Issuu

New school principals

Tight job market challenges

Page A10

Page A5

$1.50

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

thechronicleonline.com

Serving Columbia County since 1881

Dozens testify about health, safety mandates JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners have not yet scheduled more discussion on whether or not they will oppose Gov. Kate Brown’s pandemic health and safety mandates. Dozens of local residents voiced their concerns for and against local and state COVID-19 health and safety mandates during the Columbia County Board of Commissioners regular public meeting. The Wednesday, Aug. 25 meeting was held virtually, with a county courthouse room open for people to assemble, practicing social distancing, and to testify electronically. Others testified over the Internet. The county commissioners listened carefully to each person’s comments. Several of the people testifying opposed the state mask and vaccination requirements announced by Gov. Kate Brown. Several said the mandates were unconstitutional. Others supported the state’s health and safety efforts to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed resolution The Columbia County Board of Commissioners discussed a pending resolution that would oppose the governor’s directives. The proposed resolution follows: 1. All employees of Columbia County shall not assist in the enforcement of business closure, school closure, or stay-at-home directives under the Executive Orders of the Governor relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, including state agency directives or guidance;

Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle

People gathered outside the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens ready to comment about the local and state pandemic health and safety mandates.

and 2. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners shall make it a priority to restore, preserve and protect our local authority with matters of county concern during emergency declarations. Following the public comments and other county business, the board of commissioners began discussing the proposed resolution. “I would like to make it very clear that I was the one that asked to have this placed on the agenda today and I also had zero intent that this would be voted on. It was actually more of something that I wanted as a discussion item,” Commissioner

Casey Garrett stated. “I apologize if there was any confusion there.” Garrett said he didn’t come up with the resolution on his own. “It is a similar resolution that has been made by more than one county,” he said.” It is pretty well obvious that we are extremely divided now as a nation and as a community. There is very, very strong feelings on both sides and very little room in the middle.” Garrett said many people are skeptical about their livelihoods with the latest vaccination mandate for health care professionals and teachers. “A lot of them are concerned

that they will lose their jobs because they are not comfortable with getting vaccinated,” he said. “They feel they are backed into a corner. They feel like they are being coerced. They are worried that they will have to find another state to live in.” Garrett said the commissioners would be doing a disservice to its constituents if the commission does not recognize that there are legitimate fears and concerns. “I understand there are legal ramifications to what path we decide to take,” he said. “Because this is unprecedented, I would like to vote on unprecedented measures that we can take to try to represent a large

portion of our public who have these concerns.” Garrett said he would like to see more than a letter asking the governor to reconsider. “I feel like lots of folks have done that over the past year,” Garrett said. “It doesn’t seem like much of a back and fourth conversation. It feels like comply, or else.” Garrett said there is “a lot of hate going on out there and that is not healthy.” “This could be looked at as See MANDATE Page A3

Local woman wraps up 50 state bike ride

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley waves to people along the shoreline during a recent marine patrol.

Riding with the Marine Patrol JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

Tami Garner takes a break from her ride in Richmond, Washington, the 49th state in her journey. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Chronicle first reported earlier this year that Scappoose resident Tami Garner would embark on a fifty state journey to raise $50,000 for the NW Chapter of ALS as a tribute to her husband. Garner said she expected to complete her journey this week. Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Cartoon ..................... A4 Crossword ............... A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Police Reports ......... A7 TV Guide ................... A8 Obituaries ................. A9 Sports ..................... A10 Vol. 139, No. 35

When her husband Gary Garner died from ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s disease on March 20, Garner, 53, vowed to complete his bucket list of riding her bike in all 50 states. Since May 1, Garner has ridden in 49 states and has raised $11,600 for ALS. She will ride her 50th state, Alaska, at noon Wednesday Sept.1, along Tony Knowles Trail in Anchorage. In the thousands miles driven, and hundreds of miles ridden on her bike Garner said she has met supportive ALS administrators in several states and individuals in every state who have approached her and See GARNER Page A9

With continued warm, clear weather in the forecast ahead for the region, the Columbia County Marine Patrol members are bracing for a busy Labor Day weekend along the Columbia River. Deputies noted a surge of boaters during the pandemic and once health and safety restrictions were lifted that surge has been steady over the past year. “Our marine deputies are seeing a definite increase of boating activity,” Lt. Shaun McQuiddy said, adding that the most common violations made by boaters include safety equipment, navigational, and registration type violations. “If a boater is cited, the fines it can range from $110 to $440 or in case of a criminal charge, such as Boating Under the Influence, the fine amount that could be imposed is up to $5,000,” he said. But McQuiddy added that the marine patrol’s primary function is

education. “We talk with thousands of people on the water throughout the year promoting safety and we also can teach classes about water and boater safety to kids and interested boating groups,” he said.

Just by a deputy being on the river every day, it saves someone’s life. ~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff

McQuiddy emphasizes that boaters need to be prepared for the dangerous areas of the Columbia River. He said during the summer, one of the most dangerous areas are the densely populated areas near Sauvie Island and Sand Island. “In these densely populated areas, operators need to be on alert

and cautious as they are operating boats in close proximity to others,” he said. “Most importantly, boaters need to know and be aware of the waterways and the hazards that may be there. As a boater you need to know how the tide affects the water, know the current, and other known hazards above and below the water.” The Columbia County Marine Patrol is funded though the Oregon Marine Board. Columbia County received $217,469 for the current fiscal year (2021-2022) and for the next fiscal year as well (2022-2023), according to Oregon Marine Board Boating Safety Manager / Boating Law Administrator Randy Henry, who said the funding is dedicated to marine law enforcement and related activities, such as program administration. “In our annual contract with Columbia County, they agree to patrol 12 specific waterways within

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See PATROL Page A9

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

www.thechronicleonline.com

Another delay at the Millard-Bennett project

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Equipment sat idle following a pause in mid spring of the Bennett Road Improvement Project between St. Helens and Scappoose along Highway 30. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The section of Millard Road east of Highway 30 will remain closed until Sept. 17 as work continues on the U.S. 30 Millard and Bennett Roads Safety Project.

“The closure is needed to allow for a subcontractor to make necessary asphalt repairs that will allow for the correct thickness of the final concrete layer,” Oregon Transportation Department (ODOT) Public Information Representative Lou Torres

said. “Unexpected utility relocation work and the scheduling of the railroad’s work has delayed completion of the safety project by several months.” According to ODOT, the project will enhance safety on U.S. 30 between

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Drivers face this funneled lane section southbound along Highway 30 at the Millard Road project site.

Scappoose and St. Helens by making changes to both the Millard and Bennett Roads intersections that will reduce the number of serious crashes. During construction, travelers have encountered some delays and lane closures.

While U.S. 30 traffic will not be detoured, there will be periodic closures of Millard and Bennett Roads. Access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will be available and identified through or around work zones.

Read more about the delays of the MillardBennett at thechronicleonline.com. For more information visit the ODOT project web site at www. oregon.gov/odot/projects/ pages/project-details. aspx?project=21459.

hardest. Brown said her priority will be to continue to address the challenges facing Oregon families, including what she called the disparities resulting from systemic racism, with a particular focus on ensuring Oregon’s hospitals and health care workers have the resources they need to continue to provide patients with lifesaving care. Senate President Peter Courtney said the revenue forecast shows that the state’s economy remains strong. “We have more money to invest in pandemic relief, childcare and housing,” Courtney said. “We’re still in a crisis.” The Legislature will help out Oregonians who’ve hurt the most. I look forward to doing this as fast as we can.” “The stable outlook of today’s revenue forecast is welcome news coming off a legislative session where we invested strongly in programs to help Oregonians impacted by the pandemic, wildfires, the housing crisis and other challenges,” Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek said. “We need to maintain this momentum to build a better future for everyone.” Kotek said the state’s stable forecast is also a reminder that Oregon’s economic recovery is linked to the state’s ability to control the COVID-19 virus. “Our hospital systems are on the verge of collapse in this moment. With 1,000 Oregonians hospitalized due to COVID-19, there is still too much suffering across the state,” Kotek said. “We will maintain our economic recovery if we all commit to protecting each other from the Delta variant.”

