SHC1130

Season's

New Year bringing new city councilors to St. Helens

The new councilors

Sundeen and Gundersen are longtime St. Helens residents, and while neither has been a part of city government before, both are excited to get to work for their town.

After winning their appointments on November 8, both look forward to serving the community they have long called home. Both candidates garnered more than 30% of votes in the 2022 Election. Sundeen and Gundersen will join Mayor Rick Scholl, Councilor Patrick Birkle, and Councilor Jessica Chilton on the St. Helens City Council effective Janu ary 1, 2023.

Brandon Sundeen grew up in St. Helens and decided to run for office to help create an environment that his family and all of St. Helens can be proud of. In an interview with the Chronicle, Sundeen said, “My main goal is just to make St. Helens the best place that it can be. It was a good place to grow up and I want my kids to have a good place to grow up.”

Mark Gundersen has been in the St. Helens area for 28 years and is ready to start making changes from the inside. Rather than sit by, Gundersen wants to be directly involved, “I want to get my hands dirty.”

The issues

Currently, there are several issues

the St. Helens crime rate and a need for the community to work together to solve these problems.

“I think teamwork will be key,” Sundeen said. “Partnering with the County, School District, law enforce

viewpoints will be necessary.

“I like the collaboration aspect of it, I like working with people,” Gundersen said. “I like to be able to see both sides of the coin. There’s going to be disagreements, people

on the City Council are going bring different view points to the table, and I want to see what those are.”

agreed on the potential of the devel opment projects along the Colum bia River. The Streets and Utilities Extension Project will help address infrastructure issues in St. Helens’ historic Riverfront District, hoping to create a more connected and acces sible waterfront.

“Making St. Helens a livable community, somewhere where people

be big,” Sundeen said. Once a bustling lumber town, the riverfront has become underutilized as the lumber industry has faded in St. Helens. There will also be a River walk Project that will provide resi dents with riverfront access and open opportunities for new businesses to

Toy N Joy launches online, in-person auctions

The Merchants’ Toy N Joy Auction is celebrating 40-years of helping the community by hosting a Ruby Jubilee Celebration.

Organizers are offering a hybrid event this year with an online auction leading up to the live event with dinner with silent, live auctions and more Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Columbia County Fair grounds at 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens.

Ticket sales for the Dec. 3 event at the fairgrounds are closed and sold out.

The funds raised by The Mer chants’ Toy N Joy Auction benefit many organizations in Columbia County who provide toys and food baskets to local kids and families who could use assistance during the Christmas season.

Supported organizations in clude, The Toy N Joy and Holiday Hope 2022 Programs, sponsored by the Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) Volunteer Fire fighters Association, and the St.

Helens Kiwanis Club, Scappoose Fire Department Share & Care, Community Action Team, and the Columbia Pacific Food Bank.

Items up for auction include gift certificates from Waste Manage ment, Family Fun RV, Bayport RV, Anytime Fitness, Residential ReKey Service and Columbia Pacific Food Bank.

“This year we’re celebrating 40 years of Merchants’ Toy N Joy, a Ruby Jubilee by bringing you our first ever hybrid event, this means that whether you’re attending in person or only able to join us on line, there is something for every one,” a release from the organizers start. “Many fabulous gift certifi cates are only available during the online event and will not be a part of the in-person auction on Dec. 3. As an online participant, you can purchase raffle tickets online from now until Dec. 3 for various raffle prizes.”

online by using personals links.

“Whether you’re one of our many generous donors, par ticipating online this week, and/ or attending our in-person event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Dec. 3, together we’re making the season brighter for many local families this holiday season and we thank you for making Merchants’ Toy N Joy 40th Annual Auction our best one yet,” the release states.

Families in need

Columbia River Fire & Res cue’s Toy N Joy applications are now live on the association’s website and available to residents within Columbia River Fire & Res cue’s district boundaries.

If you are a family in the War ren, St. Helens, Columbia City, Deer Island, Goble, Prescott or Rainier and need food, toys or clothing for your children this holi day season you can apply online

Paper applications are available at our St. Helens and Rainier Fire stations.

Forms must be filled out and or returned by 5 p.m. Dec. 5, to the St. Helens station at 105 S. Columbia Boulevard or Rainier Fire station at 211 West 2nd Street. The CRFR administration building is under construction so that location is not available.

“The sooner your application is turned in, the better chances we have of fulfilling holiday requests,” a CRFR Volunteer Association Facebook states.

Columbia River Fire & Res cue’s Toy N Joy program is sup ported by the Merchants Toy N Joy Auction, Kiwanis Holiday Hope, Columbia Pacific Food Bank, HOPE of Rainier along with other local businesses and private donors.

“We can’t thank the commu nity enough for their support the children and families in our com munity,” the CRFR Facebook post states.

COVID-19 impacts on Oregon’s breweries, pubs

The year 2020 was difficult for many types of businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the way we engage the economy.

Breweries and brewpubs had been posting slower rates of growth before the onset of the pandemic, but the closure of in-person dining dealt a blow to demand for kegs and employment within the pubs themselves.

In the summer of 2019, there were nearly 9,090 jobs in brewing establishments across the state of Oregon. A brewing establishment is any location that brews beer. A portion of these are manufactur ing facilities that produce their beer to be distributed to retailers or restaurants. However, many of the state’s brewing establishments are brewpubs that both brew beer and serve that beer onsite in a more typical restaurant environment.

The dramatic impacts of the pandemic were first seen in April 2020 when covered employment dropped by a staggering 3,700 jobs (-50%) from the month before. The drop is even more shocking when you consider the highly seasonal nature of the industry. Typically, the spring is a time of hiring for breweries and pubs, which means the loss of half of total employment in one month understates the true impact to the industry.

