SHC831

“Riders prepare presentations for the various church congrega tions and other community mem bers who may host them overnight or for a meal in order to talk a little bit about the cause and why they are dedicating their summer to this cause,” the Bike & Build website states. “In communities through which they pass, riders talk to local residents and spread the message of what it means to pedal for af fordable housing.” Each summer cyclists complete numerous pre-planned cross-coun try trips. Their ages range from 18 – 29 and the cycling groups can have to 36 members. They work closely with Habitat for Human ity and other local organizations, helping build or completing much needed repairs. The housing crisis has be come even more evident since the pandemic, with 30% of house holds having unaffordable rent or mortgage payments, according to cyclist Zoe Verzani. “Across the U.S. there is a shortage of more than seven mil lion affordable homes,” Verzani said. “The shortage has also hap pened gradually as people move from rural to urban areas. Sobering statistics indeed, which is one rea son groups such as Bike & Build are so Hostsnecessary.”suchasFaith Lutheran Church, recognizing their hard work, gladly invited the group to be their guest. After a wonder ful dinner, the riders discuss the process of Bike & Build and take questions before settling in com fortably for the night. “This church is such a beauti ful location, and so is this town” cyclist Eliza Behler said. “We are so lucky to always have such great Biking with a purpose in Columbia County

Family Resource Center

Metro Creative Connection

Ready, Back to

Set,

The St. Helens School District also has established a Family Re source Center. The center’s mission is to promote family engagement by:

• Providing a space to learn and access technology • Provide translation services as neededThe Family Resource Center is located at 474 North 16th Street in St. Helens and may be reached at 503-397-7238.

The young adults are part of an organization named Bike & Build, which was started in 2003 by Mark Bush, who had been part of a simi lar organization.“Ourjobisto inspire people to create solutions to the housing crisis,” group leader and cyclist Juan Avalos said. “Not only to help the communities we bike to, but to encourage young people to live a life engaging in all sorts of civic activities.”TheBike & Build website states that the riders are ambas sadors for the affordable housing cause.

Last April, following the shoot ing, Pixley placed a statement on his Facebook site, which read in part: “It is a complex and difficult experience to process but I find some comfort in knowing that we were able to defend the lives of our citizens and both the sergeant and I were able to go home safely to our families.” At that time, Pixley declined an interview with The Chronicle pending conclusion of the shooting investigation. Background The shooting occurred on the morning of March 31, at the Scap poose towing company. Oregon State Police (OSP) troop ers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies, including Sheriff Pixley, responded to a distur rules officer-involved

/ The Chronicle

JEREMY C. RUARK from Han John Tse Bike journey

The Chronicle St. Helens Finance Director Matt Brown making a previous city presentation. Finance director under investigation St. Helens Finance Director Matt Brown is on paid administra tive leave following a city inves tigation into his performance and conduct.TheChronicle has learned that Brown was placed on paid leave July 14 as the city investigation unfolded.“Hehas not been terminated, but he is under investigation,” St. Hel ens City Administrator John Walsh told The WalshChronicle.wouldnot publicly reveal why the investigation had been launched and declined to provide any further details. “The city is leading the investi gation,” Walsh said. “The process involves myself, the mayor, the council president and the results will be confirmed by the city coun cil.” Brown has been the city finance director for approximately six years with a monthly salary of $11,500.

Class!

shooting justified

trict

Eighteen young cyclists from across the country pedaling for progress stopped in Clatskanie at the end of a 4,000-mile trek, traveling to raise awareness for affordable housing.

& Build cyclists spend time on their

assisting local communities in constructing affordable housing. See BIKING Page A7 See SCHOOL Page A4

Who We Are

Changes in the free meal program

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The nationwide waiver to provide all K-12 students with free meals regardless of income expired on June 30, 2022. Meals will no longer be free to all SHSD students in the 2022-2023 school year. Eli gible families can submit an online or paper Confidential Family Appli cation to see if they qualify for free and reduced-price meals.

• Building positive relationships • Supporting student and family well being • Working with families to con nect them to supports and services within the community • Hosting events and classes to promote engagement (cafes, parent classes, workshops, etc.)

DA

Jeremy C. Ruark Law enforcement investigators gathered at the scene of the officer-involved fatal shooting.

The countdown to the 202223 school season is under way this teachers and staff at the St. Helens School Dis are ready to greet students for the new school year ahead. The St. Helens High School Kick Off, formally Registration, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 31 and Thursday, Sept.1 at the school at 2375 Gable Road. A lunch break will be held both days from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. “All students should drop in ei ther day to get their photo taken for student ID cards and get questions answered,” the St. Helens School District (SHSD) website states. “New students to St. Helens School District should complete the online registration and have a phone con ference with their counselor prior to this date (not required for returning students or incoming 9th graders who were at St. Helens Middle School (SHMS)). First day The first day of school for 9th grade students, new students to SHHS, and exchange students only is Tuesday, Sept. 6. The first day of school for all SHHS students, in cluding 9/10/11/12th grade students is Wednesday, Sept. 7. “Both September 6 and Sep tember 7 are full days, so students need to come prepared for class,” the SHSD website states. “School breakfast and lunch will be avail able, or students can bring some thing from home.” St. Helens High School is a closed campus, which means no leaving campus for lunch or delivery during regular class hours. Building renovations continue at the high school. Portable class rooms have been established at the campus during the renovation work. Visit the district website to see a complete listing of all the back-to-school information for the individual schools in the St. Helens School District.

Columbia County District At torney Jeff Auxier has ruled that the actions by Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley and Oregon State Police Sgt. Chad Drew were justified in a fatal shooting at Grumpy’s Towing in March.“My conclusion is that the actions of Sheriff Pixley and Sergeant Drew on March 31 were justified, and that no further action on the part of my office is necessary,” Auxier states in his official findings letter. Read the full document attached to this story at thechronicleonline. com.Auxier sent the review documents to Pixley and to Oregon State Police Capt. Andy McCool.

Serving Columbia County since 1881 thechronicleonline.com $1.50AugustWednesday,31,2022 re-employmentOregon’s Page A3 tofiresMultipleleadarrest Page A2 Vol. 140, No. 35 Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Community Calendar A4 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Crossword ............... A6 Legals ....................... A7

jruark@countrymedia.net See SHOOTING Page A9 LAUREY WHITE Chronicle Guest Article Courtesy photo

Administrators,week.

Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

The St. Helens School District is ready to welcome students to the new school season ahead.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

• Consider relocating to a safe place outside of the affected area.

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, August 31, 2022A2 Columbia County’s trusted local news source 2504 Sykes Rd, St. Helens, OR 97051 • (503) 397-1125 www.edwardjones.com/topher-mood Topher Mood, AAMS® - Financial Advisor

• Continue to stay in formed and alert, checking for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV and radio.

• Having a family emer gency plan.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Topher Mood, your Edward Jones financial advisor at (503) Edward397-1125.Jones,Member SIPC

Courtesy photo

The emergency declaration helps to ensure that the state is prepared to marshal all available and necessary resources as quickly as possible as wildfires arise throughout this season

Governor declares wildfire state of emergency

• Inform loved ones of plans and destinations.

• Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.

Level Three, coded red, means go now –Leave immediately Level three indicates there is extreme danger in the area and remaining threatens the safety of indi viduals as well as emergency responders, who may not be available to help those who choose to stay. Do not stop to gather belongings or protect the home. Now is the time to act: • Grab the go-kit.

• Leave as fast as safely possible.

• Assembling a disaster supply kit.

Older adults, families with children, people with disabilities, livestock and pet owners, and those with limited access to transporta tion should consider evacuat ing at Level One. This is also a good time to check with neighbors and share infor mation. Oregonians should be aware of fire risk in their area, stay informed, and actively take steps to prepare themselves to reduce their risk from wildfire, including:

• Mapping out evacuation routes. Level Two, coded yellow, means be set to evacuate There is significant danger in the area and people should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Voluntary evacuation at Level Two is recommended, especially if people need extra time or have livestock. Individuals should:

Read the governor’s full declaration of emergency with this story at thechroni cleonline.com.

Good was booked into Cowlitz County Jail on three counts of Arson 1st Degree and one count of At tempted Arson 1st Degree. The four incidents that occurred within Cowlitz County are being jointly investigated by the sheriff’s office and Longview Police. Anyone with informa tion about these incidents can contact Detective Jason Hammer with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office or Detective Trevyn DeLapp with the Longview Police Department. fires in 2 states leads to arrest

Multiple

• Making a plan for shel ter, including animals.

For example, a few years before you retire, you may want to reevaluate your risk exposure and consider mov ing part of your portfolio into a more conservative position. When you were decades away from retiring, you may have felt more comfort able with a more aggressive positioning because you had time to bounce back from any market downturns. But as you near retirement, it may make sense to lower your risk level. And as part of a move toward a more conservative approach, you also may want to evaluate the cash positions in your portfolio. When the market has gone through a decline, as has been the case in 2022, you may not want to tap into your portfolio to meet short-term and emergency needs, so having sufficient cash on hand is important. Keep in mind, though, that having too much cash on the sidelines may affect your ability to reach your longtermEvengoals.ifyou decide to adopt a more conservative invest ment position before you retire, though, you may still benefit from some growthoriented investments in your portfolio to help you keep ahead of — or at least keep pace with — inflation. As you know, inflation has surged in 2022, but even when it’s relatively mild, it can still significantly erode your pur chasing power over time. Changes in your own goals or circumstances may also lead you to modify your investment mix. You might decide to retire earlier or later than you originally planned. You might even change your plans for the type of retire ment you want, choosing to work part time for a few years. Your family situation may change — perhaps you have another child for whom you’d like to save and invest for college. Any of these events could lead you to review your portfolio to find new opportunities or to adjust your risk level — or both. You might wonder if you should also consider chang ing your investment mix in response to external forces, such as higher interest rates or a rise in inflation, as we’ve seen this year. It’s certainly true that these types of events can affect parts of your portfolio, but it may not be advisable to react by shuffling your investment mix. After all, nobody can really predict how long these forces will keep their momentum — it’s quite possible, for instance, that inflation will have subsided noticeably within a year. But more important, you should make investment moves based on the factors we’ve already discussed: your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and individual circumstances.Byreviewing your port folio regularly, possibly with the assistance of a financial professional, you can help ensure your investment mix will always be appropriate for your needs and goals.

