SHC102

Bundle up and take your umbrella

RUARK

The National Weather Service’s (NWS) latest win ter outlook shows a 75% chance of La Niña Decem ber through February for Columbia County and the rest of the state.

El Niño and the South ern Oscillation, commonly referred to as ENSO, is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature (SST) and the overlying atmo sphere across the equato rial Pacific Ocean. It is a defining model for weather forecasters.

This would be the third consecutive year for our weather to be influenced by El Niño. Weather ex perts said that influence is directly related to climate change.

The NWS outlook suggests that the La Niña impact will likely continue through mid-winter.

NWS Climate Prediction Center (CPC) outlooks:

• Wetter than normal Fall 2022

• Equal chances of wet ter, drier or near normal precipitation December, January and February

• Greater chance for slightly cooler temperatures than normal December, January and February

The NWS outline shows equatorial SSTs are below average across most of the Pacific Ocean, which would favor wetter and cooler than normal conditions for the Pacific Northwest this winter.

The NWS November outlook favors a greater chance of above normal precipitation with equal chances for above, near or below normal temperatures. The outlook for December through February shows a greater chance for above normal precipitation and

a greater chance of below normal temperatures.

The Oregon Drought Monitor shows moderate drought along the Oregon Coastline with abnormally dry to moderate drought inland and extreme drought in eastern and southeast Or egon. The NWS long-range drought forecast shows conditions improving or even ending across much of Oregon and Washington through December.

Forecasters said it’s too early to tell if St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier and Clatskanie will see snow fall this winter, but they said it’s always best to be prepared.

Three weather ele ments, cold offshore flows, an air mass in place and moisture from the Pacific, rarely come together often, according to the NWS, but when that does happen it increases the chance of snow at lower elevations in Columbia County and

across the state.

The NWS said under La Niña, winter temperatures in the lower elevations of

the Pacific Northwest can range from the mid 40s to low 50s day side and from the 20s to 30s overnight.

Jeremy C. Ruark may be reached at jruark@country media.net.

13 tenants return to Columbia Hills after tragic fire

HERB SWETT Country Media, Inc.

Thirteen of the 31 Columbia Hills Retirement Center tenants have returned to the building since the Oct. 5 fire that took the life of one tenant and sent five oth ers to the hospital.

Eight of the residents remained at the St. Helens Best Western Motel or a hotel in Portland, and 10 are staying with family and friends, as of Monday, Oct. 31, according to Ellen Bai ley, a member of the board that oversees the center.

Bell said the board has

engaged a general contrac tor who has cleared part of the building for occupancy but is assessing the damage to determine whether the building can be completely rebuilt.

“There is a great need for affordable housing for older and disabled adults,” Bailey said. “The board is committed to providing housing to meet that ongoing need in St. Helens.”

She added that all the tenants were offered rooms at the Best Western, paid for by Columbia Hills. She said Best Western offered the five tenants who went to hospi

tals free rooms after they are released.

After the fire was ex tinguished, Columbia River Fire and Rescue (CRFR) continued to provide support to the management team at the retirement center and all the tenants who were moved to the Best Western.

The Red Cross and many generous community mem bers are also supporting the tenants, CRFR said. Local Scouts held a donation drive Oct. 8 at the St. Helens Ace Hardware Store to support the tenants.

Additional donations may be made to the Red

Cross by following this online link: https://www. redcross.org/donate/dona tion.html.

Donations also can be made online using Go FundMe (search for St. Helens Fire at Columbia Hills Retirement CTR); going through Facebook to InRoads Credit Union; or deposited at the InRoads branches in St. Helens, Scappoose, and Rainier.

Investigators determined that the fire was accidental and human-caused, accord

Heavy traffic congestion linked to lower infant birthweight

MOLLY ROSEBACH Chronicle Guest Article

An Oregon State Univer sity (OSU) study finds that traffic congestion is linked to decreased birthweight for full-term babies born to parents living near areas of heavy traffic, such as high ways and freeways.

Though the decrease was relatively small, researchers say the cumulative effect of stop-and-go traffic on top of baseline air pollution from cars and other environmental contaminants could have sig nificant consequences at the population level, affecting up to 1.3 million babies per year based on location.

The researchers found birthweights were an aver age of 29 grams, or about 1 ounce, lower for babies in the group with the highest expo sure compared with babies with the lowest exposure.

“We’ve had all these models to predict pollu

tion, but they can’t measure congestion. With 10,000 vehicles on a road, if those 10,000 vehicles are doing stop-and-go traffic, there’s a lot more pollution that’s com ing from cars,” said co-author Perry Hystad, an associate professor in OSU’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences. “There are health impacts specific from conges tion that are not included

in any environmental risk assessment or cost-benefit analysis, and those should start to be included.”

Low birthweight can lead to a variety of problems for infants, including trouble breathing and neurological issues, but at a population level, researchers are looking more at long-term effects.

“There’s a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,

cognitive impacts, premature mortality; a lot of long-term, life-course impacts,” Hystad said. “It’s not necessarily the acute events that happen dur ing birth.”

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, looked at 579,122 full-term births from 2015-2016 in

Serving Columbia County since 1881

Courtesy photo from the NWS

This illustration shows the winter weather outlook for Oregon and the nation.

Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle

The charred remains of this section of the retirement center are still unoccupied.

Metro Creative Connection

Low birthweight can lead to a variety of problems for infants, including trouble breathing and neurological issues, according to researchers.

See BIRTHWEIGHT

A7

What you need to know about Election 2022

Oregon conducts a Vote By Mail General Election Tuesday, November 8. The following has been prepared to help voters with details about that election process.

• General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022

• Last day for new Oregon voters to register to vote for the November 8 General Election was Tues day, October 18.

• Oregon is Vote-ByMail.

• You do not need to

request an absentee ballot unless you will not be at your home address between October 10 and November 8.

• Ballots were mailed to all local active registered voters beginning October 19. If you have not received a ballot by October 28, call the County Clerk’s Office.

• Voted ballots are due in the County Clerk’s Office or in an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Election Day, November 8.

• Be sure to sign your golden envelope in or

der for your ballot to be counted. We verify that ev ery signature is valid before counting your ballot.

• Vote early. You do not have to wait until Election Day to vote.

• If you are concerned with mailing your ballot back through the postage paid envelope with the Postal Service or if you wait until the last week before the Election to vote, use an official ballot drop box:

• Voter pamphlets from the Secretary of State were

mailed on October 19.

