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Wednesday, December 15, 2021

thechronicleonline.com

Serving Columbia County since 1881

Where We Live

The future of swimming in St. Helens

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle

The Scappoose Swim team held its first home meet at Eisenschmidt Pool last week. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The growth of the sport of swimming in St. Helens is moving ahead one lap after another. St. Helens High School (SHHS) Head Swim Coach Chelsie Orr is leading the effort to open swimming up to younger students.

How it began During the past summer, Orr conducted a free swim camp for St. Helens’ youth from second to eighth grade. “We had all 56 spots filled and an average of 42 a day,” Orr said. “High school swimmers served as volunteer junior coaches and taught drills, starts, turns, and more. Each

participant received a free shirt, cap, and goggles.” Orr said the younger student event was made possible by an Oregon Department of Education (ODE) summer learning grant. Earlier, Orr successfully presented a proposal to the St. Helens School District to add a middle school swim program, which will debut this spring under coach Amy

Stobbe. “This will provide an earlier chance for student athletes to try out a new sport and will, in turn, feed the high school program and contribute to more success,” Orr said. Currently the only option for competitive swimming below the high school level in the community is the Sea Lions Club team, according to Orr.

“This is similar to other club sports where it involves more of a financial and time commitment,” Orr said. The middle school swim program would be eight weeks of swim training and this year is completely free,” Orr said. ­­­­ See SWIMMING Page A7

School threats highlight mental health concerns ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Parents have been notified and investigations launched following separate school threats in Columbia County. On Wednesday, Dec. 8, police responded to a threat of gun violence at St. Helens Middle School, 354 N. 15th Street. The St. Helens School District issued a letter to parents and community members later that day, describing the nature of the incident. “During afternoon classes a student told a classmate not to show up for school the next

day, claiming that he was going ‘to shoot it up,’ the letter reads. “School officials were quickly notified and local law enforcement responded without further incident. Local law enforcement and school officials have made contact with the student and their parents to secure the threat and ensure the safety of our school community.” The St. Helens School District letter highlighs the school’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure campus for students. “We take safety very seriously at St. Helens Middle School and will not tolerate any kind of threat of violence on our campus,” the letter states. “Our first priority

is the safety of our students and staff, which is why the St. Helens School District and local first responders partner together to ensure that safety is always at the

forefront.” According to the school’s website. another separate incident occurred Friday, Nov. 19. A student displayed a knife on campus, according to school administrators, who notified police. Officers responded to the scene and the student was removed from the campus. Earlier, officials at Rainier’s Hudson Park Elementary School took action following a school safety threat on Dec. 6. Rainier School District Superintendent Joseph Hattrick issued a Dec. 7 letter informing parents that two students at Hudson Park Elementary made threats to other

students, prompting an investigation by the school district and local law enforcement. No one was injured in the incident. “A rumor is going around that a gun was brought onto our campus and was not reported,” Hattrick said. “At no time was there a gun on campus. The school discovered two threat lists at school. It was immediately reported to administration and an investigation was initiated. It was also immediately reported to law enforcement. A student was found to have a pocket knife in their backpack but it was ­­­­ See THREATS Page A4

Local police officers recognized for community service STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

St. Helens Police Department officers are being recognized for their exemplary service, conduct, and life-saving efforts that went above and beyond the normal high standards of their positions. Officer and Supervisor of the Year St. Helens Patrol Officer Anthony Boswell has been selected as the St. Helens Police Department Officer of the Year. Boswell was described as a natural leader who Letters ....................... A4 Cartoon ..................... A4 Holiday Calendar .... A4 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Crossword ............... A6 Legals ....................... A7

sets a good example for his fellow officers to emulate. He is a field training officer for the St. Helens Police Department, and he has been instrumental in teaching, coaching, and mentoring new officers. He is noted for taking responsibility for his actions and his willingness to handle any task. Boswell has served as a patrol officer with the St. Helens Police Department for four years. He is a six-year veteran of the United States Army. During his time of service, he received the Army Service Medal, four Army commendation medals, three Army achievement medals, and two overseas ribbons. He was deployed twice, once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He still serves as an active National Guard member and recently returned from a deployment to Africa. Boswell was just promoted to Sergeant First Class in the National Guard. Detective Corporal Matthew Smith was named the St. Helens

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

St. Helens Patrol Officer Anthony Boswell has been selected as the St. Helens Police Department Officer of the Year.

Detective Corporal Matthew Smith was named the St. Helens Police Department Supervisor of the Year.

Police Department Supervisor of the Year. Smith was described as someone who lives based on a core set of values that he instills in those

around him. His daily interactions reflect his integrity, courage, accountability, respect for others, and excellence. Smith’s can-do attitude

is contagious within the department. In his job and supervisory role as detective, he serves the St. Helens community at a level that is unprecedented and is constantly mentoring, coaching, and empowering staff to always strive for excellence in their work. Smith was hired as a St. Helens patrol officer in July 2020. He was quickly promoted to detective in August 2020 and then again to corporal in December 2020. Smith started his law enforcement career as a cadet and reserve for the Beaverton Police Department before he was hired by the Gervais Police Department in 2002 and then as a patrol officer at the City of Forest Grove Police Department in April 2003. Smith holds a supervisory police certification with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) which he earned in 2016. While at Forest ­­­­

Vol. 139, No. 50

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See POLICE Page A5


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