SHC914

less than a mile away, so I headed over. Once I arrived at Grumpy’s, I put on my body camera, walked to the entrance, and briefly spoke with two civilians. They indicated the suspect was inside the building.

ERIK KNODER Chronicle Guest Article

Multiple law enforcement agen cies, including St. Helens and Scap poose Police, also responded to the incident. Officers at the scene ren dered aid to Stockton until medical personnel could take over. Stockton was later pronounced deceased.

The Washington County Sher iff’s Office conducted the shooting investigation and forwarded the findings to the Columbia County district attorney.

County since 1881 thechronicleonline.com $1.50SeptemberWednesday,14, 2022 Vol. 140, No. 37 Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Community Calendar A4 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Crossword ............... A8 Sports ..................... A10

CRFR Public Information Representative Jennifer Motherway recommends that the public pay attention to local fire department websites and social media pages to follow potential weather and

Pixley: I radioed dispatch to let them know the suspect was down but still had his gun. I continued to order that the suspect drop his weapon, but he did not do so and continued to fire his gun at me.

See SHOOTING Page A5

Serving Columbia

I immediately drew my firearm and called “Shots fired!” over the radio. I followed the suspect out side. Once outside, I turned to my right and saw the suspect standing about 10 feet away from me with

Details revealed

Pixley: I was thinking that I couldn’t let this guy hurt any one. There were civilians on the premises and additional police on their way and I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot them if given the chance.

Law enforcement agents conduct the investigation following the fatal shooting at the Scappoose tow company location.

“It looks a lot like normal weather for this time of the year and the rain helped knocked down some of the smoke and haze from the wildfires,” Bumgardner said. “The high temperatures will be in the mid 70s, which is a few degrees below normal.”

The suspect saw me walk ing towards him, then turned and walked towards the back exit of the building. I called out “Sir, come here” a couple of times, but he did not respond. As soon as he stepped outside, he turned to face me and fired a shot at me.

The average wage in Northwest Oregon is lower than the statewide average, but much of the difference is due to the prevalence of lowerwage occupations in the area – the most common occupation in the region is fast food and counter workers, followed by retail sales persons.When comparing wages for the

See WILDFIRE Page A9

“The fire danger is going from Extreme back down to High (Red to Yellow), however, this is nowhere enough rain to declare fire season over,” he said. “While the 1-hour fuels (grass and pine

The Chronicle: Directly after the suspect was down, what did you do?

Now that the investigation has ended and the DA has made his ruling, Pixley agreed to talked with The Chronicle about the event.

The suspect suffered fatal wounds. The shooting involved Co lumbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley and Oregon State Police (OSP) Sgt. Chad Drew.

Occupational wages in NW Oregon

Wildfire conditions still dangerous

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The suspect fell to the ground on the opposite side of a car in the lot but continued firing at me. I radioed to dispatch that the suspect was down but still shooting. While on the ground, he continued firing. I moved to get into a better position to engage him but couldn’t locate a direct line of fire and realized that any further shots from me would be fired towards the highway, so I chose not to shoot. Instead, I con tinued to yell “Drop the gun!” and

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Sheriff reveals fatal shooting details

Be awarebear Page A2 Column

National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist John Bumgardner in Portland said the region is now moving toward more seasonal weather.

See WAGES Page A9 Metro Creative Connection Key indicators are lower-wage occupations.

Bumgardner said the NWS

two guns pointed at me. He started shooting and my body camera fell to the ground. I ordered him to drop his gun, but he didn’t, so I fired my gun. He turned to run away but con tinued firing at me so I continued to fire back, striking him.

Courtesy photo

same occupations, Northwest Oregon is closer to statewide levels than the average difference would suggest, and some local occupations even pay more than is typical for the state.

We performed CPR and rescue breathing until medics arrived. When medics arrived, the suspect was pronounced deceased.

Utilities describe a public safety power shutoff as a proactive effort to reduce wildfire risk during hazardous fire weather conditions.

The Chronicle: At the moment you had to fire your weapon, what were you thinking?

OSP troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies, including Pixley, respond ed to the call of a disturbance call involving a suspect at Grumpy’s Towing at 53279 Columbia River Highway.

Over two minutes later, OSP Troopers arrived. The suspect continued to fire so one of the troopers raised his rifle and fired several shots at the suspect. At that point, the suspect dropped his guns. The troopers and I approached the suspect to take him into custody and render aid.

“We still need to be vigilant with our use of fire and preventing nuisance fires on the landscape,” Pricher said. “In some fire years, fire season can extend into Octo ber. In other words, caution is still needed with campfires.”

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Michael Stockton, fired multiple shots at two law enforce ment officers, and the officers returned fire, hitting Stockton, ac cording to investigators. No officers were injured during the gunfire.

Brian Pixley: March 31 started like a typical Thursday. On my way to work, I received a call for as sistance. (Since we are understaffed, I sometimes clear calls on my way to work.) Dispatch CCOM advised me that Oregon State Police (OSP) was responding to Grumpy’s Tow ing and asked if I could assist. I was

“Put your hands up!”

The Oregon Employment De partment estimates wages for more than 500 occupations in Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln and Tillamook counties combined. The highest-paying occupation in the region with a published wage was family medicine physicians, which had an estimated annual average wage of $257,791 in 2022. Most of the occupations with higher wages were in medicine or management, although some specialty occupa tions such as physicists, judges, wholesale sales representatives, lawyers, engineers, software devel opers, and electric power-line in

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

The Chronicle: Describe how you were involved in this shooting, and how it transpired.

As officers arrived on scene, law enforcement agents, including Pixley, ordered the suspect to drop his weapon.

On the morning of March 31 an officer-involved shooting occurred at a Scappoose towing company.

In late August, Columbia County District Attorney Jeff Auxier ruled that the shooting was justified.

The shooting

I continued to monitor his loca tion to ensure he couldn’t harm anyone nearby.

The Chronicle: Is this the first time in your law enforcement career that you have engaged in a shooting and killed a suspect?

The wildfire smoke that filled the sky over Columbia County over the past weekend is slowly dimin ishing as the winds shift and rain moves in from the Pacific Ocean.

Occupational wages in North west Oregon are estimated from a survey of local employers. Wages for many different occupations in the region are available – the exact number differs each year. This article presents the 2022 wages for

office in Portland recorded approxi mately 0.3 of an inch of rain Sept. 12 and more rain is likely by the comingOregon’sweekend.wildfire season often extends into late fall, and fire district officials caution that several days of prolonged rain is necessary to ease the threat of fire.

needles) were significantly af fected, the 10-hour fuels (.25 inch up to 1 inch in diameter) and 100hour fuels were not touched. What this means is that the water will evaporate very quickly after the sun comesPricherup.”said Columbia and Multnomah counties outdoor burn ban remains in effect. Last week end’s ban on campfires, charcoal barbecue and portable propane / pa tio fireplaces is no longer in effect.

stallers, earned more than $100,000 per Theyear.lowest wages, $29,935 per year, were for restaurant hosts and hostesses. Dishwashers ($30,404 per year) and food preparation workers ($30,774) were also among the lowest paid occupations. Child care workers were also a lowerwage occupation with an annual average wage of $34,129, though that was an improvement from the year before.

• Don’t Run - Do not run or make sudden movements. Back away slowly as you face the bear.

OHA and local public health partners have been collecting SOGI information from people diagnosed with monkeypox since the start of the outbreak in Oregon.

Courtesy from ODFW

To date, no person-toperson spread associated with the five recent variant influenza virus infections has been identified.

When family caregiving follows you to work

Bear attack prompts advisory

departments have enhanced surveillance for respiratory symptoms illness during the agricultural fair season. Ear ly identification and inves tigation of variant influenza virus infections are impor tant to determine whether the virus is spreading efficiently among people.

nose or mouth, or are in haled, you can be infected. There also is some evidence that you might get infected by touching some thing that has virus on it and then touching your own

Patients who experience influenza-like symptoms fol lowing direct or close con tact with pigs and who seek medical care should inform their health care provider about the exposure. Those at high risk for complications should seek healthcare as soon as possible after symp tom onset.

Most cases report pig exposure or fair attendance.

insured (your parents) are responsible for opening the claim and managing the appointments needed for your mom to be certified and qualified to use her long-term care insurance. Accessing the benefit is a 5-step process; you call to open the claim, next you fill out several forms, then you meet with an asses sor, next you find a home care agency and then you meet the requirements. I have a small and easy to read report about long term care insurance. Stop in at Comforting Medical Sup ply and I will give you one at no charge. Take care and see you next time for the next question.

One case of human infection with an influenza variant that usually spreads only in pigs has been report ed in Oregon, and five cases have been reported nation ally in August, according to a release from Lincoln County Health and Human Services.

OHA with drafting and adding SOGI questions to the current data collection standards in OHA Oregon Administrative Rules; build ing a data collection system for both REALD and SOGI; and developing and imple menting reporting require ments.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

in that area.

As officers were waiting for assistance from OSP and ODFW, the bear started to climb out of the tree to flee.

