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Fire agencies issue burn ban HILARY DORSEY headlightreporter@countrymedia.net JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Columbia County has moved to Extreme Fire Danger, and all outdoor burning is now closed, according to the Columbia County Fire District Board, which issued the burn ban Aug. 12. All open burning is prohibited, even in Columbia County parks, including recreational campfires, portable propane/patio fireplaces, and charcoal BBQ’s. “Anytime we go to an extreme fire danger, it is definitely serious,” Columbia River Fire & Rescue District’s Rainier Station Battalion Chief Jerry Cole said. “We know this inconveniences people with recreational fires, but it is for the best.” According to Cole, everyone needs to be vigilant during such extreme fire danger. “If you see smoke, or see a fire, call 9-1-1 and we will respond to check it out,” he said. Fire officials warn that even tossing a cigarette or parking your vehicle in tall grass can lead to wildfires that will spread fast due to the extreme dry conditions and afternoon winds. “Carelessness is the biggest cause of wildfires,” according to a release from the fire district board, “so it is everyone’s responsibility to practice fire safety.” Escaped fires of any kind resulting in property damage or requiring suppression efforts from a fire agency, may result in fines and

Courtesy of Oregon Forestry Department

Fire agencies in Columbia County continue to urge everyone to be aware of the extreme wildfire danger.

individual financial responsibility for damages caused. The Columbia County Fire District Board includes Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Clatskanie Fire District, Mist-Birkenfeld Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Scappoose Fire District and the Vernonia Fire District.

Statewide wildfire danger Statewide, lightning over the weekend has caused a series of new wildfires. Five major wildfire complexes erupted following lightning strikes over the past few days, triggering 100 fires, including the Skyline Ridge Complex near

Canyonville and the Middle Fork Complex near Oakridge. Oregon Department of Forestry Forester Nancy Hirsch said fire conditions continue to worsen from drought and high temperatures. “One single spark can start a fire that can spread quickly,” Hirsch said.

Firefighters continue to face challenges with the pace of current fire season. “We can’t control the weather or fire starts from lightning,” Hirsch said, “We can and we must prevent how many human-caused fires we add to the landscape.” ODF’s Chief of Fire Protection Doug Grafe said the mix of heat, lightning and low humidity continues to heighten the danger. “We have, along with the challenging temperatures, likelihood of lightning,” Grafe said. “That’s a difficult forecast for us with lower humidity on top of the ongoing drought.” Fire agency officials said the days ahead mean everyone must be wildfire aware. “We as the general public are probably the number one helper in this,” Oregon Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We have a role.” Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps said every Oregonian was in some way impacted by last year’s wildfire season, whether they were evacuated or experienced poor air quality from smoke. “We need to use these experiences of our past emergencies and disasters to inform and strengthen our statewide preparedness,” Phelps said. “Too many of us in Oregon are underprepared. We need to work together to change that.” Phelps said residents and businesses should have and practice an emergency evacuation plan, which includes having copies of critical See BAN Page A4

Delta cases surge, mask mandate resumes JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

Christina Manning and her sister Jessica Dunagan at a shoot in the Seattle area during the reality television series.

Back to reality: Former Clatskanie sisters on TV JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

In April, The Chronicle first told our readers about two former Clatskanie sisters who had been chosen to be part of a new reality television series. Christina Manning and Jessica Dunagan are featured in a the TLC Network’s “Meet the World’s Most Extreme Sisters,” which premiered April 25. The series follows a group of sisters during their everyday lives. Our original report has been one of the most viewed stories at thechronicleonline.com, the online version of The Chronicle. In our April interview, Manning said the show is designed to give viewers a close and personal inside look of relationships between sisters. Opinions ................... A4 TV Guide ................... A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals .................... A6-8 Crossword ................ A8 Sports & Outdoors A10

“This show captures our relationship in its purest and most raw form,” she said. “We are extremely close and the viewers will learn that even with an unbreakable bond, there are challenges that come with that. It has affected all areas of our life and we get to share the ups and downs with viewers.” Manning said the essence of the television series is aimed at viewers’ hearts. “Our hope is to show viewers - that no matter what - when you have a sister bond, nothing can come between that,” she said. “We open up and share our dynamic with so much vulnerability, and we want to touch people’s hearts with our story. We also want the residents of Clatskanie to know, that even growing up in a small town, your dreams can come true!” The TLC programming lineup now includes several other new reality series and the Meet the Worlds See TV SHOW Page A3

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 4,396 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths from Aug. 13 through Aug. 15. The state’s total COVID-19 case count reached 242,843 and there have been 2,949 deaths as of Aug. 16. Columbia County saw 19 new cases through that weekend period. The OHA reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 in Columbia County Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 11, and one new death. That has been one of the largest one-day case surges in Columbia County since the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the state over a year ago. Health officials said the majority of the new cases are from the Delta variant and largely among the unvaccinated. Mask mandate Oregon’s indoor face covering mandate resumed on Friday, Aug. 13. Gov. Kate Brown said the effort to require the face coverings at all public indoor settings is needed to slow the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Delta virus in the state. Brown opened a Wednesday morning, Aug. 11 press conference by saying the latest COVID-19 numbers are “shocking.” “Yesterday we had over 2,300 cases of COVID-19, the highest number since the virus first landed in Oregon,” Brown said. “Hospitalizations are also up at a record high. Across the state our ICU beds are about 90% filled. Some of our hospital regions have fewer than five ICU beds available to start the day.” Brown said the numbers are the result of the COVID-19 Delta variant. “These numbers are despite the fact that nearly 73% of Oregon’s