Oregon Senate Republicans also released a statement saying the revenue forecast confirmed that Oregon taxpayers will receive a $1.9 billion kicker and the corporate kicker will send an additional $850 million to K-12 schools. The state budget will also have an ending fund balance of $699 million. “It’s clear that Democrats raided $15 million from the kicker for no good reason,” the Oregon Senate Republican release states. “Unprecedented deficit stimulus spending by the federal government and Oregonians stepping up to support businesses during the Governor’s shutdowns has given the state excess money.” The Oregon Senate Republicans said the legislature now has money to invest in COVID and wildfire response and recovery and preparing for upcoming unknown expenses in the next biennium. “Most importantly, our kids need to be in school full-time to get caught up after a year of learning loss,” the Oregon Senate Republicans stated. “This money can help our kids recover.”

$1.9 Billion in kicker refund credits JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Oregon taxpayers are in line to receive a $1.9 billion kicker refund credit in the coming months. The kicker occurs if actual state revenues exceed forecasted revenues by 2 percent or more over the two-year budget cycle. The excess, including the 2 percent trigger amount, is returned to taxpayers through a credit on their following year’s tax return, according to the Oregon Revenue Department. The following is the summary of the Oregon Revenue Forecast presented to state lawmakers Wednesday, Aug. 25. The economic outlook remains bright. Strong household incomes, boosted considerably by federal aid during the pandemic, are the underlying driver. Consumers have no shortage of firepower if they want to and feel safe enough to spend. The key to the outlook remains translating this firepower into actual consumer spending, particularly in the hard-hit service industries. Firms today are trying to staff up as quickly as possible to meet this increasing demand. The actual number of jobs created this year will be the largest on record in Oregon. The state’s labor market is now expected to regain all of its lost jobs by next summer, or one quarter sooner than in the previous forecast. While these dynamics remain intact, the risks are weighted toward the downside. Growth in a supply-constrained economy is challenging. Firms are struggling with supply chains and a tight labor market. Wages are rising

quickly to attract and retain workers. Prices are increasing as demand continues to outstrip supply. On top of this the current Delta wave of the pandemic complicates the immediate term outlook. What matters most economically are shutdowns. A modest pullback in consumer spending in a few categories will not lead to mass layoffs. If anything, any slowing in spending today will likely turn into stronger gains in coming quarters. This cycle is different. The current recovery will be faster, more complete, and more inclusive than recent experiences coming out of the tech and housing bubbles. As some of the pandemic-specific challenges fade, the underlying economy is on solid footing due to the strength of corporate and household balance sheets. In September of odd-numbered years, the revenue forecast closes out the biennium than ended on June 30th. At this time, the close of session forecast is calculated by folding any tax law changes made during the legislative session into the May 2021 outlook. This sets the bar for Oregon’s balanced budget requirement and its unique kicker law. Changes to tax law were relatively small in the 2021 session, with a net revenue impact of -$3.6 million to General Fund resources in the 2021-23 budget period. The September forecast also reveals where revenues landed in the prior budget period. In a typical year, there are few surprises, since tax collections are relatively small during the early summer. This year was different. Due to a delayed tax filing deadline, much

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

The median taxpayer can expect to receive a credit of $420, while the average is estimated to be $850, according to the latest state revenue forecast summary.

uncertainty remained following the May forecast. When the forecast was developed, the peak tax season had just begun. By the end of the fiscal year, the 2021 tax season turned out to be a very big one. Collections of personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, lottery sales and the new Corporate Activity Tax all surged. Recent withholdings of personal income taxes are up 17% relative to last year. Payments during the tax season were strong as well, led by collections from high-income taxpayers. A $1.9 billion personal income tax kicker credit is slated for tax year 2021. The median taxpayer can expect to receive a credit of $420, while the average is estimated to be $850. The strong revenue growth seen during the 2019-21 biennium put a cap on a decade of unprecedented expansion in Oregon’s General Fund revenues. Over the past decade, General Fund revenues have almost doubled from around $12 billion per year to around $24 billion. Over the decade as a whole, kicker payments

amounted to $2.6 billion, reducing cumulative General Fund resources by 2.6 percent. Last biennium, kicker payments took away half of the General Fund growth. Looking forward, the current $1.9 billion kicker reduces 2021-23 revenues as well. Reaction Governor Kate Brown said the revenue forecast is another sign that Oregon’s economy is healthy, strong, and on the path for a rapid recovery. “This is welcome news at a time that Oregonians continue to face immense challenges: from wildfire recovery to extreme drought to our worst surge of cases and hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brown said. “And we must never lose sight of the fact that, because of historic, structural inequities, the impacts of the pandemic and the natural disasters of the past year and a half have disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Tribal communities the

Background The Oregon Economic Forecast provides information to planners and policy makers in state agencies and private organizations for use in their decision making processes. The Oregon Revenue Forecast opens the revenue forecasting process to public review. It is the basis for much of the budgeting in state government. The forecast reports are issued four times a year: March, June, September, and December.

Columbia River Fire & Rescue’s big rig training

Courtesy photo from CRFR

Members of Columbia River Fire & Rescue line up along the St. Helens waterfront for the specialized training.

Courtesy photo from CRFR

Because of the high stress, high visibility and high level of responsibility associated with driving an emergency vehicle, the hours spent practicing are crucial, according to CRFR.

members participated in a cone course training event along the St. Helens waterfront. When the alarm sounds “There is an art and and members of Columscience of apparatus driver bia River Fire & Rescue training,” the CRFR Face(CRFR) prepare to respond book reads. “Teaching good to a call, effective and habits from the start and efficient driving of the agency’s heavy fire and res- practicing often is key.” According to CRFR, the cue apparatus is extremely hours spent practicing how important. Earlier this week, CRFR to best handle the big rigs are crucial because of the Columbia County’s trusted local news source STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

high stress, high visibility and high level of responsibility associated with driving an emergency vehicle. “We are grateful for all these learning opportunities, thanks to everyone who came out to train,” the Facebook post states. CRFR operates an administrative office at 270 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens. For more information, call 503-397-2990.

