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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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Serving Columbia County since 1881

County’s gun safety ordinance invalidated

The Oregon Court of Appeals has invalidated a Columbia County ordinance that claims to nullify state and federal gun safety laws within the county.

The ordinance was adopted by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in March of 2021. It had been preceded by two similar voter-enacted measures. After adopting the 2021 ordinance, the county brought a legal proceeding asking the courts to determine whether the ordinance is valid.

The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) appeared in the proceeding, arguing that the ordinance violates state law and is invalid.

“Oregon’s gun safety laws exist to protect all Oregonians. Local ordinances declaring those measures to be unenforceable put people at unnecessary risk and they are illegal! Today’s opinion by the Court of Appeals makes it clear that common sense requirements like safe storage and background checks apply throughout Oregon,” Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum said. “Hopefully, other counties with similar measures on the books will see the writing on the wall. But we have successfully fought these measures in three counties so far, and we will keep fighting them!”

The trial court ultimately declined to rule on the measure, ruling that Columbia County could not instigate legal proceedings if it

did not intend to defend the legality of its ordinance.

What the ruling means

In today’s decision, the Oregon Court of Appeals first decided that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the matter. The purpose of validation proceedings is for state courts to decide whether local ordinances are valid, and a local government does not need to be confident its measure is valid in order to take advantage of the process.

Rosenblum said the Court of Appeals also determined that the Columbia County ordinance violates state law, as DOJ has argued all along. The decision of the Court of Appeals is a statewide appellate decision with ramifications for other similar ordinances in other counties, she said.

DOJ successfully fought similar nullification measures in Yamhill and Harney Counties, according to a release from Rosenblum’s office.

County reaction

In a statement released by Columbia County Feb. 17, County Commissioner Casey Garret said that county voters voiced their desire for an ordinance to help better protect the county’s Second Amendment rights.

“The Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance was adopted by the Columbia County Board of

Commissioners to implement the intent of the voters, Garrett said. “But the reality is that counties don’t necessarily have the author ity to make those decisions.”

In 2018 and 2020 voters approved two measures, the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance and the Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance, respectively.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners combined the two measures into a single ordinance which was adopted in March of 2021.

Several important legal questions about the authority of a

lumbia County. To gain clarity and avoid costly future litigation, the county filed a “Petition for Validation of Local Government Action” with the Columbia County Circuit Court. This authorized the court to conduct a judicial examination of the ordinance and provide a judgment as to its legality.

When the judge decided not to perform a judicial review, the county filed an appeal to request a review of the decision not to pro-

“We asked the Court of Appeals to determine if it was lawful for the local court to refuse to provide a judgment as to the legality of the ordinance,” Hanson said. “The county was not seeking to invalidate the ordinance, only to get answers to the many legal questions raised by it.”

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

State again offering homeowner funding assistance

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will resume accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program on March 8. The agency estimates there are enough funds to support about 700 additional eligible homeowners.

The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.

The pause that began on Nov. 30, 2022, allowed OHCS to assess current applications in its queue, complete minor system maintenance and upgrades, and better project the amount of HAF funds

remaining for homeowners. As an exception during the pause, the program has continued serving the most at-risk homeowners.

OHCS is accepting new applications submitted by housing counselors on behalf of homeowners who are in a judicial action or have a verified foreclosure sale date.

“Keeping families in their homes has been a collaborative effort with Oregon’s housing counseling agencies, which provide advice and advocacy for struggling homeowners across the state,” Homeowner Assistance Programs Assistant Director Ryan Vanden Brink said. “If you are a homeowner falling behind, don’t delay, reach out to a state approved homeownership center right away.”

HAF will reopen with a focus on homeowners in active foreclosure and those traditionally underserved by mortgage markets. Homeowners can learn more about eligibility requirements and, if eligible, apply online starting

March 8, at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.

Limited funds

HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $72 million of funding available for homeowners is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are

eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded. Other loss mitigation options depend on a homeowner’s mortgage and their servicer. Homeowners should evaluate all their options.

Free help is available

Homeowners can get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about budgeting tools and evaluation of options to keep their homes, such as modifications, adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage, or HAF. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers. Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county.

Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer to respond due to remote working policies.

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact

their mortgage servicers and lenders

to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options.

Avoiding fraud

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor.

There are a number of common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a

Forestry Board continues habitat conservation plan

WILL CHAPPELL Country Media, Inc.

Work on the habitat conservation plan for Western Oregon’s state forests will continue as planned.

The follows a motion to start a new, duplicate process narrowly failed to pass at the latest Oregon

Board of Forestry meeting.

Future remains murky

Despite the motion’s failure, the future of the habitat conservation plan, or HCP, remains murky after downward adjustments to harvest projections late last year have drawn concern from the board and the counties and special districts that rely on timber revenues.

The virtual special meeting on February 15 was called at the request of two board members. They wished to discuss progress on the HCP after harvest projections in the transitional implementation plan set to be rolled out in July have drawn consternation.

