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City Employee of the Year

Increased SNAP benefits

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Serving Columbia County since 1881

‘Like a fairytale’ cat rescue ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Cad reacts to the photo being taken by The Chronicle.

A neighborhood cat is back in his owner’s arms after a successful search-and-rescue effort led by a dog with a prize-winning sniffer.

In the days leading up to Friday, Feb. 18, Dennis Newman of Scappoose, was perplexed by what appeared to be a downturn in his cat’s physical health.

Nevertheless, Dennis carried out business as usual at home.

“I let him out Friday morning at 7:30,” he said. “He hadn’t been feeling good Wednesday, Thursday, a couple of days before that. I was a little leery about letting him out, but I let him out, figured he wouldn’t go very far because he was fairly weak for some reason.

Never did see him until Monday night.”

Cad, short for Cadillac, came into Dennis’s life when a neighbor friend discovered a nearby family had left town, abandoning their cats and dogs.

Coincidentally, Dennis had lost his feline companion to cancer and needed a friend.

“His friend caught him and brought him here to give him to Dennis because he knew that Dennis missed his cat and needed a replacement cat,” neighbor Audrey Vasconcellos said. “Or another cat, I should say.”

When the two became acquainted, Cad was in rough shape.

“He was five-and-three-quarters pounds when I got him,” he said.

“You could count every rib on him.”

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle

The search

From that point on, Dennis became Cad’s nurturer, and has been for four years. Cad also became a permanent fixture in Dennis’s life.

She’s used to ‘find it.’ She knows what that means. ~ Audrey Vasconcellos, friend and neighbor

“I just showed him I had food,” Dennis said. “He’d show up at nighttime and stick around. He decided to be my buddy because he knows I got food.”

“He’s good company,” he added. “If I’m outside he’ll find me.”

As Dennis wandered outside that Friday afternoon looking for Cad, who was typically at his beck and call, he was surprised to find no trace of him.

Audrey and Dennis spent 20 hours apiece scouring the surrounding area for Cad. “Lifted hoods on parked cars (to) see if he’s in the motor wells, in the frames of cars,” he said, at which point Audrey jumped into the conversation, rattling off examples of where they searched. “(We) crawled on our backs under trailers, looked through all the brush, all up above, all down by the creek,” she said. “Everywhere.” ­­­­ See RESCUE Page A9

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle

Anela is Audrey’s local companion of nine years, a retired agility dog who now competes in Work and Barn Hunt competitions.

New masks off date, permanent rule stays ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Masking indoors will no longer be a statewide requirement in Oregon as soon as March 11, reflecting a downtrend in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, as well as a shift from previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

In Oregon, the OHA rules requiring masks in indoor public places and schools will lift after 11:59 p.m. on March 11. Other state and federal requirements, such as those for health care settings, public transit, and other specialized settings, will remain in place for

now, according to the OHA. State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Director Colt Gill, and OHA Communications Officer Jonathan Modie held a briefing Monday, Feb. 28 to take questions from the media.

The OHA’s announcement does not rule out the possibility of reimposing mask mandates should a new variant arise.

According to Modie, the permanent rule will remain in place but contains a component allowing the mask mandate to be lifted or reinstated “like an on-off switch.”

“I think as individuals, as communities, we need to be prepared to take additional steps as the situation changes, and we face some more variants that cause more severe disease,” Sidelinger said.

“But for the time being, we can move forward with individuals and individual communities making decisions based on the conditions on the ground, the risk factors, and those around them as we all step up to protect ourselves (and) our loved ones in our broader communities.”

Sidelinger acknowledged the gains Oregon has made so far in widespread compliance with state health directives and stemming the spread of COVID-19.

“I think this is an important step in response to the pandemic that we have in front of us - the virus that we have in front of us. Cases are significantly declining, there are no emerging variants of concern on ­­­­

Courtesy from OHA

See MANDATE Page A9

Oregon’s high vaccination rate is a key contributing factor to the early lift date.

Crisis in Ukraine

Exchange student reveals invasion experience JOE WARREN jwarren@countrymedia.net

Pacific City resident Mike Sears has a very special tie to Ukraine.

He hosted a Ukrainian exchange student, Lena Lysenko, in 2005 in his home for a year and a special

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Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Crossword ............... A7

bond was created. They consider each other family.

She is now caught in the middle of the Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

Lysenko says she lives about 60 kilometers from the capital city where bombs are going off and shooting is happening as she shared her experience via FaceTime on Sears’ phone on Thursday, Feb. 24 around noon, 10 p.m. Ukraine time.

The former Nestucca High School exchange student is worried.

She doesn’t know what her next move is going to be and is trying to figure out where to find safety.

“We have bombing and shooting happening around us all the time,” she said via FaceTime. “People are hiding and running to basements or hiding in bathtubs when they hear

2022 Columbia County Vol. 140, No. 9

the sound of guns and bombs.”

She said even though she has heard cries of support from other countries, the only help is coming from the Ukraine army at this time.

All the countries around us say they support us, but no one is helping, people are dying right now.

Lena Lysenko, Ukraine resident

“Only the Ukraine soldiers are fighting right now,” she said. “Our airport was hit at 4 a.m. in the morning as was other strategic places.”

Lysenko said they are grateful she and a friend were able to escape the city (Kyiv) but getting out of Ukraine may prove to be an issue.

“I was woken up at 5 a.m. and told to take kids and important documents and run,” she said. “It’s impossible to reach any banks or ATMs, but our cards are still working, stores are closed, so we can’t buy food.”

Lysenko said she has supplies ready to move when officials will allow that.

“All the countries around us say they support us, but no one is helping, people are dying right now,” she said. “It’s 10 p.m. and no one is asleep, they told us to keep our light Courtesy photo from Mike Sears

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$3 Admission At The Gate Free tickets available at The Chronicle office and at InRoads Credit Union locations

See UKRAINE Page A8

Lena Lysenko holds her pet cat as she flees to safety from the bombing in Ukraine with her two children.

Saturday

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April 23 April 24 58892 Saulser Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051 Special Guest!

Shannon Quimby PRESENTED BY

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Head-on crash sends 3 to

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Courtesy from SRFPD

Investigators said this Honda was traveling the wrong way on Highway 30 when it hit a Scappoose Fire District ambulance head-on.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Three people are recovering following a head-on traffic crash that authorities said was caused by an impaired driver going the wrong way on Highway 30.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP), troopers re-

sponded to the site of the early Sunday morning, Feb. 27 injury crash that was blocking all lanes of travel on Highway 30 at Rocky Point Road.

During the crash investigation, troopers found that a black 2020 Honda SUV had been traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes and crashed head-on into a Scap-

poose Rural Fire Protection District (SRFPD) ambulance.

The 40-year-old male driver of the Honda was transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for injuries.

The two paramedics in the ambulance suffered minor injuries, according to a SRFPD release, and were taken to Portland area hospitals for

Courtesy from SRFPD

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Damage can be seen to the Scappoose Fire District ambulance following the head-on crash.

treatment.

The ambulance was returning from a previous patient transport to Portland when it was hit by the impaired driver.

There were no patients aboard the ambulance when it was struck.

According to OSP investigators, the driver of the Honda admitted to consuming

alcohol prior to driving and consented to a blood draw.

The hospital draw showed 0.15% blood alcohol content (BAC).

OSP said the driver, a Deer Island resident, was cited for DUII and released in lieu of custody, common when a suspect is in the hospital with injuries.

38 wi The damaged Honda was $6 towed by Grumpy’s Towing.

First responders urge drivers to slow down when approaching an emergency scene to slow down. SRFPD officials report several drivers were going too fast through the emergency scene on Highway 30 during the crash investigation.

$

City selects Employee of the Year STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Courtesy from the City of St. Helens

Police Corporal Dustin King is the 2021 St. Helens Employee of the Year.

St. Helens Police Corporal Dustin King is the 2021 St. Helens Employee of the Year.

King was hired by the City of St. Helens in November 2015 as a patrol officer for the St. Helens Police Department.

He was promoted to detective in April 2018 and then to corporal in July 2020.

According to the city’s nomination, King is consistently professional and has extraordinary personal and professional integrity.

In 2021, King received three life saving award commendations from the St. Helens Police Department.

The Life Saving Award is given to an officer for an extraordinary act or effort that resulted in the saving of a human life or lives that would

have died without the officer’s direct involvement. This may include a situation involving more than routine first aid, steadfast medical intervention, life threatening immediate emergency situations that an officer was not trained or equipped to handle, or heroic physical intervention.

King also assisted in rendering emergency aid to an OSP trooper who was critically injured in the line of duty. The nomination noted that King is dependable, takes initiative, and is a team player with a positive attitude.

Award background Each year, the City of St. Helens names an employee of the year who consistently goes above and beyond for the public and fellow co-workers.

Nominations are submitted by city employees and

then reviewed by a panel of community members to make a final selection. The city assembles the panel of five community members who are not related to the City of St. Helens to be judges. The panel is asked to set aside all bias and judge the nominees solely based on the nominations received, emphasizing the quality of the nomination and employee rather than the quantity of nominations.

The St. Helens Employee of the Year program was implemented in 2013. An employee of the year is someone who consistently exemplifies behaviors that reflect favorably on the city, according to a city release describing the honor.

• The employee goes above and beyond on a regular basis.

• Goes the extra mile to

help customers, both internally and externally.

• Responds to inquiries in an efficient and timely manner.

• Regularly participates in employee-related events.

• Puts the city’s interests and the interests of co-workers above their own.