As with the economy more broadly, there was an initial Vshaped recovery to employment during summer 2020 in Oregon’s brewing industry. Pubs and brewer

ies added back around 2,700 of the 3,700 jobs lost in April. Even with this sharp rebound, by August 2020 employment in breweries still re mained down by around 27% from

August 2019.

As you might expect, the COV ID impacts to the brewing industry were much more significant than to the overall economy, but job losses were also more significant than the loss in food services and drinking places, where employment was down by 23% over the year. For the overall economy, employment remained down only 8% in August 2020 compared with the previous year.

Employment fell again in the winter of 2021, as it usually does in seasonal industries. The over all trend, however, was, and is, for continued recovery. The most recent data are from June 2022 and they show that employment in Oregon’s breweries and brewpubs was down only 14% below the level of August 2019. With normal seasonal growth it’s likely the employment in brewing returned to near its pre-pandemic level during the summer of 2022.

Behind these higher level numbers we see some interesting trends. There were 263 establish ments that reported employment the summer before the pandemic

WILL

Courtesy photo

Brandon Sundeen Courtesy photo Mark Gundersen

Metro Creative Connection

The Toy N Joy drive provides funds for toys and Christmas baskets for local families.

St. Helens appoints new Youth Librarian

The City of St. Helens is pleased to welcome Aryn Keeney as St. Helens Public Library’s new Youth Librar ian.

Aryn started at the library on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Aryn (they/them) received their Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Washington In formation School in Seattle. They have worked for the IUPUI University Library in Indianapolis, Indiana, and as an on-call librarian for Tualatin Public Library, Beaverton City Library, and Happy Valley Public Library.

They were a library assistant and teen services librarian as well as the makerspace librarian for the Shute Park makerspace with Hillsboro Public Library. In Hillsboro, they led weekly toddler storytimes, managed the teen summer reading program, and designed and led the Shute Park makerspace.

Most recently, Aryn has worked for Homeplate Youth Services in Beaverton as an outreach worker helping to connect youth in Washington County to essential services.

“I am really excited about getting children’s program ming started back up,” Aryn said about beginning work in St. Helens. “I love doing storytimes, and I really enjoy art and science programming.

I’m also excited to work with Allen at the makerspace to see what cool things we can collaborate on.”

St. Helens Public Library Director Suzanne Bishop is pleased to welcome Aryn to the library’s family of staff and community members.

“Their experience working with children, teens, and their families will be a great asset to the community,” said Bishop. “Their experience with a makerspace will allow us to again extend these ser vices to younger patrons.”

Aryn has a deep love of art and music. Along with their paid work in libraries, they’ve worked as a vol unteer counselor at sum mer camps. “I draw on that experience a lot,” said Aryn,

“especially for storytimes.”

Aryn enjoys working at smaller libraries. As a child, their public library was a small neighborhood branch. Those smaller locations were always a place where they felt most at home. “I really enjoy getting to know people in the communities where I work and appreciate be ing part of small, tight-knit teams,” said Aryn.

As Aryn begins to de velop and lead youth services at St. Helens Public Library, you can find out about upcoming events by check ing the Library’s calendar at www.sthelensoregon. gov/library or following the Library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StHel ensPublicLibrary.

PCC announces director appointment for OMIC

Patty Hawkins is the new director of Portland Commu nity College’s (PCC) Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Training Center (OMIC).

The center is located at 34001 NE Wagner Court in Scappoose.

She has more than 22 years of experience at PCC working to help underserved students and communities, according to a release from PCC. For the last 10 years she has served as a faculty department chair in the Adult Education Program and since 2021 has been active as an Educational Advisory Council (EAC) leader and chair of the curriculum com mittee.

Prior to these roles, she served as a student resource specialist at the Cascade Campus in North Portland

working with a wide variety of career and technical education programs and students. Hawkins also has extensive experience work ing with internal depart ments, industry and com munity partners to develop programming, and is deeply committed to social justice, equity and inclusion.

“I am thrilled to serve as the PCC OMIC Training Center director,” Hawkins said. “There are so many partners that have been and will continue to be inte gral to the success of the OMIC Training Center: OMIC R&D, many business and industry partners, the wonderful Columbia County community, K-12 partners, workforce development and the PCC district. I look for ward to collaborating with

these partners to bring inno vative advanced manufactur ing training opportunities to Columbia County and across the PCC district.”

In 2021, years of plan ning and construction paid off as the college opened the training center to in-person classes and credit offerings, the PCC release states.

The PCC facility is the educational and training arm of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) initiative — a collaboration of industry, higher education and government that com bines applied research and development and workforce training.

PCC’s facility is located within its Columbia County Center, which is the first per manent physical location for the college in the region. The

32,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing training facility houses a number of manufacturing-related pro grams, including machining, welding and mechatronics.

It supports both tradition al and work-based learning models, such as registered apprenticeship, pre-trades programs and internships, while providing introductory, intermediate and advanced training in machining, com puter numerically controlled (CNC) lathe operation, CNC mill operation, welding and fabrication and other areas of advanced manufacturing, according to the release.

The OMIC Training Cen ter earned LEED Silver for its sustainable construction and operations.

Hawkins began her new role on Nov. 14.

in August 2019. The vast majority of these brewing establishments posted job losses during the pandemic, and 109 of them still had lower, but some, employ ment nearly three years later in June 2022.

An additional 64 of them were no longer reporting any employment at all by June 2022. In June 2022 there were 244 brewing establish

ments reporting employ ment. Of these, 116 showed an employment gain over the period, and 31 of these with gains were reporting em ployment for the first time.

We don’t have a good measure on business closures and openings, but we do know if an establishment stopped reporting employ ment or began reporting employment for the first time and this is likely to indicate a closing or opening. A few of these were documented permanent closures, includ ing Bridgeport, Lompoc,

and The Ram. Interestingly, some of the businesses that announced permanent clo sures did so before the onset of the pandemic.