If you have questions or concerns, call the County Clerk’s Office at 503-3973796 for an official answer. Do not believe everything you see or hear. Ask the local office in charge. You can also refer to the county and state election websites for information or election results at the following:

Columbia County Elections

• columbiacountyor.gov/ departments/Elections

Oregon Secretary of State’s webpage State of Oregon • sos.oregon.gov/votingelections/Pages/default.aspx

Columbia County ballot drop site locations

These are the drop sites used in a countywide elec tion. For smaller, local elec tions, drop site locations will vary.

Columbia County Courthouse 230 Strand St., St. Helens

Scappoose City Hall 33568 E. Columbia Ave

Clatskanie Library 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie

Rainier City Hall 106 B St. West, Rainier

Vernonia Public Library 701 Weed Ave, Vernonia Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD (inside office) 12525 Oregon Highway 202, Mist

Mayor’s Association asking for $120M for cities

WILL CHAPPELL Country Media, Inc.

A task force formed by the Oregon Mayor’s Associa tion to address the homeless ness crisis in the state has asked the state legislature to allocate more than $120 mil lion in direct, annual funding for cities to address the issue.

In a briefing on Monday, Oct. 31, mayors from the task force explained that the money would be put to use most effectively by localities that to have lacked consistent funding to address the issue.

They said that they would also be suggesting a one-

time allocation to cities for capital improvement projects, although they did not have details on that proposal at this time.

The proposed $120 mil lion annual figure would allo cate $40 per resident to every incorporated city in Oregon, with a minimum allotment of $50,000 per municipality.

From there, it would be up to local leaders to decide how to use the funds to best prevent or alleviate the home lessness crisis in their area.

The mayors said that the approach would allow for flexibility to address an issue that affects all areas of the state, but in different ways.

Cities have mostly been left to fend for themselves up to this point.

The American Rescue Plan Act provided an infu

sion of funds earlier this year that has helped to build some infrastructure to address the crisis in larger communities.

But other than that, cities

have been forced to piece together funding through grants and from their own limited budgets.

The mayors noted that this dynamic constrains cities’ ability to address a dynamic crisis. It also puts smaller municipalities with less visible housing issues at a disadvantage when trying to secure funding.

By allocating funding annually to be spent at each city’s discretion, the proposal would allow flexibility for cities to choose appropriate solutions for their context.

In larger municipali ties, leaders could focus on building shelters and other

large services facilities while smaller municipalities could use the money to increase affordable housing and other measures to prevent home lessness.

The task force was formed in May of this year and has presented its recommendations to state representatives and senators, and all three gubernatorial candidates.

When asked, the mayors said that Tina Kotek had reacted enthusiastically to the proposal, but stressed that they hoped any new governor would be open to it, as all have focused on the issue in their campaigns.

State approves timber harvest changes

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Board of For estry has approved more than 100 changes to the Forest Practices Act.

The rule changes are a result of the mediated and groundbreaking Private Forest Accord (PFA) that brought together repre sentatives from conserva tion groups and the timber industry.

The changes will impact timber harvest activities on more than 10 million acres of private and non-federal forests in the state.

“The rules we adopted are just one of a great many changes coming from the Private Forest Accord that will advance how Oregon protects its natural resources and responds to the climate change crisis, while also providing some stability for the communities and econo mies that rely on the forest products industry,” Oregon Board of Forestry Chair Jim

Kelly said. “This agreement captures the spirit of coop eration and negotiation we have in this state, where we move past our differences to find solutions.”

The goal of the PFA and the Forest Practices Act rule changes is to provide longterm certainty to industry while providing enhanced protection to critical aquatic species.

“The timber industry is vital to many rural Oregon communities,” Kelly said.

“This agreement balances these critical social and eco nomic components with the need to better protect critical forest habitat, which is also incredibly beneficial for Oregonians,” said Kelly.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) worked closely with the PFA au thors to write the new rules that cover several key areas including:

• New and wider stream buffers to protect stream habitat that supports salmon, steelhead, bull trout, and

amphibians.

• New design standards and requirements to inven tory, maintain and manage forest roads, with an empha sis on replacing culverts on fish-bearing streams.

• Steep slopes will have more trees retained to improve slope stability and reduce sediment that can impact fish habitat.

• Enhanced monitoring to better evaluate rule compli ance.

• A new adaptive manage ment program to advise the Board of Forestry on future rule adjustments.

In addition to rule changes, recent legislation also funded the creation of a small forestland owner assis tance office, establishment of tax credits to small landown ers, started the development of a habitat conservation plan for aquatic species and made investments in training and outreach.

The Oregon Board of For estry made the rule changes at a special meeting Oct. 26.

For more information about the Forest Prac tices Act and Private Forest Accord visit ODF’s PFA website.

Metro Creative Connection

The changes will impact timber harvest activities on more than 10 mil lion acres of private and non-federal forests in the state.

Metro Creative Connection

The proposed $120 million annual figure would allocate $40 per resi dent to every incorporated city in Oregon, with a minimum allotment of $50,000 per municipality.

$69M for 430,000 Oregon SNAP households

Most Columbia County residents and those across the state who receive Supple mental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allot ments in November.

In November, approxi mately 430,000 SNAP house holds will receive approxi mately $69 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients ad ditional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Or egon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public

health emergency. Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for No vember, Oregon will also be able to issue them in Decem ber. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end

when the federal public health emergency ends.

“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their fami lies,” Oregon Department of

Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs Interim Director Jana McLel lan said. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Com munity Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”

Current SNAP house holds will receive emer gency allotments on Nov. 11. Emergency allotments will be issued Nov. 30 or Dec. 2 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards. More information about emergency allotments is

available at https://www.or egon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/ FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/ Emergency-Allotments.aspx.

Questions about your SNAP benefits should be di rected to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-6999075.

If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-to-date information.

You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways:

• Online at: ONE.Oregon. gov

• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309

• By fax at: 503-378-5628

• By phone at: 1-800-6999075 or TTY 711

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank. org

• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Ag ing and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www. adrcoforegon.org

• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org

• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon. org/find-services/

• Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

‘Key permit’ appeal dropped; LUBA rejects rail yard

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

There are new develop ments in the proposal to build a $2 billion renewable fuels facility at Port West ward.

The Beaver Drainage Im provement Company (BDIC) has approved a resolution to immediately withdraw an appeal filed against the Department of State Lands’ Removal/Fill permit issued to NEXT Renewables. The permit was granted by the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) in March 2022 and is a key state permit needed to construct and oper ate a clean fuels facility and wetland restoration project

proposed for Port Westward, according to a release from NEXT spokesman Michael Hinrichs.

The resolution was passed during a meeting Oct. 21.