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

The goal of indoor mask requirements is to limit the spread of the Delta variant as much as possible indoors, where COVID-19 spreads more easily, according to Gov. Brown. The requirement works in combination with efforts to encourage more Oregonians to become fully vaccinated.

adults are vaccinated,” she said. “The harsh reality is that Delta is a different virus. It has changed everything.” Brown said the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health Sciences University report that without new safety interventions, COVID-19 hospitalizations will completely overwhelm the doctors and nurses in the coming weeks.

We are all still in danger. ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor

“Without safety measures we could be as many as 500 hospital beds short of what we need to treat people by September,” Brown said. “And that’s patients coming into the hospitals for any reasons. When

hospitals run out of beds, we are all at risk.” According to Brown, the pandemic has taught that quick, decisive action saves lives. Brown said vaccines are the best way for individuals to protect themselves and their families from the deadly virus. “It is clear that the situation requires immediate action to stop the Delta variant from traveling further,” Brown said. “Masks are simple and they are effective. Masks are also our best bet in keeping our schools and our businesses open. Wearing a mask should give you confidence that you are not infecting others.” Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen told reporters that the Delta variant virus is spreading uncontrollably among people who are not vaccinated.

Vol. 139, No. 33

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

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Oregon’s traffic fatalities on the rise JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The number of fatal and serious injury traffic crashes are rising across Oregon. Two people died in a multiple vehicle crash that shut down all lanes of busy Oregon Coast Highway 101 just south of Lincoln City for several hours Friday, Aug. 13. That deadly incident follows a series of traffic crashes along Highway 6 just a few weeks ago near Tillamook that left three people dead and sent several others to area hospitals. This summer, law enforcement, fire districts and emergency medical crews have also responded to traffic crashes along Highway 30 through Columbia County. Increase alarming Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Information Representative Lou Torres said the state agency is increasingly concerned about the traffic crashes and

deaths. “We are alarmed about the overall increase in severe crashes statewide,” Torres said. “Even with fewer people driving in 2020, we saw a significant increase in severe and fatal crashes and that trend has continued in 2021. As of July 28, Oregon traffic deaths were 22% higher than in 2020.” Oregon State Police report that the investigators preliminary findings show that in the Aug. 13 Highway 101 crash a Dodge Durango,was northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a Chevrolet Silverado. OSP said both drivers sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased. Highway 101 was closed for approximately four hours. Torres said the cause of that double fatal crash was similar to the three recent fatal crashes on Highway 6. “We do know that in each one was the result of a vehicle crossing over into the other lane of traffic and colliding with an oncoming vehicle,” Torres said. “These lane

departure type crashes are becoming more common and can be caused by a variety of reasons including speeding, distracted and inattentive driving, impairment and fatigue.” According to Torres, in the fatal crash areas of Highway 6, drivers encounter challenging conditions. Highway 6, the Wilson River Highway, is a road that follows the Wilson River in a canyon where the hillsides are steep on one side and a river running on the other side. “It is a narrow canyon in places and has a lot of curves,” Torres said. “It is the kind of road that requires the full attention of the motorist.” Safety options Torres added that ODOT has been trying to find ways to increase safety and reduce the number of lane departure crashes along Highway 6. In 2016, ODOT installed updated and enhanced curve warning signs along the entire Highway 6 corridor. “A significant number of

these signs were added to help get motorists attention and keep them focused on staying in their lane,” he said ODOT is taking other steps over the next few years, including installation of rumble strips to further prevent lane departure crashes. The strips are grooves in the pavement that make a rumbling sound and cause physical vibration that immediately warns inattentive drivers that they are leaving their driving lane. The rumble strips are considered for placement on the centerline to reduce head-on and crossover crashes and on the shoulder to reduce run off the road crashes. Following the last fatal crash on Highway 6, Torres said ODOT has added variable message signs (VMS) at two locations where there have been severe crashes. The signs read, “STAY ALERT. DRIVE SAFELY” “We are also working with Tillamook County to allow the county to also post VMS at different locations,” he said. “Since these crashes are

caused by driver behavior and poor decisions, we are trying to get their attention through the extra signage.” Driver behavior

ODOT, law enforcement agencies and other first responders have partnered over the years to advocate driver safety with specific educational campaigns to help reduce the number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. “The most difficult and challenging issue to address is driver behavior and the poor decisions made by motorists that result in severe crashes,” Torres said. “Aggressive driving and unsafe passing on rural highways in Oregon is more common, along with driver inattention and impairment that are also factors that lead to crashes. As you are probably aware, people are less patient and in a big hurry these days.” According to Torres, there has been a significant driving cultural shift in Oregon and America.

