Virtual Art Show
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Wednesday, June 17, 2020
The Chronicle Serving Columbia County since 1881
Pandemic cases rise
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thechronicleonline.com
Special Session
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Across the state, the number of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases has risen sharply over the past few weeks as the state slowly reopens county economies and social settings. Oregon Health Authority reported 184 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, June 15, bringing the state total to 5,820. Columbia County Health Department reported a total of 22 cases on June 15. The county’s COVID-19 case count had been holding steady for several weeks at 10 cases and began to increase as more testing became available and more counties reopened. Columbia County Health officials told The Chronicle in an earlier published article that because of Columbia County’s comparably low rate of COVID-19 cases, there may be public complacency. That is especially concerning, they said, because there is a large number of people, an estimated 70 percent, who regularly move back and forth between Columbia County and Washington and Multnomah counties, two of the areas with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases. “Our biggest fear is that people feel a false sense of security,” Columbia County Health Officer Joe Skariah said. “The virus does not recognize county or state lines.” The Chronicle asked Columbia County Health Director Michael Paul if there is a significant spike in COVID-19 confirmed and presumptive cases in Columbia County, would that mean another step
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JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
As public protests continue in Oregon and across the nation demanding police accountability, and the state works through the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon Governor Kate Brown is calling legislators back to Salem for a special session.
“We are at a unique moment in America.” ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor
decorate their vehicle in any way, such as with flags or stickers, to show support for law enforcement. “The purpose of this event is to show support to the community, our law enforcement officers, and that not every police officer is bad or corrupt or against you in some way and that these riots are unnecessary,” an information sheet from the
Brown said she will convene the special session of the Oregon Legislature at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, to take up proposed legislation to improve police accountability and address the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are at a unique moment in America,” Brown said. “I am calling a special session to take up two urgent issues facing our state: the COVID-19 pandemic and police accountability. Several pandemic-related policies that I have implemented via executive order, including the temporary eviction moratorium and protecting CARES Act payments from garnishment, should be codified in statute. And the public’s call for significant police reform is too urgent to wait until the next regular legislative session. It’s imperative that the Legislature take action on these issues right away.” Brown is convening the special session under her authority pursuant to Article V, section 12, of the Oregon Constitution. “I expect to call a second special
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
This county resident stationed himself at the corner of Gable Road and Highway 30 to show his support to those taking part in the Backin’ the Blue procession that traveled from Scappoose to Rainier and back to St. Helens. See more photos with this story at thechronicleonline.com.
Locals show support CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
In light of recent movements to defund law enforcement because of violence against black Americans, the Columbia County Rednecks hosted a car cruise to show support for law enforcement. The rally and vehicle procession began at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. Participants traveled along Highway 30 from Scappoose
High School, through St. Helens to Rainier and then circled back to the parking lot of St. Helens High School for a car show. Approximately 100 vehicles took part, according to Columbia County Rednecks president and event organizer Cameron Sisco, who said representatives from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Troopers also came to the event. Attendees were encouraged to
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See SESSION Page A3
High School leadership students honored STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
St. Helens High School is one of 25 middle and high schools receiving recognition as a high achieving leadership program. The Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC) sponsors the award, which sets high standards for councils and recognizes their accomplishment when standards are met. Councils begin by setting goals in the fall and work hard all year to achieve them. In order to receive the award, councils must be involved in community service, activities that promote school spirit and pride, sportsmanship, unity, recognition, and involvement in leadership training, according to an OASC release. “Student leaders have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the culture and climate of their school and the academic success of their student body by the activities they sponsor,” OASC Executive Director Sara Nilles said.
“There are many great leadership programs around the state, and our goal is to become one ourselves,” St. Helens High School Activities and Leadership Director Noelle Freshner said. “We set a goal this fall to at least apply in the spring, and see where we needed to make changes or add for the future to potentially reach Gold.” The application required attending and facilitating many events and activities during the year, from the schools typical assemblies and dances, to conferences, and community outreach, according to Freshner, who said it had been her personal goal to try to reach Gold within her first five years in her position at the high school. “This June wrapped up my second year in this position and we still have a lot of room to grow in the future to become even better,” she said. “We had no idea till we began filling out the application in February that we stood a chance of reaching Gold this year. When we started filling it out we were so excited at the thought that we may have done enough. I am so proud
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of our students for their hard work and dedication to their school’s climate and culture, not only when we were in the building, but since school closed. They really do deserve this award.” The OASC serves middle and high school student councils around the state and is a department within the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators. Nilles said the association usually recognizes its award schools at the OASC Spring Conference in April, however, this year the schools are being honored virtually. The award certificates will be mailed to the schools in August. “We are incredibly proud of our schools and student’s resiliency and efforts to think outside the box during times of COVID while continuing to provide opportunities for their students to connect virtually,” Nilles said. “We look forward to finding a variety of new ways to honor our schools this Fall too.” For a full list of recipients visit http://oasc.org/?page_id=433.
The St. Helens High School Student Leadership Team.
Courtesy photo
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