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

MANDATE From Page A1

fueling the fire or it could be looked at as fighting fire with fire. There is some drastic difference on this and people are pretty ramped up on both sides.” Garrett said he wants to see the county take all legal means possible to oppose that state’s mandates that take away local control. “I am not presenting it to be anti vaccine or anti masks,” Garrett said. “I do think people should have personal choice with a medical decision like this. This is my attempt to start a conversation with the board.” Commissioner Margaret Magruder and Commissioner Henry Heimuller responded by voicing their concerns that opposing state and federal mandates may well jeopardize county funding received from the state and federal governments. “We are required to enforced laws, especially for public health programs,” Columbia Legal Counsel Robin McIntyre told the commissioners. “Not complying with laws would probably effect our state and federal funding and could present liability issues.” “If the county is financially sufficient we could do what ever we wanted but we are not and we depend on the state and federal governments for various agency funding,”

Magruder said. “I am concerned with how this would effect our funding if we are not going to enforce laws that we are required to enforce.” “When you take a look at the county budget, 75% are programs that are funded by state and federal dollars,” Heimuller said. “Those aren’t local tax dollars, those are dollars that come from our governor and state and federal governments. I don’t think any of the counties want to jeopardize that funding that is coming to help end the pandemic.” Heimuller said he recognizes the concerns over the mandates and that the commission needs to convey those concerns to the governor, but he said the proposed resolution is the wrong form in which to oppose the mandates. “I am very concerned that we are losing track of what the governor is attempting to do, and that is ending the pandemic,” Heimuller said. “I would like to pursue whatever options we can to try to create some checks and balances under a state of emergency and the impact those policies are creating on our county,” Garrett said. “It all goes back to wearing masks and being vaccinated,” Magruder said. “I don’t think so,” Garrett replied, saying the concern is about keeping business and schools open. “I would think there would be a way to challenge the mandates of the state without breaking the law.” “If we could come up with

a legitimate solution for this I am absolutely open to the conversation,” Magruder said. “To me this (resolution) is not a solution. There is always room for collaboration and negotiation but I don’t think just pushing back is a way. I would be happy to continue the conversation but this I cannot support.” “I do think that we need to push back,” Garrett said. “I have very little confidence of collaboration with the state at the moment.” No formal action was taken by the board of commissioners on the resolution and no date for further discussions on the mandates was scheduled. On Monday, Aug. 30, the Oregon Authority reported 40 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,155. The OHA also reported 5,545 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 273,896. Sixty-six of those cases were reported in Columbia County. The 40 new deaths and 5,545 new cases reported Monday include data recorded by Oregon counties for the three-day period between Friday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 29. Health officials said the majority of the new cases are among people who are not vaccinated. Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline. com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

Rabies infected bat found in Clatskanie What you need to know about rabies

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

A bat found in Clatskanie has tested positive for rabies, according to Columbia County Public Health and Oregon Health official, who had the bat tested at Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. A local resident found the bat during the day on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Approximately 8% of the bats found every year in Oregon test positive for rabies. People can take two precautions to protect themselves and their pets from bats and rabies,” Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Emilio DeBess said. “Never handle bats, and make sure your cats and dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccines.” Debess said bats often carry rabies. “If you find a bat during the daylight hours, it is probably not healthy and should be avoided,” he said.

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that attacks an infected animal’s nervous system. Rabies symptoms in wildlife, particularly foxes and raccoons, include lethargy, walking in circles, loss of muscular coordination, convulsions, irritability or aggressiveness, disorientation, excessive drooling of saliva, and showing no fear of humans. While bats play a valuable role in nature, health officials urge people to stay away from bats and not handle them. Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and do not handle the bats without protection. Use a disposable container with a lid to scoop the animal into the containers and dispose of it in the trash. If a bat has had contact with a human or an animal, call your local health department for guidance.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The start of classes for the new school year at Clatskanie Elementary and the Clatskanie School District has been postponed due to what Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said is an unprecedented number of COVID positive cases in students and staff across the district.

Back to school postponed JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

This week, classes were to have been in session for the start of the new school year in the Clatskanie School District but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes are postponed until Sept. 13 and possibly longer, according to Clatskanie School Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz. “Due to an unprecedented number of COVID positive cases in our students and staff we are going to postpone school until September 13 and possibly the 20

depending on what is happening in our community,” Hurowitz writes in a message to the district staff, school board and area families. Hurowitz did not immediately have a number of the students and staff who have the COVID-19 virus. “Some are in quarantine and no one is hospitalized at this time,” she told The Chronicle, adding that said the district is reviewing options to safely open the schools and also provide additional learning opportunities other than in-person instruction.

“Our number one concern is for the health and safety of students and staff,” she said. In Tillamook County, Nestucca Valley School and the Neah-Kah-Nie School District have also postponed classes due to the cases of COVID-19 among students and school staff. As of Tuesday, Aug. 31, the Tillamook County School District, the county’s largest, was set to begin the new school year Sept. 7 and 8. The first day of the new school year for the St. Helens School District is Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Typically, animals acquire rabies by eating or coming in contact with a rabid bat. Very few bats in Oregon have rabies and rabies in other wildlife is even rarer. However, if you know your pet has encountered a bat or been bitten by a wild animal, contact your veterinarian immediately. Public Heath recommends: • Vaccinate your pets (dogs and cats) against rabies • Watch wildlife from a distance. Don’t approach or attempt to handle wild animals. • Do not feed wild animals. • Keep garbage in secure containers and away from wildlife. • Feed pets indoors. • Seal openings in attics, basements, porches, sheds, barns, and screen chimneys that might provide access to bats and other wildlife. For more information, call Columbia County Public Health at 503-397-7247.

St. Helens School District Surplus Sale Friday, September 3rd, 2021 - 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM McBride Elementary School 2774 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR

Property & Casualty Services Your Local Independent Insurance Agency

503-397-0714 Call us for ALL of your insurance needs! Auto • SR-22’s • Home Renters • Business Trucking • Bonds Worker’s Comp

The St. Helens School District will conduct a surplus sale on Friday, September 3rd to dispose of district equipment declared as surplus. Items include furniture and equipment and are sold on a first come, first serve basis. Items are sold as is on site without representations or warranties. Buyer responsible for moving items prior to the conclusion of the sale. Cash or Cashier Checks only. Face masks required per State guidelines.

The Monthly Veteran’s Breakfast is resuming it’s First Friday schedule

CANCELED UNTIL F

Starting SEPTEMBER 3rd at the Village Inn

URTHER NOTICE

It’s been seventeen months since we’ve gathered at the Village Inn in St. Helens, and that’s just too long without our favorite breakfast meals. Mine is anything with hash browns. The schedule and the location are the same, and after such a long pause we’re all looking forward to seeing those familiar faces. We’ll meet the new Veteran’s Service Officer, Erin Nolan. Russ Clark has managed to retire but he may join us for breakfast. The doors open at 7 AM and the Breakfast Meeting starts at 8 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance. No doubt there will be empty chairs as the virus likely took it’s toll, but we will greet new arrivals and enjoy the camaraderie and the dissemination of important information. In the event the Governor issues an upgrade to the alert level, there very well might be a change to the schedule so if in doubt, call the Village Inn.

Buy and sell in The Classifieds Printed every week in The News/Ad and The Chronicle. Read it online at thechronicleonline.com

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Opinion

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Viewpoints A shot in the arm for small business BRETT WESNER Chronicle Guest Column

