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Local children share 1800s adventure JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Stepping back in time, might give six local children insight into the future. At least that’s the hope of Rebecca Taylor, organizer of Columbia City’s historic Caples House Museum and Oregon Honorary State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Taylor and her museum volunteers, dressed in period costumes, hosted ‘Living a Child’s Day in Oregon in 1870’ at the museum Saturday, April 3, for six local girls as part of the museum’s youth program.

When COVID struck last spring in Columbia County and across the state, Caples House Museum was required to close, cancelling all school tours, celebrations, and other group events such as weddings and meetings, according to Taylor.

“It has been a long year and with much joy we are gradually opening back up and the April 3 Youth Museum Program was our first of the season,” Taylor said. “In years past we focused on classroom field trips but since it is still not certain yet whether any classrooms will be allowed to schedule field trips this year, we decided to expand by offering weekend programs, too.”

Taylor described the three-hour April 3 program as an opportunity to offer the six children attending a fuller, richer experience of life in the mid-1800’s. Future visits could be designed for smaller groups of youth, she said, since the students are so much more involved.

“When a class of 30 visit, they only participate in three hands-on activities and receive less personal attention,” she said. “The small group visits of less than 10 are great for family groups, birthday parties, etc.”

Taylor and the museum volun-

Serving Columbia County since 1881

teers designed the ’Living a Child’s Day in Oregon in 1870’ to engage the youth with personal relationships to the past.

“We hope they develop an appreciation and respect for those who came before us - learning from their positive attributes, incorporating helpful lessons from them to meet today’s challenges and establish productive lifestyles for today,” Taylor said. “Each student who visits the museum brings with them their own needs and interests so their take-away varies. We attempt to make the visit historically informative but engaging and fun.”

Taylor describes the mission of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to provide education, historic preservation, and patriotism, such as honoring veterans.

“We hope that when young people visit the 150-year-old Caples House Museum, view the artifacts, and participate in hands-on activities, a personal interest in history may develop,” Taylor said. “Maybe something they saw or did at Caples House will personally connect them to their history courses at school and help make their studies more meaningful.

Maybe one thing they experienced will open doors to a lifelong passion in some aspect of history.”

Taylor said the girls who participated in the Saturday event left excited and proud with their projects, which included a woven basket, goose feather quill pen and journal, dipped candle, quilted potholder, tin punched lantern and a yeast roll each child made.

The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. Taylor and museum volunteers may be reached at 503293-6695, or email Taylor at dar. rebeccataylor@gmail.com.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Children experience washing clothes by hand during the youth program at the Caples House. See more photos with this story at thechronicleonline.com.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The girls use goose feather quill pens to write in their journals. See more photos with this story at thechronicleonline.com.

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Vol. 139, No. 14

Courtesy photo from Columbia River Fire & Rescue

This photo from the training event shows firefighters with water hose in hand positioning to reach fire in a vehicle.

Academy trains new fire recruits, volunteers JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

On Saturday, April 3, the CRFR recruit academy assemble at the Lee Broadbent Training Center in St. Helens to conduct a live fire training event.

The training included volunteers and new hires.

“We are so proud of the hard work all these members have put in,” a statememt reads on the CRFR Facebook page.

The post did not describe the specific training involved but did state that large amounts of

smoke would be coming from the site during the Saturday training.

“We promise it’s under control,” the post reads.

On Page A10, read more about CRFR’s response and concerns involving a rash of structure fires in the district.

Vaccination eligibility adjusted, county issues surge concerns JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net ZACK DEMARS world3news@countrymedia.net

Oregon is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include all family members of frontline workers.

Governor Kate Brown announced Tuesday, April 6, that all Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine on April 19.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Brown announced Friday, April 2, that the state is expanding its criteria of underlying health conditions to match the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) extended list.

“As we move into the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to deploy a vaccine strategy that is centered on prioritizing our most vulnerable, and ensuring access to the vaccine for everyone,” Brown said. “To do this, we need to move in a manner that is both fast and fair.”

Brown said she is also asking Coordinated Care Organizations and commercial health insurance providers to reach out to their members with underlying conditions to share information about the importance of vaccinations, and how to get connected to a vaccine.

Brown warned that Oregon’s increase in cases and hospitalizations over the past two weeks is cause for concern.

“It’s clear that, in Oregon and across the country, the fourth surge of this virus is at our doorstep.”

Brown said. “While Oregon’s case numbers fortunately haven’t matched those of other states seeing

large spikes, our numbers are rising and we are back on alert.”

Case surge in Columbia County Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul cautioned that the county’s COVID-19 case increase is concerning and may force the county back to High Risk classification. That would mean increased public restrictions.

Columbia County moved from High to Moderate risk March 26 after case numbers decreased. Over the past several days the county has seen a surge of cases linked to recent gatherings and activities in the north county, according to county public health officials.

Ten cases Wednesday, 13 cases Thursday, 13 cases Friday, and 18 cases Monday, April 5, according to the OHA. As of Monday, Columbia County’s COVID-19 cases were at 1,438 with 24 deaths.

Paul stressed that people in Columbia County need to be aware not to let their guard down and to continue wearing face coverings in public, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently to slow the pandemic.

Chronicle in-depth coverage Reporter Zack Demars monitored the Friday news briefing and has the following details.

As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again in Oregon, state officials are expanding the list of individuals eligible to receive a vaccine, despite a reduction in expected supply.

The update to the state’s vaccination plan came Friday in a press conference where Gov. Kate Brown and state health officials described the state’s next several months of

pandemic response as a tug-of-war between vaccines and virus spread.

“Make no mistake, this is a race between the vaccines and the variants,” Brown said. “It’s a critical moment for us all to double down so we can outrun this next wave.”

Brown and officials from the Oregon Health Authority announced expansions to the state’s vaccine eligibility: Starting Monday statewide, the household family members of frontline workers, as well as those with a now-wider set of underlying health conditions, will be eligible to receive a shot.

“We know it’s not easy for everyone to find the time and the transportation to get to a vaccination appointment,” Brown said. “If you’re a frontline worker making the effort, bring your family members and do it all together.”

The new list of eligible underlying health conditions brings the state’s rules in line with federal recommendations, and now includes the following: • Cancer • Chronic kidney disease • Chronic lung conditions including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension • Down Syndrome • Dementia or other neurological conditions • Diabetes, type 1 or 2 • Heart conditions • HIV infection • Weakened immune systems • Liver disease • Overweight or obesity • Pregnancy • Smoking, current or former ­­­­ See VACCINE Page A7

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Drive-through mEGGa Hunt draws many

Aurora Biggers / The Chronicle

A child holds her Easter basket in hopes of collecting treats during the drive-through. See more photos at thechronicleonline.com.

AURORA BIGGERS Chronicle Correspondent

The annual St. Helens mEGGa Egg Hunt may not have included the normal facets of a traditional egg hunt, due to COVID-19 concerns, but Columbia County families still showed up in almost full force.

This year, the egg hunt took form as a drive-through event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds inn St. Helens on Saturday, April 3. Volunteers decked-out in bunny ears and matching bunny masks handed out prepackaged goodie bags to children through the car windows, and random cars were selected for larger prizes — plush toys, puzzles, and other sponsor-donated prizes.

After cancelling the hunt in 2020 and pivoting to a

mail-in coloring contest for the children, Heather Epperly, a member of the egg hunt’s board and a sponsor through her agency, American Family Insurance, said, “Our sponsors were so wonderful last year; they just said, ‘roll over our sponsor[ship] to next year.’”

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and by 9 a.m., cars were already lined up outside the fairgrounds. Seeing that families were still eager to participate in the ‘hunt,’ Epperly made a fair prognostication, “I think it’s going to go good.” In prior years, people arrived early to the fairgrounds, in preparation for the frenzied field hunt.

“We still have all of our wonderful sponsors; we’re just not able to give everyone as much as we normally do,”

Aurora Biggers / The Chronicle

Aurora Biggers / The Chronicle

Vehicles line up as the drive-through begins at the fairgrounds. See more photos at thechronicleonline.com.

State Sen. Betsy Johnson directs traffic during the drive-through. See more photos at thechronicleonline.com.

Epperly said.

In place of pony rides and real bunnies that kids could pet, Epperly said they were able to get three new Peter Rabbit bunny costumes for volunteers to wear, and vehicles filled with families were able to drive by the bunnies and stop to wave and take photos from their cars and trucks. Columbia River Fire & Rescue also appeared with a fire truck and three volunteers, who waved at kids as vehicles exited the fairgrounds.

The event was fully run by volunteers, including annual sponsor Sen. Betsy Johnson, who handed out candy bags and directed vehicle throughout the day.

Johnson said she’s always eager to attend the egg hunt, and this year was no exception.

2,000 goodie bags prepared, approximately 1,400 were handed out—one bag per child. Epperly explained that in prior years, they saw close to 2,400 children. Volunteers redistributed the remaining bags to other local events, so all the goodies found homes.

After the event, the mEG-

Officer receives Life Saving Award

“I may have missed a year here or there, but no one would ever say no to this,” Johnson said.

Even without the traditional physical hunt or the usual food vendors, petting zoo, and other attractions, the hunt was still a big draw for families this year. Out of the

Ga Egg Hunt Facebook page posted thanking families and volunteers for showing up - “Thank you for a hugely successful mEGGa egg hunt drive thru.”