“It is not a good thing,” he said. “These driver actions are really law enforcement issues, not something that can be easily fixed with engineering. Also important to note, a reduction in law enforcement staff impacts driver behavior.” Law enforcement has also conducted additional patrols, when staffing permits, along areas where there have been frequent traffic fatalities. “We realize that these crashes can be devastating to families and communities,” Torres said. “We care about each and every life lost on our highways and that is why ODOT strives to prevent crashes like these from happening. Know that we share the public’s concerns and will continue to monitor Highway 6 and other roads.” Join the conversation, take The Chronicle’s online poll at thechronicleonline.com and tell us what you think needs to be done to slow the increasing traffic crashes and fatalities in Oregon.

Work in progress at Millard-Bennett Roads JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

You likely have passed through the construction zone marked with large orange barrels along Highway 30 between St. Helens and Scappoose. The work began in early March and continues this week. It is a $7.5 million road improvement project at Millard and Bennett Roads along Highway 30 in St. Helens. Unexpected delays have lengthen the time of the work. In the following conversation, Oregon Department of Transportation Public Information Representative Lou Torres explains what’s been done and what’s next at the project site.

partners have been working on moving their lines and pipes to new locations. Most of that work has been completed.

The Chronicle: Due the utility issues and a gas line break June 23 at the site, what is the new projected competition date.

The Chronicle: What has been done at the site over the past few weeks and what needs to be done to complete the project?

Torres: The gas line break did not cause any project delay. That can happen in an area where there is a lot of construction happening and utility relocation is being conducted. The utility relocation work is just one reason why the project has been delayed. We are still waiting for the railroad to complete its work, with much of it needing to happen in conjunction with the road construction. Timing is an issue here. Once the railroad begins work, folks will see the construction move much more quickly forward.

Lou Torres: Our utility

The Chronicle: What

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Traffic is funneled into one lane along Highway 30 at Millard Road as the improvement project takes place.

type of traffic limitations and detours should motorists watch for as this project moves forward?

30 and Millard Road and/or U.S. Highway 30 and Bennett Road will be impacted at various times during construction.

Torres: Travelers can expect delays and lane closures. Traffic on U.S. Highway 30 will not be detoured. The intersections of U.S. Highway

The Chronicle: What would be the estimated dollar loss due to the setbacks and how will that loss be compensated?

Elks offering scholarships STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

All high school seniors in Oregon who are U.S. citizens are welcome to apply to the Elks Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship Program. The entire MVS application process is handled online with applicants being judged on academics, leadership and community engagement, and financial need. Applicants will be judged at four levels with the opportunity to earn scholarships at the local, district, state, and national level. The top male and female students will advance from the local lodge level to the district level, and from there onto the state and national competitions. At the national level two first-place students of $50,000 each, two secondplace students of $40,000 and two $30,000 third-place

Courtesy of the Oregon State Elks Association

students will be awarded. The remaining 14 finalists will each receive $20,000 and 480 runners-up will receive scholarships of $4,000 for a total of $2,440,000 nationwide. Students wanting to apply for the scholarships do not have to have an affiliation with the Order of Elks and the deadline to apply for the 2022 application is 11:59 p.m. Nov. 15, 2021. Online applications and additional information are

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

located online at www.elks. org/scholars/scholarships/mvs. cfm. Also available for those not attending a four-year college or university, the Oregon State Elks Association offers a Vocational Grant Scholarship for those attending a program specific to a trade or profession (nursing, mechanics, hair/nails, construction, etc.). Adult learners are also eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applications opened Aug. 2 and must be received by midnight on March 1, 2022. For more information and to apply visit oregonelks.org/ student-contests/scholarship. For more information or assistance, interested students, families or high schools may contact their local lodge or the Oregon State Elks Association Scholarship Chair Mary Danca, at emjade@opendoor. com.

Torres: There is no estimated dollar loss. While the project has been delayed is shouldn’t result in any significant dollar loss. This is still a $7.5 million project that is fully funded.

ans, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic.

The Chronicle: In previous published interviews, you outlined what the project is designed to accomplish. Could you again give us the benefits of what this project will produce.

Torres: Once the utility relocations are completed, construction will resume. We are hoping to get the railroad work started in conjunction with the construction. We are now looking to complete the project in the spring of 2022. However, any final paving may be delayed until the weather allows. We apologize for the delays. We had some unforeseen issues to deal with, in addition to some timing issues that affected the project. These things can happen in construction.

Torres: This project will improve the safety of U.S. Highway 30 by adding a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Millard Road, restricting left turns onto U.S. Highway 30 from Bennett Road, increasing the turn radius for the right turn at U.S. Highway 30 and Bennett Road, updating rail crossings at both Millard and Bennett Roads, and updating other intersection infrastructure for pedestri-

The Chronicle: What is the timeline for the Bennett Road project and what has to be done at that site?

