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State receives vaccine, urges patience MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Oregon on Monday, Dec. 14. The shipment is from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE and was given emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on on Thursday, Dec. 9. “The first shipments of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Oregon, the first of many that will be distributed across the state,” Gov. Kate Brown said on Monday. “Starting with the frontline health care workers who have been our first line of defense against COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and the long-term care facility residents who are among the most vulnerable, each day, more and more Oregonians will be vaccinated against this disease.” Legacy Health’s Portland and Tualatin hospitals were the first to receive the vaccines, each receiving a package containing 975 doses. The remainder of this week’s allocation of 35,100 doses are expected at hospitals around the state throughout the week. Skilled nursing facilities will receive 10,725 doses for vaccinations that start next week. Despite the deliveries, public health officials and government leaders still advise residents to continue to practice prevention measures, as
vaccinations for the general public are still months away. “As we wait for wide distribution of the vaccine, one of our most important challenges is to remind Oregonians to keep your guard up,” Brown said in a press conference Friday, Dec. 11. “We all need to keep wearing masks, limiting get togethers and maintaining social distance until we achieve community immunity.” Fast Fact COVID-19 vaccinations may be available at no cost to the general public by late spring 2021.
residents will have the opportunity to be vaccinated, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Pat Allen said. “The challenge is we’ve been given no distribution schedule or any idea of how many doses to expect on any regular basis, so it’s really impossible for us to put a specific timeline on that,” said Allen. About 70% of the state needs to be vaccinated to achieve community immunity, Brown said. To accomplish that, she said more than 10,000 residents will need to be vaccinated per day. “It’s a tall order, and we can’t do it without federal resources to deliver the doses and support our distribution and outreach efforts,” she said.
The question of when community immunity will be possible is still uncertain, and depends largely on how many additional doses of vaccines the state will receive after this month. What is known is that by the end of December, the state is slated to receive 147,000 doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The first round of vaccine recipients will be certain hospital staff and longterm care facility staff and residents. There are around 360,000 healthcare workers who will need the vaccine and no information yet from the federal government on future vaccine dose allocation. The uncertainty makes it difficult to predict when all
Vaccine details
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective. The Pfizer vaccine doses need to be administered 21 days apart and the Moderna vaccines need to be administered 28 days apart. Public health officials anticipate there will be enough of the two vaccines to provide first doses to about 100,000 people this month, with second doses to follow in January. The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra cold storage (-94 degrees) and is See VACCINE Page A2
Metro Creative Connections / The Chronicle
The shipments follow a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision on Friday to issue an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was found in Phase 3 clinical trials to be 95% effective and, in most people, cause only mild to moderate, short-lived side effects.
St. Helens growth challenges fire district JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
With construction well underway for the new St. Helens Grocery Outlet along Highway 30, new apartments and new housing development, Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) officials are looking closely at the overall economic growth impact. In the following conversation, CRFR Division Chief of Operations Eric Smythe provides insight into how the increasing growth will impact current and future fire district services. The Chronicle: What have been the average call volumes in the St. Helens area and what impact (projected percent increase)
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
The walls of the new Grocery Outlet store are going up adjacent to Legacy Clinic along Highway 30 in St. Helens. The development is part of the overall area growth that Columbia River Fire & Rescue is now planning for.
on those volumes does your agency see with the additional apartments, housing and commercial development?
Eric Smythe: Columbia River Fire & Rescue has seen a steady increase in requests for service over the last several years. The
district has employed several programs to meet the increase demand and maximize our ability to respond to emergency incidents within our communities. CRFR has a grant-funded community paramedic who visits clients following post hospital treatment plans, chronic disease processes, and high frequency users in an effort to improve their recovery. The community paramedic works with hospitals and doctors offices to assist patients in following their medication regimen, answer questions, and act as an in home visit for patients on their road to better health. CRFR also has implemented an emergency medical services (EMS) only day car that is staffed with EMT’s and paramedics. This 12-hour peak utilization ambu-
lance has assisted our fire personnel on treatments and transports to area hospitals. The day-car covers the time where we see the most demands for service occurs. This additional unit is designed to ensure we have fire personnel available for either fires or other EMS related incidents. CRFR has exceeded 5,500 emergency incidents per year and the trend continues to increase. We anticipate additional requests for service as our population increases over the next several years. Multifamily occupancies, such as apartments, will increase the population in a smaller geographical area compared to houses/subdivisions. We
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Who We Are: Christmas car highlights holiday spirit
Photo courtesy of Ryan Drake
This 1998 Ford Escort will be a Christmas present for a local needy family. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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Vol. 138, No. 52
You might not have thought a used car would be the focus of the Christmas spirit in St. Helens, but don’t tell
that to Ryan Drake. Each year, Drake, who owns Drake’s Towing in St. Helens, looks for a way to give back to the community, especially during the Christmas holidays. Last year, Drake teamed up with Tony Cole’s Giving Tree donations campaign as a secret Santa, selecting five families and presenting $100 in gifts selected specifically for each family from a wish list. Cole unfortunately passed away earlier this year, but his spirit of giving continues throughout the community. Drake has joined Cole’s sister in continuing the giving project. In looking for something different to give this holiday, Drake found a used 1998 Ford Escort for sale and he purchased the vehicle.
“It has about 150,000 miles on it, but it runs good,” he said. “It’s a clean car that will be great for a needy family and I thought, ‘This would be a perfect car to donate.”’ Drake placed a photo of the Ford on the towing company’s Facebook page and asked other businesses to help sponsor the Christmas car giveaway. Dr. Auto in Warren and David’s Automotive in Scappoose joined the effort offering to help check out the Ford to make sure it was ready to go. Other individual donors offered new tires, a full tank of gas and even auto insurance. Drake appreciates the community support because it is important to help those in need, he said. “Some of their stories are heart
breaking, so hopefully this will make a difference,” he said. Once the car is fixed up, Drake said he will select a name from the nominated families to receive the car as a surprise Christmas gift. “We’re going to have each sponsor pick a nominated family, put that name in a hat and choose one,” he said. “We would like to deliver the car to the family before Christmas.” For more information, visit Drake’s Towing on Facebook. If you know of someone, an agency or business, or a group, that is making a positive difference in our community and would like to see them featured in Who We Are, email details to jruark@countrymedia.net.
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VACCINE From Page A1
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The state is offering to eliminate penalties and interests on 2019 income tax due from Oregon businesses struggling through the pandemic.