Epperly said there are already plans in place for a return to the in-person hunt for 2022.

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Sign up: www.ohsu.edu/COVIDVans Courtesy photo from St. Helens Police

St. Helens Police Chief Brian Greenway presents Officer Adam Hartless with the department’s Life Saving Award.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The St. Helens Police Department has presented Officer Adam Hartless its Life Saving Award for his successful efforts in saving an individual’s life while on duty.

The award is one of the highest honors that a St. Helens police officer can earn.

The incident unfolded at approximately 5 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2021, as St. Helens officers responded to a call for medical assistance.

Hartless arrived on scene prior to emergency medical personnel. Inside the house, he found a 46-year-old male.

“He was slumped over on the couch and he was not breathing,” Hartless told The Chronicle. “I could not feel a pulse.”

Hartless said in such an emergency, time is critical, so the officer immediately began administering chest compressions as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) needed to try to save the victim’s life.

“The most important thing is to keep the heart pumping and getting the blood pumping to the brain,” Hartless said. “My partner, Officer Terry Massey, arrived shortly after I had begun the CPR. He helped

me move the man to floor to allow better compressions.”

Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Gerhard Fiebich also arrived on the scene of the emergency carrying with him a portable automated defibrillator that the officers used to give the man a shock to help restart his heart.

“That is the first time I had delivered a shock during a CPR event and I thought it would give him a better chance to survive,” Hartless said.

Hartless continued to perform CPR for approximately six minutes until a Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) EMS crew arrived and took over medical response. The male became conscious shortly after and was transported to a Portland-area hospital where he survived.

“It was pretty amazing to see that he was breathing on his own as the EMS crew took him out of the house,” Hartless said. “I didn’t find out his full condition until about a week later.”

CRFR credited Hartless with directly saving the individual’s life.

“Had it not been for Hartless’ quick response and immediate performance of CPR, the individual would likely not have survived,” according to a release from the St. Helens Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency

Community Action Team

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Police Department.

In receiving the Life Saving Award, Hartless said he was grateful.

“I never know what to say but I am definitely grateful,” he said. “Anyone at our department would have done the same thing.

The same with the deputies and EMS. We are lucky to be in a place were we have such good law enforcement, medical and fire personnel.”

Hartless was hired by the St. Helens Police Department in April 2017 as a code enforcement officer. He was promoted to patrol officer in September 2018. Prior to working at St. Helens, Hartless served as a cadet with the Portland Police Bureau and was a bicycle officer with Portland Patrol, Inc. Hartless received the award during a presentation April 2.

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- Go to URL to sign up for your timeslot.

- Please carefully follow registration and scheduling instructions.

What else do I need to know?

- This is an outdoor testing event, so please dress for the weather.

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- If you tested positive before and do NOT have symptoms, you must wait 90+ days before getting another test.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

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OSU panel discusses post-COVID future ZACK DEMARS world3news@countrymedia.net

As vaccines spread across the globe and cities around the country thaw from under virus restrictions, one topic has been top of mind: What does a post-pandemic future look like?

A panel of Oregon State University experts have addressed the next steps for vaccinating the population, what it might take to travel internationally this summer and what lessons we can all take away from the COVID-19 crisis.

Summer fun?

International travel might be a possibility this summer — but it’ll be important for travelers to be vaccinated and aware of their surroundings, according to Chunhuei Chi, the director of OSU’s Center for Global Health.

“Even before vaccination, there’s a component of travel that’s safe, and there’s a component of travel is not so safe,” Chi said Tuesday.

According to Chi, airplane flights are actually safer than some might expect: With planes constantly filtering the air, that regular scrubbing can make them cleaner than other indoor spaces.

But areas outside the plane can be more challeng-

ing: Security check areas and other common spaces in airports can promote higher risks if they’re not adequately spaced apart or cleaned regularly, Chi said.

And since each country has had a different virus response, every corner of the globe faces a slightly different state of the virus.

Chi said some regions are still experiencing significant virus spread and mutation, while others are living life close to normal after strong lockdowns all but kept out the virus.

“I would suggest, look at the destination,” Chi advises travelers. “You want to see the country you’re traveling to be relatively safe, and there’s no new variants ....”

An annual vaccine?

The first round of COVID-19 shots might not be the last, according to Gaurav Sahay, an associate professor of pharmacy who’s an expert in vaccine development.

Since the virus won’t be going away even when many more people are vaccinated, continued mutations could reduce the effectiveness of already existing vaccines, Sahay said. That could make it necessary to get a new shot every year, just like for the flu.

“There is an assumption that perhaps this might be

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

The experts agreed: The response to COVID-19 has exposed plenty of cracks in public health systems across the country and state that can be improved before future crises.

an annual event, because the virus will still be around,” Sahay said. “But having said that, new technologies are being built and the hope is that this would really go down. So they are working on basically doing a booster shot.”

And according to Brett Tyler, who directs the university’s project to sequence and catalogue variants of the virus in Oregon, making sure populations across the globe are vaccinated could help reduce variants in the future.

That’s because the more the virus spreads, the more it mutates — meaning there’s a higher likelihood it’ll mutate in a way that makes it less

susceptible to the vaccine.

“It’s going to be very important to help countries all around the world control the virus,” Tyler said. “If we vaccinate all Americans but the virus is running unchecked elsewhere in the world, that creates the possibility of more and more variants appearing and returning back onto our shores, and this is one of the challenges that China is facing right now.”

Public health failures?

The experts agreed: The response to COVID-19 has exposed plenty of cracks in public health systems across the country and state that can

be improved before future crises.

“It’s also laid bare the systemic inequities in our healthcare system — the lack of access particularly for persons with disabilities, the lack of access for vulnerable and minority communities and special populations,” said Courtney Campbell, who’s researching the prioritization of vaccine distribution.

Since some groups already have more difficulties getting access to health care — like those with lower incomes, those who aren’t as mobile or those without internet — the stress the pandemic has put on the system has made it even harder.

Campbell points to vaccine distribution as an example, and how the state’s Latino population has made up a larger share of Oregon’s virus cases but a smaller share of its vaccinations.

The distribution’s also shown how struggles in public health staffing can stymie vaccination efforts, said Joseph Agor, who studies vaccine supply chains.

“I can have millions or trillions of pounds of supplies, but if I don’t have the people to distribute it, then really it’s just going to create longer lines, waits and inefficiencies that really weren’t planned to be there to begin with,” Agor said.

And the hesitancy among

some groups to get vaccinated has shown the impact systemic healthcare challenges, according to Daniel López-Cevallos, an associate professor of ethnic studies.

“It takes a consistent, thoughtful, conscious effort to reach out to those communities, so if those systems haven’t been there in the past, it makes it that much harder,” López-Cevallos said.

Or reasons to cheer?

But an analysis of the public health response to the virus shouldn’t be all doom and gloom, according to Marion Ceraso, an associate professor who studies public health communication.

The fact that experts have gotten effective vaccines onto the market in less than a year is something to celebrate, Ceraso said — and something that celebrating might actually encourage more people to get vaccinated.

“I think as that community experience grows, the resistance to accepting the vaccine will get lower,” Ceraso said. “These vaccines are an incredible, amazing public health success story, and I think we need to share that information with the public to really fully inform them of this picture.”

The OSU experts held the COVID-19 panel discussion on March 30.

2 face charges in funeral home fraud

Courtesy photos from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

Clatskanie residents Brandee Figueira, 31, and Lynn Nakaahiki, 54, have been taken into custody on multiple counts of forgery, theft, aggravated theft, and racketeering.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Two people face multiple charges following their arrest in a Columbia County forgery investigation.

In August of 2019, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were contacted by the owners of Groulx Family Mortuary in Rainier, concerning a possible theft of funds from the business. The report-

ing parties alleged that two employees, were keeping customer deposits and forging contracts. The stolen funds were reported to be missing from payments made by families making funeral arrangements from 2016 to 2019.

After interviewing multiple customers of Groulx Family Mortuary, the investigation showed contracts were missing, altered, and/ or forged and approximately $50,000 was identified as stolen, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s investigators.

On April 2, 2021, Brandee Figueira, 31, and Lynn Nakaahiki, 54, both from Clatskanie, were taken into custody on multiple counts of forgery, theft, aggravated theft, and racketeering.

Police tracking counterfeit $20s JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Reports of counterfeit money circulating in the south Oregon coastal community of Bandon, come with a twist.

The Bandon Police warning said fake $20 bills found circulating in the community were first discovered by a local bank, where tellers alerted law enforcement.

While the bills look like real money, there is one easy way to be sure. On the top of the fake bills, it is printed “For Motion Picture Use Only.”

The discovery is valuable information for businesses in Oregon because it comes as many are reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

In many cases, counterfeit case is passed during high business times, investigators said.

Often, the suspect is from out of the area and attempts to pass the counterfeit bill when

Courtesy photo from Bandon Police

The give-away that this is a fake $20 is printed across the top of the bill. “For Motion Picture Use Only.”

it is busy in the business. The suspect will specifically time it and work it when it is busy, according to police.