“We are thrilled to learn that the BDIC Board passed a resolution to immediately withdraw their appeal of our DSL Removal Fill permit,” NEXT CEO and chair Chris Efird said. “This is a win for NEXT, and we look forward to maintaining our positive and collaborative relation ship with the BDIC board of directors and members.”

Efird said the appeal withdrawal, NEXT has se cured its Removal Fill permit permanently and without objection.

This underpins DSL’s definitive conclusion that “the proposed removal-fill activity is consistent with the protection, conservation, and best use of the water resourc es of this state” (Christopher Castelli, Northern Opera tions Manager for Aquatic Resource Management at DSL, March 2022) and that the design of the wetland restoration will not adversely impact the local drainage dis trict, according to the release.

Securing the Removal Fill permit without objection also reinforces fundamental environmental considerations currently being reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers as it develop Environmental Impact Statement,

A key opponent of the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels facility is the environ mental watchdog group, Co lumbia Riverkeeper, which has been contesting the state and federal permits for the facility.

LUBA decision

Meantime, The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) has overturned Columbia County’s approval for the Houston-based NEXT Renewables LLC proposed 400-car rail yard for the die sel refinery at Port Westward.

LUBA reversed the coun ty’s decision because the rail yard is not allowed on farm land, according to a release by Columbia Riverkeeper, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and farmers at Port Westward. Local farmers, conserva tion groups, and neighbors oppose the refinery and rail yard.

“LUBA’s decision exposes a major flaw in NEXT’s proposed refinery— the unmistakable impact of a large rail yard on neigh bors and water resources,” Columbia Riverkeeper Conservation Director Dan

Serres said. “Without this ap proval, NEXT cannot build the refinery and rail yard, and major state and federal permits remain undecided as well. This is a major setback for the proposed refinery and rail yard, which pose a major threat to the health of the community and clean water in the Lower Columbia River.”

“The decision is a recog nition of the importance of Oregon’s land use laws—to protect our irreplaceable farm lands, especially in the face of a changing climate,” 1000 Friends of Oregon Deputy Director Mary Kyle McCurdy said.

“LUBA got this right.

Our farm—which has been here for generations—our business, and our commu nity would be negatively impacted by the rail yard and the refinery,” Port Westward mint farmer Mike Seely said. “NEXT came to town promising the moon, includ ing very little use of rail for training in feedstock, like seed oil, from the middle of the continent. Our communi ty saw right through NEXT’s bait-and-switch—adding a 400-car rail yard to the proj

ect. We are glad that LUBA saw through it, too.”

Local farmers, clean water advocates, and uprail communities concerned about long trains bisecting Columbia County cities and towns remain adamant that the Port Westward area is better suited to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries than a major new refinery that would produce diesel from fracked gas and unknown feedstocks, according to the release.

The proposed refinery and rail yard would be located among farms, residences, and close to a Buddhist monas tery. State and federal agen cies have yet to make final decisions on the project, and the Army Corps of Engineers is expected to release a draft environmental impact state ment in early 2023.

Read the LUBA de cision at https://www. oregon.gov/luba/Docs/Opin ions/2022/10-22/22039.pdf

Follow developments with this story at thechronicleon line.com and in the Wednes day print editions of The Chronicle.

Position: Patient Care Coordinator

Position Summary:

In our practice, our Patient Care Coordinators are often the first person our patients see when they enter our office. The Patient Care Coordinator represents the practice in all facets of patient services which include, greeting patients, coordinating recall, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records and coordinating patient flow.

About Us and Who We Want to Join Our Team: Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is a fixture of the local community. We have been serving patients for over 50 years throughout the area. Our patients know us, and we know them. We are recognized as the go-to family dental practice because of our loyal team and our commitment to health.

Due to growth and expansion, as well as retirement of one of our long-term employees, we are looking for a Patient Care Coordinator to join our cohesive team. This is a full-time position (4 days/week, ~32 hours/week) working Monday through Thursday.

We have long-term employees at our practice. The newest hire has been here for 3 years. Some of our employees have worked for us for decades. This demon strates our commitment to our employees. This is not just “a job” but rather a livelihood. We are committed to employee appreciation, kindness, understanding, and a positive mindset.

Our overriding goal is to first find a person who will enjoy being a member of our team, both as part of the organization as a whole and specifically with our incred ible team of dental professionals. Characteristics that we are looking for include:

• Team collaborative outlook,

• Patient-centric and solutions/problem solving approach,

• Fun-natured and a sense of humor,

• Good communication skills (written and verbal),

• Self-motivated attitude,

• A desire to make a difference

We are committed to each employee’s success. As such, we invest time, energy, and money in onboarding and training to ensure competency and confidence with the type and kind of patients we serve. This, combined with your qualifications, represents a winning formula for long-term professional success.

Additional Information:

Our practice offers a relaxed work environment, places a high value on work/life balance, and located in Scappoose.

This position offers an excellent benefit package that includes: PTO, paid holidays, medical insurance, dental services for you and your immediate family, and a retirement plan. Starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

please send a

If you believe this opportunity represents

to: jessica@healthysmilesofscappoose.com

Metro Creative Connection

SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to ap proximately 1 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities.

Lots of little tree frogs appear suddenly after rainstorm

tree frogs and can be brown, green, or mixed brown and green colored. They can even change color from brown to green and back. I did have one report of an earlier out break in Warren during the last week of August. These frogs are very beneficial and part of our natural landscape.

Box elder and stink bugs return

A number of residents had an abundance of 1-inch frogs show up a little more than two weeks ago, right after the first real rain since midJune. They were attracted to house lighting that brought insects that became frog meals. Frogs were all over the extension office early in the morning of Oct. 22, when we had a Master Gardener training. They largely disappeared during the day but have reappeared in lesser numbers since then.

I am still trying to find out exactly what caused all this frog activity. It is possible that the long cool, wet spring may have extended breed ing. Then, with the rough conditions of no rain and very warm temperatures once we hit late June, perhaps the tadpoles delayed metamorphosis into a frog, which they can put off for five months. The frogs are Pacific

For several years, we haven’t had large populations of either of these two bugs looking for warmth in the winter. They are both back and, if we get any sunny days you may still see them basking on your exterior walls. They like to wiggle into your house where it is warmer, using small gaps in window edges and door frames to get into your house and attic. This is a very poor life choice since most don’t find their way back out once spring comes. Wall voids often have huge volumes of dead insects that thought this was a good idea.

grapes, and around homes.

The best explanation is that the numbers of a tiny preda tor wasp grew to the point that they set the invasive stink bug population back. Box elder bug (a native insect) numbers go up and down with no real pattern from one year to the next. They feed in maple trees during the summer and do no harm to the trees. Other insects or insect-like things that may wander in from the outside include millipedes and centipedes, seed bugs, multi-colored lady beetles, and carpet beetles.