A little-noticed initiative by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR and five other senators would boost local jobs, accelerate sales and improve economies. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act, S. 2434, is designed to help local news media support their newsgathering missions. One provision goes far beyond offering aid to community newspapers, local news websites and other news- gatherers. It would help small businesses to dig out of the economic doldrums by supporting their advertising costs in local news outlets, which in turn will help publishers and broadcasters to hire journalists. This provision would permit small businesses to claim a tax credit for a portion of their advertising purchases up to $5,000 a year. Credits would remain, but in declining amounts, for five years. The legislation, originally introduced in similar form by Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-AZ, and Dan Newhouse, R-WA, would

also help subscribers by providing them with a refundable tax credit up to $250 a year. It provides financial support for hiring as well, assisting news organizations with journalists’ salaries. It is the advertising tax credit that is the unsung hero of this legislation. Like a pebble tossed into the pond of local economies, it will show the ripple effect of benefits in local jobs, enhanced spending, revenues to run local governments and a boost to get American small businesses back in the game after a very tough couple of years. Every dollar of advertising spending generates $8.77 in sales, according to a 2010 study by IHS Global Insight, a firm that periodically measures advertising’s impact on economies. Advertising is directly responsible for about 20 percent of the American economy by directly generating jobs in media sales, creation of materials and collateral work but it does far more by juicing activity in other businesses. No surprise to anyone on Main Street: after the 2008 recession small busi-

nesses cut way back on their advertising campaigns, dropping from their normal 3-5 percent annual increases to a stunning 6 percent cut in 2009. It is too soon to know what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to this spending, but it would be no great revelation to learn that the cuts equaled or exceeded those following the Great Recession. Expense cuts are what businesses do to stay afloat. But when they are ready to climb back into the cockpit for a new takeoff, the spending needs to accelerate rapidly. Cashstrapped businesses may be in no position to fuel their journey though. That is why a little boost in the form of the Cantwell tax credit would be so timely. If the economy behaves as it usually does after economic retraction, the new spending will generate more sales and the public coffers will refill. The bill’s benefits end after five years but the growth it generates will pay off for decades. Brett Wesner is chair of the National Newspaper Association, a community newspaper organization and President of Wesner Publications, Cordell, OK.

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Do you believe wearing a face covering and getting a vaccine will help slow the COVID-19 pandemic surges?

Yes

Are you planning an ed-of-summer vacation?

28% Yes

72% No

Vote online at thechronicleonline.com

Water issues: Hot, dry, empty reservoir RON TOMMLITZ Chronicle Guest Column

The City of St. Helens, five years ago, contracted to fix a leaking reservoir. This goes back to 2008 with a failed fix in 2009. WPI was awarded the contract August 16, 2016 to fix the 2MG reservoir. This initial fix, then failed, resulting in three additional attempts to correct the initial repair, and all have failed,

according to city of St. Helens documents I have reviewed. ST. Helens is going through the hottest, driest conditions ever experienced, and the city is sitting here with an empty reservoir. This is liken to having fire trucks at the station, but having empty fuel tanks. The contract requires WPI to make repairs upon 60 days of failure. There has now been many months of no attempts to correct this issue.

For two weeks in June, I called Sue Nelson, city engineer, who would not return my phone calls. Finally, I went to her office where there was a notice on the door stating that you had to have an appointment. I determined that if she wouldn’t respond to phone calls, it was unlikely that I would get an appointment. The city employees had been told not to talk to me. The last time that we spoke in person, Sue assured me that the reservoir

was going to be repaired as contracted by WPI with no expense to the city. On April 12 and May 27, with a whole group, engineering WPI (contractor) and others again entered the reservoir. Since that time, there has been no activity. One of the initial problems with the repair was moisture (water) during the application of the Geotextile mat, resulting in poor adhesion, and water trapped under the Geotextile mat. Upon the inspection of

the failure, it was determined that there had been no oversight inspection when lower application was applied. There was a recommendation that due to the condition of the work, that the initial work be removed and replaced, according to city documents that I reviewed. The three following repair corrections were without success. Each failure makes success less likely. Now with the extreme fire dangers we are left hav-

ing an empty reservoir, and it seems that the city has been reluctant to press the issue. I believe the city is being held hostage to their own actions, due to the fact that they may be somewhat complicit with the initial failure because of their earlier lack of oversight. It is time for the contract to be fulfilled, holding someone responsible to the contract stipulations. Ron Trommlitz is a St. Helens resident.

An open letter to the people of Columbia County SARAH HEPPNER Chronicle Guest Article

I have recently been called out for my efforts to take a stand for medical freedom. Pictures were posted of me wearing a shirt with the Star of David on the front. I have been called hateful and anti-Semitic by a cer-

tain group in town. Let me say this, my choice to wear the Star of David was made because I am a mother who sees history repeating itself before my eyes. I see myself, my friends, frontline workers, teachers, vaccine injured people, and religious groups across the board being threatened with segregation and discrimination from attempting to

exercise our freedom of choice, and for trying to keep all rights over our own bodies intact. Last time I checked, the Star of David does not belong to anyone. David was a historically revered King for all Christians. The symbol of our King David is also a stark reminder of how ugly the hate and hounding of any group of

people can become. I will continue to wear this symbol proudly. I will continue to stand up for our nurses, teacher, and everyone else, whose God given rights and body autonomy are being threatened. This threat includes the Hasidic Jewish community, who due to their religious beliefs, may not partake in the administration of vaccines.

If you want to talk about true racism, hate, and antiSemitism, why don’t you consider the current vaccine mandate coming down up on their heads? This looming vaccine mandate will ostracize and segregate their entire community, just for being Jewish. Look to yourselves, look to your hate, being turned on vaccine injured

and scared mothers who are trying, along with hundreds of others including the Hasidic Jewish Community, to protect their God-given freedom and inalienable rights in this our People’s Republic of the United States. A formerly free county. Sarah Heppner is a St. Helens resident

Voices of the Community A privilege to attend Last Saturday evening I had the opportunity to attend the HOPE & Turning Point community picnic and benefit auction – my first such event since joining Columbia Economic Team, due to COVID. I was able to see and meet many people I know only from Zooms, and they were making great things happen in person. The sincere commitment by everyone involved for supporting these organizations…and by extension… neighbors in need throughout the Clatskanie and Rainier communities, was overwhelming to me. Over many years I’ve been involved in some social service benefit auctions much larger than this one, but the Community Picnic stands head and shoulders above

those for the warm community feel and the selfless generosity of everyone there. I was proud that a number of my own Board and organization members were present, right in the thick of bidding and fundraising, not the least of which is Clatskanie PUD, whose staff team was the engine for much of the night --- and as volunteer board members for both HOPE and Turning Point day in and day out. But they were also surrounding by so many community members and companies really determined to make the evening a success – and ensure that the communities can help feed and assist those in need. A great evening, a great purpose, vital work, and a privilege to attend. Sincerely, Paul Vogel Executive Director Columbia Economic Team

Follow the Constitution The Constitution is the final law of our country, unless following it can harm or endanger the citizens. Then it drops to second, and the health and welfare of the Citizens over rules it. You may have a right to wear or not wear what you please, but if not wearing a mask endangers other Citizens, and the ruling government authority says to wear it, it wouldn’t be too smart to go without it. Denis Shook Warren

No wonder my head aches I read that our sheriff is announcing which declara-

The Chronicle Columbia County’s trusted local news source

tions and laws he is not going to enforce. Apparently, he has not noticed that in Columbia County the number of Covid cases and deaths is escalating astronomically, coincidentally increasing in other areas of the country where vaccination rates are abysmally low. Many of us have assumed a degree of responsibility for everyone which seems prudent and wise. The sheriff chooses to ignore the old adage – an ounce of prevention. Surely the law enforcement agency of Oregon must become involved and investigate this grievous abdication of responsibility. The egregious action must be challenged and the sheriff cited for malfeasance or relieved from duty (before the next election). Then in a subsequent article, it is revealed that

one of our Columbia County Commissioners has a similar skeptical view when Tillamook and Josephine Counties have requested refrigerated trucks to hold bodies since the mortuaries are overwhelmed. Although the rate of vaccinations is only 53% in Josephine County, the Commissioners, there, are not promoting the vaccine, unlike Tillamook. Furthermore, this writer appreciates the enlightened position of the other two Columbia County Commissioners, Magruder and Heimuller. Paul Nys Rainier