State offers business tax relief STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Gov. Kate Brown has announced new measures the Oregon Department of Revenue will take to provide tax relief to Oregon small businesses suffering from the economic impacts of COVID-19. The measures will eliminate penalties and interests on 2019 income tax due from Oregon businesses that are struggling to pay tax bills amid COVID-19 restrictions, according to Brown. “I have heard from business owners across the state about the struggle to keep their doors open during these difficult times,” Brown said.
“Small business owners who play by the rules shouldn’t face penalties and fees because COVID-19 has robbed them of their livelihood. In March, the Department of Revenue implemented measures to help all taxpayers navigate COVID-19. Today we are announcing an expansion of that relief to help business owners who are struggling.” The additional tax relief provisions apply to Personal Income, Corporate Excise, and Corporate Income taxes: • 100% penalty waivers on 2019 income tax due from businesses that are impacted by COVID-19. • 100% interest waivers on 2019 income tax due from
small businesses that are impacted by COVID-19 and that have less than $5 million in gross receipts. • Continuing to provide extended payment plans of up to 36 months for any taxpayer impacted by COVID-19 when entering into an approved payment plan. In addition to these measures, Brown has directed the Oregon Department of Revenue to extend the due date of the amusement device tax (lottery machines) for the second quarter of tax year 2020 from Jan. 14, 2021, to April 14, 2021. Brown said the effort will provide additional relief for Oregon restaurants and bars experiencing economic hardship.
Nearly $1 million in grants available for local businesses
Metro Creative Connections / The Chronicle
Columbia County has nearly $1 million to help assist local businesses impacted by the pandemic. STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Applications for a new round of small business grants are open now. The state allocated almost $1 million to Columbia County to support small businesses and organizations impacted by the pandemic and the county has until Dec. 30 to distribute the funds. Nonprofits and small businesses are eligible to apply for the Emergency Small Business Grant until Saturday, Dec. 19, at smallbizhub. columbiacountyoregon.com. The county has partnered with the Columbia County Economic Team (CCET) to help allocate the grants.
Due to the quick timeline, applicants will be asked to provide more information in their applications than in previous grant applications because there’s less time for the economic team to follow up and assist with questions, CCET Director Paul Vogel said. “I want to point out, as has been happening with most of the things that have been CARES Act affiliates, these things come to us on a very short timeline,” Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller said at the commissioner meeting Wednesday, Dec. 9. The county received the paperwork and information about the funding on Dec. 2 and has just until the end
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of the month to distribute the funds or return leftover money to the state. “Our ultimate goal is to not give one cent back to the state,” Heimuller said. There is $959,274 in funding to be distributed to local businesses and nonprofits who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Some restrictions apply and CCET asks that people who know their business is not eligible or has not been severely adversely impacted by the pandemic to refrain from applying. Businesses that have previously received grant funding (including previous Emergency Small Business Grants, CARES Act grants and Paycheck Protection Program loans) are eligible to apply.
good for five days after thaw. Most of the facilities with capability to store vaccines at that temperature are located along the Interstate-5 corridor, but cold storage hubs will be set up across the state. The Moderna vaccine will likely be used in more rural areas because it only requires standard freezing temperatures and is good for 30 days after thaw. The initial number of doses each county will receive will depend on the number of hospital employees and long term care facility residents and staff are in the area, and more specific details will be released as the vaccines arrive to the state. According to health officials, some of the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine include fatigue, headache, chills and muscle aches to varying extents for those in the 16-55 age group. Who gets the vaccine The state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan is organized into different phases based on need. The first to receive vaccines are people in Phase 1-A: health care workers and residents and staff of longterm care facilities. Hospital staff are included in Phase 1-A and include all employees, both clinical and nonclinical. It is recommended that hospitals prioritize staff who are critical to maintaining capacity to serve the highest number of patients and those with the most potential for direct exposure to COVID-19. It is also recommended that hospitals stagger access among staff to avoid staffing shortages in face of potential post-vaccination side effects. Phase 1-B includes other essential workers and people at a higher risk of COVID-19 illness, including people 65 and older. Phase 2 and 3 will focus on the remaining portions from Phase 1, critical populations and then open to the general population, possibly by late spring. Officials from the OHA expect that supply may be constrained
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 during the initial distribution of Phase 1-A before additional doses arrive. The state vaccination plan is in tandem with the federal effort that partnered with pharmacy companies CVS, Walgreens and Consonus Healthcare to offer onsite, no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care facilities in Oregon. That program begins Dec. 21 with 22,425 doses going to skilled nursing facilities and 80,000 doses to assisted living facilities. COVID-19 status COVID-19 case rates continue to climb across the state, said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state health officer and epidemiologist. “Our situation remains precarious and concerning,” he said. On Monday, 1,180 new cases were reported across the state, bringing the total to 95,010. Over 10,000 new cases were reported in the last week, Sidelinger said, and COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the rise as well. As of Monday, there were 539 pandemic-related hospitalizations and 121 people in intensive care units with COVID-19. The number of people in the hospital with the virus is up 70% since midNovember. Deaths have also risen, he said. The current statewide death toll is 1,161. “Each death marks the anguish end of a lost battle against the virus; each death leaves a hole in someone’s family,” he said. “Each death cuts short the love, laughter and memories of families and friends.” The efforts made by residents to limit transmission of the virus, and statewide restrictions, seem to be starting to make a small difference, Sidelinger said. “There is good news: We haven’t observed a marked increase in cases following the Thanksgiving holiday,” Sidelinger said. “Our cases are still rising on average, but there’s evidence they’re not rising as steeply.” Long lasting effects In her plea to residents, particularly those under 40,
to continue to follow safety measures, Brown said there is no way to know what effect COVID-19 may have on someone until it is contracted, and that youth doesn’t guarantee health. Darrah Isaacson, a 40-year-old Portland resident, contracted the virus on her birthday in early March. In the nine and a half months that have followed, she said her symptoms have only worsened. “I’m a COVID long hauler,” Isaacson said. “There’s thousands of us across the country. Many of those long haulers, like myself, were very active and healthy with no underlying health conditions.” Instead of hiking, biking, canoeing or participating in the active outdoor events like she usually likes to do, Isaacson said she can barely walk around the block now. “Some people think that this is just like the flu. I can tell you from personal and horrible experience that that way of thinking is extremely dangerous,” Isaacson said. “This is an unpredictable and terrifying disease. It’s been almost 10 months since I contracted it. I’m still alive, but my life has been turned upside down.” On her worst days, Isaacson said her muscle tremors and weakness prevent her from holding a computer mouse and she cannot stand up long enough to shower. She said the hardest part has been the effect it has had on her family and her 5-yearold daughter, who doesn’t understand why her mother can no longer play with her. “I know it’s exhausting to be vigilant about mask wearing and keeping your distance, but I can tell you the alternative is way more exhausting,” she said. “This is not the time for blame or arguments, this is the time for sacrifice so we can come together and keep this virus from harming any more families like mine.” Follow daily pandemic reports at thechronicleonline.com with in-depth coverage in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
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Students take Shakespeare to stage JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 7 p.m. Monday Dec. 21 St. Helens High School Drama YouTube Channel
Photo courtesy of Portland Community College
St. Helens High School students conducted taped interviews with trade workers from companies including USiA, Vigor, Cobot Team and Autodesk.