• Has an exemplary attendance record.

• Behaves off duty in a manner that reflects positively on the city since city employees are public officials even outside of work.

• Has a positive attitude no ST matter the circumstances.

• Is noticed by people in chr and out of the organization.

King was unavailable for (W rai comment at press time.

Am For more information, contact the City of St. Helens an ch at 503-397-6272. the

On your mark, get set, go! Runners take off Saturday they’re sitting on, that would be appropriate too.” $1,000 can buy up to one ton of food, Fawcett estimates. Raising the $20,000 goal would mean 20 tons of food for food-insecure families across Columbia County.

ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

This weekend, Columbia County residents can walk, run, or jog in a show of solidarity against regional hunger.

Columbia Pacific Food Bank (CPFB) is hosting its third annual Hunger Run, sponsored by Uberthons, Saturday, March 5, with virtual and in-person options for participation.

“This event is a fundraiser, (and) the funds go to feed Columbia County,” CPFB Director of Development Megan Fawcett said.

“But what I am most excited about outside of raising funds (to) feed our commuRacers at the debut 2020 Hunger Run event. nity is the opportunity for community members to get Pacific Food Bank site, 1421 friends and family suptogether to engage with one port from as far as North another in a very healthy and Columbia Boulevard, St. Dakota, Minnesota, and Helens, at 9 a.m. for the 10k productive way.

Florida along with many and 9:15 a.m. for the 5k.

“This is an opportunity local citizens and business The virtual race requires for us to tell the story of our owners from both St. Helens participants to keep track of new or future homebuilding and Scappoose who will be their miles, which they have and to collaborate with othwalking in person on March a whole month to complete. ers for them to understand 5th,” she said. “My team All participants, whether inwhat food insecurity looks person or virtual, are eligible currently has 26 people ages like in Columbia County.”

10-80 years old and one for a gift box, according to Participants are encourdog all joining together to the CPFB website. aged to dress up as their “After you complete your support our Regional Food favorite healthy fruit or Bank.” race goal, just drop us an vegetable, which Fawcett As of Monday, Feb. 28, identified as the theme of the email that you have finished strong!” a description for the 189 participants have signed 2022 event. up for the virtual or invirtual race reads. “It’s as Fawcett also explained person run. Several county how the updated race route is simple as that.” employers have also paid for Fawcett explained all much more runner-friendly, their employees to participroceeds go towards feedincorporating some of the pate. ing Columbia County, and feedback from 2020. with over $13,000 raised to “We drove the course Capital campaign from 2020 that I created, and date just from sponsors, the CPFB is well on its way to we decided that we wanted In 2020, CPFB staff anto make sure that the partici- hitting its $20,000 goal. nounced a capital campaign pants both for the five and to raise $400,000 for the new Participants 10k would be able to see the Columbia Pacific Food Bank waterfront,” she said. “We’re building.

NEXT Renewable Fuels, all very proud of the waterThe new Columbia Inc. and President of the front area in St. Helens.”

Boulevard site, opening Runners will also avoid a Rainier Chamber of Commerce Natasha Parvey is one sometime this month, offers steep hill, another challengsix times the square footage of many Hunger Run advoing aspect of the previous of the old building on 474 cates getting people pumped route, this year by racing Milton Way in St. Helens up to join in the race and around the water treatment and will allow for enhanced support their regional food facility. efficiency, distribution, and bank.

In summary, “we wanted storage capabilities.

For Parvey, participation to make sure we gave them The best way to help is to in the event simply “means the best experience posdonate, Fawcett said. rolling up my sleeves asking sible,” Fawcett said. “$20 is worth $100 to others to join my team.”

The in-person race us because we buy in bulk,” “This year my team has begins at the new Columbia Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Get involved

Courtesy photo

she said. “I’d say a monetary donation is number one. Number two would be if somebody is cleaning out their pantry, and they want to bring us some food that

While monetary donations go the furthest, Fawcett noted there are many other ways to make an impact.

In Fawcett’s experience, many people are interested in becoming shoppers for the regional food bank, representing another way to get involved.

The regional food bank can add 10 volunteers to its team of 60, Fawcett said, and drivers are in the highest demand right now.

Mid-pandemic, CPFB saw a 65% increase in demand for services, making supporting the food bank a more critical endeavor than

ph ing bri thr in years past.

W Fawcett addressed the Ro most common misconcep- Am tion for people who experi- len ence food insecurity. pro “A misconception is that clients of the food bank are Ch unemployed, and that is fun incorrect,” she said, adding, sta “There are several clients pe that utilize our services that vo (are) working, trying to the make ends meet.” the Registration for the race Ab will be open through the day be of the event. Runners can Ce collect their bibs on Friday ch at North Lake Physical cen Therapy and Rehab during hours of operation or Satur- gra day at 7 a.m. Runners may of arrive early to receive their fro packets, take group photos, nit or claim their free coffee, op courtesy of Cathedral Coffee Pu in Scappoose.

For more details, visit the Hunger Run Facebook page or the Columbia Pacific Food Bank website.

Thank you for

43 years of helping patients in this community.

Enjoy your Retirement Susie!

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

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$62 million in emergency food allotments for March l STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Qualifying families in Clatskanie, Rainier and across the state struggling to make ends meet will see additional food allotments next month.

Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in March.

The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March, approximately 386,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $62 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 families,” Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Self-Sufficiency Programs Deputy Director Claire Sequin said. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support during this difficult time.”

Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on March 11.

Emergency allotments will be issued March 31 or April

Courtesy photo

SNAP is an assistance program designed to help approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities, with emergency food allotments and other benefits.

2 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.

SNAP recipients do not

have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.

More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/ FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/ Emergency-Allotments.aspx.

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

If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits.

It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-todate information.

You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways: • Online at: ONE.Oregon.

gov • By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309 • By fax at: 503-378-5628 • By phone at: 1-800-6999075 or TTY 711 Resources to help meet basic needs • Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org • Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www. adrcoforegon.org.

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

$27,000 donated to Amani Center March 11, 2022 6 P.M. CLASS

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The Amani Center is located at 1621 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens.

STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Wauna Credit Union (WCU) employees have raised $19,484.70 for the Amani Center in St. Helens.

All WCU employees vote annually to support a single, charity or nonprofit within their footprint.

“We live the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ and that shows brightly through the philanthropy of our employees,” WCU President and CEO Robert Blumberg said. “The Amani Center is an excellent organization and we are proud to support them.”

The WCU Corporate Charity Giving Program is funded completely by WCU staff via payroll deduction, personal donations, and volunteering efforts. In 2021, the 114-strong WCU chose the Columbia County Child Abuse Assessment Center, better known as the Amani Center, a multi-disciplinary child abuse intervention center.

“The Amani Center is grateful for the wide range of support we experience from around our community,” Amani Center Development Coordinator Beth Pulito said. “What makes

the partnership even more special from this project with WCU is the diversity of support throughout their entire organization; their entire staff, from leadership level to mid-management to branch team members, participated in raising funds and giving to our organization, in both their time and their financial contributions.”

Both the Amani Center and WCU are known for partnering on fundraising and volunteering events in battling child abuse, but the beginning of 2022 marked a special “match” program, engaging other local businesses and entities, according to a release from WCU. The credit union encouraged area organizations throughout Columbia County to match donations, drawing an additional $8,445.60 for the Amani Center.

“This has been the largest engagement we’ve experienced, and the WCU team was able to activate our entire community into action and support as well,” Pulito said. “We’re grateful for their generosity, as well as their motivation to encourage others to support and learn about the Amani Center mission.

They not only impacted our fundraising efforts with their

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

donation, they prompted others to step up and match the support. We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough!”

About the Amani Center The Amani Center is a nonprofit organization established in October of 2000 for the purposes of developing and operating a communitybased center where alleged child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and/ or domestic violence/witnessing violent crime, receive forensic/medical evaluations and support services in a child-friendly setting. More information may be found at https://amanicenter.org/.

About Wauna Credit Union Wauna Credit Union is a not-for-profit member-owned financial cooperative. Founded in 1967, WCU delivers all annual profits back to its members via strong savings and loan rates, investment in technology, and highly-rated personal service. Anyone who resides, is employed, attends school, or worships in Clatsop, Columbia and Western Washington Counties in Oregon, or Pacific County in Washington is eligible for membership.

Community Calendar COVID-19 Testing The Columbia County Public Health Department is hosting a convenient testing site at the Columbia County Rider Transit Center located at 1155 Deer Island Road in St. Helens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday through Thursday until March 31. To schedule an appointment, go online to cur. tv/sthelens. Residents without internet access can call 888702-0942 or public health at 503-397-7247 for assistance scheduling an appointment.

March 4 Museum Tours Caples Museum will open its doors for regular tours FridaySundays through October 30.

Step back into the Victorian Era and see how the first doctor in Columbia County lived.

Visit the home he shared with his wife, Lucinda, and five children, their work shed, and Orchard. While you are there visit our Children’s Museum

of Victorian and other antique toys. $5 Adults $4 Children.

Call for schedule information at 503-397-5390. The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 1st Street in Columbia City.

March 12 Dinner at the Museum 6 p.m. St. Patricks’ Day Dinner with all the trimmings including song at Caples House. $25 for Adults, with adult beverages. $5 For Children.

Reservations only. For more details, call 503-397-5390 or email CaplesHouse@comcast. net.

Don Coin Walrod Scholarship The Deer Island Grange is now accepting applications for the Don Coin Walrod Scholarship. The scholarship is created for a Columbia County high school senior.

