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Three dead in Scappoose house fire

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

Three people have died in a house fire in the 26000 block of NW St. Helens Road in Scappoose, according to Scappoose Fire. At approximately 3:30 a.m. Aug., 6, Scappoose Fire responded to a residential fire in an unincorporated part of Scappoose.

Cade Greenup is a Division Chief with Scappoose Fire, and was the Incident Commander at the scene of the fire.

working fire.”

As firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the residence 75% involved. As the firefighters began the fire attack, they were alerted that victims were still in a back bedroom.

“There was a family that lived in the house, and then the grandparents lived in a trailer that was also on site. They’re the ones that initially called 911,” Greenup said. “I think the grandfather was out trying to gain access to the structure, to try to get the family members out, when the first arriving engine pulled up.”

Unable to enter the structure through normal entry points, firefighters broke a window in the bedroom and removed two people and a pet. While they were able to get two of the victims out of the house, one could not be retrieved from the building.

“For a residential fire, our initial response, as usual, out of the first main station is an engine and a water tender, and then it follows up as other folks come into the station with more units,” Greenup said. “Obviously, when they got to the scene, they found a very large

Life-saving measures for the two victims were attempted by medics from Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) and American Medical Response (AMR) but to no avail.

The family dog and three victims all perished, but the identities of the victims have not been released at this time. The cause of the fire is still

under investigation, with investigators paying visits to the site through the early part of the week. Investigators are yet to determine the area of the house where the fire started. The fire is under investigation by members from the Columbia

County Fire Investigation Team, Oregon State Police, and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office.

Responding agencies included CRFR responded with a Battalion Chief, medic, and engine. Portland Fire & Rescue responded with a Battalion Chief, engine, and water

tender. Oregon Department of Forestry responded with a Chief Officer and engine. AMR, Columbia 911 Communications District (CCOM), Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office aided in the response.

Family of Sarah Zuber awaiting answers

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

In the ongoing saga that has been the investigation of the death of Sarah Zuber, her family and their team anxiously await the findings of the reopened investigation into her suspicious death.

On March 13, 2019, Sarah Zuber’s body was found by her sister Katie Zuber, on the side of Neer City Road in Rainier, less than 400 feet from her home.

After an investigation by a major crimes team, Oregon State Medical Examiner Rebecca Millius ruled that the death was accidental and caused by “combined deterious effects of acute ethanol (beverage alcohol) intoxication and hypothermia due to exposure.”

From the moment that the conclusion was delivered, the Zuber family has had serious concerns about the investigation that was undertaken. The Justice For Sarah Zuber Facebook page, a page created to bring awareness to the ongoing plight of the family, now has more than 2,000 followers.

Former Columbia County District Attorney Jeff Auxier stated to the Chronicle in early February that he believed the original outcome of the case was correct. Still, because of rising public interest in the case,

the investigation was reopened and turned over to the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ). In a letter issued to Columbia County media outlets in October of 2022, Rebecca Zuber outlined that the family had reservations about the findings of the investigation and how the investigation was handled.

“From the beginning, Sarah’s suspicious death investigation was handled incompetently,” the letter read. “Because no trained special investigative crime team is available in Columbia County, Sarah’s case suffered a plethora of mishaps, missed opportunities, miscommunication, half-completed interviews and lost evidence.”

Under review

Zuber family spokesperson Jennifer Massey and Zuber family attorney Erica Tatoian spoke with the Chronicle to provide an update on where the case currently stands since it has been turned over to the DOJ and Assistant Attorney General Kurt Miller (AAG). Currently, the family and its team are waiting for a report from the AAG.

“In light of DA Auxier’s resignation, I reached out to make sure it was still on [the AAG]’s radar, that nothing is going to change because of that; it was confirmed

that we are still going to get a report at some point,” Tatoian said. “They’re basically looking at what Columbia County did or didn’t do. And they’re going to see if there needs to be new levels of inquiry made, if there needs to be further

investigation, or maybe they’ll say things were done correctly or good enough.” The Zuber’s representatives say that some of the new information the AAG is reviewing comes from the Justice for Sarah Zuber team.

Representatives for the Zubers met with special agents, and the input they gave to the agents challenged the conclusion that Sarah Zuber’s

County Fair plant sale raises record funds

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The 2023 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo has come and gone, but the proceeds from its annual plant sale will help support the fair and fairgrounds for months to come.

The annual plant sale features a beautiful variety of flowers and plants

grown by Means Nursery in Scappoose, and the proceeds go directly back into supporting the fair and its programs.

Plant sale at the fair

Debbie Ritthaler helps facilitate the plant sale, and this year, the plant sale raised $60,805. The plant sale was originally started in 2008, and Ritthaler said that this year was the most money the sale has ever raised.

Ritthaler explained how and why Means Nursery began the sale.

“To help the youth and different programs in the fairgrounds,” Ritthaler said. “Gina and Jim Means had kids in the 4-H program, and so they wanted to find a way to help the fair and different programs at the fair, and so they came up with this idea, they’re the ones who own Means Nursery.”

Means Nursery supplies all of the flowers and plants for sale and specially grows and prices each of the items. Putting on the sale takes a lot of time and effort, and the sale has only expanded over the years.

“It is priced, sometimes half or even less what they charge in retail, and they bring it out, help us set it up, and sometimes even restock stuff for us,” Ritthaler said. “We have to get so many volunteers; now it’s turned into a two-week sale; it used to be a

five-day sale. But when COVID hit, there was no fair in 2020, so we just did the plant sale, and it started this whole thing where we have the plant sale the week before, and then we continue it the week of fair.”

Ritthaler said that putting on the sale takes a lot of teamwork. Ritthaler works part-time at Means Nursery, but she said that when the plants arrive for sale, she doesn’t know what inventory she’ll have until the plants are rolling up on the truck. This year there were four semitrucks and two box trucks full of plants on donation day. Over the full

two weeks, Ritthaler said there are about 40 volunteers between the fair and plant sale staff. To help unload the plants, Ritthaler said there were about 20 people there to help unload and set up.

When the sale starts, people flock to the sale to get their favorite items. The most popular item is usually the hanging baskets, which come at a major discount from the retail price.

“The first day of the sale, everyone and their mother comes out, and their grandmother and their grandfather; it’s crazy,” Ritthaler said. “Up until this year, the hanging baskets

have always been $10, and that’s always been the big draw. This is the first year that they’ve had to raise the prices on the hanging baskets, but you know what? It didn’t slow them down one bit. We still sold every hanging basket we had out there, and we had hundreds!”

Ritthaler said that during the pandemic, the plant sale “exploded” in popularity. Ritthaler said that a lot of people found a passion for gardening as they were stuck at home, and the

Courtesy photo from Scappoose Fire

Investigators on site were still searching for the cause of the deadly fire at press time.

Community members gather beneath a rainbow at Rainier City Park during the candlelight vigil for Sarah Zuber, March 13.