Symptoms of this variant influenza virus infection are like those of seasonal in fluenza infections and have included fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, and headache.

Most commonly, hu man infections with swine influenza virus, now called variant virus infections, oc cur in people with exposure to infected pigs. For ex ample, children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A nine-part series for family caregivers and employers. When family caregiving roles conflict with work and career obligations

New monkeypox reporting data in Oregon

The monkeypox outbreak is the first communicable disease outbreak for which OHA is publicly reporting sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) data, and data from expanded race and ethnicity categories found in REALD, or race and ethnic ity, language or disability. The data will be reported each month on OHA’s mon keypox (hMPXV) website.

Courtesy photo

Officers on scene shot and killed the bear for the safety of theUndercommunity.theODFW policy, a bear that is a threat to hu man life is not eligible for any relocation program. OSP and ODFW collected the bear for inspection and confirmed it was the bear from the prior night’s attack based on the investigative evidence.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is now publishing monthly reports of monkeypox (hMPXV) case data by sexual orienta tion or gender identity, and by expanded categories of race and ethnicity.

The SOGI Data Collection Committee draft data col lection standards have been implemented in Oregon’s public health communicable disease data collection sys tem known as Orpheus.

“OHA has established a strategic goal to achieve health equity by 2030,”

LGBTQ+ community and health systems, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+ themselves.TheOregon Legislature passed House Bill 3159 in 2021, charging OHA with drafting and adding SOGI

Part one of nine: I cohost a weekly virtual session called “GOING HOME, STAYING HOME” with other geriatric care experts. We got nine questions from a CFO who happens to need care for his parents and who needs help for his employees who are family caregivers. We answer the questions on the Zoom conference and then we email the recording so that he and his staff can use it to help their situations. In the upcoming weeks, we will answer those ques tions, so here goes the first one.

The SOGI will help illuminate the experiences of people with other gender identities and sexual orienta tions in the Oregon outbreak of monkeypox, Sidelinger said.

The monkeypox outbreak is the first communicable disease outbreak for which OHA is publicly reporting sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) data.

People who are at higher risk for influenza complica tions should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns at fairs this year. If you cannot avoid exposure to pigs, you should wear a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth, and you should perform hand hygiene fre quently.Allpersons should take precautions when engaging in activities that may involve swine contact. Precau tions include hand hygiene before and after exposure to animals, avoiding eating or drinking in animal areas, and avoiding close contact with animals that look or act ill.

Bear history

Clinicians are encouraged to consider variant influenza virus infection as a possible diagnosis when evaluating patients with acute respira tory illnesses and exposure to pigs or agricultural fairs prior to illness.

spray handy for quick access and practice using it. Be aggressive, shout, and throw tools, sticks, and rocks.

On Sept. 6, police re sponded to a bear in a tree in the 1100 block of Picecroft Avenue. Upon arrival, of ficers set up a perimeter and called OSP and ODFW for assistance. The bear was in the general area of the prior night’s attack incident.

mouth or nose. A third way to possibly get infected is to inhale particles containing influenza virus. Scientists aren’t really sure which of these ways of spread is the most common.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Oregon is home to about 25,000 to 30,000 black bears, North America’s most common bear species.

Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmis sible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs.

It’s not unusual to hear of bear sightings in rural areas of Oregon, including Columbia County. Reports of bear attacks are rare, but they do happen.InMedford, police responded to the 900 block of N Ross Lane Sept. 5, to a report of a woman who was attacked by a bear. Upon arrival, officers learned the woman was in her backyard when a bear, estimated to be 150-200 pounds, rushed her and attacked her.

recommendationsProtection

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) representa tives assisted in searching for the bear who was not located. Several additional calls came into police dispatch through out the night with sightings

Health and Human Services as of this report.

The identity of the per son who has been infected and the person’s location had not been publicly released by Lincoln County

Oregon public health

The REALD and SOGI data will help guide OHA and its partners in an equitable response to the monkeypox outbreak.”

• Fight back - in the rare event of an attack. Keep bear

In 2018, OHA’s Equity and Inclusion Division con vened a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection Committee. The group consists of internal and external stakehold ers who interact with the

The woman non-life-threateningsustainedinjuries to her left arm and left leg. The woman’s dog intervened and was also attacked, but together, the woman and her dog were able to chase the bear off. After the bear fled, it ran in front of a vehicle on N. Ross Lane and was struck and likely injured, but it fled from there.

For more information, visit the ODFW webpage.

Medical information

If you happen to encoun ter a bear, here are some safety tips from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Oregon is home to about 25,000 to 30,000 black bears, North America’s most com mon bear species, according to the ODFW website.

questions to the current data collection standards in OHA Oregon Administra tive Rules, building a data collection system for both REALD and SOGI and developing and implement ing reporting requirements.

OHA State Epidemiolo gist Dean Sidelinger said. “A critical component to meeting this goal is ensur ing meaningful access to services for everyone in Oregon, regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, disability, or sexual orienta tion and gender identity.

and is being discharged to a skilled rehab facility. They bought a long-term care insurance policy in 1999. I want to use the policy to pay for care when my mom comes home but who coordinates the specif ics of what they will pay and how do I access the benefits?

A: First remember that 85% of the people who go into a skilled reha bilitation facility do not return to the place they call home. To promote a faster recovery for your mother, refer to my series on how to help your loved one get better faster after a hospital or rehab stay. If you need copies, call or email me. For the longterm care insurance, the

The OHA said publica tion of the data, in consulta tion with OHA’s Equity and Inclusion Division (OEI), will help the agency better understand the diversity of the people living in Oregon, which will help it identify and address health dispari ties and support data justice in communities most af fected by health disparities.

• Make Noise - Raise your voice and speak firmly, yell and clap your hands.

Generally black in color, they can also be brown, cinnamon or blond. Fast and agile, they are good swim mers and climbers who pre fer forests, trails and streams. At home throughout Oregon, black bears are omnivorous and have a diverse diet in cluding berries, fruit, grasses and plants. Although they will consume small mam mals, insects and amphibians, these bears are not usually activeBearspredators.should never be allowed access to human food or garbage; it habituates them to people and increases the chance of conflict, the ODFW website states. Once habituated to finding food near homes or campgrounds, bears can become a threat to human safety and must often be destroyed.

While the narrative of monkeypox in the United States has centered on cisgender gay men as the population most affected by the virus, this narrative does not reflect the full spectrum of people who have been affected by monkeypox, ac cording to the OHA.

Courtesy from the CDC

The infections are thought to happen mainly when an infected pig coughs or sneezes and droplets with influenza virus in them spread through the air. If these droplets land in your

Human swine flu variant in Oregon

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3159, which charged

Q: My dad has leuke mia. My mom collapsed over the weekend. She was admitted to the hospital

No hospitalizations or deaths have occurred among these five cases, and all patients are recovering or have recovered from their illnesses.

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 14, 2022A2 Columbia County’s trusted local news source

REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net Get the word out in the paper and online by advertising with The Chronicle. Call us at 503-397-0116 or email chronicleads@countrymedia.net Starting a local business?

ments in Oregon to support these valuable new sources for jobs, affordable housing and building materials.”

• Evans Valley Fire Dis trict #6, $43,371

STAFF

emergency response per sonnel from fire and other related hazards. The Oregon communities receiving these grants are as follows:

The BBBRC is an unprecedented competi tive federal grant program that provides each regional coalition with significant investments to tackle a wide variety of projects – includ ing entrepreneurial support, workforce tion–infrastructure,development,andinnovatodriveinclusive economic growth.

• City of Rockaway Beach, $185,714

Develop

The projects funded as part of this award include working with forest-depen dent rural communities to grow access to wood fiber, facilitate a wood-based products workforce devel opment program, provide resources to university R&D programs conducting design and prototyping of new construction materi als, and assist state agen cies in creating a favorable regulatory framework to accommodate modular mass timber homes in rural and wildlife-impacted commu nities.

• Junction City Rural Fire

Columbia City is one of 10 Oregon fire districts that will receive a combined $2.58 million in federal Assistance to Firefighters GrantsOregon(AFG).U.S. Senators

“Local firefighters work

Oregon Mass Timber Coalition, led by the Port of Portland, will use the fund ing to implement projects across the state to expand the regional mass timber industry cluster, which cre ates engineered high-value building materials from wood.Mass timber has the potential to substantially reduce carbon pollution compared to concrete and steel and is seismically resilient and fire resistant.

• Glide Rural Fire Protec tion District, $11,428

ber

will provide immense benefits for Oregonians as we seek to construct more energy efficient buildings for the future using all tools available to us,” Merkley said. “I’m glad to see the federal government step up to support this quintes sential Oregon project, bringing together a broad

The awards are intended to assist the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition in using mass timber to accelerate affordable housing production, provide good jobs, and restore forest health.

