoom. For instructions on how to join the meeting via Zoom, contact the administrative staff at 503-366-6973.

February 25 Columbia County Bridal Expo

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meriweather Place, 1070 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens. Presented by Dianna’s Formal Affair. 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.

(2) https://hort.extension. wisc.edu/articles/milkweedornamental-plants-toxic-toanimals;

(3) www.monarchjointventure.org/resources/faq/ are-all-milkweed-speciestoxic.

I provide the web addresses because algorithms behind popular search engines seem to make it difficult to find the first two quickly.

I have two initial questions about the total $1 million taxpayer-funded Monarch butterfly project.

First, is the butterfly really endangered? We’re told it is. I’ve become skeptical of the claims by “researchers”, under the umbrella of climate

change, who come up with numbers not supported by real evidence. I believe the American people have heard too much ‘persuading’ and not enough ‘informing’. We’re told that the evidence for the butterfly population decline is obtained by ‘sampling’. For some, sufficient sampling is the counting, re-counting, and counting again until the “researcher” arrives at the desired result. But trustworthy sampling is a serious statistical tool that requires careful design supported by mathematical rigor. It can be an expensive task. Is true statistical sampling the underpinning of the butterfly project? Please share the

Community EvEnts

March 4 Rodeo

Fundraiser

Join the Columbia County Rodeo Committee for dinner, dancing, and a live auction at the Columbia County Fairgrounds at 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens. Tickets are $35 per person or reserve a corporate table for eight people for just $300. Contact any Rodeo Committee member or call 503-3971800. Tickets are limited. 5 p.m. Social Hour. 6 p.m. Dinner. 7 p.m. Live Auction. 8 to 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

of thE Community

called the restaurant and talked to the manager.

I returned with my receipt and the evening manager “fixed” everything. My money was returned. The female manager expressed their concern over the error, and I left very satisfied.

At a time in our economy

when good staff is hard to come by and “customer service” doesn’t seem to matter, Victorico’s is the Exception! This is a good place to go for tasty food and excellent service!

Betsy Johnson Scappoose

agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver. org/events-page.

Resonate Recovery

Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christcentered 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

results.

Second, have the groups and individuals who graze cattle, sheep, or horses, produce crops grown for animal feed, cultivate turf grasses or crops like mint, on Oregon soil, been fully informed about this butterfly project? Your own website says this about you, “He’s fought to protect Oregon’s coastal and agricultural economies from the effects of climate chaos, . . .” I fail to see how introducing invasive plants, potentially toxic to animals, ruinous to animal feed crops and other crops like mint that make up historic Oregon agricultural economies, can help the planet.

Ruining land for food

public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Highway in Warren from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503-369-0329 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,

production can bring about real chaos. The million-dollar butterfly project appears to have been mobilized quickly, perhaps too quickly, where the impact on Oregon’s agricultural economies has not been assessed properly and fairly. Farm kids, like me, helped put out hotspots of milkweed and tansy without herbicides, but the purposeful large scale altering of habitat could become out of control and ruinous. Please lead your team for all of us by instructing them to slow down and think things through.

Sincerely, Sharon Coates Clatskanie

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. Childcare is available. For more details, call 503-3967091 of go to 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 chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia. net, or call 503-397-0116.

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

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

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

Joe Warren

Publisher Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor

Jon Campbell Advertising Sales

Kelli Nicholson Office Manager

James Yang Creative Director

Jon Lowrance Driver

Crossword solution

Solution for the Feb. 8, 2023 crossword puzzle

Carla Elayne Barchus

Oct. 13, 1948 ~ Feb. 4, 2023

Budget Committee Vacancy

The City of St. Helens is currently recruiting applicants for the City’s Budget Committee. If you are interested, please go to the City’s website at www.sthelensoregon.gov, hover over How do I? Select Apply for a Committee, and fill out the online application. Please call Kathy Payne if you have any questions at 503-366-8217.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 10, 2023.

Carla was born in National City, California on Oct. 13,1948. She passed away on Feb. 4, 2023, with family by her side, at her home in Vancouver, Washington. Carla was raised in St. Helens and graduated from St. Helens High School in 1966.

After high school, she received her business degree and went to work at the Pentagon in Washington DC. Eventually Carla found her way back to Columbia County and married the love of her life, Bob, in 1970, where they raised their fam

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Vi, our loving mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on Jan. 23, 2023. At 82 years old she left us unexpectedly at Tuality Hospital in Hillsboro, with her daughters by her side.

Viola J. Hallett was born in Scappoose, Oregon to James and Laura May Harlin on Aug. 9, 1940. She is survived by three sisters Lilly May, Margie, and Betty. Vi is following her husband Bill Hallett who she lost in 2005, and the children’s father Harold Houghtelling, in 2010.

Vi is survived by her children, Penny, Jeanette, Sheryl, Shelly, and Darryl

Joseph A. Baker, “Joe”, born Sept. 19, 1951 in Portland, Oregon, passed away Feb. 11, 2023. He passed away at home surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Cathie; children, Andrea Baker, Ali (Damon) Massey, Kenzi (Chris) Pfeiffer and Tristan Fuentes; grandchildren, Ava Ulitsch, Gage Ulitsch, Olen Massey, Hazel

FIREWORKS

From Page A1

been a growing sentiment in recent years that the funds used to host fireworks displays would be better utilized elsewhere.

“The City of St. Helens believes that an Independence Day celebration is a worthwhile tradition; however, we want to listen to our community in making a decision about whether fireworks should be part of that celebration,” she said.

