SHC621

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

St. Helens set for silver screen, again

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

The historic Riverfront District in St. Helens will feature on the silver screen again, adding to the rich history of St. Helens as a cinematic setting.

A Massachusetts based production, Test Screening the Movie, LLC took over part of downtown on June 9 and 10. While not much is known about the details of this movie at this time, we do know how and why St. Helens was chosen as the filming location.

Choosing St. Helens

When a production company wants to film in Oregon, one of its first calls is to the Oregon Film and Video Office. When production companies reach out to Oregon Film, they generally know what type of town or location they are looking for.

“They either send us a script and, or a breakdown of the locations needed and oftentimes will attach reference photos and descriptions. Based on what they are looking for, we will create a location package for them from the thousands of locations that we have in our location database, which is constantly evolving,” Strategic Initiatives & Community

Project Strategist for Oregon Film and Video Office Jane Ridley said. “There is often added research and information to send on po tential locations that may not be listed in our database.”

Oregon Film is a semi-state agency that exists to attract production to the state. Their mission is to promote the development of the film, television, commercial, and interactive industry in Oregon and to enhance the industry’s

ie, LLC reached out to the Oregon Film and Video Office; they had specific ideas surrounding locations and towns they wanted to film at. St. Helens was one of the suggested filming locations for several reasons.

“They were going for a small-

best known for Halloweentown, and Twilight, among others.”

Upon deciding to use St. Helens as its filming location, Test Screening the Movie, LLC applied for a Special Use Permit with the city to film in the Riverfront District. City departments reviewed

the permit, and staff worked with the company to ensure traffic control requirements were met and to help identify parking options, according to St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King.

On June 8, the production company began preparing South First Street for its set. By the time the movie started shooting on June 9, the Riverfront District was transformed into a scene straight out of the ‘80s, with retro cars up and down the block and retro-styled storefront designs surrounding the Columbia Theater.

While it was a drizzly day, the cast, crew, and production workers went through their shoots despite the weather, observed by curious downtown goers and business owners.

Benefits of the Big Screen

The timeline by which this film will be completed is unclear, but the benefits of having a movie set in a small town can be substantial.

These are the three primary ways, according to Ridley:

1. Filming provides economic benefits and development to a town location by utilizing services, stores, paying for parking

See MOVIE Page A10

works on the St. Helens Riverfront to celebrate Independence Day 2023.

The City of St. Helens will offer a variety of events to celebrate Independence Day 2023.

Join the St. Helens community for a day of activities, music, and fire-

Community Calendar A3

Opinion ..................... A4

Poll ............................ A4

Obituaries ................. A5

Classified Ads ......... A6

Legals ....................... A7

Crossword ............... A8

Kiwanis Parade ..... A10

Vol. 141, No. 26

This year’s celebration honors “A Century of Heroes” and begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 in the Courthouse Plaza Square with a Highway 30 Cruisers car show, a patriotic pet stage photo op area, games, and lemonade. The day will conclude with a fireworks show lit from a barge in the Columbia River at 10 p.m.

The full schedule for the day includes:

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Meet goats in the Plaza 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Meet and greet Battlin’ Betties Oregon Platoon, a national co-operative auxiliary of pinups supporting our Nation’s Veterans & First Responders while raising awareness of PTSD and suicide prevention.

1:30 p.m. - National Anthem & Flag Raising Ceremony in front of the Columbia County Courthouse steps.

1:30 p.m. – Independence Day speakers on the Courthouse steps.

2 p.m. - “Let Freedom Bells Ring” ceremony at the Courthouse steps. The Courthouse bell will ring 13 times in recognition of a feder-

ally mandated Independence Day ceremony passed in 1963 by the U.S. Congress. Bells across the country ring 13 times at 2 p.m. in honor of the 13 original states.

2 p.m. – Reenactment signing of the Declaration of Independence with George Washington at the Columbia County Courthouse steps followed by cake and cookies in the Plaza Square.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Larry Jackson Big River Big Band in the Plaza. Swing dance in the Plaza.

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Hit Machine in Columbia View Park.

5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. - Gary Bennett & The Coat-Tail Riders in Columbia View Park.

7 p.m. – 10 p.m. - Macey Gard Band in

Kelli Nicholson / Country Media, Inc.

The 2023 Kiwanis Community Parade Grand Marshall Merle Pence, who takes on the role of Santa Claus each Christmas, tosses a small stuffed toy as he is escorted along Columbia Boulevard during the June 17 parade. Pence said he tossed approximately 350 of the stuffed toys to the spectators during the event. See more photos on Page 10.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Production crew keeping the talent and filming technology dry with umbrellas and plastic wrap during the movie shoot.

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Spilt Ink making a mark in downtown St. Helens

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

Whether you are looking for unique decorations for your home or a keepsake for yourself or somebody special, Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts in downtown St. Helens features a variety of art and gifts, many of which are created locally.

Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts is located at 289 S 1st St. in the Riverfront District of St. Helens and is owned by local artist Toni Doggett, her partner Tammy Blakely, and Blakely’s mother, Diane. Doggett is originally from England but has been living in St. Helens since 2007.

The gallery largely features Doggett’s work, which was part of the inspiration for opening the business.

Growing up, Doggett always had a passion for drawing and art. However, she said that she hadn’t painted for about 30 years before picking it up as a hobby during her free time after taking a job at St. Helens Marina.

“I thought I better get a hobby, so I started painting again and just accumulated a lot,” Doggett said. “This spot became available, and with the city growing, being in this location would be ideal, with Halloweentown and everything.”

Finding the location downtown was perfect for the enterprise because it allows for more foot traffic instead of a storefront off the highway, according to Doggett.

Doggett said that the idea for a gallery to show her art came from Tammy and Diane as the driving forces of the project. When asked if it was an idea that had been in the making for a long time, Doggett said that the opportunity came at the right time.

“I think Tammy always had it in the back of her mind that she wanted to do that. And then this opportunity came up, and it just seemed the right time. Because of the location, it was a driving force,” Doggett said.

Finding inspiration

Doggett’s art often portrays animals or scenes of nature in a unique way, often with a humorous twist or subtle message. When asked where she draws her ideas from, she said, “I don’t know.”

“I start a painting, and then it just goes from there, you know what I mean? I try to make them slightly humorous. Things that make people laugh,” Doggett said.

Some of them have some sort of political background to it, but I try not to beat someone over the head with it.”

One such painting, “Encroachment,” depicts a fighter jet flying through a forest and bears climbing up a tree to avoid the commotion. The plane is a metaphor for humans’ footprint in the natural world.

“I mean, you’re never going to see a jet in the forest, but you know this is what these poor creatures put up with all the time,” Doggett said. “It’s just the world

ings that adorn the wall, Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts also has prints, greeting cards, tote bags, and other items that feature Doggett’s art. She also does commissions, largely of people’s pets, but has also done murals around town.