• City of Eugene, $469,356

“This federal investment shows how Oregon con tinues leading the way in modernizing wood prod ucts, generating jobs and

Protection District, $20,377

The coalition is plan ning projects to research, prototype, and commer cialize prefabricated mass timber housing systems. The proposed projects are primarily focused on creat ing a manufacturing facility, workforce education and training, and building facili ties that support research and development. Together, these efforts will create good jobs and economic growth while addressing the

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Timber industry to see $41 million boost

economic opportunities in communities statewide,” Wyden said. “I’m grati fied that the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition has earned these resources from the American Rescue Plan for fresh approaches to our state’s signature timber industry. And I’ll keep fighting for similar invest

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced the funding.

• Tenmile Fire District, $36,341

• Clackamas County Fire District No. 1, $934,522

• City of Albany, $642,727

will receive over $41 million from the federal

ing hard to protect lives and livelihoods throughout Oregon deserve topnotch equipment to stay safe while they’re putting themselves at risk defending communi ties around the state,” Wyden said. “The importance of this federal investment in Oregon is especially timely given firefighters’ heroic work this summer battling blazes that still threaten our state. I’ll

as

group of partners to address multiple challenges at once with an innovative solution that will support jobs in our woods, our timber mills, and our cities alike.”

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, September 14, 2022 A3

“Oregon’s firefighters work tirelessly, risking their lives to keep our homes, businesses, and communi ties safe— it is imperative that they receive the federal support needed to do this important work,” Merkley said. “This funding will help

shortage of affordable hous ing, according to Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron “MassWyden.timber is an ex citing innovation with huge untapped potential. Accel erating affordable housing production, providing good jobs, sequestering carbon, and restoring forest health

• Columbia City, $23,309

AFG grants help fire fighters and first responders obtain essential resources to enhance their response capabilities and to more ef fectively protect the health and safety of the public and

• Sweet Home Fire And Ambulance District, $216,277

Local fire district to share $2.58 million

Courtesy photo from Oregon State University

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 The

These awards are in tended to assist the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition in using mass timber to ac celerate affordable housing production, provide good jobs, and restore forest health.

keep battling to make sure firefighters have the resourc es they need now and in the years ahead.”

ensure that the dedicated fire fighters across the state are well equipped and prepared to keep protecting the Or egonians they serve in every corner of our State.”

Columbia County’s trusted local news source Oregon Mass Tim Coalition Economic ment Administration (EDA) one of 21 American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) winners.

Although I am a regis tered Republican, I was raised to consider the issues and the person presenting them, not the party they represented. I have stood by that stance since I first registered to vote over 55 years ago. I have been able to work on different issues for many organizations and have always found Betsy Johnson to be candid, honest, and will ing to look at all sides of an issue before taking a stand.

Ongoing Events

Facility upgrades alone are only part of the equation to help students and staff feel safe. The St. Helens School District has a close partner ship with the St. Helens Police Department with regu lar meetings of officers and educators coming together to plan and prepare for any emergency we may face.

Our goal in the St. Helens School District is to help every child reach their full potential. Before a student is able to reach their full potential or even learn, they need to have some of their basic needs met such as food, water, and shelter. We serve meals at schools and through out the summer to help meet those basic physiological needs as well as offer our Family Resource Center to provide many other resources to support families that may find themselves experienc ing difficult times. Located between the District Office

In our elementary schools, we are updating all of our technology, HVAC systems, and playgrounds to meet the need of the whole child.

To verify authentic ity, 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). Submis sions may be emailed to themail,trymedia.net,chroniclenews@counsentviaordroppedoffatoffice.

Betsy is the best, honest can didate for Oregon governor. RunBetsyRun.

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

and Plymouth High School, the Family Resource Center welcomes all families who may need additional sup port for basic needs, to those needing assistance with ParentVue and everything else in between.

Safe environment

Our school district, along with all others in Columbia County, utilize the I Love U Guys - Standard Response Protocols (SRP). We use five different actions to address emergency situations: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate,

‘Huge steps in the right direction’

I’ve had well over 45 first days of school as a student and as an educator. Without a doubt the first day of school this year has been one of my all-time favorites.

Herb Swett Reporter Jon Campbell Advertising Sales

Let us know what YOU think EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO: CHRONICLENEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Farmers Market

On issues concerning traffic safety in Columbia County, she has been an active voice for safety, attending meet ings of the Columbia County Traffic Safety Commission whenever her busy schedule allowed. She listened to what we felt were serious concerns and then was able to take some of our ideas back to the Legislature. Her candor was welcome.

is loved and welcomed. Free childcare available. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521 or check the Resonate Face book page.

I can’t point my finger at any one particular aspect of the start of the 2022-23 school year, but I can tell you it just feels good. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen more smiles on students and staff than I have in a long time or it could be the feeling of hope permeating the schools as I walk the halls, whatever the cause it’s great to have the children back in our schools.

Columbian Toastmasters Promoting positive learn ing and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome! Meeting virtually via Zoom from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503-369-0329 for more information.

Joe Warren Publisher Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor

As a district, we’ve been blessed with the ongoing sup port of our community that has allowed us to completely update all of our secondary buildings to make them safe state-of-the-art schools. Our

responsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details pre sented 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 sub mitting 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 repre sent the opinion of the newspaper or its par ent company, Country Media, Inc.

Supports Betsy Johnson

Once those basic needs are met, we need children to feel safe if they are going to reach their full potential and learn. Over the past several years, we have been in the process of upgrading the se curity of our school buildings with security vestibules, se cure door buzz-in access, and construction remodels to help students and staff feel safe.

Over the past several years we’ve invested exten sively in professional devel opment training for our staff

community eVents

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 Unsubstantiatedinaccuracies.orir

Voices of the community

The kids

Just maybe what feels good and has made this one of the best first days of school in over 45 years, is the progress we are making in the St. Helens School District to support all children. I’d be the first to admit that we still have a lot of work ahead of us, yet we are making huge steps in the right direction. The positive energy in the schools right now is the beginning of what looks to be a great school year.

Scot Stockwell is the su perintendent of the St. Helens School District. He may be reached at 503-397-3085.

in programs such as AVID that support current best practices in education. Keep ing up to date on the most promising strategies helps build an even stronger team of teachers and educators. All of this comes together to create a 21st-century learn ing environment where all students can reach their true potential.

Progress

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

SCOT STOCKWELL Chronicle Guest Column

in favor of Betsy Johnson being our next governor. Oregon would be proud of what she will bring to the office. For too long we have been divided on issues that mean so much to Oregonians. We may not always agree, but with Betsy, you can be assured that she will listen to what you have to say and of fer an alternative if necessary.

Editorial policy: Opin ions expressed on this page are independent of The Chronicle views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Blaming children for reacting to their environment is like blaming a bear for hibernat ing. You see, our children are resilient and good at adapting to change, but it is how we, as adults, respond that either raises anxiety or provides comfort to a child. The adult reaction to the pandemic, the economy, politics, racism, crime, and any other chal lenge or change our com munity faces is telegraphed through our children, and we see it in our schools.

September 24 Scappoose Historical Society will honor E.P. (Mike) Dering Noon – 2 p.m. at the Scap poose Historical Society Watts House memory gar den. Mr. Dering is an interna tionally known nurseryman with ties to Scappoose. He founded Peterson and Dering Nursery, a 150-acre commer cial rose nursery, operating from 1933 until 1963 when he retired. The Scappoose Historical Society Watts House is located at 52432 SE 1st Street in Scappoose. For more details, call 503-9615621.

September 25 Harvest Festival

and Shelter. Hold and Secure are the two most common actions which allow teach ing and learning to continue while making sure students are safe. Detailed information can be found on our School District website. During emergency situations, schools and First Responders use the same language so everyone is on the same page and all stakeholders can understand the response and status of the event.When a student’s basic needs are met, and they feel safe and cared for they are ready to learn. We know physical and emotional safety go hand and hand, so we’ve also invested in adding social workers, counselors, and other social-emotional sup port staff over the past few years. With students ready to learn, we need staff ready to teach.

Lynnette Chiotti St. Helens

The world has certainly changed over those 45 years of the first days of school, yet one thing has remained pretty constant; the kids. Now I often hear how kids have changed, yet I’d argue that it isn’t the children; it’s society.

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 Opinion

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to orsifieds@countrymedia.net,chronicleclascall503-397-0116.

current renovation project at St. Helens High School is being impacted by inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages. However, as a dis trict, we are working hard to find ways to overcome those challenges and rebuild St. Helens High School into the vision and dreams our com munity shared with us when we passed the construction bond. We strongly believe that without the ongoing sup port of our community none of this would be possible.

I have found her will ing to listen and share, no matter what the issue. Betsy has helped me to navigate the Legislative process in a thoughtful, clear manner.

Overcomers Outreach Meetings are held every Sat urday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Rd., Scap poose. Call Fred 971-7576389.

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 14, 2022A4 Will you participate in any Weekly Online Poll Last Week’s Results Are you ready for the

Kelli Nicholson Office Manager James Yang Creative Director Jon Lowrance Driver

Investments

organizations and busi nesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednes day’s paper.