Perhaps most impres sive are the 31 brewing establishments that began reporting employment for the first time. These weren’t necessarily new brewer ies, but they began paying

payroll employees for the first time during a pandemic and recession recovery. Hats off to these entrepreneurs for getting a brewery up and running in such a challeng ing environment.

Despite the challenges faced in the past three years, there is reason for optimism as we move further away from lockdowns and restric

tions. Fewer public health restrictions helped consum ers feel more comfortable going out to public places such as brewpubs. The open ing of the economy and the spending of money saved during the pandemic led to an increase in spending on beer. In 2022, an economic concern is whether we face a recession.

Fortunately for brewers, alcoholic beverages are con sidered recession resistant products, although the mix of what and where beverages are consumed may change.

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

Courtesy photo

Aryn Keeney

Courtesy photo

Patty Hawkins

Courtesy from the Oregon Employment Department

Provider may also contract with other plans. Other providers are available in our network. Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 877-320-1235 (TTY: 711).

Columbia County’s trusted local

Seasonal topics include keeping Christmas trees fresh

most attentive watering.

This one is simple. It’s the water … and the tree.

First, it is worth not ing that the Christmas tree growers have been funding research for years on the conifer species and genetic lines within those species that best retain their needles in doors after cutting. The most popular species are Douglas, grand, noble, and Nordmann fir trees. They all have excel lent needle retention charac teristics. When picking out a tree from a lot, check some of the outer branchlets to see if they snap when bent. On the freshest trees, they do.

But most important, if you keep your tree from running out of water, it will last for a long time in all but the driest homes. When you get your tree, especially if it’s from a lot and may have been stored for a time, cut the base at least one inch to open up fresh wood for water uptake. Place the tree in water and don’t let it go dry. You can keep a tree outside in the shade for a long time before you bring it in. If you do that, cut the base again. Buy a tree stand with a large reservoir, because in the first few days in the house, the tree will take up quarts of water. There is little evidence that any of the preservatives have much of an impact on the longevity of the tree.

Smaller trees (sold as “table tops”) have a much harder time retaining needles and not drying out, even with the

A number of insects like to winter in the dense cover of Christmas trees. When the trees are brought inside, the tree and the insects come out of dormancy. You may see the brown marmorated stink bug wandering around, perhaps a box elder bug here and there, some spiders, and possibly, queen yellow jackets.

My perspective has been to gently capture them and release them outside. While the yellow jacket queen may be quite drowsy (or not, de pending on how long it’s been since she woke up), she can still pack quite a sting, which she can repeat several times. So be cautious.

Christmas gifts for gardeners (mostly modest in cost)

• An assortment of nice gardening gloves, especially those flexible kinds that rose thorns don’t penetrate or nicefitting leather gloves.

• Knee pads or knee benches for gardeners to make close work less of a pain.

• Cast aluminum hand trowels and hand spading forks and/or specially de signed “ergonomic” tools for less muscle strain.

• Special shovels like ones for digging ditches or bed edges.

• Full sized spading forks for major soil loosening.

• Pruning tools like Felco type hand pruners, good lop pers, or a hori hori knife for up-close weeding or making holes for bulbs and other

garden plants.

• Gift certificates to garden centers and/or Feed and Seed stores: This is always useful.

• A soil thermometer is always useful. So are mois ture meters with 10-12-inch probes for containers and houseplants.

• A gardening journal (purchased or home-made). This will help the gardener remember which green bean that they really liked last sum mer and so much more.

• A good book about garden insects. (They are so interesting!)

• Garden scissors for

Community EvEnts

December 1 Columbia

9-1-1 Communications District Radio System

Work Session

9:30 a.m. at Columbia Center, 375 S 18th St A, St. Helens, OR 97051.

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

the St. Helens High School Commons, 2375 Gable Road in St. Helens.

flower cutting.

• Garden carts or wheel barrows.

• Bird houses and feeders.

• Bat houses (placement can be an issue – needs to be 12 feet above ground).

• Mason bee shelter with replaceable tubes.

• Garden benches.

Winter gardening ideas

• Stay off your lawn when it is soggy. Wet soils compact with weight on them and the pore spaces that allow drain age and air around the roots get squished.

• Cover your compost pile to speed up the composting process. Piles that are water saturated will compost, just

• Cover edible herbaceous perennials like rhubarb and asparagus with compost or “strawy” manure. Repeat for ornamental perennials like peonies and daylilies.

• Clean and refill bird feeders regularly. High moisture days tend to sprout or mold seed towards the bot toms of the feeders. Provide hummingbirds with sugar water (one-part sugar to four parts water) throughout the winter. Clean those feeders regularly as well.

• Start looking at seed catalogs and planning your vegetable gardens for next

• Water plants under eaves if you haven’t recently.

Important notes

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.

• Columbia County Bee keepers event 6 p.m. Thurs day, Dec. 1 at the CCOB will have their annual honey tasting and seed exchange at the OSU Extension Office in St. Helens. It will be in person only (no Zoom). For information email Columbia CountyOregonBeekeepers@ gmail.com.

• Food Preservation: You can get up-to-date and ac curate answers to your food preservation questions by

calling our office at 503397-3462 and ask to speak to Jenny Rudolph.

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreci ated.

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State Univer sity Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 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.

Contact resource

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

ordinator 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.lowercolum biariver.org/events-page.

December

3 and 4 Colum bia City Elementary PTO Holiday Bazaar

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

December 3 McBride Holiday Bazaar

The McBride School

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 3 St. Frederic Catholic Church Annual Christmas Bazaar

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Buc cini Hall, 165 S 14th in St Helens. Surprise packages, jams and jellies, raffles, crafts, fresh wreaths and more. Lunch will be served.

December 5 Holiday Concert

6 p.m. Michael Allen Har rison Holiday Concert at Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 Second Street in Columbia City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Pro ceeds from this event will go to Michael’s Snowman Foundation. Tickets are $20 and will be sold at Columbia City Hall,1840 Second Street. Food and beverages will be sold at this event.

