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Students to exhibit art creations

Tax Guide 2021 Page A8

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021

VOL. 129, NO. 37 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Riot leads to teen arrest STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

A Columbia County teenager has been charged with burglary, rioting and criminal mischief —accused of causing over $46,000 in damages— at a downtown Portland demonstration on New Year’s Eve, according to Portland police.

The 15-year-old Vernonia boy was booked into a county juvenile detention center two weeks ago on the charges, in addition to having a warrant for sexual assault, police said.

Portland police declared the New Year’s Eve gathering of between 80-100 demonstrators a riot after some people in the crowd became violent.

Fireworks were launched at the Federal Courthouse and the Justice Center, and at least two Molotov cocktail-style firebombs were thrown, police said.

Area businesses were damaged and burglarized, including two Starbucks and jewelry stores, according to Portland police.

Police said surveillance footage from several locations showed the Vernonia boy committing crimes, and police have identified him as being responsible for over $46,000 in damages at multiple locations in downtown Portland.

It is not specified the exact damage the boy is accused of causing.

Authorities served a search warrant Jan. 12 to search for the clothes the boy wore on the night of the incident, police said.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Gerhard Fiebich writes his daily reports at the Sheriff’s Clatskanie Station.

Clatskanie deputy to stay put JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie’s full time law enforcement officer isn’t leaving town anytime soon.

Deputy Gerhard Fiebich was assigned Clatskanie under an agreement between the City of Clatskanie and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and began his duties July 13.

In an interview with The Chief in August, Fiebich said he might be leaving Clatskanie in January to be

reassigned another area.

In checking back with Sheriff Brian Pixley, The Chief finds that Fiebich will continue into the new year as the Clatskanie full-time deputy.

“One of our goals in the creation of this position was to keep a deputy assigned to the city so we can form relationships with the residents,” Pixley said. “It is hard to maintain that relationship when the deputy is always rotating out.

Pixley said having a full time deputy stationed in Clatskanie has

increased law enforcement presence within the city.

“It also has allowed us to form better relationships with the city and the residents,” he said.

According to Pixley, Fiebich has been responding to a wide range of service calls, from trespassing to assaults and sex crimes within the city of Clatskanie. Fiebich said he’s also keeping busy with traffic enforcement as one of his and the city’s priorities.

“My biggest priority is crime prevention,” Fiebich said.

“This full time position with the

city of Clatskanie has been able to truly strengthen our relationship with the city and the residents,” Pixley said. “I look forward to continuing this into the future.”

Fiebich told The Chief in the August interview that he felt welcomed by business operators and residents and that his services are needed.

“They’ve told me that for the longest time they didn’t feel like they had somebody in the city all the ­­­­ See DEPUTY Page A2

Suspicious death investigation

School return set for some younger students

On Jan.18, Columbia County Sheriff’s (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to a welfare check at 34180 Smith Road, in rural Columbia County west of Columbia City.

According to a release from the CCSO, a concerned neighbor called to have the resident checked on after they noticed the front door had been open for several hours. The welfare check call had been made by an off duty Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper who lives nearby, according to the OSP weekly law enforcement log.

When deputies arrived on scene, they searched the home and the surrounding property where they located a body that was later identified as the homeowner, Stacey Marie Erpelding, 43,of St. Helens.

Deputies immediately called for medics and began rendering aid. When medics arrived, they advised the female was deceased.

The Columbia County Major

MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net

­­­­ See INVESTIGATION Page A4

Clatskanie Grows..... A4 Letters ........................ A4 Police Blotters.......... A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals......................... A6 Tax Guide................... A8

Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

Kindergarten and first grade students will be welcomed back to school for in-person instruction starting Feb. 1 at Clatskanie Elementary School, Principal Kara Burghardt said.

Burghardt said grades two through four will return Feb. 8, followed by grades five and six on Feb. 16. All student cohorts in the building for limited in-person

instruction will remain in the building on Feb. 1, Burghardt said, and the Clatskanie Family Academy online education program will start Feb. 1 as well.

Clatskanie School District and other county schools are be able to transition to hybrid learning and on-site elementary instruction under the revised metrics in the update to the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance.

The updated guidance, released Jan. 19, aligns the new advisory

metrics to the Harvard Global Health Institute recommendations.

The previous metrics required distance learning for schools in counties with more than 200 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people over a two-week period— preventing Columbia County schools from reopening.