St. Helens water taxi finally in the water

WILL

LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

At long last, the water taxi purchased by the City of St. Helens is in the water and in action, and it ferried people to Sand Island over the weekend for the annual Sand Castle competition.

“We are excited to showcase the St. Helens waterfront to our city’s visitors,” St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King said. “By using the boat for tourism opportunities, visitors and community members can better experience our unique location on the Columbia River.”

The St. Helens City Council approved placing a deposit for the water taxi following a public hearing on May 18, 2022.

The boat arrived on June 5, and the city hoped to have it operational for riverfront

activities during the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, it was unavailable during the event because it was still going through the final steps of the Coast Guard certification process and other final preparations, according to King. “While the boat had certification in Florida, Oregon Coast Guard certification had to occur once it arrived here,” King said. “The boat canopy top had to be lifted and reassembled post-delivery. Safety equipment needed to be installed. Equipment software programming needed to be completed.”

The original budgeted cost for the water taxi was $250,000 and it was bought from Bargeworx, LLC in Florida. The total cost of the refurbished boat is around $230,000 and was fully paid for by tourism-related event revenues, according to St. Helens Communications Of-

ficer Crystal King.

The boat has a capacity of 29 passengers plus three crew members. The taxi will be operated by a licensed boat captain hired through E2C Corp., whose principal contractor is Tina Curry. The city’s event contractor manages and pays the boat’s operation costs, according to King.

The St. Helens Marina

currently operates a shuttle service to Sand Island to access the island’s campground. The new water taxi is in addition to that shuttle. While the boat has been billed as a benefit for the city’s summer events, there is also hope that the boat will be utilized yearround.

“E2C is working to develop additional tourism events

A closer look

that the boat will be used to facilitate,” King said. “We do not have specific event details to announce at this time.”

Boat controversy

The announcement of the boat’s purchase sparked controversy on social media. The original article from The Chronicle was posted on Facebook on June 6, 2022, and generated more than 70 comments.

The most recent article from The Chronicle posted to Facebook in early June of this year drew more than 20 comments from citizens. Comments included concerns about the use of city funds for the boat and questions about whether the boat will benefit the private leasers of Sand Island.

In response to some of the questions raised, the Facebook page for 13 Nights on

the River, which has an email associated with Tina Curry, commented about the need for the boat. The comment noted that Sand Island Camp Ground has its own boats that support its business. It also sought to clarify how the boat is funded.

“This boat will only be used for tourism-related activities. This boat was paid for by tourism activities. The Captain of the boat is certified to drive this boat and is very familiar with this river. All insurance and expenses will be paid for by money raised by tourism,” the comment said. “We very much need a boat with this capacity based on our boat rentals last year.”

The city has emphasized that the cost was covered by tourism revenue and not property taxes, but comments on social media still reflect opposition to spending city money in this way.

The indictment against former President Donald Trump

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Former President Donald Trump is now facing a federal indictment over his alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election after Election Day.

Trump’s alleged efforts lead up to events on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters marched from a rally he held near the White House to attack the U.S. Capitol building.

The former president is charged with the following crimes:

• One count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

• Conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding.

• One count each of obstruction of, and attempt to, obstruct an official proceeding.

• One count of conspiracy against rights.

According to media reports, the Trump campaign responded to the indictment calling it “the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice

to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Trump plead not guilty in a court preceding last week.

The Chronicle reached out to Jim Moore an Associate Professor and Director of Political Outreach at the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement and a Pacific University professor for insight about what the indictment means and what’s next in the process.

The Chronicle: From your vantage point, what is the significance of this indictment against a former President of the United States, and what should we understand about this indictment?

Jim Moore: This is the first time that a president of the United States has been charged with seeking to prevent constitutional actions. That will be what the history books will focus on. These charges are nearing the treason charges against former president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. Interestingly, those charges were dropped amid the political pressures of the post-Civil War years.

The indictment makes

clear that nobody, even the President of the United States, is above the law. These particular laws have been used against KKK members and others who interfered with constitutional rights. Note that voting is not part of the indictment—it is about encouraging people to stop Congress and the Vice President from carrying out the certification process of the 2020 presidential election. The key part is that the indictment asserts that Trump knew his claims to be false but continued to push them.

By pushing these falsehoods to the crowd, Trump crossed a line between freedom of speech and turned to something akin to incitement.

The Chronicle: Do you believe that this indictment will actually boost former President Trump’s overall public ratings and give him an edge in his effort to be reelected President? If so, how will that play out?

Moore: I don’t think it will make much difference to public ratings of Trump.

We have seen some small movement among Republican voters that indicates that the indictments as a whole are reducing support for Trump. But since there are no other real alternatives to Trump out there right now (in terms of strong public support), I fully expect those Republicans who are more wary of Trump to stick with him when they cast their ballots. The odds are very much against any of them voting for Joe Biden. At most, there will be an enthusiasm gap that hits Republican voters and fewer of them will turn out than would be expected. Fourteen months before the November 2024 elections, it is impossible to predict what that impact might be.

Remember, attacks on Trump are seen by his supporters as more reason to rally behind him. They are simply evidence that the government of the United States is out of control and needs to be reined in by a strong president. This is the same overall argument that many of our presidents in the past fifty years have made—the outsider is needed to bring the government back to what it ought to be doing:

Carter, Reagan, Clinton, GW Bush, Obama, Trump.

The Chronicle: What should we expect as this indictment plays out? Is it possible that former President Trump will be sent to prison?

Moore: Yes, it is entirely possible that Trump could go to prison. Others who have been convicted of similar crimes have served time. More likely, however, is a long drawn out process that results in fines and maybe some home confinement. History will probably not play that big a role in determining what happens if Trump is convicted, but Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in 1865 and became a symbol of opposition to much of Reconstruction. It could be argued that the political cost of holding Davis outweighed the legal benefit of trying him for treason. That was certainly the case by 1869 when treason charges were dropped.

Follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Oregon House Republicans urge Kotek to review commutations

BEN BOTKIN

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Article

Oregon House Republican lawmakers want Gov.

Tina Kotek to review her predecessor’s commutations of sentences of former inmates.

The House Republican Caucus sent the request to Kotek on Friday, July 28.

It stems from former Gov. Kate Brown’s commutation of the 50-month sentence against Jesse Lee Calhoun, a 38 year old who police say is “a person of interest” in the killings of four Portland area women. Brown commuted Calhoun’s prison sentence for theft and burglary in 2021, and he was released nearly a

year early. He was part of a group of 41 inmates granted commuted sentences and early releases because they fought wildfires in 2020. While in office, Brown commuted sentences and granted clemency to more than 1,000 people, more than other governors.

“The unprecedented commutations undertaken by Governor Brown bypassed many of the existing safeguards that are in place for our current parole and probation system,” Republican lawmakers wrote in the letter, signed by the full 25-member caucus. “House Republicans encourage you to do the right thing for Oregonians and give these commutations the due diligence they should have received in the first place.”

