Healthcare costs surging
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Serving Columbia County since 1881
CCSO establishing illegal marijuana enforcement team JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, (CCSO), is seeking new manpower to establish an illegal marijuana enforcement team. “We recently received a $940,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to put together an illegal marijuana enforcement team,” Pixley said. “So, we are hiring to back fill spaces for this team and also for an open position.”
ministration (DEA) and Oregon State Police (OSP) in 2021 investigating an illegal marijuana growing operation in Columbia County. “The pictures depict part of one grow we had here in Columbia County,” Pixley said. “The year-long investigation culminated in 26 search warrants served across the state of Oregon and one in Texas over a twoday period in September of 2021.” As a result of the search warrants, Pixley said the following was recovered statewide: • 32,999 total marijuana plants • 1504 lbs. of bulk marijuana • 23 firearms • $353,000 in cash.
Why this team is needed now Courtesy photo from CCSO
This photo shows the elaborate equipment used at a site in Columbia County to produce the illegal marijuana.
Courtesy photo from CCSO
This illegal marijuana growing operation was the center of a federal, state and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigation in 2021.
Pixley said this specialized enforcement team has been needed for quite some time and the concern is twofold. “The first is the human trafficking component,” he said. “Often times these illegal grows are tied to organized crime from either a Mexican or Chinese cartel. As such, they often will use “indentured servants” to work these grows to pay off some form of debt owed to the cartel. In my opinion, this is the biggest reason for our team.” Pixley said the location of the illegal marijuana grows is his second concern. “The fact they grow in rural areas across Oregon, then ship the marijuana to the East Coast where they can sell the marijuana on the streets,” he said. Pixley shared pictures that he took while the CCSO worked with the United States Drug Enforcement Ad-
Pixley said the grant funding will be critical in the CCSO illegal marijuana enforcement efforts. “The $940,000, two-year grant will allow us to completely stand up a team,” he said. “It pays for all needed equipment and 2.25 full-time employees.” At the conclusion of two years, there is a potential for additional funding to continue the team, Pixley said. Deputies to receive specialized training Once the new deputies are hired, they will be required to take specific training before performing duties.
See MARIJUANA Page A9
The hospital that was never built Dissolution, lawsuits, and battle over Millard Road Special Report ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Editor’s Note: The Chronicle’s final investigative report will answer the question of how the Columbia Health District dissolved, the lawsuits that were filed and dismissed against the former CHD board members, and the transfer of the Millard Road property to the City of St. Helens. Board response After Measure 5-209 passed in November 2010, the Columbia Health District (CHD) board promised to lower the hospital tax and announced its intent to dissolve. The measure, a citizen-led ballot initiative, called for the $.38 per $1,000 property tax to be repealed and all taxes levied for the hospital project to be refunded to taxpayers. According to former CHD Vice Chair Gary Heide, the only way to repeal a permanent tax rate would be to dissolve the special district. On Feb. 3, 2011, former CHD Chair Jay Tappan, Heide, board members Laura Tomanka and Lisa Galvovich, and newly appointed board member Diane Hutson, approved Resolution 2011-01, outlin-
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Courtesy photo
Pictured are the members of the Columbia Health District elected in 2011. Left to right, Peggy Crisp, Tammy Maygra, Carrie Cason, Georgia Keiper, and Madalene Anderson.
ing four actions the board would take in dissolution:
cordance with ORS 440.403(2) to effectuate this resolution.
1. The hospital project shall remain abandoned. 2. CHD shall continue the public health authority functions in accordance with the Local Public Health Services Agreement, as amended, with Columbia County. 3. CHD shall attempt to sell the property located at 35101 Millard Road, Warren, Oregon (the “Hospital Property”). 4. CHD shall prepare and adopt a supplemental budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 in ac-
Additionally, the resolution stated that although Measure 5-209 was declared unenforceable by the Oregon Judicial Department (ODJ), “it is the intent of the Board of CHD to effectuate, to the extent possible, the will of the people in passing Measure 5-209.” In a one-on-one interview with The Chronicle, Heide reflected on the outcome of the citizen-led ballot initiative that stopped the hospital project in its tracks. “I can really only speak for
myself,” he said. “I was disappointed.” Letter of the law Oregon Revised Statute 198.945 states that if a majority or more of the votes cast in a special election approve dissolution, the district can then be declared dissolved. “The board shall thereupon constitute a board of trustees who shall pay the debts or procure releases thereof and dispose of the property of the district,” the statute reads.
The Chronicle asked Oregon Special Districts Association (SDAO) Executive Director Frank Stratton whether a special district board can initiate dissolution before verifying the results of an election. Stratton told The Chronicle that we would have to get in contact with a lawyer who could interpret the state statute. Emails between Tappan and former CHD Public Health Administrator Karen Ladd reveal that the former board intended to convey CHD assets to a nonprofit months before the new board members were elected and before holding a dissolution vote. “Hi Karen, I just finished talking to Earl, and I think we have a good understanding of where we’re going. Here’s what we need to do,” Tappan wrote in an April 4, 2011 email. “We need to send them a letter asking to mutually terminate the PHA [public health agreement] NLT [no later than] 30 Jun 11. We will agree to operate until that time under some short-term agreement to continue providing PH services. We will not reference any arrangement past 30 Jun so as to blunt the criticism of us doing a sleight of hand with the Foundation transition.”
See HOSPITAL Page A5
Governor declares State of Emergency JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Governor Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency in 25 Oregon counties, including Columbia County, from July 25 through July 31, to ensure additional resources are available to respond to forecasted excessively high temperatures. Multiple days of extreme heat with little or no cooling overnight may also impact critical infrastructure, causing utility outages and transportation disruptions, according to Brown. “With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy,” Brown said. “I encourage everyone to take proactive
steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.” Brown has directed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate the state’s Emergency Coordination Center to coordinate essential protective measures. She has also directed state agencies to provide any assistance requested by OEM to support response efforts. Heat-related illnesses are preventable — all Oregonians are encouraged to learn the symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses, according to a release from
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Temperatures inland are expected to reach the upper 90s and low 100s this week. Forecasters predict cooler conditions along the Oregon Coast.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Never Forget Garden planted at Caples House
Courtesy photo
This photo shows the Never Forget Garden and members of the DAR District 1 with the Caples Buildings and Grounds Committee who attended the dedication in Columbia City. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Administrators and members of the Caples House Museum have set aside and dedicated a small portion of the Columbia City property for a Never Forget Garden. Caples House Museum Director Beth Moody gives us insight into why this garden is important. The Chronicle: What is the purpose of this garden and why is it being established at Caples House? Beth Moody: 1921 was the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. The Daughters of the American Revolution partnered with the Tomb Guards’ Honor Society to commemorate the anniversary by establishing Never Forget Gardens around the country. They are in honor of our fallen and unknown soldiers. The Society of the Honor Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier describes the Never Forget Gardens
“as a visual way to represent America’s unwavering commitment to our sacred duty to recognize, remember, and honor our veterans, many who continued to serve as first responders, and their families now and for many years to come. A Never Forget Garden can provide an elegant expression of that which deeply resides in the heart of our fellow Americans: “I will Never, Ever Forget You — I am in it with you.”” (https:// tombguard.org/never-forgetgarden-marker). Oregon’s DAR Portland Chapter sponsored this garden at Caples House as a place of reverie and remembrance. The Chronicle: Describe the garden. What will people see? Moody: The Honor Guard collaborated with the American Rose Society, so the anchor flower are several red and white rose bushes, among them the new Veteran’s Honor bush. The red and blue petunias are arranged reminiscently
in the shape of our flag, while the gold marigolds represent Gold Star families. A Gold Star family is a family who has lost a loved in active duty. At the center of the garden is the plaque commissioned by the Honor Society for the Never Forget Gardens. The quote at the end of the marker is from the Declaration of Independence and is tied to America’s sacred duty to never ever forget. The very name of the Garden says: “Never Forget —I am in it with you.” The declaration is the document that speaks to why we fight and why citizens, from the very beginning of our Country, come forward to defend what defines us as Americans.”
education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. However, we aren’t just limited to the Revolutionary War. The DAR works hard to honor all veterans and our active duty military. Such a small percentage of our population is affected by the military, this garden serves as an everyday spot to honor, remember, and teach about those who have served, why they have
served, and why they will continue to serve, no matter the high cost. The gardens at Caples House are a lovely spot to wander or sit. The river view and breezes soothe whatever might ail anyone. Our Friday Tea and Sweets event is a perfect punctuation to end a work week with tea, a dessert, inside a cozy cottage. Our fundraising events and weddings dance with joy.
While visiting Caples for a wander, a tea, or an event, we hope the people will also stop and view this special garden spot and be reminded of those who fought so that we have quiet gardens with river views that are free to wander. The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503397-5390.