ODF’s State Forest Division Chief Mike Wilson started the meeting by giving the board an update on a new transitional implementation plan and work on the habitat conservation plan.

While not the final HCP, the transitional implementation plan that is set to be enacted on July 1, is a good predictor of the harvest yields that would be allowed under the HCP.

The implementation plan is designed to transition from the old forest management plan to the new one scheduled to be rolled out in conjunction with the HCP in July 2025.

Interim projections presented to the board last summer predicted har-

vest levels around 225 million board feet annually, down slightly from the 247 million board feet averaged between 2000 and 2021. However, projections released in January following model solution review last fall that are being used in the transitional implementation plan cut harvest projections drastically further, to between 165 and 182.5 million board feet annually.

of the conditions in specific groves, mentioning Swiss needle cast and off-site seed as examples of limiting factors in Tillamook State Forest.

Wilson stressed that the harvest projections from the implementation plan were not the final projections for the HCP. He said that those final projections would be presented to

meeting.

Metro Creative Connection

The Oregon Department of Justice had argued that the county ordinance violates state law and is invalid.

Jobs attracting nonresident workers to Oregon

Oregon’s open beaches, rugged mountains, and grape-filled hillsides make it a popular destination for visitors. But there’s something else about Oregon that attracted nearly 125,000 people from out of state in 2019 – jobs.

By the numbers

Roughly 7% of people who make their living in Oregon make their home in some other state. Not surprising to anyone driving the bridges over the Columbia River during rush hour, almost four out of every five of these nonresident workers come from Washington.

Traveling in the other direction are Oregonians who migrate to work for employers in other states.

There were almost 66,000 people who lived in Oregon and worked out of state in 2019. This resulted in a net inflow of nearly 59,000 workers to Oregon – up from a net inflow of 57,000 in 2018. Workers crossing state boundaries influence the economy in a variety of ways. This article focuses on where nonresident workers live, their contribution to Oregon’s General Fund, and their effect on Oregon’s per capita personal income.

Growing number of nonresident workers

The number of nonresident workers grew rapidly over the last decade, from 87,940 in 2009 to 124,653 in 2019.

That impressive 42% increase in nonresident workers was surpassed by the 57% rise in Oregonians working in other states, which grew from 41,808 in 2009 to 65,787 in 2019. Overall, the net inflow of workers grew from 46,132 in 2009 to 58,866 in 2019.

Home is where the tax form is

The 97,610 Washingtonians working in Oregon in

2019 accounted for more than 5% of all workers with jobs in Oregon. Among Oregon’s other neighbors, there were 9,277 Californians, 7,888 Idahoans, and 753 Nevadans working in Oregon.

The fact that people live in neighboring states and work in Oregon isn’t surprising. But what about workers living in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and other far away states? Their numbers increased 127% between 2009 and 2019, but they’re not likely crossing the Snake River on I-84 each morning to get to work. Nonresident workers may live in both states but maintain their primary residence outside Oregon, or work in Oregon on temporary assignment, or they may have moved during the year and their residency status wasn’t updated yet.

Residency is assigned by the U.S. Census Bureau based on data from federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration, so the state where the worker files their taxes is considered home.

Another possible explanation for the growing number of nonresident workers is the rise in teleworking – regular employees working outside the conventional workplace and interacting with others

via communication technologies. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people working from home in Oregon increased by 339,142 from 2011 to 2021. There’s a good chance that teleworkers are driving some of the increase in Oregon’s nonresident workforce.

Taxed by where the work takes place

Regardless of where they claim residency, income earned from services performed in Oregon by nonresidents is subject to Oregon income tax. According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, the total Oregon personal income tax liability of nonresidents was more than $782 million for 2020 tax returns, or 8% of the total tax liability. Personal income tax is the largest source of revenue for Oregon’s General Fund.

The Oregon personal income tax liability of Washington residents was $362 million for 2020 tax returns, with 63% of that coming from Clark County residents. In fact, Clark County would rank eighth among Oregon counties for Oregon personal income liability (if it were in Oregon). The Oregon personal income tax liability of Californians was nearly $62

million, Idaho residents were responsible for nearly $49 million, and $310 million came from residents of other areas outside Oregon.

Inflow of workers lowers Oregon’s PCPI

Nonresidents working jobs in Oregon lowers one closely followed measure of regional income. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) estimate of per capita personal income (PCPI) is the annual sum of all resident income in a geographic area divided by the number of residents in the area. The BEA adjusts for residency by counting work income in the worker’s state of residence. A net outflow of workers adds to a state’s PCPI, while a net inflow of workers, such as Oregon has, subtracts from a state’s PCPI. With a net $6 billion in earnings by the inflow of nonresident workers in 2021, Oregon had the fourth-largest net out adjustment to income for residency of any state in the BEA’s calculation of PCPI. The large adjustment is a result of Oregon’s major employment center – Portland, with about half of the state’s jobs – being right on the border with Washington. If Oregon had no net inflow of workers in 2021, Oregon’s

PCPI would have been about $1,411 higher, and Oregon’s PCPI would have been 98% of the nation’s PCPI instead of the 96% it actually was with so many nonresident workers. In other words, nonresident workers account for 55% of the gap between Oregon’s PCPI and the nation’s.

