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Firefighter injured in commercial blaze Serving Columbia County since 1881
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
One firefighter suffered injuries during a commercial fire at the 300 Building, a storage unit facility, at 777 Port Avenue in St. Helens Saturday morning, March 12. “As Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) firefighters arrived at the scene smoke was visible on all bay doors with heavy smoke showing throughout along with flames showing from a few of the storage units,” according to CRFR Public Information Officer Jennifer Motherway. “Due to the wind, firefighters were hindered by poor visibility and air quality.” The injured firefighter was taken to a Portland area hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries and is now at home recovering. “We would like to provide that individual privacy at this point in time, so we are not sharing further details,” she said. Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District crews were also called to the scene of the fire. Motherway said significant progress was made throughout the morning to hold the fire progress to the initial building and that ultimately helped to save the additional buildings from catching fire. “The entire 300 building suffered heavy damage,” she said. “The owner of the building is working with an insurance company to determine the estimated amount of damage.” According to Motherway, the building did not have a fire sprinkler system.
Firefighting challenges
According to Motherway, the commercial fire presented multiple challenges for the first responders. “First and foremost are the concurrent calls for service which creates a challenge on staffing,” she said. “This is one of many reasons we operate with a combination department, meaning we have volunteers who can respond to calls from home to bolster the current staffing levels of the day.” Another challenge was reaching the fire. Firefighters had to use forced entry. At one point, firefighters used a chainsaw to cut through the large metal doors of the building. “We had to cut padlocks and force the roll up doors on the building which takes additional time and manpower,” she said. “High combustible storage items in many of the units, with paper products, wood products, clothing as well as hazardous materials such as paints and oils ultimately added fuel to this commercial fire and created a more challenging scene.” Crews remained at the scene throughout Saturday night mopping up and monitoring any additional fire spread. Columbia River PUD, St. Helens Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff and Clatskanie Fire District also assisted at the fire scene. “Their support and assistance in mitigating the fire was crucial during this difficult event. In total we had 33 fire personnel on scene over the course of the time spent managing the fire,” Motherway said. “Police and fire remained on scene through Monday, March 14 to monitor the fire activity and provide additional assistance.”
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
A firefighter keeps a close watch as crews battle the blaze.
Courtesy photo from Chance Masterson
This sky-high photo shows the large column of gray smoke rising above the fire.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
A firefighter sprays water on the hot spots after the fire damaged several units of the storage building.
Digging in! Tree planting
Backlogged Metro Creative Connection
Hospitals have had to adjust how they serve patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patients, staff cope with healthcare delays ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
As the national and statewide focus shifts away from COVID-19, hospitals across Oregon and the United States are scrambling to prepare for a new challenge. Crippling staffing shortages, long appointment wait times, and missed screenings are among the many difficulties compounding the stress of healthcare workers and patients even as COVID-19 concerns decline. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 report, Oregon’s healthcare systems are serving approximately 62% of healthcare needs compared to previous years. “We estimate it will take at least six months to catch up,” Oregon
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Health and Science University (OHSU) Senior Media Relations Specialist Franny White said. Between July 2021 and January 2022, OHSU reported performing 1,000 fewer surgical procedures than in 2019, resulting in a backlog that could cause a massive ripple effect in the delivery of critical care. The ripple effect could include late-stage cancer diagnoses, resulting in less favorable outcomes in cancer treatment down the road, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI modeling indicates 10,000 excess deaths will occur from breast and colorectal cancer between 2020 and 2030, a roughly 1% increase from pre-pandemic rates. Because some cancers grow slowly, the impact of the pandemic on overall cancer deaths will be unclear for many years, Chief of the Statistical Research and Applications Branch for Cancer Control and Population Sciences Eric Feuer, Ph.D., said. St. Helens St. Helens Legacy Health Site Medical Director Dr. Roxana Abbott said her team has managed to keep up so far with the inflow of patients. “Honestly, I’ve been really impressed with how we’ve kept up with things,” she said. “There have been short periods of pauses where
2022 Columbia County Vol. 140, No. 11
we try to move to more virtual visits for a few weeks or maybe a month. But otherwise, we’ve been plowing through.” Abbott said patients can expect to wait “one to three days” to be seen by their primary care physician, and operations are running “smoothly,” though she contends people have generally put on about 10 to 15 pounds “across the board” since the pandemic began, putting them at risk for hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers. Abbott also noted a disturbing rise in mental health cases. “Depression, anxiety, isolation, you know, alcohol addiction has really taken a spike,” she said, adding, “We’re really working closely with our community mental health teams and our clinic team members who help with mental health to try to help folks.” Scappoose Without a hospital to manage the flood of patients, more and more OHSU Scappoose patients are using Facebook as an outlet to vent their frustration with long waits for healthcare services. “Is anyone else having challenges with excessive wait times to get an
See HEALTHCARE Page A9
Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle
Mason Ashlock and Gavin Klobes get their hands dirty planting shrubs along the bank of the Scappoose Creek.
Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle
Otto Petersen students engage in the tree planting at Veterans Park in Scappoose. See more photos with this story at thechronicelonline.com. KELLI NICHOLSON chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net
Otto Petersen fourth graders, together with Scappoose Bay Watershed and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, planted 100 native trees and 200 native shrubs at Veterans Park in Scappoose Monday, March 14. The students planted
$3 Admission At The Gate Free tickets available at The Chronicle office and at InRoads Credit Union locations
Pacific Ninebark, Snowberry and Cascara along the banks of Scappoose Creek. Once the trees and shrubs are fully grown, they will provide much needed shade to help keep the water temperature down to benefit the salmon, beavers and other wildlife that make this area home, according to organizers of the event.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
School demolition to begin soon
Courtesy from St. Helens School District
This is a conceptual drawing of the renovated front of the St. Helens High School. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Fencing is up surrounding portions of St. Helens High School (SHHS) on Gable Road as crews prepare for demolition of specific areas of the building in the coming weeks. Hoffman Construction, the school district’s general contractor, installed site fencing in February. The crews also installed temporary heating systems and reworked utilities to separate the construction areas from the rest of the high school campus. Hoffman Construction’s Mark Parsons said the building demolition, part of the estimated $67 million renovation project, is expected
to start in the last week of March. “The portion of the building that will be completely demolished includes the old main entrance on Gable Road including the low classroom portions directly behind the entrance,” Parsons said. “The tall structures including the gymnasiums, auditorium and auxiliary spaces will remain and be retrofitted with some new utilities and finishes.” Parsons said the school’s old steam heating will be replaced with new high efficiency hot water boilers. New technology also will be installed throughout the buildings. “The demolition will take approximately six weeks with some site prep and utility work to follow that,” Parsons
said. “We expect that we will start to see some of the new structure going up by the middle of summer.” The contractor’s site fencing is separating the construction zone from the rest of the high school campus. There is designated parking and site access locations for students and staff that are separated from the contractor’s work zones. Crews will also be installing some temporary walls where the new building ties into the existing buildings to separate the construction activities from the students and staff,” Parsons said. “The fire alarms and fire sprinklers will always be in service for the occupied portions of the campus.” According to Parsons, the contractor is coordinating with
Courtesy from St. Helens School District This is an illustration of the floor plan of the renovated St. Helens High School.
the high school staff on a daily basis to keep them informed of all the construction activities that are about to begin. “We are maintaining a closed campus to more closely monitor off-limits areas and ensure the safety of our students and staff and continue to communicate any updates with our staff, students, families through our daily bulletin announcements and newsletters,” he said. The scope of the overall renovation project has been adjusted due to several factors, according to St. Helens School District Superintendent Scot Stockwell. “The unpredictable pandemic economy has caused issues for our project, yet we feel we’ve managed well with unforeseen supply chain is-
sues and inflation,” Stockwell said. “Both have contributed to changes to the scope of the overall project. The biggest change is shifting from completing gutting all of Building B and reconfiguring all of the classrooms to renovating the current classrooms and recapturing under-utilized space. The goal is still to have the school look as close to an entirely new campus as possible.” Several items reduced from the renovation’s scope may be added back depending on the bids for the project, according to Stockwell. “To be certain we will have a fantastic facility that our students, staff and community can be proud of,” Stockwell said. SHHS Principal Katy
Wagner told the Chronicle in a January interview, that the most impactful element of the renovation will be the updates to make SHHS a 21st century campus, which include architectural finishes that capitalize on natural light, functionality for innovative science labs, new technology for instruction and equitable access for students and improved safety. “All of these also make a huge difference in the school climate and help our community feel a sense of investment in the academic and social emotional success of our students,” Wagner said. Follow the St. Helens High School renovation project at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
SHHS gains $247,960 state grant
Metro Creative Connection
The grant will fund creation and development of a series of construction safety videos geared towards student safety and training. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
St. Helens High School has been selected to receive a $247,960 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Revitalization Grant from the State of Oregon. The grant will fund the creation and development of a series of construction safety videos geared towards student safety and training on machine equipment. In a collaborative effort St. Helens High School, along with four other high schools across Northwest Oregon, seek to address the need for safety training for students. Currently, there is no consistent method for machine safety training for students, according to a release from the St. Helens School District. The newly created videos will be widely accessible and commonly utilized as a professional safety training video series for use in the region and beyond. The videos will feature industry best practices, engaging instruction, and will be supplemented with websitebased testing and tracking. Following completion of the common training program, students will demonstrate mastery of the safety skills in a hands-on component assessed by their classroom instructor, the release states. It is expected that with the creation of this video series that:
tery of critical safety skills. • Reduced loss of class time due to retraining. • Alignment with industry standards. • Increased verifiable workforce preparedness. St. Helens School District administrators congratulated St. Helens High School for its “innovation, forwardthinking, and for putting students and their safety at the forefront.” Background
According to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), The CTE Revitalization Grant program is a purposive concept designed to support student engagement and success, completion leading to career and college preparation, and boost local/ regional economic development. The following information is from the ODE. 148 Oregon middle schools and high schools— serving more than 66,000 students—have secured the career readiness grants totaling $7.321 million, according to ODE Director Colt Gill and Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle. The CTE Revitalization Grant funds from State of Oregon will serve diverse communities around the state, with programs focused on advanced manufacturing, engineering, agricultural science, app development, robotics, tourism, forestry, • Regional outcomes will home renovation and healthbe able to provide consistent care. “It’s important that all and equitable safety training students, no matter where across Northwest Oregon they live get to experience (and beyond). unique CTE opportunities,” • Increased student masHoyle said. “There is no one Columbia County’s trusted local news source
way students learn or one path to success.” In total, the 54 grants help to create or expand Career and Technical Education programs focused on high-wage, high-skill and in-demand fields such as healthcare, manufacturing and construction. “Now more than ever, helping students prepare for the shift to college, career, and beyond is critical,” Gill said. “It is exciting to see the expansion of critical programs that align to high-need and high-wage opportunities. We’ve seen the power of CTE to support learner success and economic vitality, and we’re ready for more.” Students who pass CTE courses graduate at higher rates when compared to the general student population. According to 2020-2021 school year figures, CTE concentrators (across all student populations) graduated at a 92.9% rate, 12.3 percentage points higher than the state as a whole. In 2011, the Oregon Legislature established a competitive grant program entitled the CTE Revitalization Grant which strengthens the alignment of Career and Technical Education, workforce development and economic development. In July 2015, Governor Kate Brown signed House Bill (HB) 3072 and HB 5016, authorizing $9 million for the ODE to continue the CTE Revitalization Grant program. During the 2021 legislative session, $7.3 million was allocated for CTE Revitalization. The CTE Revitalization Advisory Committee–comprising representatives from organized labor, trade organizations, education and Oregon’s business, labor, industry and trades communities—reviewed 64 applications totaling $8.7 million in requests. The committee prioritized applications based on geographic diversity, community partnerships and programs that lead to high-wage, in-demand occupations, especially for historically and currently marginalized students. ODE and Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) jointly appoint the CTE Revitalization Advisory Committee. Additional information on grant criteria and additional summaries of the projects selected for this round of funding can be found on the CTE Revitalization Grant webpage.