Key Transition
The Chronicle: How can community members be engaged with this garden beyond the dedication ceremony? Moody: DAR is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation,
Big Fish!
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
St. Helens Senior Center Director Kathy Innocenti hands the building key to the incoming center director Justin Watson. Innocenti retires at the end of July after serving as director for the past three years. Read more in next week’s Chronicle.
Should you own bonds when interest rates rise?
Courtesy photo from Bob Miller
Columbia County resident Dale Hewitt shows off a 35-pound salmon he caught along the Willamette River aboard Captain Bob Miller’s boat. Hewitt said he used a Brad’s Kokanee cut plug as bait.
As you know, the stock market has attracted a lot of attention – and for good reason, as we’ve seen considerable volatility almost from the beginning of the year. But if you own bonds, or bond-based mutual funds, you might also have some concerns. However, it’s important to understand why bonds should continue to be an important part of your portfolio. To begin with, let’s look at what’s happened with bond prices recently. Inflation has heated up, leading the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to help “cool off” the economy. And rising interest rates typically raise bond yields — the total annual income that investors get from their “coupon” (interest) payments. Rising yields can cause a drop in the value of your existing bonds, because investors will want to buy the newly issued bonds that offer higher yields than yours. And yet, despite this possible drop in their value, the bonds you own can still help you make progress toward your financial goals. Consider these benefits of bond ownership: • Income – No matter what happens to the value of your
bonds, they will continue to provide you with income, in the form of interest payments, until they mature, provided the issuer doesn’t default — and defaults are generally unlikely with investment-grade bonds (those rated BBB or higher). Your interest payments will remain the same throughout the life of your bond, which can help you plan for your cash flow and spending. • Diversification – As you’ve probably heard, diversification is a key to successful investing. If you only owned one type of asset, such as growth stocks, and the stock market went into a decline, as has happened this year, your portfolio likely would have taken a big hit — even bigger than the one you may have experienced. But bond prices don’t always move in the same direction as stocks, so the presence of bonds in your portfolio — along with other investments, such as government securities and certificates of deposit — can help reduce the impact of volatility on your holdings. (Keep in mind, though, that by itself, diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses in a declining market.) • Reinvestment opportunities – As mentioned above, rising interest rates and
higher yields may reduce the value of your current bonds, but this same development may also offer you some favorable reinvestment opportunities. If you own bonds of varying durations — short-, intermediate- and long-term — you should regularly have some bonds maturing. And in an environment such as the current one, you can reinvest the proceeds of your expiring short-term bonds into new ones issued at potentially higher interest rates. By doing so, you can potentially provide yourself with more income. Also, by owning a mix of bonds, you’ll still have the longerterm ones working for you, and these bonds typically (but not always) pay a higher interest rate than the shorterterm ones. It might not feel pleasant to see the current value of your bonds drop. But if you’re not selling them before they mature, and you take advantage of the opportunities afforded by higher yields, you’ll find that owning bonds can still be a valuable part of your investment strategy. 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
Topher Mood, AAMS® - Financial Advisor 2504 Sykes Rd, St. Helens, OR 97051 • (503) 397-1125 www.edwardjones.com/topher-mood
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Oregon’s health care costs surge emergency department, professional services and outpatient services grew by more than 60% from 2013 to 2019, with pharmacy costs growing the most at 93%. In the Medicare market, pharmacy costs grew by 185% from 2013 to 2019, far outpacing any other service category in any of the three markets. Pharmacy costs were the main driver of Medicare cost growth in this time period, increasing from $794 to $2,261 per person.
STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Health care costs grew 49% per person across insurance markets between 20132019 in Oregon, outpacing national health care cost growth during the same time period, according to a new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report. Market numbers By market, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, commercial market costs per person grew 45%, and Medicaid costs per person grew the slowest at 32%. Rising prescription drug costs and the cost of professional services were the primary factors driving health care cost increases. Between 2013-2019, Oregon’s health care costs grew faster than income— while per person health care costs grew 49%, per person income grew 31.5% and average wages grew 21.6%. The report shows that for people in Oregon with commercial, employer-sponsored insurance, the cost of the av-
Medicaid market
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By market, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, commercial market costs per person grew 45%, and Medicaid costs per person grew the slowest at 32%.
erage annual deductible and insurance premiums combined in 2019 was 10.1% of median income. “The effects of rising health costs have a direct impact on the well-being of people, families and our communities,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said, “When health care costs grow faster than income and the cost of living, they squeeze the budgets of
families and businesses and reduce access to care. It’s important for Oregonians to understand how health costs are growing – and why – so we can take steps in our state to contain them.” Cost growth The report documents cost growth across six major service categories and identifies which types of services
are responsible for most of the cost growth in each market. Between 2013 and 2019, per person pharmacy costs grew the most (116%). Inpatient services have the highest per person costs and grew by 22% over the six years. In the commercial market, professional services contributed the most to overall cost growth between 2013 and 2019. Pharmacy,
In the Medicaid market, professional services and pharmacy contributed the most to overall cost growth between 2013 and 2019. The Medicaid market saw less growth across service categories compared to the commercial market. Service categories in the Medicaid market also had lower per person costs, with the exception of inpatient services. Between 2012-2017, Oregon held costs under its section 1115 Medicaid waiver agreement with the federal government to a rate of growth of 3.4%, which
authorized Oregon to deliver care to nearly 1 million Oregon Health Plan members through coordinated care organizations (CCOs). The cost categories measured under Oregon’s 1115 waiver are a subset of the costs included in the 20132019 health cost growth report. Oregon’s 1115 waiver focuses on limiting cost inflation for core Medicaid benefits paid by federal and state governments. The calculation of cost growth under the waiver does not include categories such as increases in payments to hospitals for uncompensated care, graduate medical education, emergency care for non-citizens, the cost of behavioral health prescription medication and other costs. (State health officials released a fact sheet that outlines different types of health cost calculations.) These data show that Oregon’s CCO model helped slow cost growth in the Medicaid sector. While Medicaid costs per person grew by 32%, between 2013-2019, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, nearly double.
Construction, leisure and hospitality sectors see job surge STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Across Columbia County and the state, more people are back on the job. Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 8,700 in June, following gains averaging 6,200 jobs in the prior seven months, according to the Oregon Employment Department’s June jobless report. The state’s construction sector showed the most gains in June (+2,800 jobs), other services (+1,600), healthcare and social assistance (+1,300), and leisure and hospitality (+1,300 jobs). Oregon’s private sector is close to a full jobs recovery, having regained 98% of pandemic recession losses. Construction employment rose rapidly over the past 12 months, reaching a record of 118,700 jobs in June, well above the pre-pandemic peak of
112,300 in February 2020. Since June 2021, construction added 8,700 jobs, or 7.9%, faster growth than the private-sector gain of 5.2%. All construction industries grew rapidly over the past 12 months, with several growing by doubledigits: building finishing contractors (+13.2%), building equipment contractors (+11.5%), heavy and civil engineering construction (+10.8%), and specialty trade contractors (+10.7%). Leisure and hospitality rapidly added jobs this year and last year. That sector added 28,500 jobs, or 16.4%, since June 2021. Despite these gains, leisure and hospitality still accounts for a large share of the jobs Oregon has not recovered since early 2020, with 14,600 jobs left to recover to reach the prior peak month of February 2020. The industry has re-
gained 87% of jobs lost early in the pandemic. Health care and social assistance added jobs rapidly throughout the first half of this year—gaining 7,900 jobs through June—following a stagnant period throughout 2021. Most of the gains were seen in ambulatory health care services, which added 4,000 jobs during the first six months of this year, and in social assistance, which added 2,400 jobs. Government (-600 jobs) was the only major industry that shed a substantial number of jobs. As of June, Oregon has regained 94% of jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic. The U.S. has regained 98%. Oregon’s unemployment rate of 3.6% in June was essentially unchanged from 3.5%, as revised, in May. Oregon’s unemployment rate has been below 4.0% for the past four months. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6% in March, April, May, and June.
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The Oregon Employment Department report shows 2,119,639 employed and 81,617 unemployed in June. Job surges were seen in the construction and leisure and hospitality sectors.