Applicants may attend a trade

school, community college, or university of their choice, but must major in agriculture, education, forestry, or animal science. Applications are available from each of the Columbia County high school counselor offices and must be post marked by April 1, 2022.

Mail applications to: Don Coin Walrod Scholarship, 64556 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054.

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 information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@ whitingenv.com, or call 503789-9240 Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom info: Events Page — LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Garden Plots: Seed starting made easy CHIP BUBL Chronicle Guest Article

Seeds are not difficult to start. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, you won’t have to worry about added light. But if you are starting seeds inside, you will need a waterproof seed-starting table with fluorescent shop lights or some LED lights with reflectors that can be lowered and raised as the plants grow. You don’t need expensive grow lights. The lights need to be set as close to the growing seedlings as possible. Two inches is not too close. This will create a strong, stocky plant. Too little light produces “leggy” weak plants. A fan that produces a gentle breeze around the seedlings can also improve the stoutness of the transplant.

Some people grow seeds in flats with enough space between seeds to allow them to be directly transplanted out into the garden. Others sow seeds are more thickly in starting flats and then transplant them into individual pots or “cell” trays after they develop their first set of true leaves. This process takes a little more time but will generally produce a stronger transplant.

Seeds are often sown too early. Then they are held in

pots past the point that they should be. You can plan your seeding dates by counting backwards from when you want to put transplants out.

For example, it takes about two to three weeks to grow seedlings of lettuce and greens for direct transplant or three to four weeks if you move the seedling first into individual pots or cells. For cabbage and broccoli, it is four to five weeks by the first method or five to six weeks by the second. Tomatoes need five to seven weeks by the first method or six to eight weeks by the second. Peppers are slightly longer. Squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and melons should only be sown directly in individual pots and they need 10-21 days to transplanting. And despite many people’s perception, green beans also transplant well within a similar time frame as squash.

Seedlings need good air circulation (the fan mentioned above) and attention to watering – neither too much nor too little.

Vegetable transplants need to be hardened off by exposing them to outside temperatures, sun and wind gradually.

Put them outdoors for short periods of time in indirect light and then for a few more days (for short periods) in more direct light.

When transplanting, continue to protect them from low or high temperature extremes.

Bait for slugs and consider drenching the transplants with a good water-soluble fertilizer. April and May transplants like (or need) additional heat.

Floating row covers or plastic mini-greenhouses can help to

keep the vegetables growing rapidly. If you are using plastic covered hoop structures, be sure to open them up in the morning to avoid excessive heat buildup. It is easy to cook your tender seedlings if you are not paying attention.

Master Gardener Training: We are still unsure whether it is possible to hold a live class this spring.

It won’t start in February but

might get started midMarch or later. It will be in St. Helens if we have it. Call 503 397-3462 or email us for updates or to be on a notification list if interested.

Local Bee Group meeting: Randy Oliver, author of the website Scientific Beekeeping, will present “Reading the Combs.” At 6

Viewpoints

During this short Oregon Legislative Session, we have been working on legislation to support Oregon small businesses and working families, while taking steps to drive down the cost of living.

Small businesses

Judiciary on a unanimous “Do-Pass” recommendation and was in the Full Ways and Means Committee awaiting a work session.

Childcare provider support HB 4005 provides immediate support for childcare providers and continued work on building the Department of Early Learning and Care.

Access to childcare is essential for working families.

Over the years, reliable access to quality, affordable childcare has emerged as a critical issue facing families across Oregon.

It has become even more apparent due to the pandemic that childcare is essential, so parents can contribute to the overall economy while providing financial security for their families. Testimony in favor of this legislation came from parents, providers, Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon, the Oregon Pediatric Society, Family First Parent Resource Centers, SEIU, AFSCME, the Urban League of Portland and many others.

HB 4005 received a “Do Pass” recommendation on a unanimous, bi-partisan vote in the House Committee on Early Childhood. It was scheduled for a work session in Ways and Means.

Small businesses and working families are the backbone of Oregon’s economic prosperity, and we need to build an economy that works for them by investing in skills training, while reducing barriers to people starting and expanding small business.

HB 4015 changes the Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund program administered by Business Oregon by raising the loan amount cap for individual businesses from $100,000 to $1 million.

This business development fund helps with financing for business startups while they develop new products and markets to grow a healthy, innovative economy. These funds can be used by businesses to purchase or build new facilities, purchase equipment and provide working capital.

HB 4015 received support from Oregon Business Winter weather and Industry and the Oregon Small Business Development Oregon’s temperatures Center Network and the bill passed in the House on a 53-1 plummeted last week, and the forecast for below-freezing vote and was awaiting a floor overnight temperatures vote in the Senate as of late caused Washington and last week.

Multnomah Counties to Another piece of legislation to support small business open warming shelters to the public. Anyone seeking to get is HB 4075 introduced by out of the elements can call rep. Jason Kropf, and would 211 for shelter information in make it easier for small busitheir area. nesses that are burglarized The immediate need for to receive restitution. The warming shelters brings legislation puts victims first up the issue of homelessin line for restitution. After ness, and legislation that has the victims are paid in full, been introduced this session convicted criminals would regarding this problem. HB then pay court fines, instead 4123, another bill from Rep. of the current procedure Jason Kropf, funds a coorwhich equally splits any paydinated regional response to ments between the court and homelessness in communities victims. across the state.

HB 4075 moved out of HB 4123 would provide the House Committee on Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Foraging Wild Foods presentation: This program by Chip Bubl, OSU/Columbia County Extension Agent, will be on March 16th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Scappoose Library. It will also be streamed on Zoom.

For information on the Zoom link, email staff@ scappooselibrary.org.

Columbia County Small Woodlands Association tree sale is back!

On Sat-urday March 12th, Columbia County Small Woodlands Association will hold its 23rd annual tree sale. The sale begins at 8:30 am and ends at 1:30 at the Lawrence Oil (Pacific Pride) parking lot in St. Helens on Hwy 30. The address is 845 N Columbia River Hwy. Twenty-two different species of deciduous and conifer trees will be available for purchase.

Prices range from $1.50 to $6. They will also have bags

of Douglas fir, noble fir, western red cedar, and coast redwood available for purchase. Cash and checks will be accepted for payment. As always buyers are advised to come early for the best selection.

Scappoose Bay Watershed Council’s Native Plant Sale Saturday, April 9 Join the Watershed Council at their Spring Native Plant Sale Saturday, April 9th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SBWC nursery, located behind Scappoose High School. Look for signs – go east on SE High School Way and turn into the parking lot between the high school and the school ball field areas. This is their semi-annual event to get you ready for spring and summer planting. They have lots of new plants at great prices – all native to our area. Staff and volunteers are available to help chose plants suggest gardening ideas, and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more in-formation see https:// www.scappoosebay-wc.org/ native-plant-nursery.

Important notes • The OSU Extension Office is fully reopened. Masks are still required inside.

• Donate produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated.

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

Have questions?

we lum Lin fel to 20

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip co Bubl, Oregon State University act Extension office in St. Helens Sin at 503-397-3462 or at chip. sol bubl@oregonstate.edu. The an office is open from 8 a.m. – 5 to p.m. Monday through Friday. an pa Free newsletter gro sin The Oregon State Unimu versity Extension office in Columbia County publishes a an monthly newsletter on garden-19 ing and farming topics (called the County Living) written/edited reg by yours truly. All you need to a m do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call tie 503-397-3462 to be put on the ma list. Alternatively, you can findreg it on the web at http://exten- pe sion.oregonstate.edu/colum- thr bia/ and click on newsletters. im the an Many Extension po publications by available online mu un Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking ed about planting grapes? OSU lev has a large number of its est publications available for free download. Just go to https:// catalog.extension.oregonstate. edu. Click on publications and start exploring.

Contact information

F

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

Voices of the Community

Support for small businesses, childcare providers BRAD WITT Chronicle Guest Column

p.m. March 3, 2022. To get the Zoom link, email columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@ gmail.com.

ER Ch

funding to streamline the work of local organizations working to address the rapid increases in housing instability and houselessness in Oregon. This legislation seeks to coordinate the work of cities and counties, by providing the means to develop a regional approach of unified governance and leadership.

This would then be used to coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders, including service providers, faithbased organization, business partners, local government, state advocates and agencies to yield the best possible impacts.

The House Committee on Housing unanimously approved a “Do-Pass” recommendation on HB 4123, and it is now in the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. A work session was scheduled.

When the political becomes personal Those of us who have been working with Steve Topaz on the Portland Harbor superfund site can’t fathom the treatment he has been receiving from the St. Helens mayor and City Council.

With a background in medical engineering and a love of community, he contributes thoughtful insights and a knowledgeable perspective on how things work- in this case Willamette River cleanup-

and has been meeting with us throughout a very long process.

Ultimately, the Portland Superfund cleanup will affect the St. Helens Riverwalk, where the public will have new access to the river. A proposal is in the works to dump toxic dredge from this cleanup in one of the lagoons in St. Helens. Many of us working on this cleanup do not think this is a safe or fair solution to dealing with these wastes.

There are already Columbia County Superfund sites near the Riverwalk in St. Helens.

It appears that Mr. Topaz, by asking inconvenient questions and trying to understand

potential risks to the safety of his watershed, and ours, is being martyred by public officials in charge of remediating upland source pollution affecting the river.

No human can survive ill will and shaming of the kind directed at Topaz, especially when working to serve his community. We suggest a public conflict resolution so that Mr. Topaz can clear his name. The Department of Environmental Quality should be brought into this conversation.