Position: Dental Hygienist Position Summary: In our practice, our hygienists are often the first place our patients receive compassionate and necessary healthcare. Our hygienists do not simply clean teeth; they are instrumental in achieving optimal health. About Us and Who We Want to Join Our Team: Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is a fixture of the local community. We have been serving patients for over 50 years throughout the area. Our patients know us, and we know them. We are recognized as the go-to family dental practice because of our loyal team and our commitment to health. Due to growth and expansion, as well as retirement of one of our long-term employees, we are looking for a hygienist to join our cohesive team. This is a full-time position (4 days/week, ~32 hours/week) working Monday through Thursday. We have long-term employees at our practice. The newest hire has been here for 3 years. Some of our employees have worked for us for decades. This demonstrates our commitment to our employees. This is not just “a job” but rather a livelihood. We are committed to employee appreciation, kindness, understanding, and a positive mindset. Our overriding goal is to first find a person who will enjoy being a member of our team, both as part of the organization as a whole and specifically with our incredible team of dental professionals. Characteristics that we are looking for include: • Team collaborative outlook, • Patient-centric and solutions/problem solving approach, • Fun-natured and a sense of humor, • Good communication skills (written and verbal), • Self-motivated attitude, • A desire to make a difference We are committed to each employee’s success. As such, we invest time, energy, and money in onboarding and training to ensure competency and confidence with the type and kind of patients we serve. This, combined with your qualifications, represents a winning formula for long-term professional success. Additional Information: Our practice offers a relaxed work environment, places a high value on work/life balance, and located in Scappoose. This position offers an excellent benefit package that includes: PTO, paid holidays, medical insurance, dental services for you and your immediate family, and a retirement plan. Starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications. If you believe this opportunity represents a fit for you, please send a cover letter and an up-to-date resume to: jessica@healthysmilesofscappoose.com
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
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School board stands behind superintendent ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
The Scappoose School Board will not reprimand Superintendent Tim Porter for his letter that divided frustrated community members and the school district. The school board’s decision follows the results of an investigation into a public complaint filed against Porter. The complaint, by members of a group protesting health mandates, regards a letter the superintendent sent to parents Oct. 29, reporting students’ safety concerns during a rally at the intersection of Highway 30 and High School Way adjacent to Scappoose High School. The letter, signed by rally participants and addressed to Scappoose School Board Chair Will Kessi, levies mischaracterization and defamation
allegations against the superintendent for comments made in the letter. “He disparaged a great number of parents and community members alleging; adults verbally assaulting children, and blocking the sidewalk and crosswalk access of students,” the letter reads. The public complaint requested Porter retract his statements and issue a public apology to those involved in the rally. “Tim Porter owes the community of Scappoose a written apology for his reprehensible comments and false allegations he made against parents and community members at the rally,” according to the letter. “He should not be making heinous accusations based on hearsay and/or lies.” Investigation launched The Chronicle submit-
vestigations, submitted his report to the school board Jan. 23 and an addendum to the report on Feb. 10 after gathering additional evidence at the school board’s request, according to the report’s executive summary. The condensed report states that Fella contacted 46 individuals for interviews, including district administrators, staff, and the respondent in gathering his evidence.
Contained within the summarized report are eight allegations taken from the public complaint. In his analysis, Fella found all of the allegations to be unfounded. Fella’s report found Porter’s statements in the Oct. 29 letter were “generally supported by the evidence,” therefore protected by
Oregon’s legal standard for defamation. According to the definition of defamation in the state of Oregon, defamation consists of a false statement “that is libel (written) or slander (orally communicated).” Fellas’ analysis of the evidence further illustrates that school administrators and board members reviewed his letter “extensively” before the letter was approved, indicating the decision was not Porters’ alone, disproving another allegation. The school board unanimously voted March 1 to take no action against Porter. “I am glad that the investigation has concluded and look forward to our continued work as a district to improve our students’ social, emotional, and educational outcomes,” Porter said.
The OSP, the ODFW, the Oregon Hunters Association have historically teamed up to try to stop poaching in Oregon. The Oregon Hunters Association TIP rewards program offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf,
Upland Birds, Waterfowl, Furbearers, Game Fish and Shellfish. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for the unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags. To report poaching or any natural resource crime, we ask that you use the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov.
Findings Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle
Participants of “Freedom Rally” protested the state’s health mandates along Highway 30 adjacent to Scappoose High School where the alleged verbal assault occurred.
ted a public records request to obtain a copy of the original investigation report into the complaint against Superintendent Tim Porter. The Scappoose School Board did not provide The Chronicle with a full, unre-
dacted report, but the board did send the newspaper an abbreviated version “in lieu of providing the full report in response to a public records request.” Clint Fella, lead investigator for Clint Fella In-
ago, and since sturgeon are a long-lived, slow-growing, and late-maturing species, recovery efforts can be quite prolonged, according to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW). Because the sturgeon already face numerous ecological, environmental, and other humancaused challenges on the road to recovery — poaching is a huge issue. Current recreational retention and catch-and-release White Sturgeon fisheries are estimated to generate millions of dollars annually towards Oregon’s economy. Fisheries have been restricted or closed in the past during periods of low abundance. Poaching of White Sturgeon lessens the viability of the population and threatens to harm all Oregonians if anglers are no longer able to enjoy this treasured resource, according to a release from OSP. An anti-poaching special prosecutor, Jay D. Hall, has been hired by the Oregon Department of Justice to work with OSP and ODFW to lo-
cate, investigate and prosecute poachers. The new prosecutor role is the final strategy of a threepronged approach Oregon legislators mapped out in 2019 to reduce poaching crimes across the state. Increasing detection of poaching through a public awareness campaign and increasing enforcement of wildlife laws by hiring additional OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers were the first two strategies.
OSP troopers cite anglers at Scappoose Bay STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Two anglers have been cited for various offenses related to a poaching investigation at Scappoose Bay. Oregon State (OSP) Fish and Wildlife Troopers based in St. Helens received a TIP (Turn in Poachers) from two subjects angling in Scappoose Bay. The tip reported that there were anglers who had caught a sturgeon and did not release it, as required by law. Currently, sturgeon angling is restricted to catch and release only in that area and recently large numbers of sturgeon have been present in Scappoose Bay. The OSP Troopers surveyed the anglers moored in a boat at Scappoose Bay Marina over a two-day period and witnessed what they believed to be suspicious behavior. The troopers observed the anglers pull a rope from the water that appeared to have a sturgeon attached. Troopers contacted the anglers and found none of the
three men had purchased an angling license or combined angling harvest card and all were angling with barbed hooks, which is prohibited for sturgeon. The anglers initially denied being in possession of any fish, but a consent search uncovered five unlawfully retained sturgeon tied to three ropes in the water. One angler admitted to retaining all the fish and was cited and released for: Take/ Possession of Oversized White Sturgeon - C Felony, and misdemeanor crimes of Take/Possession of White Sturgeon, No Resident Angling License and Angling Prohibited MethodBarbed Hooks. The other two anglers were cited and released for the misdemeanor crimes of No Resident Angling License and No Combined Angling Tag. All five sturgeon were released back into the bay unharmed. Two rods with reels and a barbed hook were seized as evidence. The overall abundance of White Sturgeon is only a fraction of what it was 150 years
Health advisory for Sturgeon Lower Columbia, lower Willamette rivers STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing recommendations on the amount of Sturgeon people should eat taken from the lower Columbia and lower Willamette rivers. Fish tissue data from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality show polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels of concern in sturgeon in the river zones. Meal recommendations are needed, according to public health officials. The OHA said in a release that PCBs in sturgeon from the lower Willamette River are much higher than PCBs in Sturgeon from the lower Columbia River. This makes the calculated meal recommendations for the lower Willamette more restrictive than those calculated for the lower Columbia. Why the concern? OHA issues advisories when fish or shellfish tissue data show that the levels of contaminants — in this case, PCBs — are above Oregon’s health-based screening values. OHA then calculates meal recommendations using these data to help people better understand the number of fish meals they can safely eat in one month. Sturgeon are considered a migratory fish, but because of the rivers’ dam systems, they spend more time in these rivers, allowing the high amount of fat in their meat to accumulate PCBs. In addition, Sturgeon are long-living and suck up food from the sediment where PCBs collect. The longer a fish lives, the more PCBs they accumulate in their tissue. Eating too many fish contaminated with PCBs can cause negative health ef-
Courtesy from OHA
Fish tissue data from Oregon DEQ show polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels of concern in sturgeon in the river zones.