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Opinion
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Viewpoints
Council’s action ‘seems out of place’ STEPHEN TOPAZ Chronicle Guest Column
St. Helens Council OK’s toxic waste storage facility in cooling lagoon. On July 20, 2022 the majority of the St. Helens City council voted to sign an exclusive negotiation agreement with US Ecology. US Ecology manages toxic and ordinary waste dumps. This agreement is needed only if the decision to put a waste dump in the lagoon has
been made. In the document presented to the council by John Walsh, no cost for this work, no timeline, and no description of the work to be done was given. It would be expected to put out a request for proposal to invite as many companies to bid for this project as possible, but that was not done. The document presented to the council by John Walsh has a working date of May 2020. On January 19, 2022, an executive meeting was held
where US Ecology presented their qualifications to operate for St. Helens a waste facility. This meeting was reported to the ethics commission on February 8, 2022, and the ethics commission ordered an investigation case number 22027 XSM. This investigation is still active but has not been resolved. This executive meeting is similar to the meeting held in Portland in 2019 at the Portland consulting company, Maul Foster Alongi (MFA),
offices where the extent of waste that could be coming to St. Helens was described. The ethics commission found this meeting, Case number 19-188 XSM to be illegal. In this meeting it was discussed that a town meeting should be held in the summer of 2019 in St. Helens to inform the residents about the toxic waste facility, this meeting has not been held. I, being censured for the past year and half have not had any information shared
with me on this project. The results that MFA investigation test cores around the lagoon showed that there was concern about the site. This investigation is now under review by DEQ. A second investigation by MFA placing test cores inside the lagoon have not been done at this date. Some of tests will also classify the toxicity of the sediments of the present lagoon. With incomplete data and no input from the citizens
of St. Helens on wanting a lagoon it seems out of place to be signing a contract with a company to operate a waste storage facility here in St. Helens.
Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-789-9240 Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver.org/events-page.
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Read the city council agreement attached to this guest column at thechronicleonline.com. Stephen Topaz is a member of the St. Helens City Council. He may be reached at 503-410-0938.
Community Events July 28 Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Meeting-Canceled The Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District’s Board of Directors meeting at 1 p.m. has been cancelled. July 31 Rainier All-Class Picnic Picnic starts at 11:00 a.m. and potluck at noon and ends at 4 p.m. at Hudson-Parcher Park, 75503 Larson Road in Rainier. It is recommended that you bring extra chairs and a potluck dish. The picnic is sponsored by the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum. The museum will provide the park admittance fee, water, coffee, plates, utensils, and napkins. Please help offset the $300 park fee and cost of supplies by making a donation when signing in at the picnic site. August 2 Blood Drive 12:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church, 360 Wyeth, located on the corner of N 4th and Wyeth. For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). August 5-7 Sandcastle Building Competition Sandcastle competition and a pirate encampment on
Sand Island Campground and Marine Park at St. Helens. Over 25 professional competitors from across the country will compete for top honors. Other activities include free sand carving lessons, scavenger hunts, music, and sand bucket fun. Food will also be available picked up at the shuttle dock. Limited food will be available on the island. For more information, or to book a campsite ticket or a day pass, visit https://discovercolumbiacounty.com/events/ sand-island-sand-castle-competition-august-5-7-2022/. August 5 Movies by Moonlight Scappoose Public Library and the City of Scappoose are sponsoring free Movies by Moonlight each Friday in August at Heritage Park, 52469 SE Second Street, in Scappoose. A series of four family friendly movies will be shown with thematic activities and events each night. For up-to-date information about the events, visit the Movies by Moonlight website link, Facebook page, or contact Jeff Weiss 503-543-7123. Food vendors will be on site with snacks and full meals available for purchase. All movies start at dusk with pre-movie events beginning at 7 p.m. In
the event of rain, the showing will be rescheduled. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted in the park. August 6 Legion BBQ The American Legion Vernonia Backyard BBQ from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. at 627 Adams Avenue. Live music, huge raffle prizes, PSE compound bow, game camera, charter boat fishing trip for two worth $400+, BBQ grill and smoker combo, outdoor propane fire pit, multiple gift certificates $25-$50 and more. Come have a great time with your local Veterans. August 13 Strawberry Pancake Breakfast A strawberry pancake breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 2nd Street in Columbia City. The breakfast includes a slice of ham, scrambled eggs and two fluffy pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Breakfast comes with coffee and a choice of orange juice or milk. Adults $12. Children $9. Call 503-396-5658 for more information.
in Columbia City. The event includes a book sale, quilt raffle, craft vendors, an art show and kids zone. For details, call 503-396-5658. Ongoing events 13 Nights Annual St. Helens waterfront music concerts at the Columbia View Park amphitheater. Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Columbia View Park amphitheater. See the concert schedule and feature stories about the performers at thechronicleonline.com. Farmers Market The 20th season of the Scappoose Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, contact scappoosefm@gmail.com.
Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday - Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christcentered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st St., St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. Free childcare available. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521 or check the
Columbian Toastmasters Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome. Meeting virtually via Zoom 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 Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Rd., Scappoose. Call Fred 971-7576389. 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 chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.
August 13 Show & Shine Car Show 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Columbia City School, 2000 2nd Street
Police Reports The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. June 25 • Police took an informational report about a domestic violence situation in the 100m block of S 7th Street. • Police arrested a 34-yearold male on CUI-Drugs in the 2000 block of Gable Road. June 26 • Police assisted another agency at the 900 block of Port Avenue. June 27 • A 44-year-old male was arrested by police on a Fugitive Warrant in the 200 block of Columbia River Highway. • Police investigated an Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence case at the 2000 block of Columbia Boulevard. • Police arrest a male subject on Menacing in the 400 block of 16th Street. June 28 • Police arrested a 66-yearold female on DUI-Alcohol in the 400 block of Columbia River Highway. • Police arrested a 59-yearold male in the 2000 block of Columbia Boulevard for initiation of a false report. • Police took a report on Simple Assault at the 500 block of N 10th Street.
June 29 • Police arrested a 27-yearold individual on DUI-Intoxicants at the 2000 block of Gable Road. June 30 • Police took an informational report of a Domestic Disturbance within the St. Helens area. July 1 • Police arrested a 36-yearold female on DUI-Intoxicants at the 700 block of Columbia River Highway. July 2 • Police arrested a 40-yearold male on a Fugitive Warrant near Old Portland Road and Kaster Road. • Police arrested a 20-yearold male on a Fugitive Warrant near Matzen Street and Sykes Road. July 3 • Police arrested a 26-yearold subject on DUI-Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Violation of Speed Limit at the 900 block of Columbia Boulevard. • Police responded to a Theft of a Vehicle report at the 400 block of S 18th Street. • Police arrested a 21-yearold subject on a Fugitive Warrant near Columbia River and Marshall Street. July 4 • Police arrested a 37-yearold male for Driving While Suspended at the 1000 block of Columbia Boulevard. • Police assisted another agency at 901 Port Avenue. July 5 • Police arrested a 37-yearold male on DUI-Drugs near Old Portland Road and S 15th Street.
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• Police took a report on an Unlawful Entry and Theft from Vehicle report at the 100 block of N River Street. • Police arrested a 27-yearold male on a Probation Warrant at 901 Port Avenue. July 8 • Police arrested a 51-yearold female on DUI-Alcohol near Columbia Boulevard and S Columbia River Highway. July 9 • Police arrested a 27-yearold female on a Restraining Order Violation and Driving While Suspended in the 2000 block of Gable Road. July 10 • Police arrested a 48-yearold female on DUI-Alcohol at the 2000 block of Gable Road. • Police arrested a 55-yearold male for Driving While Suspended in the 500 block of S Columbia River Highway. • Police took a report of Theft of a Vehicle and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the 100 block of N Vernonia Road. July 11 • Police arrested a 38-yearold male on DUI-Controlled Substance, Reckless Driving, Unlawful Possession of Drugs Schedule II, Unlawful Manufacturing/Delivery of Drugs Schedule II at the 400 block of S Columbia River Highway. July 12 • Police responded to a Hit and Run near 8th Street and Columbia Boulevard. July 13 • Police arrested a 50-yearold female on a Fugitive Warrant near Columbia River Highway and Sykes Road.
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Do you believe that Columbia County should have a hospital?
Are you spending more and saving less due to inflation and the higher costs for goods and services?
Yes
No
83.3% Yes 16.7% No
Vote online at thechronicleonline.com
The Chronicle The Chronicle (USPS 610-380) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 S. Columbia Blvd., P.O. Box 1153 St. Helens, Oregon 97051 Periodicals postage paid at St. Helens, OR 97051
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Clarification
In our story ‘ Behind the CHD: Pressure mounts, project scrapped’ published in the July 20 edition of The Chronicle, we reported that the Columbia Health District spent $4,320,496 in staff support, gross pay and benefits between 2008 and 2011. The Columbia Health District actually spent $4,320,496 between 2006 and 2010. We are happy to set the record straight.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Riverfront district water line work scheduled Water line work was scheduled to take place early Wednesday morning, July 27, for water line repair within the Riverfront District of St. Helens. “An old water line is being cut and capped at the Columbia County Courthouse tomorrow, Wednesday, July 27,” City of St. Helens Communication
Officer Crystal King told the Chronicle. “The plan is to close the valves at both ends of the Courthouse property so that water service is not disrupted in the surrounding area” King said because the water line is old, the valves may not close completely. “If this is the case, we will have to close a valve further down the system which will cause water disruption in the surrounding area,” she said. “Due to the
hot weather, we plan to do this work starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 28.” According to King, water service should be restored within about two hours. All the businesses in the area have been notified of the possible service disruption, King said. On Tuesday, July 26, a St. Helens Public Works Department crew was to prepare the worksite at the Columbia County Courthouse for the water line work.