With great concern, Laura Feldman PHSS activist Portsmouth resident

Moving quickly As of last week, we were halfway through the 2022 legislation session and things will be moving quite quickly in the next few weeks. In order to provide for an orderly move toward adjournment, the rules requiring 48 hours’ notice for an initial public hearing and 24 hours’ notice for all other meetings has been suspended by House Speaker Dan Rayfield. This means if you have concerns or comments about proposed legislation I need to hear from you as quickly as possible.

It is my privilege to represent you in the House of the Representatives, and I look forward to your input as we undertake this important work together.

Brad Witt represents House District 31. He may be reached at: • Email: Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov • Phone: 503-986-1431 • Address: 900 Court St NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301 • Website: http://www. oregonlegislature.gov/witt

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Should the city of St. Helens hire more police officers?

Cat person

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80% Yes

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Vote online at thechronicleonline.com

The Chronicle The Chronicle (USPS 610-380) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 S. Columbia Blvd., P.O. Box 1153 St. Helens, Oregon 97051 Periodicals postage paid at St. Helens, OR 97051

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle PO Box 1153 St. Helens, OR 97051-8153

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

A5

Population impact on economy 291 residents in 2021, which was comparable with growth in recent years prior to the pandemic. The county gained 1,807 people the previous year courtesy of the 2020 Census, and it grew by about 1.0% per year from 2010 to 2020. The county’s population is older on average than Columbia County and relies more on migration for population growth.

The estimated population was 41,428 in 2021.

ERIK KNODER Chronicle Guest Article

The population of Northwest Oregon, including Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, and Benton counties fell by 86 people (-0.03%) to an estimated 266,949 in 2021.

How is it possible that counties that normally grow actually lose population?

Since the loss occurred solely in Benton County, the answer is probably related to Oregon State University and its restrictions during the pandemic.

The average annualized growth rate for the region since 2010 has been 0.83%, much slower than the 1.5% annual growth during the 1990s but similar to rate of the 2000s. Growth in the region will probably return to a more normal trend in 2022.

Population growth seems tied to economic performance in the region. The region grew by 2,000 or more people each year from 2005 through 2007. It slowed as immigration slowed during the 2007-2009 recession and early recovery. In 2014 population growth jumped by 1,900 and had been that much or more every year until 2020.

The 2020 Census provided an opportunity to reset the level for annual population estimates, and the result was

Tillamook County

Courtesy illustration from the Oregon Employment Department

a significant increase in the estimated population of Clatsop, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties.

Columbia County In 2020, Columbia County’s population was estimated to be lower than expected and Benton County’s population estimate seemed to be pretty much in line with the previous trend. Since the pre-census estimates are not revised, these changes can be clearly seen in the chart above. The line markers for

2020 (the second from the right side end) show noticeable increases for Lincoln, Clatsop, and Tillamook counties; a slight decrease for Columbia County; and a continuation of the trend line for Benton County. The sharp drop in Benton County’s population is evident by the marker for the 2021 estimate.

Columbia County saw its estimated population drop ever so slightly (-2 people) due to the 2020 Census.

In reality, the population estimates from 2010 through 2019 were just higher than

the real growth, and the total adjustment was made in 2020. Columbia’s population growth is fueled by its proximity to the rest of the Portland metropolitan area.

Housing in the county is typically much less expensive than in adjoining Washington County, which is attractive to commuters. The county’s estimated population grew again in 2021 by 266 to 53,014.

Clatsop County Clatsop County added

Tillamook County’s population is nearly as old as Lincoln County’s.

Deaths often outnumber births and the county relies on migration for growth.

The county’s population increased by 181 in 2021.

Tillamook County gained 947 people in 2020 due in large part to the 2020 Census. The county typically grows by about 200 people per year. Growth averaged about 0.8% per year from 2010 through 2020. The county had 27,628 residents in 2021.

Lincoln County Lincoln County also relies heavily on migration for population growth. The county added an estimated 516 residents in 2021, the most since 1997 except

for the 2020 Census year.

Lincoln County got a bump of 2,127 people in 2020, meaning that the pre-census estimates had been low.

Growth from 2010 to 2020 was about 0.9% per year.

The county’s population passed 50,000 in 2020, and was estimated at 50,903 in 2021. The county attracts retirees, and the recovery of the stock market and national housing prices have probably helped people who want to retire to Oregon’s beautiful coast. Slow job growth, lower wages, and high housing prices still challenge Lincoln County.

Benton County Benton County (aka the Corvallis Metropolitan Area) provided 35% of the area’s total population and more growth than any other county in the region since 2010. The county’s resident population decreased by 1,340 (-1.4%) in 2021, probably due in large part to the pandemic and the subsequent reduction of in-person classes at Oregon State University in 2021. The county’s estimated population was 93,976 in 2021.

Erik Knoder is a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department.

He may be reached at 541351-5595.

Feds approve county hazards plan Courtesy photo

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Columbia County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (MJNHMP).

“The approval of the county’s MJNHMP is an important milestone in Columbia County being eligible to participate in major federal/ FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs,” Columbia

County Deputy Director of Emergency Management Shaun Brown said. “These funds will help to implement programs that will enhance our community coordination and integration during mitigation activities.”

Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation begins with local governments and special districts assessing the community’s risks and vul-

Obituaries June 17, 1942 ~ Feb. 8, 2022

and from Columbia Hills Retirement Center in 2011.

He was continuously learning and working on something new. He wore many hats in Columbia County; Volunteer Fireman, active in his Union the A.W.P.P.W., a member of the Moose Lodge, hobby Blacksmith, gardener, mowed lawns, and fed “his” birds and bees.

Another famous pastime was drinking coffee at his favorite coffeeshop (he closed a few down in his lifetime); swapping tales and telling “short” stories, listening to his favorite “Country

Music;” was an avid Internet explorer, and enjoyed a nap.

As well as his children, grandsons and great grandchildren he felt his greatest accomplishments in his life were: being a “good citizen;” being a “Roosevelt Democrat;” learning how to read, then writing and publishing a book on “Repoussé, The Art of Blacksmithing” and being a “historian.”

Feeling strongly about Homeless and Disabled Veterans and the dedication of the V.A. and O.H. S. U. doctors and nurses during his six bouts of cancer, in lieu of flowers please donate to: The St. Helens Elks Veterans Bunker, 125 S. 13th Street, St. Helens, Or. and/ or OHSU Foundation for Cancer research, 1121 SW Salmon St. 100, Portland, Or. Due to current COVID restrictions, he will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery June 17th at 1:30 p.m. and a Celebration of his life will be held June18th, time and place to be determined.

Philip Tyler Linton, Jr. Oct. 29, 1963 - March 3, 2021 An entire year has passed since you decided to leave us and move on to the next life. We do hope that you’re in a better place. It’s been one year since we lost you, but we can never forget about you. Love You Very Much! .. RIP! Love, Dad, Phil T. Linton, Sr., stepmom, Judy Linton, mother, Billie Linton, sister, Lisa Muha, nephew, Jordan T. McIntosh and best friend, Teresa Gooch.

that guides the community in making decisions and developing policies to reduce risk to life and property. The plan identifies the types of hazards that threaten our community, evaluates our vulnerability to those threats, and outlines a strategy to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by those threats to break the cycle of repeated destruction

by natural hazard events, the release states.

Columbia County has maintained a Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan for the last nine years, combining the planning efforts of the county and all seven of the incorporated cities.

The new Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan will be relevant for the next five years.

Extreme autumn fire weather

Jerry Charles Henderson Jerry Charles Henderson of Warren, Oregon passed away Feb. 8, 2022. He was born June 17, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to E. C. and Virginia Henderson in and resided most of his adult life in Columbia and Washington County.

He leaves his wife Vernell of 56+ years; daughter Shellie (Richelle) and her family; Brandon, Madison and Keely, Shawn, Tristin, Ayden and Jonah; his son Darren and wife Rebecca and sons, Tanner and Luke and his wife Brittney; daughter Melissa Lungberg and her husband Kelly and their children Adam, Amber and Travis. He’s also survived by aunts and uncles, Loretta and Bob Piatt, Glenn (Jack) and Betty VanDolah, Patricia and Tom Dickson; numerous brother and sister in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, many friends and all the extra “Jerry’s Kids,” you know who you are.

He served in the U. S. Coast Guard in the early 60’s. Retired after 36 years from Boise Cascade Paper as a Digester Cook in 2001

nerabilities to natural hazard events such as earthquakes, flooding, and wildfire that are common in their area.

After identifying these risks, they develop long-term strategies to reduce or eliminate the risk posed to people and property from similar events, according to a release from Columbia County.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a framework

New research shows 40% increase STEVE LUNDEBERG Chronicle Guest Article

The likelihood of hot, dry, windy autumn weather that can set the stage for severe fires in California and western Oregon has increased 40% due to human-caused climate change, new computer models show.

The study led by Linnia Hawkins, a postdoctoral researcher in the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry, covered 2017 and 2018 and looked at the role climate change may have played in extreme fire weather conditions that accompanied recent large September, October and November fires in those states.

The collaboration that included David Rupp of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute examined the weather conditions during big fires driven by strong offshore winds such as California’s Santa Ana and Diablo winds and western Oregon’s East wind.

The modeling found that human influences on climate actually reduced the frequency of those winds in the two years studied. But higher temperatures and drier fuels mean the four study areas were nevertheless much more likely to have extreme autumn fire weather than they would have had without humancaused increases in atmospheric aerosols and carbon dioxide.