Explanation needed Some one - maybe the county’s legal counsel -

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, OR 97051-8153

needs to explain to Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley that he took an oath to enforce the laws of the state and county and not just the laws he personally believes in. The sheriff says he won’t enforce any mark mandate that only local officials should have this authority. He says the governor’s order in not constitutional. The sheriff surely realizes that only the courts decide what is constitutional and what is not. I might have a view of a law but the law is the law unless it is changed in court and overturned. It is depressing to realize that a law enforcement official doesn’t seem to have a basic understanding of our constitutional system. Ray Horn Scappoose

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in county: $8 1 month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Business lights broken, baseball gear taken JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

A St. Helens business operator and supporters of the Clatskanie Little League are hoping for public help in identifying suspects in two separate alleged crimes. A Facebook post outlines the incident at the Big River Taproom, where someone allegedly cut the decorative string of lights on the restaurant’s newly installed front street deck at 313 Strand Street in the Riverfront District of St. Helens. “I had bigger hopes for our community here in St. Helens not to expect the same behavior that is commonplace in the crime infested neighborhoods of Portland,” the Facebook post reads. “I closed my restaurant in Portland a decade ago when the crime and filth became too much to deal with.” The Facebook post states that video footage of the

area during the time of the incident is being reviewed by authorities. “Hoping it clearly reveals the perpetrator(s) and if we can make a positive ID, they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law,” the Facebook post reads. Another Facebook post tells of an alleged crime that is affecting the Clatskanie Little League team and the team’s supporters. The information about the incident appeared on Facebook Friday night, Aug. 27, stating that the little league storage shed above the snack shack at Jones Field was broken into. “We were robbed, again,” the post reads. “This time instead of stealing our hot dog machine, breaking our microwave, stealing our sound system they decided to take all of the gear that our baseball players use. Whoever your are, congratulations you just stole from the kids of our community. This is beyond frustrating

on so many levels.” The Facebook post appeals to Clatskanie residents to help by becoming members of the Clatskanie Little League Board of Directors. Currently the board needs a president, secretary, and a snack shack coordinator. “If we don’t get volunteers to fill these positions by November, we will not be able to have a season,” the Facebook post reads. “This isn’t a scare tactic, it’s just a fact. Our kids deserve baseball. They deserve people stepping up and helping them enjoy a past time many of us enjoyed during our childhood.” A meeting of the current Clatskanie Little League Board members is schedule for 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at Clatskanie City Hall, 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie. Interested members of the public and those wishing to serve on the board are invited to attend.

Courtesy photo

This photo posted at the Big Rivers Taproom Facebook illustrates the alleged vandalized lights.

Recruiting and retention in a tight labor market GAIL KRUMENAUER Chronicle Guest Article

Oregon’s economy is continuing to recover and change rapidly. At 16 months past the initial pandemic recession downturn, Oregon regained nearly two out of three jobs lost in spring 2020. In the first six months of 2021, Oregon employers added about the same number of jobs as in the 22 months leading up to the pandemic. For reference- at 16 months into the Great Recession, there had been no recovery at all. The job losses were still mounting. The speed and shape of this economic recovery looks different and has been happening much faster than what we’ve seen in the past. While many businesses have done a lot of hiring, many others have reported difficulty adding as many workers as they’d like so far in 2021. Their difficulty is made up of two general parts: competition with other employers due to widespread hiring, and a relatively low supply of available workers. Both Oregon and the U.S. saw a record level of job openings in recent months. In Oregon, private businesses reported 98,000 job vacancies at any given time be-

tween April and June. That’s nearly 50% higher than ever reported in the eight-year history of the Oregon Job Vacancy Survey. Spring 2021 hiring demand was reported in all sectors of Oregon’s economy, and across more than 240 different types of occupations. That record hiring demand also comes at a time when there’s a relatively low available workforce. Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.6% in June. That’s relatively low by historical standards; the long-run unemployment rate has been 6.8% in Oregon. There are also still many people, not counted among the unemployed, with barriers keeping them from going back to work or taking a job. There were 32,500 Oregonians between April and June who indicated a COVIDrelated issue prevented them from looking for work. That could include people with their own underlying health conditions, or those parents without child care options or unable to work until fully inperson school returns. While this trend improved from about 65,800 in fall 2020, the recent rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant creates ongoing concerns. Taken together, the strong hiring, relatively low

Metro Creative Connection / The Chronicle

In tight labor markets, employers tend to layer help wanted signs with other efforts such as referral incentives, signing bonuses, posting with online job boards, and working with recruiters outside of their immediate geographical area.

unemployment, and barriers keeping some workers on the sidelines has created a tight labor market. Employers have responded to tight labor market conditions in a number of ways. Wages For one, employers have raised wages. Real (or inflation-adjusted) average starting wages rose by more than 2% in Oregon over the past year. Businesses

have raised their wages for existing workers too. Real average hourly earnings for all workers also rose by more than 2% compared to the prerecession level in February 2020. Benefits and perks Not every employer can raise wages. Some have found other ways to recruit and retain talent. The labor market was also tight prior to the pandemic. In 2018,

the Employment Department surveyed private employers to ask about the benefits they offered employees. Three out of five offered health benefits, and half offered retirement benefits. One out of 10 of employers offering health insurance, and one out of five offering retirement benefits, cited worker hiring and retention advantages related to those offerings. Half of Oregon’s private firms offered paid holidays, and half offered paid vacation days. One-third offered at least one of the following: flexible work schedules, production or performance bonuses, paid professional development training, and life insurance. Relaxing experience requirements When the labor market has been tight in recent years, some employers have loosened their previous work experience requirements. In spring 2021, about half (53%) of all job vacancies required previous work experience. Nearly 19,000 of the 98,000 job openings this spring required less than one year of prior experience. The largest number of these job openings requiring less than one year of experience were for restaurant servers,

retail sales staff, nursing assistants, restaurant cooks, and food prep workers. When it doesn’t pose a safety risk, and employers are able to, loosening previous experience requirements can increase the number of people who qualify for their job openings. Recruitment intensity In tight labor markets, employers tend to layer help wanted signs with other efforts such as referral incentives, signing bonuses, posting with online job boards, and working with recruiters outside of their immediate geographical area. This includes listing job openings with WorkSource Oregon, where tens of thousands of workers have been registering in the job matching system. Any layering employers can do with their hiring and retention strategies can help them find and keep more workers in a tight labor market. Gail Krumenauer is an economist with the Oregon Employment Department. She may be reached at 800262-3912 ext 71268, or at gail.k.krumenauer@oregon. gov.

Crossword Puzzle

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SOCIAL MEDIA ACROSS

1. The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical 5. Hallucinogenic drug 8. Some special effects, acr. 11. Chip in Vegas 12. Cordelia’s father in Shakespeare play 13. One in squirrel’s stash 15. Dissenting clique 16. Tangerine/grapefruit hybrid 17. Type of lemur 18. *Popular messenger 20. Mosque prayer leader 21. Down Under marsupial 22. Thanksgiving serving 23. *100 days of snapping, e.g. 26. Military’s inactive force 30. Repeated Cuban dance step 31. The Kinks’ lead singer, a.k.a. godfather of Britpop 34. Late December season 35. Rough, as in voice 37. Chop off 38. Stephen King’s “The ____” 39. “Do ____ others...” 40. Strep throat organ 42. File a suit 43. Sewing pearls on a wed-

ding gown, e.g. 45. One with authority 47. Army bed 48. Space path 50. Law school test acronym 52. *Unique social media identifier 55. Latin dance 56. “Place” in French 57. Sacred Hindu writings 59. Post-mortem bios 60. Actress Campbell 61. African chieftain 62. Recipe amt. 63. Nirvana’s “Come as You ____” 64. Badger’s den