The updated metrics now allow counties with between 200 and 350 new COVID-19 cases over two weeks per 100,000 people to transition to hybrid classes and offer on-site instruction to elemen-

tary students. In the two-week period from Jan. 3 to Jan. 16, the county reported 159 new cases of COVID-19, which puts it at a rate of 301.4 new cases per 100,00 people.

In December, Gov. Kate Brown announced that the metrics would transition from mandatory to advisory, but under House Bill 4402 any districts that reopened without meeting the metrics would lose ­­­­ See SCHOOL Page A6

Snow chance increasing in region JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast into the weekend calls for colder temperatures and a slight chance of snow in Columbia County and across the region.

NWS Meteorologist Miles Higa said a cold blast from Alaska is heading south through Washington into Oregon that will cause temperatures to drop and which could bring a mix of rain and snow by Monday.

“Accumulations are possible in the hills and higher elevations,” Higa said. “More than likely, it will be a mix of rain and snow with brief accumulation.”

Last year at this time, snow did fall across Columbia County. A light dusting challenged drivers and pedestrians in Clatskanie and Rainier.

More snow accumulated at higher elevations in the county.

The Chief checked in with Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) spokesman Lou Torres to see how ODOT has prepared for winter in Columbia County.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Snow and ice layer Nehalem Street following a snow storm in the winter of 2017.

• Two 10-yard trucks with 1,600 gallon de-icer tanks.

• Two one ton trucks with plows.

The Chief: Specifically, what is ODOT currently doing now with vehicles and manpower to prepare for winter in Columbia County?

The Chief: Where are the areas in Columbia County that ODOT concentrates winter sanding, de-icing and other weather-related road clearing operations and why those specific areas?

Lou Torres: The ODOT Clatskanie Maintenance crew is a crew of 10. To my knowledge this has been the crew size for more than 20-plus years now.

Our winter vehicles consist of: • Five 10-yard trucks with bed mounted sanders and plows two of which have a wing plow attached.

Torres: ODOT Clatskanie is responsible of most all of the state highway system in Columbia County except a small portion that extends into the Manning Maintenance section on Highway 47 starting at Scappoose Vernonia Highway mile post 51.7.

We monitor all of our section

with staff throughout the winter season and apply whatever product that with weather dictates. We do not concentrate on one specific area as our weather conditions vary. For instance, typically we freeze up in the higher elevation area’s, like Rainier to Westport and Mist Birkenfeld areas, but there are times when the weather patterns change and come out of the Columbia river gorge.

Then Scappoose and St. Helens may freeze up and we see clear roads on the west end of our section. The absolute only way to stay on top of it is to have staff present monitoring it.

The Chief: How much sanding, de-icing, salt is used during an average winter in Columbia County?

Torres: ODOT has a number of tools in the tool chest that we use during a typical winter. It is hard to give an accurate amount of products used as this varies greatly depending on the weather.

The coastal mountains in our section are a very tough section due to the quick changing weather patterns we get. Because of the extreme amount of precipitation we can get, applying de-icer can be very tricky when temperatures are low. This section is very quick to convert from rain to freezing temps making de-icer application very complicated.

Typically we do not use sanding ­­­­ See SNOW Page A7

www.thechiefnews.com

A2

Friday, January 22, 2021

Students to exhibit their art creations

Art by Lizzy.

Art by Emma.

Courtesy photos from Clatskanie Middle/High School

students and what grade ranges are in the art classes?

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Students taking the Clatskanie Middle/High School (CMHS) art classes aren’t letting the pandemic get in the way of their creativity.

The students have prepared their year-end art show and will present their work in two different formats, featuring different art.

The first display will be help from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29 and 30, in front of the school. The student art will be displayed for the public to enjoy, outside, and under the protection of the overhang.

Organizers ask that those viewing the art wear face masks and practice social distancing.

Each student has chosen five pieces to display to the community – these pieces were created either for the class or on the student’s own.

The second display is a virtual art show to feature all the students’ artwork created during the semester. The link will be posted on the school’s website and Facebook. It will be released for viewing on Friday, Feb. 5.

In the following interview, The Chief gains insight into the student art projects from CMHS instructor Jamie Erwin.

The Chief: How does art help students as they navigate through school and into life?

Erwin: I very much

Erwin: 15 students, grades 9 -12.

The Chief: Given the pandemic, how have the classes been taught and how are the art teachers able to best connect with each student?