Doggett has painted the book drops at the St. Helens Library, a mural at Molly’s Market, and the banner of the salmon outside the Olde School. Doggett has also been commissioned to paint a 60-foot mural of the Columbia River near Highway 30.

and has adapted the classic technique of paper quilling to make 3D art pieces. Paper Quilling is an art form that involves using paper strips and rolling, shaping, and gluing them together to create a larger piece.

Amplifying other artists

In addition to Doggett’s work, Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts also provides a platform for other artists. They rent wall and table spaces to artists to share their work, and it helps pay their rent.

“There’s a lot of very talented artists in Columbia County and so this is a nice

opportunity, and we’ll wel come anyone that wants to come in,” Doggett said. While they are passionate about supporting local artists, they also want to be sure that all the art in the gallery reflects a similar vibe and “fit emotionally” with the rest of the collection. While its grand opening took place on June 6, Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts first secured its lease on March 1 and hosted its soft opening on April 15. According to Diane Blakely, business has been good so far, but are always looking for more folks to find their way through the door.

Three years delayed, ribbon cutting right on time

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

Brother and sister duo Gary Colby and Melissa Despain have owned Columbia River Motorsports since July 2020, but with renovations and the COVID pandemic, there was never a good time to cut a ribbon and put a bow on it.

Now, almost three years later, with a completely revamped showroom, Columbia River Motorsports welcomed Jak Massey and the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their new space. Colby cut the ribbon surrounded by staff, family, and friends on June 16.

Columbia River Motorsports remained open throughout the depths of the

pandemic and their remodel, but they had trouble getting inventory with supply chain issues.

“The first year and a half, we couldn’t get inventory because of all the supply chain stuff,” Co-owner

Melissa Despain said. “We had a big demand, but we couldn’t supply. We had customers waiting 6, 7, 8, 9

months for units just because of the supply chain. But we had super great customers who were patient with us.”

Despain said that part of the reason she thinks the customers stayed patient and loyal was that her brother and shop manager, Gary Colby, refused to mark up the prices despite the high demand.

Many of the customers who come through the door hear about the store by word of mouth, according to Despain. She feels this is a mark of their customers’ loyalty and a testament to how they run the business.

“We’ve had so many people who come in and tell us that a former customer referred them. We’ve had a lot of referrals, and I think it’s because of the way we run

the shop,” Despain said. “It’s really family-friendly. We’re honest and upfront.”

With the lack of inventory during the pandemic, Columbia River Motorsports decided to remodel the showroom in October 2020. Despain said it took about two years to complete the showroom component of the remodel, but they are happy with how it’s turned out.

“We’re really pleased with how it looks now. It feels like the Northwest; it feels open and friendly, and we’re just really happy with it,” Despain said. “That’s one of the things we wanted to wait for to do our ribbon cutting was to get our remodel complete, so people could really get a view of what our vision for this place could be.”

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Inside Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts. Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The book drop at the St. Helens Library, which was a commissioned work by Toni Doggett.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Co-owner Gary Colby cuts the ribbon in front of their storefront, with Co-owner and sister Melissa Despain (left).

Senate passes abortion and firearms bills as work resumes

BEN BOTKIN

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Article

The Oregon Senate on Thursday, June 15, quickly and without debate passed two of the most contentious bills of the session – on abortion and firearms – as the Republican-led walkout ended and work began.

To reach this point, senators endured a walkout that began on May 3 and ended Thursday with compromises to both proposals: House bills 2002 and 2005.

An amended version of House Bill 2002 would require health care providers to tell parents or guardians about abortions for patients younger than 15 unless the provider determines that informing a parent could result in abuse or neglect, or if a second health care provider with a different facility agrees that it wouldn’t be in the child’s best interest to involve a parent.

The previous version of the bill that sparked the walkout would have allowed minors of any age to obtain an abortion without

parental consent. It also contained since-removed grant funds for abortion and other reproductive health care on college campuses

and in rural areas. The bill protects providers who perform abortion or transgender care and requires health insurers to

cover “medically necessary gender-affirming care,” including treatments like facial feminization surgery and electrolysis that are now treated as cosmetic procedures. State-run insurance programs and most private insurers have been required to cover abortions at no cost to patients since 2017.

For House Bill 2005 on gun control, the compromise eliminated a provision to raise the legal age for buying most firearms from 18 to 21 years old and a provision allowing local governments to ban guns on their property. But the bill still would ban “ghost” guns, which are untraceable and don’t have serial numbers.

As a result, the compromise gave both sides something to tout.

Senate Majority Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, said negotiations gained traction when the conversation

shifted away from Republicans wanting to kill bills to their specific problems within bills.

“When they stopped saying, ‘You have to kill your Democratic priorities,’ then we were able to come to the table and figure out a path,” Lieber told reporters.

Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said in a statement the senators who joined the walkout were the “last line of defense for parental rights.”

The vote on both bills was 17-3, with all three Republicans present for votes opposed, including Knopp and Sens. Lynn Findley of Vale and Dick Anderson of Lincoln City.

Because of the amendments, the bills will now return to the House for votes. The House is next scheduled to convene on Tuesday.

The Legislature faces a deadline of June 25 for the session to conclude.

50-cent surcharge on alcohol for mental health services nixed

LYNNE TERRY

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Article

Gov. Tina Kotek has dropped her request for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to add another 50-cent surcharge to bottles of alcohol to fund mental health and addiction services. She asked for the surcharge in her February budget. But on Wednesday, she sent a letter to the commission’s board, saying the tax was no longer needed.

“Since my recommended budget was originally released, there have been two revenue forecasts indicating there will be sufficient resources to fund essential services in the next biennium without the surcharge,” she wrote. “Additionally, I have been clear that I only support a new surcharge if the funds are directly allocated to behavioral health services. Without further specific action by the Legislature this session, any surcharge approved by the commission would go into the general fund with no designatedpurpose, undermining the purpose of the recommendation.”

The Legislature has yet to pass a budget due to the continuing Republican-led walkout in the state Senate, which has brought floor votes to a halt. They object to a bill to expand access to gender-affirming care and guarantee abortion rights for minors. The session has to end by June 25, and a continuing stalemate will leave hundreds of bills on

the table.

The surcharge would have doubled the tax on bottles of hard alcohol, raising $90 million over the next two years for behavioral health care and addiction services. The proposal was supported by advocates, primarily Oregon Recovers, a Portland-based group that supports people in recovery. The group’s executive director, Mike Marshall, said in a statement that Oregon Recovers was disappointed by the decision.

“Oregon must change its destructive relationship with alcohol and raising the price of distilled spirits is the single, most effective action the OLCC can take to end Oregon’s alcohol addiction crisis,” Marshall said. “The Liquor Control Act empowers and mandates the OLCC protect Oregon taxpayers from the economic damage caused by alcohol consumption and protect Oregon consumers from the devastating health consequences due to the current industry-friendly pricing structure. OLCC commissioners must stop prioritizing their personal financial interests over what is in the best interest of all Oregonians.”