Next step

The 2022 fireworks display was lit from a barge on the Columbia River instead of on land. The display was scheduled to last about 15 minutes

MEASURE 114

From Page A1

temporary restraining order as to the permit-to- purchase and background-check requirements, restraining their enforcement until state notification that the permit-to-purchase requirement is ready to implement and further preliminary hearing; and (2) a preliminary injunction as to the large-capacity magazine restrictions, enjoining their enforcement until a full hearing is held on plaintiffs’ complaint.

STIRLING

From Page A1

• Regularly participates in employee-related events.

• Puts the City’s interests and the interests of their coworkers above their own.

• Has an exemplary attendance record.

years in a number of professions, including bank teller and teacher, but her primary career was as a skilled bookkeeper and accountant.

Carla’s number one love and devotion was her family. Her and Bob’s vacation trips usually consisted of an amusement park with their children or a sports tournament for one of their grandchildren. Her second love was the ocean and its beaches, where her and Bob spent many of hours enjoying the ocean.

husband Bob; two sons, Scott (Misty) Barchus of Keizer, Oregon and Sam (Angie) Barchus of Vancouver, Washington; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; mother Faye Lee of Salem, Oregon; and three sisters, Billie, Anita and Debbie. There will be no funeral service at Carla’s request. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to the American Heart Association or the Oregon Food Bank in her

and boy they are missing her so much every day. Her kids have blessed her with many other family members including three sons in-law and one daughter in-law.

wild turkeys making noise in the trees around them.

Mom moved to Condon in 2003, then over to Fossil two years ago. During that time, she became a member of the Condon Baptist

Joseph A. Baker

Sept. 19, 1951 ~ Feb. 11, 2023

Massey, Charlotte Pfeiffer and Cole Pfeiffer; sisters, Kathie (Dave) Mason, Vickie (Dick) Johnson, and Jean (Bob) Ellison; and one brother, David (Debbie) Baker. He grew up in Scappoose and graduated from Scappoose High School in 1970. He worked at RainProof Roofing for a short while and then went on to a career as a firefighter with the St. Helens Fire District. He

Church, where she would pick Trudy up and the ladies would attend church together. Later she would watch the service live on her laptop when she couldn’t attend in person. After moving to Fossil into Haven House Paster Pearl would visit making her feel more at home there and loved that she could still attend a service. Both communities welcomed her like she lived there forever. She also made many lifetime friends (you all know who you are) and really enjoyed living in the area. A celebration of life will be scheduled for April 29th. Location will be announced later.

retired in 2001 after 28 years of service.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, vacationing in Hawaii and driving his Farmall tractors.

Per his wishes, there will be no service. Donations can be made to Legacy Home Hospice, PO Box 3426, Portland, OR 97208 or a charity of your choice. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbiafh.com.

Irma Georgia Blaha Abbott

March 19, 1926 ~ Jan. 21, 2023

and was conducted around 10 p.m. on Independence Day. The 2022 show cost $20,000 and comes from the city’s tourism fund, according to a published interview with Walsh in the Chronicle last July. Tourism sponsorships and tailgate ticket sales help pay for the show, he said.

Decisions about the specif ics of the 2023 St. Helens fireworks are still pending.

“We do not have an estimated price for the show yet,” King said. “Funding for the show will come from the tourism fund. The display will likely take place from a barge again, but a final decision has not been made.

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

The state filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the trial court to vacate those two temporary and preliminary orders.

In a unanimous, per curiam opinion, the Court denied the state’s petition, but without prejudice as to any future petition for writ filed by any party. The Court explained that, at this juncture in the proceedings, and given its understanding that the trial court was proceeding as expeditiously as possible to resolve the issues, it declined at this time to exercise its discretion to grant the extraordinary

• Behaves off duty in a manner that reflects positively on the City since City employees are public officials even outside work.

• Has a positive attitude no matter the circumstances.

• Is noticed by people in and out of the organization.

Past Employees of the Year

remedy of mandamus.

The Court recognized that the legal status of Measure 114 is of significant concern to many Oregonians and that the judicial branch’s role is to resolve disputes such as challenges to laws enacted by the legislative branch, including the people exercising their initiative power. But, the Court continued, it had determined that “now [was] not an appropriate time to exercise [its] authority in mandamus in connection with the trial court’s temporary and preliminary rulings.”

The Court’s decision had

St. Helens Police Corporal Dustin King was selected as the St. Helens 2021 Employee of the Year. King was hired by the City of St. Helens in November 2015 as a patrol officer for the St. Helens Police Department. He was promoted to detective in April 2018 and then to corporal in July 2020.

The City of St. Helens an-

no bearing on the parties’ respective positions as to the underlying proceeding, including the merits of plaintiffs’ complaint, and it did not bar any future challenge arising from the underlying action. The Court relatedly dismissed as moot a motion to stay the trial court proceedings that the state had filed with its petition for mandamus relief.

Read a series of reports about Measure 114 and follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

nounced that the 2020 City of St. Helens Employees of the Year were Engineering Project Manager Sharon Darroux, Recreation Manager Shanna Duggan, and Youth Librarian Gretchen Kolderup. For more information, contact the City of St. Helens at 503-397-6272.

Irma Georgia Blaha Abbott, of Bend, Oregon and former resident of St. Helens, passed away on Jan. 21, 2023.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

Plaza Square in the Riverfront District is decorated with an Independence Day theme during the Fourth of July celebration in St. Helens.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Info-line, (503) 366-0667

www.pdxaa.org

312 Events

Fundraiser in memory of Stephanie J. Cramer Volk on Feb. 18, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Stuffy’s II, 804 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview, Washington. Please call Renee Thayer for more information at 971-363-7752. We are holding this event for donations. This event is not catered.