Art by Lana.

believe that art is life, and art saves lives – replace “art” with music, theatre, forestry, sports, leadership, auto shop, or whatever passion and that’s what helps students. When students get to connect with their passion, it transforms their world. It drives them to come to school – even if school is on Zoom. It gives them a reason and a way to express themselves, which is so important. And for students who don’t know what their passion is yet, I’m glad we offer so many

Art by Pearls.

classes to help them find it.

I love it when a student has no idea if they’ll like the class, but gets involved, tries their best, and then makes the decision if this is right for them, or it turns into a passion.

The Chief: What do you hope the students take away from their art and their show displays?

Erwin: I hope the students are proud to show their work. It’s important that they get to share their

talents with the community, whether it be virtual or an outside art show. I hope they see and hear positive comments. I hope the community sees our amazing young people adapting, and being successful, especially during these trying times. We have amazing kids.

The Chief: What are the range of themes the students used in their artwork and why those themes?

Erwin: We have a range. In class, we learned

about a new artist and their work each week. We then used that artist and their art work as inspiration for our projects. For example, one project focused on the Maori people from New Zealand and their carved faces in the buildings. We watched videos about the “Haka” – a dance or challenge with a lot of yelling, stomping, and fierce facial expressions. The students took that lesson and focused on facial expressions.

The Chief: How many

Erwin: I can only speak for myself as the high school art teacher (we have a middle school art teacher too).

What’s really different about the class is usually we focus on different types of media or a skill. What we’re doing now focuses on the WHY – why are you creating this? How are you using the lessons to inspire your work? So instead of us all painting together, the students use what they have at home, and focus on the intent, rather than the media.

We meet every day on Zoom. We go over the weekly lesson and then they are given “studio” time to work.

Usually, I’ll put them in break out rooms and check in with them all individually.

They’ll show me their progress by holding work up to the camera – we call it “that weird thing where you hold things up.” This happens at least twice a week.

Clatskanie Middle/High School is located at 471 Bel Air Drive in Clatskanie. The school may be reached at 503-728-2146.

Get to know the new chief MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Clatskanie’s full-time deputy, Gerhard Fiebich, remains on the job into the new year.

DEPUTY

time for a sergeant to oversee the city’s law enforcement operations.

“Deputy Fiebich has done From Page A1 a fantastic job as the full-time Clatskanie deputy,” Hinkelman time,” Fiebich said. “And after said. “He made an immediate The Chief wrote the first article about me, so many people impact with his presence in the community and that impact have stopped me and want to continues to this day.” introduce themselves. It’s nice Hinkelman said Fiebich’s to feel welcome here.” work in Clatskanie that is Fiebich works out of the CCSO station at 195 S Second “not so public” needs to be emphasized.

Street in Clatskanie. He is “This work includes frequently patrolling the city several investigations that have during his shift from 8 a.m. lead to arrests, especially those to 4 p.m. Monday through investigations that were related Friday. to sex abuse crimes,” HinkelThe city has budgeted man said. “The city looks $470,500 for the full time forward to Gerry’s continued deputy and two half time depresence and further developputes for its law enforcement ment of the Clatskanie deputy services through the CCSO, position.” according to Clatskanie City Due to city budget Manager Greg Hinkelman. limitations, the Clatskanie The full-time deputy is City Council closed its city funded 100% by the city the police department and in 2016 two part time deputies are contracted with the Columbia funded 85% by the city with County Sheriff’s Office for the remaining costs funded by the sheriff’s office. Hinkelman law enforcement services.

Fiebich has worked with said the city also pays a quarter the CCSO since 2015.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Columbia River Fire and Rescue has welcomed a new fire chief to the agency’s team, Joel Medina.

Medina joined the district on Dec. 21 and was sworn in on Jan. 12. He has worked in the profession for over 26 years, rising to the rank of division chief. With plenty of experience in the field, and a master’s degree in executive management, he said he is proud to have been selected to serve the district.

“Columbia Fire and Rescue is as professional an organization as I have ever been associated with,” Medina said. “That level of professionalism and devotion to duty that exists in this organization is commendable and a credit to the men and women that serve this district.”

His priority as fire chief will be to harness his experience in contribution to the success of the organization, he said. Contributing to the greater good is what led him down his path.

“There is no greater call to duty than to serve for the wellbeing of those in need,” Medina said. “If my presence and experience can contribute to those ends, then my life’s goals would be fulfilled.”

In accepting the position, Medina relocated from Florida, and said there are similarities among fire service agencies nationwide: “It is the people and their desire to serve that separate the great departments from good ones. Columbia River Fire and Rescue is a great department.”