fects over time. These health effects include damage to organs, the nervous system and the brain, leading to potential learning and behavioral problems. Mothers can pass these contaminants to their babies during pregnancy or in breastmilk. Fetuses, babies and small children are most vulnerable to the health effects of PCBs. While it is important for people to know about contaminants in Sturgeon, it is equally important to continue to eat at least two meals of a variety of fish from a variety of sources each week to gain important health benefits. Fish are high in protein, low in fat and a rich source of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s provide protection from heart disease and are an important brain food for adults, children and fetuses. As future data becomes available for Sturgeon from the lower Columbia and lower Willamette rivers, OHA will evaluate and update the advisory meal allowances as needed. When fishing in the lower Columbia River, lower Willamette River and Multnomah Channel, OHA advises fishers to visit the OHA fish advisory web-
page at HealthOregon.org/ fishadv for a list of other areas and water bodies with existing fish advisories and recommended meal allowances. History According to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) PCB chemicals were banned in the U.S. in 1979 because these chemicals harm human and environmental health. From the 1920s until their ban, an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were made for things such as microscope oils, electrical insulators, capacitors, and electric appliances such as television sets or refrigerators. PCBs were also sprayed on dirt roads to keep the dust down prior to knowing some of the unintended consequences from widespread use. Prior to the ban in 1979, PCBs entered the air, water, and soil during manufacture and use. Wastes from the manufacturing process that contained PCBs were often placed in dump sites or landfills. Occasionally, accidental spills and leaks from these facilities or transformer fires could result in PCBs entering the environment. Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Visitor Destination Development
PAUL VOGEL Chronicle Guest Column
As folks start gearing up for spring break, warmer sunny days are increasing and the intensity of the COVID pandemic and its restrictions appear to be decreasing, it’s pretty natural to begin thinking about travel and visiting other places – especially those places and people we haven’t seen for a couple of years. For people elsewhere, visiting our communities and their friends and families here fits right along with that. Travel trends Recent travel data show that more than 77% of the travelers to Columbia County stay overnight with family or friends, and May, June and September are our highest volume visitor months. On average, these travel parties are 2.3 people, and they spend an average of $140 per day per person when they stay overnight. If they’re staying with family and friends, they’re spending that money on something besides lodging – from food & beverage to shopping and fuel – and that means virtually any kind of retail business can be in the visitor or tourism business. Since more often than not locals are the hosts, they’re likely to take their visitors to places and to do what they enjoy doing themselves. That underscores the belief that
quality goods, services, events, and destinations that people who live here want – are the best foundational attractions for visitors as well. In the time since Columbia Economic Team (CET) became the tourism “DMO” (Either Destination Management Organization or Destination Marketing Organization, or both) in 2018, our strategy has been to capitalize on the natural and assets strengths we have here, to enhance and develop them for everyone: locals and visitors or tourists, alike. The collaborative Tourism Initiative strategy process identified “Outdoor Recreation” – especially around water and natural activities as the top priorities among the people who live here. That strategy is the driver behind all our activity ever since – developing destination assets that build, enhance, or accentuate advantages we already enjoy. Of course, then COVID hit, and visiting just to visit became difficult or nearly impossible. Places like Vegas, Orlando and “manufactured” destinations struggled mightily. Travel to Oregon even dropped by nearly half. Interestingly enough, daytrips BY Oregonians TO Columbia County experienced increases – because we live in a place with fantastic outdoors, we’re close by the state’s largest population center – and there were a lot of reasons to want to get out of the house and even Portland for a while.
Enhancing potential
CET kept moving forward, by placing new interpretive signage along the entire length of the 25-mile CZ Trail, accomplished in collaboration with County Parks and Facilities, the CZ Trail Advisory Committee, and local companies like Pacific Stainless and Dahlgren’s Lumber. As a result, traffic on the trail – which has a lot of capacity – has increased and the Trail has been featured by Travel Oregon and even the Oregon Tourism Commission. Then we partnered with the city of Vernonia, local activists and volunteers, and the Portland Street Art Alliance to create seven new building wall murals, refresh downtown and turn dead spaces into pocket parks and gardens. It’s not coincidental that Vernonia is the collecting point for CZ Trail travelers of all types, developing destinations means tying things together. And we partnered with the cities of Clatskanie, Rainier, Scappoose, Vernonia and the County again – to place full-service bike stations in each community, and create four new family friendly rides available on Ride with GPS https://ridewithgps.com/ for you, your visiting friends and family, and anyone searching for a fun ride that connects our communities. All three of these destination development projects were funded through more than $100,000 in grants we
went out and earned from Travel Oregon. And they’re all principally focused on outdoor upland, inland, and in-town assets – which benefit communities first, and visitors second. Most recently we got one of eleven state project awards for “Destination Ready” development. This process, led by Travel Oregon, includes a variety of local stakeholders with existing interests, assets and capacity. This initiative is focused entirely on improving access to the water – namely the Columbia River – in various and versatile ways. Once our priorities are decided, Travel Oregon’s commitment is to work with us hand-inhand to secure funding to get the work done. You may have noticed that all this work is grant-funded. Our county doesn’t receive very much in State Lodging Tax revenue due to population size and our relatively small number of lodging properties. This makes successful grant-getting, and relationship building with Travel Oregon and our regional partners Job #1. If you want to know how that’s working, check three consecutive years of successful grants, and the fact that CET’s Wela Negelspach is being recognized this week at the Governor’s Tourism Conference as The Rising Star in state tourism. May the force be with you CET isn’t, can’t and shouldn’t be the only driv-
ing force behind destination development. And for that matter, a “visitor destination” can be a lot of things: A big event or a series of them – like summer concert series, community markets, festivals, parades, County Fairs and rodeos; historic, unusual or notable community landmarks -- history can be a huge reason to visit places -- so can hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking and paddle boarding. 62 magnificent miles of the Columbia is among the greatest destination assets we could ever hope for, now helping people access and enjoy it even more means visitors – and business – in every community along the shore can benefit from hat we already have. River-related or not, makers, farmers, producers, sellers of all types can be visit-worthy if they want to, and work together to collectively create critical mass and become a thing. There’s visit-ability in every community and corner of our county. Restaurants are recovering, tasting rooms are springing up, so are indoor skateboard parks (with a bistro), new event spaces and state-of-the RV Parks, and Scappoose Bay is under re-development. Or if you want, just walk outdoors and watch, listen, and breathe -- just ask Wild Columbia County. We are blessed with a lot to love, which is why so many love living here.
Sharing that with visitors provides an economic injection that benefits, literally, every business, worker, and resident in our county. Regardless of all the work to develop destination assets, the best and most sustainable draw for visitors, and new visitor dollars, is seeing healthy, fun, interesting, successful businesses of any type. St. Helens Main Streets and City of Scappoose are helping provide funding for storefront and business upgrades and beautification. Face it, if it catches our eye and looks loved and well cared for from the highway or the street, people are far more likely to stop. Downtown Portland’s current challenges underscore that point, though combined efforts are beginning to improve things.
and volunteers are available to help choose plants suggest gardening ideas and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more information see https:// www.scappoosebay-wc.org/ native-plant-nursery.
Have questions?
Bottom line Columbia Economic Team is in the tourism business for Columbia County and everyone who lives here. But we’re all in the tourism business, in the sense of drawing economic value from the people who pass through, the ones who stay a few days, or the ones who actually come looking for us as their destination. Paul Vogel is the executive director of the Columbia Economic Team. He may be reached at 503-410-1061, or at paulvogel@columbiacountyoregon.com.
Garden Plots: March gardening notes CHIP BUBL Chronicle Guest Article
One slug may mean 800 more: A single slug may lay as many as 800 eggs in their two to three years of life. The two slugs that do garden damage are not native but then, I guess most of our vegetables aren’t either. Anyway, control starts now. Slugs are actively breeding. Baits with iron compounds are considered safer for birds and pets and work reasonably well. The metaldehyde baits are quite pet toxic (mostly a dog issue since some dogs will eat almost anything) but if you don’t have pets, they are very effective. You can also chop slugs if you lay down boards or other cover for them at night and remove the boards (revealing the slugs) in the morning, with your hoe handy. This can be quite an efficient control tactic if practiced regularly and the “boards of death” are spread around your vegetable garden. We are about two weeks from the average date (March 28) of our last killing (28°) frost: This is the time to plant beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, kohlrabi, parsnips, early potatoes, and turnips. However, rain is likely to persist for several weeks. So, this planting advice is fine for raised beds, but it isn’t the right time to till soil. Digging soppy wet soil is no fun for
you and not good for the soil. If you can cover parts of your garden with clear plastic, it will warm the soil and keep it drier. It might be enough to allow you to prepare soil in those covered areas earlier. By the way, did you know parsnip seeds can take 28 days or more to germinate? The warmer the soil, the happier they are. All vegetable seeds respond well to warmed soils. We still have some row covers left that help keep the seedlings warmer after emergence. Call us for information at 503-397-3462. At the end of the month, you could plant early tomato transplants. Or you could buy your tomatoes at the Spring Fair (see above).
Why don’t apricots do well here? Apricots are early bloomers. Nearly seven out of ten years, frost kills the blooms. When that doesn’t happen, you get the ultimate prize, a delicious tree-ripened apricot. But there is another reason to pass on apricots here. They are very susceptible to bacterial canker which, once it infects the tree will kill the tree. It is almost impossible to prevent or to effectively treat. Best location for an apricot would be in full sun with excellent air circulation. That combined with lots of luck could give you apricots every three years or so. Events Local bee group meetings From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 at Chief Concomly Park in Scappoose under the gazebo, Carolyn Breece from OSU Honeybee Diseases Lab will present a workshop. It is free but preregister is required. Register at columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@gmail.com. Saturday, April 2, the Bee Group will host a full-day Bee Class from 9 a.m. to noon indoors and in the afternoon with beehives at the Extension office in St. Helens, 505 N. Columbia River Highway. Cost is $50 which will also give you a year membership in the
group. Use the same email above to get more information and to register. On Thursday April 7 at 6 p.m. there will be a free Zoom event with Paul Stromberg, President of Portland Metro Beekeepers. He will talk on queen rearing for backyard beekeepers and as a sideline commercial beekeepers. To get the Zoom link, email columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@gmail.com
Weekly Online Poll
Last Week’s Results
Did you delay any medical appointments due to the pandemic?