Local students produce, share manufacturing videos STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
A group of St. Helens High School metal and manufacturing class students likely never thought they would be producing learning videos for other schools, but that is exactly what they have accomplished. In a year of unprecedented change, Portland Community College (PCC), Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research and Development (OMIC R&D) and the Northwest STEM Hub have remained committed to helping Columbia County high school students explore careers in advanced manufacturing, according to officials from the college. Unable to host the annual, in-person Manufacturing Day event due to COVID-19, the event planning committee turned to St. Helens High School metals and manufacturing students to help continue the important initiative. “St. Helens students have played a leadership role in each of the past OMIC Manufacturing Day events, and we were excited to continue the tradition through an alternative virtual format,” high school metals and manufacturing teacher Bonnie Adams said. Utilizing Zoom, the students conducted taped interviews with tradesmen and women from companies including USiA, Vigor, Cobot Team and Autodesk. The student-led interviews covered topics on what it’s like to work in the trades, the skills and training required and advice on how to prepare for a career in advanced manufacturing. “The students were able to ask the questions that were on their minds, and our industry partners answered honestly, drawing on their own experience, while providing practical insights on a variety of careers in manufacturing,” Adams said. The Manufacturing Day Committee produced and distributed nine videos designed to help students learn more about advanced manufacturing. The videos, which were shared with 12
school districts and reached approximately 270 students in Northwest Oregon, featured the student-led industry interviews, an OMIC R&D blueprint tutorial, a virtual tour of the new college OMIC Training Center and messages from local elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and State Sen. Betsy Johnson. “These are challenging times, and it’s critical we continue to support young people who are interested in manufacturing,” Adams said. “I’m grateful to our industry partners, and I’m incredibly proud of the leadership our students showed to support other young people across the region.” This year’s Manufacturing Month initiative, like this past summer’s Columbia Works paid internship program, highlighted the importance of the college’s engagement with the Columbia County community as the college prepares to open its new PCC OMIC training center in Scappoose in 2021, according to a release from PCC. The center will be focused on cultivating Oregon’s next generation of advanced manufacturing workers and house such programs as machining, industrial fabrication and mechatronics. Adams said as a career and technical education instructor, her classes are designed to prepare students with the skills and aptitude to work with their hands and for whatever academic or career path they choose.
“That’s why I treat my students like colleagues and we focus not only on technical skills like machining, welding, and blueprint reading, but also on safety, communication, and problem solving,” Adams said in the opening remarks of the college’s newsletter. According to Adams, the St. Helens students also learn to use their skills to support the community. “In fact, my students have built bike racks and benches for local businesses, sculptures for local parks, and even a set of hosepractice boxes for our local fire department,” she said. I’m particularly proud that this year, when confronted with COVID restrictions that prevented an in-person Manufacturing Day event, our students responded by conducting video interviews with local craftspeople that were then shared with 270 students from 12 school districts across the region.”
Theatre class students at the St. Helens High School are not letting the pandemic hold them back. The students have produced a virtual play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, that will be presented on the high school’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. Drama instructor Ron Barnett outlines the project in the following conversation. The Chronicle: Why was this specific work by Shakespeare elected? Ron Barnett: Our ensemble started by looking at both “Macbeth” and “Midsummer” Original Practice Shakespeare versions. I began to lean toward “Midsummer” fairly quickly since it is more upbeat and once I looked at a premiere date—Midwinter on Dec. 21—I thought it was perfect timing to perform “Midsummer on Midwinter.” It’s a reminder that love and renewal can occur during the darkest of days and it’s a celebration marking the days growing a little longer. The Chronicle: Specifically, under the state’s social distancing requirements and guidelines, how did the students put this play together, what were the challenges they faced and how did they overcome those challenges? Barnett: All high school theatre programs have been wrestling with making sure that the show goes on while in isolation. With Zoom auditions
Courtesy photo
From let to right, top to bottom, the cast includes Katie Pletsch as Puck, Ty Steinhauser as Nick Bottom, Kate Duke as Oberon, Kathryn Nelson as Titania, Lily Meier as Flute, and Elliot Vaerewyck as Peter Quince.
and rehearsals, we had to learn to act for the camera rather than a live audience. Since this was a first high school play for most of the cast, there wasn’t a lot of time spent on bemoaning not being in person but they focused their time and energy on supporting one another. Creating a film version of the play instead of a live performance also added new challenges in the amount of post production work that is needed to actually create the film production. Currently there are too many technological issues involved in trying to produce a live Zoom performance so most theatres are opting to premiere their production on YouTube. With Zoom rehearsals, we were able to have 2020 alumni Anastasia Lantzsch assist in rehearsal. Ana helped read parts while we were still in the exploration phase and then worked with actors once they were selected for their roles to help them as they crafted their characters. The Chronicle: What do you hope the students take away from this exercise?
Barnett: Original Practice Shakespeare is a different mode of practicing and performing since actors do not audition for a specific role but for a place within the ensemble. Actors then familiarize themselves with the plot, the characters, and how they relate. This places the focus not on simply learning lines but learning the play itself. It is only just before performing that actors are given a role to perform. Working with Brian Allard of the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival in Portland, this is our second Original Practice Shakespeare play having performed “Romeo and Juliet” during fall 2019. A trailer for the show can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ ydxggbgg and the play will premiere at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, on YouTube at tinyurl. com/yxgef5dp. After the live premiere, the play will remain posted for later viewing at the St. Helens High School Drama YouTube Channel. For more information, call the school at 503-397-1900.