Law enforcement officials urge business employees to take the time necessary to carefully check the bills. If you suspect counterfeit, get a good description of the person passing the money and a vehicle license pate number, then call police.

Officers urge employees not to confront anyone passing what appears to be

counterfeit money. If you can do so safely, without putting yourself in danger, notify police while the person is still at the business.

Many times, counterfeit suspects purchase small items and pay with large bogus bills, according to police.

As police confiscated the fake cash it’s stored in evidence and later sent to the U.S. Secret Service.

The Coos Bay World contributed to this report.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Garden Plots: Starting a vegetable garden CHIP BUBL Chronicle Guest Article

If you have never had a vegetable garden or your experience vegetable gardening was a long time ago, you may be unsure about how to start and which vegetables to try. Here are a few ideas that may help your garden flourish: Vegetable gardens need at least six hours of sun. The more sun the garden gets, the more vegetable choices you have and the faster the vegetables will grow. If you are near or below six hours of sun, concentrate on leafy greens (lettuce, kale, chard, etc.), beets, and carrots.

If possible, create your garden where it is easily visible from the house. After planting, there are lots of things that can be done in short blocks of time like weeding out plant competitors and thinning out your crop to give each plant the space to thrive. You are more likely to do it if it is nearby.

Start small with your first garden. A 10 foot by 10 foot garden can grow quite a bit. You could easily have a couple of tomato plants (one cherry type and one regular type), some peppers, rows for greens like lettuce, chard and/or kale, a pole bean trellis on the north side of the garden, maybe beets and/or carrots, and a zucchini. It probably is too small for sweet corn but that can come next year if the garden gets bigger.

If your prospective garden is now grass, you can either turn it all under with a shovel or first remove the grass and then dig up the soil underneath. It is generally better to remove the sod which you can pile into the odd corner and cover with black plastic. It will compost over the summer and can be added back to the garden next year. But either technique will work. If the ground seems to wet to dig, it probably is. Wait until lit dries out a bit.

Add agricultural lime at the rate 15 pounds or so per 100 square feet. Add fertilizer to provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at the rate recommended on the bag. Nitrogen is the key element that determines the application rate. The product can be organic or conventional.

Get your peppers and tomatoes started indoors.

Beans can be started from seed (get the trellis ready if growing pole green beans) indoors as can kale, lettuce,

chard, and beet. Plant carrots and beets by making a shallow furrow in your soil, plant the carrots, and then cover the seed with a thin topping of potting mix. They will germinate much better.

Same with beets. Carrots can be planted in blocks with “mini” rows 4 inches apart and leaving, after thinning, one carrot per 3 inches within the rows. Carrots will also need to be thinned once they are growing to about 1 plant for every three inches of row. Same for beets. Kale will need wider row spacing as will lettuce

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 and volunteers are available to help chose plants suggest gardening ideas and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more in-formation see www.scappoosebay-wc. org/nursery-sales. This event allows for pre-purchase by April 3 and pick-up the day of the sale. There will be limited walk-in to the nursery on the sale day itself.

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-3973462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate. edu.

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and chard (6+ inches between plants). Lettuce can be purchased as transplants. It is usually best to transplant in the evening, so plants have a chance to get established overnight before sun the next morning. Potatoes can be planted about 12 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. They can take up a lot of space.

Water and weed as needed. If deer are wandering through your yard, they like to eat almost everything you like. So, find a way to fence them out with a gate that you can open and close as needed. They generally won’t jump into a fenced area as small as 10 x 10 but no promises.

For more information, go on-line to get Growing Your Own, an Oregon State University publication: catalog. extension.oregonstate.edu/ em9027/html. This is one excellent publication.

Scappoose Bay Watershed Council’s Native Plant Sale Saturday Join the Watershed Council at their Spring Native Plant Sale Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SBWC nursery, located

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

Many Extension publications available online 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 catalog.extension.oregonstate. edu. Click on publications and start exploring.

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

Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County • Address: 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 • Phone: 503-397-3462 • Email: chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu

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Vote online at thechronicleonline.com Letters policy: This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies.

Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published).

By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online.

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

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Voices of the Community Corporate taxes American corporate federal tax receipts reached its zenith in 1944 America providing a whopping 25% of tax revenue. We needed it. We were in the midst of fighting WWII. We were counting on Ford, Boeing, and other corporations to out build the Axis and the federal contracts were huge.

By 2017 corporate America had long ago adjusted to one of the highest corporate rates in the world by offshoring their businesses. Though the 2017 federal rate of 35% had come down from a high of 52% from 1952-1963, only 8.33% of tax receipts were corporate and had remained there +/- since 1980.

With the 40% reduction starting in 2018, the news was out: Investing in America wouldn’t place you at the disadvantage it had since WWII. What followed was a historic reinvestment in America of $1.6 trillion over the ensuing 3 years. (Wall Street Journal 2 April; Biden’s Stumble in the Global Tax Race).

Raising corporate taxes won’t provide an increase in tax receipts over time. Companies will quickly shift back to offshore remedies.

Employment, wages, and investment will shift momentum.

Write your congressman.

I just did.

Wayne Mayo Scappoose

Road improvement concerns

Summer Hoag for Scappoose School Board

I have been watching the new projects and proposals in St. Helens and Scappoose costing millions of dollars.

I have lived in the Warren area for 21 years. I travel on Slavens Road, off Highway 30. It is one of the worst roads with cracking, potholes and uneven pavement.

It is hard for me to understand how they can start all these new projects but can’t even fix our existing roads. I have called the road department several times and have been told “we will fill out a work request.” They come out and fill a couple of pot holes.

I am sure there are many other roads that you travel that are also deteriorating.

The high taxes we are paying should go to fix these roads.

Let’s take care of existing problems in our area before we start new projects. If you feel the same as I do, let the county road department know by calling 503-397-5090.

Thank you.

Summer Hoag is a great choice for the Scappoose School Board.

She’s heavily involved in all of the Scappoose schools, local extracurricular programs, fundraising and sports teams.

Summer has been a volunteer at every level possible in this district. I have known nothing but integrity, kindness, generosity, professionalism, and a friendly demeanor from her.

Summer will always put what is in the best interest of our kids first. Summer is running for all of the right reasons. Keeping the kids as her priority for any and all decisions.

Being a pediatric nurse has given Summer a unique skill set for this position.

She has dedicated her personal and professional life to doing what’s best for ALL kids.

I fully trust my children with Summer and you should also.

Vote for Summer Hoag our kids need her.

Jan Campbell Warren

Melissa Perri Warren

Community Calendar April 10 • Scappoose Bay Watershed Council’s Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SBWC nursery, located behind Scappoose High School. The semi-annual event offers many new plants at – all native to our area. Staff and volunteers are available to help chose plants suggest gardening ideas, and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more information, see www.scappoosebay-wc.org/ nursery-sales/.

April 15 • Special City of St. Helens Council Session A special session of St. Helens City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 15, at the City of St. Helens Recreation Center, 1810 Old Portland Road, St. Helens.

The purpose of the special session is to review the City’s tourism program and discuss future plans. For more information, call 503-366-8217.

April 21 • The St. Helens City Council holding public forums on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Public forums are a chance for your local government to share information about projects and services in a more relaxed setting. They offer an opportunity for the community to learn more about what the city is doing and provide a space to ask questions. The first public forum will focus on the development of the St. Helens Waterfront. Meeting details, including an agenda, will be available on the City’s website closer to the meeting date.

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

April 24 • SOLVE Oregon Spring Clean-Up Bring your old appliances, scrap metal, yard debris, car batteries, old furniture, tires, unwanted items, and acceptable hazardous waste materials to McBride Elementary School between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your garden tools to the Courthouse Plaza at 230 Strand Street and join volunteers in pulling weeds and planting flowers behind the Columbia County Courthouse with the St. Helens Economic Development Corporation and SOLVE Oregon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. For more details, visit the City of St. Helens events page website.

See more community calendar items at thechronicleonline.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in county: $8 1 month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80

CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 • Website: www.thechronicleonline.com • Editorial: chroniclenews@countrymedia.net Advertising: atrull@countrymedia.net or chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net • FOLLOW US • facebook.com/sthelenschronicle or twitter.com/shchronicle

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

A5

New approach to protecting threatened species STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

The Council of Forest Trust Land Counties (CFTLC) said it will explore an alternative approach to protecting threatened species on state forest trust land.

The approach would provide a counter plan to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), one the counties believe will lead to better outcomes for the species and for the counties that benefit from the social and economic benefits of timber harvests, according to a release from the CFTLC. “The state has an obligation to manage county trust lands to meet environmental, economic, and social outcomes,” CFTLC Chair and Tillamook County Commissioner David Yamamoto said.

“The draft HCP put forth

by ODF fails to meet those outcomes.”

Yamamoto said while the CFTLC counties are not opposed to the state’s pursuit of an HCP, they are discouraged by the narrow and exclusive manner in which it was developed and expect ODF and the federal services to consider all viable alternative proposals going forward.

“We believe there are better ways to protect threatened species that will also allow for

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

The Council of Forest Trust Land Counties (CFTLC) said it will explore an alternative approach to protecting threatened species on state forest trust land.

more harvest and revenue for local communities,” Yamamoto said.