Lawmakers added Kotek has a great opportunity to “show leadership and the integrity of the office.”

Earlier this month, Kotek revoked Calhoun’s commutation agreement following a request from prosecutors looking into the homicides. Elisabeth Shepard, a spokesperson for the governor’s office said in a statement that Kotek can only overturn commutations if the individual violates their commutation agreement.

“The governor continues to partner with district attorneys, community corrections and local law enforcement to address any recommendations she receives from them regarding revoking commutations,” Shepard said in an email to the Capital Chronicle. “If

someone is not following the terms of their release, they must be held accountable.”

Shepard said Kotek’s revocation of Calhoun’s commutation was one of those cases.

“In the case of Mr. Calhoun, when the governor received a request from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recommending that his commutation be revoked, she immediately acted on the request and revoked his commutation status the same day, July 3,” Shepard said.

Congressional Republicans have also asked Kotek to review Brown’s commutations.

Republican Reps. Cliff Bentz and Lori ChavezDeRemer sent a letter to

Metro Creative Connection

The federal indictment outlines criminal charges against former President Trump.

Jon Campbell / Country Media, Inc.

After more than a year of waiting, the water taxi is finally up and running.

New state funding for education signed into law

BAUMHARDT

ALEX

Oregon’s 197 school districts will have record funding this year to improve literacy and to pay for school operations.

Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday, Aug. 2, signed into law seven new education initiatives, including the largest state school fund budget ever allocated, $140 million to improve student reading and writing and a host of other bills aimed at growing the teacher workforce, improving access to child care and enhancing student equity.

Kotek signed the bills flanked by teachers, school staff, politicians and education advocates from across the state.

She was also joined by the new director of the Oregon Department of Education, Charlene Williams, as well as Williams’ predecessor Colt Gill. Several lawmakers spoke at the signing, including the chairs of the Senate and House education committees, Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, and Rep. Courtney Neron, DWilsonville.

Dembrow applauded lawmakers for getting key education legislation passed after being stalled for sixweeks during the Republican-led Senate walkout over bills on gun control, abortion rights and genderaffirming care.

In an interview with the Capital Chronicle, Dembrow said it was an unsettling time.

“The walkout definitely brought us to the brink. Had it not been resolved exactly when it was resolved, I think

FUNDRAISER

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reasonable prices and supporting the fair are just more of a reason to support the fair.

Growth and generosity

The plant sale’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past couple of years, but so has the amount of money raised. Ritthaler said in the first year of the sale, they raised somewhere between $15-18,000. The more than $60,000 they raised this year is just another indicator of the sale’s popularity. While the sale is a fixture of the fair each year now, Ritthaler feels that Gina and Jim Means deserve recognition for their generous contribution.

“I just think the whole thing is amazing that they do this, and they’ve done it for so many years, and they never get the recognition,” Ritthaler said. “And I know they don’t do it for the recognition; that’s not at all why they wanted to do it, but I just think it’s amazing.”

When it started, the sale was intended to supplement premiums for 4-H members and open class participants.

it would have had great consequences,” he said. “If you’d asked me a month before the end of the session, I could not have said any of these bills would pass given what we were up against.”

Educator workforce

The bills signed include Senate Bill 283, which was largely the work of Dembrow. He met with teachers, school staff, educator unions, associations and leaders at the state’s colleges of education and state education agencies to try and understand and tackle Oregon’s pervasive teacher shortages. Dembrow said these conversations influenced the key components of the bill, which include incentives for teacher retention, a process for making substitute licensure easier for retired teachers and extending greater benefits to substitute teachers. Demand is greatest for special education teachers and support staff, so the bill also creates a group that will study offering higher pay to special education teachers and provisions to make hiring easier. Dembrow was not able to pass a 20% pay increase for special education teachers over general educators that was originally in the bill.

He said the state’s educator workforce shortages were becoming acute pre-COVID and that the pandemic worsened them.

A 2022 statewide Educator Equity Report found that more than 60% of first-year teachers in Oregon did not return to their positions in 2021. Another Dembrow-led proposal, Senate Bill 279, was signed by Kotek on

Shortly after the plan was set into motion, Means Nursery was informed the fair itself lacked the necessary funds to continue operations.

Wanting to support the fair, Means Nursery agreed to allow the Fair Board to use part of the funds for continued operations with the understanding that a portion would be utilized for premiums, fairground improvements, and open class supervisors.

The money raised will help update the pressing needs of the aging fairgrounds. Fair Board President Peggy Howell said there are key projects that need funding.

“At this time, there are seven barns in need of new roofs, the bid a couple of years ago was $56K a roof, and we know the price has gone up since then,” Howell said.

“There are many more repairs and improvements needed at our aging fairgrounds.”

Howell said the plant sale is the fair’s biggest fundraiser, and every penny is critical to improving the aging infrastructure at the fairground. Like Ritthaler, Howell sees Jim and Gina Means as unsung heroes for the fair.

“Means have just been so generous with their product and their people and their knowledge,” Howell said.

June 16, allowing Oregon to serve on the steering committee for an interstate compact that will allow teachers licensed in other states to teach in Oregon and vice versa. The law was signed just in time for Oregon to be one of 10 states that will create the rules and standards for interstate licensure.

“For kids to be successful they need good teachers, good support workers, they need educators who want to be there. I think that these bills will help,” Dembrow told the Capital Chronicle.

Literacy

The Early Literacy Success Initiative, which Kotek championed, will send money to school districts and community groups for new elementary reading curriculum, reading tutors and after school reading programs, and to train teachers in reading instruction based on a large body of cognitive and neuroscience showing how the brain learns to read.

The law allocates nearly $150 million for that for the next two years.

The initiative, House Bill 3198, was developed to address low reading proficiency among Oregon students during the past several decades as measured by state and federal standardized test scores. The Capital Chronicle determined that Oregon has spent more than $250 million in the past 25 years to try and improve reading instruction in schools. But that money has failed to help more than a generation of students. Over the last 25 years, nearly two in five Oregon fourth graders and one in five eighth graders have

“I don’t know that people know, or that they get enough praise, because they are pretty special.”

In addition to expressing appreciation for Jim and Gina and Means Nursery, Howell also said that the work Debbie Ritthaler and her husband Don do to make the plant sale a reality is also commendable.

“Debbie and her husband Don, the hours they put in, they’re just tireless; I can’t even believe it, how much they are able to do and keep on doing,” Howell said. “They’re the real heroes out there.”

While getting the sale prepped and ready to go is a massive undertaking, Ritthaler and Means Nursery do the work because they recognize the value the fair offers the community.

“I totally think it brings people together. It gives families something to do. I know it’s just during the summertime, but they get out, they see each other,” Ritthaler said. “It’s cool just to get to visit; it’s neat. It just brings them together.”

For information on donating to the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo, visit https:// www.columbiacountyfairgrounds.com/p/get-involved/ donations.

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ONLINE BIDDING

AUG

scored “below basic” on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation’s report card. That means they struggle to read and understand simple words.