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

Openingceremony Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

With an official ribbon cutting ceremony, the new St. Helens Grocery Outlet opened its doors to customers Thursday morning, Aug. 12. Store owners Ricky and Kate Linares, their two children and the outlet’s employees welcomed guests and shoppers inside the 12,000 square-foot facility located at Highway 30 and Brayden Street in St. Helens. Construction for the store began in late 2020 and wrapped up this summer. See more photos at thechronicleonline.com

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Board opposes student mask mandate Asking for no mandates

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Rainier School Board has sent a letter to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown voicing disappointment and concern about Brown’s directive ordering all K-12 children to wear face coverings while attending classes in the new school year ahead. In the letter, the school board said its priority has been, and continues to be to have students in school for face-to-face instruction for the entire school year. “We also understand that mask wearing is one of many mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19,” the board members wrote, adding that they were disappointed and frustrated with Brown’s announcement July 29 of the in-class face covering mandate. The board members said the district has spent a summer planning for a return to in-person without the mandate of masks and that the schools would follow the CDC (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention) recommendations which strongly recommends but not requires mask-wearing. “This unilateral decision, with no advance warning or opportunity for feedback, instantly removed the ability for communities to make decisions based on what is best for our community,” the board members stated. “Our students want to be in school but the mask mandate will eliminate the ability for some of our students to access their free and appropriate public education.”

The school board members said they will uphold their oath of office but they are making a specific request to Gov. Brown. “We are respectfully asking that mandates not be placed on school districts that remove local control and do not permit us to lead the communities for which we serve,” the board members stated. The Rainier School Board approved the letter and dispatched it to Gov. Brown’s office Aug. 9. On Aug. 6, Rainier School Superintendent Joesph Hattrick sent a letter district parents telling them that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) on July 22 released an updated Ready Schools, Safe Learners (RSSL) Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 school year.

We are respectfully asking that mandates not be placed on school districts that remove local control and do not permit us to lead the communities for which we serve ~ Rainier School Board

Hattrick wrote that the RSSL provided districts with local control over mask requirements while stating that masks were “strongly advised” for all staff and students in kindergarten and up.

in the disappointment of our community and will continue to advocate for our district at the state level while protecting the district by following such mandates that are outside of local control.” St. Helens School District reaction

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

Gov. Kate Brown said the rule to have all K-12 students wear face coverings while attending classes is necessary for the protection of all students, staff and school visitors. The Rainier School Board says the rule takes away local control.

“That local control was removed with Governor Brown’s announcement of a statewide mask mandate and the additional requirement that all Oregon school districts would be required to enforce the indoor mask mandate effective August 12, 2021,” Hattrick said in the letter to parents. “The district feels the same frustration with these changing rules that the Rainier community feels.” Hattrick said in his letter to parents that the district’s commitment is to adhere to its plan to return all of Rainier’s students to school, in-person, for full day learning. “This goal extends to full access to a regular sports rollout for all seasons, full access to all of the other important extra-curricular activities, and learning opportunities that our Rainier students find so important to their overall learning experience,” he wrote. Potential penalties Hattrick also cites in his

letter the potential penalties he, the school board and the school district could face if they do not comply with the ODE and state requirements. “A school that violates OAR 333-019-1015 is subject to a civil penalty of $500 per day per incident (This could be up to $500,000 at RSD if no masks were worn ($500 x 1000 individuals on campus in a given day)). Districts are still awaiting a final rule on what is constituted by an “incident.” Hattrick told parents that when the state’s mandates are announced, the focus of community anger gets misdirected to school boards and superintendents. “Our goal is to provide transparent information so those interested can provide feedback to the Governor and Oregon Lawmakers should they choose,” he said. “The Rainier School District is committed to supporting our learning community, our students, staff, and community while we communicate the truth about the mandates. We share

On July 29, the St. Helens School District posted the following statement concerning the Gov. Brown’s student mask mandate. “As a district, we are reviewing the latest recommendations from the Governor, CDC, ODE, as well as working closely with local health officials and our school board to determine what is best for our students, staff, and community. We thank you for your patience as we prepare for the upcoming school year. Please know that we are making every effort to bring all students back to the classroom while continuing to provide safety and security protocols to both our students and staff. We will share more details about health and safety protocols as we get closer to the start of school.” Governor’s response Governor Kate Brown issued an open letter to Oregon superintendents, school board members, and education leaders, Tuesday, Aug. 17, calling on them to take action to ensure Oregon’s K-12 students can return to full-time, inperson instruction in the classroom this year, with minimal disruptions from COVID-19. “Throughout this pandemic, my north star for decisions

about our schools has been to do what is best for our students,” Brown said. “We know that students’ mental, physical, behavioral, social, and emotional health is best served when they can be in schools for full-time, in-person instruction,” she said. “The Delta variant puts this goal at risk. It puts our children’s health and lives at risk. But, by again taking simple and effective precautions, we can still return our children to classrooms fulltime this fall.” While most Oregon school districts are moving forward with health and safety plans to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the upcoming school year, the governor issued the letter in response to troubling statements and actions from local school leaders indicating they would ignore state law. Several school boards have passed or are considering resolutions opposing Oregon’s K-12 indoor mask requirements. In one school district, a superintendent encouraged parents to make false claims on behalf of their children by requesting mask exemptions under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The governor called on districts to reject taking actions that defy state and federal laws, and to take action to protect students’ health and safety instead. As with Oregon’s previous K-12 mask requirements, the current indoor mask requirement can be enforced by Oregon OSHA under state law. Read the full text from Gov. Brown’s open letter with this story at thechronicleonline. com.