HOSPITAL
over. Accidental timing - I don’t think so.”
pushed to get back into a nonprofit, which is where they were before. And they did for a while and then the county took public health services back.”
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
From Page A1 “The commissioners need to have that impression of ‘selecting’ a next provider of PH services past 30 Jun.” In his email, Tappan refers to a conversation he had with one of the county commissioners, Earl Fisher. Fisher, Henry Heimuller, and Tony Hyde were all Columbia County commissioners at the time of dissolution. Ensuing backlash On April 6, just two days after sending the email, Tappan wrote a letter to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners requesting a termination of the Local Public Health Services Agreement (LPHSA). In a letter dated May 4, 2011, the commissioners “agreed to terminate the LPHSA, under the condition that the old board would transfer the public health service building on 2370 Gable Road to the county as well as assets, “including but not limited to cash assets, that are available for the provision of public health services.” Also, in May, five women - Peggy Crisp, Tammy Maygra, Carrie Cason, Georgia Keiper, and Madalene Anderson - were elected to serve the CHD. In a letter to the Columbia County Spotlight, Nancy Whitney, an advocate for Measure 5-209 and an outspoken critic of the former CHD board, shared the following concerns. “They [board] have asked the county commissioners to dissolve or ‘terminate the Public Health Authority agreement… ‘no later than June 30, 2011,’” she wrote. “This is one day before the new board takes
Declaring an ‘emergency’ Once the LPHSA was terminated, on June 8, 2011, the CHD board met with the county commissioners for an “emergency meeting.” In that meeting, the commissioners agreed that “due to the timing of the termination of the existing Local Public Health Services Agreement, an emergency exists,” and awarded the PHF the contract for providing health services in Columbia County. As Tappan had written in his April 4 email, “Under no circumstance does the Foundation receive any public dollars or assets until they are transferred first to the County or the City. We (Foundation) will only be able to negotiate with them for money and assets after the dissolution and selection of the Foundation as the next PH provider for Columbia County.” “We can’t just pass assets to the Foundation until the BOC [board of commissioners] selects us as the provider through the PHA agreement.” Several former CHD employees were also found to have worked for the PHF, according to PHF meeting minutes from 2012. An election asking the taxpayers whether the CHD should be dissolved wasn’t held until much later, on Sept. 20, 2011, records show. The Chronicle asked Heide why the board had requested that the commissioners terminate the agreement for providing public health services in the county. “I don’t remember,” he responded. “The new board’s principal interest seemed to be to find out what we had done wrong. The public health people
Millard Road controversy In dissolution, the newly elected CHD board and the county commissioners were embroiled in conflict over who were the rightful trustees of the Millard Road property. The hospital property on 35101 Millard Road had a valuation of $3.3 million after site development and was the district’s most valuable property asset, according to CHD records. Resolution 2011-13, adopted by the former CHD board on June 9, 2011, designated the county commissioners as the District Board of Trustees if voters approved dissolution; however, when the new CHD board was sworn in July 1, that board designated two persons, Joe Cason and Brady Preheim, as trustees for the Millard Road property. On Jan. 9, 2012, the new CHD board awarded Brady Preheim a warranty deed for 35101 Millard Road. The new board also requested a preliminary injunction to prevent the county from taking possession of the property, which former Circuit Court Judge Ted Grove granted, according to a February 2012 edition of The Chronicle. “The harm to the plaintiffs would be substantial and irreparable if the assets of the dissolved district were conveyed should the plaintiffs ultimately prevail,” said Grove in his ruling. “The Court is unable to identify any injury defendants would suffer by this preliminary injunction.” In an interview with The Chronicle, Preheim said that the county justified its right
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
The water line work is being conducted at the Columbia County Courthouse in the St. Helens Riverfront District.
to the Millard Road property by claiming the CHD was already dissolved, when “Oregon statute says the district exists up until the dissolution plan is completed.” “It was up to the elected board to come up with a plan for dissolution,” he said, adding, “That plan included me selling the property.” Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) Attorney Peter Mersereau, who represented the county, said that in October 2011, the county’s records clearly showed the new board members did resign and establish the commissioners as the trustees. “In this case, the board, on Oct. 13, 2011, chaired by Ms. Maygra, did appoint the Columbia County Commissioners as the board of trustees. When that occurred, all authority for that district passed from the board of directors to the board of trustees,” said Mersereau. On Feb. 5, 2013, the Columbia County Circuit Court ruled in favor of a motion for a summary judgment on behalf of the county and the City of St. Helens and ordered Preheim to execute and deliver a Quit Claim deed transferring the title of the property. In 2015, that ruling was affirmed by the Oregon Court of Appeals. County response In a one-on-one interview with Heimuller, The Chronicle asked the commissioner whether he or the other commissioners had conversations with the former CHD board to “speed up” the process of dissolution. “I don’t believe that there was anything in that context,” Heimuller responded. “Did I have conversations with all those people? Yeah,
because I’m in Kiwanis with them, as well as a few other dozens of things. The only thing that we specifically talked to the previous health district board about was the fact that we were very concerned about public health itself having a future, and the ability for all those programs having to do with healthcare to continue on.” The Chronicle then asked why the county transferred the Gable Road property to the foundation, which consisted of several of the former board members, right around the same time a new CHD board of directors was elected. “You can certainly pull all those minutes and go back and take a look,” Heimuller said. “What makes sense is well-documented in everybody’s history.”
In a final interview with Nancy Whitney, who played an integral role in stopping the hospital tax, she described to The Chronicle how it felt to finally have the story out after more than a decade of waiting. “It’s very upsetting to me,” she said, of the time it took for the information to be published. “We have aged a lot, but I’m still willing to fight and get other people interested in doing what’s right.” The Chronicle asked Heide what advice he has for county officials as they undertake the hospital feasibility study. “Take your time,” Heide said. “I think one of the mistakes we made is we tried to move too fast. We saw this immediate need and we wanted to meet it immediately.”
What now?
Editor’s note: The Chronicle reached out to all five members who served on the CHD board at the time of dissolution. All but one of the board members either declined our request for an interview or did not respond to our inquiries.
While The Chronicle was not able to confirm that the former CHD board acted illegally, as the plaintiffs of the federal lawsuit alleged, what we did find was that neither the county nor the former CHD board carried out the will of the taxpayers who had spent the last several years funding the failed hospital project. The federal lawsuit named 13 defendants, including Heimuller, who holds a seat on the county commission to this day. The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on Feb. 13, 2013, according to court records. St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King told The Chronicle that the City of St. Helens has plans to sell a portion of the property and leave the other portion of the property open for recreational use. County records show that a total of $92,080.76 was returned to special district taxpayers.
The Chronicle also reached out to Columbia Health Services, formerly the Public Health Foundation of Columbia County. A representative for Columbia Health Services declined to answer how much of the former CHD’s funds were transferred to the PHF following dissolution, citing state law as reason for the denial. Read the full Chronicle investigative series at thechronicleonline.com and join the conversation. Do you believe that Columbia County should have a hospital? Post your comments on this story at thechronicleonline.com.
Crossword Puzzle
STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE 1970s ACROSS
1. Come clean, with “up” 5. *_____-a-Soup, launched in 1972 8. Hefty volume 12. Maui party 13. Detective’s assignment 14. One that insists 15. Seed covering 16. Dull pain 17. Waltz, in France 18. *Francis Ford Coppola’s “The ____” 20. Part of an eye 21. H. pylori consequence 22. Labor org. 23. *”Feathered” 1970s icon 26. One who delivers coal 30. *1978’s “Night Fever” spent 8 weeks in this Billboard slot 31. Fire-breathing monster, Greek mythology 34. Type of list 35. Open-mouthed 37. Acorn producer 38. Glossy fabric 39. Denim innovator 40. Enlist or talk into (2 words) 42. Golf accessory 43. Gracefully thin 45. Meat and vegetable stew 47. Stumblebum
48. One way to prepare an egg 50. Chicken pox mark 52. *Type of 1970s shoes 56. Top dog 57. Laughing on the inside, in a text 58. Bye, to Sophia Lauren 59. *1971’s “Sooner or ____” by the Grass Roots 60. *”Beneath the Planet of the ____” 61. Very light brown 62. Research facil. 63. *Progressive rock band of “Roundabout” fame 64. Fishing pole spool
DOWN
1. Capture the ____ 2. Continental capital 3. Aforementioned 4. Substance with rotten egg smell 5. Secret stash 6. Theater employee 7. Jury member 8. *Olivia Newton-John’s 1978 co-star 9. Eye amorously 10. Table hill 11. Before, to a bard 13. Can’t-get-it-off-one’smind kind 14. Throat dangler
19. Winged 22. Charge carrier 23. Young horses 24. *One of three 1970s TV crime-fighting women 25. Plunder 26. *”I’d like to buy the world a ____” 27. “Semper Fidelis” to U.S. Marines, e.g. 28. Bye, to Edith Piaf 29. Group of nine singers 32. *”Rich Man, ____ Man” miniseries 33. As opposed to mishap 36. *Salvador Allende successor 38. Chow down 40. Game official, for short 41. Inflammation of iris 44. Capital of Senegal 46. Footstuffs merchant 48. North face, e.g. 49. Intensely dislikes 50. Architectural drawing 51. Prefers 52. *Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys,” e.g. 53. *”Interview with the Vampire” author 54. Kate Winslet as ____ of Easttown 55. *”____ Train” 56. *”Thrilla in Manila” winner
Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle. Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Classifieds Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com
301
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Health & Nutrition
Help Wanted
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Garage Sales
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Alcoholics Anonymous Info-line, (503) 366-0667 www.pdxaa.org
Hr DOQ Deadline: Open Until Filled. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia River PUD team, please visit our website at www. crpud.net to view and apply for open positions or call us at (503) 3971844 to have an application packet mailed to you.