The differences in the job are minimal, but one example

Courtesy photo from Columbia River Fire & Rescue

Columbia River Fire & Rescue Board President Hans Feige swearing in Chief Joel Medina.

is in terminology, he said. In Florida, his agencies called the paramedic apparatus a rescue truck, but in Columbia County it is called a medical unit. As far as responding to calls? The job is the same no matter where you are, he said.

“A 911 call is a call for help, the same in Oregon as it is in Florida. When it comes to fire— fire is fire,” Medina said. “It’s the process of mitigation and call volume that may carry variables.”

He said CRFR exceeds the standards for tactics and strategies that are prevalent to the fire service on a national level.

“This agency has a long and proud tradition of providing the highest level of service and protection,” he said.

Medina was raised on the south Florida beaches and said the differences between the two states are immeasurable, but that relocating offers a new adventure in exploring this part of the country.

“I am mesmerized and thrilled by the splendor and majesty of the Pacific Northwest,” he said. “Oregon and Columbia County are everything I could hope for, and more.”

He will have to adjust to the cooler winter climate, however.

“In Florida, my children went waterskiing this past Christmas Day,” he said.

“That may not be the thing to do during winter in Oregon.”

The change in region also means a reprieve from hurricanes and soaring temperatures; Medina said he likes the weather in Oregon.

“At times Florida can feel like you’re living on the sun with 95% humidity. Down there, hot just feels hotter,” he said. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the four seasons”

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, January 22, 2021

A3

Oregon’s jobless rate inches up STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon’s unemployment rose to 6.4% in December from 6.0% in November.

The Oregon Employment Department reports that in December, there were 1,986,006 employed and 125,889 unemployed in Oregon.

This is the state’s first monthly increase in its unemployment rate following seven months of declines.

at 1,783,300 in December, which was an over-the-year decline from December 2019 of 174,000 jobs, or 8.9%.

“December’s job losses reflect the devastation COVID-19 continues to inflict on the lives and livelihoods of Oregonians,” Oregon Employment Department Economist Gail Krumenauer said. “Ten months into the pandemic, Oregon has regained just 37% of the jobs lost in this recession.”

Job cuts

By the numbers

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Moderna Lot 041L20A has been associated with six adverse events at a single site in California. Oregon health officials are investigating two adverse events at separate sites linked to this Moderna lot.

Modern vaccine in Oregon under review STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

State health officials in Oregon recommend that local vaccination sites continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna Lot 041L20A. The recommendation comes after the state’s immunization program received advice from federal officials to continue to dispense the doses.

Moderna Lot 041L20A has been associated with six adverse events at a single site in California. On Jan. 19, medical experts from the Western States Scientific Safety Review Committee evaluated the reports and will be following up with an announcement of their analysis later today, reaffirming the CDC recommendations to continue to administer doses from this Moderna lot of vaccine.

This vaccine lot consists of approximately one million doses of vaccines. In Oregon, 57,400 doses of Moderna Lot 041L20A have been distributed to 118 vaccination sites.

As of Jan. 20, Oregon vaccination sites had administered 30,803 doses from the lot. Oregon continues to monitor adverse events following administration of all COVID-19 vaccinations and is currently investigating two

adverse events at separate sites linked to this Moderna lot. All individuals reported to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) who experienced adverse events have recovered. Providers are required to submit reports of adverse events following vaccine administration to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS vaers.hhs. gov).

OHA received a communication from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states: “CDC is aware of a situation in California in which multiple potential adverse events were reported after vaccination with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine (Moderna Lot 041L20A) at one community vaccination clinic. We are working closely with the California Department of Public Health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Moderna to investigate these potential adverse events. At this time CDC does NOT recommend health departments stop administering this lot or any lot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.”

OHA encourages local vaccine administration sites to share information about lot numbers in response to questions from patients. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Committee

will continue to monitor further reports and will consider any additional guidance states receive from the federal government.

Oregon health officials reiterated their expectations that local vaccination sites monitor patients for 15 minutes after vaccination, or 30 minutes in persons with a history of an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a vaccine or injectable therapy and persons with a history of anaphylaxis due to any cause, and have supplies on hand to respond to any adverse events.

According to Oregon State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger, vaccines, along with wearing masks and limiting indoor gatherings, are the safest, most effective and most reliable ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, but we’re paying close attention when they do occur,” Sidelinger said. “At this time, there’s no evidence that these events have been associated with any other vaccine site and I encourage every eligible Oregonian to get a vaccine as soon as vaccination is available to you.”