With the intention of improving conservation and economic outcomes on state forestlands, ODF developed a 70-year HCP with the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The process took place with little stakeholder input. When the draft plan was released in 2020, ODF announced it would focus on creating new habitat for threatened species, setting aside upwards of 60 percent of state forestland, and reducing harvests 25-30 percent from current levels.

The federal agencies will spend the next 18 months reviewing the proposal and assessing potential environmental and social impacts, a process wherein the public is encouraged to submit comments and alternative

analyses.

CFTLC is comprised of counties that have a contractual relationship with the State of Oregon relating to management of state forestland, according to Yamamoto.

The state manages the land on behalf of the counties and distributes 64 percent of harvest revenues to the counties for schools, roads, law enforcement, and other public services.

Despite this relationship, the counties were largely excluded from providing input for the HCP process, county concerns centered around the need for greater consideration of the socio-economic impacts that productive forests provide, the CFTLC release states.

“Under the proposed HCP, ODF follows the same model applied to our federal forests in the 1990s under the Northwest Forest Plan that was supposed to protect the northern spotted owl by

reducing harvests and creating more habitat,” CFTLC Vice Chair and Coos County Commissioner John Sweet said. “Decades later, spotted owl populations continue to decline while rural communities have been devastated by lack of economic opportunity and severe wildfire. We need to use lessons from the past to create more manageable plans.”

According to Sweet, as evidenced by the Northwest Forest Plan, setting aside millions of acres without managing direct threats to the species does little to nothing to protect the species. CFTLC is looking to blend productive forest management and conservation creating a win-win.

Under the alternative the counties are considering, stronger protections for northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets would be achieved by directly managing the threats they face from the invasive barred owl,

corvids, and jays. The plan would also emphasize developing nesting platforms and focus on population numbers rather than total acres. The proposal, being developed by the natural resource consulting service Mason, Bruce, and Girard, will do more to protect species without setting aside as many habitat acres of forest trust lands.

“Our biologists have decades of experience studying and understanding critical species in the Pacific Northwest,” Mark Rasmussen, principal at Mason, Bruce, and Girard said. “Our preliminary results show that setting aside acres without actively managing the threats against the species will not be enough to ensure survival. We look forward to working with the services to further analyze this proposal.”

“ODF’s model assumes if you simply create habitat, the species will return, Yamamoto said. “This has proven

again and again to be costly and ineffective at addressing the complex environmental problems that plague salmon, spotted owl, and marbled murrelet. As social and economic losses associated with these conservation measures will be borne entirely by the rural communities that surround these forests, the state owes it to them to consider alternative options and all the tools at their disposal.”

Yamamoto said the CFTLC believes its alternative will provide a path forward that will lead to better conservation outcomes without devastating one of the few remaining sources of revenue and good, year-round employment in our communities.

On March 8, NOAA Fisheries filed a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for ODF’s HCP. The alternative proposal is expected to be presented to the CFTLC and then submitted into the scoping process before the comment period ends on April 7.

The Oregon Board of Forestry will ultimately decide whether to adopt the HCP as is or entertain amendments and alternatives. The CFTLC representatives said the group hopes the county alternative will receive the consideration it deserves.

Crossword Puzzle

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE OSCARS ACROSS

1. Hedgehog of video games 6. And so forth, acronym 9. *Oscar-nominated black and white movie 13. Treeless plain 14. Grazing field 15. Moses’ mountain 16. Sty sounds 17. Nelson Mandela’s org.

18. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 19. *Posthumous nominee 21. *Anthony of “The Father” 23. “What’s up, ____?”

24. Huge pile 25. Protestant denom.

28. Feed storage cylinder 30. Load again 35. Relating to ear 37. Flighty one 39. Proclaimed true without proof 40. Musician David Lee ____ 41. Ascetic holy Hindu 43. Eastern European 44. Plural of #10 Down 46. 500 sheets 47. Looking for aliens org.

48. Kitchen whistler 50. Wails 52. Bad-mouth 53. Medieval torture device 55. Pied Piper follower

57. Politburo hat fur 61. *Daniel of “Judas and the Black Messiah” 65. Raspberry drupelets 66. Fuss, to Shakespeare 68. Void, as in marriage 69. Defective car 70. Given name of Jack Kerouac’s Paradise 71. ____ of Honor 72. Adam and Eve’s first residence 73. Money in Myanmar 74. Shoemaker without shoes, e.g.

DOWN

1. Undesirable roommate 2. Medley 3. Grannies, in UK 4. Tattooed 5. Universe 6. Panache 7. *Most 2021 Oscar nominations for one film, #9 Across 8. Secret storage 9. Stole fur 10. One opposed 11. Indian restaurant staple 12. U.S. customary unit of force, pl.

15. Soaked 20. DNA and RNA 22. Argonaut’s propeller

24. Shared work surface at an office 25. *Sasha Baron Cohen’s “Subsequent Moviefilm” role 26. Be sorry for one’s wickedness 27. Pita, in UK 29. *Like Roberto Benigni’s fictional son 31. Husband to a widow, e.g.

32. Checked out 33. Stradivari competitor 34. *”Fences” winner and “Ma Rainey” nominee 36. Poker ante 38. *”Nomadland” director 42. Shadow 45. *The Trial of the Chicago 7” screenwriter 49. Greek “t” 51. Sandwich sausage 54. Necklace lock 56. Radio receiver 57. Nutritious leafy green 58. Got A+ 59. Ice on a window 60. Happening soon, old fashioned 61. Caffeine-containing nut tree 62. Editing arrow 63. Chinese monetary unit 64. Friend in war 67. *Nominee for Billie Holiday role

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle.

Crossword Solution Solution for the March 31, 2021 crossword puzzle

Pet

of the Month Meet Boaz

Contact Columbia Humane Society Website: columbiahumane.com Phone: 503-397-4353

This guy is going to need a home where he could stretch his legs and get the daily exercise that he needs. He is very big and very goofy and sometimes has no idea his own size.

urbanpacific REALESTATE Columbia County Division proudly sponsored by

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www.thechronicleonline.com

A6

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Pinwheels stress prevention the communities.

Research shows that protective factors are present in healthy families, the agency states in a release, adding that protective factors are conditions or attributes of individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that mitigate risk and promote healthy development and wellbeing.

Healthy Families of Columbia County states that promoting the following protective factors is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect: Courtesy photo

Pinwheels and ribbons for prevention have been placed at the front entrance of St. Helens Community Action Team Building.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Columbia County had 198 founded child abuse cases, according to the latest figures available in the state of Oregon, Child Abuse 2019 Data Book.

Community Action Team Inc., Northwest Oregon Healthy Families is Columbia County’s largest child abuse prevention program offering home visiting services for prenatal or new birth families.

This year the agency has put out ribbons and pinwheels to symbolize local child abuse data. Each ribbon placed on the railing outside the Community Action Team Building in St. Helens represents a founded child abuse case in Columbia County.

Healthy Families of

Columbia County serves approximately 40 families each calendar year. Healthy Families empowers parents to be their child’s best teacher from the very start, supporting family’s healthy growth and development, according to a release from the agency.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This month and throughout the year, Community Action Team Inc., Healthy Families encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Columbia County a better place for children and families.

The agency states that by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, child abuse and neglect can be prevented by creating strong and thriving children, youth, and families in

• Nurturing and attachment • Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development • Parental resilience • Social connections • Concrete supports for parents • Social and emotional competence of children “April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children and strengthening families,” Community Action Team Director Dan Brown said.

“Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to connect with families is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”

For more information about child abuse prevention programs, contact Community Action Team Inc., Healthy Families at 503-366-6556.

City library reopens Tuesdays from 10 a.m. on the Library porch.

Take and Make kits are back. Each week, we’ll have a limited supply of kits available that will contain all the materials you need for an activity for kids and families. Follow us on Facebook for details or stop by on Tuesday mornings to pick one up.

Nature buddies

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The St. Helens Public Library is located at 375 S 18th Street in St. Helens.

The St. Helens Public Library is now open for browsing and public computer use.

The library has offered a curbside service, at 375 S. 18th Street in St. Helens, for people to pick up reserved library materials since early June 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Library patrons can continue to use that service or choose to come into the library to make their own material selections.

All people entering the building are required to wear a mask. We look forward to seeing you.

Library hours for curbside service, browsing, and public computers: • Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Friday: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Take and make kits

Thursdays at 11 a.m. at McCormick Park Veterans Plaza.

Join us for a nature activity in the park. Each week the St. Helens Recreation Program and St. Helens Public Library will present a short readaloud story and provide an activity/lesson to hand out to parents/carers to do with their youth. This is a parent/carer-led activity and is aimed at children up through age 5. Please stay in your family groups and practice social distancing. Dress for the weather and trail walking. Let’s get some fresh air and have fun.

To reach the library, call 503-397-4544.

Obituaries Gregory Lee Allen

April 30, 1941 ~ March 26, 2021 Gregory Lee Allen passed away on March 26, 2021 after an almost six-year battle with cancer. In his final days, he was visited by many family members and friends.

He was 79 years old. He was born on April 30, 1941 in St. Helens, Oregon to Joseph and Bertha Allen. He served in the army and was stationed in Louisiana soon after graduating from St. Helens High School in 1960.