pending on Experience & Qualifications / Negotiable. Please send resume to: jconstructionresumes@ gmail.com.
http://www. ci.scap poose.or.us//jobs. The City of Scappoose is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
knick knacks, kitchenware. Too much to list. Come check it out.
FREE COMPOST Horse manure. We load, U Haul. Please call for Info: 503-543-7406
Utility Worker The City of Scappoose is accepting applications for a Utility Worker. SALARY: $20.94 - $35.06 per hour depending on experience. REQUIREMENT: See full position description at www. ci.scappoose.or.us/ jobs. BENEFITS: The City of Scappoose provides a complete package of employee benefits. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00 p.m. on July 11, 2022. Applications can be picked up at Scappoose City Hall, 33568 E. Columbia Avenue or downloaded from our website at
Garage Sales
502
Help Wanted
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hiring process for a Chief Financial Advisor. Apply online at www.col u m b i a 9 11 . c o m / careers. Additional information can be found on our website or by calling 503-366-6972. Columbia River PUD A Community-Owned Utility is hiring a Field Engineer I/II Salary: Field Engineer I: $32.21$45.94/Hr DOQ Field Engineer II: $36.18-$51.61/
General Contractor has opening’s available for experienced Class A CDL Truck & Pup Trailer Driver’s, with clean driving record. Hauling Dirt & Gravel with a Truck & Pup Trailer. Job sites throughout Multnomah & Clark County areas. Preemployment drug screen required. FT Position, Overtime, 40-50hrs/ week. Salary De-
702
GARAGE SALE MULTI FAMILY: Fri. 7/29 (9-5) & Sat. 7/30 (9-2) @ 1330 Second St., Columbia City. Too much to list. No earlies. Garage Sale 1621 Tualatin, Friday the 29 and Saturday the 30, 9-4. Lots to see, including guy stuff. Huge Parking Lot Garage Sale at Oregon Trail Lanes, 735 S Columbia River Hwy 30, St. Helens on Sat. 7/30 from 9am-3pm. Furniture, household goods, clothes,
Moving Sale It All Has To Go! No reasonable offer will be refused. Hardy R Cave 503-396-2665, at 225 S 13th St., St. Helens, Friday - Sunday from 9 am - 6 pm. Multi-Family Garage Sale Fri. 7/29 & Sat. 7/30 from 8am-3pm, 56488 Cascade View Dr., Warren. Household items, clothing, records, oak dining set, air mattress, bar stools, yard items, dining table w/ glass top-seats 4, pet crate & items, adirondake chairs, 12-ft dual axle trailer, 90 bottle metal wine rack, 2 wine corkers, and much more.
ASPHALT PAVING Offering Quality Asphalt Paving Services to Columbia County and surrounding areas.
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Homes for Sale by Owner
Home for sale in Scappoose. 2 bed, 2 bath mobile home in gated 55+ co-op mobile home park w/ walk in closet, office, sunroom, & 2 decks. Mint condition. HOA fee of $500/month, includes water, sewer and basic cable. RV parking when available at $30/ month that includes electricity. Cleanest park around. $375,000. Please call Jim 503-7932822 or Jan 503369-3423.
We are looking for a Media Consultant to join our team in the advertising department This position is a full-time job and comes with a very competitive salary and commission package that also includes paid vacation, sick leave, health, dental and vision, mileage, cellphone reimbursement, and more. Come work in a professional setting in a fastpaced job that is different everyday. Advertising skills desired. People skills and marketing experience desired. Our new consultant will work to grow an established territory.
Email resume to jruark@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116.
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Head Start Needs YOU! Community Action Team Head Start is hiring in Columbia County!! We provide: • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits • Personal and sick leave • Balanced work schedules • A culturally respectful work environment We have career opportunities for the following positions: Cook – Vernonia Head Start: $15.10/hr Prep Cook – St. Helens Head Start: $14.41/hr Floating Aid – St. Helens Head Start: $14.41/hr Contact JoAnne Dodge at 503-397-4114, jdodge@nworheadstart.org; or Dawn Crawford at 503-556-3736, dcrawford@nworheadstart.org
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K9 Bravo readies for action, K9 Lars retires STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
As Columbia County’s new K9 Bravo begins specialized training for the job, County Sheriff Brian Pixley has announced the retirement of K9 Lars from the law enforcement agency. Lars is an 8.5-year-old Belgian Malinois who has served the community for more than seven years and contributed in the apprehension of hundreds of suspects and drug finds, according to Pixley. Lars has retired due to a medical condition and his last day of service was July 1. Lars has been adopted by a local family and will be spending his retirement in the community that he knows and loves.
Even though Lars has retired, Deputy Benjamin Krueger will continue as the department’s K9 handler. Krueger has already started training with his new K9 partner, Bravo. See The Chronicle’s original story with this update at thechronicleonline.com. Krueger and Bravo will attend six weeks of training before being certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association. After completing his training, Bravo will work with Columbia County Sheriff’s Office CCSO’s Enforcement Division. His duties will include suspect apprehension, tracking, and article and building searches. Bravo, a one-and-a-halfyear-old German Shepherd, was born in Romania in December 2020 and did his
police K9 training in the Netherlands. Bravo’s basic training consisted of police apprehension, tracking, and obedience. He was procured for Columbia County by Adlerhorst Kennels in Southern California. CCSO purchased Bravo using generous donations from community members and local businesses. Krueger began his law enforcement career in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was hired as a police officer and served on the SWAT team, as a field training officer, as a police reserve coordinator, and as a member of the honor guard with the Klamath Falls Police Department. Krueger joined the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office as an enforcement deputy in July of 2021.
Courtesy photo from Columbia County
K9 Bravo and Sheriff Brian Pixley give a demonstration during the Columbia County Fair.
Two local people perish in highway crash STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Two Columbia County residents have died in a traffic crash along Highway 30 in Multnomah County.
On Saturday, July 23, at approximately 12:57 a.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle motor vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 12.
According to OSP, the preliminary investigation revealed a westbound gray GMC Sierra, operated by Kody Hansen, 24, of Warren, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway striking a parked
black Audi A8 occupied by Dale Herren, 45, and Jennifer Herren, 43, of St. Helens. The GMC then struck two more unoccupied vehicles, a power pole, went over an embankment and struck the front porch of a
residence. Kody Hansen and Dale Herren sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased, according to OSP. Jennifer Herren was transported to a local hospital with injuries.
Highway 30 was closed for approximately five hours. Portland Police Bureau, Scappoose Police Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) assisted OSP with the crash investigation.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Public Notices
PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
CH22-1157
CH22-1149
PUBLIC NOTICE - INVITATION TO BID 15kVA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF and 25 kVA Transformers COLUMBIA RIVER PUD OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Notice is hereby given that Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD) will receive sealed bids for 20 15kVA and 20 25kVA padmounted transformers. Bids will be received by the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054 until 3:30 p.m., pacific prevailing time, on August 22, 2022, at which time the bids will be publicly opened.
The bids will be available for public inspection at the PUD office after the bid opening. The bid documents may be examined at the office of the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054. Paper or electronic copies of the bid documents may be obtained by sending a written request to Columbia River PUD. P.O. Box 1193, St. Helens,
Oregon, 97051, email to cpellham@crpud.org or by calling (503) 366-9913. Columbia River PUD reserves the right to reject any and all bids that are not in compliance with the bid documents and prescribed public bidding procedures and to reject, for good cause, any or all bids upon a finding by the PUD that it is in the public interest to do so.