Kotek said the initiative is the first of more investments that will need to be made in the years ahead.

“This effort will take more than one bill, more than one budget line, or one session to see all the progress,” she said. “This funding is the first step of a broader strategy to improve how we support our kids, and how they learn to read and write.”

Child care

Last year legislators approved a Department of Early Learning and Care to try and boost pre-K education opportunities and child care access across the state. House Bill 3005 gives the department resources to develop the infrastructure needed to support those goals, including $50 million in grants for child care spaces and technical assistance from the state.

“We need more child care supply, and we have providers who are ready to do it, but they need some help from us to make those upgrades and expand that capacity to make it happen around the state,” Kotek said

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders

House Bill 3144 directs $2 million toward creating a student success plan for the state’s more than 12,000 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. Such

plans for Black, Latino and American Indian and Native Alaskan students have helped provide professional development for teachers to meet the needs of students of different ethnic backgrounds, to develop strategies for diversifying the teacher workforce and to provide extra college and career readiness support.

Adarino Pete and Kapiolani Micky, both from Micronesia and living in Salem, attended the bill signing ceremony and said they hope the new student success plan can benefit their 15 year old son, who attends South High School.

“This will provide assistance that will make school easier on him,” Micky said.

Civil rights and ethnic studies

Under House Bill 2281, all districts will need to have a civil rights coordinator on staff to ensure state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination are followed and enforced, and to investigate allegations of discrimination in Oregon schools.

Another new law that stems from Senate Bill 1050 directs the education department to provide training and professional development for teachers ahead of new academic standards and instruction on the Holocaust, genocide and ethnic studies. Ethnic study standards adopted in 2017 will apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and go into effect in 2025. They will apply to the study of Native Americans and people of African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino Chicano and Middle Eastern descent.

Work to be done

Kotek said she was surprised and disappointed that Senate Bill 1045, which would have given the state education department more regulatory authority over districts, did not pass.

“To be very honest, there was a lot going on. That does not change my commitment to greater accountability,” she said, adding that she’ll work with Williams, the new education director, and the education department to push for legislation in the next session to allow the department to enforce standards and intervene when schools don’t improve.

Kotek said she also hopes to direct more resources to student mental and behavioral health during the next session.

Dembrow said he does not believe the walkout and the six weeks legislators lost to do the work of lawmaking had an impact on the state’s ability to pass key education bills.

“These bills are big accomplishments,” he said. “They are not the be all, end all. We have a lot more work to do.”

https://oregoncapitalchronicle. com/2023/08/02/gov-koteksigns-into-law-measuresto-increase-funding-forschools/.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@ oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

The Woods Family have sold the Allison Rd Property and are preparing for retirement

New Holland TC55hp Tractor w/loader, 4wd, diesel, 2146 hours

McCormick 215 hp tractor, 4wd, diesel, 4211 hours

New Holland 120 hp tractor w/laoder, 4wd, diesel, 950 hours

AMS Galaxy Double Box Robot Milking System

3000 gal SS milk tank

Watcom 6cyl diesel manure pump on trailer Valley Fab Hose Reel, 4in 1320ft

90 Kenworth T600 Truck w/20’ silage dump box

01 Featherlite Alum Stock Trailer, 20’

50kw Kohler Propane generator w/switch

NH Manure Spreader, 3pt hose reel w/1200 ft 4” soft hose, JD Disc, plow, brush hog, bale squeeze, 6 ton poly grain tanks, 100 galv loop stalls, fencing supplies, misc

and Views

Minimizing drone impacts to wildlife in Oregon State Parks

JOE LIEBEZEIT

Chronicle Guest Column

Here is an update on the ongoing process to regulate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) in Oregon State Parks. For some quick background, during the 2021 legislative session, a bill was passed that instructed Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to develop rules for drone takeoff and landing on lands they manage, which includes over 200 parks as well as the entire ocean shore. This presented a golden opportunity to better manage drone use in lands OPRD manages. An important nuance is that regulations only apply to takeoff and landing locations. The FAA has separate regulations for drones while airborne.

The Oregon coast supports over a million nesting seabirds, including endangered species like the Snowy Plover. The iconic sight of 60,000 Common Murres on Yaquina Head is one spectacular example of the impor-

tance of our coast to nesting birds. At the same time, people love to visit the coast, with the number of visitors steadily increasing. In recent years recreational drone use has skyrocketed, reflecting a nationwide trend. This in turn has led to increasing disturbances to birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife. Such disturbances have been

documented to negatively impact nesting success of many bird species. In a recent dramatic case in California, a drone crash caused an entire colony of 3,000 Elegant Terns to abandon 1,500 active nests. In addition to wildlife impacts, drone usage can negatively impact the peaceful, safe, and private experience visitors

to State Parks and the coast seek when exploring and enjoying Oregon’s natural places.

Unfortunately, the process got off to a rocky start as the initial Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) put together by OPRD inexplicably did not include representatives from Oregon conservation organizations, recreational user groups (other than drone users) or Tribal nations, who all have interests affected by the rule. In addition, the RAC did not include representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. OPRD then belatedly included Portland Audubon and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition on the RAC for the second meeting, but by then the damage was done, with draft rules slanted significantly toward pervasive usage of drones on park lands. After public outcry and a brief but effective campaign, OPRD decided to pause the RAC process and formed a working group

to begin the process from scratch.

The working group (which includes Portland Audubon) comprises a good balance of conservation, agency, drone, and other recreational stakeholders. This group met last summer several times to develop criteria to decide where drones should be permanently prohibited, seasonally prohibited, or allowed on State Park lands.

We have made progress as part of the working group, and draft criteria currently prohibit drone takeoff and landings in areas that contain state or federally protected species, areas sharing borders with existing protected areas, and where they would pose a risk for other uses. Seasonal restrictions would apply in areas where wildlife concentrate for migration, breeding or wintering, with drones prohibited when wildlife are most vulnerable (for example during nesting season).

The working group will meet at least once more to finalize draft criteria. Portland Audubon is pushing for the

strongest criteria to narrow usage of drones to places where wildlife impacts would be negligible.

The devil will be in the details, though. OPRD staff are developing maps that will delineate these prohibited, seasonally prohibited, and allowed drone use areas based on the criteria. Once the maps are completed (likely late summer or fall), the working group will review them and make adjustments. However, there is currently no formal period that would allow public review of and comment on these drafts.

We are currently working with OPRD leadership to allow this critical public engagement. All Oregonians deserve a say in drone usage in their State Parks and on the ocean shore. Stay tuned for opportunities to help guide responsible drone usage on State Park lands.

Devastating insects attacking Columbia County trees

Reports of the tell-tale webbing in deciduous trees of the fall webworm are coming in, especially in the Scappoose area. There is a notion afoot that these are devastating insects, on par with the justly feared gypsy moth (which fortunately we don’t have yet). They aren’t. The webbing is unsightly, and the larvae can eat a lot of leaves. But it is amazing how fast the trees recover once the adults pupate.