Fall pruning

that now as well. Roses are generally “high-pruned” to about knee high and, if you like, pruned harder next spring. Old canes of raspber ries and the blackberry types should be removed now, and the new canes tied to the trellis.

Local events

Columbia County Beekeepers event

volunteer workday from 9 a.m. to noon and/or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Come help pull ivy and add native plants along the Fifth Street Right of Way trail and at Nob Hill. Nob Hill Nature Park is an oak woodland overlooking the Columbia River. Dress for the weather, including rain gear if needed, which is likely. This work party takes place rain or shine. Please bring gloves, tools, water and snack items if possible; we’ll provide some water and snacks too.

food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated.

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

Have questions?

Careful caulking will slow if not completely stop them. Stink bug numbers had gone way down, both on farms where they damage crops like apples, pears, tomatoes, peppers, and

Most pruning is done in the winter when the trees and shrubs are completely dormant. But this is the right time to remove any dead limbs since they are harder to see when all the leaves are gone. Those limbs serve no purpose and can cause damage in a windstorm. If you plan to remove some limbs back to the trunk or another branch, you can do

Community EvEnts

November 8 Annual Veterans Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Scap poose High School (SHS), 33700 SE High School Way in Scappoose. Food and live music by the SHS Band and Choir to be featured. RSVP requested to khagen@scap poose.k12.or.us or call SHS at 971-200-8005.

November 9 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Columbia County Support Group Meeting

5:30 to 7 p.m. at Jordan Center, 297 South 1st St., St. Helens, OR 97051. Group focus is on selfcare for those who have a loved one with mental illness. Offering Support, education, and advocacy to make lives better. For more information contact: Judy Thompson, 503.397.6056

November 12 Festive Fun Event

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Helens Bible Church 35031 Millard Road. Festive fun for your holiday shopping. Hot lunch available for purchase. Pro ceeds from table sales and baked goods go to holiday food boxes for those in need.

November 12 Arts & Crafts Faire

The 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Faire will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 35350 E. Division Rd., off Hwy. 30 in St. Helens. This faire features unique handcrafted items and a bake table with cook ies, pies, breads and more.

November 12 Autumn Ba zaar hosted by Mizpah OES

The Autumn Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Columbia County Shrine Center, 315 N. 18th St. in St. Helens.

November 12 and 13 Caples House Museum Big Holiday Bazaar

The Caples House Museum Holiday Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1925 First St. in Columbia City. Two floors and a porch of vendors. Food available for purchase. On Sunday, there will be a wine tasting of wines by Dauntless Wines. Wines made by Veterans. Profits go to them. 503-3975390.

November 15 Fireside Chat Historian Brandon Sundeen with a presentation about philanthropist John Gumm

at the Caples House, located at 1925 1st St. in Columbia City. Cost is $5. For more details, call 503-397-5390.

November 16 Community Gathering for Crystal Heil’s Battle with ALS (Lou Geh rig’s Disease)

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Helens Elks Lodge 350 Belton Rd. St. Helens, OR 97051. Fundraiser to help provide Crystal with transportation and communication equip ment. Crystal’s artwork and other items will be avail able for purchase. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, Crystal’s birthday cake and no-host bar. Contact: Diane Dillard 503-397-1244, diane@dillardpr.com or Judy Thompson 503-397-6056, judyann2@q.com.

November 19 St. Helens Senior Center Christmas Bazaar

The St. Helens Christmas Bazaar will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 375 S. 15th St., in St. Helens.

November 20 Harvest Tea

This years theme is Autumn Friendship—so bring a friend, or family, or a loved one. High tea and lots of fun. Caples House, 1925 1st St, Columbia City from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 503-397-5390. $30 by reservation.

December 3 Sunset Park Community Church Annual Bazaar Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 174 Sunset Blvd. in St. Helens.

December 3 and 4 Columbia City Elementary PTO Holi day Bazaar

The Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia City Elementary School, 2000 Second St. in Columbia City. Stop by for holiday décor and gifts.

December 3 McBride Holiday Bazaar

The McBride Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. There will be activities for kids, raffles, and more.

December 5 Holiday Con cert 6 p.m. Michael Allen Har rison Holiday Concert at Co lumbia City Community Hall, 1850 Second St. in Columbia City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will go to Michael’s Snowman Foundation. Tickets are $20

and will be sold at Columbia City Hall, 1840 Second St. Food and beverages will be sold at this event.

Ongoing events

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

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

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

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.

Celebrate Recovery For anyone struggling with addiction, hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. The meet ing starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free dinner. Yankton Com munity Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Rd., St. Helens. 503-396-7091. Childcare is available. www.yanktoncom munityfellowship.com

To list an event in the Com munity Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to chronicleclas sifieds@countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 the CCOB will host a hybrid meeting on zoom and in person at the OSU Exten sion Office. The topic will be winter clustering and how honeybees survive winter. Everyone is welcome. For information about joining by Zoom, email ColumbiaCountyOregonBeekeep ers@gmail.com.

Nob Hill Nature Work Party

Scappoose Bay Water shed Council and Friends of Nob Hill Nature Park invite you to join our semi-annual

Meet at the kiosk across from city’s water treatment plant at 451 Plymouth St., in St. Helens. All are welcome. Pre-registration is requested by Friday, November 4, by calling Scappoose Bay Wa tershed Council at 503-3977904. Or e-mail to: info@ scappoosebay-wc.org (http:// scappoosebay-wc.org). For day of event, call 503-3498586. They look forward to seeing you.

Food preservation

You can get up-to–date and accurate answers to your food preservation questions by calling our office at 503397-3462 and ask to speak to Jenny Rudolph.

Important notes

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

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens, at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter

The Oregon State Uni versity Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming top ics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Contract resources

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

news@countrymedia.net,

Metro Creative Connection

Courtesy illustration from Pacific

Work on the new science classrooms at St. Helens High School is the current work underway in the $68 million renovation project.

Work the rest of this year and into the summer will be building out what was Building A and connecting it to Building B, according to St. Helens School District Director of Communica tions Stacey Mendoza. Most of the work in 2023 will be done in Building B, includ ing building the library and counseling spaces as well as updating the restrooms and interior finishes.

“Over the summer some work is anticipated to be done in Building C and pos

school renovations taking shape

sibly D, but as we navigate supply chain issues, we need to be flexible,” she said.

The renovations began in March following demoli tion of portions of the older school building.

Portable classrooms have been es tablished at the campus on Gable Road to house students and teachers.

Going to school in por table classrooms is not ideal, Mendoza said, but the stu dents and staff have adjusted as well as they can.