Foreclosure moratorium extended STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Gov. Kate Brown has extended Oregon’s residential mortgage foreclosure moratorium until Dec. 31, 2021. The moratorium prevents Oregonians who own their homes from losing their homes to foreclosure if they have lost income and been unable to pay their mortgage during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 2009 authorized the governor to extend the mortgage foreclosure moratorium period for two successive three-month periods beyond June 30. Brown previously issued Executive Order 21-14, extending the moratorium until Sept. 30, 2021. The extension until Dec. 31 is the last extension allowed under House Bill 2009. “As we continue to see record high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations driven by the Delta surge, I am committed to ensuring that Oregonians have a warm, dry, safe place to live during this pandemic,” Brown said. “Extending the temporary residential foreclosure moratorium another three months will prevent removal of Oregonians from their homes by foreclosure, which would result in serious health, safety, welfare, and financial consequences, and which would undermine key efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19.” Extending House Bill

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

The moratorium prevents Oregonians who own their homes from losing their homes to foreclosure if they have lost income and been unable to pay their mortgage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2009’s foreclosure moratorium will also provide relief to mortgagors that are leasing property to residential tenants, allowing landlords needed flexibility to continue to work with tenants who are struggling to pay rent, according to Brown, who added, that the protections are necessary as Oregon continues to deploy federal financial relief both for Oregonians who rent and for Oregonians who own their homes, including the Emergency Rental Assistance program and the Homeownership Assistance Fund, both of which are in the initial

They say it’s cooler by the river

stages of deployment. Oregonians who have fallen behind on their mortgages during the pandemic are encouraged to contact a housing counselor in their community. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, dedicated professionals who can help homeowners explore their best options for keeping their homes. A list of housing counselors in communities across Oregon is available at www.oregon. gov/ohcs/homeownership/ Pages/housing-counseling. aspx. Rental assistance, safe-harbor period available for tenants Similar protections are

also in place for Oregonians who rent their homes. In addition to resources for landlords and homeowners, rental assistance continues to be available for tenants at OregonRentalAssistance. org. On June 25, 2021, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 278, which provides tenants a 60-day safe-harbor period from eviction for nonpayment of rent. In Multnomah County, the safe harbor period is 90 days. The 60-day safe-harbor period for each tenant begins when they provide their landlords with proof that they have applied for rental assistance. Oregon’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is still accepting applications at OregonRentalAssistance.org. Tenants who are behind on their rent or utilities or who may need help paying current or future month’s rent should apply today. The program is offered to all eligible renters regardless of immigration status. If a tenant has received an eviction proceeding notice, they should consult with a lawyer as quickly as possible, according to a release from Brown’s office. No cost or low-cost legal services may be available. For more information on the end of Oregon’s eviction moratorium and protections for Oregon’s renters, go to OregonLawHelp.org. Renters can also contact 2-1-1 or 211info.org to be linked to their local program administrator.

Courtesy photo

Christina Manning takes a selfie with her sister Jessica Dunagan during a break in the taping of a segment for the reality show.

TV SHOW

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Most Extreme Sisters hasn’t been aired locally since June. The Chronicle has reached out again to Manning for a follow up to our original story. The Chronicle: Is the TV show experience what you thought and hoped it would be? Manning: I do feel that the experience was what I had hoped for… I really went into this experience with no expectations, I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the process along the way. The Chronicle: Are you still involved in the show? Manning: The first season finished in June and we haven’t heard anything yet on a season two. The Chronicle: What has been most challenging for you to be involved in this television experience and what has been the most rewarding? Manning: I definitely feel like it’s been hard to re-watch some of the episodes because it was such a challenging time in my life. But my biggest reward is when my fans will message me and tell me that I have inspired them to use their intuition and open up the gift that they have within themselves. Knowing that I helped someone to feel comfortable

Come to 2Cs and let’s test that theory! 215 S 1st Street St. Helens • 503-410-5280 • www.2csvendormall.com

and confident to use their abilities and to express who they are is so rewarding. The Chronicle: What have you learned about yourselves through this experience? Manning: I have really learned to enjoy life and just be grateful for every moment. The Chronicle: Beyond the book that you and your sister have written, what other avenues has this television experience provided you? Manning: My sister and I do you give psychic readings and the show has allowed a lot of clients to be able to access us. Manning said she is prohibited by contract to reveal what the two earned during the production of the TV series but in the April interview with The Chronicle, she did say the glitter and glitz of television hasn’t clouded her and her sister’s fond memories of small town life in Clatskanie. “My sister and I moved to Clatskanie when we were 10 years old,” she said. “We went to Mayger Grade School, middle school, and Clatskanie High School. We loved growing up in a small town and we often return home to visit our brother, Justen Brown and our best friend Kayla Spaulding, who still live in Clatskanie.” Manning and her sister have published their first book, Charge Your Food, Change Your Life.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

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Navigating through the pandemic PAUL VOGEL Chronicle Guest Column

