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Trooper critically injured following pursuit, crash
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
The OSP patrol vehicle, heavily damaged, rests on the side of the road following the crash. See more photos with this story at thechronicleonline.com. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Oregon State Police (OSP) Trooper John Jefferies remained in critical condition as of late Monday, Nov. 15, following a pursuit and crash along Highway 30 four miles north of St. Helens. According to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) investigators, late Thursday afternoon Nov. 11, OSP troopers, CCSO deputies, and Rainier Police had been engaged in a short pursuit with a suspect fleeing from a criminal incident in Longview, Washington. That pursuit was later terminated. Shortly after the pursuit was terminated, OSP Trooper John Jeffries was struck on Highway 30 milepost 31 west of St. Helens. The suspect vehicle rammed an OSP patrol car,
which then struck Trooper Jeffries. Investigators said no shots were fired during the pursuit or the crash. The trooper suffered critical injuries and was taken by ground ambulance to Emanuel Hospital in Portland. The extent and severity of Jeffries’ injuries were being determined at the time of his hospitalization, according to the OSP. “Jefferies’ medical team will continue to monitor, evaluate and treat his visible injuries and the internal trauma caused as a result of the incident,” the OSP release states. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital, where he was treated for injuries he sustained as a result of the crash. As of late Nov. 15, CCSO reported the suspect was still hospitalized. Specific charges against the suspect
History
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Trooper John Jefferies
and his identity were pending at press time. Details about the criminal incident that led to the pursuit also have not been immediately released by authorities.
Jeffries started with the Oregon State Police in March of 2021, after retiring from the FBI after 20 years of service. Jeffries is currently stationed at the OSP St. Helens worksite. Jeffries and his wife have spent the last 25 years in Portland, where they raised their two sons, according to the OSP. Jeffries has spent his life in service to the public,” the OSP release reads. “The Oregon State Police asks that you respect the family’s privacy at this time. We also ask for your prayers for Trooper Jeffries, his family, his friends as well as the entire OSP family.” OSP Superintendent Terri Davi said all troopers recognize the risk they face each time they don their uniforms and report for duty.
“But accepting that risk does not make the fight Trooper Jeffries is currently battling any easier,” Davi said. “As minutes, hours and days go by, our prayers and support are with Trooper Jeffries and his family.” FBI Statement The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that 25 years ago, Jeffries took an oath of office as FBI Special Agent Jeffries. The following is the FBI release. “As a young man, he joined the FBI with a mission to serve his country. As a case agent, pilot, firearms instructor, and SWAT team member, John served with honor. He was an agent’s agent – first in the door See CRASH Page A6
Broadleaf Arbor housing taking shape
Courtesy photo
The 16-acre, 239-unit housing project is located at 2250 Gable Road just east of the intersection of Gable Road and Columbia River Highway in St. Helens. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Community Development Partners (CDP) and the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA) have revealed new details about development of the housing community, Broadleaf Arbor, located at 2250 Gable Road just east of Columbia River Highway and across
from the St. Helens Walmart. Broadleaf Arbor is described as a 16-acre, 239-unit affordable housing development and intergenerational community, connecting working adults, families and seniors. The Chronicle first reported in September that the project construction had begun at the site. “Affordable housing coupled with community outreach and ser-
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Ground clearing at the site began in late August.
vices improves our new residents’ chance for a productive and happy life,” NOHA Board Chair Nina Reed said. “Stable, affordable, accessible housing is the foundation of raising a family,” Columbia County Commissioner and NOHA Board Member Henry Heimuller said. “A safe housing environment that provides access to jobs, education, healthcare
and shopping, while identifying and supporting the individual needs of residents and the entire community, is why we need developments like Broadleaf Arbor in Columbia County.” “We’ve spent the last two years, side by side with NOHA, understanding the needs of the St. Helens community with the goal of creating an asset for the city, a place
where households of all ages can live together and thrive,” Community Development Partners CEO Eric Paine said. “The need for affordable workforce and supportive housing in St. Helens and in our region continues to outpace supply, and we are honored to be a part of the solution See HOUSING Page A8
Popeyes restaurant coming to St. Helens JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A new national fast food restaurant will soon take shape on the property along the Columbia River Highway adjacent to the new Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in St. Helens. The restaurant, Popeyes, specializes in fried chicken. “Permitting has been issued, so Inside Look .................. A4 Letters .......................... A4 Community Calendar A4 Obituaries .................... A5 Classified Ads ............. A7
they have the green light to start working,” St. Helens City Planner Jacob Graichen told The Chronicle. Most of the base infrastructure is in place on the property formally known as the Violette’s Villa Mobile Home Park. “So this project will be simpler than the previous ones on that overall property, Legacy Clinic, the apartment complex, and the Grocery Outlet. The property was formally known as the Violette’s Villa Mobile Home Park,” Graichen said. Based on city records, Graichen said the old mobile home park on that property was there as early as the late 1940’s.
“It was a subject of code enforcement in the early 2000’s and it was about 10 years ago or so any remaining structure was removed,” he said. “Once Popeye’s is completed, it will be a completely redeveloped site.” According to the Popeyes national website, Alvin C. Copeland Sr., opened Chicken on the Run in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi, in 1972, serving traditional Southernfried chicken. After several months of lackluster performance, he reopened the restaurant as Popeyes after Popeye Doyle of The French Connection movie fame, selling spicy, New Orleans-style chicken.
As of 2020 Popeyes has 3,451 restaurants, which are located in more than 46 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 30 countries worldwide, according to Wikipedia. The closest Popeyes to St. Helens are in Southwest Washington and one is located along the I-5 corridor between Portland and Salem in Oregon. The Chronicle has reached out to the owners of the St. Helens Popeyes franchise for details about when hiring will take place for the new restaurant and when it is scheduled to open. As we receive more details, we’ll post the update at thechronicleonline.com and in a future print edition of The Chronicle.
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
This is a conceptual drawing of the new Popeyes Restaurant planned for St. Helens.
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Vol. 139, No. 46
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