Greg married Diane Dahl in 1977, and they became life-long residents of St. Helens, raising their two children. Greg worked for many businesses in Columbia County, including driving a few years for Grau Trucking, as well as DuBois Wrecking Yard for 15 years. He then worked for the Columbia County Road Department in

1976 until he retired in 2003.

Greg was a jokester, loved to laugh, and never called anything or anyone by their proper name. He was always tinkering with cars and lawn mowers at his home where he stashed many gadgets and car parts in his basement, much

to the chagrin of his wife and children. He loved taking his peels (rides) daily, going to the beach, Friday night dinners with his family, and loved Dutch Bros.

Greg was preceded in death by his wife Diane Allen; his parents; and his sister Jean.

He is survived by his son Ryan (Brie) Allen; daughter Kristy Reynolds; four grandchildren, Sidney, Brooke, and Natasha Allen and Kaiden Patterson; greatgranddaughter Adalynn; nephew Kenny (Doreen) Shadley from Arizona; along with two great-nephews; and two great-nieces.

A celebration of Greg’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Warren, Oregon.

Karen Marie Jensen

March 9, 1943 ~ March 29, 2021 Karen Marie Jensen of Scappoose, Oregon passed away peacefully in St. Helens, Oregon on March 29, 2021 at the age of 78. She was born in Portland, Oregon March 9, 1943 to Mona Grow and Marvin Birkes.

Karen worked in various jobs from Pendleton Wolen Mills to Riverside Training but her true dedication was to her family as a homemaker.

In her free time, she loved sewing, gardening and riding her horses.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years Arnold Jensen II; and their three sur-

viving children, Eric Jensen, Heidi Bradford and Heather

Epperly; 15 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and her siblings, Sandy Schuler, Butch Birkes and Rick Birkes.

She was preceded in death by their two sons, Arnold Jensen III and Mark Jensen; and brother Darrell Birkes.

A funeral service was held April 5, 2021 at the St. Helens Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints with an interment at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Scappoose, Oregon. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbiafh.com.

Shirley Ann Tomanka

Sept. 23, 1936 ~ March 29, 2021 Loved by many and missed by all ~ Shirley Ann Tomanka passed away on March 29, 2021. She was born on Sept. 23, 1936 in Pennington County, South Dakota. Shirley was the first-born child to Clifton and Dorothy (Wright) Smith. Having attended the first grade in South Dakota, Shirley spent the remaining school years in St. Helens, Oregon.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Jean, Jackie, Barbara and Judy.

Surviving Shirley is her husband Charles Tomanka;

sons, Mike (Cami) and Dennis; daughter Kathy Meletis (Chris); ex daughter-in-law Lorrie; grandchildren, Amber, Ashley, Andy, Nicholas, Matthew, Amanda and Melinda; great grandson Cal; sister-in-law Delores; sister Marilyn Putman (Douglas); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Shirley passed away on March 29, 2021 at Meadow Park Care facility in St. Helens, Oregon. At her request, there will be no service.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

A7

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Eagle-eyed egg hunters

Courtesy photo from SRFPD

Two of the child winners in the Scappoose Hunt.

The Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District completed its Easter egg hunt adventure in a partnership with local businesses.

“We had some eagleeyed egg hunters strolling through town the last few weeks,” the SRFPD Facebook post reads. “Of the almost 90 eggs displayed in business windows, these hunters found between 60-71, making them our winners.

“We’d like to thank all the participants, their parents, and the businesses who graciously displayed our eggs. When the kids dropped by the station to pick up their prizes, each one remembered at least one of the fire safety messages they saw on the eggs.

We call that success.”

SRFPD asks the public to join in congratulating Max and Renee, Emily and Elijah, Gemma and Paige, and Hailey.

See more photos of the child winners with this story at thechronicleonline.com.

Basic training graduation STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) announces the graduation of Basic Corrections Local #BCL044 and its 82nd Basic Parole and Probation Officer Class, Friday April 9, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The graduates include, Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Sheriff Brandon Clapshaw and Columbia County Community Corrections Parole and Probation Officer Elizabeth Norvald.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the need for social distancing the DPSST regrets that this ceremony will be closed to the public. However, the DPSST would like to publicly congratulate Basic Corrections Local class #044 and the Basic Parole and Probation Class #82 on their successful completion of basic training.

VACCINE From Page A1

• Sickle cell disease • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant • Stroke or other cerebrovascular disease • Substance use disorder A complete list of eligibility definitions is available on the state’s website at covidvaccine.oregon.gov/.

Friday’s change comes as the virus “appears to be rebounding,” according to State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger.

“We continue to see a general trend of increasing daily cases along with virusrelated hospitalizations,” Sidelinger said.

The increases mean some counties could return to higher levels of virus restrictions in the coming weeks as case rates continue to rise, Sidelinger said.

The health officials said they had no plans to change the current virus restriction framework, despite objections from some that the risk level model is too restrictive on businesses, and objec

tions from others that the state should be enacting more restrictions in the face of increased virus spread.

Instead, Brown, Sidelinger and OHA Director Patrick Allen repeatedly stressed the actions residents can take to slow the spread of the virus, even if they’ve already been fully vaccinated: Wearing face coverings, washing hands, maintaining social distancing and getting vaccinated when possible.

“The good news is, now when we face a surge, we know how to protect ourselves and others, with powerful safety measures like mask wearing and avoiding large social gatherings. And

we have three safe and effective vaccines rapidly rolling out,” Brown said.

Still, meeting the state’s original vaccination targets is looking to be less of a possibility, as vaccine manufacturer Johnson & Johnson announced this week a production error could force it throw out millions of notyet-distributed doses.

“That shortfall results in about an eight- or nine-day setback in the timeframe when cumulative doses in Oregon would exceed the number of people who are eligible,” Allen said.

In other words, the state’s projection of when it’ll have vaccinated all eligible adults

is moving past its previous late-May projection.

“Oregon will not delay our vaccine eligibility timelines despite the disruption in Johnson & Johnson doses,” Allen said. “However, we may need to temper our hopes of having enough doses to vaccinate all Oregonians over 16 by late May, and bump that expectation back a couple of weeks.”

Allen also said some regions of the state have begun to see a concerning trend of seniors choosing to wait to the get the vaccine, instead of getting it as they become eligible.

Seven in 10 seniors have already gotten vaccinated,

but Allen said several counties report less than five in 10 have been vaccinated due to low demand, including Douglas, Gillam, Grant, Lake, Malheur, Morrow and Umatilla.

“The serious risk the virus poses to older adults far outweighs the temporary discomfort and disruption you might experience from getting a vaccine,” Allen said, encouraging older adults not to wait to get vaccinated.

And Sidelinger announced the state detected more than 200 previously unreported cases of a California variant of the virus, which the CDC says can spread more quickly and is less susceptible to some treatments and vac

cines.

Those variants and the state’s recent increases in cases suggest a continued need to stay vigilant, according to Brown.

“I’m obviously very concerned about the increased spread of the virus throughout Oregon,” Brown said.

“That’s why we are working hard to get more Oregonians to get vaccinated, particularly our most vulnerable populations. I’m asking Oregonians to continue to rely on safety measures.”

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

www.thechronicleonline.com

CH21-1657

CH21-1654

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

On Monday April 19, 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Columbia County Planning Commission will have a work session on April 19, 2021, regarding the adoption of new forest zone rules implementing State Law from 2019 House Bill 2225 and House Bill 2469.

These new rules will modify the Primary Forest Zone, Section 500 of the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. This work session meeting will be informational and discussion only, no public hearing or decision will be made at this meeting. (File # TA 20-03). SAID PUBLIC MEETING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commission on: Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:30 pm.

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Columbia County Planning Commission will be hosting

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

their public hearing via online webinar.

Please use the links below if you wish to participate in the public meeting. Online Access Information: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (PDT). Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https:// global.gotomeeting. com/join/721407565 You can also dial in using your phone.

United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 United States: +1 (646) 749-3129 Access Code: 721-407565 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/ install/721407565 If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 3971501.

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

A9

Public Notices CH21-1653

CH21-1655

OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER NOTICE There will be a pubof the meeting is to receive please contact our Adminlic meeting of the Budget the budget message and to istrative staff at 503-366PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT Committee of the Columbia receive comment from the 6973. Instructions will also Special Meeting – Workshop on April 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. The Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD (PUD) will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

The Board will meet in a workshop setting to discuss the PUD’s Energy Services

Programs, and any other business that may come before the Board. The Regular Meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. immediately following the Workshop. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made at least 48 hours in

CH21-1659

CH21-1661

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES AVAILABLE FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY AVAILABLE The statement of procedures for Columbia County are available for review at the Columbia County Courthouse and the follow-

advance by contacting the Administrative Assistant at 503-366-9916. 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. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager

ing libraries: Scappoose, Clatskanie, Rainier, Columbia City, St. Helens and Vernonia.

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING McNulty Water PUD Board Meeting will be held April 20, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom. If you would like to attend this Zoom meeting please contact Shannon at 503-397-1301 for information.

CH21-1656

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINE PARK DUMP STATION INSTALLATION The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for Installation of a Dump Station at the Scappoose Bay Marine Park. Interested contractors may obtain the

RFP documents from the Port’s website, www.portofcolumbiacounty.org; from the Port Office located at 100 E. Street, Columbia City, from 8:00 to 5:00pm; or via email

at jensen@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00pm on Monday, April 19, 2021.

