Water main plug break
Sen. Wyden holds Columbia County town hall Page A5
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The Chief
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020
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VOL. 128, NO. 35
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Ready, set, snow!
Snow Chance JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement stating chances are increasing for lowland snow in our area next week. “The one thing that is certain is that it will be much colder,” National Weather Service meteorologist Shawn Weagle said. “Temperatures are likely to be below freezing during the day and in the 20s at night.” According to the weather service statement, a pair of strong cold fronts will move across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend, and the pattern will turn significantly colder next week. These cold fronts will likely bring heavy snow to the Cascades. Snow levels are expected to remain well above the valley floors through Sunday. The colder air is expected to move into southwest Washington and northwest Oregon early next week, potentially cold enough to bring snow levels down to the valley floor. An increasing number of forecast models are suggesting additional disturbances from the Gulf of Alaska which would spread moisture into that colder air. This will raise the chance for snow down to the lowest elevations next week. While accumulations, distribution, and/or timing of snow remain uncertain, confidence is increasing in the overall threat of snow next week, even for the lowest elevations. Weagle said now is a good time to make sure you are prepared in the event that all of the necessary ingredients come together for a significant snow event next week. “The safest thing to do is to have a plan for worsening conditions beginning Monday with considerably colder temperatures and snow likely as we head into mid week,” he said. Weagle said it’s hard to say right now who much snow would fall. “It could be anywhere from hardly anything to several inches,” he said “We are still defining the forecast.” Follow the latest weather updates at thechiefnews.com.
When snow falls, children usually find a way to have fun. This photo taken in 2017 shows children playing in Clatskanie.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Clatskanie City Council welcomes new member
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
OSP troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies coordinated the search for the suspect at the intersection of Highway 30 and Marshland Road.
Jeremy Ruark / The Chief
Bruce Holsey. CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
A new council member is now sitting on the Clatskanie City Council. Bruce Holsey was sworn in on Wednesday, Dec. 4, replacing Wil-
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lard Evenson, who had to terminate his term early due to health reasons. Holsey will fill out Evenson’s remaining term, which expires Dec. 31 of 2020. Holsey is the assistant chief at the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District, and also serves on the Columbia County 911 District Board and on the board for the Clatskanie Park & Recreation District. Holsey joins five other council members: Toby Harris, Council President; Bruce Holma; Jean Sampson; Gary Jones and Jim Helmen. When a council member resigns, that member’s replacement is not done via election, but through appointment by the sitting members of the city council, as the city charter states. According to Major Bob Brajcich, the other council members recommended Holsey, and then Brajcich approached him about accepting the position. “I think he was kind of surprised when I approached him. I heard he was willing, and after talking to some of the council people I approached him,” Brajcich said. “I
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Investigators said the dark sedan in front of this OSP patrol car is the stolen vehicle.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Stolen auto suspect eludes police JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A stolen auto suspect eluded law enforcement agents following a traffic stop and police foot chase on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 8, north of Clatskanie. Oregon State Police troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies began searching for the suspect following a traffic stop off Highway 30 north of Clatskanie Wednesday afternoon. According to OSP, troopers attempted to stop a black BMW for visible emissions on Highway 30
near milepost 65. The black BMW failed to yield and then stopped on Marshland Road, just east of Highway 30. The driver immediately fled on foot. OSP troopers and the Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter and deployed a K9 during the search. The suspect was not located. During the search, information was obtained from a neighbor that the possible suspect was hiding on the property of a vacant home owner. As the troopers and deputies searched the area with a K9, they located an individual who was detained and questioned. It was determined that the individual
was not the suspect involved with the stolen vehicle, but he was a known violator of fish and wildlife laws. According to OSP, the man, identified by officers as Brent Burrows, 40, of Westport, was unlawfully hunting and cited for the offense. A shotgun was seized as evidence. The vehicle was determined to be stolen and later towed to Grumpy’s Towing. The vehicle’s registered owner was notified. As of Thursday morning, Jan. 9, the stolen auto suspect remained at large. No other details about the suspect were released by authorities.