December 10 St. Helens Band Patrons Lions Holi day Bazaar

The bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at

December 10 Santa, Ships, and Singing at Caples House Starting at 5 p.m. Santa will arrive to listen to kids tell their Christmas wishes. Then watch the Christmas Ships sail by from Caples warm vantage point. End the evening with carols and cookies. This event is free at 1925 1st St., Columbia City. For more details, call 503-397-5390.

December 17 Spirit of Christmas in Scappoose

The Christmas market will be open from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the Scap poose annex gym, 52256 Columbia River Highway in Scappoose. Santa and the Grinch will attend the event throughout the day.

December 17 and 18 Holiday Bazaar

The Columbia River Fire & Rescue Volunteer Associa tion Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Colum bia County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens. Door prizes on Saturday and a visit from the Grinch from noon – 2 p.m. on Sunday.

December 17 to 18 Fund raiser for the St. Helens High School Class of 2023 Safe and Sober Party

This Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Columbia City Commu nity Hall, 1850 2nd Street in Columbia City. Several vendors. Breakfast and photos with Santa Satur day, with raffles through out the weekend.

Ongoing Events

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more informa tion, contact Council Co

Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christ-centered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st Street in St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. Free child care 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 virtu ally 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 Saturday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose. Call Fred 971-757-6389.

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 meeting starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free din ner. Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pitts burg Road in St. Helens. 503-396-7091. Childcare is available. www.yankton communityfellowship.com

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 jruark@countrymedia.net or chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

All

Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Jeremy

James

Lenard Grant Olsen

Nov. 21, 1956 ~ Nov. 19, 2022

Lenard Grant Olsen, “Lenny”, of Scappoose, Or egon, passed away on Nov. 19, 2022 at the age of 65, af ter a valiant six-month battle with esophageal cancer.

Len was born on Nov. 21, 1956 in Riverside, California to Camilla and Delvin Olsen. He moved to St. Helens, Or egon at the age of seven. His early years were filled with camping adventures with his cousins on their many trips to visit family in Minne sota. He participated in Boy Scouts where he especially enjoyed hiking, kayaking and mountain climbing. In Boy Scouts he summited Mt. Hood and earned an Eagle Scout commendation in 1974 from the Governor of Or egon. He graduated from St. Helens High School, class of 1975, where he played football and participated in Police Scouts.

After high school, he studied Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice at Portland State University. In 1978 he was hired by the Oregon State Police and worked as a Trooper in Albany for four years, transferring to Beaverton

COUNCILORS

From

“There was a mill there for well over a century, so it’s nice that people can get back down there and enjoy that property again, see the river,” Sundeen said.

While it may be an excel lent way to draw in new busi ness, Gundersen also wants to ensure that the existing companies still benefit from

where he worked patrol until he became a Detective for OSP in Portland in 1985. His first assignment was on the notorious Green River Killer case.

Through the years, Len worked on many task forces and eventually specialized in narcotics enforcement. The majority of his career was spent with the Regional Or ganized Crimes in Narcotics (ROCN) task force in Port land, and the CENT Team in Columbia County. He be came an expert on all aspects of narcotics enforcement, working undercover for a few years. Some of his cases

the new project. “St. Helens is a small town; I’d like to see some of those smaller businesses down there thrive as well, not just bring in new businesses,” he said.

With St. Helens being an industrial town for much of its history, the city is keen to make the public spaces work for the public. In addition to the riverfront developments, Gundersen hopes to help support the youth sports pro grams with more access to the

were featured on the 1980’s television show “Cops.” His fellow policeman consid ered him a natural at being a detective and street cop.

Len enjoyed police work so much, he retired at 50 from OSP and went back to policing after a one-year break. He worked another 15 years, right up until his cancer diagnosis, for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. He worked, first, as a game officer on Sauvies Island, but finally landed back in a detective role. He loved the work, serving his community, and the friend ships he made. He felt lucky to have been able to devote 44 years, his life’s work, to policing.

In 1979 Len married Connie Skinner. She was the girl next door and his soul mate. Through 43 years of marriage, they raised two children, Scott Olsen of Orting, Washington, and Shannon Olsen of Gresham, Oregon. Len loved being a father and he excelled at it, passing onto his children his great sense of humor and compassionate and generous nature. Len was incredibly

public parks in the area.

Having spent many years coaching in the St. Helens area, Gundersen is passionate about making resources avail able to the robust youth sports programs.

Gundersen and Sundeen won’t take office until 2023, but they already have their sights set on bringing positive changes to the city of St. Hel ens. When they take office, it will be time to implement their plans.

“I want to give people

PLEASE READ!

generous with his time. If anyone came to Len for help or he knew someone was in need, he would be the first to step up. He was an expert prankster, and quite possibly even the origin of all the dad jokes we see on the internet these days. His children and grandchildren adored him.

In his free time, Len en joyed fishing, duck hunting, boating and beekeeping. He loved taking his family to Diamond Lake each sum mer. He especially enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren, Brooklyn, Reese and Everett.

Len was an only child but he felt lucky to have friends, Gary Peterson and Keith Mecklem, who were like brothers to him, and many cousins who became like siblings. Len loved to recount the stories of their collective adventures and mis-adventures. His life was richer because of them all.

A celebration of life for Len is planned in January 2023. Memorial contribu tions may be made to: Dogs for Better Lives, West Cam pus, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502.

something to be proud of,” Sundeen said. “Elected of ficials they can be proud of. A city that they can be proud of. Parks that they can be proud of. Making it the best that it can be.”

Sundeen and Gundersen are expected to be sworn into office in the first regular pub lic meeting of the St. Helens City Council in January.

Deann Denise Cole, 51, of St. Helens, Oregon, passed away on Oct. 27, 2022.

Deann loved to draw, her cricut, arts and crafts, music, and most of all spending time with her family.