“Over the last handful of years, California and western Oregon have experienced their largest and most destructive wildfires ever recorded,”

Hawkins said. “The rapid and extensive growth of many of the fires was driven by strong, dry, offshore, downslope autumn winds blowing across fuels that had become very parched over the summer and stayed that way into fall.”

For this research, the scientists focused on conditions like those seen during recent catastrophic fires, including Northern California’s Wine Country fires in October 2017, the Camp Fire in November 2018 and the North Complex Glass fires in September 2020; Southern California’s Woolsey Fire in November 2018; and western Oregon’s Lionshead Fire in September 2020.

“Anthropogenic climate change has increased the likelihood of extremely hot, dry and windy weather in autumn, but it has not necessarily increased the likelihood of fire, nor did these fires occur because of climate change,” Hawkins said. “But those fires provided archetypes of extreme offshore-wind-driven autumn fire weather for us to study.”

To model a climate absent human activity, the scientists set the atmospheric CO2 and aerosol concentrations to mid-19th century levels.

They performed thousands of simulations with present-day CO2 and aerosol concentrations and thousands more simulations with CO2 and aerosol concentrations set to pre-industrial levels.

The researchers then compared the likelihood of extreme autumn fire weather conditions – defined as conditions that, absent human influ-

ence, would occur once every 20 years – between the two ensembles of simulations.

“We found that when CO2 and aerosols from human activity were included, the chance of extreme conditions was 40% higher in those areas of California and Oregon where recent autumn fires have occurred,” Hawkins said. “The jump was mainly because of an increase in temperature and fuel aridity and not an increase in wind speeds. In fact, we found anthropogenic climate change slightly decreased the frequency of strong, dry, offshore winds.”

Hawkins emphasizes that the 40% increase in likelihood is the average across the western United States, and that the increase is smaller or larger in specific regions. She also stresses that this study examined extreme fire weather conditions as opposed to average conditions and only in one season of the year.

“What our research demonstrates is that anthropogenic climate change has already increased the likelihood of autumn wind-driven extreme fire weather conditions in the West,” she said. “Together with non-climatic factors like biomass accumulation and more and more people living in the wildland urban interface in fire-prone lands, that means overall fire risk is going up. Approaches such as we used here can guide fire risk assessments and fire adaptation efforts.”

The National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration supported this research. Findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Sihan Li of the University of Oxford and John Abatzoglou of the University of California, Merced, also took part in the study.

Steve Lundeberg is a researcher and writer for Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. He may be reached at steve.lundeberg@oregonstate.edu

www.thechronicleonline.com

A6

Classifieds

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Listings are updated daily at thechronicleonline.com

109

Construction Services

STREAMLINE GENERAL CONTRACTOR LLC CCB # 227162 Residential & Commercial (505) 396-8961 Licensed, Bonded, Insured. For your construction needs.

Over 25 years of Experience

150

Misc Services

Cans and Bottles If you have cans and bottles that you would like to get rid of call Steve the Can Man at 971-813-9257.

Will pick up.

308

Lost & Found

LOST YOUR BOAT TOP? Please call 503366-7173. Please leave a message.

312

Events

Annual ASTORIA AUTOMOTIVE SWAP MEET

Vendors Wanted!

Clatsop Fairgrounds Saturday, March 12TH 8 A.M. - 2 P.M. Call Fred (503) 440-9481 or Dorothy (503) 468-0006

502

502

502

502

708

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Bazaars

Dental Hygienist Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is hiring a Dental Hygienist.

See the full job description in our color advertisement on page A9.

training, managing and evaluating approximately 20 lifeguards. In addition, this position helps in planning, organizing, scheduling and teaching programs offered at our seasonal outdoor pool.

Knowledge and Skills: Experience in pool management, supervising employees, administration, leadership and good public relation skills is highly desirable.

Knowledge in pool maintenance, water chemistry testing and related is helpful. Experience and Training: Experience preferred or the willingness to work within an agreed upon time frame between the applicant, Pool Manager and District Manager to obtain the required and suggested certifications for the position; FirstAid, CPR, AED certifications, Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor and Training, Water Safety Instructor and CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certifications.

You can request an application and a copy of the full job description by phone at 503728-2757, by email at csp@cni. net or stopping by the pool office when open (hours will be posted on door). Applications

can be returned by mail to: Clatskanie Park & Recreation District, PO Box 737, Clatskanie OR 97016 or by email to csp@ cni.net or in person at the pool office when open (hours will be posted on door). If you have any questions, please contact Cyndi Warren, 208249-7144. Applications will be accepted until 3:00pm on Monday, March 14, 2022.

The City of St. Helens is hiring a Custodian Part-time $15.52 per hour (Step 1) Apply online at www.sthelensoregon.gov. Deadline: 3/9/22. Equal Opportunity Employer.

We’re Back!

Annual Basement Sale at Rainier Community Church of God, 321 West C Street, Rainier. March 4 & 5 from 9 am - 4 pm.

Clothing, household items, furniture, etc. We also serve homemade soup, pie, and cinnamon rolls.

The City of St. Helens is hiring a Library Director $7,494 (Step 1) to $9,176 (Step 9) Apply online at www.sthelensoregon.gov. Open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Enforcement Deputy - Lateral Columbia County, OR EOE. Deadline: 3/29/2022 Apply at ColumbiaCountyOR. gov.

Director, Land Development Services Columbia County, OR EOE. Deadline: 3/31/2022 Apply at ColumbiaCountyOR. gov.

Assistant County Counsel 1-2 or 3 Columbia County, OR EOE. Deadline: 3/31/2022. Apply at ColumbiaCountyOR. gov.

Assistant Pool Manager Clatskanie Park & Recreation District is now accepting applications for an Assistant Pool Manager. Responsibilities: Beginning in February/March and continuing through September assist the Pool Manager with

Immediate Opening Shipping/ Receiving/ Sewing Part time 6-Noon, M-Th. Apply in person only. 33550 SE Santosh St. Scappoose, OR 97056

690

Wanted Autos

815

Rooms for Rent

Ca$h 4 Car$

$Drake’s Towing is now paying TOP Cash$ 4 Junk Cars!!!

We buy junk/broken cars, trucks, vans, heavy equip.

Top $$ paid to $100-$400.

We are LOCAL, serving Columbia County.

Same day service.

503-438-6099

Looking to Rent Elderly gentleman looking for a room to rent. Will clean house, cook, do errands, or walk your cat. Please respond to PO Box 301, St. Helens, OR 97051.

Head Start Needs YOU! Community Action Team Head Start is hiring in Columbia County!!

We provide: • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits • Personal and sick leave • Balanced work schedules • A culturally respectful work environment We have career opportunities for a Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Cook, and Custodian.

Contact JoAnne Dodge at 503-397-4114, jdodge@nworheadstart.org; or Dawn Crawford at 503-556-3736, dcrawford@nworheadstart.org

WE’RE HIRING! TFT construction Inc. has multiple openings we are looking to fill. We offer competitive pay, Health insurance and 401K. Please stop by the office at 53990 West Lane Road in Scappoose, or email your resume to jason@tftconstruction.net.

VIEW OUR CURRENT RENTAL PROPERTIES AT:

www.therentalcenter.net

River City & Rentals Northwest 503-543-4440 Phone

503-543-7929 Fax

Kristie Flanagan, Licensed Property Manager 51891 Old Portland Road, Suite “A”, Scappoose OR 97056 (next to the scappoose totem pole)

Asphalt Paving Division: Laborers, Asphalt Raker, Roller Operator Excavation Division: General Laborers, Heavy Equipment operators, Pipe – Layers, Pipe – Laborers Trucking Division: Dump Truck Drivers – Truck & Pup and Super solos https://tftconstruction.net

Advertise in the Chronicle’s Classifieds and online Email Katherine at chronicleads@countrymedia.net for rates and more info.

Please submit classified ads and liners to The Chronicle on Mondays by Noon.

Late entries may not make it into the print edition of the paper.

Columbia County

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

www.thechronicleonline.com

Waterman Garage Doors

CCB#204858

SALES, SERVICE INSTALLATION

Scott Waterman Owner

503.819.6715 St. Helens, OR 97051

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Advertise your business in the Business & Service Directory. Call 503-397-0116 for more information

Local news, every day, online.

Keep up to date on local stories, events, and ads by visiting thechronicleonline.com.

The Chronicle 503-397-0116 1805 Columbia Blvd.

St. Helens, OR 97051 Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Garage Sale Special!

Get a classified garage sale liner in print and online for just $10 for up to 14 lines!

Email chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net to advertise!

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

A7

Public Notices CH22-1043

CH22-1045

PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT Probate Department In All persons having claims barred. All persons whose Meeting Attendance March 3, 2022 Members of the Columbia River PUD Board of Directors, possibly constituting a quorum, plan to attend the South Columbia County Electeds Collaborative which is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 6:00

p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Board will not deliberate toward nor make a decision. The purpose of the meeting is to receive updates on South Columbia County regional economic development work and set priorities for the coming years. The meeting will be held at the Com-

munity Center, 2625 Gable Road, St. Helens, Oregon.

The facility is handicap accessible. If you need special accommodation, please contact City Hall at (503)397-6272, at least 48 hours before the meeting. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager

CH22-1030

Columbia River PUD Board Vacancy At the January 18, 2022 Board meeting, the Board of Directors of Columbia River People’s Utility District (CRPUD) declared a vacancy for the position of Director of Subdivision Four beginning February 1, 2022. The Board of Directors is inviting eligible candidates to submit letters of interest and/or resumes to fill the aforementioned vacancy. This is normally an elected office; the term of this appointment will run through December 31, 2022.