The tax was opposed by many in the liquor industry, who said it would have a major impact on their revenue.

The commission had been gathering public comments on the tax and was due to vote on it on Thursday, June 15. A spokesman also did not respond to a request for comment by

mid-afternoon Thursday.

The pullback drew praise from the industry. Tom Burkleaux, president of the Oregon Distillers Guild, released a statement thanking Kotek for her decision.

“We appreciate the governor’s office has listened to Oregon’s craft distillers about how this proposed increase would disproportionately hurt our local producers that make highercost, premium products,” the statement said. “This surcharge increase would have had a detrimental effect on our smaller Oregon businesses, which cannot absorb a price increase compared to larger out of state brands.”

Burkleaux said industry executives were willing to work on alcohol and drug addiction.

“This is a multifaceted challenge that requires the commitment of many stakeholders, including those in Oregon’s craft alcohol industries,” the statement said.

A December 2021 nationwide survey showed that Oregon has the fifthhighest rate of alcohol addiction in the country, the second-highest rate for drug addiction and the secondhighest rate of mental illness.

Kotek said in her letter that improving mental health services remains a priority for her administration, and she called on continuing discussions with the commission on how it can “better support” behavioral health services.

communIty events

June 24 Sixth Annual

Citizens Day in the Park 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at McCormick Park, 475 S. 18th Street. Stop by for free BBQ, Highway 30 Cruisers Car Show, live music by The Decades, free activities and over 50 vendor booths.

On Going Events

Fridays

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Caples House offers Tea and Sweets: a bottomless cup of tea with a homemade dessert. ONLY $5. In The Cottage, 1925 First Street, Columbia City. 503397-5390.

Fridays - Sunday

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Caples House Museum Tours, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City.$5. Stop by and see what has changed. 503-397-5390.

Lower Columbia River

Watershed Council

Lower Columbia Watershed Council meets the second

Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Clatskanie PUD building. Zoom links are also available. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver.org/events-page.

Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday - Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christ-centered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st Street in St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521, Daniel Grant at 714-768-9327 or check the Resonate Facebook page.

Columbian Toastmasters

Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Hwy, Warren, OR 97053 from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503-369-0329 for more information.

Overcomers Outreach

Meetings are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Creek-

side Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose. Call Fred 971757-6389. Celebrate Recovery

For anyone struggling with addiction, hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free dinner. Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Road in St. Helens. 503-396-7091. Childcare is available. www. yanktoncommunityfellowship. com.

Watch Spring on Fridays 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Have tea and a sweet in Caples’ Cottage, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. Cost is $5. 503-3975390.

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

Courtesy from Ben Botkin / Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, talks to reporters about the end of the walkout on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

News and Views

My View: A city code ‘ripe for abuse’

AARON MARTIN

Chronicle Guest Column

I am a St. Helens resident, lawyer, veteran, and volunteer vice chair of the St. Helens City Library Board.

I recently got a chance to review the recently passed St. Helens City resolution 1986, a resolution restricting the speech and conduct of volunteer board and commission members who help run the city smoothly. What a read! I recommend it. That’s just my personal

opinion, by the way. My recommendation is in no way the position of the library board, something I have to make clear if I follow the code now mandated by our city council. However, I’m writing this letter because I can’t follow that code or sign anything to agree to follow it. Among other things, the code requires that I refrain from using “belligerent, personal, slanderous, threatening, abusive, or disparaging comments”, particularly about city business, city

officials, city staff, and even members of the public. Now I’m not one for slanderous, threatening, or abusive language, but this requirement applies even to private conversations! Even in a private conversation with friends, it seems I would be prohibited from saying, for example, how thoughtless, shortsighted, and stupid councilor Mark Gunderson, councilor Jessica Chilton, and mayor Rick Scholl were for passing such a code of conduct restricting its volunteers. Not that I would

want to say that, but what if? I would even be barred from making arguments, as part of my job as an attorney, that members of the public or people carrying out city business have done reprehensible things if the city council decides to interpret those statements as disparaging or abusive. The code also asks me to avoid making personal comments that might offend others in public or private. So if I (again, hypothetically of course) wanted to go to the next city council

meeting and tell these city councilors that they are lazy idiots for failing to be more careful about the language of this code and the potential fallout - especially for not waiting to allow volunteer board members and commissioners to provide feedback - I can’t! That might offend them and hurt their feelings! This code is ripe for abuse by city officials who might want to silence dissent or complaints from the very people who pay the most attention to city business.

Unfortunately, there is more that would take too long to tell. Some of the code of conduct is perfectly unobjectionable, but some portions turn my stomach and are offensive to the principles I have defended for much of my life. If the city council wants to extract this price in exchange for me attempting to serve my community, I don’t believe I can pay it. They should reconsider.

Aaron Martin is a St. Helens resident.

The Wisdom of Columbia County inaugural performance

MARGARET TRENCHARD-SMITH

Chronicle Guest Column

On Friday, June 16, the Columbia Chorale of Oregon and the Singing Eagles of the Modoc of Medicine Creek combined their talents in concert at the Scappoose High School Auditorium.

The evening opened with songs by the River City Singers Children’s Choir under the direction of Dr. Lynnda Fuller. Then the sacred offerings of the Singing Eagles and the cantata, The Wisdom of Columbia County, were interwoven in performance before an audience of over 350 people, conveying in chant and choral music the Native American and post-colonial histories of our county, and anticipating their future.

This was the inaugural public performance of this

music for both groups. The Singing Eagles, Jaz Zangari and his son Jaysiah Zangari and brother Yesmowit Zangari, were received with enthusiastic acclaim. So was the Columbia Chorale of

Kohl at the piano and Paxton Washburn at the bass drum, simultaneously conducted by Artistic Director Alice Rice Boyer. Merle Pence, known and loved as the Santa Claus

Walkout problem needs a constitutional solution

RANDY STAPILUS

Oregon Capital Chronicle Chronicle Guest Column

It’s time to acknowledge, after watching this year’s Oregon legislative session, that Plan B didn’t work, and Oregon needs to try Plan A.

Both plans concern the same problem: Just over a third of the state’s legislators in the House or Senate can prevent that chamber from assembling a quorum, without which it can conduct no business.

In recent years, and at present, the minority keeping the state from doing its job has been Republican. Further in the past, that has been, and possibly at some point in the future could be, Democrats.

Either way, there now is no reason to believe that any discontented group amounting to slightly more than a third of the seats of either legislative chamber has any incentive to allow the state’s business to be conducted if it wants to block a proposal it opposes.

This happens because

Article 4, Section 12 of the Oregon constitution says, “Two thirds of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may meet; adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members.”

That part about compelling hasn’t worked very well.