Nonresident workers data

Information about Oregon’s nonresident workers is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s OnTheMap data, part of the Local Employment

Dynamics (LED) partnership with the states. OnTheMap provides the most comprehensive data available for worker flows by residency and place of work. The data is for workers during the second quarter of the year. This analysis considers only a worker’s primary job – the job with the most earnings during the quarter – to avoid double counting of workers with two jobs.

Erik Knoder is a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department. He may be reached at 541-3515595.

Underage tobacco sales still concerning

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reports that following the first year of the Oregon Tobacco Retail License Program inspections of more than 500 businesses around the state, 25% of them illegally sold tobacco products to underage buyers.

The Oregon Tobacco Retail License Program was established Jan. 1, 2022, designed to improve retailer compliance with the state’s tobacco retail sales laws, including making sure retailers aren’t selling commercial tobacco to people younger than 21.

The licensing program was created to increase retailer knowledge of, and compliance with, federal and state laws regulating the

sale of commercial tobacco and vaping products. It OHA to watch for trends in compliance and provide education to local businesses, so stores are healthier places for everyone to shop. OHA offers retailers online training, phone consultation and education during compliance checks.

In a release, the OHA said it wants all retailers to know about available tools to lower the rate of sales to youth or young adults younger than 21.

“Getting a license is the first step to ensuring that retailers are getting connected to the resources they need to fully comply with all commercial tobacco sales laws,” OHA’s Public Health Director Rachael Banks said.

Retailers also need to

check that products are displayed and sold according to the law and that customers’ identifications are always correctly checked so

that sales to those younger than 21 do not happen, according to Banks.

“Our hope is not to find any stores in viola-

tion of these laws or have to hand out any fines,” she said. “Our goal is to help retailers follow all commercial tobacco sales laws so we can keep commercial tobacco out of the hands of Oregon’s youth and young adults younger than 21, which is one small step toward healthier communities.”

To verify if a store is properly checking identification of customers, the state works with young adult inspectors who are 18, 19 and 20 years old. These inspectors use their real state or federally issued identification cards to attempt a purchase of commercial tobacco products. If a store employee asks how old they are, the inspector answers honestly, according to a release from the OHA.

If a store employee fails this inspection by not asking for ID, a compliance specialist enters the store immediately after the inspector leaves and informs the employee who made the illegal sale that they have failed the in-

spection. The store license holder will then receive a letter with the results, along with instructions if they’d like to appeal. A first-time violation brings a penalty of $1,000.

Resources are available to retailers that sell tobacco products to help them stay in compliance with all commercial tobacco laws. Visit OHA’s website for commercial tobacco retailers to access a retailer training manual, fact sheets, compliance checklists and other educational resources.

For questions about OHA compliance inspections and enforcement, or to request help, visit healthoregon.org/tobaccoretailsales, email Tobacco. Inspections@dhsoha.state. or.us, or call: 971-6732283.

Retailers with questions about how to apply for a license should visit the Department of Revenue’s Statewide Tobacco Retail License website, email trl. help@dor.oregon.gov, or call 503-945-8120.

Metro Creative Connection

The program inspected more than 500 businesses around the state and found that 25% of them illegally sold tobacco products to underage buyers.

perish in 2 separate traffic crashes

One person has died, another is hospitalized, after a crash along Highway 30 in Columbia County.

Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers were dispatched to the traffic crash near milepost 60 at approximately 6:23 p.m. Feb. 19.

According to OSP, the preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy traveling westbound on Highway 30 had stopped on the westbound shoulder to address an unknown mechanical issue.

A Humvee style vehicle associated with the convoy traveling eastbound had stopped in the eastbound passing lane.

Two National Guardsmen exited the stopped Humvee to aid the convoy in addressing the me-

chanical issue. One of the Guardsmen, 29-year-old Gonzalo Martinez III of Cleveland, TX was struck by an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet pickup, operated by 72-year-old Richard L. Erickson of Clatskanie, who was also traveling in the left lane. The Chevrolet

then crashed into the parked Humvee.

The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the military member were transported to St. John’s Hospital in Longview. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup remains in stable condition and the military member, Martinez

III, was pronounced deceased. The highway was closed for approximately six hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs’

Office, Clatskanie Fire, and ODOT.

Vernonia-area fatal

In another fatal crash, OSP report two people died following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 47 near Vernonia.

Troopers and emergency responders were called to the site of the crash at milepost 74, north of NW Nowakowki Road, just after 3 p.m. Feb. 17.

According to OSP, the preliminary investigation indicated a green 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon, operated by 26-year-old Destanie King, of Vernonia, was traveling northbound on Highway 47 when for unknown reasons the Legacy crossed into the oncoming lane, with the passenger side now facing north, while in the southbound lane, colliding with

the front of a southbound red 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon. King, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the 2014 Subaru Outback, 65-year-old Claire ColburnCollier and her passenger, 66-year-old Michael Collier both of San Pablo (CA), were transported by air to Legacy Emanuel with life threatening injuries. Michael Collier was pronounced deceased from his injuries on Feb. 18.