502

Help Wanted

Immediate Opening

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

Pool Manager

Clatskanie Park & Recreation District is now accepting applications and resumes for a Pool Manager. Responsibilities: Train, manage and evaluate approximately 20 lifeguards; beginning in February and continuing into September. Plan, organize and schedule programs offered at our seasonal outdoor pool. Be responsible for scheduling adequate staff for the safety, supervision, cleanliness, water chemistry and mechanical operation of the pool for youth and families in our District. Maintain pool and employee records. Perform such other duties as assigned by the District Manager and/or Board of Directors from time to time.

Knowledge and

Skills: Strong administrative skills, recreational aquatic programming

skills, leadership and managerial skills, pool maintenance and water chemistry skills and good public relation skills are a must. Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures and equipment used in daily outdoor pool operations helpful. Work with pool related chemicals and be familiar with State and Federal regulations regarding outdoor pool operations. Experience and Training: Experience preferred. Or the willingness to work within an agreed upon time frame between applicant and Board of Directors to obtain the required and suggested certifications for the position; First-Aid, CPR, AED certifications, Lifeguard Instructor and Training, Water Safety Instructor and CPO (Certified Pool Operator)

certifications. You can request an application by phone at 503-728-2757, by email at csp@ cni.net or on our website www. clatskanieparksandrecreation.com.

Applications and resumes can be returned by mail to: Clatskanie Park & Recreation District, PO Box 737, Clatskanie OR 97016 or by email to csp@cni.net. If you have any questions, please leave message at 503-728-2757. Applications with resumes will be accepted until the position has been filled.

700

Misc/Trade

For Sale

Very inexpensive: Treadmill, rowing machine, weightlifting machine, dumbbells, and more. Please call 503-351-4295.

To help extend the life of Clatskanie PUD power poles, Davey Resource Group has been contracted to conduct our pole test and treat program for 2021. They will be working on our poles on the following roads and the surrounding areas: Swedetown Rd, Olson Rd, Alder Grove Rd, Lindberg Rd, Cedar Grove Rd, & Lost Creek. For

position remains open until 5:00 pm on March 9, 2023. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Sarah Johnson or Lynn Donner 503-728-2163. Clatskanie PUD is an equal employment opportunity employer

Public Notices

CH23-1260

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Aviso Público y Noticia de Audiencia Pública La City es elegible para aplicar a un Subsidio en 2023 del Community Development Block Grant que a su vez viene del Business Oregon. Los Subsidios del Community Development Block Grant (Bloque Subsidiario para el Desarrollo Comunitario) vienen desde el U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos). Los subsidios pueden ser usados para instalaciones públicas y remodelación de casas, primariamente por personas con ingresos moderados o bajos. Aproximadamente $12 millones serán otorgados en 2023 a ciudades y condados nometropolitanos de Oregon. El máximo de subsidios que la ciudad o el condado puede recibir es $2.5 million. La City está preparando una aplicación en 2023 para el subsidio del Community Development Block Grant que viene del Business Oregon for design and engineering of a sanitary sewer improvement project. Está estimado que el projecto

propuesto beneficiará a por lo menos 14,250 personas, de los cuales 51.65% serán de ingresos moderados o bajos. Una audiencia pública se llevará a cabo por el City Council a las 6:46 p.m. del March 1, 2023 en la St. Helens City Council Chambers in City Hall located at 265 Strand Street St. Helens, OR 97051. El propósito de esta audiencia es para que el City Council obtenga puntos de vista de los ciudadanos y para responder preguntas acerca de: Desarrollo comunitario y necesidades de vivienda, especialmente las necesidades de personas con ingresos moderados y bajos, así como también otras necesidades en la comunidad que podrían ser asistidas con un subsidio del projecto Community Development Block Grant; and El projecto propuesto. Los comentarios escritos son también bienvenidos y deben ser recibidos el March 1, 2023. Ambos comentarios, escritos y orales serán considerados por el City Council en decidir si aplican. La ubicación de la audiencia es accesible para personas con incapacidades. Por favor dejar (503)

397-6272 para saber si usted necesitará cualquier tipo de acomodaciones especiales para asistir o participar en la reunión. Más información sobre el Oregon Communitty Development Block Grants, el projecto propuesto y los pasados registros sobre la City en el uso de los subsidios del Community Development Block Grant están disponibles para la revisión pública en la City Hall 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 durante las horas regulares de oficina. Se requiere del aviso anticiapado. Si las acomodaciones especiales son necesitadas, por favor notifíquelo (503) 397-6272 de modo que la asistencia apropiada pueda proveerse. La desalojamiento involuntaria permanente de personas o negocios no es esperada como un resultado del projecto propuesto. Si la desalojamiento llegara a ser necesaria, serán examinadas alternativas para minimizar la desalojamiento y proveer beneficios requeridos/razonables para quellos removidos. Calquier casa de ingreso moderado y bajo la cual sea demolida o convertida en otro uso será reemplazada.

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.

CH23-1263

LEGAL NOTICE PROJECT: 6360020, ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION AND RENOVATION BID PACKAGE: #7

Selective Demolition Buildings B, C and D. ST.