The current setup is a recipe for destruction of a third of Oregon’s state government, since one party or the other will always be in the minority. The quorumdenying tactic now is being used so regularly – over simple differences of policy or philosophy – that it is eroding the ability of the state to operate.

An overwhelming majority of Oregon’s voters appear to see it that way. Last November, after a string of quorum-killing walkouts

in recent years, a group of petitioners offered Measure 113 in an effort to end the practice. It amends the state constitution so that any legislator who racks up 10 or more unexcused absences in a session is disqualified from serving in the Legislature in the following term. The measure got approval from 68.3% of the voters.

Probably most of those voters, and apparently most political watchers around the state, thought the penalty would be strong enough to end the walkouts. It wasn’t, as Oregonians now know: 10 senators (nine Republicans and one independent) have stayed away more than 10 working days, without excuse, thereby triggering last year’s penalty against them, barring them from serving as a legislator after their current term.

That done, there’s no more penalty to impose. The striking legislators say they are unbowed and will allow no work this session (including on bills they themselves support) except for the state budget, and no path if the Democrats insist on maintaining certain bills, including House Bill 2002 on abortion rights and genderaffirming care, as they are now.

That so many Republicans (and one aligned Independent) proved so willing to give up their seats was widely unexpected and also remarkable. It provides the clear evidence that Measure 113 has failed.

The good news is that, all along, it was Plan B. Time has come now to take another crack at Plan A.

The right way to approach the two-thirds quorum problem from the beginning would have involved a constitutional amendment, but more directly: Change the two third requirement in the constitution section quoted above, to a simple majority

(50% plus one). That would allow just over half of either chamber to conduct business.

It’s easy to understand, clear and would solve the problem.

It’s also been discussed before, at length.

In 2019, amid another walkout, then-state Senator Ginny Burdick said she would promote a proposed constitutional amendment to set the Legislature’s quorums – for each body – at a simple majority for each chamber (16 members of the Senate or 31 members of the House). Just such a resolution to amend the constitution with a popular vote was introduced early in 2020 and progressed through a public hearing and work session. Then steam seemed to run out of the effort, and it died in committee without reaching the Senate floor.

Another bill is now being proposed by Reps. Khanh Pham of Portland and David Gomberg of Otis.

The idea is not radical. Oregon currently is an outlier when it comes to the quorum numbers. Among the 50 states, only four states – Oregon, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas – mandate two thirds. (Is it coincidental that all four have experienced troubled legislative sessions this year?)

The Oregon Legislature this year probably won’t be able to act to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, but the same forces that developed the petition campaign for Measure 113 last year, and pushed through its approval, probably could. Or someone else could step forward.

Either way, if Oregonians expect to have their ballotexpressed will carried out at the statehouse, the next step is obvious.

Randy Stapilus is a columnist for the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

role of Narrator, and solos were sung by Gabrielle Widman, Paul T. Wright, Chantell Halsted, Tamsel Tack, Becky Jesse, Pat Orr, Kim Worrall, Wes Hanson, and

Dee Vadnais, whose painting Columbia County: Canaan Road View has branded the cantata, wrote about the combined performances: “What a triumph of

imagination to have created something so hugely magnificent, complex, and beautiful.”

On Saturday, June 17, Grand Marshall Merle Pence led the annual St. Helens Kiwanis Parade, named “The Wisdom of Columbia County” after this original work of music.

The Wisdom of Columbia County, composed by Kevin Bryant Lay with lyrics by Margaret Trenchard-Smith, is anticipated to be performed again in partnership with the Singing Eagles at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 27, 2024, under the baton of Alice Rice Boyer.

Anyone who wants to become involved is invited to write drmtrenchardsmith@ gmail.com or call 503-5433222.

Margaret TrenchardSmith is a St. Helens resident.

Courtesy photo from Bob Peticolas

The cast, standing left to right are Liz Kohl, Merle Pence, Kevin Bryant Lay, Margaret Trenchard-Smith, Paxton Washburn, Alice Rice Boyer, Jaysiah Zabgari, Jaz Zangari and Kayla Bissell.

crossword solutIon

Solution

Tualatin Valley FUNERAL ALTERNATIVES

A data breach has put the identities of 3.5 million Oregonians who hold ID cards or drivers licenses at risk, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation ODOT.

The agency states in a release that it is among many organizations affected by a data breach inflicted by a global hack of the data transfer software MOVEit Transfer.

Since 2015, ODOT has used MOVEit Transfer, a popular file sharing tool created and supported by Progress Software Corp that allows organizations to securely transfer files and data between business partners and customers.

On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a zero-day vulnerability alert stating that PSC had released a security advisory for MOVEit Transfer, and that the software had a vulnerability which could allow an attacker to “take over an affected system.”

“We moved immediately to secure our systems and are confident that they are working safely,” the ODOT release states.

ODOT officials said the agency worked closely with state cyber security services and engaged a third-party security specialist for analysis.

“Our analysis identified multiple files shared via MOVEit Transfer that were accessed by unauthorized actors before we received the security alert,” ODOT Officials said.

On Monday, June 12, ODOT confirmed that the accessed data contained personal information for

approximately 3.5 million Oregonians. While much of this information is available broadly, some of it is sensitive personal information.

“We do not have the ability to identify if any specific individual’s data has been breached<” the ODOT release states. “Individuals who have an active Oregon ID or driver’s license should assume information related to that ID is part of this breach.”

ODOT recommends that individuals take precautionary measures to protect themselves from misuse of this information, such as accessing and monitoring personal credit reports.

If you think you may have been affected, ODOT said here’s what you should do now:

Under federal law, you

monitoring personal credit reports.

have the right to receive, at your request, a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three consumer credit reporting companies. A credit report can provide information about those who have received your credit history.

You may request a free credit report online at www. annualcreditreport.com or by telephone at 1-877-3228228.

When you receive your credit reports, check for any transactions or accounts that you do not recognize. If you see anything you do not understand, call the telephone number listed on the credit report or visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site on identity theft at http://www. consumer.gov/idtheft/. Additionally, you may wish to ask each of the three credit monitoring agencies to

obItuarIes

Helen Bernice (Franklin) Smith

Oct. 30, 1929 ~ June 7, 2023

Helen Bernice (Franklin) Smith loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend was born to W.W. Franklin and Mary Coleeta (Stapleton) Franklin on Oct. 30, 1929, in Perkins, Oklahoma. She married Lloyd David Smith on May 8, 1948. They had two sons, Larry and Dennis. They were married for 62 years.

Lloyd preceded her in death on Aug. 25, 2010. Also preceding her is son Larry Smith; daughter-in-law Coleen Smith; her parents; three sisters; and four brothers. She is survived by son Dennis (Sandi) Smith of Sitka, Alaska; daughter-in-law Theresa Smith of St. Helens,

Rick Shawn Beehler was born in St. Helens, Oregon on May 26, 1981. He was a loving father, son, brother, and great friend to many. He passed away on May 15, 2023 at the age of 41, due to health issues.