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 com pulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st St., St. Helens. Everyone

I am proud to take a stand

Write to us: We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limita tions, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your let ter printed under those conditions, just let us know.Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people,

12 p.m. through 5 p.m. at the Caples House Museum. Free Admission, Cider Pressing, Butter Churning, Family Games, plus a raffle and so much more. Fun for all. The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-3975390.

Viewpoints

Kathryn A. Houghtelling

The project, that was to begin Sept. 15, is at no cost to the library.

Employers’ total cost for workers’ compensation insur ance includes the pure pre mium and insurer profit and expenses, plus the premium assessment. Employers also pay at least half of the Work ers’ Benefit Fund assessment, which is a cents-per-hourworked rate.

This incident highlights the need for additional deputies to serve Columbia County. For years, I have been talking to the county commissioners about the need for additional deputies to serve Columbia County. While I’ve been successful in adding additional deputy positions each year, CCSO is still severely understaffed.

For more information about Oregon workers’ com pensation costs visit: Pages/index.aspx.www.oregon.gov/DCBS/cost/http://

She was preceded in death by her father, Alvin Houghtelling; and grand daughter Elizabeth Ste phenson.

Pixley: Several things. The first is to be thankful for what you have be cause you never know how quickly it can be taken away until someone is trying to do just that. I’m grateful to not have lost everything. On a similar note, I am re minded that it is critical not to become complacent as a police officer because even seemingly minor calls can quickly become a life-ordeath situations.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, an independent advocate for workers on work ers’ compensation and work place safety and health; and the Small Business Ombuds man, an independent advocate for small business owners on workers’Thosecompensation.successfulprograms are funded by the premium assessment.

• Employers, on aver age, will pay 93 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation costs in 2023, down from 97 cents in 2022, under a proposal by DCBS. That figure covers workers’ compensation claims costs, assessments, and insurer profit and•expenses.Thepure premium rate will drop by an average 3.2 percent under the proposal. In fact, the pure premium –filed by a national rate-setting organization and reviewed by DCBS – will have declined by 49 percent during the 2014 to 2023 period.

See the cost chart sum marizing the changes with this story at thechiefnews.com and at forintionsummary.pdfDCBS/cost/Documents/wc-https://www.oregon.gov/Thesiteincludesinformaabouthowtoparticipatethevirtualpublichearingset3p.m.Thursday,Sept.15.

May 21, 1927 ~ Aug. 31, 2022

Because the COVID pandemic reduced the com munity library hours, the St. Helens Troop will build a little library by pounding 4-by-4inch stakes into ground near the Dog Park in Columbia City. The property is owned by the Port of Columbia County. The structure will hold books allowing anyone to select, read and replace, during library off-hours“This is the first installa tion,” said Kay Brown, presi

Local Boy Scouts have rolled up their sleeves to begin a project assisting the Colum bia City Community Library.

dent of Friends of the Colum bia City Community Library. “If successful, we hope to be able to install other libraries at sites in Columbia County.”

In addition, because of this situation and my role as sheriff, I have been able to

Kathy once jokingly stated that she had man aged to outlive both of her

The decrease in the pure premium of 3.2 percent is an average, so an individual employer may see a larger or smaller decrease, no change, or even an increase, depending on the employer’s own indus try, claims experience, and payroll. Also, pure premium does not take into account the varying expenses and profit of insurers.Helping sustain the trend in lower costs is the stability of Oregon’s workers’ compensa tion system, the DCBS stated. The system includes the Work ers’ Compensation Division; Oregon OSHA; the Workers’ Compensation Board, which resolves disputes over the state’s workers’ compensation and workplace safety laws; the

After years of smalltown living, she became a wanderer and lived all over the country. She returned to Oregon to help support family members, passing away Sept. 1, 2022, in

crossword solution

Celebration of life for Ginni Davis will be held Sat., Sept. 17, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. at Caples House, 1925 First St., Columbia City, Oregon.

The reduction in costs is

be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. County fairground pavilion. Memorials should be made to Mizpath Chapter OES. In the memo line please add “cancer research Dan Koch.”

Little library at Columbia City

The Chronicle: What was your feeling after you learned that the suspect was killed in the shooting?

The decline in costs marks 10 years of average decreases in the pure premium rate – the base rate insurers use to de termine how much employers must pay for medical costs and lost wages.

I can’t help but think what may have happened if I hadn’t been less than a mile away from Grumpy’s when this call came in.

Scoutmaster Bill Lain said the project is the first of its kind for the troop. He said that out of his 15 scouts, four to seven are likely to be involved in it.

Workers compensation costs decline

Pixley: Honestly, I don’t know. I had just been through a highly charged critical incident and spent several minutes performing CPR on the person who had just tried to kill me. I was happy to be alive, scared, sad - you name the emotion - and it was probably there.

The DCBS said underpin ning the cost decreases is the success of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system, which includes programs to control costs, maintain good worker benefits, ensure employers carry insurance for their work ers, and improve workplace safety and health.

Pixley: Training for the possibility of having to use deadly force starts early in your career and continues regularly throughout an of ficer’s years of service. This training provided me with the skills needed to handle the situation. “You fall back to your training” was cer tainly true in this situation and I’m glad I had 20 years of training and preparation to fall back on.

Pixley: My hope is that the public sees that police officers are humans with hu man emotions, feelings and families who are put into impossible situations. Their training helps them to make the best decisions they can to ensure the public is safe. Situations like this not only affects the officers involved and their agency, but also their friends and families.

The fund’s revenue comes from a cents-per-hour-worked assessment. The assessment would see no change in 2023, remaining at 2.2 cents per hour worked.Thedecrease in the pure premium will be effective Jan. 1, 2023, but employers will see the changes when they renew their policies in 2023.

Kathryn Houghtelling(Kathy)wasborn and raised in St. Helens. She was born on July 5,1957 to Alvin and Dixie Houghtel ling.

The numbers illustrate positive, long-term trends:

Oregon’s workers’ com pensation premium rates have ranked low nationally for many years. Oregon had the seventh least expensive rates in 2020, according to a nation ally recognized biennial study conducted by DCBS.

I am truly humbled by the outpouring of commu nity support both myself and my wife received throughout this incident. Those words of support and encouragement lifted us up as we began the healing process.

She leaves behind a moderately dysfunctional family that she loved more than anything.

Asked what he hopes this project will do for his scouts, Lain said it will show them another way to help the com munity.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, by the Director’s Office of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, 350 Winter St. NE, P.O. Box 14480, Sa lem, OR 97309-0405.

Young and Jennifer Ste phenson and their partners; two stepchildren, Thomas Miller and Megan Miller; and 12 grandchildren.

Solution for the Sept. 7, 2022 crossword puzzle

I will continue my ap peals to the county com missioners for additional staff funding, so our county and our deputies are better protected.

The premium assessment is a percentage of the work ers’ compensation insurance premium employers pay. It is added to the premium. It would remain at 9.8 percent in 2023, the same as 2022. This would be the first time since 2016 that the premium assess ment has not increased.

Resources

These changes will bet ter ensure that any future deputy who is involved in a similar situation has a more defined process and bette wrap around services that they may need to help them fully recover, both physi cally and mentally.

review CCSO’s policies and procedures for Officer In volved Shootings and make some significant changes. Through the unique per spective of being both a policymaker as well as an involved officer, I was able to identify some areas that can be improved.

Pixley: Yes, this is the first time in my 20-year career that I have ever had to discharge my weapon at a person.

The Chronicle: Certain ly, you and other members of your team have extensive training to be prepared for the use of deadly force. Briefly describe that training and when you believe it is necessary to use deadly force.

Read more about the shooting incident attached to this story at thechronicle online.com.

SHOOTING From Page A1

July 5, 1957 ~ Sept. 1, 2022

Bend, at the age of 65.

Ginni Davis

“In these uncertain times, stability is important for pro grams that benefit employers and workers,” DCBS direc tor and insurance commis sioner Andrew Stolfi said.

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, September 14, 2022 A5

ex-husbands.Keepingwith her wish es for no services, there will be a “Going Away” Party in her honor from noon to 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 8, 2022 at the Colum bia County Fairgrounds 4H Building. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or The Autism Society of Oregon.

“Maintaining good worker benefits while at the same time reducing costs to employers is positive for earnprogramssoonerinjuredportsinjurywhoerspermanentlyprovidesers’Meanwhile,everyone.”theWorkBenefitFundassessmentbenefitincreasestodisabledworkandtofamiliesofworkersdiedfromaworkplaceordisease.ItalsosupOregon’seffortstohelpworkersreturntowork–throughincentivetoemployers–andtheirpre-injurywages.

Metro Creative Connection

cious reader an excellent card player, but most of all he related wonderful stories about his friends and family. His son Marty and his

The Chronicle: What do you hope the public takes away from the shooting?

Business operators in Clatskanie, Rainier and across Oregon on average will pay less for workers’ compensa tion coverage in 2023, accord ing to the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).

Kathy is survived by her mother Dixie Hough telling; and a very large extended family including her three sisters, Debra, Diana, and Wendy, and two brothers, Richard and Ron ald; two daughters, Candy

The Chronicle: What do you take away from this experience?

