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Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Chronicle
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The Spirit of Halloweentown BY CODY MANN cmann@countrymedia.net
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Vol. 134, No. 43 18 Pages
www.thechronicleonline.com
Hocus Pocus comes to life
CODY MANN/The Chronicle
Performers who brought to life the Sanderson sisters of Hocus Pocus fame treated the people of St. Helens to a show this past weekend. The 1993 cult classic Halloween film starred Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. It is the story of three evil witches who were resurrected by a teenager in Salem, Mass. Bri Bonell, Trey Bennett and Keola Holt traveled to St. Helens from Aberdeen, Wash. this past year after discovering the Spirit of Halloweentown festival online. This year, the trio of Halloweentown film fans returned to the delight of children and adults who gathered in the plaza square. “Performing as a Sanderson sister is an absolute blast, but what really makes it the best experience is seeing how the kids come alive while watching us,” Bonell said. “Getting to perform for them and make the magic come alive for them – and the nostalgic adults – would be the entire reason I do what I do.” Bonell said aside from performing for the crowd, dressing as a witch, wearing a ratty wig and acting like a crazy person for a few hours is pretty exciting. She plays Mary Sanderson, the middle sister who is played by Kathy Najimy in the film. Holt plays Sarah Sanderson, originally portrayed in the film by Sarah Jessica Parker. “It was such
See HOCUS POCUS, Page B9
Keola Holt, Trey Bennett and Bri Bonell performed as the Sanderson sisters for an audience that filled plaza square this past weekend.
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Rainier makes Homecoming Court gender neutral BY JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
It is a sign of the times. The Rainier Jr./Sr. High School’s 2016 Homecoming Court is now gender neutral. “This is a positive step giving more kids a chance to be on the court,” Rainier Jr./Sr. High Schol Associated Student Body Vice President Caymon Rea said. “It’s not putting labels on students as princes or princesses.” “Our world is changing and school transitions need to align with issues around social justice,” Rainier Jr/Sr High School Co-Principal Melissa Sandven said. “We are really proud of the ASB in making this change that they know would not be popular with everyone.” ASB President Jadyn Crape said there has been pushback from some students. “It is not what we expected to come out if it,” Crape said. “Some of the students expressed concern,
Crisis Intervention Training gives law enforcement another option
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confusion and curiosity and are trying to figure out what it is going to be like.” Crape said for some, the gender neutral Homecoming Court is abrupt change. “It is hard for them to adopt to the new Court rules, but I think after we carry this decision out, they will understand and see why we have changed it.” Rainier Jr/Sr High School celebrated its homecoming last week. The following is the letter issued by the Rainier Jr/Sr High School Associated Student Body Officers.
BY CODY MANN cmann@countrymedia.net
Law enforcement requires the ability to make a rapid character assessment. Among their many duties, today’s officers and deputies are asked to evaluate a person’s behavior and other aspects to determine whether an encounter includes a mental health aspect. With the number of mental health related calls to law enforcement increasing, many agencies have turned to Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The program is based on a national model that was designed to give first responders the tools to address a Dear community members and mental health crisis. students, “Because mental health issues are so prevalent in our commuCODY MANN/The Chronicle We are excited to be off to an exnity and every other community, Mental health workers volunteered as actors in scenarios that encouraged officers to use deescellent start to the 2016-2017 school it becomes a big part of what we calating techniques. year! With a new year comes some do, dealing with these issues,” St. Helens Chief of Police Terry Moss change, including to our upcoming Stacey Spencer was recently crisis interventions and educating said. Though diagnosing mental Homecoming court. Last year, we hired as the CIT coordinator for the community on the subject of health issues is not typical police made an amendment to our constiColumbia County thanks to a grant domestic and sexual violence. She work, at every call they are asked tution during our student council that was awarded to the City of coordinated and presented training St. Helens. Columbia Community sessions for teachers, security offiproceedings which made our Home- to determine if what they see is criminal activity or brought on by a Mental Health (CCMH) collabocers and college campuses, instructcoming court gender neutral. This deeper issue. rated with city officials on the grant ing on how to safely intervene when inclusive change allows all students “That’s part of why the CIT application. people witness or suspect violence. the opportunity to be a representraining is so important,” Moss said. “The city partnered with CCMH That naturally progressed to worktative on our Homecoming court He said the training gives officer to prepare and submit a Bureau of ing with law enforcement. regardless of their gender identity. more tools for assessing, deescalatJustice Assistance grant to provide Spencer said CIT requires a comWe are excited to move forward with ing, and resolving a crisis. crisis intervention training to first munity effort. The training incorThe program consists of a comthis and hope it is met with positivity responders in our community,” St. porates different agencies, such as prehensive course list that explores and respect from our community. Helens City Manager John Walsh National Alliance on Mental Illness different types of issues and how said. “I understand the trainings (NAMI), CCMH, and law enforceto approach them, utilizing discushave been very valuable to those ment throughout Columbia County. Sincerely, sions, lectures, roleplaying scenarios participating.” “Oregon has a very high suicide The Associated Student Body and other strategies to help law Spencer worked at a domestic Officers enforcement and other responders violence shelter prior to this, serving Rainier Jr./Sr. High School See CIT, Page B8 to reduce the volatility of a crisis as an advocate, doing one-on-one scene.
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