The position will then be up for election at the Novem-

ber 2022 general election to serve a two-year term beginning January 2023.

ORS 261.405(3) provides that candidates must be an elector; must reside within the subdivision which they are running for; and must have resided in the district continuously for two years immediately preceding the date of election/appointment.

Subdivision Four consists of two Precincts, St Helens One (Precinct 21) and St Helens Four (Precinct 24). Those meeting the above requirements are invited to visit our website at www.crpud.net/

boardvacancy to access the Interest Form to submit a letter of interest and/or resume.

All application materials should be addressed to the Board and must be submitted electronically no later than 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Anyone requesting more information may email Board Secretary Heidi Ralls at hralls@crpud. org. It is anticipated the candidate selected would be appointed by CRPUD’s Board of Directors at the March 22, 2022, Regular Meeting. By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager.

CH22-1042

The Columbia County Development Agency (Agency) has published the FY 2020/2021 Annual Report. It is on file at the offices of the Board of County Commissioners located in the Columbia County Courthouse, Room 331, at 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 and with the Agency. The full information is available to all interested persons. In FY 2020/2021, the Agency received $2,805,591 in property tax revenue. Expenditures from FY 2020/2021 were $860,285. The estimated tax revenues for FY 2021/2022 are $140,000. The 2021/2022 budget includes $9,047,254 in revenues and expenditures. The impact of carrying out the urban renewal plan on the permanent rate levy tax collections for the preceding year for all taxing districts is shown in the table below. Schools and the ESD are not directly impacted by urban renewal due to the State School Fund. The remaining maximum indebtedness for the Area is $15,383,809.51.

the Matter of the Estate of ROGER MURRAY BEARDSLEY, Deceased.

Case No. 22PB01136 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate.

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

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 March 2, 2022. Rachael Lester, Personal Representative.

CH22-1022

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE VACANCIES The St. Helens School District No. 502 is seeking applicants for five (5) vacancies on the District Budget Committee. Each term has an initial three year appointment. Due to pre-existing vacancies, not all vacancies have a full three year term remaining. Position vacancies and their expiration are as follows: Position Expiration 1 2 3 4 5

Years of Appointment 1 Remaining 1 Remaining Full Term – 3 Years 2 Remaining Full Term – 3 Years

Calendar Date Expiration 6/30/22 6/30/22 6/30/24 6/30/23 6/30/24

Budget Year 2022-2023 2022-2023 2024-2025 2023-2024 2024-2025

Each term requires the attendance of several evening meetings during the course of the year.

Applications are available for pick up at St. Helens School District Office, 474 North 16th Street, St. Helens, Oregon or online at www.sthelens.k12.or.us and will be accepted until the close of business on Friday, March 4th, 2022. In the case of multiple applicants, the Board will interviews interested persons at the board meeting on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.

CH22-1038

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA In the Matter of the Estate of Brian Douglas Long, Deceased. Case No. 22PB00773 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Roger Long has been appointed and has qualified as the personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present them, with vouchers attached

to Roger Long, Personal Representative, at 2005 Saint Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, 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, Mark J. Lang, 2005 Saint Helens St, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first published: February 23, 2022. /s/ Mark J. Lang, Mark J. Lang, OSB#973116 Attorney for Personal Representative, 2005 St Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 (503) 410-5238 Published: February 23, March 2, March 9, and March 16, 2022.

CH22-1040

Scheduled Storage Auction Please take notice ORS 87.685 et. seq. K & B Storage, 970 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Or. 97051. Intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the Units by the CH22-1046

NOTICE OF MEETING The CC Rider Transit Advisory Committee will be meeting on March 15, 2022 at 4:00PM at 1155 Deer Island Rd, St. Helens, Oregon 97051.The public is welcome.

occupants at the facility as listed below. This auction sale by unit will occur at the facility listed above on the 12th day of March 2022 at 10:00 am. This sale may

be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms & conditions apply. Call 971 203-4616. Jared Barnes Unit #51 5 x 10, Rebecca Durbin Unit #98 10 x 10. Cash Only.

The Public Notice deadline is Fridays by noon.

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

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: MARCH MADNESS ACROSS

1. In ill humor 5. Like a ship?

8. Repeating word on South Pacific map 12. Man-eating fairy tail giant 13. Newspaper piece 14. Pertaining to the ear 15. Family group 16. Not the life of the party 17. Andean animal 18. *Like Sunday, the day of announcements 20. Bodily disorders 21. 19th century Robber baron Jay ____ 22. Architect’s software, acr.

23. Articulates 26. Soak up 29. Cuban dance step 30. Auditory canal, e.g.

33. Needlefish, pl.

35. “Star Wars” creator 37. Swindle 38. March edition, e.g.

39. Rest or settle 40. Johnny Cash’s “Get ____” 42. *It never ends this way 43. Another word for acety-

lene 45. High or hilly land 47. Grazing spot 48. Copying machine 50. ____ code 52. *Those remaining in last weekend (Two words) 56. Gives off 57. Afghanistan’s western neighbor 58. Beginner 59. Send in payment 60. Halfway around links 61. Besides 62. Biz bigwig 63. *D-___ schools only 64. Swedish shag rugs

DOWN

1. ____ Brown and “What’s Up, ____?”

2. Gawk at 3. River in Orenburg, Russia 4. Weasel out 5. Go bad 6. Massacre of the Innocents king 7. “I Dream of Jeannie” star 8. *Last year’s runner-up from Washington 9. Like word of mouth 10. Those born under Aries

11. Chicken ____ ____ king 13. Between 90 and 180 degrees 14. Spy’s cover 19. Crocus bulbs, e.g.

22. *Network 23. *School with most titles 24. Car rack manufacturer 25. Like an implied agreement 26. Your mom’s sister 27. Haile Selassie’s disciple 28. Boston hockey player 31. Heart pain 32. Ken or Barbie, e.g.

34. *Placement 36. *First A in NCAA 38. Motivate 40. Biology class acronym 41. Benevolent 44. Leavening agent 46. Another word for golf club 48. Rice wine 49. Lacking sense 50. NYSE MKT, formerly 51. Frost design on a window 52. Porto____, Italy 53. Like acne-prone skin 54. Bear constellation 55. Fish eggs, pl.

56. Before, archaic

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

A8

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Legislature investing in affordable housing, community safety STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

Oregonians living in St. Helens and Scappoose and other cities across the state could soon see major state financial investments to improve the livability of their communities.

The Oregon Legislature is on track to approve major investments in affordable housing, homelessness services, public schools, community safety, climate resilience, and rebuilding infrastructure that will spur economic activity across the state, according to a release from Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield (DCorvallis).

Rayfield said the U.S. and Oregon are experiencing a historic economic recovery, leading to strong revenues in the 2022 legislative session.

Meanwhile, Oregonians are

grappling with price increases that are hitting family budgets and creating anxiety about the future.

“We are seizing this opportunity to send direct relief to Oregonians and deliver results for working families,” Rayfield said.

The following are the highlights from the state budget following a meeting of the budget-writing legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee Monday night, Feb. 28.

• A $400 million package to tackle housing and homelessness, including $165 million for homelessness services, $215 million to build and preserve affordable housing and $20 million to improve access to homeownership.

• A $300 million education package to address the staffing crisis in Oregon’s schools, create summer learning op-

portunities, support wild-fire impacted school districts, and address education disparities by funding the Pacific Islander Student Success Plan and adding $5 million to the African American/Black Student Success Plan.

• Smart investments in community safety, including $15 million to support Community-Based Organizations working to prevent violence, $5 million to expand hospital-based community violence prevention programs, $13 million to help local communities around the state clean up trash and provide sanitation services, $14 million to support services for crime victims, and $10 million for the Oregon Domestic & Sexual Violence Services Fund.

• A $200 million investment in workforce development will help ensure workers have access to the skills and

training they will need to succeed, including $200 million for Future Ready Oregon (Senate Bill 1545).

• A nearly $300 million cost of living relief package, including direct, one-time relief payments of $600 that will help more than 240,000 low-wage workers cover their essential needs (House Bill 4157), $100 million to address the shortage of affordable childcare across the state (House Bill 4005), and increased outreach to help working families access tax relief (House Bill 4117).

• Over $300 million for healthcare needs, including a plan to protect health coverage for low-income Oregonians (House Bill 4035), $150 million to support behavioral health workers and providers (House Bill 4004), $45 million to address the crisis in Oregon’s health care workforce at OHSU, and new support

for Oregon nurses who are experiencing burnout from the extreme stress of the pandemic (House Bill 4003).

• A $100 million climate resilience budget aims to tackle drought, extreme weather, and infrastructure needs.

• Over $100 million to help rebuild critical infrastructure in rural Oregon, which will support local economies and create jobs across the state.

Following this session’s appropriations, Oregon will still maintain more than $2.7 billion in reserve. That includes projected balances of $760 million in General Funds, $1.3 billion in the Rainy Day Fund, and nearly $700 million in the Education Stability Fund.

“After two years of brutal hardships – from the pandemic, to wildfires, to economic uncertainty – I genuinely believe these investments will

help people in every corner of Oregon,” Oregon House’s chief budget writer Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D-N/NE Portland) said. “It was hard to say ‘no’ to many additional, worthy investments we could have made. But we also prioritized maintaining strong reserve funds so that Oregon is wellpositioned to handle any unforeseen crises or an economic downturn.”