The highway was closed for approximately three hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Banks Fire, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted OSP at the scene of the crash.

Right to fish, hunt, harvest and gather resolution

STAFF REPORT

egon the 24th state to have a Right to Hunt and Fish constitutional amendment.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

An amendment to the Oregon Constitution to protect the right of the people to fish, hunt, harvest and gather has been introduced at the Oregon Legislature by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus CoChair Sen. David Brock Smith (District 1- Port Orford).

If passed by the legislature, HJR 5 would be referred to voters to consider on the 2024 November ballot. If voters approve the proposal, it would make Or-

and women from all parts of the state,” Oregon Hunters Association Policy Director Amy Patrick said. “Our members regularly utilize fishing, hunting, harvesting, and gathering to supplement their food sources and provide natural, healthy foods for their families.”

“Oregonians, who have long prioritized a strong connection with their food sources, should have the ability to vote this type of protection into the state constitution” Sen. Brock Smith said. “The ability of Oregonians to supplement their diets with wild and foraged foods is an integral part of our self-reliant heritage.”

“The Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) represents the interests of Oregon’s 940,000 sportsmen

If passed, the Right to Fish, Hunt, Harvest and Gather would only protect against an outright ban on these methods of food procurement, and does not circumvent wildlife management, private and public property rights, or the conservation goals of the

“There is a currently an initiative petition that has been filed for the 2024 ballot that would ban Oregonians’ ability to procure healthy and local food through fishing and hunting,” Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Pacific States Manager Keely Hopkins said. “HJR 5 is an important counterpoint to those efforts by providing voters the opportunity to protect Oregonians’ ability to harvest and gather or ganic, sustainable foods for ourselves and our families, while also contributing to conservation efforts through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.”

Country Media, Inc. Courtesy photo

The Oregon Hunters Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Oregon Anglers Alliance, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Delta Waterfowl, Advocates for Sustainable Animal Populations, Oregon State Shoot-

ing Association, Oregon Associations of Ranges, Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation, Fur Takers of America, HOWL for Wildlife, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Oregon Trappers Association, and the Oregon

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, amongst others, have all unified in support of the resolution, according to Sen. Brock Smith. The Oregon House Committee on Rules held a public hearing on House Joint Resolution 5 Feb. 2.

To follow this proposed legislation and other bills at the Oregon Legislature, visit https://www.oregonlegislature.gov.

Courtesy photo from OSP

The fatal crashes occurred on Highway 30 near Clatskanie and on Highway 47 near Vernonia.

Gardening-related events in February, March

Growing the Good Stuff: From sweet potatoes to bitter melons

6:30 p.m. Feb. 23

Columbia County Master Gardener Chapter meeting. Program, which is first, is open to the public. OSU Extension office.

Hazardous Waste Collection Day Saturday

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25

Take your left-over solvents, brake fluids, anti-freeze, fluorescent lights, house-hold cleaners, batteries, miscellaneous chemicals, and household and garden pesticides to the hazardous waste collection day at the St. Helens/ Columbia County Transfer Station, 1601 Railroad Avenue in St. Helens. These are great events that can help keep our wonderful state cleaner. See link for more information: https://www. columbiacountyor.gov/ media/Public%20Works/ HHW%20Schedule%20 2023.jpg.

Columbia County Bee School 2023

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 1,2,6

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 8 (April 15 if weather is bad April 8)

Columbia County Oregon Beekeepers will

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

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

The association sells forest tree seedlings, some native shrubs, and some ornamental tree seedlings. Get there early for the best selection. It is very well attended.

and all the other tree fruits; blueberries; and cane berries; and many others.

• You can incorporate some vegetables into a landscape. Rhubarb is actually quite attractive, especially the red-stemmed types. So are artichokes, though those plants can get quite large. But in the right place they also look very attractive. Both these vegetables are generally not eaten by deer.

one end at an angle and the other straight across. Write down which cut meant “top” which meant “bottom.” You can treat the bottom piece with a rooting hormone if you wish. It generally improves rooting success. Label them and put them in a container that won’t get water-logged with moist peat moss, sawdust, or other potting media in a cool, unheated area. Only a small section of the top should show above the media. Then leave them alone. Chances are decent that some, though probably not all, will root. In the late spring, they can be planted in place or put in pots to grow more for planting next fall.

Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. March 2

OSU Master Beekeeper Judy Scher will present a talk about Winter into Spring a Honeybee Colony Perspective. We will meet in person at the Columbia County Extension Office in St. Helens and by Zoom. Contact columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@gmail. com for Zoom info.

Columbia County Small Woodlands Tree Sale 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 11.

The Columbia County

Garden short takes

• Some very cold weather is heading our way again. Protect planted containers as best you can. Take caution doing any garden work if it is icy or really cold.