Oregon is under a state of emergency due to the ‘im minent threat’ of wildfire. Gov. Kate Brown de clared the state of emergency Aug. 27 because of the wild fire risk across Oregon. Much of the state con tinues to experience high temperatures, wind, storms with dry lightning, and persistent drought. With the extended forecast in Oregon calling for continued warm and dry conditions—and with many parts of the state in drought emergencies—the threat of wildfire in Oregon is imminent. “With wildfire behavior increasing across the state, and with the threat of fire not likely to recede in the near future, it is imperative that we act now to prevent further loss—of life, property, business, and our natural resources,” Brown said. “I issued this emergency declaration to ensure every resource is made available for firefighting efforts and to the crews striving to protect our“Itstate.”isequally important that each of us do our part to prevent wildfires and to be prepared for the ones we can’t prevent. I am urging Oregonians to take charge in preventing human-caused fires by being safe, respon sible, and aware. I am also

• Upon evacuating, drive carefully; turn on headlights and follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities.

A Rainier, Oregon man faces criminal charges after allegedly setting multiple fires in Oregon and South westAccordingWashington.tothe inves tigators, on Aug. 26, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received reports of multiple suspicious fires in the Rainier, Oregon area, between 6:59 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. Witnesses described seeing a white Chevrolet S-10 type truck with a matching canopy leaving the area of some of the incidents.Between 10:16 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. that same day, Cowlitz 911 received calls of fires at four locations, including a detached garage in the 6700 block of Wil low Grove Road, a vehicle someone had attempted to set fire to in the 1600 block of Dorothy Street, a pole barn in the 7400 block of Willow Grove Road and a residence that was set on fire in the 3400 block of Memorial Park Road. Witnesses at two of the scenes in Cowlitz County described seeing a similar white S-10 truck leaving the scene of the fires. In the Dorothy Street incident, a burning stick was found in the wheel well of a vehicle. A witness to the Dorothy Street fire provided video of the suspect vehicle to LongviewLongviewPolice.Police located a matching vehicle on In dustrial Way near Oregon Way and contacted the sole occupant, identified as Brian E. Good, 47 of Rainier, Oregon. Officers noted that Good smelled of smoke and had a gas can and sticks in the back of his truck that were similar to the one used in the attempt to burn the ve hicle on Dorothy Street. Further investigation revealed that Good’s Debast Road residence in Rainier was the location of one of the fires in Columbia County, where a toy hauler trailer had been burned. Detectives also learned that a female resident of the Me morial Park Drive home had been in a previous dating relationship with Good and had recently reported Good had been stalking her. Detectives also learned that the Dorothy Street ad dress where the suspect at tempted to set a vehicle on fire was a previous address of the same female subject. Damage to the victims’ properties was significant, according to investigators. A detached shop and carport in the 6700 block of Willow Grove Road, along with a boat and several vehicles, were a total loss. The fire also endangered the nearby residence. The pole barn in the 7400 block of Willow Grove Road suffered significant damage and endangered a nearby residence. The fire dam aged the corner and top of the home on Memorial Park Drive and also damaged a fence.The attempted vehicle fire on Dorothy Street was extinguished before it could cause significant damage but had it caught fire it would have also endangered nearby residences. No injuries were re ported at any of the scenes.

encouraging individuals and families to be prepared by making an emergency plan and to follow all evacuation orders should they occur in areas of active wildfire.” Pursuant to ORS 401.165 et seq, Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the imminent threat of wildfire. The Governor’s declaration authorizes the Oregon De partment of Forestry and the Office of the State Fire Mar shal, in coordination with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, to utilize personnel, equipment, and facilities from other state agencies in order to respond to or mitigate the effects of the wildfire emergency. The declaration allows state agencies to temporarily suspend any rules that impair the response to wildfires, if needed, and also allows the state to request assistance from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact if neces sary.The emergency declara tion is focused on helping to ensure that the state is prepared to marshal all avail able and necessary resources as quickly as possible as wildfires arise throughout this season. When state and national resources are limited, the Oregon National Guard will deploy firefight ing resources in accordance with Operations Plan Smokey 2022. Be ready The fire season took ef fect July 11, which includes a ban on open debris burning in Columbia County. Over the past few months, fire agencies in Columbia County have issued public adviso ries detailing how property owners can take preventive actions before the wildfire season begins and how local firefighters are preparing for the season. Read those sto ries at thechronicleonlione. com.Oregon’s evacuation notification system is struc tured around the readiness need and threat level, broken down into three tiers. Level One, coded green, means be ready to evacuate

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

• Follow the emergency plan.

• Signing up for local emergency alerts at ORAlert. gov. • Enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones.

There are no shortcuts to investment success — you need to establish a long-term strategy and stick with it. This means you’ll want to create an investment mix based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon — and then regularly review it to ensure it’s still meeting your needs. In fact, investing for the long term doesn’t necessar ily mean you should lock your investments in forever. Throughout your life, you’ll likely need to make some changes.Ofcourse, everyone’s situ ation is different and there’s no prescribed formula of when and how you should adjust your investments. But some possibilities may be worth considering.

When should you adjust your investment mix?

Courtesy from Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

As a cohort, pandemic re cession unemployment claim ants had greater re-employment rates than their counterparts laid off in non-recessionary times. Pandemic recession claimants also stood apart in terms of their post-layoff earn ings.

• Oregon’s unemployment rate is near its all-time record low again.

• The largest share (36%) of claimants were recalled to and still working for the employer that laid them off. Sectors with the highest rates of returning workers included education services, public administration, and manufacturing.

fentanyl has appeared recently in several forms in cities across the country. A version seized recently in the Portland area resembles thick pieces of brightly colored sidewalk chalk. Some versions seized elsewhere in pill or tablet form resemble candy. Federal agents are urg

• The pandemic recession cohort also experienced better wage gain outcomes than all Oregon workers - unemployed or not - between the first half of 2020 and the end of 2021. Read the full report with this story at thechronicleonline. com.Gail Krumenauer is an employment economist with the Oregon Employment Depart ment. She may be reached egon.govgail.k.krumenauer@employ.oratorat971-301-3771.

GAIL KRUENAUER Chronicle Guest Article Seasonally adjusted non farm payroll employment in Columbia County increased by 170 in July to 11,800 jobs, according to the latest Oregon Employment Department report. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 290 jobs is normal for the month, but the county’s em ployment fell by only 120. Job gains In July, the private sector added 150 jobs, and govern ment employment dropped by 270. Professional and busi ness services added 70 jobs. Leisure and hospitality gained 60 jobs, and construction grew by 40 jobs. Local government education shed 270 jobs. Other industries had smaller changes. July’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a gain of 90 jobs compared with one year before, an increase of 0.8%.The county lost 1,360 jobs in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, and it remains 70 jobs below its pre-pandemic em ployment of July 2019. Some of the major industries gained jobs over the past year. Other services added 90 jobs over the year. Professional and business services added 80 jobs, and leisure and hospitality regained 60 jobs. Private education and health services lost 110 jobs. Columbia County’s seasonally adjusted unemploy ment rate was 4.1% in July, essentially unchanged from 4.2% in June. It was 5.6% the year before. The statewide unemployment rate was 3.5% in July, and the national rate was 3.5% as well. Statewide report Over the past five months, unemployment rates for the U.S. and Oregon have aver aged 3.6%, near record lows dating back almost 50 years. The labor market is tight, and many people have gotten back to work. Over the past two years, Oregon’s labor force participation rate rose rapidly.The share of the population 16 and older that is either em ployed or unemployed reached 63.5% in July, its highest rate in a decade.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

• Another 12% took new jobs with different employ ers in the same sector of the economy.

Oregon’s re-employment: A remarkable turnaround

Fast Fact Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin.

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, August 31, 2022 A3

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are warning Orego nians to be on the lookout for rainbow fentanyl. The drug is a brightly colored version of the highly toxic synthetic opioid responsible for hundreds of fatal overdoses every day in the United States. The warning follows at least two notable seizures of the drug in the last several days in the Portland metro politanRainbowarea.

• Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employers have regained nine out of 10 jobs lost in spring 2020.

As Oregon moved from high unemployment to rapid reemployment, seven out of 10 pandemic recession unemploy ment claimants were found in Oregon’s payroll records again by winter 2022. Three out of 10 were not found working for a covered payroll employer 18 months after their job separa tion.

• By 18 months after their job separation, pandemic reces sion claimants were more likely to still be found working with a covered payroll employer and working in the same sector of the economy than unemploy ment claimants from the same timeframe in 2016.

Columbia County adds 170 new jobs

• Sectors most likely to have workers take new jobs with a different employer in their sector included health care and social assistance and leisure and hospitality.

• The state’s labor force has also grown to new record-high levels, and labor force partici pation has reached its highest rate in a decade.

Warning of rainbow fentanyl in Oregon

Rainbow fentanyl seized by deputies is a highly toxic synthetic opioid responsible for hundreds of fatal overdoses every day in the United States.