Editor’s Note: The Chronicle presented Paul Vogel’s part one of this two part guest column in the Aug. 11 edition. The following is part two. The business picture is a mess. People aren’t returning to work for myriad reasons. But we need to take “fear of getting sick” completely off that list. If people are taking the pandemic pause to re-think personal or work priorities, jobs and career paths – more power to them. But businesses are limping along with partial staffing. The only thing worse than a restaurant being completely shut down is one that can only be partially or inconsistently open – and not know when that might be since workers may or may not show up either for interviews or work itself. And you know it’s not just restaurants. If you’re concerned about getting sick, get vaccinated or at least wear a mask. Then go to work. If your employees need reassurance, help them get vaccines and require masks, for everybody. Start taking that

“fear” off the list. Some local businesses are doing just that, adapting to meet the both the virus and the worker shortage head on. They’re relooking at work conditions, conventional views on hours, shifts, and working from home. But manufacturers don’t have work from home luxury. Some here locally, like Pacific Stainless, are acting on their care for worker safety - and fear - by partnering with public health and others to bring vaccination events to their shop floor. You can do that too. In order for an economy to be healthy it needs to have balance – demand and supply/supply and demand. As with worker behaviors, consumer patterns and behaviors have changed. Our local retailers can’t adjust to that if there’s no one to work. Potential customers find alternatives if businesses are erratically open. Fear of getting sick and inability to find care for children while you work – those are problems that need to be addressed. Oxford Economics Chief U.S. Financial Economist Kathy Bostjancic recently observed, “The highly contagious Delta variant casts a shadow on the labor market recovery in the coming

County has never been more important. Keep it Local is currently surveying consumers - your customers (or the people who should be) - to find out what they want, why they shop local or, more important, if they don’t then why not. Get a hold of Keep it Local to find out. These insights will be shared with anyone who wants them. Here are some other things to think about and do something about:

Paul Vogel

months, threatening to slow the return of workers still on the sideline due to childcare issues or health concerns.” Vaccines are free and available. With CARES and ARPA funding, programs are underway to try to unravel the childcare puzzle. Employers that want to attract and retain workers, maybe look at childcare as not only a benefit, but an essential part of your future business model. Like employee/worker behavior, consumer behavior is changing – has changed – due to the pandemic. Rebuilding our economy and adapting to that change, Keep it Local Columbia

Workers: There’s a worker shortage. There hasn’t been a better time for you to find or change jobs in decades. If you can’t find a job you like in this market, the pandemic and economy are not to blame. It’s time for a new approach in order to rejoin the economy. If you want to make a change, learn something different. Explore mechatronix, digital literacy, apprenticeship programs, makers spaces and more at the new PCC Training Center. And no one is better positioned, or able, to adapt to the changing work environment than OMIC, blazing trails in both advanced and additive manufacturing. Right here. Business owners: We need to help change the way

people are thinking about work – from both sides of the relationship. Maybe that’s improving wages, benefits, or simply the conditions or considerations in our workplace. We need people to come back to, or want to go to, work for us. On September 15, Northwest Oregon Works, our workforce partner will have another job fair. If you need people, sign up and show up for that. And LISTEN to why people are changing work, or reluctant to go back to work. Adjust your own outlook toward employee retention – it may be the most important “marketing” you’ve done in a decade. If you haven’t been doing marketing – hope that’s working for you but maybe it’s time for a rethink on your approach. Everything’s changed. Employees AND consumers have changed their expectations of you. Perhaps it’s a good time to refresh on how you run your entire business – and the passion that got you into your business in the first place. Take a class. Attend a seminar. Or just watch their videos online. Everything’s changed. Some of your competitors get that. You’d better catch up to get ahead. PCC business classes are start-

ing up again in the fall, and we’ve got additional help on the way. We’ll be bringing a new Small Business Resource Center to Columbia County soon. We’ve never had one here. Some of the COVID funding will help make it happen. COVID certainly underscored the need. Business advising will be free, which kind of removes any excuse to for not tapping into it, yeah? If you don’t take advantage, the economy and pandemic are not to blame. New tools, new opportunity, new information and knowledge, even new vaccines are coming to Columbia County. We simply need to work together to help eliminate the business uncertainty of potential new masks requirements and other on again/off again rules designed to protect us. And who or what to protect ourselves from. If we don’t help stabilize things, seize opportunities, and help ourselves and our communities, the economy and the pandemic are not to blame. Paul Vogel is the executive director of the Columbia County Economic Team. He may be reached at 503-4101061.