Are the increasingly higher gasoline prices making you alter your driving habits.
Yes
No
70% Yes
Foraging wild foods presentation
This program by Chip Bubl, OSU/Columbia County Extension Agent, will be on March 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Scappoose Library. It will also be streamed on Zoom. For information on the Zoom link email staff@ scapooselibrary.org. Scappoose Bay Watershed Council Native Plant Sale April 9 Join the Watershed Council at their Spring Native
Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the SBWC nursery, located behind Scappoose High School. Look for signs – go east on SE High School Way and turn into the parking lot between the high school and the school ball field areas. This is their semi-annual event to get you ready for spring and summer planting. They have lots of new plants at great prices – all native to our area. Staff
The Chronicle Home and Garden Show: The Columbia County Home and Garden show returns after two years. It will at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens April 23 and 24. See more information at thechronicleonline.com and watch for more details soon. The Columbia County Master Gardeners™ Spring Fair will also return after two years. It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30. There will be 3,000 tomato plants, peppers, and garden related items by other vendors. It will be at the Columbia County Fairgrounds since St. Helens High School is undergoing major renovations. Important notes The OSU Extension Office is now fully open. Donate produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.
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 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters. Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https:// catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring. Contact information Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County, 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-3462.
30% No
Vote online at thechronicleonline.com
The Chronicle
The Chronicle (USPS 610-380) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 S. Columbia Blvd., P.O. Box 1153 St. Helens, Oregon 97051 Periodicals postage paid at St. Helens, OR 97051
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle PO Box 1153 St. Helens, OR 97051-8153
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CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 Website: www.thechronicleonline.com • Editorial: chroniclenews@countrymedia.net ADVERTISE WITH US: chronicleads@countrymedia.net
Columbia County’s trusted local news source
Clarification The Chronicle misidentified Judge Ted Grove in the headline of the story about his retirement in the March 9 edition. We are happy to set the record straight.
www.thechronicleonline.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
A5
‘RISE’ plan launches state’s pandemic resilience phase STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Now that the state’s mask requirements have been lifted due to rapidly declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is kicking off the recovery phase of its pandemic response, with a focus on building community resilience and supporting local decision-making. OHA has launched RISE: Resilience in Support of Equity, available at Oregon. gov/OregonRise, the state’s pandemic recovery plan. The plan outlines near-term priorities Oregon will pursue to monitor COVID-19, shield people at the highest risk, reinvigorate communities and repair the state’s social fabric as public health interventions fall away over the coming months. RISE is a five-point plan aimed at saving lives by strengthening the resilience of people, schools and communities so they can protect themselves from COVID-19. Its goals are to: • Protect communities most harmed by COVID-19, including distributing vaccines, tests and masks to people at risk in priority communities through partnerships with more than 175 local nonprofits, health clinics and other community groups. • Protect people most vulnerable to COVID-19, including tracking disease spread through wastewater sampling in more than 40
communities, and maintaining a baseline capacity of vaccines, treatments, testing supplies and laboratory capabilities. • Expand access to vital health care and support a thriving workforce, including maintaining or expanding health coverage to as many as 350,000 people, and distributing $200 million in workforce development grants. • Keep schools open for students, staff and families, and help students recover instructional time, including developing a communicable disease management plan to help schools open safely, manage COVID-19 outbreaks and support students’ mental health. • Restore social cohesion by listening to and supporting the priorities of local communities and sharing steps people can take to protect themselves and others, including offering listening sessions and seeking input on how the state can support communities in building health resilience.
“The pandemic has become like a wildfire we’ve contained but not extinguished, and which therefore continues to pose a risk,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said. “RISE is a plan for managing that wildfire in a way that leverages the ability of communities to fight it at the local level, with support from Oregon’s public health system.” The plan recognizes the accomplishments of residents and communi-
health issues. • Partner with more than 175 community-based organizations that have longstanding, trusted relationships with priority communities to provide health and social services to save lives and livelihoods. • Organize hundreds of grassroots, community-specific vaccination and testing clinics. • Combat misinformation and disinformation, raising awareness and providing health information through culturally responsive outreach in 12 languages.
Metro Creative Connection
Oregon’s high vaccination rate helped force COVID-19 infections to drop 94% since the peak of the Omicron surge and hospitalizations to drop to pre-Omicron levels, according to the OHA.
ties to help Oregon reach a relatively steady state in the pandemic: More than 8 in 10 people followed sciencebased health recommendations, such as getting vaccinated or wearing a mask indoors in public or limiting in-person gatherings, helping force COVID-19 infections to drop 94% since the peak of the Omicron surge and hospitalizations to drop to pre-Omicron levels, according to the OHA. Oregon now ranks second lowest in the country for COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people; seventh lowest for deaths; a third lower than the per-capita average for hospitalizations; 18th highest in percentage
of fully vaccinated residents; and 10th highest in percentage of eligible residents who received a booster dose. But the plan also paints a sobering picture of the health inequities resurfaced during the pandemic, and the historical and intergenerational trauma and systemic discrimination driving them, according to the OHA: COVID-19 infection rates are nearly twice as high for Oregon’s tribal communities and communities of color than for white people; death rates more than twice as high among these groups than for whites, particularly in tribal and Pacific Islander communities; higher rates of infection and severe outcomes for
should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is not safe to consume someone else’s prescription drugs, or anything purchased online or on the streets. Pills from these non-prescribed sources may be counterfeit and contain dangerous ingredients like fentanyl. The center also recommends active communication — talk with your teens about the risks of substance use. Discuss the risks associated with consuming drugs purchased off the internet, from social media sites or from anyone who is not their health care provider. Look for changes in their behavior, including irregular eating or sleeping patterns, loss of interest in usual activities, or signs of depression or anxiety. People who use illicit drugs, or whose loved ones use illicit drugs, should take precautions against overPage doses, 1including carrying multiple doses of naloxone, the opioid reversal drug. Nal-
oxone is available at pharmacies in Oregon without a prescription.
older adults and those with disabilities. In response, Oregon has pursued a multi-pronged strategy to support communities hardest hit by the pandemic and eliminate the health inequities the pandemic has worsened. This strategy includes: • Ensure equity at the heart of the state’s response, including collaborating with communities to apply an equity framework to policy and operational decisions throughout the pandemic. • Work closely with local and tribal governmental public health agencies in responding to COVID-19 and other important public
A critical tool RISE will use to accomplish this is Healthier Together Oregon, the state’s health improvement plan. Healthier Together Oregon is a community-driven, statewide health improvement plan designed to mobilize local solutions that address social factors affecting community health, such as access to housing, living-wage jobs, quality education and affordable healthcare. Through Heathier Together Oregon, community-generated priorities and strategies will inform the way health officials invest resources in coming months and beyond. “Healthier Together Oregon is how we will eliminate health inequity,” Allen said. “Its vision is that our state will be a place where everyone in Oregon can achieve health and wellbeing throughout their lives, long after the COVID-19 pandemic is in our rear-view mirror.”
‘Deadly’ fake pills trigger public health warning STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The deaths of two teenagers in Portland from a suspected fentanyl overdose has prompted the Oregon Poison Control Center at Oregon Health & Science University to issue a public health warning about counterfeit, contaminated opioids in Oregon. Danger
of their unknown contents. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, is used by doctors to treat severe pain. Fentanyl is pressed into pills that are stamped with “M30,” “E7” or other markers to mimic real oxycodone tablets. Unlike prescription pills, the amount of fentanyl may vary from pill to pill — and the amount in a single pill can be deadly for some people. In addition to fentanyl, these pills may contain a variety of other medicines, including fentanyl analogs, sedatives and anesthetics that may cause overdose. The presence of fentanyl in fake pills is impossible to detect unless it is tested, according to the center alert.
These pills may be laced with fentanyl, which can be deadly, according to the center. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is odorless, tasteless and colorless. According to the warning, pills meant to mimic oxycodone tablets may Prevent opioid overdoses contain illicitly-manufactured fentanyl or other harmful Only consume pills and contaminants. These counterother drugs that have been feit pills may be difficult to 11-16-11 3x2Dlegitimate Cuts:Layout 1 6/22/12 3:28 PM obtained from a pharmacy distinguish from and have been prescribed prescription drugs 11-16-11 and are3x2D Cuts:Layout 1 6/22/12 3:28 PM Page 1 especially dangerous because to you. These prescriptions
• Small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils • Pale, bluish skin • Vomiting or foaming at the mouth • Slow, shallow breathing or, they may appear sleepy or lose consciousness. Call 9-1-1 right away if someone is unconscious, not breathing or if naloxone has been given. Medical experts at the Oregon Poison Center can help if you or a loved one is experiencing unwanted symptoms after taking pills or using illicit substances. If you or a loved one is experiencing a poison emergency, call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-2221222. A trained healthcare provider is available 24 hours
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education and other poison safety resources are available at https://www.ohsu.edu/ oregon-poison-center.
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How do you care from afar when your loved one is elderly & chronically ill? (Part 1 of 5)
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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK... EVEN SUNDAY & MONDAY
Photo courtesy from Multnomah County
Fentanyl is pressed into pills that are stamped with “M30,” “E7” or other markers to mimic real oxycodone tablets.