Opioid abuse affects communities across the na tion. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that there were more than 107,000 fatal drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021, an increase of nearly 15% from the previ ous year. Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) ac counted for more than three quarters of these deaths. Drug overdose continues to be the leading cause of injury or death in the United States.Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fen tanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dra matic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state. The federal agent’s release also urges anyone in immediate danger, to call 911.If you or someone you know suffers from addic tion, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife. org. Phone support is avail able 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The pandemic recession brought unparalleled job losses - in both speed and scale - to Oregon in March and April 2020. Two years later, the state’s labor market has experi enced a remarkable turnaround.

• Oregon’s pandemic reces sion unemployment claimants had stronger wage growth than their unemployed counterparts in an expansionary period in 2016.

In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,200 in July, following gains averag ing 6,300 jobs in the prior eight months. Monthly gains in July were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,500 jobs), other services (+1,400), manu facturing (+1,300), and private educational services (+1,300). Retail trade (-700 jobs) was the only major industry that shed a substantial number of jobs.As of July, Oregon has regained 94% of jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic. The U.S. has regained 100%. Oregon’s private sector is close to a full jobs recovery, having regained 99% of pan demic recession losses. How ever, Oregon’s government sector has only regained 49% of the jobs it lost during March through June 2020. Profes sional and technical services was one of the fastest growing industries over the past two years. It added 1,900 jobs in July and has grown by 10,400 jobs since February 2020. Over the past 12 months, architectural and engineering services added 1,700 jobs, or 9.4%, which was the highest growth rate of the component industries within professional and technical services. Retail trade has inched downward since late last year. In July, it dropped to 209,000 jobs, which is back to where it was inlate2016. Over the past 12 months, the weak est retail trade sectors were building material and garden supply stores (-1,700 jobs) and general merchandise stores (-2,400 3.5%unemploymentrevised,unchangedmentOregon’sjobs).unemployratewas3.5%inJuly,from3.5%,asinJune.TheU.S.ratewasalsoinJuly.

ing the public to refrain from handling any version of fentanyl and if anyone encounters the drug, to call 911“Weimmediately.urgeallOregonians to be on the lookout for fen tanyl in our community and respect the highly-toxic na ture of this substance,” said Steve Mygrant, Chief of the Narcotics and Criminal Enterprises Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. “Fen tanyl is commonly disguised in fake prescriptions pills. If you find or come in contact with pills not dispersed by a licensed pharmacist, assume they are fake and potentially lethal. Fake pills are indis tinguishable from real pills.” “Fentanyl is the dead liest drug threat we face today,” DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Jacob D. Galvan said. “It doesn’t matter what color, shape or form it comes in; just two milligrams of fentanyl – the equivalent of 10 to 15 grains of salt - is enough to kill someone. DEA’s Portland Office is seizing record amounts of fentanyl and we will continue this important work because we know American lives are at stake.”

• Keeping the company in a sellable position

These economic hard ships are requiring business owners to take a hard look at their current financials and operational status and make decisions accordingly—and many are reaching out to the Oregon SBDC for guidance. We’re also experiencing an uptick in succession plan ning requests from business owners who are nearing retirement.Succession planning is a crucial next step for

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held elec tronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-789-9240 Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom events-page.www.lowercolumbiariver.org/at

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, August 31, 2022A4 Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Farmers Market The 20th season of the Scappoose Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, contact poosefm@gmail.com.scap

• Creating a documented succession plan

printed.

SBDC Adviser Arnie Hendricks is a subject matter expert on financial manage ment for small businesses

20% Improved driver behavior 18.2% More law enforcement patrols 10.9% Increase penalties for traffic violators 50.9% All of the above

• Crisis Hotline

many but requires proper planning. Oregon SBDC succession planning services help guide business own ers through the many stages of planning and executing, including:

expressed on this page are in dependent of The Chronicle views

Columbian Toastmasters Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is wel come! Meeting virtually via Zoom from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503369-0329 for more informa tion. Overcomers Outreach Meetings are held every Sat urday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Rd., Scappoose. Call Fred 971-757-6389. To list an event in the Com munity Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to 503-397-0116.countrymedia.net,chronicleclassifieds@orcall community

the editor.

• School Based Heath Center

After 1-866-866-1426hours SCHOOL From Page A1 The Chronicle The Chronicle (USPS 610-380) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 S. Columbia Blvd., P.O. Box 1153 St. Helens, Oregon 97051 Periodicals postage paid at St. Helens, OR 97051 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle PO Box 1153 St. Helens, 97051-8153OR SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One month in county: $8 One month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80 CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 • Website: www.thechronicleonline.com • Editorial: chroniclenews@countrymedia.net ADVERTISE WITH US: Display ads: chronicleads@countrymedia.net • Classified ads: chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net FOLLOW US • facebook.com/sthelenschronicle or twitter.com/shchronicle Joe

VieWpoints Vehicle shatteredwindow

eVents

MARK GREGORY Chronicle Guest Column

• Office of the Superin 503-397-3085 503366-7229 503397-9072 503-366-7695 503397-5211 Warren Opinions and are solely those Write to us: We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to Because of shorter letters have a better chance of being We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know. Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and sum mary of an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper. To verify authenticity, all letters must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number (just your city of residence). Submissions may be emailed to chroniclenews@countryme dia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office.

September 10 Scappoose Adventure Festival 10 a.m. – Midnight at Scap poose Veteran’s Park, 52590 Captain Roger Kucera Way. Free admission! Enjoy recre ation, sportsman, handmade and service marketplace ven dors, nighttime concert and beer garden, axe throwing, family games and enter tainment, food trucks and vendors, car show and more. For more information go com.ScappooseAdventureFest.to

• Preparing for the transi tion of ownership

At around 7 p.m. on Au gust 28, along Highway 30 in the location of the Scappoose Dairy Queen/Papa Murphy’s, While driving down High way 30 my back-driver side window exploded. I was informed as I pulled in the car detail place that I was not the first person com ing in with-in the last four hours with a busted window. I filed a police report but none of the others did. Probably thinking it was a road hazard or something.Iamlooking for other people who had a window randomly shatter on them in the Scappoose area August 28th in the afternoon. Contact Scappoose Police if your ve hicle window was damaged. CarrieScappooseLayton Voices of the community

Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday - Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christcentered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compul sive behavior at 220 S. 1st St., St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. Free childcare available. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521 or check the Resonate Facebook page.

• Student Services

of the writers expressing them.

and recently shared some in sight on the pressing issues facing our Oregon small business economy today.

space limitations,

• Post-transition planning

Publisher Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor Jon Campbell Advertising Sales Kelli Nicholson Office Manager James Yang Creative Director Jon Lowrance Driver Editorial policy:

September 11 Hometown Heroes of Columbia County 2nd Annual 9/11 Remem brance 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. The event will start at 8:30 a.m. at the St. Helens Centennial Flag & Fountain in the lower parking lot on the river side. The reading of the names starts at 8:46 a.m. We invite anyone from the community to at tend, and if you would like, assist in reading the names. There will be roses and rib bons available for members of the public to place on the fence in remembrance. The remembrance display will remain in place until 7:00 p.m. for all to see. For more information, please call Vivan Rupe at 503-929-1523.

Vote online at thechronicleonline.com Are you ready for the season change from summer to fall? Yes No Weekly Online Poll Last Week’s Results What is the solution to the rise in fatal traffic crashes?

The Oregon Fueling Stu dents for Success provision allows many more families the opportunity to qualify for meal benefits. See the SHSD website for details. The St. Helens School District also offers a student Code of Conduct handbook with three guid ing principles for students, staff and families. The Code of Contact outlines expectations for student and staff behavior while at school or school-related activities: 1. My words, actions, and attitudes demonstrate respect for myself and oth ers at all times. 2. I always seek the most peaceful means of resolving conflict and I obtain the assistance of school staff when I am un able to resolve conflicts on my own. 3. I seek positive rela tionships with all members of the school community, and I help restore relation ships with school com munity members that are affected by my conduct. Contact information

• Strategies for maintain ing and growing valuation through the process

Opinion

“The current economic climate appears to be soften ing after a partial rebound from the difficult time for many companies in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic,” Hendricks said. “The issues with supply chains are still lingering, and the lack of available labor is making it difficult for many companies to recover to their pre-COVID levels of revenue and profitability. This is now compounded by the inflationary costs of many materials that are diffi cult to pass on to customers through increased prices.”

• Transportation

The Oregon SBDC is here to help businesses at every stage. If you know of a business that could use these support services, please encourage them to locate a Center in their area and seek out our free advis ing services.

Letters policy: This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstanti ated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month.Allsubmissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

tendent

September 10 Logging Event Rainier Oregon Historical Mu seum Annual event will fea ture local historian Jerry Kelly from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Rainier City Chamber Room at Rainier City Hall, 106 W B Street in Rainier. First show at 12:30 p.m. Sec ond show at 1:30 p.m. Kelly will discuss various logging items, highlighting different types of axes, springboard, whistle punks’ bug, log can non, undercutter and topping saw. A power point presen tation showing over 150 logging industry views is also planned. A logging exhibit will be in the museum on the third floor. The movie, “God’s Country and the Woman” will be playing throughout the day. Kids will have fun load ing logs onto a log truck with a remote-controlled grappler. Something for everyone! For more information, call 360751-7039.

September 24 Scappoose Historical Society will honor E.P. (Mike) Dering Noon – 2 p.m. at the Scap poose Historical Society Watts House memory garden. Dering is an internationally known nurseryman with ties to Scappoose. He founded Peterson and Dering Nursery, a 150-acre commercial rose nursery, operating from 1933 until 1963 when he retired. Ongoing Events Back to School Supply Drive It’s that time of year - Back to School! And Columbia County is hosting a Back to School Supplies Drive. Students often need basic school supplies such as pencils, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, paper, folders, notebooks, and backpacks. Your contributions will stay within the county to help local students prepare for a successful school year. Dona tion boxes are located at the Columbia County Courthouse on Strand Street, the Colum bia County Sheriff’s office on Port Avenue, or at the Public Works Department on Oregon Street in St. Helens. Dona tions will be accepted until Sept. 9.