The six end-of-session budget bills containing these investments will now advance to final floor votes: • SB 5701: Bond Authorization • SB 5702: Capital Construction • SB 5703: Lottery and CFA Allocation • HB 5201: Fee Ratification • HB 5202: Budget Reconciliation

Columbia County is seeking volunteers for various local advisory groups Columbia County’s advisory boards, committees, and commissions provide community perspective to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners about important local issues. Serving on an advisory group offers county residents the opportunity to learn about the county’s work and make recommendations on county programs, services, and policies.

Each advisory group has a specific purpose and is governed by operating stat-

utes, according to a release from Columbia County.

Terms run from one to six years, depending on the committee or commission and circumstances. Vacancies are generally filled at the end of the calendar and fiscal year unless an opening becomes available during the year.

Columbia County currently has vacancies on the following advisory groups: • Jail Operating Citizens Advisory Committee

Courtesy photo from Mike Sears

Lena Lysenko and her two children hunker in a shelter as Russia invades Kyiv, Ukraine.

UKRAINE From Page A1

off, so that’s what we are doing.”

She said when she is able to leave, she wants to go to Slovakia or Holland, but Ukraine is her home.

“We have to cross Kyiv, but it’s restricted and too dangerous right now,” she said. “Even if we go there, there is no confidence it will be safe, I have no idea, Ukraine is on fire.”

She and her friends are ready to move when they can.

“We have no idea what to do,” she said. “We are hoping for a special green corridor where they let people leave the country, but right now things are too dangerous.”

Lena is also worried for her mother who is also about 60 kilometers away and also is hearing bombs and shooting. She says she has spoken to friends who are hiding in bathrooms and bathtubs, basements and underground.

“Right now, we are in our

shelter, we keep food, water and blankets underground in our basements, and we are ready in case we have to run and hide,” Lysenko said. “We have heard from friends from all over the world and are so happy for all the prayers and words of support.”

She warns that all of the information out there is fake.

She said she has friends in Russia who called and told her that they want the invasion to stop. When they started to announce that publicly, special cops came and graabbed them.

“People on both sides want this to stop,” she said.

“They are against this and are frightened of their government that they will be taken away.”

She believes that at this point, not much help is on the way.

“It’s my personal position that many have promised to help, but they are afraid because they have business interests,” she said. “Nobody knows what to do, we are all afraid they will not stop.”

Sears said in a phone interview Friday morning that

• Ambulance Service Advisory Committee • Local Public Safety Coordinating Council • Solid Waste Advisory Committee • Traffic Safety Committee • Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee • Civil Service Commission For more information, visit https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/advisorycommittees.

Solution for the Feb. 23, 2021 crossword puzzle

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle

Light snow fell across St. Helens and Columbia County on Feb. 24. The snow quickly disappeared by afternoon as temperatures increased.

Baby formula recalled

when Lena came to Oregon 17 years ago to live with he and his wife Pam, after she got settled and got to know some other students, she came out of her shell and really flourished. It didn’t take her long to adapt to a much freer country.

“She was very stern to begin with but after a little while she blossomed,” Sears said. “And she’s taken that with her into her adult life.”

Lysenko was selected by to be a part of the program because she tested in the top two out of 600 other students at the time. Mike and his wife had hosted other exchange students but didn’t have the great experience they had with Lysenko. Mike said he’s even visited Lena in Ukraine and keeps in contact with her all the time.

“As long as there is internet available, I’ll be able to contact her,” he said.

Sears may set up a GoFundMe site but is waiting until he is sure he can even wire money to her.

Lena said that she misses her time in Tillamook County and still thinks of this as her home. She only hopes she will be able to see it again sometime.

“It’s my home, I love Oregon,” she said. “My Dad’s home is my home, my heart is there my dearest person is there, my Dad.”

Oregon WIC warns of contamination The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is warning Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program participants to be on the lookout for powder infant formulas that may be contaminated with Cronobacter or Salmonella bacteria.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week announced a voluntary recall of certain powder formulas manufactured by Abbott at its Sturgis, Mich., facility due to the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella newport bacteria.

The recall comes after reports that certain powder formulas manufactured by Abbott at its Sturgis, Mich., facility contained Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella newport bacteria.

Products included are

FREEYARD DEBRIES RECYCLING SAT.,APRIL20!

The City of Scappoose is seeking an interested citizen who resides within the city limits to serve as a member of the Scappoose City Council. The term expires Dec. 31, 2022.

Citizen Interest forms are available online at http:// www.ci.scappoose.or.us or at Scappoose City Hall located

• Similac Advance • Similac Sensitive • Similac Alimentum • Similac Total Comfort • Similac for Spit up • EleCare Infant • EleCare Junior Oregon WIC, which is among state WIC programs across the country that have contracts with Abbott for infant formulas, recommends participants check Abbott’s website at www.similacrecall. com or call 1-800-986-8540 to see if their formula is affected. Participants can take affected products to the store where they bought them for exchange or refund.

OHA officials advise those concerned about their

infant’s health immediately contact their health care providers. Oregon WIC also recommends parents and caregivers never dilute infant formula or make or feed homemade infant formula to infants.

Oregon WIC is working with vendors and stores, so participants can purchase Mead Johnson, Gerber, and store brand formulas with their eWIC card.

The WIC Shopper App that participants use to purchase supplemental foods includes all information about the recall in multiple languages. The WIC Shopper App is available in the Apple Store or Google Play: https:// ebtshopper.com/download/.

WIC participants can contact their local WIC agency for assistance.

Prices Cedar Chips

Interviews will be held at the April 4, 2022 City Council meeting, starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Scappoose City Recorder Susan M. Reeves at 503-543-7146 ext. 224. Fax: 503-543-7182.

Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency

March 12 at 6pm $25 for Adults, $5 for Children Reservations Needed 503- 397-5390 or CaplesHouse@comcast.net

Garden Mulch Fir & Hemlock Cedar Chips Bark Dust Garden Mulch 1925 First Street, FirColumbia & Hemlock Trailmix City Bark SoilDust Blends www.capleshouse.com (503) 397-5390 •Trailmix Fir Shavings

Community Action Team

Museum Tours Begin

March 4 - Oct. 30 Fri - Sun 1-5pm, $5

Tea and Sweets every Friday 2-4pm, The Cottage $5

Soil Blends • Fir Shavings

Quality Bark at Competitive Prices

BEAVER BARK

Sold by yard or Unit of pick up for Delivery

BEAVER BARK

Sold yard or Unit for&pick up or Delivery • byVariety of Fir Hemlock bark Dust • • •

at 33568 East Columbia Avenue. If you have any questions please contact Susan M. Reeves, City Recorder, at 503-543-7146, ext. 224.

Please mail, drop off, email (sreeves@cityofscappoose) or fax 503-543-7182 your completed Citizens Interest Form by 4 p.m. March 28, 2022.

St. Patrick’s Dinner

Quality Bark at Competitive Prices of Fir & Bark Dust • Variety Mulch &Hemlock Potting Soil Mulch & Potting Soil • CedarCedar & Trail Mix Chips &Chips Trail Mix

Clean Woodwaste Recycling

Clean Woodwaste Recycling Recycling Clean = No pressure treated, paint or stain Yard Debris & Woodwaste Wood Waste = Lumber, small stumps and logs. $6 yard with $8 minimum charge Yard Debris &branches, Woodwaste Recycling We do not accept trash, plastic, dirt or sod.

15 per yd.

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54000 West West Lane Rd Rd 54000 Lane 503-543-3000 503-543-3000 Scappoose Oregon Scappoose Mon-Fri 8-5 Oregon Mon-Fri (503) 8-5 543-3000 Call for deliveries Callweekend for weekend deliveries

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Winter hours closed the weekends *Logs, stumps, pellets, are lumberMon-Fri - no paint or 8am-4pm colored stain * please call foron clarification

*Logs, stumps, pellets, lumber - no paint or colored stain * please call for clarification

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

all sizes of these powdered formulas:

Scappoose seeks councilor FREEYARDBark DEBRIES at Quality RECYCLING SAT.,APRIL20!

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Crossword Solution

Street Snow

C11071

C11071

Are you a veteran?

You may be entitled to benefits for serving your country.

Contact your Veteran Service Officer • 503-366-6580 Call CAT at (503)397-3511 to find out if you qualify. Rental and energy assistance applications are available at 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR. Also available on our website at www.CAT-TEAM.org

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chronicle

Cad takes advantage of a rest in Dennis’ lap days following his rescue.

RESCUE From Page A1

Audrey recounted Dennis’s state of mind as the days went by.

“Dennis was pretty devastated when he was gone,” Audrey said. “I mean no eating, no sleeping. He was pretty shattered.”

“We knew he was probably close because he was weak, and he never really leaves the yard,” she explained.

On Monday, the search pressed on, and Dennis came up with a suggestion the pair had never thought of before.

Dennis instructed Audrey to bring Anela, her dog with a sharp sense of smell, to lead the search effort.

With Anela’s history in Nose Work and Barn Hunt competitions, an American Kennel Association competitive sport where dogs hunt for rats in PVC pipes, Anela appeared to be fit for the job.

“She’s used to ‘find it.’

She knows what that means,” Audrey said.

With Audrey following, Anela sniffed out the grounds and closed in on a nearby shed.

“The dog couldn’t see underneath the shed, but it ran back and forth and had its nose underneath the flooring part of it and could smell him,”

Dennis explained. “So, I came back to the house and got out a shovel, so I could shovel the back out a little bit (to) see underneath it. I turned the flashlight on, and there were the little beady eyes.”