• Fertilize your garlic, rhubarb, and asparagus beds. Repeat in mid-April.

• Plan your garden by drawing a map of what you might plant where. This helps rotating areas, so you don’t plant the same family of plants in the same place as you did last year. This helps reduce disease issues. Making the map will also encourage you to try a new vegetable this year.

• Prune all that needs it this time of year – apples

Community EvEnts

February 22 Home Buyer

Class 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2194 Columbia Blvd., 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. Program: A garden tea party and making garden hats. Bring a hat to embellish. Anyone is welcome to attend.

February 23 Columbia 9-1-1

Communications District

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

9 a.m. at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Meeting Room / Via Zoom. For instructions on how to join the meeting via Zoom please 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 Blvd., 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 503397-3026 or ColumbiaCountyBridalExpo.com.

March 4 Rodeo Fundraiser

Join the Columbia County Rodeo Committee for dinner, dancing, and a live auction at the Columbia County Fair-

grounds. Tickets are $35 per person or reserve a corporate table for eight people for just $300. Contact any Rodeo Committee member or call 503-397-1800. Tickets are limited. 5 p.m. Social Hour. 6 p.m. Dinner. 7 p.m. Live Auction. 8 to 11 p.m. Live Music.

May 25 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support Group Meeting 10 a.m. to noon - For those who have a loved one with mental illness. Meeting held at Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 2nd Street, Columbia City, OR 97018.

Questions, Contact Judy Thompson 503.397.6056.

Ongoing events

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

Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday - 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 public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Hwy, Warren, OR 97053 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, and fellowship. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free dinner. Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Road in St. Helens. 503-3967091. Childcare is available. www.yanktoncommunityfellowship.com

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to jruark@countrymedia. net or chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

New plants from winter cuttings

Quite a few plants are possible to root from cuttings taken this time of year. They include honeysuckle, spiraea, some roses, figs, quince, grapes, blueberries, currants and quite a few others. You want shoots that grew last year. Cuttings are usually 10 to 12 inches long with two bud “nodes” on them. If it is hard to tell up from down on the cutting, cut

Some plants can be layered. That involves taking a limber woody shoot found near the ground, digging a small trench, bending the shoot into the trench, holding it down with heavy U-shaped wire, and covering the trench with soil.

Rhododendrons are often quite amenable to this technique.

Important notes

• You can get up-to –date and accurate answers to your food preservation questions by calling our office at 503 397-3462 and ask to speak to Jenny Rudolph.

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

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to

the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

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

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503 397-3462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter

The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension. oregonstate.edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters.

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

or ____ out

48. Brooke or John Jacob, of New York

50. USPS delivery

52. *Cards against what?

55. Medicinal plant with purple berries

56. Bug-eyed

57. Tiny bottle

59. a.k.a. jumping bone

60. Plucked string instrument

61. Makes a mistake

62. *”____ Day,” desirable square in The Game of Life

63. Bard’s before 64. Rip apart DOWN

1. Govt. property org.

2. Fabled fliers

3. Mine passage

4. India’s Chennai, pre1996

5. Flooring choice, pl.

6. Hose woes

7. 100 centavos in Mexico

8. Rum cake

9. Particle in A-bomb

10. What’s-old-is-newagain prefix

12. Somewhat late

13. Be at the helm

14. *Not chutes

19. #39 Across, pl.

22. Is no longer

23. *Trade, build, settle this island

24. Oenophile’s concern

25. Curtain fabric

26. *Connect how many?

27. Theater passage

28. Asparagus unit

29. Written works

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH23-1268

NOTICE OF STORAGE AUCTION

Scheduled Storage Auction Please take notice ORS 87.685 et. seq. K & B Storage, 970 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Or. 97051. Intends to hold a sale of the property

CH23-1258

stored in the Unit by the occupant at the facility as listed below. This auction sale by unit will occur at the facility listed above on the 11th day of March 2023 at 10:00 am.

This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms & conditions apply. Call 971 203-4616. Bob Maul Unit #109 10 x 10. Cash Only.

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

Probate Department Case No. 20PB04739 NOTICE

TO INTERESTED PER-

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

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

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.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday March 6, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Alexander Egerton, has submitted an application to have a home business. The proposed uses will be resale of firearms, gunsmithing and other machining activities. The property is zoned Rural Residential (RR-5), identified as tax map number 5427-00-00300 and located at 61421 Stoney Point Rd. SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commission on Monday, March 6, 2023 starting at 6:30 p.m. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Columbia County Planning Commission will be hosting their public hearing via online webinar. Please use the links below if you wish to participate in the public meeting. March 6, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting March 6, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Mar 6, 2023, 6:30 – 9:00 PM Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https:// meet.goto.com/546514205

You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 546-514-205 United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 United States: +1 (646) 749-3129 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet. goto.com/install If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 397-1501. The criteria to be used in deciding these

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requests will be found in some or all of the following documents and laws, as revised from time to time:

Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 197.763; Oregon Administrative Rules; Columbia County Comprehensive Plan; Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. The specific criteria applicable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report. A copy of the application, all documents and evidence relied upon by the applicants, and the staff reports are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost, at the Land Development Services office, at least 7 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing. Written comments on the issue can be submitted via email to Planning@ columbiacountyor.gov or you can send comments via U.S. Mail to Columbia County, Department of Land Development Services, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. If additional documents or evidence are provided in support of the applications, prior to or during the hearing, any party shall be entitled to a continuance of the hearing to allow review of the new evidence.

