Lions emerging
Lions win big in first league game
TODAY’S WEATHER Clear Highs to 72 Page A11 Lows to 46
as contenders Page A15
Page A14
Classified Ads A9-10 • Legal Notices A10 • Obituaries A6 • Opinions A4 • Out & About A7 • Calendar A7 • TV Guide A8 • Sports A13-16 • Weather A11
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
The Chronicle
$1 Vol. 134, No. 38 16 Pages
www.thechronicleonline.com
Ten local measures go before county voters
State agencies step up landside monitoring in Columbia County BY JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Sweet success:
As summer turns into fall and fall into winter, the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the Oregon Department of Transportation are stepping up monitoring of landslide zones across the state, including areas in Columbia County. Of particular concern are slides along Highway 30 east of Rainier, including a slide area at milepost 39. “Once we get into rainy season, our crews will be paying closer attention to that slide area to see if it continues to move, and/or deposits debris along or on the roadway.” Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Lou Torres said. “It is basically what we do every winter. We know the problem areas and tend to watch those areas a little more.” Over the summer, ODOT crews monitored the Highway 30 slide areas and crews also did some clearing of debris to stabilize an area between Goble and Rainier. Torres said the milepost 39 slide area will see work over the next few months.
Big wins for local baker Courtesy photos
BY CODY MANN cmann@countrymedia.net
Taking on your first competition at anything can be intimidating. Erynn Peau, a baker, was prepared for anything when she submitted her homemade treats at the Columbia County Fair. She had no idea she would win big and go on to victory at the Oregon State Fair. Peau is a native Oregonian, born and raised in Portland. She and her husband are new to St. Helens, purchasing their first home this past year. Peau said she picked up baking around a decade ago as the economic downturn began as a way to enjoy the finer things in life without spending too much. “When I moved out here a couple of my friends said I should do the
BY DON PATTERSON dpatterson@countrymedia.net
Voters will face a variety of measures affecting local governments and taxes on the November ballot. Ten local measures were approved for the general election ballot ranging from banning recreational marijuana sales in Scappoose to funding Columbia County jail operations for another four years. Measure 5-257 renews the local option levy voters passed in 2014 to fund jail operations. The measure calls for a 58 cent per $1,000 tax on assessed value for another four years. the owner of a property with an assessed value of $200,000 would pay about $115.94 per year. Proponents point out this is an extension of an expiring levy and property owners will see no increase. Supporters of funding roads and CC Rider with a fee on gravel mining also qualified an initiative petition. Measure 5-255 will ask voters to approve an increase in the county natural resource depletion fee from 15 cents per ton to 50 cent per ton. Of the 50 cents, 25 cents will go to funding CC Rider and 25 cents is designated to county roads. The measure also contains a provision allowing public officials to be sued for force for failing to enforce provisions of the measure. St. Helens School District is asking voters to approve a bond of $49,635,000 to build a new middle school and make repairs to the high school. The bond would also pay for technology, safety and security improvements. The district estimates tax rates will not increase due to expiring existing bonds. The tax rate is estimated to be $1.38 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 26 years, however, the rate may differ depending on interest rates incurred and changes in assessed valuation. In a more interesting move, the City of Scappoose referred two
See SLIDES, Page A12
See BAKER, Page A12
Firefighters saw smoke… then fire
JEREMY C. RUARK/The Chronicle
Since a major slide in 2015, the Oregon Department of Transportation has set up warning signs for the potential of continuing landslides along Highway 30 at milepost 39 east of Rainier.
Burgerville to raise funds for Cheryl Hart Fund
See VOTES, Page A12
Photos courtesy of Columbia River Fire & Rescue
Leaking hydraulic fluid is thought to be the cause of a spectacular fire Sept. 19 near Deer Island. Firefighters were hampered by burning fuel and lack of water. Full story – page 3.
Burgerville will have a fundraising event for Cheryl Hart this Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 4-8 p.m. Hart’s remains were found in Klamath County after she disappeared in August. Her former boyfriend was charged with her murder. Currently, Burgerville has a donation jar at the front counter to benefit the Cheryl Hart Fund, which was established at St. Helens Community Credit Union. The fundraising partnership was setup by Burgerville employees Amanda Wilson and Juliette Chamberlain. For a short time before her disappearance, Hart worked at the restaurant. “She was such a good person to be around and everyday she’d show up with a smile on her face ready to work,” Chamberlain said. “It was hard to sit back, not knowing where she was when she didn’t show up for her shifts.” Chamberlain said the original intent of the fundraiser was to support the search party, but when Hart was located the goal changed to helping with final expenses for Hart’s family. “We want to make this night a busy, successful night and spread the word as much as possible and bring this woman to rest knowing she’ll be taken care of and her family will be OK,” Chamberlain said.
SAVE THE DATE!
SEMI -ANNUAL TRUCKLOAD MEAT SALE OCT. 6TH & 7TH f
1111 Columbia Blvd centerplacemarket.com/sthelens.html
CANNED FOOD SALE COMING SOON! Can Food Order Forms At Register