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Students to conduct local food drive JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
SHHS Food Drive 6-8 p.m. Dec. 16 St. Helen High School 2375 Gable Rd. St. Helens 503-397-1900 The St. Helens High School leadership class will conduct a drive through food drive for needy families from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the high school, 2375 Gable Road. Activities Director Noelle Freshner said the leadership class has participated in the community’s Giving Tree program for several years, but due the pandemic, this holiday’s efforts have been
scaled down. Freshner said this holiday, students Amanda Taylor and Hannah Hayduk are in charge of the food drive. “And they have done a great job,” Freshner said. She added that the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) has conducted a canned food and clothing drive as well for 20 years. “Some years they have donated to the local food bank, and others they have kept the items ‘in house’ for our own students,” she said. According to Freshner, each year the school’s Giving Tree helps between one and two local families and the high school’s Lions Den food and clothing pantry helps many students with meals, toiletry, and clothing items.
Fresher said the students efforts are inspiring. “They fought to make anything happen,” she said. “We were thrown some curveballs and extra limitations, but in the end we are happy with the event we are doing.” Freshener said the COVID-19 pandemic and the extended school facilities closure limited the charity events the students and school administrators were hoping to conduct to one single event. “So we decided to pair up and make it happen together.” she said. “We are excited to get to see members of our staff, student body, and community that night. Our school’s lion will also be there and will be available for some socially distanced photos.”
Special Session Gov. Brown seeks $800 million in pandemic, wildfire relief STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Gov. Kate Brown plans to convene a special session of the Oregon Legislature at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21. In a release, Brown said the special session will address Oregonians’ most pressing needs given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which Brown said has only been compounded by Oregon’s horrific wildfires. Brown is asking the legislature to consider both critical policies and $800 million in relief to support Oregonians during a one-day special session on COVID-19 and wildfires. “Oregonians are making tremendous sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Brown said. “While the risk reduction measures we have put in place are working to slow the spread, many Oregon families are struggling with unemployment, housing, food insecurity, and paying their bills — and those most impacted are the same people who are often left behind, including rural, Black, Indigenous, Latino/Latina/Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and
Oregon takes Facebook to court Courtesy photo
Gov. Kate Brown has called the Oregon Legislature into a special session to meet at the state capitol building in Salem on Monday, Dec. 21, to address the impacts of the pandemic and recent wildfires.
Tribal communities. “I continue to call on Congress to pass another robust coronavirus relief bill to bring support to the American people. But these calls have not yet been heeded. It is clear that states must act on their own to provide a bridge until federal help arrives. This is why I am calling on legislators from both sides of the aisle to come together in the best interests of the state. “We must protect Oregonians now, as we face some of our hardest days, whether by getting critical resources into the hands of those most in need, keeping a roof over people’s heads, or recognizing the incredible toll of this virus on our small businesses and restaurants. Oregon must act to bridge the gap as we
continue to wait to see federal relief. I thank legislators for their work in addressing these critical issues next week, and I look forward to our progress.” Included in the Brown’s budget priorities is aid for tenants and landlords, funding for vaccine distribution and contact tracing, wildfire prevention and community preparedness, and support for reopening schools. To help ensure a healthy and safe environment for conducting session, legislative officials are consulting the state epidemiologist, Dr. Dean Sidelinger. Follow this developing story here online and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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Voices of the Community About the Comcast store I read the short article about the current state of the Comcast Business Office, and the company’s desire to close this in-person customer service location. I have lived in this community for decades, and have never visited the location. Others may visit all the time.
A low in-person customer count was cited as one of the reasons Comcast would like to close this location. Missing from this article was the actual customer count. How many customers go to the office to conduct their business in person? Many companies we do business with everyday do not have a physical presence in St. Helens. Instead they provide in-home customer service as needed, or online service
including bill pay. NW Natural comes to mind. I wonder if push back from the city is more about income than it is having a Comcast office. Given the people that work from home or receive their education from home, and count on high speed internet, I would encourage the city to embrace technology and find a compromise. Nicole Prehn St. Helens
The Chronicle
STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Facebook, Inc., alleging that the company has illegally stifled competition—and continues to do so— in order to protect its monopoly power. The lawsuit alleges that over the last decade, Facebook illegally acquired competitors in a predatory manner and blocked the growth of others, with the result that Facebook users were deprived of the benefits of competition even as the company backtracked on consumer privacy protections — all in an effort to boost its bottom line through increased advertising revenue. “In the course of my work as a consumer privacy advocate, I have often heard people say that average Oregonians have little power to change Big Tech,” Rosenblum said. “That’s just not so. Today’s lawsuit against Facebook sends a clear message: All Oregonians deserve protection from harm —especially when the perpetrator is a tech behemoth.” Profits over people According to the lawsuit, Facebook’s unlawful monopoly leaves users with no choice but to stay on Facebook’s platform or to try to rebuild their online networks from scratch. The lawsuit alleges the monopoly traps consumer in a manner reminiscent of the way telecom companies used to prevent customers from changing carriers by forcing them to change their phone numbers in order to leave. With a captive audience, Facebook has broad latitude to control the content users see, and to use the personal information it collects, solely to promote its business interests — even when they conflict with the interests and preferences of users, a statement from Rosenblum reads. The complaint contends, the company’s busi-
ness decisions have steadily eroded privacy protections and limited users’ ability to control their own data. “The Wrath of Mark” – How Facebook buys, or buries, the competition The harm to consumers over the last decade comes as a direct result of Facebook’s acquisition of companies that pose competitive threats, the lawsuit claims, stating that Facebook targets competing platforms for acquisition to ensure that users have no alternatives — a strategy that fuels the company’s unfettered growth and further entrenches its position. Examples include Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp, both hugely popular apps that posed unique threats to Facebook’s monopoly. Antitrust violations Facebook is specifically charged with violating Federal antitrust laws, Section 2 of the Sherman Act, and Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Remedies The coalition asks the court to halt Facebook’s illegal, anti-competitive conduct and block the company from continuing this behavior in the future and to restrain Facebook from making further acquisitions valued at
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or in excess of $10 million without advance notice to the plaintiff states. The court also is asked to provide any additional relief it determines is appropriate, up to and including ordering the divestiture or restructuring of illegally acquired companies, current Facebook assets, or business lines. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Separately, but in coordination with the multistate coalition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also filed a complaint against Facebook today in the same court. The coalition wishes to thank the FTC for its close working relationship and collaboration during this investigation. Oregon is joined in the lawsuit by New York, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the territory of Guam. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in/out county: $8 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Obituaries Amber Louise King
Donna M. Starkey
Nov. 17, 2001 ~ Dec. 1, 2020
March 5, 1934 ~ Dec. 12, 2020 Donna Mae Starkey departed this life on Dec. 12, 2020. She was born on March 5, 1934. As a young family she and her husband Pete relocated the family from Ashtabula, Ohio to California where they enjoyed camping and visiting the many beautiful sites in California and then finally moved to Oregon. Most of her professional life was dedicated to helping people, as her employment was as a secretary to police dispatcher, to purchasing assistance to high school Spanish educator then finishing off her career as a tax consultant. As an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, she spent time as an urban affairs government assistant in the city of Houston helping disadvantaged families. She loved learning, obtaining her master’s degree in Urban Studies from Portland State University and partici-
pating in a year abroad program in Spain. She also spent time as a PH. D candidate at Texas Southern University. She loved music and would often tell people how she excelled to first chair in clarinet when she played in high school. Later she took piano lessons and sang in the church choir to feed her passion for music. Donna is predeceased by a sister Joan Lansburgh; her
three children, Cindi Caruso, Sherine Amick and son-inlaw Clarence (Bud), and Kit Caruso and daughter-in-law Phyllis; six grandchildren, Monique, Jackie, Stephanie, Nicole, Kimberly and Erica; and 10 great grandchildren. She had amassed many friends and co-workers from across the United States who enjoyed her beautiful smile, contagious passion and courteous mannerisms. She loved life, her family and friends and raised her family to always do the right thing for others. Her body can be viewed from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens. She will be buried at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 after a graveside service at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Scappoose, Oregon. She will be greatly missed.