“The shift requires tremendous flexibility,” she said.

The biggest renovation project challenge now, she said, involves inflation and supply chain issues.

“Many items we’ve or dered early,” Mendoza said, are still about a year out from

delivery, making it difficult to keep on schedule. What we initially could afford to update when the construction bond was passed has been reduced. We are working on ways to meet as much of what our community dreamed of when they sup ported the bond, yet without additional revenue.”

St. Helens School District Superintendent Scot Stockwell referred to rising inflation and supply chain is sues as “taking a toll on con struction plans and design.”

The district has contract ed with Soderstrom Archi tects, Cornerstone Project Management, and Hoffman Construction to renovate the entire high school. Stockwell said there are a number of “key aspects” to the project.

• Connecting buildings A, B and C.

• Upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system.

• 21st century science classrooms.

• Updates to career tech programs, including a medi cal professional pathway.

• State-of-the art technol ogy.

• Upgraded band and

choir classrooms.

• Renovating and expand ing sports fields.

• Redesigned school layout for easier access of community use.

“The hope,” Stockwell said, “is that the building will feel like a new school and not as if it has had multiple additions.”

The superintendent added that connecting buildings A, B, and C will increase safety by enabling students to move between classes without go ing outside. The exception, he said, will be for students who go to class in Building D for career and technical education.

“The nature of the

classes being taught, and the large open bays required for woods, metal, and the auto shop do not lend themselves to connecting Building D with the main school build ing,” he said. However, he said the district plans to improve the security of the outside routes.

Calling the HVAC system “antiquated,” he said the need for improving it had been highlighted by recent wildfires and the pandemic. He added that improved ventilation would not only improve students’ health and comfort but also improve their focus and stamina.

Another improvement, he said, will be the acoustics of the places where the choir

obituariEs

Gerald Martin Raymond Boldenow

Sept. 11, 1917 ~ Oct. 19, 2022

and traveling. Gerald visited many places, including Eu rope and Australia.

Gerald is survived by his children, Beverlee (Walter) Saum and Michael (Patty) Boldenow; granddaugh ters, Daedri Cavuoto, Amy Boldenow, and Erin Barger; and his great-grandchildren, Kaylee Peters, Winter Barger, Julia Cavuoto, and Matthew Cavuoto.

May 22, 1949 ~ July 30, 2022

and the band practice.

Stockwell said inflation has reduced what the district initially could afford to update.

“We are working on ways to meet as much of what our community dreamed of when they sup ported the bond, yet without additional revenue,” he said.

See a series of updated stories about the high school renovation project at the chronicleonline.com, includ ing conceptual drawings of what the school is expected to look like when the project is completed.

Herb Swett may be reached at chronicle1@ countrymedia.net.

He was preceded in death

be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov.11, 2022 at Calvary Lu theran Church in St. Helens, Oregon. He will be interred at Columbia Memorial Gar dens in Scappoose, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Fisher House Foundation.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbi afh.com.

Helen Marie Horab passed away peacefully, surrounded by those dear est to her heart, on July 30, 2022. She was 73 years old.

She was born on May 22, 1949, in Pendleton, Or egon, to Brian and Hannah Cavanagh. She graduated from Thurston High School in Eugene and married Wilford C. Horab when she was 20 years old.

Helen enjoyed being a homemaker and was

always busy with family and friends. She enjoyed the simple things in life and was very proud of her Irish descent. She enjoyed cooking for her family and carrying on with daily life and chores. Being there for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grand children, and family dogs gave her immense pleasure in life. She was always only a phone call away and there when you needed her.

She is survived by her

family: husband Wilford C. Horab; son and wife, Brian W. and Bonnie Horab; daughter, Janette L. and Mark Beehler; grandchil dren: Christopher Marti nez, Joel Beehler, Derik Beehler, Matthew Horab, and Aiyana Horab; and her six great-grandchildren.

She will forever be in our hearts.

A celebration of life service will be at noon on Sat., Nov. 5, 2022 at St. Helens Elks Lodge.

William W. Coy

Oct. 16, 1934 ~ Oct. 28, 2022

A memorial service for William W. Coy of St. Hel ens, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at Yankton Community Fel lowship.

Mr. Coy died October 28, 2022, at the age of 88.

He was born October 16, 1934, in Fort Collins, Colo rado, and moved to the local area in 1952. He was an

employee at Boise Cascade paper mill, where he retired after 42 years of service.

He is survived by his sons, Mike Coy and wife Teresa of St. Helens, and Chris Coy and wife Brenda of Goble; brother, Dave Coy and wife Jean of Columbia City; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in

death by his father and mother, Arthur and Doro thy Coy; son Steven Coy; daughter Karen Coy; wife Barbara Coy; and brother Virgil Coy.

A viewing will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Nov. 3, 2022 at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbiafh.com.

Randy Marie Dixon

Jan. 7, 1947 ~ Oct. 28, 2022

Randy Marie Dixon was born on Jan. 7, 1947. She passed away on Oct. 28, 2022. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., Nov. 4, 2022 at St. Frederic Catholic Church.

nesses in Columbia County.

Helen Marie Horab

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Science room framing was in place in late October as part of the $68 million renovation project at St. Helens High School.

12/5/2022 Apply

ColumbiaCoun tyOR.gov.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hir ing process for a Chief Financial Of ficer. Apply online at www.columbia 911.com/careers. Additional informa tion can be found on our website or by calling 503366-6978.

Community Health Nurse Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline: Open Until Filled. Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov.

Community Health Nurse Supervisor Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline: Open Until Filled Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov.

CADC1s

NARA is urgently hiring a Mental Health Profession als at our Resi dential Treatment Center. 17645 NW St. Helens High way Portland, OR 97231. We are in need of: CADC1s ($21-25k DOE/ yr + Benefits) Mi lieu Coordinator ($21 -25k/yr + Ben efits). To inquire, please contact us: jobs@naranorth west.org

Residential Assistants NARA is urgently hiring a Mental Health Profes sionals at our Residential Treat ment Center. 17645 NW St. Helens Highway Portland, OR 97231. We are in need of: Resi dential Assistants - ($20k/yr + Ben efits) Housing Re

covery Mentors ($20-24k/yr + Ben efits). To inquire, please contact us: jobs@naranort hwest.org

Maintenance workers

NARA is urgently hiring full-time maintenance work ers at our Resi dential Treatment Center. 17645 NW St. Helens High way Portland, OR 97231 $25/hr + Benefits. To inquire, please contact us: jobs@naranorth west.org

PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY

The Port is hiring for the following positions: Finance Manager Property Manager. To learn more and apply, please visit our website www.portof columbiacounty. org/job. EOE

Support Services Clerk Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 11/24/2022. Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov.