“Pretty amazing to see him alive, it was,” he said.

The rescue The pair called the Scappoose Fire Rural Protection District (SRFPD) right away.

SRFPD Lieutenant Firefighter Brian Heuer and Firefighter EMT Keith Mathews arrived on the scene and immediately got their tools out.

Cad was towards the back underneath the shed’s floor, wedged between cinder blocks. The crawl space was ample for a cat to squeeze through but getting him out would prove difficult.

In an interview with The Chronicle, Mathews explained the work that went into rescuing Cad. “Once we got eyes on the cat, we were able to figure out that we needed to dig further towards the front of the shed to see if we can get hands on (him),” Mathews said. “We came up with a couple of different plans at the time, just either digging underneath the shed or also trying to get access to inside this shed to see if we can get through the floorboards instead of having

to dig under.”

With Anela whining and firefighters digging on either side of the shed, Dennis described Cad as frightened, as any cat might feel surrounded by a dog, lots of noise, and suffering a critical injury.

“We ended up getting access to the inside, but the floorboards had a subfloor and we couldn’t get up underneath them,” Mathews said. “So, we went back to digging a hole under the side to try and gain access.”

“I saw him leaking a bunch of fluid and thought, ‘We got to get him out of there as soon as possible because he was hurting,’” Dennis said.

With both holes dug, Heuer and Mathews guided broom handles underneath the shed’s floor to scoot Cad forward, close enough for Dennis to grab hold of him.

The feeling upon receiving Cad was nothing short of exaltation.

“I started crying,” Audrey said. “I was so happy to see him. Yeah, we had a cage there ready to go so we put him in the crate, and off we went to Tanasbourne Vet straight away.

They immediately saw him, triaged him, and took him right into surgery.”

Mathews said he felt a similar sense of relief.

“When we take somebody to the hospital, we don’t always know what their outcome is going to be,” Mathews said.

“We don’t always get to find out, so when we are able to go on a call like this and (be) successful, it’s a good feeling.”

By Thursday, Feb. 24, the chaos of the preceding days appeared to be forgotten as Dennis had Cad cradled in his lap, soaking up the warmth of a fire inside a garage parked next to a white Cadillac: his namesake.

“It was amazing,” Audrey said, seated beside the pair. “It was like a fairytale. It all just worked out.”

Tireless Teacher Award

Courtesy photo from the St. Helens School District

Adam Wies holds his award presented by Colleen Grogan, right, head teacher at Plymouth High School.

Adam Wies has been selected for the Les Schwab Tireless Teacher Award.

According to a release from the St. Helens School District detailing anonymous comments, Adam Wies is a Plymouth High School teacher who works hard to connect with kids while helping them to become stellar writers and creative thinkers. He provides

MANDATE From Page A1

Position: Dental Hygienist Position Summary: In our practice, our hygienists are often the first place our patients receive compassionate and necessary healthcare. Our hygienists do not simply clean teeth; they are instrumental in achieving optimal health.

About Us and Who We Want to Join Our Team: Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is a fixture of the local community. We have been serving patients for over 50 years throughout the area. Our patients know us, and we know them.

We are recognized as the go-to family dental practice because of our loyal team and our commitment to health.

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

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

Our overriding goal is to first find a person who will enjoy being a member of our team, both as part of the organization as a whole and specifically with our incredible team of dental professionals. Characteristics that we are looking for include: • Team collaborative outlook, • Patient-centric and solutions/problem solving approach, • Fun-natured and a sense of humor, • Good communication skills (written and verbal), • Self-motivated attitude, • A desire to make a difference We are committed to each employee’s success. As such, we invest time, energy, and money in onboarding and training to ensure competency and confidence with the type and kind of patients we serve. This, combined with your qualifications, represents a winning formula for long-term professional success.

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

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

Starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

If you believe this opportunity represents a fit for you, please send a cover letter and an up-to-date resume to: jessica@healthysmilesofscappoose.com

A9

the horizon, and we continue to see increases in people being up-to-date with their vaccinations,” he said.

The OHA has twice revised the state’s indoor mask mandate to end on March 31 and again on March 19, following a significant decline in hospitalizations and case counts.

The revisions follow a reduction of more than half in hospitalizations from the Omicron peak of 1,130 on Jan. 27, down to 528 as of Thursday, Feb. 24, according to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU’s) latest COVID-19 forecast.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown released a statement in response to the changes in OHA guidance.

“Two years ago, today, we identified Oregon’s first case of COVID-19. As has been made clear time and again over the last two years, COVID-19 does not stop at state borders or county lines.

On the West Coast, our communities and economies are linked.

“Together, as we continue to recover from the Omicron surge, we will build resiliency and prepare for the next variant and the next pandemic. As we learn to live with this virus, we must remain vigilant to protect each other and prevent disruption to our schools, businesses, and communities––with a focus on protecting our most vulnerable and the people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted

by COVID-19,” Brown said.

As Oregon moves to shift masking policies back to local control, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that 70% of U.S. counties no longer face indoor mask recommendations.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky shared the following information in a Feb. 25 press briefing.

“Today, (the) CDC is updating its framework to monitor the level of COVID-19 and communities.

We’re in a stronger place today as a nation with more tools to protect ourselves in our communities from COVID-19.

“Now, as the virus continues to circulate in our communities, we must focus our metrics beyond just cases in the community and direct our efforts toward protecting people at high risk for severe illness and preventing COVID-19 from overwhelming our hospitals and our healthcare systems.

“This new framework

fascinating and thoughtprovoking material for his students to share and debate.

Adam strives to guide students towards excellence in who they can become and is a fun, energetic individual who adds a spark to our school.

Adam has a heart for people and cares deeply about his students, colleagues, and the families he serves. Adam

perseveres even when things get tough. I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Adam for this award.

Wies is in his sixth year with the St. Helens School District.

The award is a partnership between the St. Helens Les Schwab Tire Center and the St. Helens School District to honor local teachers for their service.

moves beyond just looking at cases and test positivity to evaluate factors that reflect the severity of disease, including hospitalizations and hospital capacity, and helps to determine whether the level of COVID-19 and severe disease are low, medium, or high in a community.”

Columbia County is still considered a high-risk area, county-by-county transmission data indicates.

care providers, communityserving organizations, and congregate settings.

“In order to reach the greatest number of residents, we need to keep those organizations updated with information about testing, vaccination, masks, treatment, and other recommendations,” Paul said. “Many of these agencies also have convenient locations so we partnered with them to provide access to vaccination, testing and distribution of resources. We can’t emphasize enough how enormously important these close, bidirectional partnerships are to our response.”

The response required resources that Columbia County Public Health Department did not have, according to Paul, which meant the health agency often had to reach out to other county departments and local agencies.

“We also received confirmation that we identified the right priorities in our prepandemic community health improvement plan,” he said.

“The last two years showed us that we need more access to all types of health care.

Not only did many of our residents have to travel too far, and wait too long, for testing and vaccination and other COVID-related care, many residents had to delay other important care appointments.”

Caution urged Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul said the new date to lift the indoor mask mandate is significant.

“It’s a significant moment in the pandemic timeline, but it doesn’t mean risk entirely disappears. Individuals and families will need to assess their risk based on their health status and transmission in our community,” Paul said. “Our local public health surveillance will continue to focus on our oldest citizens, people who are immunocompromised, and people with disabilities.”

According to Paul, the decision to remove masks doesn’t eliminate concern about a new variant that evades the immunity provided by vaccination or previous infection.

“The expectation is that the recommendations could return if another variant with the potential to significantly disrupt our health care systems emerges,” he said.

People at increased risk, and those who live or visit with them, should continue to take precautions, according to Paul.

“Masks are still recommended for people over the age of 65, unvaccinated individuals, individuals with some chronic conditions, and immunocompromised individuals,” he said. “Many of those individuals live in local congregate care settings so mask requirements for employees and caregivers continue in those settings.

We recommend that everyone have access to a highquality mask in the event of another surge of cases.”

In addition to masks, Paul said individuals should stay informed about vaccination recommendations, as well as when and where to get testing and treatment.

Lesson learned

School district response In an earlier district communication on Feb. 24, The St. Helens School District (SHSD) stated that the school board directed Superintendent Scot Stockwell to plan for allowing masks to be optional as soon as it becomes a matter of a local decision.

“Given the update from OHA, as of March 12, the wearing of masks will be optional in the St. Helens School District,” the latest SHSD email reads.

SHSD administrators also said that additional guidance for school districts was expected Wednesday, March 2.

“Our district will review the information and provide our families with updates as they become available,” the SHSD email states. “At this time, it is important to continue the implementation of indoor face coverings in our schools until March 12, to help Oregon fully overcome its largest COVID-19 surge brought on by the Omicron variant.”

According to Paul, Columbia County Public Health has learned that the local response to such medical crisis depends on Follow this developing strong partnerships with story at thechronicleonline. com and in Wednesday print local agencies, health care editions of The Chronicle. providers, schools and child Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechronicleonline.com

A10

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

2022 Columbia County

Special Gu est!

Shannon Quimby

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$3 Admission At The Gate Free tickets available at The Chronicle office 1805 S Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, Oregon and at InRoads Credit Union locations

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April 23 April 24 Columbia County Fairgrounds: 58892 Saulser Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051 To be a vendor: Contact Katherine at 503-397-0116, chronicleads@countrymedia.net, or visit www.thechronicleonline.com/home_and_garden_show

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