HELENS HIGH SCHOOL

ADDITION AND RENOVATION BID PACKAGE: #7 -

SELECTIVE DEMOLITION

BUILDINGS B, C AND D

PRE-BID MEETING: 2:00

P.M., MARCH 1, 2023 BIDS

DUE: MARCH 9, 2023

AT 2:00 P.M. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Hoffman Construction Company, Construction Manager/General Contractor (“CM/GC”) for ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION AND RENOVATION (“Project”) being performed for St. Helens School District No. 502, a public school district of the State of Oregon (“Owner”) requests sub-bid proposals for Bid Package #7 - Selec-

CH23-1255

tive Demolition Buildings B, C and D. A non-mandatory, but strongly encouraged, pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m., March 1, 2023 at the St. Helens High School Addition and Renovation jobsite. Attendees are to meet at 2375 Gable Road, St. Helens Oregon, in the Hoffman Field Office (see map in RFP). Attendees must bring/wear their own OSHA-compliant Hard Hat and Safety Glasses, Reflective Vest, long pants and boots in order to attend the job walk following the pre-bid meeting. All bidders are encouraged to attend the pre-bid meeting in order to acquaint themselves with the local conditions under which the work is to be performed

and to correlate personal observations with the requirements of the Contract Documents. Proposals must utilize the specified PROPOSAL FORM and be submitted as a single file (less than 10MB) to BIDS@hoffmancorp. com, no later than 2:00 p.m., March 9, 2023. A completed Subcontractor/Vendor Questionnaire including latest year-end safety and financial information must accompany the proposal unless previously submitted. Questionnaire may be attached as a separate file or submitted separately. Elaborate proposals or the inclusion of non-essential information e.g. marketing/promotional material, safety manuals, resumes, etc. is strongly

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. 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 Attoneys at Law, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Telephone: (503) 397-4091.

discouraged. Proposals that are materially incomplete, do not include current Questionnaire with latest year-end safety and financial information (unless previously submitted), are directed to other locations or received after the bid deadline will not be considered. Bidders must be properly licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (“CCB”) at the time of bid. Bidders are required to file a $30,000 Public Works Bond with the CCB in accordance with ORS 279C.836 EXCEPT exemptions allowed under paragraphs (7) or (8) will not be permitted. Due to the scheduled start of the work, the $30,000 Public Works Bond must be on file

CH23-1257

with the CCB at the time of bid. This is a prevailing wage project. Bidders must comply with requirements of the prevailing wage law in ORS Chapter 279C. A District-Specific Insurance Program (“DSIP”) for on-site operations is being provided for general liability. Refer to proposal documents for complete proposal requirements and additional information. Proposal documents may be examined at local plan centers, viewed and/or downloaded without charge at www.hoffmancorp.com/tradepartners.

Contractor is committed to promoting and stimulating the growth of disadvantaged business enterprises, minority business enterprises,

women business enterprises, emerging small businesses and service-disabled veteran business enterprises (D/M/W/ESB/SDVBE) and maximizing opportunities for these firms, as well as local businesses, to participate in the work of this project. Subcontractor shall endeavor to utilize such firms through sub-tier contracting and/or material purchases and shall provide documentation of their good faith efforts and achievements. Contractor is an equal opportunity employer and request bids from all qualified firms including disadvantaged, minority, women, disabled veterans and emerging small business enterprises. CCB License # 28417.

PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT

Regular Meeting Time Change. The start time for the February 21, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD has been changed. The Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD will hold their Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose

CH23-1258

of discussing the Community Economic Development Grant Program in a workshop format. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made at least 48 hours in advance by contacting the Administrative Assistant at 503-397-1844. Columbia River PUD Board meetings

are conducted pursuant to the public meeting laws of the State of Oregon and anyone wishing to attend is welcome. Please visit our website at https://www.crpud.net/ my-pud/board-of-directors/ board-meetings/ for more information on attending this meeting electronically. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager.

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

Probate Department Case No. 20PB04739 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS 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

CH23-1261

per $1,000 of assessed property value. This would provide the necessary funding for sufficient staffing, current and ongoing ambulance & fire services, the needed replacement equipment and supplies, and for maintaining and repairing the District's buildings and properties. The permanent tax rate alone is inadequate for ensuring the District has the resources necessary for adequate staffing and equipment for Ambulance and Fire response. Our communities continue to have an increased demand each year for emergency medical and fire response. Combining the permanent tax rate with a 5-year local option levy will help provide the District with funding to continue the necessary staffing and equipment to help ensure we

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 Personal Representative, 405 W. Arlington Street, Gladstone, OR 97027. Tel (503) 722-3850. Fax (877) 866-1876. joe@jqkaufmanlaw.com.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City is eligible for a 2023 Community Development Block Grant from Business Oregon. Community Development Block Grant funds come from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants can be used for public facilities and housing improvements, primarily for persons with low and moderate incomes. Approximately $12 million will be awarded to Oregon non-metropolitan cities and counties in 2023. The maximum grant that a city or county can receive is $2.5 million for Public Works projects. The City is preparing an applica-

held by the City Council at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at St. Helens City Council Chambers in City Hall located at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. The purpose of this hearing is for the City Council to obtain citizen views and to respond to questions and comments about: community development and housing needs, especially the needs of low- and moderate-income persons, as well as other needs in the community that might be assisted with a Community Development Block Grant project; and the proposed project. Written comments are also welcome

dations to attend or participate in the meeting. More information about Oregon Community Development Block Grants, the proposed project, and records about the City’s past use of Community Development Block Grant funds is available for public review at City Hall 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 during regular business hours. Advance notice is requested. If special accommodations are needed, please contact City Hall at (503) 397-6272 so that appropriate assistance can be provided. Permanent involuntary displacement of persons or businesses is not anticipated as a result

required/reasonable benefits

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: ON YOUR FEET

45. Overly preoccoupied with something

47. Motion of assent

48. Louisiana swamp

50. Like list of chores

52. *Animated movie about a dancing penguin (2 words)

56. “All About Eve” star

57. Biblical birthright seller 58. Generic dog name

words)

30. Not leg

31. ____ ____ help

34. Poet Pound

35. *Sound of Wellington boots

8. *Rupturing this will take you off your feet 9. Can of worms 10. Deciduous tree 11. *Percussion with one’s

State effort to defend, protect access to medication abortion

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined a multistate coalition to defend and protect safe access to medication abortion nationwide.

In an amicus brief filed in Alliance of Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the coalition of 22 attorneys general ask the court to reject a challenge brought by anti-abortion groups seeking to revoke the FDA’s approval of the medication abortion drug, mifepristone.