If a participant requests a continuance before the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the record shall remain open for at least seven days after the hearing. The “hearing will be held in accordance with the provision of the Zoning Ordinance”

At each hearing, the applicant has the burden of pre-

senting substantial evidence showing that the application meets all of the applicable criteria. Following presentation of the staff report, the applicant and other persons in favor of the application will be allowed to address the commission, explaining how the evidence submitted meets the applicable criteria. Following the applicant’s presentation, any person in opposition to the application may present evidence and argument against the application. The applicant will then have the opportunity to rebut any evidence or arguments presented in opposition. After the presentation of evidence and arguments, the public hearing record will be either left open or closed by the Planning Commission. The Commission will then make a tentative decision to be followed by approval of a written order and a statement of findings and conclusions supporting the decision, which will be mailed to all parties at a later date. The Commission may, at its discretion, continue the hearing from time to time at the request of the parties or on its own motion as necessary to afford substantial justice and comply with the law. Additional information about this application may be obtained from the Planning Division of the Land Development Services Department, at (503) 397-1501 or you can go to the County website www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/LandDevelopment/Planning.

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

In the Matter of the Estate of HELEN YOLANDA STAGER, Deceased. No: 23 PB 01088 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned, Inez LaRena Glaze, has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months

from this date at the office of VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the personal representative. First pub-

lished: February 22, 2023. Inez LaRena Glaze, Personal Representative. Personal

Representative: Inez LaRena Glaze c/o VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert P. VanNatta, VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 397-4091.

Meissner Road closing for slide repair

Meissner Road at mile post (MP) 3.5 was scheduled to close Feb. 21 to repair slide damage between Clark (MP 2.5) and Janshaw (MP 4.5) Roads.

The road is expected to be reopened March 28, according to a release from Columbia County Public Works and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Detours will redirect traffic along the following routes:

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scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General.

To verify a lender’s

• North - Meissner to Apiary, Apiary to Old Rainier, Old Rainier to Hwy. 30

• South - Meissner to Canaan, Canaan to Hwy. 30

No other road closures are planned as a part of this construction.

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 503-3975090 or by email at publicworks@columbiacountyor. gov.

license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.

Crossword solution

Solution for the Feb. 15, 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.

Tualatin

Ken died unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep of ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib). He was born to Lawrence Jensen and Charlotte Kroessin Jensen in 1949. Ken was raised in St. Helens, Oregon. He’s lived in Lake Oswego the past 37 years. Growing up in the family’s school bus business and the small town of St. Helens provided a treasure trove of stories and Ken shared many of them. He graduated University of Oregon with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications and Broadcasting.

Thomas “Tom” Budge, of Vernonia Oregon, passed away on Feb. 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Dec. 24, 1939 in Moose, Wyoming to Edward “Ned” and Mae (Chambers) Budge. He joined older brother Dennis, with sister Mary, and younger brothers, Jim and Henry followed to complete their family.

His family relocated to the Shiloh Basin area, near Rainier, Oregon, where he attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse.

He graduated in 1958 from Rainier High School.

He met the love of his life, Judy, in 1957. On June 25, 1960, they were united in marriage. They made their home in Longview, Washington, where they welcomed three boys into their family, John, Jerry and Joe.

While living in Longview, he began his

Amber Lee Holeman, age 44, of Lower Windsor Township, Pennsylvania, formerly of Deer Island, Oregon, died peacefully at home on Thurs., Feb. 9, 2023. She was born in Portland, Oregon on Sept. 1, 1978. She was the daughter of Richard and Christine (Duplantis) Grudzien of Petersburg, Alaska. Amber was the loving wife of 20 years to John Holeman. Amber was a graduate of St. Helens High School. She worked for contractor

Kenneth Lyle Jensen

Aug. 31, 1949 ~ Jan. 4, 2023

He was drafted into the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged. He

followed his dream and for several years, worked in television in Hollywood, California, for CBS and later Tandem Productions (“All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times”). He returned to Oregon in 1977 and married Jeanine Navarra. With two partners they owned and operated Columbia Coachways Charter Bus Company. After Coachways, Ken worked at Tektronix in its venture capital arm. In time, he became VP of the Tektronix Development Company. He later worked at Novellus Systems, which became

Thomas “Tom” Budge

Dec. 24, 1939 ~ Feb. 14, 2023

provided jobs for many local youth.

Tom enjoyed his time with Longview Fibre and felt lucky to have an office” in the woods. He retired in 2004 and was able to spend quality time on his farm. He loved his cows, hay in the barn, tractors, gardening and wood in the shed.