• Working the steps of that plan

Mark Gregory is the State Director of the Oregon Small Business Develop ment Center Network of the Oregon SBDC Network.He may be reached at 541-4635250.

To all who support small businesses in Oregon a changing and somewhat challenging time for small businesses across our com munities.Thework we’re doing and the feedback we’re receiving tell the story that many of our Oregon small businesses are once again facing challenges due to the current economic downturn. Moving forward Pressed with tough deci sions on how to move for ward, business owners are turning to the Oregon Small Business Development Cen ter (SBDC) for support.

Martha M. DeRosa-Gray Aug. 31, 1936 ~ July 16, 2022

ADOBRCSBUSIETY

subscribingmostaboutinformedallthelocalstoriesthatmattertoYOUbytothenewspaperCall:(503)3970116tosubscribeorformoreinformation

Allison Kay Mattson Ziemer 2022

Allison Kay Mattson Ziemer, 51, passed on Aug. 5, 2022. She was born to Delbert Allen Mattson and Jeanette Ervella Vandolah in Portland, Oregon on April 7, 1971. She married Brent Ziemer on July 7, 2007. They lived in Warren, Oregon.Allison graduated from St. Helens High School in 1989 where she was a three-sport athlete. Allison earned a degree in Certi fied Medical Assisting from the Portland Community College and Linn Benton in 1993.Allison worked as a Medical Assistant in out patient clinics at Emanual Hospital as well as OHSU.

July 29, 1929 ~ Aug. 16, 2022

Oct. 15, 1946 ~ Aug. 17, 2022

Sandra Gayle Olson Nov. 4, 1950 ~ Aug. 4, 2022 away on Aug. 26, 2022. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2022 at the Rainier Cemetery at 75900 Larson Rd.

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, August 31, 2022 A5

Allison loved caring for and helping people. After her marriage she left Medi cal Assisting and became her family and friend’s caregiver. An avid animal lover, gardener, roadtripper, sports lover, beach cleaner, and friend to just about anyone she ever met she will be terribly missed. In lieu of flowers or cards please consider a donation St. Helens Backpack Program, Humane Soci ety Columbia County, or Leiomyosarcoma support & direct research foundation. Lmsdr.org.Allison was preceded in death by her father Delbert Mattson.Allison is survived by her mother Jeanette Matt son; sister Kim Brady; and nephews, Devon and Dylan Brady (Summer Hopkins). Allison’s celebration of life with be held from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2022, at Barnstead, 34801 Smith Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051. Allison’s favorite things will be there… dogs, ice-cream, and some beer. If you can make it, make it in the brightest colored clothes you own.

MargaretWhitneyEsther Jan. 15, 1925 ~ Aug. 26, 2022 Stay

Cynthia Ann Carter passed away on Aug. 24, 2022. Cynthia Ann Carter Feb. 12, 1947 ~ Aug. 24, 2022

Gail Ann Parker, 70, of Columbia City, Oregon passed away in Portland, Oregon Aug. 24th after suf fering a fall and a short ill ness. Gail was born May 26, 1952 in St. Helens, Oregon to Bill and Donna Jensen. She attended Yankton ele mentary and graduated from St. Helens High School. Gail attended beauty school and became a hair dresser. She then went to work for a local Title Co. where she became proficient in all aspects of property titles. With that knowledge she started her career with the Columbia County Clerks Office. She worked with the Clerks office recording property titles, marriage licenses, dog licenses and election results. If a docu ment needed recording in the county Gail did it. She retired from Columbia were her family and her six grandchildren. They were the sparkle in her eye and the warmth in her heart.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source obituAries

Betty Elaine Neer passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 16, 2022. Betty was born on July 29, 1929 to Michael Dean and Dorothy Neer in Goble, Oregon. Betty attended Goble elementary and graduated from Rainier High School in 1947. Betty married her first husband Rodney on June 12, 1949 in her parent’s yard. Betty was born at the historic family home on Neer City road and lived there until high school graduation. She was a bookkeeper for differ ent businesses including four years at Montgomery Ward, Southland Corporation for several years finally retir ing from Snyder Roofing in 1995.Betty is survived by her three children and their spouses, Connie Smith (Marlon) in George, Or egon, Laurie Stewart (Tim) in Cedar Mill, Oregon and Darren Wallwork (Sandra) in Scotts Mills, Oregon; many grandchildren, Christy Co loumbe (Tony), Matt Stewart, Sam Stewart (Courtney A.), Andy Stewart (Courtney N.), Brandi Wallwork, Shelby Yzaguirre (Alex), Chase Wallwork and Donovan Thurman; great-grandchil dren, Miriam Stewart (10), Rosie Coloumbe (8), Conrad Stewart (6), Isaac Stewart (5), Elliot Stewart (3), Cam eron Stewart (2) and Evie Yzaguirre (2); as well as a niece Cynthia (Neer) Schied in Prescott Valley, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her father Dean in 1974 her brother Willis in 1992; mother Dorothy in Betty was active in many different clubs and organiza tions such as Shiloh Basin Community Church, Rainier Garden Club, Rainier Senior Center, RV-8rs (RV & Square Dance Club), Rainier Histori cal Society as well as a fleece and fiber group in St Helens, Oregon as well as volunteer ing at the Camp 18 Logging Museum.Although Betty was born and died in the family home on Neer City Road, she trav eled extensively. She took road trips alone around the US, caravanned with friends to Alaska and to the Copper Canyon in Mexico. At age 80, she took a solo road trip to the Maritime Provinces (Eastern Canada) all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador, making friends all along the way. She visited almost every state including Hawaii. She also travelled to Western Europe, visiting seven different countries. The property where she lived was the last remaining land owned by the Neer family of a large property homesteaded by her great grandparents Abe and Laurinda Neer. The family had a long history in the area. She was the last of 18 Neer Family first cousins in her generation. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 24, 2022 at the private riverfront property across Hwy 30 from Betty’s house. Neighbors, friends and acquaintances are all welcome!

Betty Elaine Neer

Gail’s other passions were simple. Her pets and her plants consumed much of her time and gave her much joy. Gail never attended Oregon State, but she sup ported and promoted the Beavers whole heartedly. She also enjoyed the many car shows and car races the family participated in. Gail loved people and she loved to travel. She made friends all over the world. It didn’t matter what language was spoken she made friends ev erywhere. You never forgot Gail. She was truly one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew her. Gail was predeceased by children, Kris and Josi Long and Alex and Jamie Long of Yakima, Washington, Dawn and Matt Bierbaum of Oregon City, and Dana and Christine Parker of Scap poose; six grandchildren, Anistyn, Olivia and Alex andra Long of Yakima, Tate Parker of Milwaukie, and Maddie and Blake Benson. A celebration of Gail Parker’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2022 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds pavilion. In lieu of flowers and knowing Gail’s passion for animals the family asks that a dona tion in Gail Parker’s name can be made to the Colum egon, 97051. Please sign our

Gail Ann Parker

Badge (Rifle M-14), High Score Physical Training trophy, and an honorable discharge in 1968. As a youth in St. Helens, he was a rockhound and petrified wood collector, grinding and polishing pieces and making jewelry for family and friends. Resid his life, he also enjoyed the wide-open spaces of Mon tana collecting rocks, taking photographs, fishing, and hunting. He bagged a 280#, 5-point buck which made localLeonardpapers.enjoyed wood working, making wall clocks, jewelry boxes, and display tools. Many artifacts were displayed in cases he made and donated to the Columbia County historical museum. He loved panning for gold in Oregon and Montana. Although no fortune was made, he displayed his finds in small vials and gifted them to family members. One of his last works of art was two belt buckles from a set of elk horn but tons, finished with turquoise stones in the center. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, camper, and outdoorsman. His most recent outing was a clamming trip with his son, Mike, and his grandchildren, eight grandchildren, Brooks (Andrea), Davis (Ashley), Dorian (Taylor), Jay Cie, Tristan, Trevor, Chayanne, and Owen; and three greatgrandchildren, newborns Beau, Carson, and Amelia. He cherished all his grand children and spoke fondly of them.Services will be at 2 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2022 at Columbia Funeral Home with a Patriot Guard procession to Colum bia Memorial Garden. All are invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Wounded Warrior Projects or St. Jude Hospital in his name would be appreciated.

April 7, 1971 ~ Aug. 5,

May 26, 1952 ~ Aug. 24, 2022

Leonard Eugene Hegele

Martha was born to Robert and Mildred Webb in DeMoines, Iowa. She was gifted with a voice and personality that could capture hearts. This combination led her to sing for a wide variety of events and church services. Some of her favorite memories were from her teen years, singing in public, and on TV Variety shows both solo and with her cousin Faithe. TV, and radio were very much part of her early years, even record ing songs to commemorate special community celebra tions.Life eventually led her to St. Helens where she raised four children and found her self singing once again. Her house was always filled with music as she went about her chores and activities. While attending Colum bia River Foursquare in Columbia City, she sang for various occasions, recorded some “spot” commercials for the local radio station, KOHI, and also served for a time as the Worship Leader at theDuringchurch.these years she was encouraged by friends to begin sharing the songs she had written with the greater community and eventually found herself traveling throughout the Pa cific Northwest singing and talking about God’s amazing love.

A song that she wrote about her mother was even accepted as the Oregon State Mother’s Song to honor mothers throughout Oregon. Eventually she re corded three albums filled with a combination of her originals, songs written by other local artists, and songs which moved her heart. In the closing months of her life, she struggled to put sentences together, but she could sing along with you and not miss a word or a note, and recall scripture without hesitation. Till her last breath, she brought light into any room and peace into any situation. To know her was to love her. This great treasure will certainly be missed. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2022 at Yankton Com munity Fellowship in St. Helens, Oregon.