She was predeceased by her father Wiley Cole of Ti gard, Oregon, and her mother Linda Sutphin of Myrtle Point, Oregon.

Deann leaves behind her husband Gus Carlson of St. Helens Oregon; daughter Ni cole McKenna of Scappoose, Oregon; son Gus Carlson of St. Helens, Oregon, grand daughter Khloe Carlson of St. Helens, Oregon; brother Wiley Cole of Portland, Ore gon; and sister Mary Sutphin

Crossword solution

NOTICE OF SERVICE & TIME CHANGES

Because of the New Year’s Day holiday, the Portland Commuter service is NOT operating on January 2, 2023.

• Beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2023, the Portland Commuter service will be reduced to one (1) morning run and one (1) evening run.

• The morning run will depart the St. Helens Transit Center at 6:15 am and depart from Downtown Portland at 7:10 am to return to St. Helens

• The evening run will depart the St. Helens Transit Center at 4:20 pm and depart from Downtown Portland at 5:15 pm to return to St. Helens

• There will be no changes to stop locations or time intervals between stops.

These times were derived from the results of our recent surveys - Thank You to those who participated.

Below is an updated schedule which includes the St. Helens to Portland service provided by both CC Rider and NW Connector (operated by Sunset Empire Transit District).

Questions, Concerns, or Feedback? Please call or email John Dreeszen, Transit Director, at 503-366-8503, john.dreeszen@columbiacountyor.gov.

of Myrtle Point, Oregon.

Deann

move in.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Info-line, (503) 366-0667 www.pdxaa.org 311 Announcements

$1000 REWARD

For information leading to arrest and conviction of hit and run driver, on 10/21/2022 at approximately 10:30 pm involv ing a motorcycle. Anyone with in formation contact: St. Helens Police Department 503397-3333, case #220044551. 502

Classifieds

C ommunications

District (C911CD) is conducting a hir ing process for a Chief Financial Of ficer. Apply online at www.columbia9 11.com/careers.

Additional informa tion can be found on our website or by calling 503366-6978.

Immediate Opening

Sewing Part-time 6-Noon, M-Th. Ap ply in person only. 33550 SE Santosh St. Scappoose, OR 97056.

Police Officer

The City of St. Helens is hiring a POLICE OFFICER Lateral & Entry Level. Regular Fulltime. See website for details www. sthelensore

Columbia 9-1-1

gon.gov. Open Until Filled. First Review: 1/3/23.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Public Works Utility Worker

The City of St. Helens is hiring a Public Works Utility Worker I Regular Full-Time. Apply online at www. sthelensoregon. gov. Deadline to apply: 12/22/22. Equal opportunity employer.

Engineer

The City of St. Hel ens is hiring an Engineer I. Regu lar Full-Time. Ap ply online at www. sthelensoregon. gov. Deadline to apply: 1/20/23. Equal opportunity employer.

Bazaar Sun Dec 4th, 124pm. First Lu theran Church on the corner of 4th and Wyeth, St Helens. Ba zaar items, baked

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

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

Probate Department Case No. 22PB09715 NOTICE

TO INTERESTED PER SONS In the Matter of the Estate of CYNTHIA ANN CARTER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeff Carter has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate. All persons hav ing claims against the Estate are required to present them undersigned attorney for

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Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, JOSEPH SATCHELL AND KASEY SATCHELL, AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY. as Grantor to TICOR TITLE INSUR ANCE COMPANY as Trustee, in favor of MORT GAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYS TEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for USA DIRECT FUNDING, NMLS: 3240, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 5, 2020 and recorded on August 7, 2020 as Instrument No. 2020-07824 and the benefi cial interest was assigned to CMG MORTGAGE, INC. and recorded April 6, 2022 as Instrument Number 202203299 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon

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the Personal Representa tive at 6400 SE Lake Road, Suite 440, Portland, Oregon 97222, within four months after date of first publica tion of this Notice, as stated below, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in the Estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal

Representative or the attor ney for the Personal Rep resentative. Dated and first published on November 16, 2022. Jeff Carter, Personal Representative. Jonathan Bacsalmasi, OSB #170830, Fitzwater Law Of Attorneys for Personal Representative, 6400 SE Lake Road, Suite 440, Portland, OR 97222, (503) 786-8191, jonathanb@ fitzwaterlaw.com.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of MARGARET E. BROWN, Deceased. Case No. 22PB09973 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the under signed has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons hav

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

rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published, Novem ber 23, 2022. Stephen W. Brown, Personal Represen tative

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

to-wit: APN: 10043 THE SOUTHEASTERLY 14 FEET OF LOT 15 AND THE NORTHWESTERLY 46 FEET OF LOT 16, BLOCK 96, CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Com monly known as: 175N -177 11TH ST, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Benefi ciary, CMG Mortgage, 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 11/01/2021 to 11/30/2022

at $27,264.32 Monthly Late Charge(s): 300.65 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $356,677.68 together with interest thereon at the rate of 2.75000% per annum from October 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 March 21, 2023 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand

Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder 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 foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, includ ing 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 de fault occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or at torney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. With out limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representa tions or warranties, 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 meth amphetamines, 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 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: November 10, 2022 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE

CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Order Number 87223, Pub Dates: 11/23/2022, 11/30/2022, 12/7/2022, 12/14/2022, CHRONICLE

NOTICE OF CITY OF ST. HELENS PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS

HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the City of St. Helens Planning Commission on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at or after 7:00 PM in the City Council Cham bers, located in the City Hall building at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. Ac cess into City Hall for this hearing will be from the plaza side entrance. Zoom will also be available to participate. Virtual access

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information to join the hear ing will be available on the applicable agenda. Agendas can be found on the City’s website: https://www.sthel ensoregon.gov/meetings. The purpose of this hearing is to consider an application as follows: File No: Historic Resource Review, HRR.1.22