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Signs that someone is experiencing an opioid overdose include:
Caring from afar is also known as long distance family caregiving. This series is inspired by a son who lives on the east coast but cares for an aging parent in our community. Can you picture this situation? Mother (Sally, made up name) is 85 years old, has an ejection fraction (a measure of how well her heart works) of only 15%, a neurogenic bladder (her bladder has forgotten how and when she should go to the bathroom), type 2 diabetes, bilateral rotator cuff damage (she can’t raise her arms over her head to change her blouse) and she needs a cane to walk. Recently, Sally lost her husband after sixty years
of marriage. Her son called me because Sally went to the emergency room, which is the fifth visit since Christmas. After this recent hospital and rehab stay, she is facing the big decision: should she go to an assisted living community, or should she remain at home and bring care to her? The big decision has two parts: how and where does Sally want to be cared for and what would help her son worry less from afar knowing that his mother is getting the best care possible? We will discuss Sally’s care in 5 parts. Today we will define long-distance family caregiving and identify the associated
challenges. A longdistance family caregiver is someone who assists in the identification, prevention, treatment, care and support for the physical, mental, and psychosocial needs and wellbeing of a child and/ or dependent loved one. In Sally’s situation, her son is stressed and challenged because he does not have a plan to care for her and he is too far to manage the care affordably and efficiently. Next time, I will tell you what Sally’s wishes are and how I go about helping her son care from afar while keeping Sally well, happy and out of the emergency room. Until next time, be well and stay safe.
Katie Klem is a certified elder care consultant and CCO of COMFORT Makers & Comforting Medical Supply. 139 N. 21st St., St. Helens, OR 97051 Phone: 503-369-2460 Email: Katie@comfort-makers.com Columbia County’s trusted local news source
www.thechronicleonline.com
A6
Classifieds
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com
103
502
502
700
Yard Work
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
Misc/Trade
Spring Clean-Up & Lawn Mowing Services Cut grass, edging, trimming and clean up. Can do large areas. Call Gene at 971-899-1217.
Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is hiring a Dental Hygienist See the full job description in our color advertisement on page A2. To apply, please send a cover letter and an up-to-date resume to: jessica@healthysmile sofscappoose.com
ness and we are growing. Looking to hire all positions. Please call 503791-7113 to set up an interview.
School District Surplus Sale Friday, March 18th, 2022 - 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. St. Helens School District Warehouse - 58751 Saulser Road, Warren, OR 97053. The St. Helens School District will conduct a surplus sale on Friday, March 18th to dispose of district equipment declared as surplus. Items include furniture and equipment and are sold on a first come, first serve basis. Items are sold as is on site without representations or warranties. Buyer responsible for moving items prior to the conclusion of the sale. Cash or Cashier Checks only.
150
Misc Services
Cans and Bottles If you have cans and bottles that you would like to get rid of call Steve the Can Man at 971-813-9257. Will pick up.
311
Announcements
Call to artists! Spring into Art May 14, 5-8 P.M. Entries accepted May 14, 9-11 A.M. at St. Helen’s Community Center. See website for details: Columbiaartsguild.com or call 503-369-1081. Classified Ads Deadline:
Mondays by noon. Late submissions may not make the paper.
Immediate Opening Shipping/ Receiving/ Sewing Part time 6-Noon, M-Th. Apply in person only. 33550 SE Santosh St. Scappoose, OR 97056 Looking for help at the local Carwash in St. Helens and Scappoose Would be a perfect job for a retired individual or student. Please call 503791-7113 to set up an interview. Looking for help at the local Fast Lube and Oil in Scappoose We are a locally owned family busi-
The City of St. Helens is hiring a Library Director $7,494 (Step 1) to $9,176 (Step 9) Apply online at www.sthelensoreg on.gov. Open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.
690
Wanted Autos
Ca$h 4 Car$
$Drake’s Towing is now paying TOP Cash$ 4 Junk Cars!!! We buy junk/broken cars, trucks, vans, heavy equip. Top $$ paid to $100-$400. We are LOCAL, serving Columbia County. Same day service.
503-438-6099
Hosting an estate sale? Let everyone know with an ad in The Chronicle. Call St.503-397-0116. Helens
WE’RE HIRING! Head Start Needs YOU! Community Action Team Head Start is hiring in Columbia County!! We provide: • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits • Personal and sick leave • Balanced work schedules • A culturally respectful work environment We have career opportunities for a Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Cook, and Custodian. Contact JoAnne Dodge at 503-397-4114, jdodge@nworheadstart.org; or Dawn Crawford at 503-556-3736, dcrawford@nworheadstart.org
TFT construction Inc. has multiple openings we are looking to fill. We offer competitive pay, Health insurance and 401K. Please stop by the office at 53990 West Lane Road in Scappoose, or email your resume to jason@tftconstruction.net. Asphalt Paving Division: Laborers, Asphalt Raker, Roller Operator Excavation Division: General Laborers, Heavy Equipment operators, Pipe – Layers, Pipe – Laborers Trucking Division: Dump Truck Drivers – Truck & Pup and Super solos https://tftconstruction.net
702
Garage Sales
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Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: WHO AM I? ACROSS
1. Campus military org. 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca 8. 1968 hit “Harper Valley ____” 11. Turkish honorific 12. *I captained the Millennium Falcon in “Star Wars” 13. Inlet in Greenland 15. Map out 16. Pharaoh’s symbol 17. Austin Powers and Shrek to Mike Myers 18. *I developed the theory of relativity 20. Sailor’s hail 21. Lyric poem 22. Solar System center 23. Portable stairs 26. *I am Sgt. George Baker’s inept comic strip character 30. Mine deposit 31. Shape 34. Fairy tale cannibal 35. Feline sneakers 37. Lawyer group 38. *I have a coiled shell and eyes on stalks 39. Very dark black 40. Free from obstruction 42. ____ Aviv 43. Most buffoonish 45. Rest or hydration for common cold, e.g 47. Hot springs resort
48. “...he found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked ____” 50. Japanese stringed instrument 52. *I am a runaway slave, an abolitionist, and a bestselling author 55. Email destination 56. Jasmine of “Aladdin,” e.g. 57. Food fish 59. Silly 60. Self-cleaning appliance 61. Ad staple 62. O in IOU 63. P in m.p.g. 64. Affirmative, colloquially
DOWN
1. Do like Drake 2. Eye up and down 3. Bangkok native 4. Like preserved peaches, sometimes 5. Sharpened 6. Like Huck Finn’s dad, e.g. 7. *Some people call me the Rocket Man 8. *I starred as Pam in the “Meet the Parents” movies 9. *I used to host a sports show with Mike Golic 10. Commercials 12. Buddhist’s enlightenment 13. Sham 14. *I am a WWE Champion,
an actor, and my nickname is geology-related 19. Vision correctors, colloquially 22. Greek letters on campus 23. *My rÈsumÈ includes Fly Girl and “American Idol” judge 24. CuraÁao neighbor 25. Evil one 26. Fence board 27. Popular gemstone 28. Shed tears 29. *I am an American who became Princess of Monaco 32. Harangue 33. Network with an eye 36. *My TV role became synonymous with a hair style 38. Perform at the bee 40. Canada’s neighbor 41. Beginning 44. Strong adhesive 46. Contemptibly small 48. Dry white Italian wine 49. Radio receiver 50. Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will ____” 51. Piercing woodwind 52. Water quantity 53. Loafer, e.g 54. Adventure story 55. United Nations labor agency 58. Homer’s catchword
Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle.
www.thechronicleonline.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
A7
Public Notices
PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
CH22-1051
ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION AND RENOVATION BID PACKAGE: #3 - CIVIL & LONG LEAD STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PRE-BID MEETING: 3:00 P.M., MARCH 21, 2022 BID ITEMS #2 & #3 DUE: MARCH 24, 2022 AT 2:00 P.M. BID ITEM #1 DUE: MARCH 31, 2022 AT 2:00 P.M. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Hoffman Construction Company, Construction Manager/General Contractor (“CM/GC”) for ST. HELENS HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION AND RENOVA-TION (“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 #3 - Civil & Long Lead Structural Materials. A non-mandatory, but strongly encouraged, Pre-bid
Meeting has been scheduled for 3:00 p.m., March 21, 2022 at the St. Helens High School Addition and Renovation jobsite. Attendees are to meet at 2375 Gable Road, St. Helens Oregon, in Building B Commons. 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. Bidders to note, there will be an Open House event held before the official Pre-bid Meeting for local contractors based in lower Columbia County. Please join us at 2:00 p.m. before the pre-bid to learn more about upcom-
ing bid packag-es and meet the project team. 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 24, 2022 (Bid Item #2 Steel Decking & Bid Item #3 - Metal-Web Wood Joist Materials) or MARCH 31, 2022 (Bid Item #1 - Civil). 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. mar-
keting/promotional material, safety manuals, resumes, etc. is strongly 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,
CH22-1052
CH22-1054
In the Matter of the Estate of KAREN J. WOLF, Deceased. No. 22PB01281 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to pre-sent them,
Regular Meeting Time Change March 22, 2022, 4:00 p.m. The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD sched-uled for March 22, 2022, will begin at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the change is to allow time to conduct interviews, meet in Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2)(a) to consider the employment of
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUTY OF COLUMBIA NINETEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at Law Office of Amanda G. Proujan, PLLC, 1315 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims will be barred. All persons whose rights may
be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyers for the personal representative, Amanda G. Proujan. Dated and first published on March 16, 2022. Amanda G. Proujan, Personal Representative.
the $30,000 Public Works Bond must be on file 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 DistrictSpecific 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/ trade-partners. Contractor is committed to promoting and stimulating the growth of disadvantaged business enterprises, minority business
enterprises, women business enterprises, emerging small businesses and servicedisabled 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 a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, and appoint an individual to fill the vacancy of Director for Subdivision 4. 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-ofdirectors/board-meetings/ for information on attending this meeting electronically. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager.
CH22-1038
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF CH22-1045 OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the to Roger Long, Personal for the personal representaEstate of Brian Douglas Long, Deceased. Case No. 22PB00773 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Roger Long has been appointed and has qualified as the personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present them, with vouchers attached
Representative, at 2005 Saint Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, 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 from the records of the court, the personal representative or the attorney
tive, Mark J. Lang, 2005 Saint Helens St, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first published: February 23, 2022. /s/ Mark J. Lang, Mark J. Lang, OSB#973116 Attorney for Personal Representative, 2005 St Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 (503) 410-5238 Published: February 23, March 2, March 9, and March 16, 2022.
Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of ROGER MURRAY BEARDSLEY, Deceased. Case No. 22PB01136 NOTICE TO IN-TERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All per-
sons having claims against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice to the personal representative at 52490 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056, or the claims may be barred. All
persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published March 2, 2022. Rachael Lester, Personal Representative.
CH22-1592
In the Matter of Directing the Sale of Real Property Acquired by Columbia County NOTICE OF SALE BY AUCTION OF COUNTY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY Pursuant to Order No. 6-2022, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners for Columbia County on March 2, 2022, I will offer certain real property acquired by Columbia County for sale on Friday April 1, 2022, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Columbia County Justice Facility located at 901 Port Ave, in St. Helens, Oregon. Exhibit “A” provides general information about the properties or groups of properties (the “Properties”) being offered at the sale, including location, the County Assessor’s real market values, and
the required mini-mum price. The specific terms and conditions for the sale (the “Terms and Conditions”), along with other sale information, including tax maps, Assessor information summaries and earnest money agreement forms, can be viewed at the Board of Commissioners Office, Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St. Room 338, St. Helens, Oregon, or electronically at https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/ BoardofCommissionersOffice/surplus-property a link to the County’s Surplus Property page. Prospective
buyers should review all sale information carefully. The sale Terms and Conditions must be accepted by anyone bidding on a property. Sale staff will be available from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the sale location to receive signed Terms and Condition acceptance forms. Key Terms and Condition of the sale include, but are not limited to: 1. The Properties will be offered through oral auction in the order listed on Exhibit “A”, with no certainty as to the timing of a property-specific sale. 2. Properties will be sold to the highest qualified bidder for cash in accor-
Clear Page dance with a non-negotiable Bidders must deposit 15% of and Conditions will prevail. earnest money agreement the minimum bid amount on Pre-sale questions should be Notice of Budget Committee Meeting thatForm will be required for each the day of the sale, with the directed to Jacyn Normine, Oregon Department of Revenue OR-LB-NBC sale. 3. All Properties ofremainder due by April 21, County Board of CommisferedAfor sale bynotice the Sheriff 2022, asatotherwise sioners Office & Lands Use this if public comment will beor taken this meeting.speciwill be sold AS-IS without fied in the applicable earnest Administrator at jacyn. covenants or warranties of money agreement. Deposits normine@columbiacounpublic meeting of the the ______________________________ State of Oregon, to , _______________________, anyA kind, subject toBudget any Committee ofmust be submitted in the tyor.gov. Land use or code (District name) (County) municipal liens, easements form of cash, money order violation questions related the budget for the year July 1, 20_____ to June 30,check. 20_____, 5. will No be held at ________________________________________ anddiscuss encumbrances offiscal record. or cashier’s to the Properties should be (Location) a.m. Conveyance will be by elected or appointed County directed to: Land Developp.m. _____________________________________. The meetingor willemployee, take place on__________________________at __________________________. standard County quitclaim office their ment Services at 503-397(Address) (Date) deed, which can be viewed at family members, or interme1501 for Properties outside purpose offices of the meeting to receive the budget message to receive comment public on the budget. the The County or isonline diaries mayandpurchase from from theof city limits or to applicable This is a publicabove. meeting where the Budget Committee will take or place. Any person city may appear at the meeting and discuss for as provided Thedeliberation of the County, directly indiplanning departments the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. quitclaim deed will contain rectly through this auction. Properties located within city specific reservation to the 6. orInobtained the event that there is limits. Dated this 3rd day A copy of the budget document may be inspected on or after __________________________at ______________________________, (Location) (Date) County that should be rea conflict between anything of March, 2022. By: Brian a.m. a.m. viewed carefully by prospecin this notice and the Terms E. Pixley, Columbia County p.m. and ________________________________. p.m. between the hours of ______________________________ tive buyers. 4. Apparent High and Conditions, the Terms Sheriff. 150-504-063 (Rev. 11-19-21)
CH22-1050
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to ORS 477.250, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at the Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove District Office, 801 Gales Creek Road, in Forest Grove, Oregon, on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 3:00 pm, to receive from any interested persons sugges-
tions, advice, objections or remonstrance’s to the proposed budget for the Forest Protection District. A copy of the tentative budget for the Forest Protection District may be inspected during normal working hours. To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with disabilities, persons with
Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
disabilities requiring special arrangements should contact Renae Shippey, at 503-3597424 or 503-530-0271, or by email at renae.shippey@ odf.oregon.gov at least two working days in advance of the scheduled hearing. OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, CAL MUKUMOTO, STATE FORESTER
CH22-1002
NOTICE OF MEETING The Greater St. Helens Aquatic District is holding their board meeting at Eisenschmidt Pool basement at 5 p.m. on March 21, 2022.
CH22-1044 Form OR-LB-NBC
B
Notice of Budget Committee Meeting Oregon Department of Revenue
Use this notice if public comment will be taken at a later meeting.
Columbia Columbia SWCD A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the ____________________________ State of Oregon, , _________________________, (District name)
(County)
23 , will be held at ___________________________________________. 22 to June 30, 20_____ 35285 Millard Road, St. Helens 97051 on the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 20_____ (Location)
a.m. 5:00 March 31, 2022 p.m. The meeting will take place on ________________________________ at ____________________. (Date)
The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. An additional, separate meeting of the Budget Committee will be held to take public comment. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. The meeting for public comment will be on a.m.
p.m. held at___________________________________________________ May 18, 2022 35285 Millard Road, St, Helens 97051 4:00 ________________________________ at ___________________________, (Date)
(Location)
April 01, 2022 A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after __________________________________________________ a.m.
(Date)
a.m.
p.m. and __________________________. p.m. 4:30 8:30 35285 Millard Road, St. Helens 97051 at ____________________________________________, between the hours of ______________________ (Location)
150-504-063 (Rev. 11-19-21)
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A8
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Obituaries Patrick Michael Paul Jr. Feb. 6, 1971 ~ Feb. 26, 2022
Patrick Paul Jr, 51, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away suddenly at home on Feb. 26, 2022. He was born Feb. 6, 1971 in Anchorage, Alaska and graduated from St. Helens High School in 1989. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served with the 2nd Battalion 70th Armor division for three years. After separation from the Army, he studied Mechanical Engineering at LCC. He held multiple jobs within the surrounding community, including Friesen Lumber and Stimson Lumber. For the last 19 years, he was employed by Georgia Pacific Wauna Mill, where he held multiple roles, the most recent being Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor/ Planner. Patrick is survived by his wife of 27 years, Dena Paul; daughters, Amanda Paul of Clatskanie, Oregon and
Jamie Michelle Paul-Stewart (Rowdy) of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; mother Shirley Ann Paul; sister Tanya Broadbent (Mike) of St. Helens, Oregon; and sister-in-law Darci (Brian) Tiani of Clatskanie, Oregon. He also had six nieces and nephews, Kendra Broadbent, Kaylin Vaughan (Michael), and Kevin Broadbent, all of St. Helens, Oregon; Sean and Shyann Cook, both of
Vancouver, Washington; and Ryleigh Grace Tiani of Clatskanie, Oregon. Patrick loved to do many things in his spare time. He was the President and Coach of the Rainier Clatskanie Youth Soccer Club for 15 years and the coach for the Clatskanie High School Varsity Soccer team from 2014 to 2018. He was proud of the 1974 Monte Carlo that he rebuilt, working with his tractor, and riding ATVs with friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father Patrick Paul Sr. and sister Salina Cook. A celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. on Sat., March 12, 2022 at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, with Matt Hadley presiding. Memorial donations can be made to The Family Heart Foundation, 680 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 180, Pasadena, CA 91101 in Patrick’s name.
Betty Lou Krenz
June 8, 1928 ~ March 11, 2022
Betty Lou Krenz passed away on March 11, 2022. God called her home while she slept, after her family spent the evening in prayer by her side. She was 93 years old. She was born in Kelso, Washington on June 8, 1928 to George and Agnes (Howard) Hoover. Betty married Robert Krenz of White Salmon, Washington, in Hood River, Oregon on June 2, 1946. They were happily married for 68 years. Betty worked for 30 years at J.C. Penney until she retired, and she was an active member at her church, Grace Lutheran in Scappoose. Betty was a beautiful seamstress of her own clothing, as well as clothing for her children, grandchildren, and even their dolls. She also crocheted and knitted afghans and made colorful banners for special seasons and events at her church. She enjoyed time after retirement going to the
Donald Thomas Ferguson
Walter Widmer
May 17, 1934 ~ Feb. 19, 2022
Donald T. “Tom” Ferguson, age 87, of Scappoose, Oregon passed away early in the day on Feb. 19, 2022, at home. He was born on May 17, 1934, in Astoria, Oregon to his parents Donald and Elsie Ferguson. Donald attended and graduated from Warrenton High School. He went on to serve in the United States Army and work in several different industries. He attended Oregon State Police Academy, eventually going on to become an Oregon
State Police Officer. After his policeman career, he
went on to work for Blue Bell, and eventually retired from Quality Pie, where he was a traveling salesman. Donald’s hobbies included clamming, fishing, sports (especially the 49ers and the Oregon Ducks) and was a member of the Moose Lodge. Donald is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathy; children, Brian, Chari, and Teresa; sister Shirley Martin; two stepchildren, Mark and Ann; five grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren.