Sandra Gayle Olson, of St. Helens, was born Nov. 4, 1950 in Arlington, Texas and passed on Aug. 4, 2022 in St. Helens, Oregon.

Open until filled. Apply at CountyOR.govColumbia Director, Finance and Taxation Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline - Open until filled. Apply at CountyOR.govColumbia Stall Shower call 503-396-1884. 742 Fertilizer COMPOSTFREE Horse manure We load, U Haul. Please call for 503-543-7406Info: Wanted cedar boughs and noble fir. Willing to pay for branches only. Do not damage trees. Call Cesar 360-241-6889 360-425-0738or Kelso. LANDATTENTIONOWNERS! 815 Rooms for Rent Room for Rent in house in St. Helens $600.00 a Month. No Smok ing no pets. 503793-4324. Waterman Garage Doors Scott WatermanOwner 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 Get your ad in the paper and reach out to potential customers. Call 503-397-0116 to place your ad in the newspaper and online. GarageSpecial!Sale Advertise your garage sale in the paper and online for only $10 for up to 14 lines! Email chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net to advertise! ASPHALT PAVING Offering Quality Asphalt Paving Services to Columbia County and surrounding areas. Call todayJimat (503) 509-8657 Quality Workmanship At Affordable Prices COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL Driveways • Roadways • Subdivisions • Parking Lots City, County, State Specification Products EstimatesFREE ACROSS 1. Out of harm’s way 5. Street, in Paris 8. *Citric or sulfuric one 12. *Female gamete 13. Comedian Carvey 14. Excessively fat 15. Trunk extension 16. Wading bird 17. Savory jelly 18. *Distance per unit of 20.timePrep a salad 21. Omit or suppress 22. Hair goo 23. Preterm infant, col 26.loquiallyFreefrom slavery 30. Rapid escape 31. Lady slipper, e.g. 34. Ruptured 35. Goodbye, in Puerto 37.VallartaLong, long time 38. Greek Bs 39. “Cheers” regular 40. Sheep’s coat 42. Over the top, in text 43.messagesTangle up 45. a.k.a. sea hawk 47. U.N. workers’ grp. 48. Xbox user, e.g. 50. Zero, on a court 52. *Vertical distance 55. Pavarotti, e.g. 56. *Radical, in math 57. Smidgen 59. *Chemically inac 60.tiveWith competence 61. Countess’ husband 62. *Ammonia or bak ing soda, e.g. 63. ___ canto 64. Proofreader’s mark DOWN 1. Source of light, in 2.SpanishTel____, Israel 3. Cloud of particles 4. Bald Eagle to Ameri cans, e.g. 5. Fanatical 6. Rallying cry to the workers of the world 7. ____-peasy 8. *____ zero, lowest possible temperature 9. Large edible mush 10.roomsOsiris’ wife 11. Yuletide mo. 13. Chancier 14. Like Cheerios 19. Mixtures 22. Cowboy’s shoe prod 23. V.I.P.s25.gas24.shape*Two-dimensional*RadioactivenobleMiddleEastern 26. Collier’s office 27. 50.49.ater48.46.44.41.40.38.eater36.33.32.29.28.device*Energy-convertingVeryangryEasilyirritated*BasicunitoflifeTiller’stool*Plant-andanimal-ContinuallyannoyBack,toapendulumStateofharmonyHeads-upPrigsShakespeare’sthe*ModelofEarthDivaHorne 51. Change for a five 52. Saudi, e.g. 53. “Doggone it!” 54. Hibernia 55. *Tebibyte abbrevia 58.tionDeli order STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SCIENCE crossWord puzzle Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle. Advertise your garage sale in the paper and online for only $10 for up to 14 lines Email chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net to advertise Classified Ads Deadline: Mondays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

filled.

Columbia County,

9/9/22. Equal op portunity employer. The City of St. Helens is hiring a Seasonal Recre ation Assistant 18+ years old. Temporary Parttime $16.00 per hour. Apply on line. oregon.gov.www.sthelensOpen until filled. Equal Opportunity Em ployer. The City of St. Helens is hiring a Seasonal Recre ationSpecialistProgram Temporary Parttime. $16.00 per hour. Apply oregon.gov.www.sthelensonline. Open until Equal Employer.Opportunity

The City of St. I

Helens is hiring a Librarian

(Youth Librarian) $4,439 (Step 1) to $5,245 (Step 5). Apply online oregon.gov.www.sthelensatOpen until filled. First review deadline:

EOE.

The City of St. Helens is hiring Seasonal Recre ation Assistants 16+ years old. Temporary Parttime. 2 positions available. $14.00 per hour. Apply online. gov.sthelensoregon.www.Openuntil filled. Equal Oppor tunity Employer. HealthCommunityNurse OR. Deadline -

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, August 31, 2022A6 Columbia County’s trusted local news source 200 Child Care 502 Help Wanted 502 Help Wanted 730 Building Supplies 150 Misc Services 790 Misc Wanted Classifieds Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com We buy CEDAR and NOBLE boughs. What we pay depends on the quality of your trees. We do all the work and won’t damage your trees. LANDATTENTIONOWNERS For more information contact Jorge Martinez (360) 751-7723 200 Child Care Needchildcarequality in a non-smoking loving home for birth to 10 years in the Deer Island area before, after, or during school hours? Let’s talk. Reasonable rates for working par ents. 914-9349available.References503 301 Health & Nutrition www.pdxaa.org(503)AnonymousAlcoholicsInfo-line,366-0667 502 Help Wanted

People Not Politicians (PNP) has filed a proposed initiative petition for the November 2024 ballot to reform what the group calls Oregon’s dysfunctional and partisan redistricting process, and to replace it with an in dependent citizens’ commis sion for fair representation. The petition was filed Aug. 24 with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office in Salem.Currently, Oregon leg islators gerrymander voting districts to re-elect incum bents in safe districts, thereby reducing political competi tion, according to a release fromThisPNP.results in incumbents who are unaccountable to voters, which in turn lowers voter turnout,” the release states.The Princeton Gerryman dering Project gave the 2021 congressional map, drafted by the Oregon legislature and passed by a straight partyline majority, an “F” grade for its lack of competitive races, according to PNP. “Oregonians deserve to have their legislative and congressional districts decided by citizens, not political partisans who are all too often beholden to monied interests,” former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling said. “Our state and our nation are already far too divided, and intense partisanship around these boundary lines is a major fac tor in making this situation even worse. Let’s give some power back to the people.” The March 2022 voter registration report of the Sec retary of State shows that, for the first time in state history, the largest single group of Oregon voters is not affiliat ed with either the Democratic or Republican parties – yet that group of non-affiliated voters are mostly shut out of the redistricting process, the PNP release hasredistrictingcreatingAccordingstates.toPNP,anindependentcommissionbeenaconsistentgoal of reform-minded organizations who stand by the principle that legislators have a direct conflict of interest in drawing electoral lines that benefit incumbents.“Ourdiverse coalition has come together from all party affiliations, income levels, backgrounds, identities, and all corners of Oregon, to rally for equal, fair, and transpar ent representation at the state and congressional level. We represent hundreds of thou sands of Oregonians who believe we deserve the best possible representative gov ernment produced through a fair, unbiased and transparent process—and we’re working hard to make that happen,” League of Women Voters of Oregon President Becky Gladstone said. The coalition filed its previous initiative measure (IP 34) in April 2021 in the hopes of making the Novem ber 2022 election. However, legal challenges from allies of the elected officials of the state’s majority party kept the initiative tied up in court until it was too late for this year.“The fact that certain in terests went to great lengths to stop Oregonians from having a say in this funda mental democratic process is just another sign that partisan

CH22-1167 McNulty Water PUD Board meeting will be held Sept 6th , 2022, at 7pm. Lo cated at 34240 Mil-lard Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.

“We will be excited to finally get started collecting signatures, leveraging our large

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hear ing will be held before the City of St. Helens Planning Commission on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at or after 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, located in the City Hall building at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. Access into City Hall for this hearing will be from the plaza side entrance. Zoom will also be available to participate. Virtual access information to join the hearing will be available on the applicable agenda. Agendas can be found on the City’s

The statement of proce dures for Columbia County are available for review at the Columbia County Courthouse and Finance/Expenditures.countyor.https.//www.columbiagov/departments/ AVAILABLESTATEMENTS

BIKING From Page A1

Public Notices

CH22-1171

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Tim & Tami Carleton have submitted an application for a dwell ing in the Primary Forest (PF-80) zone. This property can be identified by map number 7315-B0-02500, is approximately 17.5 acres and located off of Price Rd. Deliberation only. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Columbia County is having a work session for proposed future Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments relat ing to developing standards for Psilocybin Operations, Accessory Dwelling Units in Rural Residential zones, and amendments to setback standards in certain Subur ban Residential zones. SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commis sion on Monday, September 12, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Colum bia County Planning Com mission will be hosting their public hearing via online webinar. Please use the links below if you wish to partici pate in the public meeting. September 12, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting Mon, Sep 12, 2022 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (PDT) Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 0613116United(TollyourYoumeet.goto.com/757288061https://canalsodialinusingphone.UnitedStatesFree):18668994679States:+1(571)317-AccessCode:757-288-Gettheappnowandbe ready when your first meet ing starts: ingquestionscom/installhttps://meet.goto.Ifyouhaveanyorconcernsregardaccesstothemeetingor need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 3971501. The criteria to be used in deciding the request will be found in some or all of the following documents and laws, as revised from time to time: Oregon Revised Stat utes ORS 197.763; Oregon Administrative Rules; Co lumbia County Comprehen sive Plan; Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. The specific criteria applicable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report. A copy of the application, all documents and evidence relied upon by the appli cant, and the staff report 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 submit ted via email to theOrdinance”thebehearing.atrecordthebeforerequestsevidence.tocontinuancepartytoportevidenceIfStreet,opmentDepartmentMailcancolumbiacountyor.govPlanning@oryousendcommentsviaU.S.toColumbiaCounty,ofLandDevelServices,230StrandSt.Helens,OR97051.additionaldocumentsorareprovidedinsupoftheapplication,priororduringthehearing,anyshallbeentitledtoaofthehearingallowreviewofthenewIfaparticipantacontinuancetheconclusionofevidentiaryhearing,theshallremainopenforleastsevendaysaftertheThe“hearingwillheldinaccordancewithprovisionoftheZoningAteachhearing,applicanthastheburden

of presenting substantial evidence showing that the application meets all of the applicable criteria. Follow ing 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 ap plicable criteria. Following the applicant’s presentation, any person in opposition to the application may pres ent evidence and argument against the application. The applicant will then have the opportunity to rebut any evidence or arguments pre sented 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 dis cretion, continue the hearing from time to time at the re quest of the parties or on its own motion as necessary to afford substantial justice and comply with the law. Addi tional information about this application may be obtained from the Planning Division of the Land Development Services Department, at (503) 397-1501 or you can go to the County Stewart,COMMISSION2022ment/Planning.departments/LandDevelopwww.columbiacountyor.gov/websiteAugust31,THEPLANNINGShawnChairman