Follow the pandemic updates at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

State pushes vaccine priorities MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net

On the heels of learning that Oregon will not be receiving the shipment of vaccines from the federal reserve it had expected, state plans to vaccinate school staff and adults ages 65 and older have changed.

Instead of opening vaccination eligibility to those groups on Jan. 23, school staff will be eligible for vaccination starting Jan. 25 and only those ages 80 and above on Feb. 8.

On Jan. 12, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azal announced the full reserve of vaccines would be released to states and encouraged state leaders to expand vaccine eligibility. Brown and other state officials learned Jan. 14 that Oregon and other states would not receive increased shipments of vaccine, “because there is no federal reserve of doses,” she said.

In a press conference on Jan. 15, Gov. Kate Brown said the discovery that Oregon would not be receiving the expected shipment of vaccine doses from the federal government was shocking and called it “deception on a national scale.”

“I am shocked and appalled that the federal government would set an expectation with the American people on which they knew they could not deliver — with such grave consequences,” Brown said. “While the Trump Administration pulled the rug out from under us like a cruel joke, let me assure you that Oregon’s priorities, my priorities, have not changed.”

Instead of opening vaccination eligibility up to all residents over the age of 65, the eligibility criteria for seniors will be divided into four waves. The first wave will open up to seniors ages 80 and older starting Feb. 8.;

the second wave opens up to people over 75; the third to people over 70; and the fourth phase to people over 65.

Specific dates on when the second, third and fourth phases may begin was not specified.

Part of the reasoning behind prioritizing teachers and school staff before seniors is due to the size of the two groups and the ongoing push

by Brown to resume in-person classes.

“I made the decision to prioritize our educator personnel because I am absolutely committed to getting our children our students back into the classroom as quickly as possible,” Brown said.

Pat Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), estimated there are approximately 100,000 people in Oregon who work in school settings, and an estimated 800,000 people in the state age 65 or older.

“While we want to vaccinate seniors as soon as we can, our ability to immunize this vulnerable population depends on getting enough doses from the federal government,” Allen said. “We must have the supplies we’ve been promised.”

Brown said vaccinating school staff is expected to take around two weeks, and Allen said original plans estimated it would take around 12 weeks to vaccinate seniors ages 65 and older with the expected vaccine shipment from the federal government.

While it seems that no official dosage numbers were promised by the federal government, Allen said the state was expecting between 135,000-225,000 additional doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Approximately 2.8% of the state had been vaccinated as of Jan. 15, Allen said. To reach community immunity, between 70% to 80% of the

December job losses in Oregon were greatest in leisure and hospitality, which cut 28,600 jobs.

Several other industries also cut at least 800 jobs in December, including private educational services (-1,700 jobs), government (-1,300), wholesale trade (-1,100), manufacturing (-900), and construction (-800). In contrast, four major industries each added thousands of jobs: retail trade (+2,200 jobs); transportation, warehousing, and utilities 01-06-21 3x15D Jan Clearance:Layout 1 1/4/21 12:50 PM Page 1

Oregon’s over-the-month percent job loss was much greater than nationally. In December, Oregon lost 1.4% of nonfarm payroll employment while the U.S. shed 0.1%. Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 25,500 jobs in December, following a revised gain of 2,100 jobs in November.

The drop followed seven consecutive months of gains. Total nonfarm payroll employment stood

(+2,200); health care and social assistance (+2,200); and professional and business services (+2,100).

Within leisure and hospitality, full-service restaurants cut 17,600 jobs in December, which was the largest drop of its component industries. Full-service restaurants, where in-person dining has been severely reduced due to the pandemic, have cut far more jobs than limited-service eating places which shed 2,000 jobs in December.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, on the plus side, reflecting the rapid increase in online shopping, the industries that employ the fulfillment center warehouse workers and package delivery drivers boosted December employment in industries within transportation, warehousing, and utilities.

In particular, couriers and messengers added 3,600 jobs in December.

The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 6.7% in both November and December.

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state needs to be vaccinated.

Columbia County As of Jan. 20 within Columbia County, there were 143 people who have been fully vaccinated— meaning they have received two doses of vaccine. Another 1,068 have received their first dose, making the county total number of people who have received at least one dose of vaccine 1,211.

There are approximately 52,000 people in the county and approximately 2.3% of the county has been vaccinated; only 0.028% has been fully vaccinated. To reach community immunity, between 36,400 to 41,600 people will need to be vaccinated in the county.