The Department of Con sumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer pro tection agency. For informa tion, visit oregon.gov.http://www.dcbs.

due to an improvement in loss experience and loss develop ment patterns in Oregon, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI is the U.S. rate-setting organiza tion whose recommendation DCBS reviews as part of its annual public process to decide rates.

Space donated by Columbia Funeral Home • Serving Columbia County since the early 1900’s • 503-397-1154

Clatskanie PUD is an equal employment opportunity employer, following all necessary federal and state employment laws required. Clatskanie PUD will make reasonable accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Veterans will receive hiring preference as required by law. Send subscription info to PO Box 1153, St. Helens OR 97051 SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL COUNTY NEWSPAPER Card No. __________________________________________ Exp. Date _________________ Name PhoneCityAddress____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State________________Zip_____________Number______________________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check for $60.00 Bill my VISA/Mastercard Subscribe me to The Chronicle for one year. ONLY $60 a year!* *In Columbia County. Outside County $80.00/year Classified Ads Deadline: Mondays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper. check the classifieds online Needtowww.thechronicleonline.comatfindyourperfectjobofferajob? [Your ad here] Call 503-397-0116

312 Events 502 Help Wanted 702 Garage Sales 150 Misc Services 702 Garage Sales 702 Garage Sales 790 Misc Wanted 804 Apts Unfurnished 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! To help extend the life of Clatskanie PUD power poles, Davey Resource Group has been contracted to conduct our pole test and treat program for 2021. They will be working on our poles on the following roads and the surrounding areas: Swedetown Rd, Olson Rd, Alder Grove Rd, Lindberg Rd, Cedar Grove Rd, & Lost Creek. For questions or concerns, please call 503 728 2163.

LANDATTENTIONOWNERS!

Apartmentforrent 55+ in St. Hel ens. Very clean, no smoking, no pets. 971-757-5235.$970/month.

Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience. Clatskanie PUD offers a competitive benefit package. An application and full job description can be found on our website under About Us/Employment Opportunities at clatskaniepud. com. Submit completed application, résumé, and cover letter to Human Resources, PO Box 216, Clatskanie, OR 97016, secure fax 503-308-4884, or email: hr@clatskaniepud.com. This position remains open until 5:00 pm PDT, October 3, 2022 or until filled, with a flexible start date in October 2022. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lynn Donner: ldonner@clatskaniepud.com or 503-728-2163.

Huge lot sale

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 14, 2022A6 Columbia County’s trusted local news source 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 301 Health & Nutrition www.pdxaa.org(503)AnonymousAlcoholicsInfo-line,366-0667 311 Announcements HUNT MEMBERSHIPSCLUBAVAILABLE TWIN OAKS FARM, SAUVIE ISLAND ($1,650.) 42 acres long es tablished club. On Gilbert River, 3 lakes, club house with lockers. Call Allison (971) 2272287. gmail.comCramers3@ St. Helens Bible Church holidayvendorsseekingforbazaar&bakesale Sat, Nov.12, 9am3pm, $25.00 table fee will go to food baskets to ben efit those in need. Contact Melissa for further 503-724-6888details: 502 Help Wanted PublicDirector,Health Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline: Open Until Filled. Apply at CountyOR.gov.Columbia Eagle Star Rock Products seeking addition to bookkeeping & clerical staff. Po sition is full time, although part time availability will be considered. Full benefit packages available for full time forMon-FriCallandsurance,dental,includingemployees,health,&eyein401K,vacationtime.503-397-78617:30-3:30details. The City of St. Helens is hiring RecreationaProgramSpecialist. Full-Time, Termlimited. $3,414 (step 1) to $4,417 (step 5). Apply online at portunityFilled.ov.sthelensoregon.g-www.OpenUntilEqualOpEmployer. TransitWorkerUtility Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 9/28/2022 Apply OR.gov.ColumbiaCountyat 602 Boats & Motors Boat for sale A nice aluminum boat, A-GREGOR, all equipped, ready to fish and a heavy duty trailer. A-98 Engine good, 4 stroke. Ask ing $1,995. Call 503-583-6569. 702 Garage Sales 9/16 and 9/17Hugesalegarage At 64679 Big Buck Drive from 9 am till 5 pm. Sporting goods, tools, utility trailer, books, col lectibles, camping gear, kitchenware, some earlycookware,commercialetc.NOsales!

Ideal Candidate!

Garage Sale Sept. 16th,17th & 18th 125 N 8th St St. Helens OR 97051 Opens 10am. Clothes, figurines, magnets, TV and furniture.

and will be given the chance to develop

Clatskanie People’s Utility District is seeking an Accountant. hydro-powered, locally-owned electric utility professionally.

We’re looking for someone who is driven, organized, and passionate about handling the numerical storybook of a mission-focused organization! Do you aspire to become a CPA? Do you love Excel unconditionally? Are you looking for a 4/10 schedule in the beautiful PNW in an industry that provides essential services to its local community? Give us a chance, apply today!

At 53303 Lower Columbia Hwy, behind Grumpy’s on 9/16 & 9/17 from 9am-5pm. Cast iron, Rock N’ Roll vinyl, silver coins, vintage furniture, furni ture, vintage cos tume jewelry and more. Follow signs.

Kelso.

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN! COME CHECK OUT THIS MULTIFAMILY GARAGE SALE. IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT 9/16-9/17, Gate opens at 8am-4pm, 33211 Smith Road, St. Helens. TONS of new with tags items, used, vin tage, antique furniture, house hold, kitchen, outdoor. Lots to dig through.

Wanted cedar boughs and noble fir. Willing to pay for branches only. Do not damage trees. Call Cesar 360-241-6889 360-425-0738or

This position will be responsible for assisting with the annual external financial audit, monitoring and reconciliation of bank accounts, as well as, payroll and accounts payable processes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence the strategic direction and fiscal performance of our

Carport Sale Fri., Sept. 16 & Sat., Sept.17 from 8 am - 4 pm. 650 A Street, Columbia City, OR. Tools, in door plants, out door furniture and misc.

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL AND PUBLIC MEETING

Notice is hereby given, the Columbia County Trans portation and Road Advi sory Committee (CCTRAC) will hold a virtual and in person public meeting on: Thursday, September 22, 2022 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corpo ration Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300

Order Number 85130, Pub Dates: 9/7/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/21/2022, CHRONICLE9/28/2022,

Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. If additional documents or evidence are provided in sup port of the application, prior to or during the hearing, any party shall be entitled to a continuance of the hearing to allow review of the new evidence. If a participant requests a continuance before the conclusion of the eviden tiary hearing, the record shall remain open for at least sev en days after the hearing. The “hearing will be held in ac cordance with the provision of the Zoning Ordinance” At each hearing, the applicant has the burden of present ing substantial evidence showing that the application meets all of the applicable criteria. Following presenta tion of the staff report, the applicant and other persons in favor of the application will be allowed to address the commission, explaining how the evidence submitted meets the applicable criteria. Following the applicant’s presentation, any person in opposition to the application may present evidence and argument against the ap plication. The applicant will

that OHM Equity Partners LLC, has submit ted an application for a Site Design Review (DR 22-04) for a Private Golf Course and RV Park. The park will consist of 103 spaces for a private recreational vehicle campground/RV’s and the re-design of the existing golf course, club house and banquet facility in the Com munity Service Recreational (CS-R) zone. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Columbia County is propos ing to amend the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance to develop land use standards in response to Measure 109 and ORS 475A related to psi locybin production, process ing, and service centers. This involves amending existing sections of the Zoning Ordi nance as well as developing a Special use Section 1804 for psilocybin related uses. Also, to develop standards to al low for Accessory Dwelling Units within Rural Residen tial zones. Local file numbers TA 23-01; TA 23-02. This hearing is to afford interested parties an opportunity to be heard on the following mat

secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and pay able, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $434,343.00 together with interest thereon at the rate of 2.75000% per annum from May 1, 2021 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on December 27, 2022 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Court house, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, September 14, 2022 A7

Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes rather than five (5) minutes per visitor. Council agendas for meetings are posted on the City’s web site at www.sthelensoregon. gov by the preceding Friday at 5:00 p.m.

Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, CALVIN L BROWN AND JESSICA D BROWN as Grantor to COLUMBIA COUNTY TITLE & ES CROW SERVICES, INC. as Trustee, in favor of MORT GAGE ELECTRONIC REG ISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as desig nated nominee for SIERRA PACIFIC successorstheNMLS:FORNIACOMPANY,MORTGAGEINC.,ACALICORPORATION1788,Beneficiaryofsecurityinstrument,itsandassigns,dated

as of April 13, 2021 and recorded on April 23, 2021 as Instrument No. 202105010 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 11479 LOT 41, CARSON MEADOWS PHASE 3, IN THE CITY OF

questionscom/installingreadyGetAccessStates:Free):phone.cangoto.com/202650557https://meet.YoualsodialinusingyourUnitedStates(Toll18773092073United+1(571)317-3129Code:202-650-557theappnowandbewhenyourfirstmeetstarts:https://meet.goto.Ifyouhaveanyorconcernsregard

for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the fore going obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default

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with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. For more information contact Hayden.