Voices of the Community Moratorium evictions Enough people squawked and congress and The White House listened so the moratorium on evictions, even though illegal, have been extended until Oct 3. When the Soviets took control of eastern Europe, they shoved the landowners and their family into one of their bedrooms and placed homeless families in each of the other bedrooms. Food lo-

MANDATE From Page A1

“It will get worse if we do not take immediate action,” Allen said. Allen said state agencies are now working with hospitals across the state in repositioning resources, such as respirators, and mobilizing nurses to ensure patient care. “This is a disappointing reminder that we still have dark days ahead,” Brown said. “Until more people get vaccinated, we are all still in danger.” When asked about reversing her position this week after saying the mask mandate should be up to local elected officials, Brown said, “It was really clear that local officials were not willing to make the tough decisions to preserve and ensure protection of our hospital beds.” Brown is also mandating that all state employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. “I encourage all public employees to do the exact same thing,” she said. Brown said it will be up to local school superintendents to decide if teachers should be required to be vaccinated. Concerning public protection at large outdoor events, such as University of Oregon Duck football games, Brown

cated in the common kitchen was declared public on a first come first served basis no matter who purchased it. Most local rentals are locally owned, so if the government limits evictions, and renters pay no rent, where are the owners going to get the money to pay their property taxes at the end of the year? Do you think the county commissioners are going to issue a moratorium on property taxes? Will the county eliminate their precious CCRider? Like many property

owners my sister has started the steps toward selling her four-plex before money really starts to get tight, what choice do they have? The end is foreseeable, lost rent will become uncollectible, COVID money will get lost in the shuffle, and the county will either put liens against the property for back taxes or seize the rental property for themselves. So ends affordable housing in America.

said that local officials have the authority to take action. “I am asking Oregonians to mask up and get vaccinated so we can reduce the number of additional hospital beds that we might need,” she said.

strongly encouraged in crowded outdoor situations.) • Common sense exemptions apply for activities that would be impractical or impossible wearing a mask, for example: eating and drinking; swimming and organized, competitive sports; performances involving singing or speaking in public. • In these cases, OHA recommends strongly that participants be fully vaccinated if eligible. • Similar to exemptions in recently-adopted mask requirements in Nevada, Louisiana, and Washington, DC. • Oregon OSHA will have a role in enforcement for employers and employees, with an education-first approach: OSHA will work with employers who are making an effort to comply and won’t conduct inspections or issue fines immediately as businesses implement masking protocols, including the necessary signage. Most area clinics and pharmacies in Columbia County and across the state continue to offer the COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge.

Mask Mandate Fact Sheet Brown’s office released the following Mask Mandate Fact Sheet. The goal of indoor mask requirement is to limit the spread of the Delta variant as much as possible indoors, where COVID-19 spreads more easily. The requirement works in combination with efforts to encourage more Oregonians to become fully vaccinated. • The emphasis of indoor mask requirement is on personal responsibility - we are asking Oregonians to make a commitment to protect those around you by wearing a mask. We are also asking Oregonians to be kind and considerate of others and to treat store employees and others with respect: they are asking you to wear a mask to save lives. • Applies to adults and children older than 5. On public transit, also includes children older than 2. This aligns with Multnomah County mask requirements. • Applies broadly to people in all indoor public spaces. (Masks are still

Editorial policy: Opinions expressed on this page are independent ofThe Chronicle views and are solely those of the writers expressing them. Letters policy: This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximumof250wordsandwillbeeditedforgrammar,spellingand

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Joe Turner Columbia City

Follow the latest pandemic developments in Columbia County at thechronicleonline. com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

BAN

From Page A1 documents ready to take with them at a moments notice. Oregonians are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts in their county at OR-Alert.gov. OR-Alert is an effort to ensure statewide access to receive alerts, warnings, and notifications (AWN) systems, enabling real-time sharing of hazard information across Oregon’s 36 counties and

blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containingdetailspresentedasfactsratherthanopinionsmustinclude theirsources.Writersarelimitedtoonepublishedletterpermonth.All submissionsmustincludetheauthor’sfullname,localstreetaddress

tribal governments,’ according to the OR-Alert website. The technology also allows county emergency managers to access notification tools including the Federal Emergencyy Management Agency’s (FEMA) Integrated Alerts and Warnings System which is capable of issuing messaging to all cell phones in a geographic area. The fire agencies officials also urged Oregonians to know what the critical evacuation levels are: • Level one means get ready

• Level two is get set • Level three is go Phelps said when there is an emergency that requires evacuation, homeowners might get a knock on the door from the fire department, receive a message, or may receive no notification at all. “People should take time to prepare now,” Phelps said. Fire officials discussed Oregon’s ongoing wildfire season, fire prevention and preparedness during a media briefing Thursday, Aug. 12.

and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published).Bysubmittingaletter,writersalsograntpermissionforthem tobepostedonline.Opinionsexpressedonthispagearethewriter’s aloneanddonotrepresenttheopinionofthenewspaperoritsparent company, Country Media, Inc.