Applicant: Emerick Archi tects, Brendan Hart Request: Interior and exterior altera tions of a locally designated landmark Location: 251 St. Helens Street Map No: 4N1W-3BB-12600 Testi

mony from the public in both oral or written form is invited. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with those procedures found in the City Development Code (SHMC Title 17) Chapter 17.24 and any rules of procedure adopted by the City Council. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve, deny, or ap prove this application with conditions, based on the following criteria: SHMC 17.36.040 (3) Criteria for alteration. Failure to raise

an issue, including con stitutional or other issues relating to any proposed conditions of approval, in this hearing, in person, or by letter, or failure to raise an issue accompanied by state ments or evidence sufficient to afford the approving authority an opportunity to respond to the issue pre cludes appeal to the appli cable appellate jurisdiction (e.g., the Land Use Board of Appeals, LUBA) on that is sue, and precludes an action for damages in circuit court.

The application file is locat ed at City Hall (265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR) and all documents in the file are available for inspection. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing. There is no cost to inspect the file or staff report; copies are available at a reasonable cost. The report for this ap plication will also be avail able on the City’s website at https://www.sthelensoregon. gov/meetings. Questions

should be directed to the City Planning Department by phone: 503-397-6272, e-mail: jgraichen@sthel ensoregon.gov, mail: 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, or in person at City Hall. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on December 21, 2022, at or after 10:00 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex, 230 Strand Street, Room 310, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. The purpose of this hear ing is to consider James and Paulette Lichatowich’s APPEAL of the Columbia County Planning Manager’s June 27, 2022 decision to APPROVE the Voris D. and Mildred C. Probst Revo cable Living Trust’s Minor

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The Columbia County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on December 21, 2022, at or after 10:00 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex, 230 Strand Street, Room 310, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. The purpose of this hearing is to consider Robert and Kathy Ramey and Tina L. King’s APPEAL of the Columbia County Planning Commis sion’s September 21, 2022 decision to APPROVE Tim and Tami Carleton’s

Partition and Property Line Adjustment in the Rural Residential (RR-2) Zone off Miloris Way on the 6.61 acre property associated with current Tax Map ID Number 5128-CA04002 , Application File No. MP 22-04/PLA 22-20. This hearing is to afford interest ed parties an opportunity to appear and be heard on the following matter. Any com ments you wish to provide will be appreciated; how ever, 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 Board of County Commis sioners to jacyn.normine@ columbiacountyor.gov prior to 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2022. Please refer ence MP22-04/PLA22-20 on written testimony. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is the final local decision-maker for all County Plan and Ordinance amendments. Applicable de

cision criteria are contained in CCZO 620; Columbia County Subdivision and Partitioning Ordinance; the Comprehensive Plan; and any other statute or ordi nance determined to apply. The specific criteria appli cable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report. This hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. For more infor mation contact Deborah. Jacob@columbiacountyor. gov or phone 503-397-1501.

A copy of the application, all documents and evidence relied upon by the applicant, and the staff report will be available for at https:// www.columbiacountyor. gov/Hearings at least 7 days prior to this hearing. Writ ten comments on the issue can be submitted via email to Jacyn.normine@colum biacountyor.gov or you can send comments via U.S. Mail to Columbia County, Board of Commissioners c/o Jacyn Normine, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens,

OR 97051. Please reference MP22-04/PLA22-20 on written comment. You may participate in this hear ing in person or virtually. To attend virtually go to https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free) 1 866 899 4679. The meeting access code is: 357-054-141. The Board of Commissioners re serves the right to continue the hearing to another date and time. If the hearing is continued, no further public notice will be provided.

Template Test Dwelling in the Primary Forest (PF-80) Zone off Price Road on the 17.52 acres associated with current Tax Map ID Number 7315-B0-02500, Applica tion File No. RDF 22-04. This hearing is to afford interested parties an op portunity to appear and be heard on the above matter. 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 Board of County Commissioners to jacyn. normine@columbiacounty or.gov prior to 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2022. Please reference RDF 22-04. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is the final local decision-maker for all County Plan and Ordinance amendments. Applicable decision criteria are con

tained in CCZO 500; the Oregon Statewide Planning Goals; the Comprehensive Plan; and any other statute or ordinance determined to apply. The specific criteria applicable to this request is listed and evaluated in the staff report. This hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. For more information contact Deborah.Jacob@columbia countyor.gov or phone 503397-1501. A copy of the ap

plication, all documents and evidence relied upon by the applicant, and the staff re port will be available for at https://www.columbiacoun tyor.gov/Hearings at least 7 days prior to this hearing. Written comments on the issue can be submitted via email to Jacyn.normine@ columbiacountyor.gov or you can send comments via U.S. Mail to Columbia County, Board of Commis sioners c/o Jacyn Normine, 230 Strand Street, St.

Helens, OR 97051. Please reference RDF 22-04. You may participate in this hear ing in person or virtually. To attend virtually go to https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free) 1 866 899 4679. The meeting access code is: 357-054-141. The Board of Commissioners re serves the right to continue the hearing to another date and time. If the hearing is continued, no further public notice will be provided.

Public Notices

CH22-1005

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NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Pursuant to ORS 87.162, the undersigned lien claim ant has perfected a pos sessory lien in the below described property and will be selling the property at public sale to satisfy the amount due under its lien and its recoverable expenses incurred. The following information is provided with respect to the sale: Property Description: 1979 20”0” Sea Ray Fiberglass Pleasure Boat HIN SE RA5890A0579, Title # TITL. 0588429.0; Vessel ID OR354AEL. Name/Last Known Address of Reputed

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Owner: Daniel R. Young (Owner), 32456 Tide Creek Road, Deer Island, Oregon 97054. Raymond L. Barger (Reputed Owner/Slip Les see), 34922 Canaan Road, Deer Island, Oregon 97054.