702 Garage Sales

600 Indoor Garage and vintage sales

On Nov. 5th, Northwest largest garage sale and vintage sale at the Clark County Fairgrounds and event center. 17402 NE Delfel Road, Richfield Washington, off I-5, exit 9, 15 minutes north of Portland. General admission: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., adults: $7, early bird admission: 7 a.m., $20. Kids un der 12: free. www. nwgsales.com or call 360-907-5919.

Estate Sale

Entire household of 50 years. Nov. 5 & 6 from 10 am - 4 pm. 510 Hillcrest Rd. in St. Helens. NO early callers please. Cash only. See photos on Thursday on craig slist.

ONE DAY ONLY! Shop Sale on Sat. 11/5 from 9 am - 4pm. 3 12’x10’ commercial shelv ing units, quality tools, vintage dolls, Ashley spinning wheels, lots of col lectibles, motorcy cle items, outdoor items, still unpack ing. 67651 McCoy Rd. in Rainier. 4 miles off Hwy 30 and Nicoli. Signs out.

Apartment for rent 55+ in St. Helens. 1 bedroom. Quiet, very clean, no smoking, no pets. $970/month. 971-757-5235.

for Rent

Room for Rent In house in St. Helens

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH22-1207

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

Probate Department No. 22PB09260 Notice to Interested Persons In the Matter of the Estate of Patrick Slevin, Deceased.

Notice is hereby given that Michael Slevin has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are requested to present them to the undersigned

CH22-1209

personal representative in care of the undersigned at torney at: 1400 SW Mont gomery St., Portland, OR 97201, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated below, or such claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceed ings in this estate may obtain additional informa

tion from the records of the Court, the personal repre sentative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published on November 2, 2022. Mi chael Slevin Personal Rep resentative Steven Parker, OSB #020839 Law Office of Steven Parker Attorney for Personal Representa tive 1400 SW Montgomery Street Portland, OR 97201.

NOTICE St. Helens School District #502

In accordance with OAR 137-047-0250, official notice is hereby given that the District has determined the Goods or Services, or class of Goods or Services, are available from only one source. General Descrip tion of Goods or Services to be acquired: The District intends to purchase Goods or Services from the fol lowing sources as part of its ongoing maintenance program: · Heating Ventila tion and Air Conditioning Direct Digital Control Sys tem (HVAC DDC): Johnson Controls – Metasys · Paint: Sherwin Williams · Public Announcement System : FrontRow Conductor An Affected Person may protest

CH22-1200

the determination that the Goods or Services are avail able from only one source. An Affected Person shall deliver a written protest to the Business Office within 7 calendar days after the first date of public notice, shown below. First Date of Public Notice: November 3, 2022 Notice Expiration: Novem ber 10, 2022 Date/Time when Comments are Due to Business Office: November 10, 2022 NOT LATER Than 4:00 PM. Where to Submit Comments: All written comments shall be deliv ered to the following ad dress: ATTN: DIRECTOR OF FIS-CAL SERVICES St. Helens School District #502, 474 N. 16th Street,

St. Helens, OR 97051. Fax: 503.397.1907 (Office Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday) Delivery to Business Of fice shall be either by Fax, U.S. Mail, or in person and must be received at the Business Office by the stated due date and time in order to be considered. The District’s School Board, acting as the Local Contract Review Board, will review the Findings and Facts and make a determination via Approval or Action at its meeting on November 16, 2022. The meeting will start at 6:30 PM and is located at the District Office (474 N. 16th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051).

In the Matter of the Estate of: ROGER WARREN LAIN, Deceased. Case No. 22PB08214

NOTICE TO INTER ESTED PERSONS NO TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jennifer Bowen has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to pres ent them, with vouchers attached, to Jennifer Bowen,

441 Wyeth Street, Saint Hel ens, OR 97051, 503-3692844, personal representa tive of the estate of ROGER WARREN LAIN, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by

the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representa tive, or the lawyer for the personal representative, Aaron Martin, 272 South 1st Street, Saint Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first pub lished on October 19, 2022.

CH22-1208

Scheduled Storage Auction

Please take notice ORS 87.685 et. seq. K & B Stor age, 970 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Or. 97051. Intends to hold a sale of the prop erty stored in the Units by the occupants at the facility as listed below. This auction sale by unit will occur at

the facility listed above on the 19th day of November 2022 at 10:00 am. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms & conditions apply. Call 971-203-4616. Pa mela Reese Unit #60 5 x 10. Cash Only.

NOTICE OF MEETING

McNulty Water PUD Board meeting will be held November 1, 2022, at 7pm. Located at 34240 Mil lard Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.

Public Notice Waiting List Opening Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA)

Announces the opening of two new Housing Choice Voucher program waiting lists. The waiting lists are for Project Based Voucher (PBV) communities coming online over the next year. In order to be eligible for assistance in these project based units applicants must meet eligibility require ments for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, any additional eligibility re quirements approved for the location and, the properties tenant selection criteria. The details for each community and waiting list are below. Additional information can be found on our website and/or by contacting the

CH22-1201

property directly. · Cham pion Park Apartments, 2 and 3 BR units in Tillamook, OR – waiting list opens No vember 1, 2022. · Broadleaf Arbor, 1, 2 and 3 BR units in St. Helens, OR – wait ing list opens November 1, 2022. Applicants currently on NOHA’s HCV wait list who wish to be placed on a PBV wait list, must submit an updated pre-application. Applicants’ position on the HCV wait list will not be negatively impacted whether they apply for PBV or not. Pre-Applications are avail able at http://www.nwoha. org/forms.aspx. The wait ing lists will remain open until NOHA provides public

notice of a determination to close. Co-Developer of Gable Park Apartments. The Northwest Oregon Hous ing Authority is seeking proposals from qualified developers to partner in the redevelopment of the Gable Park Apartments in St. Hel ens, OR. The Request for Proposals will be available at www.nwoha.org begin ning November 1, 2022. A virtual, non-mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on Monday, Novem ber 7, 2022 at 11:00 am PT. Proposals must be received electronically at director@ nwoha.org on or before 2:00 pm PT on Tuesday, Novem ber 22, 2022.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA FINANCIAL PACIFIC LEASING, INC.,

Plaintiff, v. PAUL’S TREE SERVICE, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company; and RONALD P. WITSCHEN, Defen dants. No. 22CV18286

SUMMONS FOR SER VICE BY PUBLICATION Date of First Publication: 10/19/2022(response must be filed within 30 days of this date) Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc. has filed a Complaint for breach of contract and replevin asking the court to order money judgment of $40,134.10 and return of the equipment consisting of 2020 Vermeer BC1000XL Chipper VIN 1VRY11190L1029872. You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win

automatically. To “appear,” you must file a legal Re sponse, Answer, or Motion. Forms may be available through the court above or online at www.courts. oregon.gov/forms. Talk to a lawyer for information about appearing by motion.