The fall webworm, unlike the earlier (April- early June) Western tent caterpillar, has a long pupal stage. The cocoons go through the winter tucked into creases on the bark of the host tree or in the debris on

the ground. The adult moths (white wings with black dots) emerge in early June through July. They mate, lay eggs, and the eggs hatch into the web-spinning larvae that start to munch on the leaves. After a rather short feeding cycle in August and September, they form pupae/cocoons and more or less disappear until next summer. The volume of these caterpillars vary widely from one year to the next. Usually a big year of them means they won’t be seen is much in the following years, though sometimes that is not the case. Do you need to control them? On young fruit trees, control is probably warranted. But you need to apply sprays prior to the webbing being formed. A strong stream of water on the webbing often does the trick. The bacterial insecticide “Bt” will do a good job on these caterpillars, as will more conventional insecticides. Don’t cut off limbs as a control unless you want those limbs gone. Rarely do tent caterpillars kill healthy trees. Again, timing is the key. Natural control is provided by diseases, insect parasites, and sometimes birds. Call me if you have any questions.

Fruit trees loaded with fruit

After a terrible fruit crop last year due to wet weather and poor pollination, most trees have rebounded extremely well. Too well, really.

As a result, I have already gotten calls about limbs that have broken away from the trunk. In one case, a very large, old plum tree split in two. You can provide emergency help to the trees in two major ways. First, you can thin lots of apples or pears. That may not totally solve the problem as the remaining apples will grow bigger than they would with more competition unless you thin out a lot of fruit.

It is important to follow the rules of proper pruning. Thinning cuts (which cut to where a branch joins another branch) work better than heading cuts unless you want to stimulate branching.

Heat and herbicide impacts on plants

Seed saving class in St. Helens Aug. 15

Another option is to remove some limbs before they remove themselves. Try to do so evenly around the tree. Finally, find some sturdy 2x4s or better, 4x4s to brace the limbs most at risk. If done soon and you should have fewer limbs

toppling down.

Summer pruning

Any shrub or tree can be pruned safely in the summer. It is an especially appropriate time to prune if the main reason for doing so is to keep down the size of the plant. Unlike winter and early spring pruning, which tends to stimulate growth, summer pruning actually has a dwarfing effect. Removing leaves will slow carbohydrate storage and thus slow down growth the following spring and summer. Dwarf fruit trees, which seem to want to grow out of their assigned space, are especially good candidates for summer pruning. Besides keeping them small, summer pruning on fruit trees can allow more light into the canopy and ultimately help to produce better colored and better sugared fruits. That said, don’t prune just before a cycle of 90 degree plus weather or you will increase sunburn on your apples. Summer pruning is best done from about mid-July to the latter part of August. Pruning earlier than this may stimulate a whole bunch of sprouts that will have to be removed. Pruning later than August can reduce the dwarfing effect you are trying to achieve.

The very high temperatures we have experienced can lead to sunburned fruit (including peppers) found on the southwest side of the plants, mostly. Rhododendrons feel the heat most and largeleafed varieties are more likely to have sunburned leaves.

Rhododendron leaves droop in response to moisture stress. Most recover, but some may wither if not watered soon enough. Newly planted trees and shrubs need particular attention.

Some “ester” herbicides including triclopyr (Crossbow and others) and ester lawn herbicides volatize and move away from the target when it will be 80 degrees or higher even six hours after spraying. Don’t use these products in the weather we have been having!

You could damage your or your neighbor’s plants. Symptoms are twisted and “cupped” leaves. Tomatoes, squash, beans, and grapes are very sensitive.

Important notes

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

A Seed Saving talk will be held at the St. Helens Library on 375 South 18th Street from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. Chip Bubl will be the speaker. The talk will cover how seeds of vegetables and other plants that can be saved and those that can’t, how to treat seeds, how to store them, and getting seeds ready for sowing and planting. The program is free.

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.

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Source contact information

Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462

Joe Liebezeit is the Interim Statewide Conservation Director for Portland Audubon.

ZUBER

Page A1

death was accidental.

“The information that I know they have been given because of our participation has pointed to certain holes or flaws in the analysis that led to the conclusion that Sarah’s death was an accident. We’re hoping that they’re looking into those holes, and that will lead to further inquiries,” Tatoian said. “There were 911 calls about potential suspects that were never looked into. So those are things that we’re hoping someone looks into.”

In the meeting with the special agents, Tatoian said that the Zuber team provided new records and information to the agents. That information had been obtained from public record requests, and Tatoian said that would mean that the “records from the County were incomplete in some respects.”

One of the challenges that the family and their team have faced is getting files and records surrounding Sarah’s death. Following the conclusion of the original investigation, Rebecca and Randy Zuber were unable to obtain all of the records they requested surrounding their daughter’s passing.

In January 2023, Tatoian made a host of new records requests to all of the agencies involved, asking for the information that was never provided to the family. While some of the agencies provided the records they requested, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and DA’s Office refused, citing an ongoing investigation.

“We were kind of confused. On the one hand, you have this report that says, it’s an accident; we’re closing the file, years ago. And now, people are making a little bit of a stink, and a lawyer’s involved, and now you’re saying it back under investigation,” Tatoian said. “At the same time, they’re saying it’s under investigation; they’re reassuring us that they still think their conclusion is correct. So it’s difficult to say the least.”

The family just wants answers. Massey and Tatoian said they hope they will get those answers at the end of the DOJ review. They hope to get records from the DOJ and a report, as well as the original records they requested.

The Zuber’s representatives have had particular difficulty obtaining a photo of a specific piece of evidence, according to Massey. This piece of evidence is of importance to the family because they feel it may be

of significance to the case. Though they have made multiple requests since May, they have not yet received the requested information.

The representatives for the family have reached out to Columbia County Interim DA Colin Benson to try and get him involved in the hopes of “moving things along.”

Family frustrated

The Zuber family just wants to know what happened to their daughter. With the prolonged nature of this case, they are feeling frustrated about the ongoing uncertainty around their daughter’s death.

“They sit and look at each other at night, and they just don’t know what happened to Sarah. They don’t necessarily, obviously, believe what they were told, and so they’re hoping somebody can give them a logical explanation of what happened to her,” Massey said.

Another point of confusion for the Zubers has been that they have not been granted access to victim services. Tatoian said that it is mind-boggling that they are denied records due to an ongoing investigation but also can’t access victim services because Sarah was not a “victim.”

Obituaries

Lyle Timothy Gump

Lyle Timothy Gump passed away July 21, 2023, at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Lyle was born to Ralph Benjamin Gump and Marie Katherine Oldham Gump on March 16, 1954 in St. Helens, Oregon.

On July 27, 1971, at age 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps and completed basic training at San Diego MCRD, Platoon 1080, 1st Battalion. Lyle served in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged from the USMC as a Lance Corporal on August 20, 1977.