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE CITY OF ST. HELENS PLANNING COMMISSION

To: All Electors, Free holders and Taxpayers of Columbia County, Oregon and other interested persons. Bob Wiggins, Don Hooper, Jeannie Mustola, Merle Gillespie, and Stephen D. Petersen, the Directors of Clatskanie People’s Utility District (the “District”), an Oregon People’s Utility Dis trict, have filed a PETITION IN REM (pursuant to ORS 33.710 and ORS 33.720) for the judicial examination and judgment of the Court as to the validity and enforceabil ity of Resolution No. 22-03. At its regularly scheduled meeting on July 20, 2022, the District adopted Resolu tion 22-03, which amends District Policy No. 113 to require that an Advanced Meter be installed at each service location as a condi tion of receiving electric service from the District. An “Advanced Meter” is an electric meter that is capable of two-way commu nications between the meter and the District’s advanced metering infrastructure. The petition is pend ing in Columbia County Circuit Court as Case No. 22CV26653. The District has asked the court to set a time and place for a hear ing on its petition to enter a judgment as to the author ity, regularity, and legality of Resolution 22-03. This notice will be published in the St. Helens Chronicle on August 24, August 31, and September 7, 2022, and in the Clatskanie Chief on August 26, September 2, and September 9, 2022. ANY PERSON INTER ESTED MAY APPEAR AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF TEN DAYS AFTER THE FINAL PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE AND CONTEST THE VALIDITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS, OR OF ANY OF THE ACTS OR THINGS THEREIN.ENUMERATED

CH22-1168

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION PERIOD EXPIRATION CH22-1173

be directed to the City Plan ning Department by phone: 503-397-6272, Hallbeforebewithcommodationsimpairedinterpreterdisabilities.cessiblemeetinginSt.gov,jgraichen@sthelensoregon.e-mail:mail:265StrandStreet,Helens,OR97051,orpersonatCityHall.ThelocationisactopersonswithArequestforanforthehearingorforotheracforpersonsdisabilitiesshouldmadeatleast48hoursthemeetingtoCityat503-397-6272.

CH22-1172

isinTestimonyMapHowardtion:(SignLLCApplicant:Fileanofgov/meetings.https://www.sthelensoregon.website:Thepurposethishearingistoconsiderapplicationasfollows:No:Variance,V.5.22St.HelensOR,Request:VarianceAdjustment)LocaVacantlotnorthofStreetandUS30No:4N1W-4BA-3600fromthepublicbothoralorwrittenforminvited.Thehearingwill

Courtesy photo from Han John Tse

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

be conducted in accordance with those procedures found in the City Develop ment Code (SHMC Title 17) Chapter 17.24 and any rules of procedure adopted by the City Council. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve, deny, or approve this applica tion with conditions, based on the following criteria: SHMC 17.108.050 Variance Criteria for Approval (1) (a) – (e) SHMC 17.88.135 Sign Adjustments Failure to raise an issue, including con stitutional or other issues relating to any proposed conditions of approval, in this hearing, in person, or by letter, or failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence suf ficient to afford the approv ing authority an opportunity to respond to the issue pre cludes appeal to the appli cable appellate jurisdiction (e.g., the Land Use Board of Appeals, LUBA) on that issue, and precludes an ac tion for damages in circuit court. The application file is located at City Hall (265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR) and all documents in the file are available for inspection. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing. There is no cost to inspect the file or staff report; copies are available at a reasonable cost. The report for this application will also be available on the City’s website at meetings.www.sthelensoregon.gov/https://Questionsshould

Read more about Bike & Build at https://bikeand build.org.

TheAssociationBuildersNAACP,PartyFarmberOregon,ofthecoalitiontherillAdvocacyofandnearlyourvolunteerpreviously-existingnetworkstobuildgrassrootsstrengthovertwoyears,”PNPChairPresidentoftheLeagueWomenVotersofOregonFundNormanTursaid.PNPorganizersdescribesorganizationasadiversethathasincludedLeagueofWomenVotersOregon,CommonCauseOregonStateChamofCommerce,OregonBureau,IndependentofOregon,OSPIRG,OregonHomeAssociation,OregonofNurseries,andKlamathTribalCouncil.

Petition filed to reform redistricting process STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

HEARING Monday September 12, 2022

NOTICE MEETINGOF CH22-1170 PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the two-year period for the redemption of real proper ties included in the 2020 delinquent tax lien foreclo sure proceedings insti tuted by Columbia County, Oregon, on August 19, 2020 in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Columbia County, Case No. 20CV28801, and included in the General Judgment entered therein on Septem ber 21, 2020 will expire on September 21, 2022. All properties ordered sold under the General Judg ment, unless redeemed on or before September 21, 2022 will be deeded to Columbia County, Oregon immediately on expiration of the period of redemp tion, and every right and interest of any person in such properties will be for feited forever to Columbia County, Oregon. Mary Ann Guess Columbia County Tax Collector.

places to stay where we can meet great people.” And with their punishing schedule, a good period of rest is essential, considering their day starts before the sun comes up. The riders said it is important that they end their day before the start of a location’s rush hour. The groups 72-day journey began in Yorktown, Pennsylvania and finished in Oregon. They typically ride two to four days, then contribute their time another one to two days. And they often have to contend with dreaded conditions such as excessive heat, hills, and headwinds.

Members of Bike & Build conduct hands-on help to construct afford able housing in communities across the nation. Courtesy photo from Han John Tse

On the road with the cyclist from Bike & Build.

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, August 31, 2022 A7

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

politics have gotten way off track. Let’s come together and do what’s right for the people of Oregon,” said Eric Richardson, former Execu tive Director of the Eugene Springfield National Associa tion For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and one of the initiative’s three chief petitioners. PNP has refiled the pro posed measure to begin the ballot qualification process for the November 2024 general election. Petition ers anticipate that the initial qualification process could be completed as soon as January.Thecampaign can then begin to gather approximate ly 150,000 required valid voter signatures. PNP orga nizers said will have nearly a year and a half to accomplish the signature-gathering phase of the campaign.

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR JUDICIAL VALIDATION

For more information, visit the PNP website or call 503-386-7996.

The last day of the Or egon visit, the cyclists trav eled to Astoria for a celebra tory dip in the ocean. “It is such a positive feel ing knowing we made differ ence,” Behler said. “And to recognize the challenges of so much of our country. And I now have 18 new best friends.”DelDyer, a longtime member of the church, says the evening spent in Clats kanie with the cyclists was very“Hostingspecial. the cyclists was very rewarding and uplift ing,” Dyer said. “ It was one of the most wonderful experiences ever. Very inspi rational.”

students STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

The

wraps up 38 years Advertise in the newspaper! Email Jon at chronicleads@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116.

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, August 31, 2022A8

HERBERT SWETT Chronicle Guest Article Courtesy

•

recognizes

Clean Woodwaste Recycling Yard Debris & Woodwaste Recycling $6 yard with $8 minimum charge We Deliver1 Unit Minimum! BEAVER BARK 503-543-3000 54000 West Lane Rd. Scappoose Mon-Fri 8-5 Call for weekend deliveries BEAVER BAR K Yard Debris & Clean Wood Waste Recycling $15 per yd. Clean = No pressure treated, paint or stain Wood Waste = Lumber, branches, small stumps and logs We do not accept trash, plastic, dirt or sod Quality Bark at Competitive Prices Sold by yard or Unit for pick up or Delivery • Variety of Fir & Bark Dust • Mulch & Potting Soil • Cedar Chips & Trail Mix 54000 West Lane Rd Scappoose Oregon (503) 543-3000 www.beaverbar kllc.com Open Monday thru Friday 8am to 4pm C21305 Welcome BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, NALC, WARREN, OR WORSHIP SERVICES SUNDAY AT 10:00 am “WELCOME FALL” PICNIC, SEPT 11TH 11:30 am Sunday School & confirmation classes start 9/11/22 at 8:30 am First communion instruction Sundays at 9/11-10/9/22 Adult Bible StudiesSundays after worship 11:30 am starting 9/18/22 & Wednesdays at 6:30 pm GeneralDriversShippingEmployeeMechanicalPowderTigSupervisorsMaterialSalesSalesIncluding:AdministratorCoordinatorHandlerWeldersCoatersAssemblyDevelopmentShopHelp STARTING WAGE RANGE $15/HR TO $34/HR DOE AND ABILITY THC FRIENDLY GeneralDriversShippingEmployeeMechanicalPowderTigSupervisorsMaterialSalesSalesIncluding:AdministratorCoordinatorHandlerWeldersCoatersAssemblyDevelopmentShopHelp APPLY AT WWW.PACIFICSTAINLESS.COM503-366-8265 Willamette