(PST). Please join the meet ing from your computer, tablet or smartphone. United(TollyourYoumeet.goto.com/886088261.https://canalsodialinusingphone.UnitedStatesFree):18668994679States:+1(571)317-

ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Com monly known as: 17 RED CEDAR STREET, ST HEL ENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 06/01/2021 to 08/31/2022 at $34,667.27 Monthly Late Charge(s): By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations

ter. Any comments you wish to provide will be appreci ated; however, Oregon law requires that testimony and evidence must be directed toward the decision criteria. You may present testimony at the public hearing or provide written comments to the Land Development Services (LDS) Department prior to 5:00 p.m. on the hearing date. The Commis sion will make a recommen dation on this application to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, which is the decision-maker for all County Plan and Ordinance amendments. Applicable decision criteria are con tained in ORS 475A; ORS 215.495; CCZO 1606; CCZO 1607; CCZO 1611; the Oregon Statewide Planning Goals; the Comprehensive Plan; and any other statute or ordinance determined to apply. The application is available for viewing in the LDS Department office, 445 Port Avenue, St. Helens, dur ing normal business hours. Copies will be provided for a reasonable cost. This hearing will be held in accordance

Monday, October 3rd, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m. During the COVID-19 global pan demic, the Columbia County Planning Commission will be hosting their public hearing via online webinar. Please use the links below if you wish to participate in the public meeting. October 3, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting Mon, Oct 3, 2022 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (PDT) Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

OF PUBLIC

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Session in the evening. Be ginning September 21, 2022, the City Council will begin their Work Sessions at 2:00 p.m. rather than 1:00 p.m. They will continue to have their Regular Sessions at 7:00 p.m. In addition, Visitor

Public Notices

then have the opportunity to rebut any evidence or argu ments presented in opposi tion. After the presentation of evidence and arguments, the public hearing record will be either left open or closed by the Planning Com mission. The Commission will then make a tentative decision to be followed by approval of a written order and a statement of findings and conclusions supporting the decision, which will be mailed to all parties at a later date. The Commission may, at its discretion, continue the hearing from time to time at the request of the parties or on its own motion as neces sary to afford substantial justice and comply with the law. Additional information about this application may be obtained from the Planning Division of the Land Devel opment Services Department, at (503) 397-1501 or you can go to the County

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this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 8/24/2022 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112

ing access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 397-1501. 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 Statutes ORS 197.763; Or egon Administrative Rules; Columbia County Com prehensive Plan; Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. The specific criteria appli cable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report. A copy of the ap plication, all documents and evidence relied upon by the applicant, 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 opmentDepartmentMailcancolumbiacountyor.govPlanning@oryousendcommentsviaU.S.toColumbiaCounty,ofLandDevelServices,230Strand

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City of St. Helens Notice of Change in Council Work Session Starting Time The St. Helens City Council meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, holding a Work Session in the afternoon and a Regular

NOTICE HEARING Monday October 3, 2022 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

NOTICE OF WORK SESSION

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PlanningbeforeHEARING397-1501.tyor.gov;Richardson@columbiacounorphone503-SAIDPUBLICwillbeheldtheColumbiaCountyCommissionon

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occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tender ing the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warran ties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing metham phetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospec tive purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing

TS No. OR12000005-22-1 APN 11479 TO No 220432886-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE CH22-1177 The CC Rider Transit Advisory Committee will be holding a hybrid meeting tablet or smartphone. Youmeet.goto.com/241999581https://canalsodialinusing NOTICE OF MEETING CH22-1174 PROPOSALS FOR AGENT OF RECORDS CH22-1008 The Greater St. Helens NOTICE MEETINGOF CH22-1175 Rainier Storage Place, tents of the following storage Publish dates: September 7th, NOTICE AUCTIONOF Local news at your fingertips. Catch up on whats going on in Columbia County where ever you are. thechronicleonline.com The Chronicle 503-397-0116 1805 Columbia Blvd

A mother-and-son duo from Washington have completed an adventure of a lifetime, cycling across the State of Oregon from Asto ria to the California Border along Highway 101.

The trip was liter ally full of ups and downs. Mom, Liz Colver, and her son, 10-year-old Shephard Colver, from Kenmore, Washington, pedaled up steep stretches of highway while shrouded in fog, cycled through winding mountain roads and trekked over monumental coastal bridges.They were able to com plete the full 370-mile route in 18 days – all while man aging 10-year-old Shep’s Type 1 diabetes.

It was mom, Liz’s first long-distance bicycle trip.

and we got all the way to Glasgow, Montana, and I was getting a little sick. So we went to the hospital and I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It’s a disorder where my pancreas doesn’t work, so I have to take shots of insulin,” Shep said. “So we sadly had to go back, but in 2021 when COVID rates were starting to go down a little, we decided to do it again and we finished the wholeWithtrip.”new considerations and obstacles to tackle since his diagnosis, Shep has learned how to prepare both physically and mentally to conquer these longer rides as a diabetic — with his nu trition and rest days playing a crucial“Whenrole.Iam riding my bike, usually my blood sugar is pretty good, but

BREEANA LAUGHLIN

LizThesaid.mother-son team completed their biking jour ney in late August.

“We’ve gotten to talk a lot about a lot of things and see lots of great things. There is a lot of pretty view points – and we got to see whales for the first time,” he said.The hardest parts of the trip were the more physical parts, he said.

Mom Liz said they keep important equipment on the road – including cold cells to keep Shep’s insulin in.

Shep completed his first long ride – pedaling 3,300 miles across the US to New York City – with his dad, James, in 2021. This 18-week trek was a mission years in the making, and it was all Shep’s idea to fulfill a dream of seeing the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

The mother and son were happily surprised not to have to deal with flat tires or mechanical issues with their bicycles. They also expected to come across a lot of dif ferent weather conditions –and packed accordingly.

On the final leg of the trip through Brookings to the California border, Shep said his legs felt like jelly and he stopped for a short break to eat a snack to bring his blood sugar up. In spite of this, he was in good spirits.

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“Being from the Pacific Northwest, we were pre pared for different weather, but we didn’t even get one drop of rain the whole 18 days we were on the road. I thought that was pretty crazy,” Liz said.

“He was coached last time, and this time he got to be the coach. So I was able to follow his lead and pay attention to what he says about bicycling – and that was really cool,” Liz said.

Liz said she has never really been a bicyclist. But she said she was glad to take the lead from her son –who has learned a lot from his experiences with longdistance bicycling.

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event called Trek 2022. The page has 1,400 followers.

can – but we can’t camp every night on a bike trip like this because we have to make sure that the insulin stays cold. If it gets warm it expires immediately, and if it freezes it expires immedi ately, so you need to make sure it is kept in the right temperature range.”

“There was a lot of constant uphill climbs and a lot of ups and downs that were pretty annoying at some points,” he said. “But really, not much bad things happened on this trip.”

The mother/son duo also planned to manage Shep’s type 1 diabetes throughout their adventure. He was diagnosed with this illness shortly after his first attempt to bicycle across the U.S. with his father in 2019.

“Now that we are done it’s wild to think about go ing back. What is normal after doing something like this? It is just a whole dif ferent kind of experience,”

“It was wild, when he got asked what he wanted to do next and he said he wanted to do a bicycle trip with me. I was startled,” Liz said. “I didn’t know it was something he had ever really thought about. But because he said he wanted to, and because he asked, I decided to say yes.”

After the father-son duo completed that ride, Shep decided he wanted to do a long-distance bicycle trip with his mother too.

The mother and son doc umented their trip for their family, friends and others on Facebook as a sporting

“They have excellent tips for the routes including spots for food and grocer ies, where you can sleep and camp and all of that kind of stuff – so we really spent a lot of time studying those maps,” Liz said.

Breeana Laughlin / Country Media, Inc.

Liz and Shep Colver give each other a high-five at the end of their bicycle journey across Oregon.

Shep said his favorite part of the bicycle trip was spending time with his mom.

“There’s ice packs that go in those that last for about 48 hours, so we tend to make sure that we have a hotel that has a refrigera tor in the room every other day,” she said. “We like to camp as much as we

when my blood sugar gets low, like right now, I usually eat something – like these power crunch bars and we have apples, bananas and oranges.”Hesaid he has also learned sometimes it’s best to wait it out and rest while his blood sugar is low.

Courtesy from Liz Colver

“My blood sugar is a little bit low right now, but it feels pretty great to say that now I have done this with my mom and one with my dad,” Shep said.

Liz said she and her fam ily did a scoping road-trip prior to embarking on their cycle trek. This gave them a good idea about how many miles they could complete each day. They also bought an Adventure Cycling Guide to help plan for different legs of their journey.