The brief warns that withdrawing federal approval for mifepristone would drastically reduce access to safe abortion care and miscarriage

management for millions of people across the country, including in Oregon. A ban on mifepristone would affect all states, including those where abortion is legal. The coalition is urging the court to reject this baseless attempt to undermine the FDA’s authority, upend decades of medical practice, and trample the rule of law.

“Abortion access throughout our country is already in crisis after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” Rosenblum said. If the court revokes the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, the consequences will be catastrophic. Even here in Oregon where abortion remains legal, people would lose the freedom to make their own decisions about

their body. As Attorney General, I will fight to keep abortion, — including this medicine — safe, legal, and accessible to everyone in Oregon.”

In 2000, the FDA approved mifepristone as a single-dose oral medication used for early-term abortions. Since its approval, mifepristone has been safely used by approximately five million persons to terminate a pregnancy and is used in more than half of all abortions today. Decades of clinical research and studies have confirmed mifepristone’s safety and efficacy. If the district court orders the FDA to withdraw or suspend approval for mifepristone, the medication would be removed from the market

When family caregiving follows you to work

When family caregiving roles conflict with work and career obligations. Part 8 of 9: The last question we answered is continued here.

Q. My father seems to be getting forgetful and will occasionally think I am his sister rather than his daughter. He is very strong-willed and has traditional masculine values, so he won’t admit to needing any sort of treatment or help. How can I help him understand we are on the same team?

A. The last time, we discussed the first two letters of the dementia. What we are trying to accomplish is to use the dementia mnemonic to explore and understand how to support the medical professionals to appropriately screen and treat older adults who may seem demented from treatable medical conditions that manifest as cognitive impairment.

M is for metabolic. Are there metabolic reasons such as abnormal calcium, magnesium or sodium levels that are causing his memory lapse? If you can monitor your dad’s medication compliance and his nutritional intake, that can help the doctors to help him. The second

E is for endocrine. Does your dad suffer from diabetes or any other endocrine disorders such as thyroid abnormality?

An abnormal functioning thyroid can cause cognitive impairment.

N is for normal pressure hydrocephalus. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain causing thinking and reasoning problems, dif-

ficulty walking and loss of bladder control. What you would want to consider doing is keeping a small notebook of your observations especially when you visit your dad. When you visit your parents, look around to estimate their nutritional status and then have conversations with “I” statements so that you are communicating from a place of concern rather than from a place of dictating or pointing out their difficulties and/or challenges. If you say, “Dad, I am worried that something is wrong because some of your words are coming out wrong, like you called me your sister instead of your daughter, so I want us to call the doctor to look over your medications.”

nationwide. In their brief, the coalition argues that requiring the FDA to withdraw or suspend its approval of mifepristone, despite the overwhelming clinical data demonstrating its safety and efficacy, risks undermining the integrity of the FDAapproval process for other drugs, not just the abortion pill.

The availability of the abortion pill has been particularly critical in providing access to abortion in low-income, underserved, and rural communities. The coalition also asserts that revoking the FDA approval of mifepristone would force millions to seek more invasive and expensive procedural abortion, which would disproportionately harm vulnerable, lowincome, and underserved communities.

Without access to

mifepristone, demand for procedural abortions would significantly increase, leading to overburdened clinics, longer wait times, later and more risky procedures, and more complicated and costly logistics for many patients, especially those in low-income and rural communities.

According to 2020 data, 89 percent of U.S. counties have no abortion clinic, and 38 percent of women of reproductive age reside in counties with no clinics. Moreover, lack of access to safe abortion care leads to worsened health outcomes and higher mortality, especially for Black women.

Today’s amicus brief was filed by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min-

Courtesy photo

Without access to mifepristone, demand for procedural abortions would significantly increase, leading to overburdened clinics, longer wait times, later and more risky procedures, and more complicated and costly logistics for many patients, especially those in low-income and rural communities, according to AG Rosenblum.

nesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

National Children’s Dental Month

ODA celebrates National Children’s Dental Month

National Children’s Dental Month is celebrated each February, encouraged by the American Dental Association, to promote the benefits of good oral health to children

The Chronicle has reached out to the Oregon Dental Association’s (ODA) Executive Director Dr. Barry Taylor and Dr. Cyrus Javadi, a dentist at SandCreek Dental in Tillamook and a State Representative, for insight into the effort to raise awareness about children’s dental health.

The Chronicle: The Oregon Dental Association wants to raise awareness about children’s access to dental care. Why is that important now?

Dr. Barry Taylor: Many families deferred dental care early in the COVID pandemic, and so it’s now even more critical to instill good hygiene habits and early preventive care for children. Parents and other caregivers can help children avoid oral diseases by establishing a dental hygiene routine when they’re young, which will continue to serve them throughout their entire life.

In addition, while policies such as Cover All Kids have helped to ensure the youngest Oregonians have basic dental care coverage, children still may not receive the care they need.

The Oregon Dental Association is part of a coalition working to provide dental services to children where they are at: in schools. Along with the Oregon Community Foundation, Children First for Oregon, Oregon Latino Health Coalition, Coalition of Communities of Color and other organizations, the Oregon Dental Association supports Healthy Teeth, Bright Futures, which is building on more than five years of work to provide services to children through school-based oral health programs.

The ODA’s charitable arm, the Dental Foundation

of Oregon (DFO) was founded in 1982 and is dedicated to advancing oral health education, providing charitable care, and coordinating resources for Oregon’s children and vulnerable communities. The DFO’s flagship program, the Tooth Taxi, has traveled all over the state to provide millions of dollars in free dental care and education to Oregon’s children.