For questions, please call 503-397-2888.

CH21-1660

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION of the Board of County Commissioners of COLUMBIA COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Oregon, Petitioner For a Judicial Examination and Judgment Of the Court as to the Regularity, Legality, Validity and Effect of the Proposed Columbia County Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance Case No: 21CV12796 NOTICE AND SUMMONS (Special Statutory Proceeding; ORS 33.710 to 33.720; No Jury Trial Available) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA TO: Columbia County, a political subdivision of the State of Oregon, and to all qualified electors, freeholders, taxpayers, and other interested persons: NOTICE AND SUMMONS is given that a petition has been filed in the Circuit Court for Columbia County by the Board of County Commissioners of Columbia County, Oregon. The Case Number is 21CV12796. The petition was filed under authority of

ORS 33.710 to 33.720. The purpose of the petition is to request the court to conduct a judicial examination and issue its judgment as to the regularity, legality, validity and effect of Ordinance 2021-1, Declaring a Second Amendment Sanctuary in Columbia County, which was adopted on March 31, 2021. The Ordinance implements Initiative Measure 5-270, entitled “Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance”, which as passed by the electors of Columbia County at the general election on November 6, 2018, and Initiative Measure 5-278, entitled “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance”, which was passed by the electors of Columbia County at the general election on November 3, 2020, while correcting scrivener’s errors and while preserving the intent of the voters. Notice is further given that this Notice and Summons will be published once a week for three (3) successive weeks on April 7, 2021, April 14, 2021,

and April 21, 2021, in The Chronicle, a newspaper of general circulation in Columbia County, and that jurisdiction of the Circuit Court shall be established over the County, the electors, freeholds, taxpayers and other interested persons without naming them individually within ten (10) days after the final date of publication of this Notice and Summons.

Notice is further given that any interested person may, at any time before the expiration of the ten (10) day period after final publication of the Notice and Summons, appear and contest the regularity, legality, validity and effect of Ordinance No. 2021-1 by filing an answer to the Petition with the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon, Columbia County, at the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, or by e-file, in the form required by law. DATED this 2nd day of April, 2021. /s/ Sarah E. Hanson, OSB #983618 Of Attorneys for Petitioner.

CH21-1646

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Columbia SWCD, Columbia County, State of Oregon, on the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held at 35285 Millard Rd, St. Helens, OR. The meeting will take place on 4/27/21 at 5:30 p.m. 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 5/19/21 at 4:00 p.m., held at 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens, OR. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after 4/28/21 at 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens, OR, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

CH21-1649

CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of James K. Varner, deceased.

No. 21PB01639 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS Notice is hereby given that Joshua D. Varner has been appointed and has qualified as the personal representative of the estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required

to present their claims, with proper vouchers, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated below, to the personal representative at: 1677 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional in-

formation from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative.

Dated and first published March 31, 2021. MARK A. GORDON, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative, OSB #812424, 1677 St. Helens St., St. Helens OR 97051, (503) 397-9066; mark@ markgordonpc.com.

CH21-1651

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA NINETEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT In the Matter of the Estate of JON EDMUND GILLMAN, Deceased. No. 21PB01999 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 present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at Law Of-

fice 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 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 lawyers for the personal representative, Amanda G.

Proujan. Dated and first published on March 31, 2021.

Michael Gillman, Personal Representative. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Michael Gillman, 3276 Tori Lane, Longview, WA 98632.

(360) 270-6283. LAWYER FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Amanda G. Proujan, OSB# 144732, 1315 14th Ave, Longview, WA 98632, (360) 998-3029, Amanda.agplaw@gmail.com.

9-1-1 Communications District, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This meeting will be held at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications district, 58611 McNulty Way, St. Helens, Oregon.

The meeting will take place on the 22nd of April 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose

public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place.

Ay person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. Due to the State of Oregon’s order of social distancing, this meeting may be held virtually. For instructions on how to join the meeting

be posted on our website. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after the April 22nd meeting at the District office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This notice is also published on the District’s website at www.Columbia911. com. Nancy J. Edwards, Budget Office.

CH21-1658

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the Estate of Richard James Goffeney, Deceased. Case No. 20PB08477 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stuart James Goffeney 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, to Stuart James Goffeney, personal 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 for the personal representative, Mark J. Lang, 2005 Saint Helens St, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first published: April 7, 2021. /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: April 7, April 14, and April 21, 2021

CH21-1628

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Greater of the Greater St. Helens Aquatic, Columba County, State of Oregon, on the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held at 1070 Eisenschmidt Lane, St. Helens, OR. The meeting will take place on 4/19/2021 at 5:00 p.m. 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

CH21-1647

Committee. The meeting for public comment will be on 5/17/2021 at 5:00 p.m., held at 1070 Eisenschmidt Lane, St. Helens, OR. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after 4/20/2021 at 1070 Eisenschmidt Lane, St. Helens, OR, between the hours of 6:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

CH21-1642

PUBLIC LIEN SALE U-STORE NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE WORKSHOP Auction to be held online at Storageauctions.com. Auction will run from 4/6/2021 10:00 am & end on 4/16/2021 10:00 am. Unclaimed storage lockers to be sold by competitive bidding. 1st locationScappoose, 53567 Columbia

River Hwy. Yelitza Roberts A-010. 2nd location-St. Helens, 445 Port Ave, Suite D. Corey M Smith RV111 O-002. GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION SOLD BY STORAGE LOT. Cash and Credit Cards.

Fair board Workshop on April 15th, 2021 at 6:30PM in the pavilion at 58892 Saulser Road St. Helens, OR 97051. Virtual call-in Number: 1 866 899 4679 access code: 726-011-373

CH21-1643

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of CAROLYN SUE CURTIS, Deceased. No: 20PB08294 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from this date at the office of VanNatta,

Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051; and if not so presented, they may be barred.

All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the personal representative. Dated and first published: March 24, 2021.

Date of final publication: April 7, 2021. Kathleen T. Curtis, Personal Representative. Personal Representative: Kathleen T. Curtis c/o VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Attorney for Personal Representative: Agnes M. Petersen, VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Phone: (503) 397-4091.

CH21-1648

INVITATION TO BID The Department of State Lands is accepting bids for the lease of a tract of submerged land in Scappoose Bay for a commercial marina and launch facilities for kayaks and paddle sports. Sealed bids will be accepted by mail only until the close of business on April 28th, 2021 to be opened and read the following business day. The

tract measures 1.19 acres (51,658 square feet) and is fronting tax lot 300 in Scappoose Bay in the Southwest One-Quarter of Section 17, Township 4 North, Range 1 West, Willamette Meridian, Columbia County, Oregon; directly south of the existing Scappoose Bay Marina facilities. Lease applications and information about bid requirements and costs

are on the Department’s website: www.oregonstatelands.us. Please write “SEALED BID Application #20698” on the envelope.

Mail to The Department of State Lands, 775 Summer St. NE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301-1279. Additional information is available from Alexis Richins: 971375-7489 (Salem); Alexis.

Richins@state.or.us.

CH21-1650

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the Estate of JOHN E. UNVERSAGT, Deceased. No. 21PB02290 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 present them, with vouchers

attached, to the undersigned personal representative at the address below, 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 representa-

tive, or the attorneys for the personal representative.

Dated and first published March 31, 2021. BRANDON LEE UNVERSAGT, Personal Representative c/o Lucas & Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 519, Rainier, OR 97048.

Phone: 503-556-3741, Fax: 503-556-0708, Lucasatty@ yahoo.com.

CH21-1652

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of MARVIN LONG, Deceased. Case No. 21PB02289 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons 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 31, 2021.

Tracie Schneider, Personal Representative.

www.thechronicleonline.com

A10

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Local structure fires mounting, causes vary JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Fire officials aren’t yet sounding the alarm about the number of structure fires in Columbia County over the past several months, but the trend is disturbing.

In October, two people escaped a burning trailer that had erupted in flames in Scappoose.

In mid February, nine people were displaced following an apartment fire in St. Helens.

In the past two weeks, Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) crews have responded to four additional home fires, three in St. Helens, one in Warren and a shop fire in Rainier.

While the fires are a disturbing trend, CRFR said they aren’t seeing a large increase in the number of fires recently.

“Some incidents come in short waves like we experienced in the last couple days, CRFR’s Jennifer Motherway said. “In 48 hours we responded to a number of fires, several are still under investigation. We did not experience any civilian or firefighter injuries during these events.”

Precautions you can take

establish clear, readable home markers, addresses of structures, so if there is an active fire emergency, fire crews will be able to navigate to the scene safely and quickly.

Motherway said the fire agency is encouraging community members to “remain vigilant.”

“Turn off appliances, floor heaters, and non-essential powered equipment when you away from your home,” she said.

Motherway provided the following list of fire prevention steps for homeowners: • Do not leave plug in heaters operating when you are away from home for extended periods of time.

• Keep combustibles away from hot or operating equipment including heaters.

• Replace frayed or damaged electrical outlets and cords.

• Check any electrical equipment for signs of damage or misuse prior to operating the product.