Most of all, he loved his family. His wife Judy, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the absolute joy of his life.

Lam Research. He retired in 2017. He’s survived by his wife Jeanine “Jeannie;” two sons, Marcus, 30 years old and Lucas, 27 yearsold; brothers, Donald (Rose), and Ronald (Annette); sister Dian (Alan) Roe; and five nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or the Oregon LIONS Sight & Hearing Foundation. A celebration of his life will be scheduled for this summer. Fond memories can be shared at: www.youngsfuneralhome.org.

boro, Oregon; Jill and Kelly Griffin of Mist, Oregon; and Jenny and Joel Glass of Vernonia; sister Mary Horn of Forest Grove, Oregon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Karen Budge of Rainier, Oregon, and Henry and Lorene Budge of Scappoose, Oregon; sister-in-law Karen Crandall of Vernonia; 15 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

503-357-4421

A

career with Longview Fibre. He started on the bull gang and in 1964 he transferred to the Timber Department. The transfer included a move to Vernonia, where Tom and Judy welcomed three girls, Julie, Jill and Jenny. In 1979 Tom and Judy purchased Sunnyside Service. For 20 years they served memorable food and

He was preceded in death by both his parents and his older brother Dennis.

He is survived by his wife Judy of Vernonia; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Angie Budge of Vernonia, Jerry and Cassandra Budge of Vernonia, and Joe and Rebecca Budge of Woodburn, Oregon; daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and John Bernards of Hills-

Amber Lee Holeman

Sept. 1, 1978 ~ Feb. 9, 2023

at Armstrong Industries, most recently at their Marietta, Pennsylvania Ceiling Plant.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest gave Amber a love of the outdoors. She loved to go hunting, fishing and enjoyed paddling in her kayak. She was an avid soc

cer supporter, and especially loved taking her nieces to games and practices. She also loved watching them run cross country and track.

In addition to her husband and parents, Amber

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. for family and close friends on Sat., Feb. 25, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 960 Missouri Avenue in Vernonia, Oregon. Following the Mass, all are welcome to the celebration of life to be held at 2 p.m. at Vernonia Schools Commons, 1000 Missouri Avenue in Vernonia.

To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence go to fuitenrosehoyt.com.

is survived by her daughter Chyenne Holeman and her wife Casey of York, Pennsylvania; son Zane Holeman of Lower Windsor Township, Pennsylvania; brother Daniel Grudzien of Oregon; and her nieces and nephews, Kyrsten, Kay dence and Kinley Strange, and Kaleb Landon, and McKenna Grudzien.

For more informa tion, please see link listed: https://etzweilerfuneral home.com/m/obituaries/ Amber-Holeman.

Cynthia Marie Nagel

April 21, 1962 ~ Feb. 15, 2023

Cynthia Marie Nagel, a longtime resident of Columbia County, passed away on Feb. 15, 2023.

funeral service at 11 a.m. on March 3, 2023 at Columbia Funeral Home with graveside service to follow at Columbia Memorial Gardens. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbiafh.com.

St. Helens High School Cheer finish

St. Helens High School

Cheer has stuck the landing on its season, and for the program, this year is the jumping-off point for a program on the rise.

Being able to compete with established programs feels amazing. Cheer culture isn’t the traditional “we must win” feeling. There is a lot of support from our competitors when we grow and hit milestones, and we are truly happy for them as well.

~ Nicole Waite, Head Coach

Starting in the fall, the cheer team set its sights on a more competitive season.

“In addition to having a sideline cheer team of 16 members, we knew there was an interest to start a competitive cheer program, which our school has rarely offered in the past. In early November, we held tryouts and selected nine members to join our competitive team,” Head Coach Nicole Waite said. “Overall, both teams have improved skills for performing and leading our crowds. The support from parents, administra-

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that he believed the newest harvest estimates did not achieve a balance between conservation and financial viability, the dual goals the board had set for the HCP.

Justice said that he believed that a harvest closer to the 225 million board feet presented last summer was more equitable for rural communities and counties. Justice asked Wilson if he thought the revised projections due in June would project a harvest level close to that and Wilson said that he did not.

Considering the latest estimates as well as the 70-year term of the plan, Justice said that he was proposing a motion for ODF staff to begin work on a second HCP draft that would allow larger harvests.

When asked, Wilson said that doing so would set the HCP development process back at least two years. The draft of the plan

tion, boosters, and fans have helped our growth as a program.”

Taking on the competition

Becoming a competitive cheer program offers its fair share of challenges. To help jump these hurdles, the team brought in an experienced choreographer to help the team face up to the OSAA rubric system by which teams are judged. During the winter cheer season, the budding team enjoyed success at their meets.

“On January 28, we competed in the Pacer Invitational competition held at Lakeridge High School, where we proudly took home 3rd place in the 4A Division,” Waite said. “On February 4th, we competed at a larger competition held at Tualatin High School, where we placed 5th in the 4A division.”