In the Matter of the Estate of: CHARLES FREDERICK HELWIG, Deceased. Case No. 22PB05512 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KIMBERLY L. DESAU has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them,
with vouchers attached, to Personal Representative, KIMBERLY L. DESAU, 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 repre-
sentative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: c/o Attorney David V. Cramer, OSB #992479, Zantello Law Group, 2941 NW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367. DATED and first published: July 13, 2022. David V. Cramer, Attorney for Personal Representative.
CH22-1137
TS No. OR08000014-17-10 APN 12959 | 4N1W06-DD-08900 TO No 220111523-OR-MSO TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BRADLEY S. LAWRENCE AND VALERIE C. LAWRENCE, AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY as Grantor to TICOR TITLE as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for SUNSET MORTGAGE CO., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of December 22, 2010 and recorded on December 28, 2010 as Instrument No. 2010-010650 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon towit: APN: 12959 | 4N1W06DD-08900 LOT 110, RIDGECREST PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NO. 2, IN THE CITY
OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 58934 TIMBERLINE AVENUE, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 05/01/2020 to 06/30/2022 at $30,641.06 Monthly Late Charge(s): 1 Monthly Late Charge(s) By this reason of said default the Beneficiary
has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $142,339.04 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.75000% per annum from April 1, 2020 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on October 31, 2022 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public
auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due
had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In
construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 6/15/2022 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Order Number 83268, Pub Dates: 7/6/2022, 7/13/2022, 7/20/2022, 7/27/2022, THE CHRONICLE
CH22-1150
TS No. OR08000078-22-1 APN 3224-B0-01000 | 7124 TO No 220268220-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, JAMES A VANEK AND KELLY VANEK as Grantor to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY as Trustee, in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Beneficiary dated as of February 17, 2006 and recorded on February 27, 2006 as Instrument No. 2006-002700 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 3224-B0-01000 | 7124 PARCEL 2 OF PARTITION PLAT NO. 2005-08, RECORDED MARCH 23, 2005, FEE NO. 2005-003806, IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 33102 SOUTHWEST CALLAHAN ROAD, SCAPPOOSE, OR
97056 Both the Beneficiary, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: The secured loan obligation has matured By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $25,599.22 together with interest thereon at the rate of 7.50000% per annum from February 1, 2021
until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on November 30, 2022 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said
Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other
CH22-1151
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing before the St. Helens City Council will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 in the St. Helens City Council Chambers in City Hall located at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public input as to the pro-posed vacation (i.e. giving up a public interest) of the following: The west 25 feet of the N. River Street right-of-way and the east 30 feet of the N. 1st Street (Columbia St.) rightof-way abutting Lots 1, 2, and the portion of Lot 3 not included in the Marinascape Condominiums, Block 13; and The north 25 feet of
the Columbia Boulevard right-of-way abutting Lot 1, block 13, and the proposed vacated portions of the N. River Street and N. 1st Street (Columbia St.) rights-of-way adjacent to said Lot 1; and The west 30 feet of the N. 1st Street (Columbia St.) right-of-way abutting Lots 22, 21 and the south half of Lot 20, Block 16; and The west 25 feet of the S. River Street right-ofway abutting Lot 11, Block 12; and The south 25 feet of the Columbia Boulevard right-of-way abutting Lot 11, Block 12, and the proposed vacated portion of the S. River Street right-ofway adjacent to said Lot 11;
All within the St. Helens Subdivision, City of St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon. A petition to vacate was filed by Keith & Laura Locke, Diane Marie Dillard Revocable Living Trust, Susan Jones, and the Williamson Trust on April 27, 2022. A map of the proposed vacation and affected areas is available for review at City Hall. All written comments should be submitted to the City at least six (6) days prior to the hearing but can be accepted any time before or at the hearing. Testimony is welcome at the hearing. Zoom will also be available to participate. Virtual access information to join
the hearing will be available on the applicable agenda. Agendas and the staff report for this can be found on the City’s website: https:// www.sthelensoregon.gov/ meetings within the week prior to the public hearing. Questions can be directed to the City Planning Department at 503-397-6272 or by email at: jdimsho@ sthelensoregon.gov. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.
default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender
includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: July 7, 2022 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Order Number 83844, Pub Dates: 7/20/2022, 7/27/2022, 8/3/2022, 8/10/2022, CHRONICLE
CH22-1155
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINA MARINA MAINTENANCE DREDGING – DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PROJECT The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for design and engineering services from qualified consulting firms for maintenance dredging at the Scappoose Bay Marina in Warren, OR. RFP documents with further details
may be found on the Port’s website, www.portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, August 12, 2022. Bid packets may be submitted by mail to PO Box 190 Columbia City, OR 97018, delivered to our Port office located at 100 E. Street, Columbia City, from 8:00 to 5:00 pm; or emailed to house@portofcolumbiacounty.org. For questions, please call 503-397-2888.
CH22-1159
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING McNulty Water PUD Board meeting will be held August 2nd, 2022, at 7pm.
Located at 34240 Millard Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.
The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper. Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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Obituaries Carl “Martin” von Brandenfels
Esther Elizabeth Mann
July 26, 1935 ~ July 9, 2022
Memories of CARL MARTIN VON BRANDENFELS, also known as “Martin Brandenfels” This Memory page integrates memories and recollections from some of his devoted friends and loved ones on his beliefs, impacts upon others, and his love of life and Universal Truth. Martin was born in Nebraska on July 26, 1935 and transitioned from this life on July 9, 2022. His parents, Carl and Pauline moved to Saint Helens in the late 1940s. Martin attended Yankton Grade School, Saint Helens High School, undergraduate college and Law School at the University of Oregon (UO). During his years at UO he was well-liked and looked up to by other students. He had many ventures, adventures, and a few misadventures throughout his life and he loved a good yarn and charm the birds out of the trees. After his return to his childhood home in 1990 he self-identified as the ‘Farmer from Yankton’, He worked side by side with Sally, his devoted wife, and his best friend. He planted holly, grape, apple, and species rhododendron orchards (and more!). Together with his life partner they grew holly to make wreaths on the Holly Farm for three decades before his death. He hired almost anyone in need who came for work at the holiday seasons. Most visitors and
all his friends and family were blessed with this annual Christmas cheer. His home and heart were always open to others. The essence of Martin was curious, adventurous, fun-loving, and spontaneous. He was a seeker of Universal Truths and would often contemplate the ‘Bigger Picture’, holding high value for being present in the moment. He was a Minister of the Universal Life Church and married and buried many people with grace and wisdom. He was an avid reader and would find out everything he could about any subject until he would be the residing expert. He earned his pilot license when he was only 16 years old and enjoyed flying well into his 60s. He was a beekeeper and a clarinet player, a whistler, and a hummer of show tunes. He loved Johnny Cash and Souza marches, had a lifelong
interest in animals, nature, marching to the beat of his own drummer, and always rooted for the underdog. His compassion for humanity was evident in the help he gave to those who found themselves in trouble with the constabulary and also generously helping people to just earn a day’s wage. He supported many people out from the confines of jail into new productive lives and there was a regular, rotating position at the Holly Farm called “The Extra Guy.” One of his oldest and longest friends describes him as follows: “We grew up together in the same church family. It was the St. Helens Church of Christ then, and we met in the old building on the corner of So. 12th and Cowlitz St. (Now the St. Helens Christian Church meets in a building the church built next to where the old building stood. The site of the old building is now a corner parking lot for the church members.) “ “When we were in high school, Martin’s mother was our Sunday School teacher, and she was an excellent teacher. His family was gracious to us “young people” and invited us to events at their home in Yankton. It was a fun place to be.” “It was never boring to talk with Martin. He had a way of melding the past with the present in such a way that I always felt I was the center
Jan. 25, 1924 ~ July 12, 2022
of attention with him…..but engaging conversation was more important than events with him---” “He was a true creative and even coined the terms “gazunka” for hog fuel/ bark mulch and “zicky” for nimble, and quick maneuvering. He used these words regularly. We all knew what they meant when he said them.” For those of who knew him a single day to a lifetime and wish to celebrate his life: 1. Get curious about something, anything, and learn all you can from books, experts, and your own rapt observation. 2. Be confident that you, too, can become the resident expert. If you need a little extra confidence, have some of Martin’s he had a bounty, enough to share. “Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets and the moon sets, but they’re not gone.”― Rumi “For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.”― Khalil Gibran “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” His love of God was shown by his love of fellowman. Many times he would say about someone he knew, “I love that guy.” Proverbs 16:24 Service will start at 11 a.m. on Sat., July 30 at First Christian Church, 185 S 12th Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051.
Esther Elizabeth Mann, a resident of St. Helens, passed away on July 12, 2022.
Mary Jo Simpson
Jan. 23, 1943 ~ June 22, 2022 Mary Jo Simpson, long time resident of Columbia County, born Jan. 23, 1943, passed June 22, 2022, in Longview, Washington. A celebration of life will be held in her honor at 3 p.m. on Sun., Aug. 14, 2022, at Warren Community Fellowship.