DOWN

1. Current tense of “had” 2. All over again 3. Eczema symptom 4. Second shot 5. Corporate department 6. Salpae, sing. 7. Type of coffee maker 8. Elizabeth McGovern’s “Downton Abbey” role 9. Inspiring horror 10. As opposed to outs 12. Capital of Zambia 13. Bruce Wayne’s ____ was Batman

14. *Message under a post 19. Bootlicker 22. Da, to a Russian 23. *Done to social media past before applying for job? 24. Feudal lord 25. Haile Selassie’s disciple 26. Gym exercises 27. Comedy Central’s “critique” 28. Dolby Theatre to Oscars 29. Often considered wise 32. *Video blog 33. Charge carrier 36. *Audio series 38. Killed, like dragon 40. Big bang maker 41. Permeate 44. I to Greeks, pl. 46. Sheet music line, pl. 48. Basketry stick 49. Clark Kent actor Christopher 50. Black, yellow and chocolate dogs 51. Parking spot for a boat 52. Bone in human forearm 53. *Bernie wearing mittens, e.g. 54. *Do this before posting? 55. Chronic drinker 58. It’s open to interpretation

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

Classifieds

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com

111

502

690

Landscape Maint

Help Wanted

ATTN! Land Owners WE BUY CEDAR & NOBLE BRANCHES The season is on! We do all of the work! Min. of 10 trees. Call now for an appt. Jaime at 360-751-0120 or 360-430-8510. Free estimates and references.

Bookeeper wanted call 503-369-1381.

munity events. Country Media, Inc. offers highly competitive newsroom wages and a variety of employee benefits, including group health insurance; paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; mileage reimbursement; and others. Send resume and cover letter to jruark@ countrymedia.net.

Be safe, accurate, efficient, self starting, reliable, quick learner, good communicator. Open to women and semi-retired folks. Flexible schedule, positive work environment. Meissner Rd, Deer Island, OR. Wage DOE. Send Letter of Intent and Resume to vivid@stabilize dwoods.com, www. stabilizedwoods. com.

The City of St. Helens is hiring an Administrative Assistant for Parks & Recreation Division. Term-Limited, FullTime. $3,414 (step 1) to $4,147 (step 5). Apply online at www.sthelensore gon.gov.Deadline to Apply: 9/3/21. Equal Opportunity Employer.

150

Misc Services

Paul’s Tree Service Inc. No bush too small, no tree to tall- Call Paul! Specialized in danger trees, take downs, storm clean-up. Time to prune- pruning Lace Leafed Maples & ornamental shrubberies, chipping, senior or veterans discount, free estimates. CCB# 217173 Lic., Bonded & Insured. 503-440-0723 or 503-543-8274

301

Health & Nutrition

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

Columbia River PUD is hiring a Field Engineer I/II Salary: Field Engineer I: $30.97$44.18 per hour DOQ. Field Engineer II: $34.79$49.58 per hour DOQ. Deadline: Open until filled. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia River PUD team, please visit our website at www. crpud.net to view and apply for open positions or call us at (503) 397-1844 to have an application packet mailed to you. IMMEDIATE OPENING: St. Helens Chronicle and Clatskanie Chief, has an opening for a general assignment reporter in Columbia County. Primarily responsible for writing day-to-day news stories for the two weekly newspapers and accompanying websites. Reports to the publisher. The successful applicant will produce content featuring local businesses, government, schools, and com-

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PARTTIME JOB? Become a School Bus Driver for Durham School Services. No Experience necessary. Paid training. Competitive wages. Paid Holidays. Medical, Dental, Vision & 401K Stop by and complete an application or online at: www. Durhamschoolser vices.com/careers Job Code :201181 We’re loctated at: 540 Milton Way, St. Helens, OR. 503-397-9072 Part time Wood Shop Assistant ~ Dream job! 24 days per week. Assist with VIVID stabilized wood product process and resin casting. Must have basic knowledge and love of wood.

Part-time work available Some heavy work. Please call 503-369-1381. The City of St. Helens is hiring a Recreation Program Specialist Term-Limited FullTime, $16.00 per hour. Apply online at www.sthelens oregon.gov. Deadline to Apply: 9/10/21. Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of St. Helens is hiring a Seasonal Recreation Program Specialist Temporary PartTime. $16.00 per hour. Apply online at www.sthelensore gon.gov. Open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wanted Autos

The City of St. Helens is hiring an IT SPECIALIST Regular Full-Time. $5,672 (step 1) to $6,946 (step 9). Apply at www. sthelensoregon. gov. Deadline to apply: 9/3/21. Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of St. Helens is hiring Seasonal Recreation Assistants. 16+ years old. Temporary Part-time. 3 positions open. $14.00 per hour. Apply online at www. sthelensoregon. gov. Open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ca$h 4 Car$

$Drake’s Towing is now paying TOP Cash$ 4 Junk Cars!!! We buy junk/broken cars, trucks, vans, heavy equip. Top $$ paid to $100-$400. We are LOCAL, serving Columbia County. Same day service.

503-438-6099

815

890

Wanted to Rent

Want to Rent Retired gentleman looking for a one bedroom or studio apartment to rent. On fixed income, non-smoker, no pets. Please leave message at (503) 351-6114.

Please recycle paper after use

Let everyone know with an ad in The Chronicle. Call 503-397-0116.

ASPHALT PAVING Offering Quality Asphalt Paving Services to Columbia County and surrounding areas.

Rooms for Rent

Roommate wanted in a 2 bedroom apartment in Scappoose. $900/month - includes all utilities with cable. Call 503-369-9377. Available immediately.

Hosting a garage sale?

FREE Estimates

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL Driveways • Roadways • Subdivisions • Parking Lots • City, County, State Specification Products

Call Jim today at

(503) 509-8657

Quality Workmanship At Affordable Prices

VIEW OUR CURRENT RENTAL PROPERTIES AT:

www.therentalcenter.net

River City & Rentals Northwest 503-543-4440 Phone

Need a job?

503-543-7929 Fax

Kristie Flanagan, Licensed Property Manager 51891 Old Portland Road, Suite “A”, Scappoose OR 97056 (next to the scappoose totem pole)

check the classifieds online at www.thechronicleonline.com to find your perfect job offer

ALL ABOUT DRYWALL,

Columbia County

INC.

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

www.thechronicleonline.com

29 yrs. • hang exp. • tape • texture • smoothwall • patch work • matching texture

RODDY SHELL, JR.

503.369.2496 rodness72@yahoo.com licensed-bonded-insured CCB#185602

Waterman Garage Doors

CCB#204858

SALES, SERVICE INSTALLATION

Scott Waterman Owner

503.819.6715 St. Helens, OR 97051

YOUR AD HERE

Advertise your business in the Business & Service Directory. Call 503-397-0116 for more information

Summer Sale!

Make your home your sanctuary.

BLINDS & DRAPES Blinds 4 You Direct

CALL TODAY!

UP TO 75% OFF! Blinds, tile, draperies, countertops, flooring and more • FREE measuring • FREE consultation • FREE in home service • Installation available • Blind repair services • Best prices

blinds4youdirect.com (971) 719-7119

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.

Subscribe to The Chronicle today! The Chronicle will be delivered to your home by mail every Friday.

ONLY $60 a year.*

The Chronicle

*In Columbia County. Outside County $80.00/year

Subscribe me to The Chronicle for one year for $60.00 in Columbia County.