Neil Harrison Bundy
May 26, 1949 ~ March 5, 2022 On March 5, 2022, I lost my best friend. Neil Harrison Bundy was born May 26, 1949 to Lee and Mary in Portland, Oregon. He was the youngest of five: three sisters, Grace, Carol, and Susan and one brother, Jim. The family moved to Scappoose in 1963 and Neil graduated from Scappoose High in 1967, where he played football and baseball. In 1968, he enlisted in the Army for three years. After Basic Training, Quarter Master School, and Airborne Training, we were married on July 6, 1968, and started married life at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1969, Neil went to Vietnam and served with the 173 Airborne Brigade “Sky Soldiers.” He finished his last year back at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Divi-
sion as a Staff Sergeant E6. Neil had two sons, Wayne (DeAnna) and Mike (GiGi); and three grandsons, Joshua, Jaxon, and Ethan. Neil loved going to their games. Neil’s hobbies included travel, camping, boating, kayaking, golf, bowling, snow and water skiing, and his favorite, hunting. Neil
was also a runner doing the Hood to Coast Relay 15 times. But what really made these sports and trips special for Neil was doing them with his sons. They have endless stories. After retiring from United Grocers Cash and Carry, he played pool at the Senior Center almost every day. Many thanks to our wonderful friends and family who could never do enough for us. In lieu of a service or flowers, take time to visit someone you’ve been meaning to see; time is short. Finally, thank you, Neil, for giving me the two best sons and happiest 53 years anyone could ask for. I’ll miss our walks and holding your hand. We Love You, Wayne, Mike, Pat
beach in their travel trailer with family and friends. She was a kind and caring woman, steadfast in her faith, and a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Betty will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace with her Lord and Savior, and that she has been reunited with her husband Robert, whom she
missed every day since he passed in 2014. Betty is lovingly remembered by her sons, Paul (Marcia) Krenz and Pete (Vicki) Krenz; as well as five grandchildren, Camille (Larry) Cox, Kim (Scott) Bennett, Lee Krenz, Aimee Krenz, and Bethany (Jacob) Hull); and five great-grandchildren (Emmelia Whistler, Aaron Whistler, Andrew Whistler, Evan Hull and Eleanor Hull). She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Agnes Hoover; brothers, Elmer, Forrest, Charles, Delmer, and Cliff Hoover; sister Bonnie (Hoover) Knudtson; and husband Robert Krenz. A service to honor Betty’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., March 19, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church in Scappoose, Oregon. Betty will be laid to rest with her husband Robert at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
April 4, 1918 ~ Jan. 15, 2022
Walter Widmer, 103, died at his home in Warren, Oregon on Jan. 15, 2022. That had been his home for over 75 years and he always said that he wasn’t leaving there until they carried him out feet first! His family, friends and amazing caregivers helped make that possible. Now he is home with his Lord and Savior. Walt was born on April 4, 1918 to Fred and Rosalie Widmer in St. Johns. He was the oldest of four children including brother Ray and twin sisters Margaret and Martha. The family moved to Scappoose before Walt was of school age. He graduated from Scappoose High School
in 1936 and studied at Linfield College for a year. Walt married Lola M. Hunt from St. Helens in 1939. They had two children, Philip Widmer, deceased, and
Carol Widmer Eickmeyer; and four grandchildren, Karen Widmer Hoover, Rich Widmer, Kristen Eickmeyer Robinson, Beth Eickmeyer Matthews; and 10 greatgrandchildren. Walt retired as the Allstate Insurance agent for Columbia County in the 1980’s. He was a charter member of Warren Community Fellowship and continued his faithful attendance “online” for the last two years. Walt loved his family, his friends, his garden, his trees and his Lord. A memorial service will be held at Warren Community Fellowship in the near future.
Warren Edward Dines
March 30, 1943 ~ March 10, 2022 Warren Edward Dines, formerly of Clatskanie and St. Helens, died March 10, 2022 at a Beaverton Hospital. Warren was born March 30, 1943, in Portland to Houston and Katherine Dines. He was raised and attended school in Caldwell, Idaho, graduating in 1961. He served in the Navy from 1962-1966. After the Navy he worked at the Wauna Mill until retiring in 1999. He and Etta were married March 16, 1965, in Portland. They raised their three children, Lonny, Guy, and Amy in Clatskanie. Warren was proceeded in death by Etta on August 15, 1997.
Survivors include Laura Parrish, his partner of 22 years, at home; her daughters, Heather and Linda Parrish, of Portland; daughter Amy Nelson of Scappoose; two sons, Guy Dines and Lonny Dines, both of Clatskanie; three sisters, Karen McLaughlin of Green Valley, Arizona; Janet Rash of Oceanside, California; and Cheryl Faris of Spokane, Washington; two brothers, Dennis Dines of Homedale, Idaho, and Ron Dines of Caldwell, Idaho; five granddaughters, Katelyn Dines, of Clatskanie; Ashlyn Hocking, of Portland; Shelby Kranyak, of Bend; Jocelyn Dines,
of Portland; and Isabella Nelson, of Scappoose; two grandsons, Wade Nelson, of Culver, and Gus Nelson, of Klamath Falls; five greatgranddaughters; and two great-grandsons. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fri., March 18, 2022 at Groulx Family Mortuary, 25381 Wonderly Road, Rainier, Oregon, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Murray Hill Cemetery, 90 SW Hall Road, Clatskanie, Oregon. Memorials are suggested to the Columbia Pacific Food Bank in St. Helens, cpfoodbank.org.
Crossword Solution Solution for the March 9, 2021 crossword puzzle
Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle
Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle
Co-founder and Owner Dave Lauridsen shows off one of the brewery’s craft beers.
Dave Lauridsen turns on a beer faucet at the brewery’s pouring station.
ery Co-founder and Owner Dave Lauridsen shared an update following Crooked Creek’s soft opening the In mid-February, previous day. Chronicle first reported “Thanks to everyone Crooked Creek Brew was who came out and supredeveloping space at 1935 ported our opening night Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens to establish the new yesterday,” he stated. Using American-grown business. In a March 12 Facebook hops and central Oregon post, Crooked Creek Brew- malts for his brews, Lauridsen said his beers are disColumbia County’s trusted local news source
tinguished by their authentic Northwest flavors. The Crooked Creek Brewery taphouse in St. Helens was featured in New School Beer + Cider magazine’s “Most Anticipated Upcoming New Oregon Breweries & Taphouse of 2022.” Lauridsen said he plans to keep the taproom up and running for a couple of years, and hopefully build
Taps flow at Crooked Creek Brewery ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
a brewery from the ground up one day. Cooked Creek Brewery plans a Grand Opening March 17. The brewery is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. And open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information call 503-369-7388.
www.thechronicleonline.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
A9
St. Helens Riverwalk joint city meeting STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The St. Helens City Council and St. Helens Planning Commission will conduct a joint meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, to review progress on the St. Helens Riverfront Project. The meeting will be an opportunity for the city’s consultants to provide an update on the design efforts specific to the Streets and Utilities Extension Project. Otak, Inc. is the City’s project engineer and Mayer/ Reed, Inc. is the City’s landscape architect for the project. The consultants will present the newest project design which is currently 90% complete. Groundbreaking for the Streets and Utilities Extension Project is anticipated to begin in 2022. This project is only focused on public infrastructure and does not include any private development component. The community is invited to attend the joint meeting to learn about the design either in person or virtually. The meeting is being hosted in the St. Helens Council Chambers. Space is limited, but the presentation will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and on Zoom. A recording of the presentation will also be available to watch online the following day. This meeting is intended for the city council and planning commission to review the latest design updates from the city’s consultants and is not being held as a community open house. Because of this, there will be limited opportunity for public comment during the meeting.
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
This sky-high view shows the planned area of the St. Helens Riverwalk along the Columbia River.
Background The City of St. Helens launched the Streets and Utilities Extension Project in March 2021. The project is focused on creating design documents, securing permits, and constructing street and utility extensions for South 1st Street and Strand Street through the St. Helens waterfront property. Street extension design has been focused on creating safe pedestrian connections, inviting intersection treatments, and providing ample on-street parking. Pedestrian amenities such as landscaped seating, interpretive and wayfinding signage, more visible crosswalks, and consistent light fixtures throughout the existing area and onto the property are designed to create a cohesive Riverfront District. The March 16 presentation will include a description of the design along South 1st Street, beginning at Cowlitz Street and extending south through the waterfront prop-
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erty to Plymouth Street. The pedestrian network design for the bluff trail connecting Nob Hill Nature Park, the Tualatin Street staircase, and ultimately the future Riverwalk Project pathway at the south end of the site will also be reviewed. The bluff trail will be located immediately west of the new South 1st Street roadway. Its connection with the Riverwalk Project pathway will create a complete off-street pedestrian loop through the property, similar to the interim trail route on the site today. To see the current Riverwalk Project plans, visit the project’s website at www. sthelensoregon.gov/waterfront/page/riverwalk-project. The presentation will review how pedestrian safety on Strand Street will be improved in front of city hall. It will also show how Cowlitz Street will be extended onto the waterfront property with a traffic circle just south of Columbia View Park. The extension of Strand Street onto the
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
This is a conceptual design of the St. Helens Riverwalk Project.
property and its connection to South 1st Street will also be reviewed. The meeting presentation will be posted on the city’s website on March 15. The meeting is being held in the St. Helens Council Chambers at city hall, 265 Strand Street, Plaza Entrance in St. Helens. The facility is handicap accessible. If you need special accommodations, please contact city hall at 503-3976272 at least 48 hours before the meeting. Project background
The City of St. Helens is currently working on two riverfront projects to bring major infrastructure and public amenity improvements to the St. Helens waterfront. Both projects are focused on infrastructure development on the former Boise veneer property.
The property is a vacant 22-acre, half-mile long piece of property. It is bordered by the Columbia River to the east, Columbia View Park and the historic St. Helens Riverfront District to the north, Nob Hill Nature Park to the southwest, and Plymouth Street at its south end. The site is commonly referred to as the St. Helens waterfront property. While the purpose of the upcoming meeting focuses on the Streets and Utilities Extension Project, the city also launched the Riverwalk Project in March 2021 to design public access on the St. Helens waterfront property and a new stage for the Columbia View Park amphitheater. The riverwalk will extend along the banks of the Columbia River from Columbia View Park to Plymouth Street and Nob Hill Nature Park. The new linear park design will
incorporate a combination of pathways, boardwalks, and overlooks. Both projects are 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 St. Helens community in new ways. This redevelopment process aims 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. Read more about the St. Helens Riverwalk project at thechronicleonline.com.