local news source Liquor store operator retiring

Columbia County’s trusted

Helens Liquor Store is located

The St. Helens Liquor Store is about to change own ership after 38 years. Doug Stokes, who has been operating the store, will retire Sept. 1, his 60th birthday.Asked how he has per severed through the years, Stokes said, “Full speed ahead.” Before taking over the liquor store, he and his family were in the hardware business.Challenges of the busi ness have been employees. He has had as many as three at a time. They come with different attitudes and differ ent work habits, he noted, but those who performed well have helped the store prosper. Stokes said making money and getting to meet a lot of people have been the rewards of running the store. Stokes advises anyone considering going into the li quor business to work hard at finding and keeping employ ees who are willing to work. “There are a lot of hours that you put in,” he said. Asked what brands have been the most popular over the years, Stokes started with Pendleton, a Canadian whis key, probably because it is from corn rather than grain or barley.Working with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission “has had its ups and downs,” he said, but there seem to be fewer concerns involving it than there are with most bureaus.TheOLCC has selected the operators of the store in Scappoose to take over the one Stokes is leaving. They are the brother-and-sister team of Dustin Bolander and Carly Bolander. photo from Herbert Swett Doug Stokes has operated the St. Helens Liquor Store for 38 years. photo from Herbert Swett St. at 420 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens. Connections Academy has announced the school’s latest honor roll for grades K-8 from Columbia County.The statewide tuitionfree online public school is recognizing students across Oregon for outstanding aca demic achievement during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year. “On behalf of the ad ministration, teachers and counselors at Willamette Connections Academy, we congratulate all the students who earned a spot on the honor roll,” Willamette Con nections Academy School Leader Chris Long said. “I am incredibly proud of our Willamette Connections Academy students who have been thriving in a full-time online learning environment that has continued uninter rupted and thrilled to recog nize the list of Honor Roll students.” Honor Roll • 1st Grader Crixus Harris of Clatskanie • 7th Grader Eli Harris of Clatskanie • 3rd Grader Legacy Har ris of Clatskanie • 4th Grader Seven Harris of Clatskanie • 4th Grader Akaree Lain of Columbia City • 1st Grader Lilith Cava ness of Rainier • 6th Grader Kamara Scath of St. Helens 1st Grader David Potter of Vernonia

“As parents consider full-time online school for their students, Willamette Connections Academy is a great choice for families,” Long said. “We offer a highly engaging curriculum in a nurturing, safe academic environment, which helps prepare students to thrive in a changingWillametteworld.”Connec tions Academy is enrolling students for the 2022-23 academic year. Families are encouraged to attend an online information session to see if virtual education is the right fit for their student. To learn more about the enrollment process, visit comlametteConnectionsAcademy.Wilorcall800-382-6010. Roll local

Honor

Doug Stokes

Courtesy

ODOT has established a 24/7 noise hotline for noise concerns. Call 503-4122349. Look for updates at the project website with more details when specific dates are scheduled. This work will not impact traf fic.

• The on-ramp from SW Hall Boulevard to OR 217 southbound.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

OSU developing treatment for canine cancer

Crews have also been busy working on the west side of the highway to set the stage for the frontage road that will eventually replace the southbound SW Allen Boulevard on-ramp and SW Denney Road off-ramp. Part of this work includes building a new bridge over Fanno Creek.

Columbia County resi dents and businesses that use Highway 217 in the Bea verton area need to plan for extended roadwork delays. An eleven-day closure of one southbound highway lane and the southbound Hall Boulevard on-ramp is planned by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).Crews are preparing to reinforce the highway shoul der on southbound Highway 217 in Beaverton between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road to ensure it can support traffic when it becomes the future auxil iary lane. This will require closures to make sure that crews have room to safely perform this work, according to ODOT. Here’s what you need to know For 11 days around-theclock, expect two significant closures:

SHOOTING From Page A1

Pile driving work at Fanno Creek and High way 217

Courtesy from ODOT

• Both closures will hap pen at the same time and are expected to begin at 9 p.m. Friday, September 9 and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 19.

Researchers at Oregon State University’s (OSU) Carlson College of Veteri nary Medicine are moving forward with developing a specialized antibody treat ment for dogs with cancer, thanks to a recent grant from the National Science Founda tion.The research team plans for this treatment to be a gentler, more targeted and effective option for address ing canine cancer, just as immunotherapeutics are used in human cancer patients. “It’s not a drug like che motherapy where it’s a toxin. You’re actually recruiting the body’s natural immune re sponse for clearing out trans formed cells — for instance, a tumor — and then it kills them,” said Dan Mourich, se nior OSU research associate and the molecular biologist on the research team. Currently, veterinarians can use radiation, chemo therapy and surgery to tackle canine cancer, but these typi cally involve frequent trips to veterinary hospitals where the dog must be sedated and can take a physical and emo tional toll on both pets and owners, Mourich said. In contrast, the OSU therapy will be administered daily in the home as a small subcutaneous injection, simi lar to how pet owners with diabetic animals inject them withTheinsulin.research team includes Dr. Chris Cebra, camelid expert and the chair of the clinical sciences de partment in OSU’s veterinary college; former OSU profes sor and clinical veterinary oncologist Dr. Shay Bracha, who recently joined the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center; and Dr. Carl Ruby, veterinary pharmacol ogy instructor at OSU. The treatment was devel oped with help from some unlikely collaborators: the llamas and alpacas that OSU owns, which are both mem bers of the camelid family.

Camelids can produce a specialized smaller type of antibodies referred to as “nanobodies.”Theirsmaller structure al lows nanobodies to penetrate tissues that aren’t accessible to larger antibodies, and also makes them easier to produce and store for long periods of time, which reduces the overall cost. The $250,000 grant from the National Science Founda tion Partnership for Innova tion will allow the research ers to develop their clinical candidate and establish a production method for the treatment, after which they can hold a clinical trial to test its effectiveness. “The efficacy of immunebased therapeutics has already been tested in the human clinic for cancer and other diseases, but we’re not going to take human drugs and try to adapt them to the dog,” Mourich said. “We’re going to make the dog drug that does the same thing.” Molly Rosbach works at the OSU Department of Marketing and Research. She may be reached at rosbach@oregonstate.edu.molly.

• During the SW Hall Boulevard on-ramp closure, traffic will follow a signed detour to SW Scholls Ferry Road and to the southbound on-ramp. • The southbound OR 217 off-ramps to SW Hall Bou levard and SW Scholls Ferry Road will remain open.

Safety reminders

• Please be respectful of construction crews working in the project area. Objects thrown out of vehicles are dangerous to workers. Let’s work together to keep crews and highway users safe. What is this project?

The OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project will construct auxiliary lanes in both di rections of OR 217 andprovementsisWashingtontheprovements.eachhourstheyworkallowsofprovesdecreasestimeingreduceonramp-to-rampwayBeaverton-HillsdalebetweenHighandHighway99W.Auxiliarylanesareconnectionsthehighwaythathelpcongestionbygivdriversmorespaceandtomergesafely.Thisconflicts,imsafetyandtheflowtraffic,andultimatelytheexistinglanestomoreefficiently.ODOTofficialssaidexpectupto73,000oftraveltimesavedyearwiththeseimInpartnershipwithCityofBeavertonandCounty,ODOTalsomakingtargetedimtolocalbicyclepedestrianroutes.

MOLLY ROSBACH Chronicle Guest Article Metro Creative Connection

The research team plans for this treatment to be a gentler, more targeted and effective option for addressing canine cancer. bance call involving a suspect at Grumpy’s Towing at 53279 Columbia River Highway, ac cording to Washington County Sheriff’s Office detective Shannon Wilde. As officers arrived on scene, witnesses said officers ordered the armed suspect involved to put down his weapon, according to a KOIN report.The suspect, later identi fied as 39-year-old Michael Stockton, fired multiple shots at two law enforce ment officers, and the officers returned fire, hitting Stockton, according to investigators. No officers were injured during the gunfire. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including St. Helens and Scappoose Police also responded to the incident. Officers at the scene rendered aid to Stockton until medical personnel could take over. Stockton was later pro nounced ferentinvestigatorsFollowingdeceased.theshooting,locatedtwodifhandgunsinStockton’s possession confirming he fired multiple shots in the direc tion of the law enforcement officers, according to Wash ington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Detective Shannon Wilde.During the investigation, officers learned that Stock ton was wanted by Gresham Police for the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man at a storage facility in Gresham, according to Wilde. Investigators said the shooting in Scappoose is unrelated to the Gresham homicide case. months in prison in 2014 after his conviction of two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of being a felon in possession of a gun, accord ing to The Oregonian. placed on critical incident leave, which is standard protocol following an officerinvolved shooting. Sheriff’s Office was the lead law enforcement agency in the shooting investigation.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Highway 30 at Scappoose was shut down for several hours during the officer-involved shooting.

• Keep in mind that traffic lanes have shifted in several areas throughout the project. Pay close attention to new barriers and mark ings on the road. • Slow down, especially at night. Speed reductions are in effect in work zones. There is also increased speed enforcement through out the corridor.

• One of two lanes on southbound OR 217 between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road.

Starting in September, pile driving - also described as heavy-duty hammering – is needed to hammer steel columns into the ground for the new bridge. This can be loud and is expected to occur intermittently for about a month on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

This means that south bound OR 217 will be reduced to one lane between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road for the whole 11-day period. Plan for delays on the highway and surrounding area. If you can, limit the amount you use OR 217, combine trips and/or shift your travel time away from the morning and evening commute. Check tripcheck.com before you leave for up-to-date traffic impacts.Aswith all construction, the closure schedule is sub ject to “Wechange.knowthis will be a disruption for many travel ers and we’re working hard to complete this necessary work as safely and quickly as we can,” ODOT said in an online advisory. “We appreci ate your patience!”