Enclosed is my check for $60.00 Bill my VISA/Mastercard Card No. __________________________________________ Exp. Date _________________ Name ______________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ State ________________ Zip _____________ Phone Number ______________________________________________________________ Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Public Notices PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH21-1786

CH21-1787

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the Estate attached, to the undersigned tive, or the attorneys for the of JUDITH RACHELLE personal representative at the personal representative. Dated OF COLUMBIA [Probate Department] SWANSON, Deceased. No. address below, within four and first published May 26, In the Matter of the Estate of: RANDY MICHAEL HAGEDORN, deceased. Date of Death; April 22, 2021 Case No. 21PB05634 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at Southwest

Portland Law Group, LLC, 8455 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225 within four (4) months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims will be barred: All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC, the lawyers for the personal representative. DATED AND FIRST PUB-

LISHED ON September 1, 2021. Carole Berke, Personal Representative. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Carole Berke, 8605 SW Bohmann Pkwy, Portland, Oregon 97223, caroleberke@comcast.net. ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Jeremy R. James, OSB NO. 123506, Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC, 8455 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225. Tel: 503-206-6401, Fax: 503-214-8962.

CH21-1781

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the Estate of Patricia R. Deshazer, Deceased. Case No. 21PB05688 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to

the undersigned personal representative at 1580 N. Roosevelt Drive, Seaside, OR 97138, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal repre-

sentative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published August 25, 2021. Personal Representative: Jacqueline Fletcher, P.O. Box 458, Long Beach, WA 98631. Attorney for Personal Representative: Macon Benoit, Campbell & Popkin, LLC, 1580 N. Roosevelt Drive, Seaside, OR 97138, (503) 738-8400.

The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

21PB03893 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers

months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representa-

2021. LORI HARRIS-GONZALEZ, Personal Representative c/o Lucas & Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 519, Rainier, OR 97048. Phone: 503-556-3741, FAX: 503-556-0708, lucasatty@ yahoo.com.

CH21-1778

Estate of ARLINE PATRICIA KLINGER Notice to Interested Persons (No. 21PB02130) In the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Columbia, Probate Department. In the Matter of the Estate of ARLINE PATRICIA KLINGER, deceased. Notice is hereby given that ERIC KLINGER has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are

required to present them to the undersigned personal representative in care of the undersigned attorney at: Janzen Legal Services, 4550 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated below, or such claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in the estate may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published: August 18, 2021. Eric Klinger, Personal Representative. Paul Janzen, OSB #176240, Attorney for Personal Representative Janzen Legal Services, 4550 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005, Telephone: 503520-9900.

CH21-1780

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of JEFFERY EDWARD PAULSON Deceased. Case No. 21PB05243 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims

against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice to the personal representative at 52490 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose

rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published, August 18, 2021. Vicki L. Paulson, Personal Representative.

Police Reports The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Scappoose Police Aug. 9 • Police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person in the 33000 block of SW Havlik Drive. Following the investigation, a 35-year-old Portland man was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief III and Disorderly Conduct II and was transported and lodged in the jail. Aug. 12 • Police were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance in the 34000 N. Honeyman Road. A 39-year-old Scappoose man was later arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. He was cited and released. Aug. 14 • Police were dispatched to a non-injury accident in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway. It was reported that the driver was possibly intoxicated. Following the investigation, a 53-year-old St. Helens woman was taken into custody for DUII–Drugs. She was transported to and lodged in jail. Aug. 15 • Police took a report of a possible theft and a break in of a vehicle parked in the 51000 block of SE 2nd Street. The victim reported that while parked in the area, an unknown suspect broke into their car and rummaged through. This case is suspended due to lack of suspect information.

Aug. 16 • Police were dispatched to the report of a theft of a catalytic converter in the area of West Lane Road and NE Porter Lane. This case is suspended due to lack of suspect information. Aug. 17 • Police took a report of a fraud that occurred in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway. The victim reported that his vehicle was broken into in Portland, however his debit card was used in the Scappoose area. This case is pending further investigation and suspect information. • Police investigated the report of a domestic in the 51000 block of SW Rembrandt Street. Following the investigation, A 41-year-old Scappoose resident was taken into custody for Assault IV–DV. She was transported to and lodged in jail. Aug. 19 • Police responded to a noninjury motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Columbia River Highway and SE High School Way. No citations were issued. The vehicles and all parties involved cleared the scene after exchanging information. Aug. 20 • Following the report of a disturbance in the 52000 block of NE 1st Street, 61-year-old male from Kelso was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant out of Clatsop County Circuit Court. The male was cited and released on his warrant. Aug. 24 • Police took a report of a vehicle being broken into in the Fred Meyer parking lot. It was reported that the vehicles window was smashed and items were stolen from the inside. This case is pending further investigation and suspect identification. Aug. 25 • Police were dispatched to the report of a domestic in the 52000 block of NE 1st Street. Following the investigation, a 54-year -old male resident of Scappoose was taken into

custody for Harassment–DV and was transported to and lodged in jail. • Police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway. The victim reported that her vehicle was stolen in front of her. She stated that she saw an unknown suspect drive away in the vehicle. The victim also stated that she owned the vehicle and no one had permission to drive it. This case is pending further investigation and suspect identification. Aug. 27 • Police were dispatched to the report of a vehicle being broken into in the 33000 block of SE High School Way. The victim reported that sometime during the evening, an unknown person broke the rear passenger window of their vehicle and stolen items from the inside of the car. This case is pending further investigation. Oregon State Police Aug. 13 • A citizen reported being flagged down by an lethargic man asking for police help at Collins Beach on the Sauvie island Wildlife Area. A Trooper responded and located the reporting citizen and a man lying in the gravel. The man claimed to have been on the beach for several days with nothing to eat or drink and was suffering from heat stroke and dehydration. AMR responded and transported the individual to Emmanual hospital. His truck was secured at the scene. • At 12:54 p.m. A retail business owner in Columbia County was interviewed by the Oregon State Police regarding bait purchases he made in May 2021. He purchased bait shrimp from a Commercial Shellfish Harvester that did not possess the proper wholesale license. The business owner was warned and educated to avoid future violations. • At 1:33 p.m. OSP came upon what appeared to be a domestic occurring along the eastbound shoulder of Highway 30 near

Police Sergeant Honored

Courtesy photo from City of St. Helens

St. Helens Sgt. Evin Eustice receives a certification of recognition from St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl after being honored by the St. Helens City Council for his five years of service. Eustice was hired in August 2016 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to sergeant in June 2018. Eustice was named the City of St. Helens Employee of the Year in 2018. According to a statement on the St. Helens Police Facebook page, Eustice is described by those who nominated him as positive, professional, humble, and someone who consistently takes initiative and holds himself accountable. The council recognized Eustice during its Aug. 18 public session.

milepost 24. Subsequent investigation revealed a husband and wife were involved in a fight inside their vehicle as it traveled westbound on Highway 30. The husband sustained minor injuries as a result. It was determined there was a no contact order between the pair with the husband listed as the protected party. Additionally, the husband and wife had earlier been driving separate vehicles when the wife drove into the back of the vehicle operated by the husband. Wife was arrested for Harassment where she was transported to the Columbia County Jail. She exhibited signs of impairment and performed SFST’s under Rohrs. She refused a breath test and a warrant was obtained. She later provided blood as well as breath samples indicating .24% BAC. She was lodged on Harassment and Attempted Assault II with a weapon and cited and booked for DUII.