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:

READ CAREFULLY!

Your response must be filed with the court named above within 30 days of the date of first publication (noted above), along with the required filing fee (go to www.courts.oregon.gov for fee information). It must be in proper form. You must show that the other party’s lawyer (or the party if they do not have a lawyer) was

formally served with a copy of your response according to the service rules. Service rules are in the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP) Rule 9. If you have questions, see a lawyer im mediately. If you need help finding a lawyer, you can call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at 503.684.3763 or toll free in Oregon at 800.452.7636, or go to www.oregonstatebar. org. DATED: September 22, 2022. KILMER, VOOR HEES & LAURICK, P.C. James P. Laurick, OSB No. 821530 2701 NW Vaughn St, # 780, Portland, OR 97210 971-634-1132 phone; jlaurick@kilmerlaw.com Of Attorneys for Plaintiff.

TENANTS

From Page A1

ing to CRFR. “That is the best informa tion that we can release,” CRFR’s Jennifer Motherway told The Chronicle. “Ulti mately this ruled out that it wasn’t arson, and it wasn’t any fault of the facility – not electric/etc.”

An explosion that oc curred during the fire was caused by oxygen cylinders stored in the apartment of origin, according to fire investigators, who stress that the use of oxygen in homes has an increased risk of cata strophic fire, especially if the cylinders are in places where temperatures are high.

Three St. Helens Police Department (SHPD) officers were the first to arrive at the scene of the fire and imme diately began assisting the tenants. They helped pull

tenants through windows and ran down halls and knocked on doors to ensure the tenants were evacuating the building. CRFR firefight ers arrived and began at tacking the fire and assisting with evacuating residents.

Firefighters found one resident unconscious in the hallway of the building and carried her outside. SHPD officers, a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy, and a Scap poose police officer provided resuscitation efforts, but the woman died at the scene.

The fire sent a police officer and a firefighter to a hospital with minor injuries. The cause was determined to be accidental, caused by oxygen cylinders stored in the apartment of origin.

“The facility did have working smoke detectors, and the system was very loud and more than ca pable of alerting the tenants inside,” CRFR officials said. “The facility did not

the cars in those areas.

have a sprinkler system, as sprinklers were not a code requirement at the time the facility was built.”

Bailey thanked all the emergency services in Co lumbia County and beyond for their services to the ten ants, including the Columbia County Office of Emergency Management; the police departments of St. Helens and Scappoose; the St. Hel ens, Scappoose, Clatskanie, and Vernonia fire districts; Community Action Team; the Oregon Department of Human Services; Best West ern; St. Helens Walmart; InRoads Credit Union; St. Helens Safeway; Nicole and Scout Troop 106; St. Helens Grocery Outlet; and Wauna Credit Union.

Anne Uwujiye, manager of the Best Western, said she believed five to seven center residents in hospitals at this writing would stay for a while.

“We were close to a full

Texas and matched maternal addresses with data from the Texas’ Most Congested Roadways database to map out proximity to heavy traffic areas.

Specifically, research ers examined “traffic de lay,” defined as the total person-hours of delay on the roadway multiplied by the length of each road segment in the buffer distances around maternal residences. Using traffic delay, they were able to calculate congestion emis sions to learn the total pounds of carbon dioxide emitted by

After adjusting for so ciodemographic factors and environmental co-exposures, results showed that traffic delay within 500 meters of maternal residence was asso ciated with an average birth weight decrease of 9 grams when comparing the highestand lowest-exposure groups.

Babies born to parents who lived 300 and 100 meters from roadways experienced slightly larger impacts.

To put that in perspective, Hystad said, prior research has found that maternal smoking leads to a roughly 150-gram decrease in birth weight, which is 5.3 ounces.

An average full-term baby in

the U.S. weighs about 3,300 grams, which is 7.3 pounds.

Based on roadway proximity to residential areas throughout the country, the researchers estimate that 1.3 million babies are born each year in regions close enough to be affected by pollution from congestion, roughly 27% of all births in the U.S.

“A 9-gram decrease alone isn’t clinically significant, but this is sort of an indicator of the biological impacts that are happening, which will push some babies into a clinically relevant adverse impact,” Hystad said. “Often we’ll see this with air pollution — we’ll see a 2-3% increase in some impact, like mortality

house because of Hallow eentown,” Uwujiye said, noting that it was not by any means because of retirement center residents alone. “Then most left for the weekend and then returned. They get a full breakfast in the morn ing. We gave them a good rate to stay here.”

or cardiovascular disease — but when you multiply that by 27% of all births, that does translate into a substantial potential impact.”

Furthermore, researchers estimate that 260,000 babies born at full term each year live in the highest-exposure zones where they observed the largest magnitude of impact from congestion.

Now that they can measure congestion, Hys tad said, it is important to include these findings in policy and regulation discus sions, especially because the highest-traffic areas tend to be concentrated near so cioeconomically deprived neighborhoods and dispropor

than usual, she said, “Yes, and then we get the home less people in December, but we’re picky.” The homeless guests, she explained, are charged but are assisted by Community Action.

tionately affect minoritized populations.

Unlike tailpipe emissions which are largely regulated at the federal level, traffic con gestion is something that can be addressed in the context of local programs and policies, he said.

“How do you target methods to reduce exposures that happen in very localized areas? It can be as simple as putting up sound barriers or vegetation barriers, or using zoning approaches and saying you can’t build a school or a daycare within 500 meters of a highway,” he said. “One thing we wanted to be very cognizant about is that we’re not promoting this idea of

problems, Uwujiye said, “No, they’re really pretty good. We love our guests.”

Herb Swett may be reached at chronice1@coun trymedia.net.

‘We need bigger highways.’ That’s not going to solve the problem.”

An upcoming paper from the same research team will dive deeper into the socioeco nomic and racial disparities in birthweight impacts from traffic congestion, Hystad said.

Lead author on the current study was Mary Willis, a recent postdoctoral scholar at OSU who now works at Boston University. The study was published Oct. 28.

Molly Rosbach works at the OSU Department of Marketing and Research. She may be reached at molly. rosbach@oregonstate.edu.

CH22-1210

Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle

Fencing surrounds the charred sections of the retirement center following the deadly fire.

