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Independence Day fireworks possible been searching for a community partner to oversee the Independence Day celebration and fireworks show. She said if any community organization is interested in taking charge of the event, they need to contact city officials at 503-397-6272.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
There are new details concerning the City of St. Helens Independence Day fireworks demonstration. The fireworks would be held on Sand Island if the city council gives final official approval for the event, according to the city’s communications spokesperson, Crystal King. In a Feb. 17 city council discussion, St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl suggested hosting a tailgate party at the city’s waterfront, estimating that 500 cars, each paying a $20 admission fee, could raise enough money for a reasonable firework show. To cut costs, Scholl suggested the show be held on the city-side of the water instead of on a barge or on Sand Island.
Fireworks history
Pandemic impact King told The Chronicle that the fireworks demonstration would depend on current Oregon Health Authority (OHA) pandemic safety requirements in place at the time of the event. “The city is planning to do fireworks from Sand Island this year as long as the Oregon Health Authority and state guidelines allow,” King stated. King sad the city has not yet made an official decision about the suggested tailgating because COVID-19 safety guidelines continue to change. She said the city council
Courtesy photo from the City of St. Helens
The 4th of July fireworks demonstrations have attracted large crowds to the Columbia riverfront in St. Helens.
will make a final decision about tailgating at a later date once potential guidelines are clearer closer to July 4. “A contract with the fireworks display company has to be made early in the year, and this is what precipitated the council’s recent discussion regarding planning to host a show this year or not,” King said. “Further event details will be made
as it gets closer to July 4. Events like these take several months to plan, and include permitting through state and federal agencies before final event details such as tailgating are made.” King said the city contracts with Canby-based Western Display Fireworks to conduct the show. “With hosting the display from Sand Island this year, we anticipate
the show costing in the range of $15,000 to $18,000,” King said. “This should allow for a larger display that people can safely enjoy from their vehicles and/or at a distance. The council funds will be used for the display, and the city will seek sponsorships to offset the cost. According to King, over the last several years, the city council has
The Fourth of July fireworks show was postponed last year due to the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty of timelines. The city council considered moving the display to December during the Christmas Ships event, but did not move forward with that plan. Last year wasn’t the only year fireworks have been absent from St. Helens during Independence Day celebrations. In 2012, a city fireworks committee was unable to raise the $20,000 needed to host the display— which has typically been funded entirely through donations and sponsorships. However, fireworks did make a bang in St. Helens later that summer when the Maritime Heritage Festival organizers stepped in to raise $7,500 for a smaller display hosted over a week later, to coincide with the opening of the festival. The Chronicle will report additional details about the city’s plans for the fireworks demonstration as they become available. Follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
False kidnapping alert issued gency dispatch at 503-397-1521.” Law enforcement officials urge local residents to be watchful for the ongoing fraud attempts and to notify police officers or sheriff’s deputies if you believe you have received such a scam call.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
St. Helens Police have issued an alert following what officials call a disturbing phone call reported by area residents. On Thursday, March 4, St. Helens Police received multiple reports of a male calling from an international telephone number claiming to have kidnapped the person’s child. In a release, investigators said that according to the people receiving the telephone message, the caller threatens to harm the child and then a child comes on the phone and begs for help. The caller demands money in exchange for the person’s child to be returned. The St. Helens Police officials said they have fully investigated all of the reported phone calls and said each call has proven to be false. All children have been verified as safe. St. Helen Police advise that if you receive a phone call claiming that your child has been kidnapped hang up the phone and verify through a trusted source that your
Federal alert
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
St. Helens Police said they have investigated each of the suspicious calls, which have proven to be false.
child is where they are supposed to be. If you have a difficult time contacting your child, call the St. Helens Police non-emergency dispatch at 503-397-1521 to speak with a St. Helens officer. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has also released details of another fraud attempt. “We wanted everyone to be aware of a scam occurring in Colum-
bia County. Someone has spoofed CCSO’s mainline number of 503366-4611 and is calling people advising them they have a warrant for their arrest if they don’t pay money or give personal information to the caller,” the sheriff’s office Facebook post reads. “Please understand we will never call you and request payment or personal information to avoid an arrest warrant. When in doubt, hang up and call non emer-
According to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information website, the telephone calls are part of an increasing range of coercion schemes designed to frighten and extort money from families. The callers claim to have kidnapped a child, brother, sister or other relative and in order for the victim to be released safely and unharmed, a ransom must be paid immediately. “To stop you from checking out the story, scammers order you to stay on the phone until the money is sent,” the FTC warning reads. “There’s pressure to pay quickly, and the caller says not to contact anyone. The scammers demand payment by wire transfer or prepaid cards because it’s difficult to trace or
recover money sent that way. The FTC said the FBI calls this scam virtual kidnapping. Scammers scour the internet and social media sites, grabbing information about where people live, work, or travel, and names of friends and family. The cons use the details to pick a target and make their calls sound credible. The FTC and law enforcement officials urge people to limit personal information posted on social media sites. “If you get a call like this, remember that it’s fake, no matter how scary it sounds,” the FTC warning states. “Even if it feels really real, never wire money or pay by prepaid card to anyone who asks you to. If you’re worried about the call, get off the phone and get in touch with the relative or friend in question – just to reassure yourself. And then notify the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement.” To report a false kidnapping call to the FTC, visit reportfraud.ftc. gov/#/
New riverfront development details surface STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The City of St. Helens has taken another major step to open riverfront property for development.
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The St. Helens City Council has approved a personal services agreement for a firm to draft design documents, obtain required permits, and create construction documents for road and utility extensions for South 1st and Strand Streets. The agreement is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to open a large expanse of riverfront property that was formerly private industrial land fenced off from community access. With the city’s purchase of the property in 2015, major planning and design work has taken place to reclaim the waterfront to serve the community in new ways, according to a release from the city. Paying homage The redevelopment process is designed to pay homage to both the past and future of the city by creating new amenities to attract new business and residents to St. Helens and provide guaranteed public access to a larger stretch of the Columbia River. The city will use Portlandbased contractor Otak to assist in preparing the construction documents for the extension of South
Additional work
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
The city hopes to extend South 1st Street from Cowlitz Street to Plymouth Street as part of the riverfront development.
1st Street from Cowlitz Street to Plymouth Street. Strand Street will be extended south and then west to intersect South 1st Street opposite the Tualatin pedestrian stairway. Development will include: • Pedestrian and bicycle connections • Streetscape design • On-street parking • View corridors of the Columbia River
Strand Street is targeted to be a festival street with a gateway or special streetscape treatment at the intersection of South 1st Street and Strand Street. Mid-block crossings along South 1st Street are also expected to enhance walkability, maintain view corridors, and connect pedestrians to public access along the riverfront. Utility extensions will also occur to ensure that there is adequate water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, landscape design, and other necessary utilities for future development.
In addition to street and utility extensions, the personal services agreement with Otak includes design work for the intersections at South 1st and Cowlitz Streets and Strand and Cowlitz Streets to improve pedestrian safety, function, and aesthetics. The personal services agreement also includes permitting assistance for the construction projects. Otak will spend 2021 creating preliminary and final designs for the street and utility extensions, securing necessary permits, and creating a bidding package for the work. Construction is anticipated to take 18 months to complete and is targeted to begin in March 2022. City officials are working with Business Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to secure a low-interest loan through the Special Public Works Opportunity Fund to fund the project. The city council made this latest riverfront redevelopment decision during its Wednesday, March 3 public session. Follow this redevelopment project at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.