In his youth, he kept busy with his many siblings and neighborhood friends running around the streets and fields of North 6th Street. He participated in track and crosscountry events while in high school. Rick graduated from St. Helens High School and followed in his father’s footsteps as a construction laborer in union

Oregon; two sisters, Joann Franklin and Joyce Surrett; four sisters-in-law, Marina Franklin, Barbara Campbell, Charlene Smith, and Goldie

Smith; five grandchildren, Julie and Gary (Shasta) Smith of Sitka, Alaska, Jason Rauscher of Silverdale, Washington, Candy Hilsinger

May 26, 1981 ~ May 15, 2023

hiking, fishing and hunting in eastern Oregon. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars, especially race cars, and he would help anyone in need with various projects. He was kind, quick-witted, smart, and an all-around funny guy that loved to be around people. His family and friends will miss him very much.

freeze your credit files.

• Equifax: equifax.com/ personal/credit-report-services or 1-800-685-1111

• Experian: experian. com/help or 1-888-3973742

• TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-help or 1-888-909-8872

For information, you can reach out to Ask ODOT, your first point of contact for finding information, services or resolving issues with ODOT. They can be reached by email at AskODOT@odot.oregon. gov. ODOT has notified law enforcement.

“Our work to understand the full impact of this incident is ongoing,” the release states. “As we learn more, affected parties will be notified as required.”

of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and Cindy (Tom) House of Vancouver, Washington; great-grandchildren, Jacob (Sheena) Hilsinger, Katelyn Scott, Tawny Smith, and Eva Smith; three great-greatgranddaughters, Raechel, Bella, and Natalie; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She died at home on June 7, 2023. Her funeral was held at 1:30 p.m. on June 14, 2023 at Columbia Funeral Home with a reception to follow there. We wish to thank Legacy Hospice and Creekside Baptist Church members and pastor for their help and concern.

Pam Beehler; sister LaRrie (Mike) Vetter; brother Mark (Janette) Beehler; sister Vicki Beehler and her fiancé Roger Shober; sister Crystal (Brooke) McDowall; brother Brad (Lisa) Beehler; brother Adam (Brandy) Beehler, favorite uncle “Scooby” Larry Beehler; several nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives.

local No. 737. He loved being outdoors, camping,

1-833-395-1433

He is survived by his daughter Molly Beehler, whom he loved and adored greatly. The two of them were inseparable and he lovingly referred to her as his best pal. He is also survived by parents, Mark and

A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sun., Aug. 6, 2023 at Trojan Park in Rainier, Oregon. All are welcome to attend and share their stories in remembrance.

Rick Shawn Beehler

FREE high speed internet for those that

Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-877390-0458.

Spring has sprung and it’s planting season again

This year Nature Hills, America’s largest online plant retailer, has an exclusive offerFrench Manicure Panicle Hydrangea. Sale price just

$24.60 plus s/h. Call for details and order today. Call Nature Hills Plant Nursery 1-844-5500583 or visit naturehillsdeal.com/ bloom45.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-536-8838.

Call LeafGuard and say goodbye to gutter cleaning for good No cleaning. No leaking. No water damage. No more ladder accidents. Get LeafGuard today and be protected for life. FREE estimate. Financing available. 20% off total purchase (Restrictions may apply.) Call 1-844345-1537.

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote – Call now before the next power outage: 1-877-557-1912. The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-844989-2328.

Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data No contract and no hidden fees. Unlim ited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium na tionwide coverage.

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HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855602-2009.

Connect to the best wireless home internet with EarthLink Enjoy speeds from 5G and 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 866-857-2897.

Are you a pet owner?

Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-833-975-1626 to

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Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-839-0752.

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833-395-1433.

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Wesley Financial Group, LLC. Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how

to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844487-0221.

Life Line Screening

Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-655-0972.

Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1-866695-9265 today!

Donating your vehicle? Get more! Free Towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $200 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3-day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today - 1-844-5339173.

301 Health & Nutrition

Alcoholics Anonymous Info-line, (503) 366-0667 www.pdxaa.org

MINI-STORAGE

Multi-unit Garage/Unit Sale

June 24, 2023 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Absolutely no early birds

Guardian Mini Storage Park outside the lot.

2305 Old Portland Road St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-6384

Community Yard Sale

Join Christ Episcopal Church in St. Helens for a community yard sale on July 8. Sell your goods at a safe place. We will do all the promotion & provide tables (for 15% fee). Deadline to reserve a table is June 24. Contact carol.craig19@ yahoo.com or call 971.221.4640.

502

Help Wanted Immediate Opening Sewing, taping, etc. Part-time 6-Noon, M-Th. Apply in person only. 33550 SE Santosh St. Scappoose, OR 97056.

TRAINING & CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hiring process for a Training & Certification Coordinator. Apply online at www.columbia911. com/careers. Additional information can be found on

our website or by calling 503-3696978.

702

Garage Sales

Big garage sale

Friday & Saturday, June 23 & 248:00 am - 4:00 pm. 204 N 2nd Street, St. Helens.

Garage Sale

9-4 June 24 & 25.

Household items, small appliances, some furniture, window AC unit, books and some tools. 770 Tualatin St. St. Helens, OR.

HUGE

Garage Sale!

Tools, furniture (inside and outside), pet items, some collectibles and much more! Saturday, June 24th from 8:30a3:30pm, 59929 W Kappler Rd. Please no early birds.

MOVING SALE

June 24 & 259:00 to 4:00. Wood dressers, walnut desk, 4 drawer secretary, 12” compound miter saw,

ECO 54v cordless lawnmower, tools ETC! 135 Park St, Saint Helens. All must go!

706

Estate Sales

St. Helens

Estate Sale June 24 & 25 from 10-4. 2006 E500 Mercedes, older Chevy box van, huge train collection, all things railroad, table saw, finish carpentry hand tool, scrap wood, native art and rocks, camo, hunting, fishing, vintage stereo, 60s & 70s LPS, go cart, and sewing & crafts. No earlies. Cash only. Childs Rd, look for pink signs.

Clatskanie People’s Utility District is seeking a GIS Analyst

This position will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and validation of GIS data for use in the implementation and tracking of electrical facilities and processes throughout the District’s service area.

To help extend the life of Clatskanie PUD power poles, Davey Resource Group has been contracted to conduct our pole test and treat program for 2021. They will be working on our poles on the following roads and the surrounding areas: Swedetown Rd, Olson Rd, Alder Grove Rd, Lindberg Rd, Cedar Grove Rd, & Lost Creek. For questions or concerns, please call 503-728-2163.

Ideal Candidate! A driven, enthusiastic individual who is detail-oriented to provide GIS data system administration and strives to fulfill the District’s Vision Statement to: “Benefit our customers through innovation and adaptability.”

Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience.