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 14, 2022A8 Columbia County’s trusted local news source ACROSS 1. Relating to Vatican’s 13.9.6.FrancisDenouementHVACtunnelLesserAntilles destina tion 14. Big Island necklace 15. Truth without proof 16. Luciano Pavarotti, e.g. 17. Distressing acronym 18. Acrylic fiber 19. *Outing in a wagon 21. *Overnighting outdoors 23. “____ Te Ching” 24. RC or Jolt 25. Tax pro 28. Lowest brass instrument 30. *Alfresco meal 35. Kaa’s warning 52. Caustic chemical 53. Display displeasure 55. Blunder 57. *S’more cooker 61. *U-Pick destination 65. Yahoo! message 66. Hyperactivity acronym 68. Relating to hilum 69. To the point 70. Make a pigeon sound 71. Silly 72. Ancient eternal life symbol 73. H in British HMS 74. Socially inept DOWN 1. *Promenading route 2. Atlas stat 3. Small and weak 4. Cut short mour Hoffman 2008 movie 22. *Climbing peak 24. Fashion week stage 25. *Sidewalk artist’s me 26.diumMushroom caps 27. Indian black tea 29. Unwelcome reception, pl. 31. Give a quote 32. Handrail post 33. In an unfriendly manner 34. Incense without prefix 36. Comme ci, comme Áa 38. *Nature walk 42. Detroit mascot 45. Store as fodder 49. Not their 51. Lady Slipper, e.g. 54. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host 56. Horny odd-toed ungulate, STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: OUTDOOR FUN crossword puzzle

“If it is low we just wait for it go up. I don’t want to eat too much – it can hurt my body. We aren’t trying to speed through the whole thing,” he said.

10-year-old Shepard Colver said the favorite part of his bicycle trip across Oregon was spending time with his mom, Liz.

Mother, son complete bike trek across Oregon

Shepard and Liz said their bicycle trip together is something they will remem ber forever. On the final leg of the journey, Liz said she was wondering what it’s go ing to be like back at home in Washington.

“It’s the normal equip ment, such as polls, wires, trucks and professional line persons that we have readily available,” Hanson said. “They will be out there inspecting, so it will be an active time as the crews work to make a quick and safe restoration of service.”

in the case of evacuations, everyone needs to be ready.

they were monitoring the current situation and have mitigation plans in place. Following the weekend event representatives from the two utilities said they did not conduct any PSPS.

Wages for other occupa tions can be found at www. qualityinfo.org by following the link to Jobs & Careers then the Occupation & Wage

From A1

Hanson said such weather events are another reminder for local residents to be prepared for power disruptions, no matter what the season.

Pacific Power’s weather team had been tracking the wind event for several days, providing updates daily that indicated where the most need would be for crews to be staging, given the combi nation of low humidity, high winds and dry conditions, Pacific Power Public Rela tions Representative Drew Hanson said.

“This is really about do ing what you can, where you are, with what you have,” he said.

rates for payroll workers by industry. In Oregon, the survey samples more than 6,000 establishments a year, taking three years to fully collect the sample of 19,000 establishments.

Not all occupations in the region have published wages. This may be the case for confidentiality reasons (only one or two firms employ an occupation), if only a few employees work in the occupation (too few in the sample), if the occupation is primarily self-employed (such as farmers), for some occupations if the wage is more than $208,000 per year, or if the wages reported in the sample for Northwest Oregon are substantially different from those for other regions (an indication of poor data quality).

“Our goal today is to encourage Oregonians to be prepared and have a plan,” Brown said. “Each one of us can make a difference in the next 24 to 72 hours. Our goal is to save lives and to save property.”

As the winds shifted Saturday, Sept. 10, smoke drifted from the wildfires in the region into Columbia County and across much of the state. The Oregon Department of Environmen tal Quality (DEQ) issued air quality advisories for Northeast and Southwest sections of Oregon due to the unhealthy conditions.

He also urging everyone to have an evacuation plan in place and to be ready to go if wildfires are threatening their community. Phelps said

Information and searching for the occupation of interest.

hazardous threats.

in selected communities. As the wind event subsided, the utilities restored the power.

“That is the best advice we can provide the commu nity,” she said. “The more people sign up the better chance we have at getting a larger communication out to ourPrichercommunity.”alsourges local community members to be aware of the Ready (Level 1 evacuation), Set (Level 2 evacuation) and Go (Level 3 evacuation) in the event the area experiences a rapidly growing emerging wildfire incident.

Lower-wage occupational groups, including food prep aration and serving, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, personal care, and sales occupations, are filled with specific occupa tions that generally require less education. Some specific occupations in these lowerwage occupation groups do pay well. For example, some sales people make very high wages. Sales engineers had average wages around $111,000 per year. Whole sale sales and construction are generally recognized as two occupational categories where it is possible to make above-average wages with out having formal post-sec ondary education or training.

During her media brief ing, Brown said the state’s work over the past few years has helped to better prepare communities for wildfires, that there are more resources avail-able, and healthier landscapes have been cre ated during the off season. “This has made a huge dif ference,” Brown said.

Wages for occupationsselected

On Sept. 7 Pacific Power and Portland Gen eral Electric (PGE) alerted thousands of customers that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) would be possible due to the increasing wild fire“Turningconditions.off power is the last resort,” PGE CEO Maria Pope said. “It is only done to protect customers, property and the communities that we serve from fire.”

Phelps also encouraged community members to check on their neighbors, friends and co-workers and to make sure they are safe.

Not only are occupational wages typically lower in Northwest Oregon and other rural areas, but the region has many jobs in low-wage occupations. The most com mon occupation is fast food and counter workers. Retail salespersons, cashiers, wait ers and waitresses, cooks, and maids and housekeeping cleaners, are other common occupations.

He urges property own ers to make sure they have defensible space in place to best protect their homes and businesses.“Community members should check with their local fire agencies for more infor mation and in some cases, we will come out and survey their property on how to harden a home in the urban

In the tight labor market of 2022 wages for lower wage occupations seemed to increase fairly rapidly. The lowest-wage occupation in 2022 paid nearly $30,000 per year. In 2021 there were 10 occupations that paid less than this amount. The lowest-wage occupation in 2021 was paid $27,867 per year, meaning that the lowest paid occupation in Northwest Oregon saw a wage increase of 7.4%.

More detailed infor mation is available in the Oregon Wage Information publication that is updated each June at www.Quality Info.org.

At the end of the brief ing, Brown again stressed the urgency of the current wildfire danger.

“We aren’t in the clear yet from the fire danger and our agencies are gener ally really great at getting any communications about hazards posted via social media to our communities, she said.”

Pacific Power and PGE did conduct selected PSPS, shutting off electrical service

www.thechronicleonline.comWednesday, September 14, 2022 A9

Brown urged all Or egonians to be prepared for evacuations.“Gotobed tonight with a plan in the event your family needs to evacuate, or you wake up without power,” she said. Brown encouraged any one who hasn’t, to sign up for emergency notification alerts at youryouforhavemedicationswaterhavesurecharge“NowORALERT.gov.isthetimetoyourdevises,makeyouhavebatteries,nonperishablefoodandavailableandextraincaseyoutogowithoutpoweracoupleofdays,orifneedtoevacuatefromhomebecauseoffire,”

Oregon Emergency Man agement Director Andrew Phelps said.

Public safety power shutoffs

Occupational wages

Phelps added that being prepared will allow first re sponders to help others who may need help the most.

Governor’s caution

State operated electronic reader boards along high ways in Oregon were used to alert the public of the danger with the warning: “Extreme wildfire conditions. Use cau tion.”

WILDFIRE From Page A1 The 2022 Columbia County Business Guide is a full color, glossy magazine that showcases local business and highlights current news events. It is the go-to reference for visitors, newcomers, residents, and potential customers of Columbia County. For space reservation or more information, contact us at: 503-397-0116 or chronicleads@countrymedia.net 11th Annual 2022 Columbia County Business Guide

Be prepared

The wages for these and a few other more common occupations are given in the table. Wages in Northwest Oregon usually follow the same pattern as they do elsewhere. Wages are usually low for occupations requir ing less education and fewer skills and higher for oc cupations demanding more preparation and investment in training and education. Because so many jobs in

Shaw said the current wildfires are threatening hun dreds of homes in Oregon.

WAGES

Reviewing occupational wages is a useful step in planning a career. The table below presents the size and average wages for broad occupational groups instead of for specific occupations. Healthcare management,practitioners,engineering, and legal groups lead the wage list, and they some had wages that were nearly twice the average for all occupa tions. Many of the specific occupations in these top groups require advanced edu cation and training. Unfortu nately, with the exception of health care practitioners and management these occupa tional groups don’t provide plentiful jobs in Northwest Oregon’s economy. Legal and engineering occupational groups combined provide fewer than 2,000 jobs.

interface area,” Pricher said. Red flag warning

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Wages for occupationalbroadgroups

Page

means both in terms of what new fires will start and the larger fires on the land scape.”

Wage data presented here are collected through the Occupational Employment Survey (OES), a semi-annual survey measuring occupa tional employment and wage

The OES survey defines employment as workers cov ered by unemployment insur ance. Wages are straight-time gross pay excluding premi um pay and nonwage fringe benefits. Base pay rates, tips, commissions and certain types of production bonuses are included. Exclusions in clude overtime pay, housing allowances and nonproduc tion bonuses.