To a first marriage, his son Steven was born in 1981, followed by daughter Ashley in 1985. During this

time, he worked various jobs including long haul trucker, wrecker driver, roofer, mill worker, bouncer, and mechanic.

In 1991 Lyle met Susan Stopa and they married Dec. 3, 1993. With this union

Joyce Johnson (Ditto)

Aug. 11, 1944 ~ June 21, 2023

She is survived by her husband Virgil; and two sons, Jeff and Rick. She was well loved and cherished by all. We will all miss her sense of humor and beautiful smile. Heaven gained a special soul this day.

It was her wish not to have a funeral.

came three more of Lyle’s children, Susie, Chris, and Allisa.

In 1992, Lyle opened Scappoose Auto Repair and in 1995, Grumpy’s Towing was born. For 28 years Lyle served Columbia County day and night, towing and recovering for the community, and state, county, and city police. He took great pride in his work and was known as much for his generosity as his grumpiness. He was a good man, loving husband, father and grandfather, a loyal friend, and proud Marine, and he will be greatly missed.

Lyle is survived by his wife Susan Stopa-Gump; children, Steven Gump, Susie Stopa, Chris Stopa (Aimee), Allisa Stopa Elliott

Currently, there is no timeline by which the Zubers expect to receive the report from the AAG and DOJ. This is not an issue for the Zubers and their team. They hope that the time that the agencies are taking will ultimately lead to a full and logical conclusion.

“It’s not just coming to a result, but it’s providing an explanation of how they rendered that result,” Massey said. “Even if this, let’s say, yielded the same result, but somebody can actually explain how they came to that conclusion, but that’s not what’s happened. They literally got documents with no thorough explanation.”

Ultimately, the Zubers and their team want clarity and a logical conclusion.

miss out on Summer dresses! Availble now at Dianna’s Formal

(Ray) and Ashley Gump; grandchildren, Elsie Elston, Paige Gump, Trinity Stopa and Gavin Rose; son-in law Ray Elliott; siblings, Janice (Eldon), Margaret, Marge, and Raymond (Jennifer); nieces; nephews; and many friends far and wide. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; aunts; uncles; and his brothers, Larry and Ralph, Jr. A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2023 at the Columbia City Community Hall located at 1850 Second Street in Columbia City, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the International Towing & Recovery Survivor Fund. https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/donate.

Sharon Forest DeBorde

Sharon Forest DeBorde was born on May 5, 1957, in Portland, Oregon, to Bobby and Imogene Bigger. She passed away at the age of 65 on March 22, 2023, in Portland, Oregon.

Sharon was married to Rex DeBorde for 46 years, and they had three children together: James, John, and Jen. They had nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

For 19 years, Sharon traveled with her husband while he was in the military. She was loved by all that knew her and will be missed.

March 16, 1954 ~ July 21, 2023

Chronicle Obituaries Send obits to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net. Please submit by Mondays by Noon, late submissions may not make it into the paper. Call 503-397-0116 for more information. Starting a local business? Get the word out in the paper and online by advertising with The Chronicle, Call 503-397-0116 today!

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

Habitat for Humanity is seeking an Assistant Manager for our St. Helens, ReStore. 20 Hours per week, Saturdays included. $18.00/ hr. Retail experience required. Successful candidate will work well with volunteers and customers. Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass background checks. See job description at: habitatcolumbiacounty. org/employmentopportunities.

For Sale

2010 cougar 5th Wheel 278RKS 503-543-2829

702 Garage Sales

Garage Sale

A little of everything (check it out).

Sat. Aug. 12 from 9 am - 4 pm. 350 Hankins Dr., St. Helens. (Corner of Hankins and Pittsburg Rd.)

15th Annual Garage Sale & Pop-up bakery

3 pm. 58690 Ross Rd. inside Grace Baptist in Warren. Huge Garage Sale Fri. 8/11 & Sat. 8/12 from 8 am - 5 pm at 34948 Sykes Rd. Household items, furniture, patio furniture, and lots of misc. No earlies. Scappoose Estate Sale 8/12 & 8/13 from 9 am - 3 pm. Mountain View Rd., look for signs. Cash only. Vintage Barbie & toys, like new 70s furniture, barware & shotglass collection, riding lawnmower, shop tools, new hospital bed, wheelchair, Stihl blower, and concrete gnomes, Christmas, garden and more. Waterman Garage DoorsCCB#204858 SALES, SERVICE INSTALLATION 503.819.6715 St. Helens, OR 97051 Scott Waterman Owner Advertise your business in the Business & Service Directory. Call 503-397-0116 for more information YOUR AD HERE Columbia County BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY www.thechronicleonline.com Garage Sale Special! Advertise your garage sale in the paper and online for only $10 for up to 14 lines! Email chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net to advertise! Paid Vacation Excellent pay D.O.E Yearly Bonus Steady Year Round Work Monday Thru Friday Paid Holidays HELP WANTED Quarry-Crushing Foreperson • Utility-Loader Operator Dump/Pup Driver • Equipment Mechanic/Operator BCX1996@gmail.com Rainier, Oregon 360.431.5599-Craig 604 Recreational Vehicles 706 Estate Sales S U B S C R I B E T O D A Y The Chronicle is your best local news source Stay informed about all the local stories that matter most to YOU by subscribing to the Chronicle Call: (503) 397 0116 to subscribe or for more information SUBMITTED BY THE ST. HELENS SCHOOL DISTRICT Chronicle Guest Article

The

if your student wishes to eat an additional meal or purchase ala carte items, they will need to pay for those with cash or funds that have been deposited into their lunch accounts.

SHSD Qualifying Schools:

• Columbia City El-

ementary

ementary

• Plymouth High School

• St. Helens Middle School

Families do not need to submit a free or reducedprice meal application for

students who are enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision Incentive school during the current school year.

St. Helens High School is the only St. Helens School District school that does not qualify for Community Eligibility Provision Incentive. Unfortunately, St. Helens High School’s Identified Student Population isn’t high enough, which is the number of students that qualify for free meals without an application.

All High School students must apply for free/reduced meal service to be eligible for meals at no cost. It is important for families and students to understand that

even if other students in the household attend a Community Eligibility Provision Incentive school, St. Helens High School students must apply for free/reduced meals to be eligible. The income eligibility guidelines were expanded in July of 2022, so those who have not qualified in the past are encouraged to re-apply.

If you have any questions about this district’s participation in this program, please get in touch with Misty Crawford, Nutrition Director, at (503) 3667234 or mistyc@sthelens. k12.or.us.

To apply for free or reduced meals: https://linqconnect.com.