The Chronicle: What is the Association’s message to parents about helping navigate their children through dental visits and regular teeth care?

Taylor: The Association strongly encourages parents to find a “dental home” so that children receive proper preventive care and education about dental care. This preventive care will help children avoid painful tooth aches that contribute to lost days at school and trips to the dentist, and preventive care is less expensive than treating diseased teeth in children.

Dr. Cyrus Javadi: We try to ensure parents understand the importance of regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene habits, a healthy diet, managing dental anxiety, and preventive care for their children’s

oral health.

Parents should schedule regular dental checkups, teach good oral hygiene practices, encourage a healthy diet, address children’s fears about visiting the dentist, and emphasize the importance of preventive care to maintain their children’s healthy teeth and gums. The goal is to provide practical advice and resources to help parents ensure their children have good oral health.

Access to dental care is important for children for a number of reasons. Good oral health is essential for overall health and wellbeing, and it can impact a child’s ability to eat, speak, and socialize effectively. Neglecting dental care in childhood can lead to serious dental problems later in life, such as tooth decay and gum disease. It can also affect a child’s self-esteem and academic performance.

The Chronicle: What are the most common children’s teeth issues that the Association members are seeing today, and why those issues?

Taylor: Dental caries, or tooth decay, are the most common issue that dentists see in children. This is a preventable disease with good home care, a healthy diet,

Can you count on Social Security?

If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part of the income you’ll need as a retiree?

There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding the solvency of Social Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as you might have heard.

Here’s the story: Under current law, Social Security is estimated to exhaust its trust funds by 2035, after which benefits could be cut by 20%, according to the 2022 Social Security Trustees report.

However, the large cost of living adjustment (COLA) (8.7%) for 2023 could cause the trust funds to use up their resources sooner.

But this outlook may represent a worst-case scenario. For one thing, the cost of the 2023 COLA will be somewhat offset by higher taxes on workers contributing to Social Security. The maximum amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax jumped from $147,000 in 2022 to $160,200 in 2023. And in looking down the road, further increases in this

earnings cap may also help reduce the gap in the trust funds. Increasing the payroll tax is another possibility for boosting funding to Social Security. And here’s a political reality: Social Security is a popular program and it’s unlikely that any future Congress wants to be blamed for reducing benefits. Of course, there are no guarantees, but it seems fair to say that you can reasonably expect some benefits from Social Security when you retire.

But perhaps the bigger issue is just how much you should depend on Social Security for your retirement income. On average, Social Security benefits will provide about 30% of a beneficiary’s preretirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration. But the higher your earnings before you retire, the lower the percentage that will be replaced by Social Security.

Still, you’ll want to maximize the benefits that are available to you — and that means deciding when to start taking Social Security. You can begin as early as 62, but your monthly payments could be as much as 30% lower than your normal (or “full”) retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67.

Even if you were to wait

until your full retirement age before collecting Social Security, you’ll also need to draw on other sources of funding. So, while you are still working, it’s a good idea to keep contributing to your IRA and 401(k) or other employersponsored retirement plan.

The amount you contribute should depend on your overall financial strategy and your financial needs, so, for example, you probably shouldn’t put in so much into your retirement accounts that you feel significant stress in your monthly cash flow. But when you do get a chance to invest more in these accounts, such as when your salary goes up, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity.

Ultimately, you should be able to count on Social Security as part of your retirement income. You may want to consult with a financial professional to determine when taking Social Security makes the most sense for you and how you can also get the most from your other retirement accounts. You’ll want a retirement income strategy that’s built for the long run.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Topher Mood, your Edward Jones financial advisor at (503) 397-1125. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

and screenings by a dental care provider.

Javadi: The most common children’s dental issues we are seeing today are tooth decay, early childhood caries, orthodontic problems, teeth grinding, and dental anxiety. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and can be caused by factors such as a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, poor oral hygiene habits, and a lack of access to dental care.

Early childhood caries, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, is caused by prolonged exposure of a child’s teeth to sugary liquids. Orthodontic problems, such as overcrowding, crossbites, overbites, and underbites, can affect a child’s bite, speech, and selfesteem. Teeth grinding is a common issue among children, especially during times of stress, and can lead to tooth damage and jaw pain. Dental anxiety is a concern for some children, which can prevent them from receiving the dental care they need.

The Chronicle: How can parents help guide their child’s diet to help avoid cavities?

Taylor: Eating a healthy diet is a critical element of preventive dental care. Avoiding sugary drinks is important, and so parents and caregivers should make sure they know the sugar content of juices, sport drinks, and other flavored waters. It is important when serving children sweets and sugary drinks that it is done at a mealtime; the greater risk is the consumption of sugary food items between meals.

Water fluoridation is widely considered one of the most equitable, economical and efficient ways to prevent tooth decay for entire communities. Optimally fluoridated water (where the amount of fluoride, which is naturally occurring in water, is adjusted to a level that protects against tooth decay) is proven to reduce tooth decay in children by

18 percent to 40 percent. But fewer than 22 percent of Oregonians have access to optimally fluoridated water, and the city of Portland is the largest urban area in the country without fluoridated water.

In case a list form is helpful:

1. Limit sugary drinks and snacks: Encourage your child to drink water instead of sugary drinks, such as soda or fruit juice, and limit snacks that are high in sugar, such as candy, cookies, and cake.

2. Encourage a balanced diet: Make sure your child eats a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as these foods are good for their overall health and can help keep their teeth healthy as well.

3. Reduce frequency of sugary foods: It’s not just the amount of sugar your child consumes, but also the frequency. Encourage your child to eat sugary foods only at mealtimes, as eating sugary foods throughout the day increases the risk of cavities.

4. Promote healthy snacks: Encourage your child to snack on foods that are healthy for their teeth, such as cheese, nuts, and raw fruits and vegetables.