T h e f o l l o w i n g i t e m s a r e a c c e p t e d f o r r e c y c l i n g a t n o c

i n d e s i g n a t e d b i n s . C o m m i n g l e d R e c y c l a b l e s B i n : s a m e i t e m s a s y o u r c u r b s i d e c a r t C a r t o n s : m i l k a n d j u i c e N e w s p a p e r P a p e r : b r o w n p a p e r b a g s , m a g a z i n e s a n d c a t a l o g s , s c r a p p a p e r , c e r e a l b o x e s , j u n k m a i l P l a s t i c J u g s , B o t t l e s , & T u b s : n o s t y r o f o a m t a k e o u t c o n t a i n e r s o r b a g s M e t a l : a l u m i n u m s t e e l t i n c a n s

.

C a r d b o a r d B i n : a l l c o r r u g a t e d c a r d b o a r d f l a t t e n e d G l a s s B i n : O n l y b o t t l e s a n d j a r s N O W I N D O W G L A S S , d i s h w a r e , c o o k w a r e , p o r c e l a i n o r c e r a m i c s M e t a l B i n S c r a p M e t a l A p p l i a n c e s : M e t a l d i s h w a s h e r s w a t e r h e a t e r s c l o t h e s d r y e r s c l o t h e s w a s h e r s s t o v e s o n l y A p p l i a n c e s w i t h r e f r i g e r a n t w i l l b e c h a r g e d a f e e f o r r e f r i g e r a n t r e c y c l i n g s e e s c a l e h o u s e E l e c t r o n i c s R e c y c l i n g A r e a : c o m p u t e r s m o n i t o r s p r i n t e r s T V s p l a c e i n t o d e s i g n a t e d b o x e s M o t o r O i l B i n b y t h e e l e c t r o n i c s r e c y c l i n g a r e a : l e a v e c o n t a i n e r o n t h e s h e l f b y t h e o i l b i n C o o k i n g O i l B i n b y t h e e l e c t r o n i c s r e c y c l i n g a r e a : p o u r c o o k i n g o i l i n t o b i n

A r c h i t e c t u r a l P a i n t : g o a c r o s s s c a l e s a l e r t s c a l e h o u s e s t a f f d r i v e t o p a i n t r e c y c l i n g a r e a S t a f f w i l l u n l o a d

I n t e r i o r a n d e x t e r i o r a r c h i t e c t u r a l p a i n t : F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n a c c e p t a b l e p a i n t p r o d u c t s : h t t p : / / p r o d u c t c a r e o r g / O r e g o n c o l l e c t i o n s i t e s

T h e f o l l o w i n g i t e m s a r e a c c e p t e d f o r r e c y c l i n g f o r a f e e d u r i n g n o r m a l o p e r a t i o n s

A n t i f r e e z e F l u o r e s c e n t T u b e s A p p l i a n c e s w i t h R e f r i g e r a n t : r e f r i g e r a t o r s f r e e z e r s A / C u n i t s

C a r B a t t e r i e s T i r e s

F R E E D I S P O S A L o f M e d i c a l S h a r p s i n s e a l e d O S H A a p p r o v e d c o n t a i n e r B R I N G c o n t a i n e r s t o t h e S C A L E H O U S E , c o n t a i n e r s m u s t b e s e a l

R a d i o a c t i v e M a t e r i a l s V e c h i c l e s A s b e s t o s

by Jeremy C. Ruark

Scappoose ousted in state playoffs 1st round

The St. Helens Lions vol leyball team ended the 2022 season without making it to the state playoffs, but Scap poose High School’s team did qualify for the first round.

The Scappoose High Indians won an OSAA Class 4A volleyball Play-In round home game Oct. 25 3-0 over the Molalla High Indians (1111) to qualify for the OnPoint Community Credit Union state playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Indians, guided by first-year coach Paka Searle, earned the first-round playoff matchup against the No. 3 ranked Tri-Valley Conference Champion The Dalles High Riverhawks (21-2), The Riv erhawks certainly demonstrat ed that they were worthy of their high recognition in the OSAA rankings as they won

25-12, 25-14, 25-15 over the Indians Oct. 29 at The Dalles High School. The loss ended the season for Scappoose. Searle said he was “very proud” of what the players

what they did in the playoffs at The Dalles.

“They left it all on the court and they gave it their maximum effort,” he said.

Dalles marked the final game of several Scappoose High player’s volleyball career who had hopes of winning and moving onto the state

Nov. 4-5 for the first time in their career. Sadly, they were not able to accomplish that goal. Those seniors included

yers, Abby Solomon, Dylan Mann, Abby Stansbury, Jes sica Nelson, Natanee Perkins and Melissa Morley. “I love the seniors,” Searle said. “They’ve had a rough ride. The last two years, there was a coach ing change midway through the season. So they had to overcome a lot of adversity. This year in particular, they met that adversity, and they took up the challenge and they believed in what I was trying to do for the volleyball program. They bought into it and that’s why the team and the girls had such a success ful season.”

Searle took over as the Indians head coach in the middle of September and led Scappoose to the state playoffs for the first time in five years.

“If Scappoose will have me back, I would love to be back as the head coach next

Auction to raise funds for seniors

HERB SWETT Country Media, Inc.

“We have some amaz ing items for sale,” activities coordinator Lynda Heller of the St. Helens Senior Center said of an upcoming auction planned as an annual event.

The center will hold its first online auction, “Serve It Up for Seniors,” from 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, to promote the center’s support of people most vulnerable to food in security. The goal is to raise $25,000.

Proceeds will go toward sponsoring the Senior Nutri tion & Pleasure Program and the Congregate and HomeDelivered Meals Programs.

The center serves over 160 families through the cit ies of St. Helens and Scap poose and is growing, Heller said.

“Participating and bidding on these fantastic high-class items in the auction will aid in the Senior Center’s ability

to proceed with this impor

tant work, granting our local seniors and serviced custom ers to well-balanced and nutritious meals,” she said.

“Together we can continue to enhance all-around commu nity-based food security.”

The auction dates were chosen to allow bidders to do early holiday shopping. The link to sign up for the auction is https://bit.ly/SHSC2022.

Annual and one-time auction sponsorships are

available today. Anyone interested in donating an item, a basket, or gift certificate can go to the above link and fill out a form. The center will arrange pickups of donations and gift certificates.

For information or to ar range a pickup, call 503-3973377.

Herb Swett may be reached at chroncle1@coun trymedia.net.

Courtesy photo from Mike Weber

Scappoose High School volleyball player Aryanna Searle hits a ball over the net during the game in The Dalles.

Herb Swett / The Chronicle

St. Helens Senior Center Activities Coordinator Lynda Heller shows auction items collected as of late October.