Elsie Lee Lacey
Aug. 6, 1925 – Nov. 28, 2020 Elsie was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Jack and Elizabeth (Wirback) Mires. She passed away Nov. 28, 2020 in St. Helens at the age of 95. She grew up in Washington and graduated from Eatonville High School in 1943. In 1946 she married William (Bill) Lacey, in Seattle, Washington. They had one daughter. They moved to Scappoose in the 60’s and lived in the Scappoose/St. Helens area for 60 years. Elsie retired from P&G Thrifting in Scappoose. She enjoyed dancing,
bowling, golf, and camping. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill
in 2013; and two brothers, Jack and Bob Mires. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Pat and Neil Bundy; grandsons, Wayne (DeAnna) Bundy, and Mike (GiGi) Bundy; and three greatgrandsons, Joshua, Jaxon, and Ethan Bundy. Special thanks to my family, friends, and Legacy Hospice for their neverending help and support. A family graveside service was held at Columbia Memorial Gardens on Dec. 3, 2020. Please sign our online guestbook at www. columbiafh.com
Donald LeRoy Lahr
April 26, 1930 ~ Dec. 5, 2020 Master Sergeant, Donald L. Lahr went to meet his maker on Dec. 5, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Donald was born in Sublimity, Oregon on April 26, 1930 to Frank and Dot Lahr. He was the 12th child and youngest of Frank and Dot. He is the last to survive of all the children. He grew up and graduated from Seaside, Oregon until he joined the Army/Navy at the age of 18, in which he served four years. He then completed his service to our country for another 26 years in the US Air Force before retiring on Aug. 31, 1977. Following his retirement from the armed services, he worked for the St. Helens Post Office for 15 years until his final retirement. He found the love of his life Olga E. (Krehle) Lahr while stationed in Okinawa,
Japan. Upon returning to the states, they were married in Elko, Nevada on Feb. 8, 1968. They made their final home in St. Helens, Oregon. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2017. He is survived by his daughters, Rose Jensen (Don) of Columbia City and Terri Knowles (Warren) of
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Portland; grandchildren, Jennifer Higgins, Sara Mills and Joshua Knowles; and great-grandchildren, Brianna Higgins and Malcolm Knowles. Grandpa had only one hobby: his love of fishing. He fished the Northwest, including Alaska, which was one his happiest moments. It was his request to be placed beside his wife at Columbia Memorial Gardens. Due to the COVID pandemic, there will be no funeral or celebration of life services. Having been a life-long member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a great supporter of the VFW, we ask that donations can be sent to either organization in his honor. Please sign our online guestbook at www. columbiafh.com.
Amber Louise King of Rainier, Oregon passed away in Longview, Washington on Dec. 1, 2020 at the age of 19. She was born in Longview, Washington on Nov. 17, 2001 to Michael Wayne King and Tina Louise King. Amber graduated from Rainier High School on June 6, 2020 with a GPA of 3.7. While in school she was elected Senior Class Secretary and was actively involved in Leadership. She was continuing her education at Lower Columbia Community College in hope of earning her degree in Business Administration and Hospitality. She had dreams of locally opening her own restaurant. She was a hard worker and while taking on a full college schedule, she’d recently started a job working part time as a receptionist. Amber was the recipient of a $500 Scholarship from Lower Columbia Human Resource Management. She was selected and stood out because of her outstanding efforts to prepare for her future career in business. Amber had always been involved with sports one way or another. She played softball, volleyball and basketball. She showed support for her school district and her loving father, the head coach of the Rainier High School varsity football team by being at and cheering them on at every game, both home and away. Amber supported her classmates by attending
many sporting events. You’d find her at both wrestling tournaments and football games where she supported her boyfriend, David Katon on the sidelines throughout his high school career. She and David were voted Queen and King at their Junior Prom. Amber had a special place in her heart for Paulina Lake. Spending the summers with her family camping and hiking is something she cherished. She enjoyed a day at the beach and often you’d find her at Dibble Beach joined by people she loved. Amber shared her love for art with her Mom. They would paint and create many pieces of art and together had started painting a picture of Paulina Lake. She looked forward to spending time cooking with her Mom and especially loved her spaghetti and homemade macn-cheese. She would share all kinds of recipes with her. “Anything pasta” was Am-
ber’s favorite food to prepare and eat. Amber had a passion for life and her family and friends meant the world to her. She truly knew how to enjoy this corner of the world and it meant everything to her. And, as her life was just beginning she kept her memories of bonfire nights, high school dances, sporting events, girls days, and date nights close to her heart. Amber is survived by her parents, Michael King and Tina King; brothers, Kelly (Tori) and Derek; grandparents, Wayne and Jan King and Robert and Kathy Ramey; great grandfather Thomas J. Ramey; aunts, Lorie and Leslie; cousins, Dylan (Courtney), Garret, Ryan, Gavin and many extended cousins; as well as the Berntsen family; and her beloved boyfriend of three years, David Katon and family. She is preceded in death by her uncle, Steve Doggett. Amber passed away due to complications associated with Type 1 Diabetes that was undiagnosed. She was an organ donor and donated her corneas to two people. A candlelight vigil will be held in her honor on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Rainier High School football field. The time will be determined and announced at a later date. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2020 at Rainier Assembly of God Church on Rock Crest Street in Rainier, Oregon.