Crossword Solution Solution for the July 20, 2022 crossword puzzle
Charlotte Mae Robinson Wilburn Oct. 31, 1921 ~ June 3, 2022
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on August 5, 2022 at the Presbyterian Church for Charlotte Mae Robinson Wilburn who passed away on June 3, 2022. She was born 100 years ago on Oct. 31, 1921, the eldest of seven children. Her birthplace, Falls Creek, Pennsylvania, was known for its pottery and after graduating high school, Charlotte got a job there----at 50 cents an hour. During WW2, she met Sgt. Roy Wilburn at a dance in Washington DC. They exchanged letters and fell in love. Charlotte took a bold chance traveling 3000 miles to stay with Roy’s relatives in Rainier until the war was over. The last leg of your trip was a bus from Portland to Rainier on the old narrow highway 30. Charlotte remembers looking out the bus window to the guard rail-less ravine below and wondering what she had gotten herself into. She was welcomed by Roy’s mother and sister in
Rainier and lodged at their Fern Hill farm. “We’re having chicken tonight,” said Roy’s mother. “I’ll help,” said Charlotte...and wish she hadn’t. Roy’s mother led her out to the chicken coop, grabbed one by the neck and swung it around, then de-feathered before frying to perfection. Charlotte couldn’t eat one bite. The war ended. Roy returned home and they were married on August 20, 1945. For a time the couple rented
housing in Gladstone and St. Johns before moving to St. Helens, eventually buying their house on MacArthur Street in 1950. Charlotte made many, many friends. Among them Ellen Todd, Borg Coleman, Elsie Abrams, Beth Lambert and Muriel Keudell. The ladies had a monthly social gathering they called “Sewing Club.” But if you were trying to get some sleep on the floor above, it seems there was less sewing than raucous laughter. Never idle, Charlotte excelled at everything she did. She was an excellent seamstress. Her apple pie would take the blue ribbon every year at the County Fair. Roy had a 14-year career with the State Police and was then elected sheriff in 1962, a position he retained until he retired in 1974. Once the kids were out of the house, Roy and Charlotte bought a trailer and would visit Magone Lake every summer. Roy wasn’t a sight-seeing
traveler, but Charlotte was, so she took many bus tours with the Sewing Club ladies. She would travel to San Francisco with Roy’s sister Doris to visit her nephew Jerry Bennett. One time, Doris got Jerry’s car high-centered in his driveway. Oh, if there was only video of the two of them trying to get the car out. Doris’s idea: she wedged a board underneath one tire and instructed Charlotte to jump up and down on the other end while Doris gunned the engine. Charlotte declined. A stroke in 1999 slowed her down but not by much. She still kept busy churning out crafts: hundreds of plastic canvas/yarn wall hangings and refrigerator magnets. She was predeceased by her husband Roy in 2002; all her siblings; her first two children, Larry and Carol; granddaughter Sonney; and great-granddaughter Ashley. She is survived by son Neil; three nieces; two grandchildren; and many great and great-great grandchildren.
Elizabeth “Bette” Manly Jan. 10, 1931 ~ July 18, 2022
Elizabeth “Bette” Manly of St. Helens, Oregon died July 18, 2022 at the age of 91. She was born Jan. 10, 1931 to Edmund and Viola (Lamberson) Kowaleski in Vancouver, Washington. After high school Bette attended secretarial school before becoming a loan officer. She worked in the title and escrow industry for many years as a head loan officer at FarWest Federal Savings in Portland and at Ticor Title in St. Helens for 10 years before her retire-
ment. In 1950 she married Albert Manly in Yuma, Arizona, they lived in St. Helens together for 60 years and continued to snowbird to Arizona before Al’s death in 2012. Bette and Al enjoyed all sorts of traveling together over the years, for simple enjoyment as well as for hunting and fishing trips. She was also an avid reader, a member of a spinning club, loved quilting and knitting and the two of them did genealogy together.
Bette is survived by her nephew Dan (Holly) Kowaleski; nieces, Malyssa (Greg) Settle and Jeanine (Ray) Bartley; and cousin Lorene Larson. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tues., July 26, 2022 at Columbia Memorial Gardens, Scappoose, Oregon with a celebration of life to follow at Caples House in Columbia City, Oregon. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to Columbia Pacific Food Bank.
John P. Vardanega
LEAR N MOR E AT STARTSEEINGMELANOMA.COM
1960 ~ 2022
John P. Vardanega passed away on July 6, 2022, at the age of 61 after a 2-year battle with cancer. He left us too soon. The son of John and Gene Vardanega, John grew up with his three sisters on their farm in Warren, Oregon. He told stories of driving the tractor in the hay fields as soon as he could reach the pedals. Industrious from the start, John helped his Dad build their family home and farmstead on Hazen Road. After graduating from Scappoose High School in 1978, John started working for the local lumber mills. He began his engineering career by taking classes at Portland Community College where he also met his future wife, Joan. He graduated from OSU with a B.S. in
Civil Engineering, and a professor commented that John was the type of person who could design the longest bridge span or the tallest building. John and Joan married in 1988 and moved to Snohomish, Washington. While working for engineering con-
sulting firms, John designed and built their house on ten acres. Missing the farming life and their extended family, they moved back to Warren in 2000. Soon they were building another house, while John was juggling both farming and engineering. He enjoyed making hay and feeding cows, and no matter how busy, he was always ready with a friendly wave or a thoughtful word. John loved his family deeply, and he cared for the community around him. John volunteered for the Scappoose School District in the classroom and on the budget committee. He coordinated 4-H Tractor Safety and participated as a bidder at 4-H Market Auctions. He was also active in the local Farm Bureau as Vice President,
Melanoma stands out. Check your skin. You could spot cancer.
and spent many hours quietly teaching others the art of farming and building. John had a curious nature and a twinkle in his eye. His softspoken helpful manner and carefully formed opinions will remain appreciated by many. John Vardanega is survived by his wife Joan; children, Jacob (Samantha) and Jenny (Taylor); sisters, Barb, Lorelie (Raj), and Josie; and nieces and nephews, Jordan, Josha, Asa, Ryan (KayLee), Kasey (Phil), Bryce, Ben, Tim, and Sam. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on July 30, 2022, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose, Oregon. Online condolences and obituary can be found at columbiafh.com.
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Garden Plots: Emerald Ash Borer and Columbia County Minnesota), or call the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation office in Warren at 503-433-3205. Take a good picture of the hole (or captured borers if you see and/or grab them) and have precise tree location information.
CHIP BUBL Chronicle Guest Article
For more information, see:
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is in Forest Grove, the first detection in Oregon and the only detection to date west of Colorado. They apparently had been there for some time as the infested trees were clearly dying. In the coming months, we will have some idea how far those EABs have spread. Emerald Ash Borers came from Asia where the native ash trees are resistant to their feeding on bark cambium. That is not the case of our native species found throughout most of the United States or Europeans species that have been used in landscapes. Oregon ash are at serious risk. They are found at lower elevations in the Willamette valley and along the Columbia River. Here, they are mainly concentrated in a band along the Columbia River and the lower portions of its tributaries in Columbia County. Learn what ash trees look
like. There are a lot on Sauvie Island. They can tolerate high water tables and fairly heavy clay soils areas swampy well into spring or along year-round creeks are the most likely places to see them. There are many ornamental ash species of U.S. and European origin found in home landscapes and planted in parks, streets, and some along Highway 30. It is important for homeowners with ash trees or those that hike natural areas that have Oregon ash to learn the EAB’s most distinctive characteristic (besides dying ash trees). The exit holes of the larva that have transformed into an adult borer are “D” shaped, i.e., a half-circle connected by a straight line. The D-shape can be flipped in all the ways a “D” can be flipped. They are not generally arranged like the round holes of woodpeckers and sapsuckers. EAB holes are much more random. The EAB adults are themselves are really tiny, a third of an inch to half an inch long, longer than wide,
and pointed at the back end. They have a metallic green appearance. We have one larger insect, the golden buprestid, that could be confused with EABs by a casual observer based on the green metallic appearance, but they are much larger than EABs and
shaped much different as well. If you notice a suspicious “Dshaped” hole in an ash tree, (EABs don’t feed on any other trees) call the Oregon Department of Forestry, at 503-397-2636 in Columbia City, or the OSU Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 (Alex Gorman, our new Extension Forester is an EAB expert with recent experience from
https://www.oregon. gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/fact-sheet-emerald-ash-borer.pdf . https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ em9160/html. There are a few ways of treating individual trees, but we hope it won’t come to that. The
treatments are complex, have undesirable side-effects on other insects, and can be quite costly. Large landscape-scale aerial treatment that was done for the Asian gypsy moth about 15 years ago in the St. Helens area won’t work on EABs. The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Master Gardener™ class signups being taken for 2022-23 class in St. Helens. The OSU Extension office in Columbia County will be offering the Master Gardener™ training starting this fall at the OSU Extension office in St. Helens. This year, we are trying a new schedule that allows people that work to attend. The classes will be held on alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m.- noon starting Sept. 10 through Thanksgiving. Then there will be a winter break. The classes will start again in early February and go through the end of April. Cost of the program is $100 which includes a large resource book. Some scholarships are available. OSU Master Gardeners™ are responsible for providing volunteer gardening education to the community as partial payback for the training. If you might be interested in the program, call the Extension office at 503-397-3462 for more details. Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting kiwis? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https://catalog.extension. oregonstate.edu/. Click on publications and start exploring.