• Have smoke detectors in your home and change the batteries regularly.

Motherway also encourages residents and businesses to establish and practice a fire escape plan.

“It is a good idea to have an escape plan for your family and a meeting location

National report

Courtesy photo

Two people escaped this burning trailer home in Scappoose in October.

should a fire occur at your residence,” she said. “It is a huge benefit to the responding firefighters to know that everyone is out of the house or if there’s a potential that someone is still inside. Fighting fire is a dangerous job and it makes that job a lot easier knowing that everyone has evacuated the building prior to our arrival. Our number one priority is life safety.”

Motherway said by having an escape plan and knowing where to meet outside of the building ensures that everyone is accounted for.

Defensible space Fire districts officials across the state are encouraging property owners to make sure they have established a fire prevention perimeter around their homes by removing trees, brush, debris and relocating wood piles away from structures.

The 30 to 50 foot defensible space is especially important as the summer and fall wildfire season approaches.

The officials also urge remote property owners to

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has compiled a detailed report about home structure fires.

The following is a summary of that report.

More than one-quarter of the reported fires in 2014–2018 (27 percent) occurred in home environments. In addition, more than three-quarters of civilian fire deaths (77 percent) and almost three-quarters of reported civilian fire injuries (73 percent) were caused by home structure fires.

During this five-year period, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 353, 100 home structure fires per year.

These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,030 civilian fire injuries; and $7.2 billion in direct property damage.

Sixty-nine percent of the reported home fires in 2014–2018 were in one- or

two-family homes, including manufactured homes. These fires caused 85 percent of the home fire deaths, 65 percent of the home fire injuries, and 79 percent of the direct property damage from home fires.

Certain scenarios appear more dangerous than in the past. The death rate per 1,000 reported home fires in 2014–2018 that began with the ignition of either upholstered furniture or mattresses and bedding was more than double what it was in 1980–1984.

Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating equipment, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.

Over the five-year period of 2014–2018 in total, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Smoking materials caused the most home fire deaths.

Read the full NFPA report attached to this story at thechronicleonline.com. For more information about fire safety, contact your local fire district or fire department.

Distracted driving awareness, enforcement campaign STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Columbia County and across the state will join a national law enforcement effort on April 8 to pull over distracted drivers.

By the numbers Over a five-year period in Oregon, 18 people died in crashes involving a driver using a cell phone.

Distracted driving, including being distracted by a phone, contributed to the deaths of 137 people total in Oregon from 2014 – 2018,

according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

“When you’re behind the wheel, there is nothing more important than paying attention,” ODOT Distracted Driving Program Manager Kelly Kapri said. “If you let something distract you, you could end up in a serious or deadly crash. And it might not be others hurt or killed – it could be you.”

In Oregon, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile electronic device while driving. A first offense without a crash can earn up to a $1,000 fine. Later convictions can result in fines up to $2,500 and six months in jail. See

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

Distracted driving, including being distracted by a phone, contributed to the deaths of 137 people total in Oregon from 2014 – 2018, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

specific information online at oregonlaws.org/ors/811.507.

In support of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, public awareness campaigns are being launched and law enforcement agencies across Oregon will operate high visibility enforcement activities throughout the month,

funded by grants from ODOT’s Safety Division.

What is distracted driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes driving distractions as specific types of inattention that occur when drivers divert their attention from the

driving task to focus on other activity instead.

Distraction occurs when a driver voluntarily diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver’s eyes, ears, hands and mind. There are four types of driver distraction: • Visual – Looking at something other than the road • Auditory – Hearing something not related to driving • Manual – Manipulating something other than the wheel • Cognitive – Thinking about something other than driving Most distractions involve

more than one of these types, with both a sensory – eyes, ears, or touch – and a mental component, mind.

Enforcement planned On April 8, a distracted driving crackdown, “Connect 2 Disconnect,” will involve thousands of agencies nationwide, including law enforcement in Oregon. For a four-hour period, personnel will be out in force, helping to ensure drivers focus on safe driving.

Learn more about distracted driving at oregon.gov/ odot/safety/pages/distracted. aspx.

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Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

A11

Guide

What is an IPA? For many beer drinkers, craft beer and IPAs are basically synonymous. But what are they?

History IPA stands for Indian pale ale. It started in 1793, when George Hodgson of Bow Brewery was exporting porters and pale ales from London to India. These hoppy IPAs were light and thirst quenching, and therefore popular with British troops in India. Abundant hops and alcohol were suggested for the brew to make the long ship voyage from England to India, according to American Craft Beer.

Future of IPAs While some experts say consumers are getting tired of IPAs, brewers see the category splintering

and plenty of innovation happening within each subgroup.

“The IPA segment has slowed in growth, yet it still represents more than half the volume of the craft beer market, so it’s hard to say that we’re nearing the end of the craze,” Ben Widesth, vice president of marketing for San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing Co., told Beverage Dynamics.

“Instead, you see IPAs transforming into its own sub-category with hazy, low-ABV, high-ABV, and low-calorie options. This sort of innovation within the IPA space should continue to keep the style dominant.”

What to try now As always, ask the experts at your local liquor or beer store for some great brews. They can help you determine the right beer

for you by asking about other brews you prefer. Still intimidated? Try these toprated brews from Craft Beer & Brewing: New Belgium Brewing Ranger, Fort Collins, Colorado (ABV: 6.5%): Reviewers noted a clean finish and sweet grapefruit notes with a hops-forward taste but not over the top.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Torpedo Extra IPA, Chico, California (ABV: 7.2%): Famous for its use of Sierra Nevada’s hop torpedo, it has a hoppy aroma with a malty sweetness.

Lagunitas Brewing Co. IPA., Petaluma, California (ABV: 6.2%): This beer is called “wonderfully hoppy in the best way” with a taste of citrus and pine.

Boston Beer Co. Rebel IPA, Boston (ABV: 6.5%): Reviewers said this American IPA is middle of the road but decidedly bitter to showcase the hops.

National Beer Day Wednesday, April 7 2021

Craft beer growth slow, steady Craft beer has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, and while it is still growing, industry magazine Beverage Dynamics says that growth has slowed.

More than 7,000 craft breweries are now churning out great beer all over the U.S., the magazine says, with another 2,000 predicted to come online in the next two years.

State of the industry Craft breweries grew 4% in 2018, the Brewers Association reported, with a retail dollar value growth of $27.6 billion. The number of barrels produced hit a five-year high, with more than 25 million barrels of beer produced. More than a thousand craft breweries opened in 2018, but less than 300 closed, meaning the market is still going strong.

Saturation All these breweries mean that the average consumer has more beer choices than ever. Brewers are going to have to try harder than ever to capture consumer attention, either with innovative new brews or by perfecting tried-and-

true favorites.

“Whenever we are asked, ‘Are there too many craft breweries?’ I always ask, ‘Are there too many BBQ joints in Kansas City?”

Natalie Gershon, vice president of marketing for Boulevard Brewing Co., told Beverage Dynamics.

“While the market may have slowed a bit, there is still a ton of opportunity for breweries to carve out spots where they can become the neighborhood bar. There’s never been a time where folks have lived closer to so many brewery options.”

Going macro Yeah, that seems like an oxymoron, but craft breweries are finding themselves more and more with a ton of products in rotation. Fighting this battle means acting more like a macrobrewery,

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some brewers told Beverage Dynamics.

“You look at the beer industry as a whole, we’re all fighting over that same 15% market share, and not that 85%,” said Mike Stevens, cofounder of Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “We need to focus on a narrowing handful of brands, not 28 brands, and spending money supporting those core brands.

We need to free this thing up a bit so that the momentum can get back to the positive numbers.

“We must professionalize our branding efforts.

Think about it: Nobody has really built a brand in craft beer like Amazon, Apple or Coca-Cola. Someone in craft right now could be the next person to build America’s next greatest brewery.

There’s opportunity and a need to fill.”

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A12

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

St. Helens, Scappoose head to NW Oregon District Meet Hillsboro, La Salle Prep, Wilsonville at St. Helens

JAKE MCNEAL Chronicle Guest Article

St. Helens and Scappoose high school football, volleyball and soccer are through the COVID-impacted Season 2 looking glass, but cross country is in the home stretch before the Northwest Oregon Conference District Meet.

Lions boys set personal bests against La Salle Prep, Wilsonville St. Helens’ Carson Plahn, Tyler Mauldin, Christian De Jesus and Tyler Trabucco are faster all the time.

All four Lions crossed the boys’ 5,000-meter run finish line in personal-best times in Northwest Oregon Conference competition with La Salle Prep and Wilsonville Wednesday, March 31, at Trojan Recreation Park in Rainier.

Plahn, a sophomore, set his new best in 21 minutes, 52.5 seconds, good for 17th, as did Mauldin (a freshman, 18th, 22:55.2), De Jesus (a sophomore, 21st, 24:53.5) and Trabucco (a freshman, 24th, 26:30), respectively.

Jayden McClendon (20th, 24:31.7) and Lev Wolin (22nd, 26:04.22) completed the Lions’ effort.

Wilsonville sophomore Mason Weisgerber (17:12.8) finished first, and his Wildcats’ 18 team points led La Salle Prep (42) and St. Helens (85).