Clatskanie PUD offers a competitive benefit package. An application and full job description can be found on our website under About Us/Employment Opportunities at clatskaniepud. com. Submit completed application, résumé, and cover letter to Human Resources, PO Box 216, Clatskanie, OR 97016, secure fax 503-308-4884, or email: hr@clatskaniepud.com.

This position remains open until 5:00 pm PDT, July 17,2023, or until filled. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lynn Donner: ldonner@clatskaniepud.com or 503-728-2163.

Clatskanie PUD is an equal employment opportunity employer, following all necessary federal and state employment laws required. Clatskanie PUD will make reasonable accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Veterans will receive hiring preference as required by law.

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION

Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 305.583 (9) and (10), notice is hereby given that on June 14, 2023, St. Helens School District No. 502, Columbia County, Oregon (the “District”) adopted a resolution (a) classifying the tax levy to be imposed to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the District’s pro-posed issuance of gen-

CH23-1366

eral obligation bonds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,000,000 as not being subject to the limits of section 11 or 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution, and (b) specifying the authorized uses of the proceeds of the general obligation bonds. Any individual may contact the Director of Fiscal Services of the District at 474 North

16th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, telephone (503) 397-3085, to obtain a copy of the resolution. Judicial review of the classification of the taxes or the specification of authorized uses may be sought within 60 days of the date of the resolution.

ST. HELENS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 502, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of JOSEPH ANTONE FLORI, Deceased. Case No. 23PB00820 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

Proceedings for this estate have been commenced.

Claims against the estate may be presented to the personal representative listed below. Any person who has a claim against the estate must present the claim to the personal representative not later than

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four months after the date of the first publication of this notice at the following address: 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056. Any claim not presented within this time period may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the estate proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative.

Dated and first published on: June 14, 2023. Brenda Flori, Personal Representative, 175 N 8th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 3972422. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC, 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056. Phone: (503) 5434800, Fax: (888) 543-4806, Email: aaron@lowercolumbialaw.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT

RATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Tuesday June 27, 2023

5:30 p.m. The Rate Advisory Committee for Columbia River PUD will hold a Rate Advisory meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the Cost of Service Analysis, the October 1,

CH23-1379

2023 Bonneville Power Administration rate adjustment, the retail rate design for all customer classes, and any other business that may come before the Board. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made

CH23-1377

The statement of procedures for Columbia County are available for review at the Columbia County Courthouse and https:// www.columbiacountyor. gov/departments/Finance/ Expenditures.

MEETING

at least 48 hours in advance by contacting the PUD at 397-1844. The 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 Sykes, General Manager.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY LANE CLUSURES

Notice of temporary lane closures on Columbia Blvd. and on N. 12th St in St Helens on Wednes -

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day, June 21st from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Contractor: Hubbard Construction Corporation.

Citizens Day in the Park returns for 6th year

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Gather your family, grab your neighbors and friends, and plan for a day of fun at the sixth annual Citizens Day in the Park hosted by the St. Helens City Council.

The community celebration is happening on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in McCormick Park, 475 S. 18th Street.

Citizens Day in the Park is a day focused on making and strengthening community connections. It’s an opportunity for people to put down their cell phones, turn off the television, and enjoy a day of fun in a local park with friends and family. Activities are familyfriendly and designed for a wide age-range.

Activities include a free barbeque lunch, a car show

by the Highway 30 Cruisers, live music by The Decades, free activities, and over 50 vendor booths featuring local non-profits, organizations, and businesses. Food is available on a first come,

first served basis while supplies last. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, and cookies will be served. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Picnic tables

Courtesy photo

will be at the park, but seating is not guaranteed. Parking is available at McCormick Park but usually reaches capacity soon after the event starts. Overflow parking is available at

the St. Helens Recreation Center across from McCormick Park at 1810 Old Portland Road. The City of St. Helens is offering a shuttle from the overflow parking lot this year thanks to a donation from Columbia County Rider. Citizens Day in the Park is made possible thanks to generous donations from local businesses and help from local volunteers. This year’s sponsors include:

• Bemis Printing

• Columbia River PUD

• Columbia County Rider

• The Decades (band)

• Don’s Rental

• Grocery Outlet

• Hudson Garbage and Portable Toilet Service

• OnPoint Community Credit Union

• Pacific Industrial Ser-

vice, Inc.

• Pacific Stainless Products, Inc.

• Safeway

• Skinny’s

• St. Helens Marina

• St. Helens Market

Fresh

• Stan’s Refrigeration

• Sunshine Pizza

• Walmart

• Wells Fargo

Anyone interested in donating to Citizens Day in the Park should contact Lisa Scholl at lscholl@ sthelensoregon.gov or 503366-8216. Vendor spots are currently full for the 2023 event.

For further information regarding Citizens Day in the Park, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at cking@ sthelensoregon.gov.

Coast Guard responds to 2 capsized vessels in 1 week

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Coast Guard rescued one person found stranded on a channel marker and recovered an unresponsive person from the water after a vessel capsized Sunday, June 11, on the Columbia River near Astoria.

At 2:25 p.m., a caller, who witnessed from shore, notified Coast Guard Sector Columbia River watchstanders that a boat reportedly capsized causing two people to enter the water east of Tongue Point.

A Coast Guard Air Station Astoria MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment 29-foot Response Boat-Small II crew launched.

At 3 p.m., the aircrew arrived on scene and located the stranded person atop a dayboard channel marker. A rescue swimmer deployed to retrieve the person before the two were hoisted from the water to the helicopter.

Remaining on scene and conducting a continued search of the area, at 3:22 p.m., the aircrew located a person floating face-up but showing no signs of mobility.

Due to shallow water depth, the Coast Guard boat crew was unable to access the person’s location. The rescue swimmer was again lowered from the helicopter to the water and observed the person to be unresponsive and not breathing.

After transporting the person to the nearby Coast Guard boat, the rescue swimmer remained with the person to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts while transiting to awaiting emergency medical personnel at the East Mooring Basin. The person was unresponsive when transferred from Coast Guard care.

The aircrew transported the person rescued from the channel marker to Air Station Astoria and was transferred to the care of awaiting emergency medical person-

for softball. Harcourt was twice named to the All-State Second Team and honorable mention once. She later played years at Western Oregon University.

nel in stable condition.

First incident

The Coast Guard rescued two people from their boat after it capsized Wednesday night, June 7, off the coast of Nesika Beach along the Southern Oregon Coast. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Columbia River

Country Media, Inc.

received notification around 7:30 p.m. from the wife of the captain of a 26-foot commercial fishing vessel stating that her husband had not made it back to the marina at the time he said.

The watchstanders dispatched a rescue boatcrew from Station Chetco River aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and an aircrew aboard

a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station North Bend. They also conferred with the local police department who confirmed the operator’s truck and trailer were still at the boat ramp.