Amount Due on Lien: Moor age fees of $895.00 due as of November 1, 2022, and thereafter accruing at rate of $155.00/mo. or $5.71/day; plus costs of certified post age and Notice publication. Time and Place of Sale: December 30, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. Marina Office/General Store Doorway/Entrance, St. Helens Marina, 134 N. Riv

er Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Person Foreclosing Lien: St. Helens Marina, LLC (Lien Claimant), 134 River Street, P.O. Box 1034, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Questions concerning the sale may be directed to: Brad Hendrickson, Manager, St. Helens Marina, LLC, 134 River Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Telephone: 503-397-4162. All bids must include a 24 hour removal plan. If the vessel is not then timely removed, the bid can be invalidated and the next bid in succession will be deemed the successful bid.

NOTICE OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The CCMH Board of Directors meeting will be held 12/6/2022 at 4pm. The Directors would love to hear feedback from clients and community members! This

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will be a hybrid meeting and if you would like to join physically, please meet in the Community Room at our Creekside location on McNulty. To attend the

NOTICE OF MEETING

McNulty Water PUD Board meeting will be held December 6 , 2022, at 7pm.

Most Columbia County clients and other Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in December.

In December, approxi mately 426,000 SNAP house holds will receive approxi mately $70 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 De cember, Oregon will also be able to issue them in January 2023. However, the emergen cy benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emergency ends.

In December, approxi mately 426,000 SNAP house

Located at 34240 Mil lard Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.

meeting via phone, please call in using the following number: +1 323-486-1906 Conference ID: 847 420 41# CCMH is an equal opportu nity employer.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Es tate of KATHLEEN RAE STRANDBERG, Deceased. Case No. 22PB09931 NO TICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been ap pointed personal representa tive of this estate. All per

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

rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published, November 23, 2022. Kenneth L. Strand berg, Personal Representa tive.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of DONALD THOMAS SWANSON, Deceased. Case No. 22PB09279 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PER SONS NOTICE IS HERE BY GIVEN that the under signed has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons

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

rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. DATED and first published, November 30, 2022. Nancy K. Huff man, Personal Representa tive.

The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon.

Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

holds will receive approxi mately $70 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.

“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. “The holiday season can also bring additional stress and worry for many Oregonians who 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 Dec. 13. Emergency allotments will be issued Dec. 30 or Jan. 4, 2023 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 1-800-699-

9075.

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: 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: 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 adrco foregon.org.

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

org

• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: caporegon.org/findservices/

• Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

Learn more at https:// www.oregon.gov/dhs/ben efits/Pages/index.aspx . For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connec tion (ADRC) at 1-855-OREADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

Leisure-hospitality, construction sectors gain jobs

Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 4.1% in October from 3.8% in September and was above the recent low of 3.5% reached in May, June and July.

health care and social as sistance (+1,100), leisure and hospitality (+800), and con struction (+700). These gains were partially offset by losses in retail trade (-700 jobs) and

rapid expansion of the past 12 months, when it added 8,800 jobs, or 7.9% growth. It em ployed 120,900 in October, another record high, which was well above construction’s

Fire agency to launch commercial building inspections

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Scappoose Fire District will begin fire inspections for commercial buildings starting January 2023.

“Scappoose Fire District is committed to protecting lives and property against fire loss,” a release from the fire district states. “The best way to protect against fire loss is prevention. Rou tine fire inspections are one of the most effective ways to prevent fires within the community.”

The purpose of the fire inspections is to identify and correct violations of the fire code, and to edu cate business and property owners about fire safety, according to Scappoose Fire.

Scappoose Fire District Division Chief Miguel Bau tista said the inspections are required under Oregon

law.

“There are some build ings that are high hazards and high occupancy, and they need to be inspected,” he said. “We are mak ing this a priority for the purpose of protecting the community. Our main goal is to educate. It not to be overbearing enforcement.”

Bautista said the inspec tions are a matter of public safety.

“We look for anything that has to do with the entrances and exits, making sure the buildings have fire alarms and sprinkler systems, that addresses are clear and visible day and night, and that we have clear access to the build ings.”

Depending on when the building was constructed depends on the required fire protection systems, Bau tista said.

“We look at what year the building was built and

what was the approved use,” he said.

The routine fire inspec tion is scheduled ahead of time with business owners and/or their designees. In addition to prevention of fires within our community, the completion of fire in spections also benefits our communities’ ISO score, which can result in savings on insurance premiums for our citizens.

An ISO fire rating is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office. The score reflects how prepared a community and area is for fires. The number of fire inspections completed is factored into the risk evalu ation for a community.

Building owners who have questions or concerns should contact the Scap poose Fire District at 503543-5026.

State issues investment cryptocurrency warning

Financial Regulation (DFR) is urging Oregon investors to diversify investments and be informed of the risks in investing in largely un regulated products such as cryptocurrency.

Some of these financial product offerings are regis tered and licensed with DFR as money transmitters or se curities offerings. The divi sion has investigated several cryptocurrency companies and continues to monitor the market.

According to an online broad definition, a crypto currency is virtual or digital money that takes the form of tokens or coins.

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that have no government backing. They are typically pur chased, used, stored, and traded electronically through digital currency exchanges. They can be traded for goods and services, trans ferred from one person to

ment opportunities,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “No investment op portunities are risk free, and you should always do your homework on where you are sending your money. This is especially true when crypto currency is involved.”

The bankruptcy of FTX, the third largest cryptocur rency exchange in the world, which left approximately 1 million customers and inves tors facing total losses in the billions, should serve as a warning to anyone investing in cryptocurrency.

“Investing in cryptocur rency is extremely risky given what’s going on right now,” Keen said. “It’s important to not invest more than you can afford to lose or put all of your assets in one bucket.”