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

WEDNESDAY EVENING KATU ^ KOIN & DISC _ KGW ( KOPB * KPTV , ESPN C DISN I KPDX Q TBS W

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON KATU ^ KOIN & DISC _ KGW ( KOPB * KPTV , ESPN C DISN I KPDX Q TBS W

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Press Your Luck “Whammageddon!” (N) The $100,000 Pyramid (N) (DVS) Big Brother (N) House Calls With Dr. Phil Expedition Unknown “Uncovering the Golden City” Aerial scans reveal a lost city. (N) America’s Got Talent (N Same-day Tape) (:01) Family Game Fight! (N) Islands of Wonder “Hawaii” NOVA “Operation Bridge Rescue” MasterChef (N) (:01) Beat Shazam (N) (DVS) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Descendants: The Big City Greens 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

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Holey Moley “It’s Family Night!” (N) When Nature Calls With Helen Mirren (N) Big Brother A houseguest is evicted. The Neighborhood B Positive Homestead Rescue “Paradise in Peril” The Raneys rescue a young family. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine Making It “Take It Out Back” (N) Oregon Art Beat Ocean to Idaho Shakespeare and Hathaway -- Private Beat Shazam “Battle for Beyonce!” Fantasy Island (DVS) SportsCenter (N) (Live) “Spin” (2021, Comedy) Kerri Medders, Michela Luci. (:45) Big City Greens 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Cube “Lean on Me” (DVS)

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Superstar The evolution of Kobe Bryant. (N) The FBI Declassified “Enemy of the State” (:11) Hunting Atlantis “Island of Rings” (N) Chicago P.D. “The Right Thing” Secrets of the Dead “Egypt’s Darkest Hour” 10 O’Clock News (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Full Frontal

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KATU News at 11 (N) Jimmy Kimmel Live! KOIN 6 News at 11 Late Show-Colbert (:12) Expedition Unknown KGW News at 11 (N) Tonight Show Earth’s Natural Wonders 11 O’Clock News (N) (:35) People (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Family Guy Family Guy Full Frontal George Lopez

AUGUST 19, 2021

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The Hustler “You’re Overcompensating!” (N) Bull Bull and the team worry about jury bias.

KATU News at 11 (N) Jimmy Kimmel Live! KOIN 6 News at 11 Late Show-Colbert (:03) Homestead Rescue “Hill of Death” Law & Order: Organized Crime KGW News at 11 (N) Tonight Show Inspector Morse “The Sins of the Father” Morse investigates a death at a brewery. 10 O’Clock News (N) 11 O’Clock News (N) (:35) People (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) (:10) Big City Greens (:35) Big City Greens Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons Family Guy Family Guy The Cube Jenni and Marie; Audrey and Kavi. The Cube “Lean on Me” (N) (DVS)

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KATU News This Morning Saturday (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (:25) Bundesliga Soccer Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Borussia Mönchengladbach. (N) (Live) Lucky Dog “Reggie” Innovation Nation Mission Unstoppable Hope in the Wild (N) Pet Vet Dream Team All In With Laila Ali BIG3 Basketball Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Major League Fishing (N) Dirty Jobs “Mardi Gras Bladder Banger” Dirty Jobs “Medical Waste” Dirty Jobs Onion processor; building ladders. Paid Program Premier League Soccer Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Premier Lacrosse Clifford-Dog Sesame Street Pinkalicious Cyberchase SciGirls Biz Kid$ Garden Smart Garden Home Life in Bloom Love of Quilting Biz Kid$ Think Big Dog Tales Animal Rescue Paid Program Paid Program SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Outside the Lines 2021 Little League World Series Game 9: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Disney’s Magic Bake-Off Garden Time Southern Liv The Carbonaro Effect Paid Program America’s Heartland Biz Kid$ George Lopez Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld The Cube (DVS) The Cube “Lean on Me” (DVS) Law Abiding Citizen

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KATU News at 6 (N) (Live) Jeopardy! Wheel of Fortune KOIN 6 News at 6 (N) CBS Evening News Extra (N) Ent. Tonight Street Outlaws: Memphis “Lost in Paradise” Street Outlaws: Memphis: Full Throttle (N) KGW News KGW News at 6:30 The Good Stuff (N) Inside Edition (N) This Old House BBC News PBS NewsHour (N) 6 O’Clock News (N) People (N) Family Feud (5:00) NFL Preseason Football Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints. (N) (Live) Raven’s Home Raven’s Home Big City Greens Big City Greens Family Feud Family Feud The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy

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KATU News at 6 (N) (Live) KOIN 6 News at 6 (N) CBS Evening News Deadliest Catch Jake risks a daring entry. KGW News KGW News at 6:30 Ask This Old House BBC News 6 O’Clock News (N) LLWS Baseball Tonight (N) Raven’s Home Raven’s Home Family Feud Family Feud Family Guy Family Guy

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Your Voice

Sharyl Attkisson This Week With George Stephanopoulos (N) 2021 Little League World Series Face the Nation (N) Bull Riding PGA Tour Originals PGA Golf It’s How You Destroy-Second Naked and Afraid The Alabama backwoods. (:06) Naked and Afraid Naked and Afraid Meet the Press (N) 2021 AIG Women’s Open Final Round. (N) (Live) Race and Sports in America Dinosaur Train Arthur (DVS) Rick Steves’ Europe Rick Steves’ Europe Islands of Wonder “Hawaii” NOVA “Operation Bridge Rescue” FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace (N) Paid Program Paid Program Paid Program Paid Program 2021 Little League World Series Game 14: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) 2021 Little League World Series Game 15: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Disney’s Magic Bake-Off “Descendants” Paid Program Smiley Healthy Paid Program Whacked Out Sports DragonFlyTV Think Big George Lopez George Lopez Seinfeld Seinfeld MLB Baseball Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays. (N) (Live)

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