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The Chronicle
See GRANT, Page A3
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Vol. 132, No. 17 16 Pages
Residents shocked by recovery house BY AMANDA FRINK news@thechronicleonline.com
SCAPPOOSE — The Scappoose City Council chambers were full to capacity Monday night as citizens shared their comments re-
BY AMANDA FRINK news@thechronicleonline.com
ST. HELENS — After seven years on the bench, Jenefer Grant is campaigning for re-election as Columbia County’s circuit court judge, position #3. Following Judge Berkeley Smith’s retirement, Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed her to circuit court judge in 2007. “Getting the call you’re being apJenefer Grant pointed is like being invited to the prom by a boy you like and never thought would ask you,” says Grant. “It’s like walking on air.” Born in Salem, Grant attended school in Portland and earned her bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in 1988. In 1992, she earned her doctorate in law with honors from George Washington National Law Center, where she completed summer internships with the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. She became a member of the bar in 1992 and moved to Columbia County in 1995. For 12 years, she worked as an attorney in private practice, primarily handling criminal, juvenile and domestic relations cases. Grant says that experience gave her a solid background for her current position, as these types of cases are 90 percent of what she been presented with while serving as circuit court judge. Grant is currently serving her second term as presiding judge and presides over the Truancy Court and Adult Drug Court. Since sitting on the bench, Grant says she has developed a reputation of fairness. “This job in particular
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Grant seeking re-election to circuit court
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After an All-State freshman year, Ashley Giesbers switches up her game as a sophomore, Page A13
garding a home being transformed into a support facility for individuals recovering from addiction. The house, which is located in Columbia River View Estates and owned by James Reaves and Kori Fox, is being leased to Iron Tribe, an organization contracted
by the Oregon Department of Human Services. The new addition was not only a surprise to neighbors in the development, but to city officials, as well. Harold Cubbedge, executive director of Iron Tribe, addressed the crowded room and explained that the orga-
nization was founded five years ago by “ex-convicts in recovery.” He said that since its formation, Iron Tribe has served hundreds of people — some with criminal pasts and some without — who have suffered tragedy and needed traction in their lives. Cubbedge said Iron Tribe
residents are not sex offenders, but are people who are either in outpatient treatment or have completed treatment and are in transition to become self-sustaining, productive members of society. The house would See HOUSE, Page A3
School is more than just horsin’ around BY AMANDA FRINK news@thechronicleonline.com
WARREN — A local farm is teaching kids and adults how to saddle up some strength, take the reins of their patience and trot their way to confidence as part of the horse handling lessons offered at Sande School of Horsemanship. A non-profit organization led by longtime riding instructors Doug and Marlene Sande, the facility provides horsemanship lessons for all ages and abilities. The Sandes have trained horses and taught riding lessons for over 30 years. Riding instructor Kassi Euwer says the facility currently serves 75 students per month. Every student experience varies, as each lesson is customized to meet each student’s goals. The instructors say equestrian activities foster students’ critical thinking skills, patience and determination to conquer challenges, which usually results in developing their own coping mechanisms that are useful in other areas of life, as well. Students typically experience higher self-esteem, better communication skills, greater sense of responsibility, better leadership skills, and a sense of empowerment. Students also reap physical benefits, as horse riding can improve coordination; strengthen a rider’s core; improve posture and balance; and increase flexibility from See HORSIN’, Page A2
Mariellen Carter photo
Instructors Marlene Sande and Hannah Morse teach a riding lesson during Little Wrangler Summer Camp at Sande School of Horsemanship in Warren.
Automotive chop shop busted in St. Helens A phone call from a curious neighbor and persistent police work led investigators to a chop shop in St. Helens and the recovery of a stolen vehicle on April 16. Sunday, April 13 police received a report of a stolen vehicle in Rainier. A resident reported that a blue Honda had been taken from the
driveway of his residence on West B Street. On Monday, St. Helens police officers responded to a report of suspicious activity including blue smoke coming from the garage at 454 S. 9th Street in St. Helens. When officers investigated, the homeowner refused the allow the officers inside.