The wife had also told to the Coast Guard that a friend had called the vessel operator at approximately 3 p.m., which was the last time someone had contact with anyone on the vessel. Utilizing cell phone forensics, watchstanders were able to narrow down a viable search area.

Just after 11 p.m., the aircrew located the vessel with the men sitting on the overturned hull. They were not wearing life jackets. The helicopter crew then vectored the boatcrew to the scene.

The motor lifeboat arrived to the capsized vessel at 11:30 p.m. and safely recovered both individuals. They were showing signs of hypothermia and were provided blankets and water. The men were brought to

Station Chetco River and arrived at 2 a.m. They were seen and released by awaiting EMS responders. The men spent nearly eight hours sitting on top of the hull of the vessel.

“This case highlights the importance of creating a ‘float plan,’ or simply just telling a friend or family member who is staying back where you are going and when to expect you back,” said Lt. Michael Jeffko, Command Duty Officer for Sector Columbia River.

“With the excellent search planning and coordination between our watchstanders in the command center and the rescue crews at Station Chetco River and Air Station North Bend, we had a successful outcome. Our crews train for these incidents and their flawless execution resulted in two lives saved.”

The identity of the victims and what caused the vessels to capsize had not been released by the Coast Guard at the time of this report.

Danielle Maeda (Harcourt), from the class of 2010, is being inducted

Kylie Reinholdt , a 2014 graduate, is going into the Hall of Fame as a track

and field athlete. Reinholdt finished her SHHS career with the school record in the triple jump. She was also a standout long jumper and high jumper. She was the runner-up at the 2014 State Meet in the triple jump and finished fourth in the high

jump.

Miguel Olmedo will represent the class of 2017. He won the 5A heavyweight state wrestling championship as a senior. Community member Shanon Kline is being inducted for her service to

crossword puzzle

the Booster Club. Kline has been in charge of concessions at St. Helens High School athletic events for nine years.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be at the Elks Lodge, 350 Belton Road in St. Helens, June 24,

starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. The Booster Club’s Johnson Bailey Memorial Golf Tournament will follow the next day at Glendoveer Golf Course. You can register online at sthelensboosters.org.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

Star-Spangled

DOWN

1. ____ constrictor, anagram

2. Word on a door

3. Duet plus one

4. Angry

5. Large California bird

6. Smelting waste

7. Stuff of inflation

8. Adagio and allegro, e.g.

9. German city on Rhine river

10. Con

11. Not of the cloth

12. Down with a bug

15. ____ someone ____ bed

20. Satirical publication, with The

22. Calligrapher’s purchase

24. *”From the ____ forest to the Gulf Stream waters”

25. *Old ____

26. Waterwheel

27. Hymn of praise

29. *Popular decoration

31. *”Rockin’ in the USA” band

32. Certain church member

33. Yiddish busybody

34. Theater guide

36. Kind of rock

38. Heroic tale

42. B on Mendeleev’s table

45. “Where ____ is heard a discouraging word...”

49. Sushi restaurant staple

51. Shiny cotton

54. High-strung

56. Car rack manufacturer

57. Charlie Chaplin’s prop

58. “Oh, my!”

59. Agrippina’s slayer

60. “I’ll second that”

61. Great Lake

62. State of mind

63. One in a litter

65. *King George ____

67. Farm structure

A Coast Guard helicopter, like this one, responded to the scene of both capsized vessels.

Four individuals will be inducted into the St. Helens Sports Booster Club’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony on June 24 at the St. Helens Elks Lodge.

Local trail gains national designation

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Columbia County’s Crown Z trail is now a part of the National Trails System (NTS).

The federal government

officially designated the Crown Z Trail as a National Recreation Trail (NRT) June 3, according to the Columbia County Parks, Forests, and Recreation Department.

NRTs are existing landbased and water-based trails that provide close-to-home recreation opportunities on federal, state, and local lands. The NRT designation is granted to some of the country’s highest-caliber trails that provide closeto-home recreation opportunities and the benefits of spending time outdoors, according to a release from Columbia County.

The Crown Z Trail, also known as the Crown Zellerbach Trail and CZ Trail, is a nearly 25-mile long, primarily gravel-packed trail connecting the towns of Scappoose and Vernonia.

The former logging trail that runs through rural areas of Columbia County starts in Scappoose on the Multnomah Channel at

Chapman Landing. The trail primarily follows the Portland Southwestern Railroad route through the forested areas of Columbia County to Vernonia Lake, connecting to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.

“It’s exciting that the Crown Z Trail and our communities, by extension, are being recognized as excellent recreational destinations,” Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett said. “The Crown Z Trail offers hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and other recreational opportunities. It is an outstanding addition to the national network of trails.”

Walking, hiking, horseback riding, or biking are all options at various points.

You will find multiple trailheads along this scenic, nearly 25-mile trail, from Chapman Landing in Scappoose to Anderson Park in Vernonia. In addition, certain trailheads offer parking and picnic areas, public restrooms, and bicycle repair stations for visitors to use at their leisure.

Visit https://sites.google. com/colcomuseum.org/ crownz-trail to learn more about the Crown Z Trail.

Accommodation, food services adds 4,800 jobs

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% in May, down from 4.0% in April, according to the latest Oregon Employment Department survey.

This was the fourth consecutive monthly drop in the unemployment rate, down from a recent high of 4.8% in January.

The May rate was similar to rates in February through May 2022, when it ranged from 3.5% to 3.7%. Oregon’s May unemployment rate of 3.7% equaled the U.S. unemployment rate, which rose to 3.7% in May from 3.4% in April.

In May, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,600 jobs, following a revised gain

of 500 jobs in April. Overthe-month gains were largest in financial activities (+1,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality (+1,100), and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+1,000). Declines were largest in retail trade (-500 jobs) and government (-300). Since May 2022, Oregon has added 39,100 nonfarm payroll jobs (+2.0%).

Leisure and hospitality, while still adding jobs, has grown at a slower rate during the past 12 months than during its rapid partial recovery during much of 2020 and 2021. Its component industry, accommodation and food services, which employed 177,000 in May, added 4,800 jobs in the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, arts, entertain-

ment, and recreation, which employed 27,600 in May, added 2,800 jobs in that time. Despite these recent gains, leisure and hospitality is still 11,900 jobs (-5%) below where it was in February 2020, just prior to the Pandemic Recession.

Professional and business services job gains have decelerated over the past year. It added 5,200 jobs since May 2022, growing at the same rate of 2.0% as Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment. But at a total of 268,000 jobs in May, professional and business services is well above its pre-recession peak figure of 257,700 jobs in February 2020.