Cryptocurrency accounts

issued a fact sheet clarifying

DFR encourages Orego nians to follow these tips when it comes to digital currency and nonfungible tokens (NFTs), which are often linked to digital works of art, photos, or videos: Carefully research these types of investments. Many of these “investment opportunities” are specula tive in nature. Before engag ing in a transaction, make sure that you understand what you are purchasing, the value of the item purchased, the reason for the valuation, and how easy it is to sell the investment if you want to get out your money.

Use a digital currency exchange that is licensed with the state to transmit cryptocurrency to someone else. Oregon law requires companies that transfer digi tal currency from one person

Scappoose Share & Care

and send it with your special gift today. Thank you!

to another to be licensed as money transmitters. Digital currency exchange compa nies that purchase or sell cryptocurrency from their own inventories are not required to be licensed.

Do not spend money you need. The volatility of the digital currency and NFT markets means that you should not purchase crypto currency with money that is needed for essential pur poses such as food, housing,

October, the DFR warned of several online scams that are couched as “education” and “guidance” to investors in what are actually steering schemes.

“These schemes make numerous misrepresenta tions about the investment and its rate of return through TikTok and Discord, mak ing it difficult to later track down these misrepresenta

involved,” the DFR stated in offerings are often targeted at people who have recently lost money on invest ments in cryptocurrency or stocks.”

For more information about these platforms, or if you believe you may have been defrauded, contact the division’s advocates at 866814-9710 (toll-free).

Metro Creative Connection

The bankruptcy of FTX, which left approximately 1 million customers and investors facing total losses in the billions, should serve as a warning to anyone investing in cryptocurrency, the DFR said.

Courtesy photo

A previous Scappoose Fire District inspection.

Season's Greetings

Celebrating the season in Columbia County

• Sand Island - Access the river from St. Helens

• Caples House Museum1925 First St, Columbia City

• Pixie Park - Columbia City

This event is hosted by the City of St. Helens through tourism support from Cascadia Home Loans (Matt McHugh, NMLS#116407), Wauna Federal Credit Union, The Jane Garcia Team of Keller Williams, Big Food Cart and Brew, 503 Distill ing, Best Western Oak Mead ows Inn, and Sand Island Campground.

in Clatskanie. A familyfriendly animated holiday movie will be shown at 3 p.m. in the Birkenfeld Theatre inside the Cultural Center. There is no admission fee and free popcorn will be offered to all attending.

the Rainier Eagles Lodge. The public is welcome.

happy holiday!

Take time to be with fam ily and friends, spread cheer and goodness, and Shop Lo cal whenever you can.

Here are just a few of the events throughout our com munity designed to celebrate the season.

Christmas Ships Parade in St. Helens

The Christmas Ships Parade is operated by Christ mas Ships, Inc., a non-profit organization. The parade started in 1954 and is an annual holiday tradition on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

The event draws both first time and past parade participants. Organizers said participants tend to return each year – several have been parading for over 40 years and several have made this a multigenerational tradition, with the children of previous participants returning with their own boats and families to parade.

The Dec. 10 activities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a walk and wave Santa event with his elves. There will be photo opportunities with live holiday alpacas and festive decorations in the Plaza.

The Christmas Ships Parade launches from the City docks at 6 p.m. The full schedule includes:

• 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Walk and Wave with Santa and his Elves at Plaza Square.

• 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. photos with the holiday alpacas at Plaza Square.

• 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. live holiday music with Tom Grant and Alyssa Schwary at Plaza Square.

• 6 p.m. Christmas Ships Parade at the St. Helens City docks.

Parade organizers list the following outdoor view ing locations in Columbia County for the Christmas Ships parade:

• Columbia Courthouse - Above the St. Helens City docks

• Columbia View Park - South of the courthouse parking lot

More information about the parade can be found at www.christmasships.org/.

Scappoose Christmas Parade

The public is invited to the Spirit of Christmas Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Dec. 17 at the Scap poose Annex Gym, 52265 Columbia River Highway in Scappoose. A Christmas Parade will be held in Scap poose at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. The parade begins at Crown Zellerbach Road and NE Second Street winding through neighborhoods to the Bi Mart Parking Lot. The pa rade resumes at Old Portland Road and ends at Scappoose Middle School. Volunteers will be picking up curbside nonperishable food items for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank to be distributed to lo cal families in need.

December 3 Clatskanie Tree Lighting

The community is invited to celebrate the season on Saturday, Dec. 3, with free events, beginning at 3 p.m., at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem Street

After the movie, Santa Claus appears from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to greet youngsters and hear their Christmas wishes. Adults accompanying the children are encouraged to take pictures. At 5:30 p.m., a Christmas Tree Lighting, with music by the Clatskanie Middle/High School choir and jazz band, will take place in the Cultural Center park ing lot.

The Dec. 3 events are sponsored by the Clatskanie Cultural Center, owned and operated by the Clatskanie Foundation.

December 4 Rainier Christmas Tree Lighting

Christmas tree lighting and Santa’s arrival at 5 p.m. in Rainier. Santa will arrive at Rainier City Hall, 106 W B Street, to light the Christ mas tree. Free pictures and refreshments will follow at

Join the Rainier Chamber of Commerce and the Rainier community in welcoming Santa to Rainier during our Lighting of the Christmas Tree! There will be coffee, cocoa and cookies as well as the opportunity to snap a photo with Santa!

The Rainier Chamber will be hosting a mixer for those that are 21 and over

right after the Tree Lighting at the Big Green Building. The Library is willing to host a festive story time for those that would like to attend the Mixer but need someone to keep a close eye on their chil dren. Story time will be from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Spirits, appetizers, festive music, and the opportunity to converse with local business community members will be offered during the mixer.

The Chronicle, in partner ship with our local business clients, wishes all in our community members and our visitors season’s greetings for a

Courtesy from the City of St. Helens

The Christmas Ships Parade begins at 6 p.m., Dec. 10 at the St. Helens City docks.