Motherway encourages residents to sign up for the CAN system, an electronic notification system.

“Leave your home quickly,” he said. “Have your go-bag ready to go.”

The NWS issued a Red Flag Warning Sept. 8 for much of Oregon and Wash ington, which means that critical fire weather condi tions are either occurring or will shortly. A combination of high winds, low humidity and drought can contribute to extreme fire behavior, the NWSLatesaid.Thursday afternoon, Sept. 8, Gov. Kate Brown conducted a media brief ing about the approaching windstorm and the extreme wildfire conditions. Brown was joined by state fire and emergency management officials and leaders of the state’s two large electrical utilities.“168,000 acres are burn ing across out state right now,” Brown said. “And in many parts of the state people are impacted by the smoke of these fires.”

It may also be the case that wages for very specific occupations are not reported. For example, the wages for registered nurses are re ported, but the wage survey doesn’t distinguish between

selected occupations in the region.

Smaller utilities, like Columbia River PUD and Clatskanie PUD in Colum bia County, said they were not planning to use PSPS as of mid-day Sept. 8, unless conditions change to include imminent fire danger, or mandatory fire orders are in effect. Both utilities said

Erik Knoder is a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department. He may be reached at 541-3515595.

operating room nurses and cardiac care nurses.

“The combination of dry conditions, high winds and low humidity can lead to ex plosive fire growth,” Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Chief Mike Shaw said during the media briefing. “We are very concerned about the next 72 hours and what that

Before the event, Pacific Power worked closely with local emergency manage ment planners at cities and counties in the utility’s districts with table-top exercises for best prepara tion. The utility also planned to bring in additional crews and equipment to various district locations late Friday as a proactive effort to be ready to respond to any weather-related event.

Northwest Oregon require few skills, wages are often in the $15-$24 per hour range. Wages for more skilled occupations, such as truck drivers and registered nurses, are higher. The median wage for all occupations was $19.91– about the same as the previous year. But the median wage doesn’t tell the full story on how wages are changing.

“We are at a critical point, any additional fires would be problematic,” Oregon Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Travis Medema said.

Quilt Show

“I felt like we had a chance to win and we were working really hard out there,” said Blackburn.

St. Helens took an early lead in the fourth set, led by junior setter Ava Eib, who served three straight service points, including one ace to help put the Lions up 3-0. St. Helens then extended it’s advan tage to 8-4, which marked the Lions largest lead of the game.

Sports & Outdoors

Lions Volleyball team looks for improving season

The Lions, guided by longtime (20 years) Coach Tom Ray, are hoping to get their first Cowapa League win when they meet the Seaside High Seagulls (0-2 league, 1-4 overall) at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at St. Helens Middle School. The Lions fol low with a Sept. 19 home game at 6:45 p.m. versus area rival the No. 5 ranked Scappoose High Indians (2-0 league, 4-0 overall).

SHHS player Dakota Harris (#6) tips a ball over the net.

at Carnegie Hall in mid2024. Our aim is to provide sponsorships that will make it possible for twenty high school choristers to sing with us in New York City.

Helens led from start to finish in the first set to gain the early momentum in the match. In the second

Courtesy from Mike Weber

Helens High School.

win.St.

Columbia River Piecemakers Quilt Guild

The Lions struggled in their contest against the Tillamook Cheesemakers.

our history through a series of characters. The work was created as a legacy to our choir and county, and especially our youth, today and in posterity.

The Chorale is seeking community-wide support for these historic perfor mances. How can you be involved?First,please save the date: the inaugural perfor mance will take place on June 16, 2023.

The revamped Cowapa League added St. Helens and Scappoose to the fiveteam league this year. St. Helens and Scappoose were both in the Northwest Or egon Conference last year.

lead in the match.

3-1 victory over the Lions (0-2 league, 0-3 overall) at St. Helens Middle School.

choir meets at 6 p.m. and the adult choir at 7 p.m.

The Lions are playing all of their home games at the middle school because of a construction project at St.

Third, if you can donate to the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, your gift, large or small, will help us toward our goal and demonstrate to grant-funding bodies that we have communitywide support, triggering the funds we need to do our county proud. Checks can be sent to: Columbia Chorale of Oregon, P.O. Box 1309, St. Helens, OR

97051, or you can donate on our website at: Columbia Chorale of Oregon When you donate, please be sure to include your name and/ or your organization’s name so that you can be properly thanked and credited on the programs of all the Chorale concerts for the 2022-2023 season.

MIKE WEBER Chronicle Guest Article

Playing in their first home game of the season Sept. 6, the Lions got off to a good start, led by team captains Ellie Austin and Madison Blackburn. The Lions won the first set of a Cowapa League matchup versus the No. 12 ranked Tillamook High Cheese makers (3-0 league, 3-2 overall). The Cheesemak ers responded by winning three consecutive sets for a

“It was a great match,” said Ray. “We’re getting better and we definitely had a good chance to win the fifth set, which would’ve been nice. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. We’re getting better and that’s the main thing. We’ve kind of fig ured some things out and we’re getting better. Our passing was definitely a lot better in the first game and it was OK throughout the match. We’re working on improving serve receiv ing and we’re just trying to take care of the little things like that. Being here at the middle school is kind of new to us, so it’s almost like an away game for us.”

It certainly hasn’t been a smooth transition for the St. Helens High Lions vol leyball team after moving down to the OSAA’s Class 4A level this year.

Second, if you like to sing, consider joining the Columbia Chorale for one or both performances, or for its entire season. Our adult and children’s choirs do not require an audition. We’re looking for singers of all parts, although we particu larly need more tenors and basses. Rehearsals are held at the Christian Church of St. Helens, 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens, every Thursday evening. The children’s

set, it was knotted five consecutive times, with the final deadlock at 5-5. The Mooks then gained a side out and a 6-5 lead. Tilla mook junior setter Dannika Goss helped ignite a rally as she served three straight service points, putting the Mooks up 9-5.

Tillamook extended its advantage to 22-18, forcing a St. Helens timeout. The Lions responded with a 6-2 rally, tying it 24-24. Two more deadlocks followed with the final one at 26-26.

Things are starting to look better for the Lions, who won their first game of the season Sept. 10 with a 3-1 nonleague win over the Gladstone High Gladiators (0-6) at Gladstone High School.

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The Cheesemakers came from behind after drop ping the first set 25-22 to the Lions. The Mooks then played the next three sets with a little higher inten sity level, while limiting their mistakes to pull out a 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 28-26

The two evenly matched teams then traded points for a majority of the match and Tillamook built a 19-14 lead, forcing a St. Helens timeout. Tillamook extend ed its advantage to 21-15 for its largest lead of the set. The Lions fought back and trimmed the margin to 21-19, forcing a Mooks timeout.Tillamook middler blocker Kate Klobas then started to take control, while utilizing her heighth advantage to pound kills to the floor and score some points. After a Klobas kill made it 22-19, senior Em ily Skaar served the last

Wisdom of Columbia County presentation

For more information, please write smith@gmail.com.drmtrenchard

Courtesy from Mike Weber

A Lions hitting error put the Mooks up 27-26 and then quite fittingly, Goss again demonstrated her outstanding serving as she delivered a match winning ace for a 28-26 victory.

The Wisdom of Colum bia County is an original music composition written about and for the people of Columbia County, telling

www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 14, 2022A10

two service points for Til lamook. Klobas followed with an exclamation point as she blocked a Lions shot to the floor to help give Tillamook a set two 25-21 win.

The Columbia Chorale of Oregon will be present ing this major choral work for the first time within Columbia County in June of 2023. Then, thanks to the excellent reputation of Artistic Director Alice Rice Boyer, it will be performed

“ In the third set, it was Goss who helped lift Til lamook in front early as she served five straight service points, including two aces, putting the Mooks up 5-0. Tillamook then built a 9-2 lead and appeared to be in control.St.Helens responded by outscoring Tillamook 12-5 to knot it 14-14 on an ace served by Lions senior middle blocker Briana Holtz. Two more deadlocks followed, with the final one at 16-16. A Tillamook side out put the Mooks up 17-16 and they held the lead for the remainder of the set.

“We played very well, and we played with a high ener gy level early in the match. We worked really hard in the fourth set, it was close, and we had a chance to win so we could get to the fifth set, but it just didn’t happen. It’s OK here at the middle school, but I prefer playing in our regular high school gym.”

The Lions (0-3 league, 1-4 overall) have struggled while trying to adjust from moving from down to Class 4A from the Class 5A level that they were in last year.

The Mooks came back and got their first lead of the game at 11-10 when senior outside hitter Keira Thompson served an ace. Tillamook then extended its lead to 18-12, led by Skaar, who served four straight service points. The Lions came back with a 6-1 run and narrowed the margin to 19-18 on a kill by Eib.

Goss again showed her strong serving skill as she served six straight points from the service line to help the Mooks take con trol on the scoreboard at 23-16. A Klobas kill gave the Mooks set point at 2417 and after a Lions hitting error, Tillamook got the win at 25-17 and a 2-1 set