Aug. 14 • At about 2:27 a.m. OSP responded to a crash on Highway 30 near milepost 38.5. The reporting party located the vehicle over some jersey barriers and fully engulfed in flames with no driver or occupant around. Investigation at the scene revealed the Dodge pickup was traveling westbound when it struck the end of the jersey barrier after leaving the eastbound lane of travel. The vehicle sustained heavy damage as it traveled several hundred feet, coming to rest down an embankment. The driver or any occupant likely suffered injuries but were unable to locate. Additional followup to occur.

onto Wikstrom Rd from WB Hwy 30 and failed to yield the right of way to Unit #2 (white Ford) traveling EB on Hwy 30. Unit #2 collided head-on into the passenger side of Unit #1. Unit #1 was driven from the scene. Unit #2 was not driveable and towed from the scene Aug. 28 • At about 4:57 p.m. OSP received a report from an ODFW fish checker at the Rainier Boat Ramp along the Columbia River regarding a fisherman who had come in with a native coho salmon. The man stated he did not realize it had an adipose fin and that it was a coho. The man was issued a citation for take/ possession of non-adipose fin clipped coho salmon and the fish was seized for donation.

Aug. 27 • At about 8:20 p.m. OSP Troopers responded to Highyway 30 at Wikstrom Road on The St. Helens Police, Rainier a report of a non-injury, two Police and Columbia County vehicle collision. Unit #1 (red Sheriff’s reports were unavailDodge) attempted to turn left able at press time. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

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

6:00

6:30

6:00

6:30

6:00

6:30

6:00

6:30

Good Morning America (N) (5:00) CBS This Morning: Saturday (N) Bass Wrap Up Show Sport Fishing KGW News at Sunrise (N) Hero Elementary Molly of Denali Good Day Oregon Saturday (N) College GameDay (N) (Live) Bluey Bluey Good Day Oregon Saturday (N) George Lopez George Lopez

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

12:00

6:00

12:30

6:30

6:00

6:30

Good Morning America (N) In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley (N) Seasons on the Fly World Today KGW News at Sunrise (N) Peg & Cat (EI) Elinor Wonders Why Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Bluey Bluey Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) Family Matters Family Matters

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

12:00

6:00

12:30

6:30

Boxing MLB Baseball: Dodgers at Giants “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” Mike & Molly Mike & Molly (5:00) ›› “National Security” (2003)

6:00

7:30

7:00

7:30

7:00

7:30

8:00

8:30

10:30

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 11:00

11:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 11:00

11:30

CMA Summer Jam Country music’s biggest stars perform. (N) KATU News at 11 (N) Jimmy Kimmel Live! Big Brother A houseguest is evicted. Young Sheldon B Positive Bull Bull and Izzy reach an impasse. KOIN 6 News at 11 Late Show-Colbert Homestead Rescue “A Golden Opportunity” The Raneys rescue the Kramers in Alaska. (:02) Homestead Rescue “Mississippi Mayhem” The Raneys teach a family to thrive. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Organized Crime KGW News at 11 (N) Tonight Show Sam Cooke: Legend Sam Cooke’s life and career. “Agatha and the Truth of Murder” (2018, Drama) Ruth Bradley, Pippa Haywood. Festive Europe 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) 10 O’Clock News (N) 11 O’Clock News (N) (:35) People (N) SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Sydney to the Max Jessie Big City Greens Big City Greens Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons Family Guy Family Guy The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Cube “You. Got. This!” (N) The Cube Shanden and Mae compete. The Cube “You. Got. This!” (DVS)

8:00

8:30

8:00

8:30

KATU News This Morning Saturday (N) (Live) Lucky Dog “Kiddo” Innovation Nation Mission Unstoppable Hope in the Wild Major League Fishing (N) Clifford-Dog Sesame Street Big Noon Kickoff (N) (Live)

Mindfulness Goes Mainstream

Big City Greens Big City Greens Good Day Oregon Saturday (N) George Lopez George Lopez

Big City Greens

Seinfeld

Seinfeld “The Pen”

1:00

1:30

7:00

7:30

7:00

7:30

2:00

8:00

KATU News This Morning Sunday (N) (Live) CBS News Sunday Morning (N) Local Knowledge (N) Destroy-Second It’s How You Meet the Press (N) Mister Rogers Let’s Go Luna! Dinosaur Train SportsCenter (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens George Lopez

George Lopez

1:00

1:30

7:00

7:30

6:30

The Great North Bob’s Burgers SportsCenter (N) (Live) Disney’s Magic Bake-Off “Descendants” The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

7:00

7:30

KATU News at 6 (N) Return to Learn Jeopardy! Wheel of Fortune KOIN 6 News at 6 (N) CBS Evening News Extra Ent. Tonight Street Outlaws: Memphis “Going Local” Street Outlaws: Memphis: Full Throttle (N) KGW News KGW News at 6:30 The Good Stuff (N) Inside Edition (N) This Old House BBC News PBS NewsHour (N) 6 O’Clock News (N) People (N) Family Feud (5:00) College Football Louisville at Ole Miss. (N) (Live) Disney’s Magic Bake-Off “Descendants” Disney’s Magic Bake-Off Family Feud Family Feud The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy

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

10:00

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

2:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 11:00

11:30

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 11:00

11:30

College Football Oklahoma at Tulane. (N) (Live) Pet Vet Dream Team All In With Laila Ali Course Record Flag Football (N) Strongest Man Expedition Unknown Expedition Unknown “Africa’s Gold Hoard” Expedition Unknown Live Without Limits 2021 Solheim Cup Day 1. From Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. (N) (Live) TOUR Champ. Build a Better Memory Through Science Strategies for improving memory. Easy Yoga: The Secret to Strength College Football Penn State at Wisconsin. (N) (Live) College Football Western Michigan at Michigan. (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Almost Never (:35) Almost Never Garden Time Southern Liv The Carbonaro Effect Paid Program America’s Heartland Biz Kid$ Seinfeld Seinfeld The Cube Shanden and Mae compete. The Cube “You. Got. This!” (DVS)

3:00

3:30

4:00

4:30

8:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

8:30 Face the Nation (N) Destroy-Second Arthur (DVS)

9:00

9:30

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 5:00

5:30

2:30

10:30

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 11:00

11:30

KATU News at 11 (N) ROH Wrestling KOIN 6 News at 11 Graham Bensinger (:03) Expedition Unknown KGW News at 11 (N) Saturday Night Live Inside the Mind of Agatha Christie Game of Talents Two new teams compete. SportsCenter (N) (Live) Disney’s Magic Bake-Off “Princesses” Storm of Suspicion “Dead of Winter” Miracle Workers The Cube

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 11:00

11:30

Your Voice Sharyl Attkisson This Week With George Stephanopoulos (N) Paid Program Ocean Treks PBR Bull Riding PBR Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause. (Taped) Cornhole (Taped) Deadliest Catch “Wicked Game” Deadliest Catch: Bloodline “A Bigger Boat” Naked and Afraid “Hell or High Water” 2021 Solheim Cup Day 2. From Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. (N) 2021 TOUR Championship Final Round. (N) (Live) Nature “Pandas: Born to Be Wild” Observing pandas in the wild. Willamette Valley Splendor: Oregon Revealed FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace (N) NHRA Drag Racing Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals. From Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

2021 U.S. Open Tennis Round of 16. (N) (Live) Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens Big City Greens World Surf League Finals Preview (N) George Lopez George Lopez Seinfeld Seinfeld “The Note”

2:00

10:00

3:00

3:30

Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Almost Never (:35) Almost Never Ideal Prostate Paid Program DragonFlyTV Think Big MLB Baseball Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox. From Fenway Park in Boston. (N)

4:00

4:30

8:00

8:30

9:00

9:30

10:00