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, August 31, 2022 A9 Columbia County’s trusted local news source Contact your Veteran Service Officer • 503-366-6580 You may be entitled to benefits for serving your country. Are you a veteran? Call CAT at (503)397-3511 to find out if you qualify. Rental and energy assistance applications are available at 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR. Also available on our website at www.CAT-TEAM.org ActionCommunityTeam Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency The “Soot Bust er s” Inc. WOOD, PELLET, GAS FIREPLACES & INSERTS COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES * CLEANING REPAIRS * PIPE REPLACEMENT Fireplace Shop & Chimney Services 1370 Col Blvd 503 397 0390       Repairs * Most Brands Vacuum B & Belts Kirby Repair Center 1370 Col Blvd Saint Helens 503 397 4495                05-02-12 1x9D SootBusters:Layout 1 4/30/12 11:31 AM Page 1 The “Soot Bust er s” Inc. WOOD, PELLET, GAS FIREPLACES & INSERTS COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES * CLEANING REPAIRS * PIPE REPLACEMENT Fireplace Shop & Chimney Services 1370 Col. Blvd. 503 397 0390       Repairs * Most Brands Vacuum&Bags Belts Kirby Repair Center 1370 Col Blvd Helens 503 4495                05-02-12 1x9D SootBusters:Layout 1 4/30/12 11:31 AM Page 1 www.thesootbustersinc.com The “Soot Bust er s” Inc. WOOD, PELLET, GAS FIREPLACES & INSERTS COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES * CLEANING REPAIRS * PIPE REPLACEMENT Fireplace Shop & Chimney Services 1370 Col Blvd 503 397 0390       Repairs * Most Brands Vacuum&Bags Belts Kirby Repair Center 1370 Col Blvd Saint Helens 503 397 4495                05-02-12 1x9D SootBusters:Layout 1 4/30/12 11:31 AM Page 1 Retail Store closed, moved to home office. Call for 503-397-0390appointment Highway 217 road work advisory

Researchers injected them with a protein found in ca nine tumors, which provoked the alpaca’s immune system to respond by creating a specific antibody. The researchers then screened a “genetic library” of the resultant antibodies to determine which were most effective at binding and blocking tumors from interacting with that protein on dogs’ cytotoxic killer Tcells, the cells responsible for fighting cancer. “Killer T-cells are es sentially the smallest scalpel you can have,” Mourich said. “They identify the cancer cell, remove that cell and leave healthy tissue alone. They’re so precise that you can utilize them to go and eliminate all the little pieces of tumor around the body.”

• Back this year is the Spooky Shuttle taking visitors to uptown St. Helens for pizza, candy, a ghost story from a fabled puppeteer and the Scare crow Walk. • The Haunted House has been a favorite and now with upgraded features and anima tronic props, it is even more fun and scarier than ever.

• The new Train will take visitors to and from Whispers in the Woods nature trail, fea turing tree-dwelling elves and friends, plus evening tours to Nightmare on 4th Street, a tour of decorated houses.

Courtesy photo from Tina Curry

In 1998, the riverfront city of St. Helens, Oregon served as the filming location of Disney Channel’s television classic “Halloweentown.” Each year thereafter, the city has trans formed the Riverfront District into the Spirit of Halloween town, a festival that celebrates all things spooky. This month-long event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and is geared for anyone who loves Hallow een. The Spirit of Halloween town festival is regularly listed as a national destination spot for Halloween celebrations and has been featured on ABC News, MTV, Vogue, Enter tainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, Country Living, Huffington Post, and many other recog nized news outlets. About the community St. Helens is a Columbia River community rich with history and culture. On their expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1805, Lewis and Clark made a stop in what is now St. Helens.In1850, Captain H.M. Knighton of New England first named Plymouth before being rechristened within a year to St. Helens for the town’s magnificent view of Mount St. Helens. Originally established as a river port, St. Helens is located 30 miles northwest of Portland. As the county seat, it is the larg est community in Columbia County with a population of about 13,000. Many of the city’s community events are held in the Riverfront District where visitors and residents enjoy an expansive view of the erations occurring in St. Helens St. Helens features a Nationally Registered Historic District en compassing 10 blocks, which includes residences and civic buildings dating back nearly a century. The town is has also served as the backdrop to many popular films, most notably the Disney Channel television film “Halloweentown,” and the film adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s novel “Twilight.”

The city’s signature fall event Spirit of Halloweentown includes lighting of a large pumpkin.

• The Dark Market offers Spirit of Halloweentown mer chandise.Themost popular event of Spirit of Halloweentown is the lighting of the giant pumpkins. Participants start the holiday season by counting down the seconds until two giant pump kins are lit in the city’s historic townInsquare.2022,the Pumpkin Lighting Ceremony takes place on Saturday, October 1. One pumpkin is a replica of the gi ant pumpkin featured in “Hal loweentown” and the other is an enormous work of steam punk metal art. The pumpkins, which both stand over six feet tall, are available for photo op portunities every day until the end of October. The plaza is home to many other photo op portunities such as huge crows and an over seven-foot-tall hand carved scarecrow. General admission tickets to Spirit of Halloweentown, along with special celebrity engagement tickets and a full list of events, are available on the festival’s website at spiritofhalloweentown.com.www.

• The only visiting Holo graphic Alien on Earth will be answering pressing questions about visitations, abductions, intentions, and more. This state of the art visual and audio effect will be seen for the first time worldwide exclusively at Spirit of Halloweentown. In the same building The Museum of Peculiarities and Oddities filled with whimsy and stories will entertain everyone.

Each year, the city of St. Helens, Oregon undergoes a magical transformation, decking out its Riverfront District in all things Halloween as an homage to two movies that were filmed in the town: Disney’s “Halloweentown” and the vampire-novel-turnedmovie “Twilight.”

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, August 31, 2022A10

DEQ releases

• The new Water Taxi will ferry people to Sand Island in

Welcome back to checkups for kids.

City’s fall signature event to return TINA CURRY Chronicle Guest Article

colpachealth.org/kids

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

About Spirit Halloweentownof

Tina Curry is the events coordinator for the City of St. Helens.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Qual ity (DEQ) has released its Survey of Oregon Lakes, a statewide evaluation of the ecological condition of lakes and reservoirs from samples collected in Oregon’s2017.report is part of the U.S. Environmental Pro tection Agency’s overarching National Lakes Assessment (NLA) and comes during National Water Quality Month. It also represents the first ever statewide dataset on toxics within Oregon’s lakes resources.Results indicate the ecological condition of Or egon’s lakes is largely good, especially when compared to that observed nationally, according to a release from the “MostDEQ. lakes and reser voirs are in good condition for biological communities, like insects and zooplank ton,” the release states. “In addition, DEQ found toxic compounds rarely exceed human health or aquatic life criteria. Overall, the majority of Oregon’s lakes are of high recreational value.” Because the sample sizes from earlier NLAs (30 sites in 2007 and 29 sites in 2012) were so small, DEQ was previously unable to make statewide assessments of lake conditions with confidence. However, in 2017, the agency developed a unique survey when it combined funding from the state and EPA to collect samples si multaneously for its Biomon itoring Program, which over sees sampling for the NLA, and its Toxics Monitoring Program. This provided the opportunity to maximize re sources and boost the sample size from 29 to 49 randomly selected lakes. Four additional lakes, or “targeted lakes,” were identi fied for sampling based on suggestions from DEQ Water Quality staff and the Oregon Lakes Association. They are Lake Abert, Barney Reser voir, Hagg Lake and Woa hink Lake. This brings the total of lakes and reservoirs evaluated to 53. The Survey lists the results for the tar geted lakes in Appendix A. “Oregon’s lakes are spe cial places, and this assess ment provides a great deal of solid information about their environmental health,” DEQ’s Laboratory Admin istrator Lori Pillsbury said. “The results will inform how we continue to protect our lakes, and make improve ments where needed.” There were areas of concern in some Oregon lakes and reservoirs. Excess nutrients were observed as the most widespread indi cator of poor conditions. For example, while 74% of Oregon lakes were estimated to be in good condition with regard to phosphorous levels, 21%, or approximately 1,000 lakes, were estimated to be in poorAdditionally,condition. about 60% of the state’s lakes were estimated to be in good condition with regard to nitrogen, while about 13%, or approximately 600 lakes, were estimated to be in poor condition. Excess nutrients frequently come via run-off from homes, developed areas and agriculture, as well as from soil erosion and decay ing organic material. In addi tion, nitrogen may be added from burned fossil fuels in the Theatmosphere.Surveyof Oregon Lakes covers six indica tors. The first five align with NLA sampling: trophic state, biological, chemical, physi cal and contact recreation. These categories allow direct comparisons to the results observed at national and regional scales. The sixth indicator is toxics, which is being reported for the first time in Oregon due to the additional toxics monitoring funding.TheNLA is a collabora tion between the EPA and state, tribal and local partners to monitor and assess the status and trends of ecologi cal conditions in the nation’s lakes and reservoirs. Samples are currently being collected for Oregon’s contribution to the NLA through DEQ’s Biomonitoring Program. Read the full survey with this story at thechronicleon line.com. Oregon’s Lake Survey

Another school year is here. It’s time to schedule a well-child visit to make sure your child is as healthy as possible. Our providers are ready with checkups, screenings, immunizations, teeth cleanings, youth mental health care and more. Best of all, it’s all free for Columbia Pacific CCO members.

Of note this year

the middle of the Columbia River for a viewing of Big Foot, a scavenger hunt, games, fireside marshmallows, stories and more.