Cheering through adversity

The team is young, with only one junior and no seniors on the squad. Waite hopes that the team takes pride in the fact that they are building a program for the future.

Team’s challenges included getting adequate practice time. Construction at the high school and bouts of sickness got in the way of coordinating training times, and the illness even forced the team to miss a competition in January.

“It took a lot of coordi-

is already with federal regulators for review under the National Environmental Policy Act, so it is too late to amend that document.

Wilson said that the agency also lacked the staff to begin work on a second HCP concurrently with the ongoing work on the

nation and thought to share practice spaces,” Waite said.

“We were able to navigate these obstacles as a team with strong communication and focus during practices.”

The team competed in the 4A Division at the OSAA State Competition on Saturday, February 11th. While they did not place in the event, it was another step in the right direction. Waite reflected on the team’s performance in a Facebook post the day after the event.

“Yesterday we performed

already-submitted draft.

The board members discussed the proposed motion, with two groups coalescing as the meeting went on.

While both agreed that the projections were alarmingly low, one favored allowing the process to run

tition held at Oregon City High School. It was a morning filled with nerves and excitement as we entered this new level of competition. While we didn’t end up placing where we had hoped, we definitely came away with knowledge and experience to put into practice for next year,” the post stated.

Looking forward to next year

its course before essentially restarting the process. They argued that the decision should wait until after the board receives updated projections in June and a final draft of the plan in September.

The other group argued that the already released

have an entire season’s experience under their belt, and Waite is excited about the team’s future. The season was about establishing itself as a competitive program and gaining experience as a unit. This season will just be the foundational block at the base of the pyramid for the Lions Cheer Team.

“We hope that our team will find satisfaction in building a strong program that they are proud of. They are literally paving the way

figures represented too drastic a change from what they had discussed previously, making a new process inevitable.

Justice’s motion failed by a vote of 4-3 during the Feb. 15 meeting. Board Members Justice, Liz Agpaoa and Karla Chambers

and setting the bar for others down the road,” Waite said.

“Being able to compete with established programs feels amazing. Cheer culture isn’t the traditional “we must win” feeling. There is a lot of support from our competitors when we grow and hit milestones, and we are truly happy for them as well.”

Follow St. Helen’s High School sports at osaa.com and find articles about the school’s winter sports at thechronicelonline.com.

voted aye, while Board Chair Jim Kelly and Board Members Ben Deumling, Chandra Ferrari and Brenda McComb voted nay. Follow development at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Your household hazardous waste must be in your vehicle’s bed, trunk, or hatchback - not the passenger compartment. Unloading may take a few extra minutes as extra safety measures will be in place. Please be patient, and please remain in your car. Columbia County, OR (February 17, 2023) – The first Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event of the New Year will be held at the Columbia County Transfer Station on Saturday, February 25, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Transfer Station is located at 1601 Railroad Avenue in St. Helens. If you are a Columbia County resident, you can drop off various toxic and unsafe materials at no cost.

Items must be in containers not larger than five (5) gallons and should be secured safely during transport.

Trained household hazardous waste technicians will unload materials from your vehicle. Examples of acceptable items:

• fireworks and flares

• gas / diesel / fuels / motor oil / antifreeze

• lawn and garden chemicals

• herbicides and pesticides

• pool and spa chemicals

• light ballasts—must be removed from light fixtures

• fluorescent tubes

• art and hobby chemicals

• solvents and thinners

• items containing mercury

• propane and compressed gas cylinders

• batteries – all types and applications

• cleaners and detergents

• poisons

• paint and paint products (latex and acrylic paint, oil-based paint, enamel, stains, lacquers, shellacs, varnishes, primers, etc.)

• cooking oil

• medical sharps in OSHA-approved, puncture-proof containers

• ammunition

The Transfer Station’s normal disposal fees for automotive batteries, antifreeze, and fluorescent tubes are waived during HHW Collection events. Unwanted paint, used motor oil, and used cooking oil are always free to dispose of at the Transfer Station during regular business hours.

Medical sharps in a sealed, self-closing, puncture-proof, OSHA-approved container are received, at no cost, at the Transfer Station Scale House during business hours. Columbia County residents can enroll in the FREE Sharps Containers Exchange Program at the Transfer Station Scale House.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office accepts expired or unwanted medication at 901 Port Ave., St. Helens. They are open 7 days per week, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Place items in the MedReturn collection box.

The county will host six more household hazardous waste events in 2023, the next three events are April 22nd in Vernonia, May 20th in Rainier, and June 10th at the Transfer Station in St. Helens. Please check the Columbia County website for further updates https://www. columbiacountyor.gov/departments/SolidWaste/hhw-schedule

For more information, contact Jacob Anderson by phone at 503-397-7259 or by email at jacob.anderson@columbiacountyor.gov.

Courtesy photo

The cheerleaders pictured are, top row, Katie Duke, Halli Heys, Keely Scoville, and Montana Sloan. Bottom row, Alexandra Johnson, Tarrah Lemont, Maggie Burke, Haylie Matheny, and Aliciyah Miguel-Cloninger.