Courtesy photo from the St. Helens School District All students at qualifying schools are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost for the 2023/2024 school year. Let us know what YOU think EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO: CHRONICLENEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday August 21, 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Agnes Marie Petersen, has applied for a Subdivision in a Forest Agriculture FA-80. This property is having 45 acres and is located at 33625 Tide Creek Rd Deer Island, OR 97054. SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commission on Monday, August 21, 2023, starting at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be hybrid in nature, allowing participants to log into a digital Go-To-Meeting (link provided below) or attend in person at Healy Hall within the Columbia County Public Works Department, addressed at 1054 Oregon Street in St. Helens. Columbia County Planning Commission Meeting Link https:// meet.goto.com/880602597

You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 880-602-597 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (571) 3173116 The criteria to be used in deciding these requests will be found in some or all of the following documents and laws, as revised from time to time: Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 197.763; Oregon Administrative Rules; Columbia County Comprehensive Plan; Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. The specific criteria applicable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report.

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A copy of the application, all documents and evidence relied upon by the applicants, and the staff reports are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost, at the Land Development Services office, at least 7 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing. Written comments on the issue can be submitted via email to Planning@ columbiacountyor.gov or you can send comments via U.S. Mail to Columbia County, Department of Land Development Services, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. If additional documents or evidence are provided in support of the applications, prior to or during the hearing, any party shall be entitled to a continuance of the hearing to allow review of the new evidence. If a participant requests a continuance before the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the record shall remain open for at least seven days after the hearing. The hearing will be held in accordance with the provision of the Zoning Ordinance. At each hearing, the applicant has the burden of presenting substantial evidence showing that the application meets all of the applicable criteria. Following presentation of the staff report, the applicant and other persons in favor of the application will be allowed to address the commission,

explaining how the evidence submitted meets the applicable criteria. Following the applicant’s presentation, any person in opposition to the application may present evidence and argument against the application. The applicant will then have the opportunity to rebut any evidence or arguments presented in opposition. After the presentation of evidence and arguments, the public hearing record will be either left open or closed by the Planning Commission. The Commission will then make a tentative decision to be followed by approval of a written order and a statement of findings and conclusions supporting the decision, which will be mailed to all parties at a later date. The Commission may, at its discretion, continue the hearing from time to time at the request of the parties or on its own motion as necessary to afford substantial justice and comply with the law. Additional information about this application may be obtained from the Planning Division of the Land Development Services Department, at (503) 397-1501. If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 3971501. August 21, 2023. THE PLANNING COMMISSION, Dan Magnia, Chairman.

PUBLIC NOTICE - INVITATION TO BID CRPUD 55’ DOUBLE BUCKET TRUCK

Notice is hereby given that Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD) will receive sealed bids for the purchase of a 55’ Double Bucket Truck Bids will be received by the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054 until 3:30 p.m., pacific prevailing time, on September 5, 2023, at which time the bids will be publicly opened. The bids will be available for

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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, or by visiting the PUD Website at https://

www.crpud.net/my-pud/ bid-documents/. 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. Dated: August 2, 2023 at Columbia River People’s Utility District.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPOSE OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

In accordance with ORS 98.245 and St. Helens Municipal Code 2.04 this Public Notice is issued of intent to dispose of unclaimed property. The City of St. Helens Police Department has in its physical possession the unclaimed personal property described below. If you have any ownership interest in any

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of this unclaimed property, you must file a claim with the City of St. Helens Police Department within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice, or you will lost your interest in that property. Individuals may file a claim that presents proof satisfactory to the City of St. Helens Police Department that the person is

the lawful owner or security interest holder of any property below. Please Contact St. Helens Police Department Property and Evidence Department at 503-397-3333. Items: Tools, Knives, Coins, Electrical tools, Keys, Backpacks, Handguns, Cash, Misc Cards, Jewelry, Arrow Spear Heads.

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

In the Matter of the Estate of Mark Allen Riseling, Deceased. Case No. 23PB06297 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that Ena Riseling has been appointed and has qualified as the personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present them, with vouchers

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attached, to Ena Riseling, personal representative, at 2005 Saint Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative or

the attorney for the personal representative, Mark J. Lang, 2005 Saint Helens St, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first published: July 26, 2023. /s/ Mark J. Lang, Mark J. Lang, OSB#973116 Attorney for Personal Representative, 2005 St Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 (503) 410-5238 Published: July 26, 2023, August 2, 2023, and August 9, 2023.

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

Probate Department

In the Matter of Crystal Andre’, aka Crystal L. Andre, Deceased. No.

22PB06296 NOTICE TO

INTERESTED PERSONS

Notice is hereby given that Brock Robert Andre has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present

their claims, with proper vouchers, within four (4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice, as stated below, to the personal representative at 1677 St, Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights are affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of KATHERINE ANN PAINTER, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05249 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ALAN R. PAINTER has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the personal representative at: c/o Guyer Law, Attorneys; 5895 Jean Road; Lake

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Oswego, Oregon 97035 within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative, Guyer Law, Attorneys; 5895 Jean Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035. Dated and first published: AUGUST 9, 2023. George H. Guyer,

OSB NO. 972765 of Attoney for Personal Representative.

PERSONAL REPRESEN-

TATIVE: Alan R. Painter 56538 Hazen Road, Warren, Oregon 97053, (503) 833-2887. ATTORNEY FOR

PERSONAL REPRESEN-

TATIVE: George H. Guyer, OSB No. 972765, Theodore R. Naemura, OSB 953649, Guyer Law, Attorneys 5895 Jean Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035, (503) 6971035 phone, (503) 697-1045 fax, george@guyer.law ted@guyer.law.

PUBLIC NOTICE - INVITATION TO BID FLAGGING SERVICE - TWO YEARS COLUMBIA RIVER PUD

Notice is hereby given that Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD) will receive sealed bids for two (2) years of flagging services. Bids will be received by the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054 until 3:30 p.m., pacific prevailing time, on September 5, 2023, at which time the bids will be publicly opened. The bids will be available for public

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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, or by visiting the PUD Website at https://

www.crpud.net/my-pud/ bid-documents/. 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. Dated: August 2, 2023 at Columbia River People’s Utility District.

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE AND MEASURE ELECTION

Filed in the Office of County Clerk 08/03/2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a ballot title for a measure referred by Scappoose School District 1J has been filed with the Columbia County Clerk on August, 3rd, 2023. The measure election will be conducted by mail and will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The ballot title caption is: Bonds to Increase Safety, Repair Schools; Replace Scappoose Middle School. Caption Bonds to Increase Safety, Repair Schools; Replace Scappoose Middle School. Question Shall district increase safety, receive state matching funds; replace middle school; issue $110 million in GO bonds; audits required? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon

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Constitution. Summary Scappoose School District proposes a bond not exceeding $110 million; eligible for $4 million state grant if approved. Bonds would finance capital costs to fund projects that: • Replace 92 year old Scappoose Middle School with new safe & modern school campus adjacent to Scappoose High • Improve Safety and Security: o Secure entrances, alarms, cameras o Fire, Intercom improvements o Remove asbestos o Improve accessibility to meet ADA requirements • Update & Repair Aging Schools: o Electrical, roofing, flooring, lighting, insulation, siding, windows, boilers o New HVAC to improve air quality o Replace deteriorating sidewalks, parking lots • Expand Student Opportunities: o Remodeled career and technical/vocational education spaces o Additional classrooms at high school

for science, band o Improved access to band, math & CTE programs for middle school students • Site improvements, athletic fields, demolition, furnishings, equipment, bond issuance costs Citizen oversight committee, audits required. Bonds may be issued in multiple series maturing within 31 years from issuance. Estimated increase over FY 2023 bond tax rate is $1.22 per $1,000 assessed property value. Actual levy rate may differ due to changes in interest rates and assessed value. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Columbia County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 p.m. August 14th, 2023 (which is the 7th business day after receipt.) ORS 255.155. This notice is published pursuant to ORS 255.145(5) by Debbie Klug, Columbia County Clerk.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of DEBRA LEE WITT, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05520 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS Proceedings for this estate have been commenced. Claims against the estate may be presented to the personal representative listed below. Any person who has a claim against the estate must present the claim to the personal representative not later than

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

Dated and first published on: August 9, 2023. Franklin Witt, Personal Representative, 31917 Brooks Road, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 396-3071. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC, 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056, Phone: (503) 543-4800, Fax: (888) 543-4806,

NOTICE OF SURPLUS SALE

St. Helens School District Surplus Sale Friday, August 11th, 2023 - 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, St. Helens High School – Old Library—2375 Gable Road, St. Helens. The St. Helens

School District will conduct a surplus sale on Friday, August 11th to dispose of district equipment declared as surplus. Items include furniture and equipment and are sold on a first come, first

serve basis. Items are sold as is on site without representations or warranties. Buyer responsible for moving items prior to the conclusion of the sale. Cash or Cashier Checks only.

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

Dated and first published: August 2, 2023. MARK A. GORDON, P.C., Mark A. Gordon, OSB No. 812424 Attorney for Personal Representative, 1677 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, 503.397.9066, mark@markgordonpc.com.

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NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING

Notice is hereby given, the Columbia County Transportation and Road Advisory Committee (CCTRAC) will hold a virtual and in person public meeting on: Thursday,

August 17, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Microsoft Teams meeting. Join on your computer, mobile app or room device. Meeting ID: 262 025 387 11 Passcode:

dcoN7H Or you can join the meeting in person: Columbia County Public Works Healy Hall, 1054 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Julie Wheeler, Secretary.

Sand Island Sandcastles

Some of the country’s best and brightest sand sculpture

midst of the Columbia River.

National Night Out brings the community together

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

In an effort to foster community and camaraderie between law enforcement and citizens, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a National Night Out event.

“Events like National Night Out foster relationships between police and community members by bringing them together under positive circumstances,” Sheriff Brian Pixley said. “It allows the community we serve to see the individuals behind the badges and allows us all to have fun together as community members.”

The event, on Aug. 1, featured family-friendly activities and free food and beverages for attendees. The event featured two bouncy houses, face painting (provided by Columbia County Public Health), popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, burgers and hot dogs, police cars, fire trucks, police boats, a K9 Demo, police horses, and a dunk tank.

“National Night Out is

designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit, and enhance police/community partnerships,” Pixley said. “For Columbia County, this helps strengthen the bond between CCSO and the community we serve, as well as promotes interagency cooperation.”

By far, the hit of the event was the dunk tank fundraiser, which raised money for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Columbia County. CASA advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the custody of the state and under the court’s protection, according to its website.

“Thanks to our dunk tank fundraiser this year, we are excited to have raised $730 for CASA for Children,” Pixley said. “I want to extend a sincere thank you to CCSO Chief Deputy Murphy, Commissioner Casey Garrett, D.A. Benson, Deputy District Attorney Pond, Scappoose Police Chief Lougal, Lieutenant Fluellen, Sergeant Larson, Officer Burglin, Officer

Basso, Officer Barnes, and Oregon State Police Trooper Chris Cowen for taking a turn in the dunk tank.”

Pixley himself also served some time in the dunk tank, much to the delight of the children shooting for the tank’s bullseye. Pixley estimated that more than 400 community members and first responders participated in National Night Out this year.

Pixley also thanks the community partners who made the event possible, including the staff of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, CCSO Posse, CCSO Search and Rescue, Hometown Heroes, Scappoose Police Department, St. Helens Police Department, St. Helens School District, Cater Hill Band, and InRoads Credit Union.

“I’m happy to report that the 2023 National Night Out was our biggest and bestattended event yet, and we look forward to many more years of inviting the public to interact with Columbia County’s first responders,” Pixley said.

Crossword Puzzle

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS

ACROSS

1. Russian czar’s edict or proclamation

6. Common stomach disorder, acr.

9. Thai currency

13. Femme fatale

14. Cow greeting?

15. High-quality black tea

16. Heretofore (2 words)

17. Used for making holes

18. Old and feeble

19. *Precedes or follows alaikumin a greeting

21. *Robin Williams’ “Good Morning, ____”

23. Family memb.

24. Blood fluids

25. R&R spot

28. Standout

30. All together (2 words)

35. Crafts’ companion

37. Hyperbolic tangent

39. River in Paris

40. Traditions typically passed on by word of mouth

41. Home of Darfur

43. Opposite of base 44. Carthage’s ancient neighbor 46. Have supper 47. Condoleezza of poli-

52. JFK’s brother

53. Famous Allen Ginsberg poem

55. Band booking

57. *Hello in Normandy region

61. *Hello in Haifa

64. Letter-shaped girder

65. Female reproductive cells

67. Did like a lunatic

69. L in AWOL

70. Nada

71. Greet the day

72. “Musical” constellation

73. Precedes whiz

74. It typically has 4 doors DOWN

1. Stars and Stripes country

2. *Unspoken greeting in France

3. Ned Stark’s youngest daughter

4. Prevents one from seeing

5. Have as logical consequence

6. Mosque prayer leader

7. *Japanese greeting move

8. To crack, as in case

9. Out of shape

10. Kindred

11. *Hello in Spain or in Mexico

12. Overwhelm like bees

15. Hymns of praise

20. Borders on

22. Choler

24. Shadow-utilizing timepiece

25. *Hi, in France

26. Prefix with type

27. Places in the heart

29. Praise

31. Kind of hug

32. In accordance with law

33. In the cooler

34. Like surrendered land

36. 1/60th of min, pl.

38. *Shakeable appendage

42. Horse greeting?

45. Don’t try this here? (2 words)

49. *Greetings to ____

51. “Toddlers & ____,” reality TV

54. Amiss

56. Sunlight’s interference

57. Hillary’s hubby

58. Do as directed

59. Getting warm

60. Cup of joe

61. White ____ in retail

62. “Metamorphoses” poet

63. ____ Verde National Park

66. Contend

68. Cub’s home

Courtesy photos from Jenni Bandov

creatives took to Sand Island Aug 5-6 to flex their sand carving skills, resulting in a variety of unique and impressive creations, all built with grains of sand in the

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office hosted the community event, and Sheriff Pixley even took a turn in the dunk tank.