Wednesday morning, a man contacted the St. Helens Police and reported that he was going to haul scrap metal, including car parts, away from the residence at 454 S. 9th Street. He was concerned that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on one of the body panels was obliterated. Officers inquired further
and determined that this was in fact the stolen car from Rainier and that the blue smoke observed just two days earlier was caused by the literal chopping of the car into pieces. Armed with a search warrant, officers returned to the residence Wednesday afternoon and forced their way
inside. They discovered the engine, seats and many other pieces of the stolen Honda. The homeowners, Jason E. Thackery 36, and Alicia M. Thackery, 35, were arrested and lodged in the Columbia County Jail. Charges include unlawful use of a motor ve
See CHOP SHOP, Page A6
Area voters split on upcoming jail funding levy BY AMANDA FRINK news@thechronicleonline.com
COLUMBIA COUNTY — As Election Day approaches, some voters are still in the process of gathering information to make an informed decision, and others feel they have done their homework and know how they will cast their ballots. But when it comes to Measure 5-238, those who are in favor of the jail levy feel that those who are opposing it are doing so for the wrong reasons or based on misinformation. Susan Conn, a volunteer with grassroots group Keep Prisoners in Jail, said she has heard several reasons from voters as to why they plan to vote “no” on 5-238. Conn stated that the most common reason from voters who are opposing the measure is because they feel that
the jail shouldn’t have been built so large to begin with. The Chronicle’s facebook page welcomed readers to share their thoughts on the jail levy; the responses provided some additional insight as to why some voters are in opposition to 5-238. Christopher Jon Östling told the Chronicle that he plans to vote “no.” “We have never needed and never will need a jail that holds that many inmates,” he said. “The old jail held 36 inmates and the most Columbia County inmates they have had at one time is 44 since building that monstrosity!” According to County Commissioner Tony Hyde, the 39-bed jail that was built in 1969 was too small the day it opened, so county officials figured it would be more affordable to build a large jail rather than adding onto the building later. They also knew that the county
could rent out beds if the 255-bed jail had extra room. Columbia County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson added that the county’s population and crime rate was on the rise when the jail was built in 1998, so the county was preparing for an influx of prisoners. Other voters felt that if the jail did not rent beds to the U.S. Marshals there would not be a funding problem. Dickerson said it costs $95 per night to house an inmate in Columbia County Jail, but the Marshals contract will only pay $78 per bed per night. Dickerson stated that he has attempted to negotiate the U.S. Marshal’s contract for a higher rate per bed, but he has been told that Columbia County does not qualify for a higher rate. Dickerson noted that the revenue from renting beds to the U.S. Marshals is what
has kept the jail open this long. At the time of Dickerson’s interview, Columbia County Jail had 25 beds for local inmates and 113 beds for federal inmates. “If we didn’t have the Marshals keeping the food going and the medical going and enough staff, we would have closed the jail three years ago,” the sheriff confirmed. “There’s a lot of criticism out there with no idea on how to pay for the jail. But cutting the Marshals’ beds is the last thing we should do because it would double the cost of the levy.” Hyde added that in the past, money was set aside from U.S. Marshals’ bed rentals and put into a sequestered account for future use, but that account has been drained in order to keep the jail open. Conn said another common response is that citizens are unhappy with the county
commissioners and fear the levy funds will end up in the county coffers rather than the jail budget. Shelly Motherway-Bronson told The Chronicle she also plans to vote “no” on the levy. “Not my fault the county can’t manage their money better,” Motherway-Bronson said. “I can’t tell my boss I need a raise just because I am irresponsible.” She elaborated, “It has nothing to do with whether we need a jail, of course we need a jail. It has everything to do with lack of responsibility from our local politicians, and we do not need them. We will keep the jail but if we keep giving in they will pull this crap again next year or in two years guaranteed.” Clint Perreault had similar complaints, “This county has a history of losing money See JAIL, Page A3