Local government, at 229,700 jobs in May, was

Vehicle

back near its pre-recession total. This sector, which includes schools and city and county governments, took about three years to fully rebound from the Pandemic

ETFs can spell opportunity

Mutual funds offer investors a chance to own shares in dozens of companies, as well as bonds, government securities and other investments. But you might be able to broaden your portfolio further by owning another type of fund — an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

An ETF, like a mutual fund, can own an array of investments, including stocks, bonds and other securities. Many ETFs are passively managed in that they track the performance of a specific index, such as the S&P 500. In this respect, they differ from most mutual funds, which tend to be actively managed — that is, the fund managers are free to buy and sell individual securities within the fund.

Another difference between ETFs and mutual funds is that ETFs are traded like stocks, so shares are bought and sold throughout the day based on the current market price, whereas mutual funds are traded just once a day, at a price calculated at the end of the trading day. Whether this ability to make intra-day trades is meaningful to you will likely depend on how active you are in managing your own investments.

For some people, the main attraction of ETFs is their tax advantages.

Because many ETFs are index funds, they generally do much less buying and selling than actively managed funds — and fewer sales mean fewer taxable capital gains. These ETFs are somewhat similar to index mutual funds, which are also considered to be tax-efficient, as opposed to actively managed funds, which constantly buy and sell investments, passing on taxable capital gains to you throughout the life of the fund. (Keep in mind, though, that mutual funds that trade frequently may still be appropriate for your financial strategy. While taxes are one element to consider when evaluating mutual funds, or any investment, other factors, such as growth potential and ability to diversify your portfolio, are also important.)

ETFs typically also have lower operating costs than mutual funds, resulting in lower overall fees. Part of the reason for these lower costs is that actively managed mutual funds, by definition, usually have larger management teams devoted to researching, buying and selling securities. By contrast, passively managed ETFs may have leaner, less-costly management structures. But while most ETFs may share the same basic operating model, many types are available. You can invest in equity ETFs, which may track stocks

in a particular industry or an index of equities (S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and so on), or you can purchase fixedincome ETFs, which invest in bonds. ETFs are also available for currencies and commodities.

Of course, as with all investments, ETF investing does involve risk. Your principal and investment return will fluctuate in value, so when you redeem your ETF, it may be worth more or less than the original investment. Also, liquidity may be an issue. Some ETFs may be more difficult to sell than other investments, which could be a problem if you need the money quickly. And because it’s so easy to move in and out of ETFs, you might be tempted to “overtrade” rather than following an appropriate long-term investment strategy.

A financial professional can evaluate your situation and help you determine whether ETFs are suitable for your needs. At a minimum, they represent another investment opportunity that may prove useful as you work toward your financial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Topher Mood, your Edward Jones financial advisor at (503) 397-1125.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Recession cutbacks during 2020.

Retail trade employment ticked down 500 jobs in May. Industry employment has been steady recently,

Program

coming in at 208,800 in May, which was close to its jobs totals of 2017 through 2023, with the exception of the recession-induced plunge of 2020.

PUD Installs Equipment to Help with Wildfire Mitigation

As wildfires continue to be an increasing threat to the Pacific Northwest, we are continuing to increase our efforts to combat against damaging blazes.

Accurate weather data is a vital tool we rely on in our efforts to mitigate destructive wildfires. We recently purchased and installed a Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) in St. Helens to help in this regard. Oregon Department of Forestry, our partner for this project, will maintain the RAWS now that it is up and running.

This weather station will provide valuable data to us and other agencies in Columbia County. This unit provides timely weather data like temperature, humidity levels, and wind speeds that help assist in fire management. The data collected is then transmitted to the National Weather Service, where it is available to the public.

The data collected by the RAWS is used by fire managers to predict fire behavior and monitor fuels. It can also help us determine if we need to execute a public safety power shutoff (PSPS).

A PSPS occurs when we preemptively turn off power to customers due to extreme weather threatening our abil-

ity to operate our equipment safely. So far we have not had to use this option and it will only happen as a last resort. A more accurate reading of local weather conditions will benefit us when the time comes for us to make such a decision.

Before the installation of this RAWS, there was only one in Columbia County and it is in Mist. Because weather conditions can differ in different parts of the county, we have not always been able to receive the most accurate weather information for our service area. Adding this RAWS increases our accuracy.

Other stations are being installed elsewhere in the county.

As time goes on, the RAWS will store historical weather data. This information will help determine weather trends that the National Weather Service can use when issuing Red Flag Warnings.

The data will allow us to create our own risk assessments. These assessments can help us decide whether we need to make any changes to our operations. Currently, we

make modifications to our electric system if we are under a Red Flag Warning.

Under normal circumstances, when a branch falls on a power line, the power is disrupted momentarily and then attempts to come back on. Typically, if a branch brushes a power line and falls off, power will blink off and then quickly return to normal. During a Red Flag Warning, we modify our system so that any time a branch falls onto a line, power is automatically shut off. This decreases the risk of a fallen branch causing a spark that might ignite a fire.

We are continuing to do everything we can to proactively fight against the threat of wildfire. The purchase of this RAWS is an investment in the safety of our community.

Michael J. Sykes General Manager, Columbia River PUD

MICHAEL J. SYKES Sponsored content

Courtesy photo You will find multiple trailheads along this scenic, nearly 25-mile trail, from Chapman Landing in Scappoose to Anderson Park in Vernonia.

Courtesy photo

The former logging trail that runs through rural areas of Columbia County starts in Scappoose on the Multnomah Channel at Chapman Landing.

Courtesy photo

The trail offers natural setting viewpoints.

Courtesy photo

The trailheads offer parking and picnic areas, public restrooms, and bicycle repair stations for visitors to use at their leisure.

in May.

fees, permit fees, etc. Sometimes it can even provide jobs. Often a production will leave a location better than when they found it by making improvements that were necessary for production. Occasionally they may donate items, such as set pieces, or props, etc., to local schools and the like.

2. It galvanizes pride in the community - there is nothing quite like seeing your hometown playing a part on the big or little screen.

3. Exposure always provides the potential to attract new visitors. “Film Tourism” is a very fast-growing sector and can reach beyond the confines of traditional

advertising; it is an exciting sector to embrace.

When asked about the economic value of allowing films to shoot in St. Helens, King’s response for the City echoed Ridley’s answers. King said that such projects are a good way to increase tourism and visibility.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Melty Mike’s Pizza isn’t a new pizza joint in town, it’s just one of the store fronts installed by production for the film. Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc. Retro cars filled the block of South First Street, giving downtown an ‘80s vibe in line with the film’s goals.

Helens signature event, The Spirit of Halloweentown, is held each fall, as the town leans into its spooky side during an event

St. Find more details about this upcoming movie in future editions of the Chronicle and online at thechronicleonline.com.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

classic Halloweentown in 1998. This

year the Spirit of Halloweentown will last from September 16 - Octo

ber 31.

The community gathered along Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens June 17 for the annual Kiwanis Community Parade. The St. Helens High School Marching Band, colorful floats, superheroes, horses and other participates made their way through the city to the waterfront. The parade was named “The Wisdom of Columbia County,” after the original work of music.