5. Avoid snacking before bed: Encourage your child to brush their teeth before bed and avoid snacking before they go to sleep, as this can increase the risk of cavities while they sleep.

By guiding your child’s diet and promoting healthy eating habits, you can help reduce the risk of cavities and support their overall oral health.

The Chronicle: What should parents look for in helping to catch their child’s teeth issues before they become extreme?

Dr. Javadi: Parents should look for tooth pain or sensitivity, changes in the way the teeth look or fit together, changes in their

child’s bite, changes in their speech, and grinding or clenching of teeth as signs of potential dental issues.

The Chronicle: For many, budgeting for children’s teeth issues can be challenging. What is the Association’s recommendation about how to take on such costs?

Taylor: Preventive care is always less expensive than treating dental disease such as a cavity. The Oregon Dental Association strongly supports school-based programs, which have proven to increase the access to oral health care for children. Dental screenings and preventive care are the best way to keep the costs of dental care low.

Dr. Javadi: Parents should take advantage of dental insurance, discuss payment options with their dentist, prioritize preventive care, look into community resources, and maintain good oral hygiene habits in order to manage the cost of children’s dental care. By being proactive and seeking professional dental care, families can ensure that their children have healthy teeth and gums and reduce the need for more costly procedures in the future.

The Chronicle: Briefly, what advances in technology have we seen over the past several years that are helping with children dentistry.

Taylor: There are more options for imaging in the child’s mouth. Many of the materials now used in children’s oral care are odorless and easier to apply in the mouth, making the dental visit a more pleasant experience.

Javadi: Advances in behavioral guidance techniques have greatly improved the comfort of pediatric dental appointments. Techniques like the use of special chairs, blankets, toys, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) have been introduced to help children feel more relaxed and comfortable during their visits to the dentist. By making children feel at ease, these techniques can help reduce anxiety and fear associated with dental appointments, making the experience more positive for both the child and the parents.

About the ODA

The ODA is comprised of 16 local dental societies throughout Oregon that provide continuing education and service programs in their local communities. The association is dedicated to advancing the dental profession and promoting the highest standard of oral health and oral healthcare.

To reach the Oregon Dental Association, call 800-452-5628.

Courtesy photo from Amber Fowler

The Tooth Taxi is part of the Oregon Dental Association’s effort to provide free children’s dental care and education about the importance of proper dental health.

Metro Creative Connection

Parents and other caregivers can help children avoid oral diseases by establishing a dental hygiene routine when they’re young, which will continue to serve them throughout their entire life, according to the ODA.

SHHS swimming is wrapping up, girls wrestling is still fighting

The season for St. Helens High School winter sports is coming to a close.

The district and regional competitions have been taking place over the past weekends to determine which athletes will compete at the State Championships in wrestling and swimming.

For St. Helens High School, the girls wrestling team will send four top wrestlers to the State Championships from February 23 through February 25. While the swim team won’t send any swimmers to the State Championship, they have had a successful season in their own right.

Success on the mat

For the St. Helens Lions girls wrestling team, head coach Hannah Barber was happy to report that their regional tournament on February 3rd and 4th was a success.

“Our regionals took place last weekend, and we are sending four of our best to

state. Kate Leonard, regional champion and captain; Kallee Kester, 2nd in the region; Ivy Musch, a freshman; and Cambria Funk, a senior and captain who placed 2nd in the region this year,” Barber said. “We are looking forward to some diverse wrestling, and we are ready to earn what we have been working so hard for.”

The triumphs at regionals were the culmination of a season of growth for the Lions, and the season has helped bolster the confidence of the program’s athletes.

“I saw the most growth in our mat confidence and determination. At the beginning of the season, we knew what we were doing, but applying that knowledge during a live match is harder than it looks,” Barber said. “As the season has progressed, so has our confidence. These kids are finally starting to realize that they get what they earn. We have kids on both teams that have been putting in the work.”

Some of the athletes who showed the most progress during the season were Leonard, Kester, Funk, Musch, and Payton Mauldin.

Throughout the year, their leadership helped guide the team through the challenges of a grueling season. The team’s determination has fueled individual success, and Barber said that many of their girls have been “dominating their weight classes.”

Going into the state tournament, Barber is excited to see her team compete. There have been many positives throughout the season, and taking on the competition at state will be the final piece. For Barber, this season has been a learning experience, with it being her first as a head coach, but seeing her athletes flourish has been something she is proud of.

“It’s okay to not know something. A good leader can admit when they’re wrong or when they’re unsure of something. The willingness to learn is something I want to take into next season,” Barber said. “The most rewarding aspect of mentoring my team this season was seeing all their hard work pay off. Watching my girls place and take names brings me pride like no other. And seeing them be proud of themselves is absolutely priceless.”

St. Helens swimmers wrap up a successful season

Though St. Helens will not be sending any swimmers to the State Championships, Head Coach Amy Stobbe has been happy with the maturation of her team and what they were able to accomplish.

“Our overall season showed massive amounts of growth and accomplishments. Many swimmers dropped 10-15 seconds off their times from the start of the season to the end,” Stobbe said. “Our relay teams- both boys and girls took up to 20+ seconds off. I am extremely proud of the team for working so hard and showing up to achieve their goals and beat their personal records.”

At the district meet, the boys took ninth place, and the girls finished sixth. While they didn’t have any state qualifiers, Stobbe was happy to see many of their swimmers compete in the finals of districts, and they had some strong individual performances. Devon Mason placed sixth in her 200 Individual Medley and 5th in the 100 Backstroke, and Sidney

Stacey took fifth in the 200 Individual Medley.

From start to finish, Stobbe was proud of how her team could keep achieving new personal records and how they kept striving to accomplish their goals.