George “Pete” Sigler
Oct. 23, 1934 ~ Nov. 19, 2020 To all who knew him as “Pete”, George Sigler left this world a better place than he found it Nov. 19, 2020. Pete was born at home, beginning a humble and hard-working life on Oct. 23, 1934 on a farm in Verdel, Nebraska. Being the sixth of seven boys, he had a constant supply of playmates and mentors. During his life he had to say goodbye to Dean, Wayne, Gerald, Perry and Chuck. He is survived by his youngest brother Jack. In 1942 his family packed up his brother’s car and headed west. While his parents worked in the shipyards, Pete learned to box at Youth Care programs at Blue Lake Park. During his early teenage years, his parents lived in Long Beach, Washington and Astoria, Oregon. Pete tried his hand playing football at Astoria High School, but Pete’s confidence and sense of adventure took him on unauthorized filed trips to Portland, Oregon where he secured rooms at a boarding house and became a bicycle courier. Pete recalled many endeavors on the coast such
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as delivering newspapers in Astoria and harvesting oysters on the Peninsula while using the Astoria to Ilwaco ferry by himself at the tender age of 11. On Nov. 15, 1952 Pete married Georgia Potts and they made their home initially in Salem, Oregon but moved to St. Helens where Pete sought employment at the paper mill. While working full time and raising four children, Pete found the time to build four houses just to see if he could and those houses still stand. Although Pete had no formal education or training, he was intuitive and approached problems with patience and confidence often “sleeping on it” trusting the answer would be solved with a good night’s rest. His knowledge of math was impressive, and his engineering mind continues with
his grandson Josiah Sigler. Pete was not a man of many words but of many gracious and practical actions. Pete restored many of his children’s homes and contributed countless hours in deck building and bathroom remodels. Another use of his love of numbers was handicapping horse and dog racing. He claimed to have won more than he lost and often enjoyed those outings with one of his brothers or sons. His retirement years were spent in Warren, Oregon where he enjoyed short trips to the races, swimming at the local pool with his daughterin-law Lisa and attending any sports events of his numerous grandchildren. In his later years Pete came to a faith in Christ and was baptized at Coastline Christian Church in Astoria, Oregon. Pete’s kindness and wry humor will be forever celebrated and remembered by his children, Teresa, Brian, Karl and Julie. Grandpa Pete will be missed by thirteen grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and respectfully remembered by any and all fellow paper makers for his work ethic and problem-solving skills. His legacy is one of humility, confidence and loyalty to those he loved.
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Rideshare Services, LLC. Owner/operator Renee Thayer: 971-328-2440 De’ Scorpian Broaddus: 503-396-7572 We hope you have an awesome Holiday season and a prosperous New Year. We are looking forward to serving our community in 2021. Stay well and be safe.
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GROWTH From Page A1
have developed plans to mitigate these increases in emergency responses that occur do to these changes in our communities demographics. The Chronicle: To best prepare for this growth impact, is CRFR considering new stations, additional equipment and more paid/ volunteer staff and what areas would that additional level of service most likely be located? Smythe: The CRFR Fire Board conducted an educational retreat with the administrative staff to review challenges and opportunities that are presenting themselves now and in the near future. CRFR is reviewing the anticipated growth to Columbia County and the communities we are charged with providing service to. We work closely with both county and city administrations on how to best provide services as the population areas expand.
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CRFR is a combination fire district, we have both career and volunteer members that respond to both fire and EMS incidents. We reviewed our current status of staffing, apparatus (fire/ EMS vehicles), and stations with our fire board at the October retreat. CRFR has reached a decision point and as an organization we will need to expand our staffing, equipment, and potentially stations to meet the demand placed upon us by our community stakeholders and citizens in the coming years. CRFR operates three career staffed fire stations and five volunteer staffed stations spread throughout St. Helens, Columbia City, Deer Island, Goble, Fernhill, and Rainier. Data is being collected to define future staffing, station locations, and equipment needs for the next five, 10, and 20 years. In order for a fire district to be successful it cannot plan the short term but look at what we will be facing in 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. Station location, personnel to staff or respond from those locations, and the fire/ EMS equipment necessary
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to meet the challenges are all considered in our long range planning. The Chronicle: What funding options would CRFR most likely consider to effectively and efficiently deal with the new growth demands? Smythe: The administrative staff presented a number of options and potential revenue sources to meet the needs for additional staffing, equipment, and potential fire stations. Many of the fire stations in CRFR are over 40 years old and lack the ability to expand to accommodate additional personnel or equipment. This presents a challenge to the fire district: How do we increase our staffing to meet the increase in responses and the fire/EMS apparatus needed to transport these first responders? The CRFR administrative staff, chief officers, and fire board of directors are researching options for funding to implement these additional resources for the district. The Chronicle: How is CRFR working with
other area fire agencies to enhance established cooperative efforts for fire and lifesaving services in our communities throughout the county with additional economic growth? Smythe: CRFR has mutual aid agreements with Scappoose, Vernonia, Mist-Birkenfeld, Oregon Department of Forestry, Clatskanie, and Longview, Wash., fire districts that allow those resources to assist our fire district. These agreements also allow for CRFR to assist those districts should they request our response for emergency incidents in their jurisdiction. Clatskanie Fire, Scappoose Fire, and CRFR cover the largest population centers of Columbia County with cross-staffed ambulances. Cross staffed apparatus have firefighters trained in either Basic Life Support (BLS) and/ or Advanced Life Support (ALS) and staff either an ambulance or fire engine depending on the emergency incident. CRFR staff a minimum of five ALS cross staffed ambulance/fire engines
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
during a 24-hour period with an additional 12-hour staffed EMS only unit six ALS ambulances. CRFR provides for and utilizes Scappoose and Clatskanie for additional ambulances as necessary under this mutual aid agreement. Columbia County is an island unto itself, we have very limited outside resources for assistance and rely heavily on our mutual aid county relationships to meet the demands for emergency response wherever they occur. The Chronicle: How many square miles is within the CRFR district, and currently how many paid staff and how many volunteers? Smythe: CRFR staffs three fire stations per day with the number of personnel ranging from 10-15 personnel spread amongst the district. Minimum staffing for the district is four fire personnel at St. Helens station, two fire personnel at fairgrounds station, and four at the Rainier fire station. Depending on sick leave or vacations this number can increase up to two addi-
tional fire personnel on duty during a 24-hour period for a total of 12 personnel. The EMS only day car is staffed with two EMS personnel 12-hours each day to augment our fire staffing. CRFR has 25 volunteer fire and EMS personnel that respond from six separate stations throughout the district and we are currently seeking additional volunteer members. Staffing during a 24-hour period includes one to three chief officers, a public information officer, and an EMS compliance specialist that can respond to emergency incidents as well. CRFR continues to work to increase our ability to provide both nonemergency and emergency services to our communities utilizing proactive cost saving measures. CRFR strives to meet the demand for services placed upon the fire district and ensure fiscal responsibility to our stakeholders now and in the future. Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline. com with in-depth updates in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Public Notices CH20-1541
TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain trust deed made by Scot Strandberg and Renae Strandberg, as grantors, to Ticor Title Company of Oregon, as trustee, in favor of Dan J. Molony, as beneficiary, dated August 13, 2018, recorded 8-152018, in the records of Columbia County, Oregon, as Instrument Number 201806677, covering the real property in Columbia County, Oregon described in Exhibit A attached hereto, also known as 73962 Columbia River Highway, Rainier, OR 97048. Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and a notice of default has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantors’ failure to pay when due the following sums: 1. The sum of $15,473.88 which represents missed payments of $1,719.32 from December, 2019, through August, 2020; and 2. Real estate taxes for tax year 2018-2019 in the sum of $2,143.66 plus interest and
the sum of $2,036.15 plus interest for tax year 20192020. By reason of said default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligations secured by said trust deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, towit: $154,673.79 plus per diem of $20.4188 from August 15, 2020, until paid. WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the undersigned successor trustee will, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at the hour of 1:00 pm, in accord with the standard of time established by ORS 187.110, at the front door of the Rainier City Hall located at 106 West ‘B’ Street, Rainier, OR 97048, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the described property which grantors had, or had the power to convey, at the time of execution by grantors of the trust deed, together with ay interest the grantors or grantors’ successors in interest acquired after execution of the trust deed, to satisfy the obligations secured by the trust deed and the expense of the sale,
including the compensation of the trustee as provided by law, and the reasonable fees of trustee’s attorneys. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for the sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, and in addition to paying the sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and trust deed, together with trustee’s and attorney fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine
and the neuter, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated this 4th day of September, 2020. Robert A. Lucas, Successor Trustee, 118 West ‘B’ Street, P.O. Box 519, Rainier, OR 97048. (503) 556-3741, Fax: (503) 5560708. Email: lucasatty@ yahoo.com. Exhibit A: Parcel 1: Beginning at a point on the East boundary line of the relocated Columbia River Highway, said point being at right angles to and 60 feet from the center line of said relocated highway as Station 531+27.70 and being the Southwest corner of that tract of land described in that certain contract dated June 1, 1956 in which Charles M. and Ida L. Kelley, husband and wife, are sellers and Leon Lockwood Larson and Mabel Ilene Larson, husband and wife, are purchasers,
which contract is recorded in Book L, page 647, Miscellaneous Records of Columbia County, Oregon; thence Southeasterly along said East right of way line 100 feet to the true point of beginning; thence continuing Southeasterly along said East right of way line 105 feet; thence Easterly and parallel with the Southerly line of said tract as described in said Book and page, 112 feet; thence Northwesterly parallel with the said East right of way line, 105 feet; thence Westerly parallel with the Southerly line of said Tract as described in said Book and Page, 112 feet to the true point of beginning. Parcel 2: Beginning at a point on the East boundary line of the relocated Columbia River Highway, said point being at right angles to and 60 feet from the centerline of said relocated highway at Station 531+27.70 and being the Southwest corner of the tract of land described in that certain contract dated June 1, 1956 in which Charles M. Kelley and Ida L. Kelley are sellers, and Leon Lockwood Larson and Mabel Ilene
Larson are purchasers, which contract is recorded in Book L, page 647, Miscellaneous Records of Columbia County, Oregon; thence Southeasterly along said East right of way line 205 feet to a point, said point being the Southwesterly corner of tract described in deed to Harold C. Strong, recorded May 8, 1964 in Book 154, page 1000, Deed Records of Columbia County, Oregon; thence easterly along the Southerly line of said Strong tract, 112 feet to the true point of beginning of the following described tract; thence Northwesterly along the Easterly line of said Strong tract, 105 feet to the Northeasterly corner of said Strong tract; thence North 55°01’ East a distance of 38 feet to the easterly line of tract described in deed to Jack B. Wolf, recorded December 29, 1970 in Book 179, page 830, Deed Records of Columbia County, Oregon; thence South 34°59’ East along the Easterly line of said Wolf tract, 105 feet to the Southeasterly corner of said Wolf tract; thence South 55°01’ West 38 feet to the true point of beginning.
CH20-1549
CH20-1551
NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE Estate of Gail Marie Engen Case No. 20PB04860 In the Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Columbia In the Matter of the Estate of Gail Marie Engen, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that Kerry Dale Engen has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having
claims against this estate are required to present them to the undersigned personal representative in care of the undersigned at: PO Box 85 (420 NW 5th St.), Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 within four months after the date of first publications of this notice, as stated below, or such
claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published December 16, 2020.
CH20-1548
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON COUNTY OF COLUMBIA
Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of Norman E. Parsons, deceased. No. 20PB08156 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. Notice is hereby given that Johnny D. Parsons has been appointed and has qualified as the personal representative of the estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required
to present their claims, with proper vouchers, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, as stated below, to the personal representative at: 1677 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional
information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published December 16, 2020. MARK A. GORDON, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative OSB #812424, 1677 St. Helens St., St. Helens, OR 97051, (503) 397-9066; mark@markgordonpc.com.
CH20-1547
PUBLIC NOTICE OF A HEARING FOR A STREET VACATION A public hearing before the St. Helens City Council will be held at or after 6:15 PM on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s declared state of emergency (March 8, 2020) and subsequent Executive Order No. 20-16 (April 15, 2020), the public hearing will be held virtually via a phone-and-internet based application instead of the Council Chambers. Testimony from the public in both oral and written form is invited. For public health reasons, you are strongly encouraged to participate by mail or email (in advance of the hearing), or virtually to attend the
hearing. Information to join the meeting will be included at the end of the City Council agenda once available or you may go to our calendar and click on the meeting you wish to attend: https://www. sthelensoregon.gov/meetings. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public input as to the proposed vacation (i.e. giving up a public interest) of the west half of the S. 2nd Street right-of-way abutting Lots 21 and 22, Block 24 (not previously vacated) of the St. Helens Subdivision, City of St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon. A petition to vacate was filed by Brian Zender on November 13, 2020. A map of the proposed vacation and
CH20-1505
NOTICE OF MEETING The Greater St. Helens Aquatic District board meeting will be held on December 21, 2020 at
5:00 pm at Eisenschmidt Pool, 1070 Eisenschmidt Lane, St. Helens.
affected areas is available for review at City Hall. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing. As City Hall is closed during this pandemic, please contact someone in the Planning Department to make arrangements to review the file. All written comments should be submitted to the City at least six (6) days prior to the hearing. Questions should be directed to the City Planning Department by phone: 503-366-8207, e-mail: jdimsho@ci.st-helens. or.us, mail: 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, or in person (by appointment only) at City Hall.
OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of HARRY LEE FISHER, Deceased. Case No. 20PB02887 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned 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 representative 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 December 16, 2020. Ronda Melton, Personal Representative. Clarke Griffin L.L.C., 52490 SE 2nd St., Ste. 100, Scappoose, OR 97056. (503) 543-4800.
CH20-1550
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of RONALD GENE PARKS, Deceased. Case No. 20PB06447 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned 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 representative 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, December 16, 2020. Kendell Nelson, Personal Representative. Clarke Griffin L.L.C., 52490 SE 2nd St., Ste. 100, Scappoose, OR 97056. (503) 543-4800.
CH20-1552
In the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Columbia, Probate Department. Case No. 20PB06860 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS In the Matter of the estate of Michael Keeler, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that Terrence Keeler has been appointed personal representative. All persons having a claim against the estate are required to present them, to the undersigned personal representative in care of the undersigned attorney at: 1915 NE Stucki Avenue, Suite 400,
Hillsboro, OR 97006, 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 representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published:
December 16, 2020. Personal Representative: Terrence Keeler, 8943 N. McKenna Ave., Portland, OR 97203, 503-866-6414. Attorney for the Personal Representative: Chris Burnett OSB No. 992311, Burnett Law, P.C., 1915 NE Stucki Avenue, Suite 400, Hillsboro, OR 97006. Phone: 503-3524272. Fax: 971-327-4001. chris@burnettlawpc.com.
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Scappoose Bay, Multnomah Channel health advisory STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Health Authority is issuing recommendations for the amount of resident fish, shellfish and crayfish from the Multnomah Channel and Scappoose Bay that people should eat. Fish tissue data that Oregon Department of Environmental Quality collected show high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and dioxins and furans in resident fish, shellfish and crayfish in Multnomah Channel and Scappoose Bay. Meal rec-
ommendations are needed, according to public health officials. Multnomah Channel is a 21.5-mile branch of the Willamette River in Portland. The channel flows northerly next to the west side of Sauvie Island until it meets the Columbia River near St. Helens in Columbia County. Scappoose Bay, near St. Helens, includes former and current industrial sites that have contributed to contaminant concentrations in the bay. OHA issues advisories when fish or shellfish tissue data verify that the levels of contaminants — in this case, PCBs and dioxins and
furans — are above Oregon’s health-based screening values. OHA then calculates meal recommendations using these data to help people better understand the amount of resident fish and shellfish they can safely eat in one month. Resident fish such as large- and smallmouth bass, carp, walleye, catfish, perch, black crappie, bluegill, largescale sucker and other species live in the same area their entire life. Some, like bass and walleye, are long-lived top predators, eating other contaminated fish within the channel and bay. The longer they live, the more PCBs, dioxins and
furans these fish accumulate. Other fish, such as carp, suckers and catfish, are bottom feeders. PCBs, dioxins and furans can build up in these types of fish because they live and eat in areas with high levels of these contaminants. This advisory does not apply to migratory fish such as salmon, steelhead, trout or shad that spend most of their lives in other places beyond the channel and bay. These and other migratory fish are a healthy choice when considering what fish to eat. People who eat too many resident fish and shellfish contaminated with PCBs,
dioxins and furans can suffer negative health effects over time. These health effects include damage to organs, the nervous system and the brain, leading to potential learning and behavior problems. Mothers can pass these contaminants to their babies during pregnancy or in breastmilk. Fetuses, babies and small children are most vulnerable to the health effects of PCBs, dioxins, and furans. While it is important for people to know about contaminants in fish and shellfish, it is equally important to continue to eat at least two meals of a variety of fish each week to gain im-
portant health benefits. Fish are high in protein, low in fat and rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. Omega3s provide protection from heart disease and are an important brain food for adults, children and fetuses. As future data becomes available from Multnomah Channel and Scappoose Bay, OHA will evaluate and update the advisory meal allowances as needed. For a list of other areas and water bodies with existing fish advisories and recommended meal allowances, visit the OHA fish advisory webpage at HealthOregon. org/fishadv.
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Community farewell for departing councilors
Photo courtesy of the City of St. Helens
St. Helens City Councilors Keith Locke and Ginny Carlson.
The public is invited to join the St. Helens City Council at its Wednesday, Dec. 16 meetings at 1 and 7 p.m. to celebrate Councilors Keith Locke and Ginny Carlson as they transition off of the St. Helens City Council. Councilor Locke has served the city for 20 years as a city council member and Carlson has served on the council for eight years. The two have served the St. Helens community in many other ways over the years, according to a release from the city. The city invites members of the community to share a memory and wish the two outgoing councilors well. The meeting will be conducted electronically by Zoom. Complete meeting information and Zoom details can be found the City of St. Helens’ website.
Ready, Set, Crab! Dungeness season opens
STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
Fresh Oregon crab is back on the menu – the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open on most of Oregon’s Coast as of Dec. 16. Dungeness crab will be ready to be harvested just in time for the holidays from Cape Falcon south to the California border. Prior to the opener, crab vessels will set gear from Dec. 13 onwards, using the “pre-soak” period of time to set gear in anticipation of the first pull of ocean crab pots on Dec. 16. The recreational crab fishery is already open along the entire Oregon coast. The area north of Cape Falcon will remain closed to commercial crabbing to coordinate an orderly start with the Washington coastal Dungeness crab fishery. Results from recent domoic acid testing of crab viscera (guts) conducted by the state of Washington were elevated, and Washington delayed their coastal fishery until further testing is conducted. All crab tested from all Oregon’s crab harvest areas have been well below alert levels and all Oregon crab product on the market is safe to eat. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) will continue to regularly test crab and shellfish to ensure levels in all areas remain below alert levels. Commercial Dungeness crab is Oregon’s most valuable fishery. The 2019 season opening was delayed to Dec. 31 and still brought in the second highest exvessel value ever, $72.7 million, with just under 20 million pounds landed, about 12 % above the 10year average. For more information about Oregon’s shellfish marine biotoxin monitoring, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at 800448-2474, or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
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