FREEYARDBark DEBRIES Whale of a time along Oregon’s coastline Quality at RECYCLING SAT.,APRIL20! good at inventing and building ways to survive and thrive, and wildlife like whales do the same thing through sheer awesome power,” he said. “There’s still some mystery about their lives and seeing them in action is a thrill. Seeing them in real life is also a reminder of how we affect all marine life and have a responsibility to eliminate pollution and be careful stewards of the planet’s resources.” Havel said people are naturally attracted to the whales’ beauty, mystery, and power. “But we also appreciate being reminded of our place in these natural systems,” and it makes us all feel part of the family,” he said.
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Designated whale watching sites offer the best chances of spotting whales because of their locations, usually slightly elevated above the ocean and in areas where whales are more easily seen. Havel urges anyone seeking a good location to view to the migration, to do so cautiously.
• Take care to stay well back of cliff edges. There are fences in some places, and respect them, but not everywhere. Be your own best safety coach and be careful. After rain and wind storms, cliff edges are unstable and can give way without warning. • Check the weather and bring the right clothing to stay
HEALTHCARE
From Page A1
appointment with your established provider at the OHSU Scappoose family clinic?” one Facebook post reads. The post shot up in popularity, with 92 comments from other users and many reporting similar experiences. “I took a nasty fall in October and they (OHSU) told me that I couldn’t be seen till the 22nd of December,” one user wrote. “They said call back in 2 weeks and we will try to schedule you for May,” said another. “OHSU is working as quickly and efficiently as possible to meet demand, but two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have stretched health systems thin,” White told The Chronicle. “OHSU appreciates your patience as we work hard to meet the community’s health needs while also maintaining a high standard of care.” “I think there’s a huge amount of pent-up demand to
warm and dry. Trained volunteers will not be on site and the Spring Whale Week hosted by OPRD and volunteers is canceled for 2022. Although the Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay remains closed, OPRD is bringing back the popular whale watching livestream on the Oregon State Parks YouTube channel. The livestreams are scheduled daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21-25. The Whale Watch Center will reopen to visitors in late spring 2022.
Lean more about the whale migration at https://stateparks. oregon.gov and following the links. seek care; there are definitely some people who’ve delayed some of their care,” OHSU Center for Women’s Health Director and physician Dr. Johanna Warren said, in an interview with KPTV News. “The message that I try to tell my patients is, we absolutely care about getting you in. We may not be able to answer the phones as fast as you (us) need to. We want to hear from you and we want you to advocate for yourself to escalate if you are actually not getting what you need from our healthcare system and things are getting more urgent, let us know.” A concerning trend In June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated 41% of U.S. adults either delayed or avoided medical care over coronavirus concerns, resulting in a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Another study conducted by National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency
Sat. Mar. 26, 9-5, Sun. Mar. 27, 9-3
Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr. Portland, OR General: $12.00, Children 12 & under FREE with Adult Parking: $12.00 Daily or $24.00 for weekend This is one of the largest exhibitions of shooting sports related brands and products.
Tactical Ordnance Gun Show Sat. Apr. 2, 9-5, Sun. Apr. 3, 9-3 Columbia County Fairgrounds 58892 Saulser Rd., St. Helens, OR General: $8.00, Children under 12: Free Free Parking NO MASKS REQUIRED AT EITHER SHOW
Questions OR to be a Vendor, Contact - Julie Zielke @ 253-381-6686 Email: tacticalordnanceshow@gmail.com
Community Action Team
Courtesy from the OPRD
A gray whale rises out of the ocean along the Oregon Coast.
T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that 20% of U.S. households reported at least one family member lacking healthcare access during the pandemic. Over half (57%) reported adverse health outcomes resulting from the delays. In April 2020, there were 69,540 emergency department visits recorded in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). By June 2021, that number shot up to 117,870. OHA’s Policy & Analytics Division Communication Officer Philip Schmidt noted the volumes in Oregon’s emergency departments are “not an unusually high number,” and the 117,000 emergency visits in June “more closely represents a typical month when compared to previous, non-COVID years.” Schmidt also attributed the lower than usual numbers for emergency department visits in April to a “wide range of reasons,” the clearest of which are pandemicrelated shutdowns.
What now? While there are no hospitals in Columbia County, OHSU and Legacy Health operate clinics in St. Helens and Scappoose. OHSU Primary Care Clinic is on 51377 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose, and Legacy Health Group is on 475 S Columbia River Highway in St. Helens. For those patients worried about anything from an unusual heart murmur to a routine cancer screening, Abbott advises them to take the first step and call. “It’s always good to encourage people, pandemic or no pandemic, to please come in and get your regular care, because we absolutely do save lives,” Abbott said. “We can screen you for things that that we can prevent from you getting sick and dying. We can play a huge role in keeping people healthy out here, which we’re so proud to do.” In other words, Abbott advises you to book that appointment you’ve been dreading. Your life might depend on it.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Larger than Noah’s Ark
Big vessel on the Columbia River
Courtesy photo from Amy Trull
The Navios Unite heads up the Columbia River and back out to sea. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Double or nothing! Courtesy photo from Meagan Fawcett
A group of runners pose for this photo Saturday morning March 5 for the Hunger Run in St. Helens. Columbia Pacific Food Bank Development Director Meagan Fawcett said organizers exceeded their expectations by doubling their fundraising from last year, from $10,000 to $20,000 to support the food bank. “This was a personal push goal that I created for this event and we achieved it,” Fawcett said. “I am so proud and humbled by how our community showed up to FEED Columbia County!”
SHHS baseball opens March 18 JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The St. Helens High School Spring sports season is now underway with teams practicing for competition in the coming days. SHHS Head Baseball Coach Matt Lokken said he expects approximately 36 kids this season, allowing three teams. “It is the first time we have had three teams in four or five seasons, so I am really happy with the turnout,” he said. According to Lokken, the players should have an edge this season with their size, strength, athletic ability and their baseball-specific skills and ability. “We have some kids who can really play and having team unity/work ethic throughout the season will be our biggest room for growth,” he said. “We haven’t played a lot as a team. Our lineup and roles are a little foggy currently, so getting those etched in as soon as possible will be important for us to get players understanding their responsibilities.” Lokken said the SHHS baseball teams’ training priorities behind the basic skill development of a baseball player will be baseball IQ pace of practice, commitment to the program and arm
Metro Creative Connection
The SHHS varsity baseball team has a 24-game season scheduled.
health. “We currently have 13-14 guys competing for a varsity spot and we may need every single one of them if injuries arise or anyone drops off because of the high commitment,” he said. As a first-year head coach, Lokken said he will continue to learn more about the league, but at this point Rex Putnam, La Salle Prep, Scappoose and Willsonville will be teams to beat this season. The Chronicle asked Lokken what he hopes the SHHS players take away from their experience both as a sports competitor and for life-long lessons. “The main thing we are looking to do is build a program,” he said. “We want to have integrity with our rules and expectations and will
hold the players accountable. I think all of the coaches are highly invested in seeing St. Helens baseball succeed and that has little to do with one team and all to do with the integrity of the program and its expectations. If the kids are held to a high standard and are pushed to be their best they will build character, work ethic and be able to take constructive criticism. All characteristics which will help them be productive members of our society.” The SHHS Baseball teams’ assistant coaches include: • Varsity: Assistant- John Eckart • Pitching Coach- Topher Mood • JV Head Coach- Levi Norton • JV assistant- Jackson Hald • JV assistant- Jake Woodruff • JV2 Head Coach- Eric Reya • JV2 assistant- Justin Olsen • JV/JV2 Pitching coordinator- Lance Howard
The largest containership ever to transit the Columbia River has come and gone. The Navios Unite slowly headed for the Port of Portland through the Port of Astoria, passing Rainier, St. Helens and Scappoose on Monday, March 7.
The vessel is 1,100 feet long and can carry 8,200 containers, according to a Facebook post on The Ship Report, which states that typical containerships here are less than 1,000 feet long, and can carry about 6,000 containers. According to Balticshiping.com Navios Unite was built in 2006 by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. LTD in Ulsan, South Korea. It is
currently sailing under the flag of Liberia. It’s gross tonnage is 90,389 tons. Navios Unite is of the growing list of containerships calling on the Port of Portland, The Ship Report states. Locals spotted the The Navios Unite on Wednesday, March 9 heading back up the Columbia River to sea. The vessel’s next destination is Los Angeles.
55-year-old male on a fugitive warrant in the 2000 block of Columbia Boulevard.
Feb. 17 • Officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. The disturbance was verbal in nature and peace was restored. • An unknown suspect attempted to cut a catalytic converter off a vehicle parked on West 7th Street. • A license plate was taken from a vehicle parked on West C Street.
Police Reports
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.
March 5 • Police arrested a 31-year-old male on criminal mischief II and criminal trespass II in the 200 block of S 1st Street. Rainier Police
St. Helens Police
Feb. 10 • An officer responded to a two-vehicle, non-injury accident on Highway 30 near Rockcrest. One driver was cited for driving uninsured.
March 3 • Police responded to a death investigation in the 2000 block of Gable Road.
Feb. 11 • A wallet was taken from a customer while they were at a local business.
March 4 • Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 2000 block of Gable Road. • Police cited and released a 42-year-old subject on a fugitive warrant in the 2000 block of Oregon Street. • Police responded to a burglary call in the 300 block of 16th Street. • Police cited and released a
Feb. 16 • A vehicle in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet was vandalized. A concerned citizen called in an argument between a man and a woman. Officers discovered that the male was in violation of a no contact order. He was taken into custody without incident. An officer responded to a single vehicle, non-injury accident.
For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Feb. 18 • A vehicle was stolen from an apartment parking lot. Several items were taken from a vehicle parked at a residence. Feb. 21 • A 56-year-old Rainier resident was issued a criminal citation for trespass after choosing to ignore an eviction notice. Feb. 24 • A 31-year-old Longview resident was taken into custody on an outstanding Cowlitz County warrant. Feb. 28 • A citizen on Old Rainier Road reported mail theft.
The SHHS varsity baseball team hosts McDaniel March 18 in the first scheduled non-league contest of the 24-game season. Follow the team results at osaa.com.
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