Important notes Donate produce and/ or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. 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 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension.oregonstate. edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters. Contact information Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503 397-3462
New OSU research: Earthquakes and water MICHELLE KLAMPE Chronicle Guest Article
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 2.9 magnitude earthquake rattled across the Portland metro area shortly after 1:30 a.m. Sunday, July 24. The USGS said the quake was centered between Aloha and Hillsboro. Another small quake, at 4.0 magnitude, occurred about an hour later off the Oregon Coast at Coos Bay. There have been no reports of damages or injures from the two earthquakes. New Research A novel three-dimensional model of the fluid stored deep in Earth’s crust along the Cascadia Subduction Zone provides new insight into how the accumulation and release of those fluids may influence seismic activity in the region. The fluid collects near but does not penetrate a thickened section of the crust known as Siletzia which lies beneath much of western Oregon and Washington. The pressure associated with these fluids could be a factor in the seismic phenomenon known as episodic tremor and slip, or ETS, said Gary Egbert, an electromagnetic geophysicist in Oregon State’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric
MARIJUANA From Page A1 The training for an enforcement deputy includes a 12 to 16-week Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) pairing the new deputy with a Field Training Officer to learn applicable on the job skills and training, according to Pixley. New recruits will also have to attend a 16-week basic academy at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (ODPSST) in Salem. Training for the corrections deputy includes a 12 to 16week FTEP, which also pairs the new deputy with a Field Training Officer to learn job skills and training. The new correction deputy recruits will also have to attend a six-week basic academy at the ODPSST. Pixley said the hiring process can be challenging. “We have a rigorous hiring policy that can take up to four months to work through the process,” he said. “One of our biggest challenges though is the pay. We are so close to the Portland Metro area, that applicants can make more money
Sciences and lead author of a new paper detailing the findings. Tremor and slip Episodic tremor and slip is a fault behavior that includes both localized non-volcanic tremors and slow-slip events that may occur over hours or days. It occurs throughout the Cascadia Subduction Zone, from northern California to British Columbia, but is less frequent and intense beneath the central core of Siletzia, which runs primarily under the Oregon Coast range and ends near Roseburg. The findings, just published in the journal Nature Geosciences, have applications for increasing understanding of seismic activity along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, Egbert said. “Water is a key player in both seismic activity and volcanism in Cascadia,” he said. “This is a new view of these fluids. It’s information that could be used in conjunction with other data, and more detailed model studies, to better understand large earthquakes in Cascadia.” Decades of work Egbert’s paper draws from decades of work to collect magnetotelluric data, both offshore and on land, throughout the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Magnetoby driving to Multnomah or Washington Counties. We are currently in negotiations for a new union contract, so I am hopeful we will be able to close that gap a little bit.” According to Pixley, the annual salary range with benefits for a new deputy is $23.02 – $33.73 per hour. The CCSO also offers a 5% incentive pay for advanced certificates and Columbia County offers a full benefits package and enrollment into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), according to Pixley, who adds that deputies also earn sick time and vacation time, depending on their years of service. “A career with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is very rewarding,” Pixley said. “We spend a lot of time in the community really giving back as much as we can.” The CCSO was to host a deputy hiring event Saturday, July 23, at the Warren Community Fellowship. For more information, contact Sergeant Chris Neifert at chris.neifert@columbiacountyor.gov
tellurics is a geophysical technique that uses surface measurements of magnetic and electric fields to reveal subsurface variations in electrical resistivity. “Most solid rocks don’t conduct electricity very well, but dissolved solids cause water to be conductive, so the magnetotelluric data can be very useful for detecting where water exists in the subsurface,” Egbert said. Water naturally cycles down from the ocean into the Earth’s crust, where it accumulates and chemically combines with minerals. Where the oceanic crust is thrust beneath the continent along subduction zones, it heats up and releases water. The released fluids can weaken crustal rocks, leading to a crustal deformation, both from slow-release stress, such as with episodic tremor and slip, and from very large, damaging earthquakes. Highly relevant Improved knowledge of the subsurface fluid distribution is highly relevant to assessing seismic hazard in areas such as Cascadia, where there is significant potential for a catastrophic megathrust earthquake, Egbert said. Using software developed by Egbert and colleagues, the magnetotelluric data allowed the researchers to create a detailed three-
WEATHER From Page A1
Brown’s office “Oregonians who do not have air conditioning in their homes are strongly encouraged to make a plan today to find a cool location they can access during the heat wave,” the release states. To find cooling centers in Oregon, call 211, which will be operating 24/7 during the heat wave, or visit the 211 website. Brown is asking all Oregonians to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors who may be susceptible to extreme heat to help them access ways to stay safe. A full copy of the emergency declaration is attached to this story at thechronicleonline.com. NWS Meteorologist John Bumgardner in Portland said high pressure has slowly reestablished over the Northwest leading to the dangerously hot conditions.
Courtesy photo
The Cascadia Subduction Zone.
dimensional view of where fluids are stored within the Cascadia forearc, the area between the ocean trench and its associated volcanic arc. The three-dimensional imaging allows researchers to see fluids accumulate more directly and draw inferences about their movement. The new images show fluid trapped in elongated sheets that run parallel to the coastline and also reveal areas where underthrust sediments are piling up against impenetrable volcanic rock that stores little water. Beneath the core of Siletzia, the storage and transport of fluid is more focused within a narrow subduction channel that exhibits less episodic tremor and slip. “The results demonstrate
how the deep roots of Siletzia are critical to how fluids are transported and where they pond within the subduction zone,” said co-author Paul Bedrosian of the U.S. Geological Survey. “The implications of this for understanding seismic variability in Cascadia is just starting to be recognized.” More research is needed to understand the relationship between these fluids and earthquakes along the Cascadia, but that work is not out of reach, Egbert said. “It’s a complicated problem, but ultimately there is potential application for interpreting this information in conjunction with seismic data and geodynamic modeling to determine the relationship between fluid storage
and movement and seismic events,” he said. Additional co-authors on the paper are Bo Yang, an associate professor at Zhejiang University in China who worked on the project as a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State; Anna Kelbert of the U.S. Geological Survey; Kerry Key of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory; Dean Livelybrooks and Blake Parris of the University of Oregon; and Adam Schultz of Oregon State.
“We have a very weak low-level flow and we won’t have down sloping winds, which will allow temperatures to warm up quite a bit, likely to into 90s and possibly to the low 100s, especially in urbanized areas,” he said. Relief from the heat will be slow in coming. “Wednesday and Thursday likely will be the hottest days,” Bumgardner said. “It will start to gradually cool down to the low 90s possibly by Saturday.” The Oregon Coast would likely be one area to escape the heat. Daytime temperatures from Astoria to Brookings will range into the upper 60s and 70s during the week.
out the Portland metropolitan area. The NWS alert stated that extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The NWS alert also listed the following safety precautions:
possible. • Schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. • Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. • Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 9 1 1.
Excessive heat warning The NWS issued an Excessive Heat Warning in effect from noon Monday, July 25, until 9 p.m. Thursday, July 28. The alert said dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 98 to 103 were expected through-
• Drink plenty of fluids. • Stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun. • Check on relatives and neighbors. • Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. • Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. • When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. • Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. • Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when
Michelle Klampe is a writer-news researcher at Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. She may be reached at michelle. klampe@oregonstate.edu or at 541-737-0784.
Columbia County officials also issued a warning about the hot weather and placed the NWS alert on the county’s website Monday, July 25. Heat history It was a little over a year ago that the Northwest set all-time record highs when a blistering heat wave evolved in late June 2021. During that historic weather event, the Oregon state record of 119, previously set at multiple locations, was tied at Pelton Dam, located about 90 miles southeast of Portland. Temperatures reached 116 degrees in portions of Columbia County on June 29, 2021.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Remembering the 2022 Columbia County Fair & Rodeo Photos by Kelli Nicholson and Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Planning has already started for the 2023 Columbia County Fair & Rodeo following the 2022 five-day event at the fairgrounds in St. Helens July 20-24. The Chronicle captured a few of the 2022 moments at the fair in the attached photos. See more photos at thechronicleonline.com.
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