In the girls’ competition against La Salle Prep, Hillary Barley, a senior, led St. Helens in eighth with a season-best 26:06.79 as Ellyzabeth Clark (11th, 27:27.4), Emmaleigh Carver (12th, 28:33.9), Alydia Smith (15th, 38:11.21) and Drew Erickson (16th, 38:20.9) followed.

La Salle Prep senior Charlotta Schreuder (22:06.2) came through first as her Falcons prevailed over the Lions 19-38.

Wilsonville’s boys have won the imminent Northwest Oregon Conference District Meet three years in a row, its girls have won the last four, and this year’s conference championship was scheduled for Thursday at Portland International Raceway, the results of which were unavailable at press time.

cher, Cutter Sandstrom, Robert Vanek and Ruben Daniels, and kicker Cade McDonald.

Wednesday, March 31, at Trojan Recreation Park in Rainier

Lions volleyball season-sweeps Scappoose

Boys’ team scores Wilsonville 18 La Salle Prep 42 St. Helens 85

Metro Creative Connections / The Chronicle

St. Helens and Scappoose High School cross country teams will compete in the Northwest Oregon Conference District Meet Thursday.

5,000-meter run 1. Mason Weisgerber, W, 17:12.8 17. Carson Plahn, SH, 21:52.5 18. Tyler Mauldin, SH, 22:55.2 20. Jayden McClendon, SH, 24:31.7 21. Christian De Jesus, SH, 24:53.5 22. Lev Wolin, SH, 26:04.22 24. Tyler Trabucco, SH, 26:30 Girls’ team scores La Salle Prep 19 St. Helens 38 Girls’ 5,000-meter run 1. Charlotta Schreuder, LSP, 22:06.2 8. Hillary Barley, SH, 26:06.79 11. Ellyzabeth Clark, SH, 27:27.4 12. Emmaleigh Carver, SH, 28:33.9 15. Alydia Smith, SH, 38:11.21 16. Drew Erickson, SH, 38:20.9 Suchoski, LaVoie help Scappoose cross country dominate Milwaukie, Putnam Indians juniors Luke Suchoski and Alivia LaVoie led their respective Scappoose boys’ and girls’ 5,000-meter run performances with seasonbests of 16 minutes, 43 seconds for second place and 23:53 for third Wednesday, March 31, at the Crown Zellerbach Trail’s Ruley Trailhead in Scappoose.

Milwaukie sophomore Logan Law (16:23) finished first in the boys’ race, and Putnam senior Kayla Ingraham (19:24) came in first among the girls.

Rowen Suchoski (fourth, 17:01), Gage Ekstrom (fifth, season-best 18:00), Andrew Morton (seventh, personal-best 18:33), Griffin Barron (18:43) and Franklin Gardner (14th, 26:20) completed the Tribe

boys’ side.

Maizri Chandler (fourth, season-best 24:22), Angelina Dominguez (fifth, 25:03), Claire Hernandez (eighth, 26:42), Addison Brubaker (ninth, 30:09) and Elise Briscoe (10th, 33:07) came through for the girls.

Scappoose, the only school to field a complete team in either contest, won both with 15 team points.

Wilsonville’s boys have won the imminent Northwest Oregon Conference District Meet three years in a row, its girls have won the last four, and this year’s conference championship was scheduled for Thursday at Portland International Raceway, the results of which were unavailable at press time.

Milwaukie, Putnam at Scappoose Wednesday, March 31, at Ruley Trailhead, Crown Zellerbach Trail, in Scappoose Boys’ team scores Scappoose 15 5,000-meter run 1. Logan Law, M, 16:23 2. Luke Suchoski, S, 16:43 3. Grant Ferguson, P, 16:59 4. Rowen Suchoski, S, 17:01 5. Gage Ekstrom, S, 18:00 7. Andrew Morton, S, 18:33 8. Griffin Barron, S, 18:43 14. Franklin Gardner, S, 26:20 Girls’ team scores Scappoose 15 5,000-meter run 1. Kayla Ingraham, P, 19:24 2. Kendra Heath, P, 21:45 3. Alivia LaVoie, S, 23:53

4. Maizri Chandler, S, 24:22 5. Angelina Dominguez, S, 25:03 8. Claire Hernandez, S, 26:42 9. Addison Brubaker, S, 30:09 10. Elise Briscoe, S, 33:07 Scappoose football steamrolls St. Helens The Indians bounced back from a 42-27 Northwest Oregon Conference loss at Canby just the way they wanted to against the hometown Lions in their Seven-Mile War season finale Friday, April 2.

The Tribe (3-2 overall, 3-2 Northwest Oregon) floored St. Helens (1-3, 1-2) in 48-0 fashion and beat the Lions for the fourth time in a row since falling 41-27 in St. Helens in 2016.

Scappoose secured its second shutout of the year the first by an identical score at home against Forest Grove March 12 - and has beaten the Lions, who survived 26-24 Friday, March 26, in Forest Grove as the Vikings’ late two-point conversion failed, head-to-head by an average of 52-10 since 2017.

St. Helens is set to graduate captains Hayden Bigham (a wide receiver/defensive back), Ashton Smith (a cornerback/running back), Maverick Rask (a linebacker/ running back), Gaven Kust (an offensive/defensive tackle), Kendrick Ramos (an offensive guard/linebacker) and Garret Cook (a center/defensive tackle) in the spring.

The Indians graduate wide receivers/defensive backs Logan Johnson, Gabe Jacobs, Dominic Lite and Cooper Ragan, running backs/linebackers Deacon Smith, Riley Kauffman, Brett Krieger and Kent Jones, offensive linemen/ defensive linemen Mason Ar-

St. Helens remains perfect against the Seven-Mile War rival Indians in their Northwest Oregon Conference series.

The Lions (5-6 overall, 5-6 Northwest Oregon) pulled off a season sweep of the Tribe (29, 2-9) with a 3-0 (25-8, 25-19, 25-11) road win Wednesday, March 31, after a 3-0 home triumph March 23, and have not lost to the Indians since Scappoose jumped up from Class 4A in 2018.

St. Helens could not, however, get the better of 6-foot, 1-inch all-Class 5A senior opposite hitter Clarissa Klein and returning state championship runner-up Wilsonville (10-0, 10-0) - who have yet to surrender a set this year - as the Lions fell 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-11) in their home season finale Thursday, April 1.

The twice-defending Northwest Oregon champion Wildcats remain a terror as they improved to 50-2 in conference play since 2017.

St. Helens, winners of three of its last five games, is set to graduate team captains Kasten Warner (an outside hitter and setter) and Savannah Moore (a middle blocker), Kamryn Hubbs (a defensive specialist), Brea Paulson (a setter) and McKenna Miller (a middle blocker/setter) this spring.

Scappoose, which enjoyed a season sweep of Milwaukie with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 2515) road win Tuesday, March 30 after a 3-0 season-opening home win March 2, fell 3-0 (25-6, 25-11, 25-22) on the road against all-Northwest Oregon junior setter/middle blocker Kaleah Webb and Hillsboro (5-5, 5-5) Thursday, April 1.

The Indians, who graduate libero/outside hitter Gracey DeLoach and setter Samantha Scott, were scheduled for a season finale at Class 6A Southridge (0-11), losers of its last 28 games, Tuesday in Beaverton, the results of which were unavailable at press time.

Scappoose girls’ soccer stays perfect against St. Helens

The Indians may allow the Lions a goal again someday, but it was not this time around.

Scappoose (6-1 overall, 5-1 Northwest Oregon Conference) shut out host St. Helens (2-5, 2-5) in their Senior Recognition Night season finale Thursday, April 1, and extended its streak to three years without allowing their Seven-Mile War rivals a goal since they became conference rivals in 2018.

The Tribe, a five-time winner by clean sheet this season after notching six in their Class 5A state quarterfinal run in 2019, is set to graduate midfielder/forwards Anika Havlik and Tessa Davidson, midfielders Grace Negelspach and Cailyn Tindall and defenders Autumn Terry and Rylee Cook this spring.

The Lions will graduate goalkeeper Gabrielle Alexander, midfielders Maria Reardon and Hope Olson, and defender Crystal Nehls.

Scappoose boys’ soccer doubles up Milwaukie The Indians pitched their second shutout of the year Tuesday, March 30, as they beat Milwaukie for the second time this season and the third time in a row in their Northwest Oregon Conference rivalry.

The visiting Tribe (3-41 overall, 3-3-1 Northwest Oregon) held out 1-0 against the Mustangs (1-6, 1-6) after running away with an 8-0 home win in its March 4 season opener.

Scappoose was scheduled for a season finale at all-Class 6A Pacific Conference senior forward Omario Stewart and Liberty (3-3-3) Monday in Hillsboro, the results of which were unavailable at press time.

Milwaukie enjoyed a 9-1 win over traveling St. Helens (0-1, 0-1) March 9 in the Lions’ only scheduled game, and has beaten the Lions five times in a row by a margin of 34-3 since St. Helens beat the Mustangs 3-1 at home in 2015.

The Lions are 1-58-1 overall since then.

Scappoose will graduate Seth Chamberlain, Bowman Jory, Brandon Recinos, Patrick Walsh and defender Cade McDonald this spring.

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