“Overall, this was a great season! I feel that next year we will perform even better than this year,” Stobbe said.

“I feel that the accomplishments were the fact that when they swam they kept seeing their time go down, their stamina go up and their belief in their capability rise.

It is an absolute honor to see swimmers that are novice swimmers achieve the same times as the advanced swimmers.” This season was Stobbe’s first at St. Helens as head coach, and while the season provided its fair share of challenges, Stobbe said that the team navigated adversity expertly.

“I think for some of my swimmers it was hard to have a new coach with their last season on the team, or that my coaching style is different from the past coach,” Stobbe said. “Being a new head coach comes with some

sharp learning curves- without a road map. However, learning to navigate novice swimmers and advanced swimmers became easier as the season went along.”

The program had 19 swimmers throughout the season, and this year was a growing year as the program graduated seven seniors in 2022. Going forward, Stobbe is excited about the program’s future and hopes the athletes can walk away from the season with their heads high.

“I am absolutely jazzed about the future of our swim program. I am also the head coach for the middle school team, and I think being able to build up swimmers and recruit more at the middle school level will really support the team,” Stobbe said. “I hope that every athlete took with them the idea that someone believed in them, someone pushed being positive in all aspects of being a swimmer, and that showing up for themselves, their team, and their coach was a powerful and meaningful thing.”

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

Seed gathering effort to save Oregon Ash trees

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Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff has completed what officials are calling an unprecedented effort to collect seeds from populations of Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) trees throughout the Oregon portion of the species range.

ODF officials said the collection was conducted before the Oregon ash trees are wiped out by an invasive pest.

Between 2019 and the end of 2022, five ODF staff members collected more than 900,000 seeds from 245 mother trees representing 27 distinct populations from the Oregon Coast Range throughout the Willamette Valley and the western Cascade foothills, and south to the California border. The collecting effort was made possible by a federal grant from the USDA Forest Service. ODF Invasive Species Specialist Wyatt Williams coordinated the collecting and where the seeds were sent for safe storage and studies.

“We learned from our counterparts that almost all the native ash in infested areas in the eastern half of the country were killed within 10 years or so after the arrival of the invasive emerald ash borer,” Williams said. “We sought a grant to help us collect a representative sampling of

Tualatin Valley

seeds so we could preserve as much of the genetic variation in Oregon ash as possible before it was lost.”

Williams said ash seed that was collected was cleaned and sorted at ODF’s JE Schroeder Seed Orchard facility in St. Paul, Oregon. A third of the seeds were sent to the primary long-term storage facility at the Center for Agricultural Resources Research (ARS) National Seed Lab in Fort Collins, Colorado. Equal amounts were also sent to the USDA Forest Service’s Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove and to the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa. This will allow both sites to help facilitate research on Oregon ash, the only species of ash native to the state, according to Williams.

“Researchers can plant some of the seeds in areas where emerald ash borer is present in significant numbers and see if any of the seedling trees show resistance to the insect,” he said.

The first two genetic trials of ash were planted recently, using seed collected by ODF and others, and will serve as sentinels for resistance as EAB spreads to those areas.

“If some trees survive, those resistant trees could become the basis for reintroducing the species to western Oregon,” Williams said. “Resistant trees would be crossed with other

Oregon ash to establish resistance while retaining genetic diversity.” USDA Forest Service Forest Geneticist Richard Sniezko at Dorena said such a process could take many decades, based on results from programs to breed white pine trees resistant to white pine blister rust or Port Orfordcedar trees resistant to Port Orford-cedar root disease.

“We don’t know if we

programs.

Background

Likely introduced on wooden shipping material from Asia, emerald ash borer was discovered in the Michigan area in 2022. Despite numerous attempts to eradicate the pest, it proved impractical to stop the spread. It was first found in Oregon in Forest Grove in late June 2022. Monitoring since then has shown infested trees beyond the original site extending into nearby natural areas, where Oregon ash grows in

abundance in wetlands and along streams.

Emerald ash borer is readily transported in infested wood, especially firewood. That’s one reason state and federal officials urge campers and others to buy firewood near where they plan to burn it, and not transport ash wood outside areas known to be infested.

“The strategy in Oregon is to slow the spread to give communities time to deal with the threat,” Williams said. “That way, communities will have more time to inventory their urban forest and identify all their ash trees, then make decisions about which ones to treat or remove preemptively. It also gives the time to make arrangements for what to do with all the ash wood that will become available as trees die.”

Williams said the cost to replace public ash trees in Portland, Oregon alone was estimated in 2017 to be $49 million, and is likely higher today.

The state of Oregon began surveys for emerald ash borer in 2005, sponsored by USDA Animal Plant

Health Inspection Service. ODF managed a statewide trapping program for EAB during the 2013-2015 summer when adult emerald ash borers emerge. About 800 surveillance traps were set. No EAB were found at that time.

Oregon also used USDA funding to build and implement the Oregon Forest Pest Detector Program. This program, administered through Oregon State University Extension, educates tree care, forestry, and other professionals on how to find and report emerald ash borer. Started in 2015, over 500 people have been trained at 29 workshops across the state. ODF also secured USDA Forest Service grant funding to develop a statewide EAB Readiness and Response Plan. The plan was released in May 2018. Collecting ash seeds from Oregon’s native ash species aligns with recommended action items in the statewide plan regarding conservation and restoration of ash following arrival of emerald ash borer into Oregon.

Courtesy from the ODF Between 2019 and the end of 2022, five ODF staff members collected more than 900,000 seeds from 245 mother trees.

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Courtesy photo from Traci Nelson

St. Helens Girls wrestling team together after districts.

Courtesy photo from Amy Stobbe

St. Helens swim team together at their home meet on January 14.