Before the county can move to opening vaccinations up to people in Phase 1B, however, everyone in Phase 1A must be assured access to vaccines, Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul said at a county commission work session Jan. 20. His best estimate is that there remains about 800 people in that group in the county who have yet to be vaccinated, and the county has not been allocated as many vaccines yet.

Paul said that the county can help local vaccine providers by creating a streamlined registration process and easing some of the administration pressure.

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Cases As of Jan. 19 there were a total of 1,048 COVID-19 cases in the county and a death toll of 18. The 18th death in the county was reported on Jan. 13 and was a 78-year-old man who tested positive on Nov. 12 and died Dec. 12 in his home. He had underlying conditions.

Across the state, the death toll rose to 1,808 and the case total to 134,468.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

A4

•

Friday, January 22, 2021

•C latskanie G rows • •

Clatskanie Grows: There’s no better fruit!

CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column

A ripe peach – there’s no better fruit

Peaches aren’t easy to grow in Columbia County.

Often, they bloom before the last spring frost and the crop is lost for that year. Wet spring weather complicates pollination though peaches are self-fertile, so it isn’t as serious as it is with apples and other fruits when bees refuse to fly.

However, wet weather does cause serious disease problems. The two most damaging diseases are a fungus called peach leaf curl and a bacteria called bacterial canker. Between them, they have destroyed thousands of optimistically planted peach trees over the years in Columbia County.

Peach leaf curl spores overwinter on twigs, bark, and old infected leaves.

They enter unopened leaf buds in the winter and early spring as they begin to swell, infect the leaf tissue and develop the reddish raised blotches that curl and distort the developing leaf. The infection cycle can repeat on new twigs and leaves if the spring continues to be wet. Once the rains stop, the

disease spread for that year is done.

Serious repeated infections can defoliate the tree, causing its decline and death over several years. It can also weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to bacterial canker. Repeated copper or lime sulfur (which is hard to find now) applications during the preflowering period is the best control for peach leaf curl and canker.

There are curl resistant trees and I believe that these are the only varieties that should be planted here.

Peach quality for all them is so much better than anything that you can get at a supermarket because they can be picked ripe off the tree.

Some curl resistant varieties include Autumn Rose, Q-18, Frost, Charlotte, Avalon, Kreibich, Oregon Curl Free, Nanaimo, and Indian Free.

Frost is the most widely available. You can find some of these at two regional nurseries specializing in fruit trees: One Green World and Raintree Nursery. There is no curl resistant nectarine yet. And for the curious, a nectarine is a peach but with a gene for “fuzz-less” fruit.

Currently there are no peach of nectarine varieties resistant to bacterial canker.

The bacteria get into the “plumbing” of the tree (the xylem and phloem) and plugs those tubes up. Water can’t be moved from the roots to the branches. Leaves start to wilt. Often, one limb goes and then another. Other times, the main canker is in the trunk and the whole tree goes fast. Oozing sap is one indication of this disease.

Copper sprays in December through March may help.

So does the vigor that a curl resistant tree provides.

Peach trees will be less diseased and more vigorous if grown in full sun in an area with good air circulation. This tends to dry the twigs and leaves off faster after rain, reducing the disease potential. English gardeners may grow their peach trees in an area covered area from direct

rain.

They are pruned hard to keep them compact. That can work here.

Peach trees (like most of the Prunus family) don’t like wet feet. So, don’t plant them in a low area.

They also prefer soils near a neutral pH so it is important to lime your planting area at the rate of about 10s per 100 square feet of agricultural lime. After they start to grow, annual nitrogen applications should be all they need.

Deer love peach leaves (and those of most other fruit trees as well). Each leaf they eat makes the tree less vigorous since the leaves take sunlight and turn it into

carbohydrates for building roots, shoots, more leaves, and trunks. A weakened tree is more disease prone. Put up a good deer fence before you plant

Here are a couple of websites on cold frame construction: Search cold frames+Missouri+university and substitute Montana for Missouri for another good one.

Build a cold frame this month

Do moles hibernate?

Cold frames can do much of the work of greenhouses at a fraction of the cost. A cold frame is a four-sided structure, lower in the

Moles in our climate don’t seem to hibernate. As soils become more water saturated, moles appear to be less active. Fewer mounds are produced, though that can quickly change if we get five days of dry weather. The intense tunnel and mound building of fall is thought to represent the need to develop a lot of potential feeding habitat and also the need to gorge before the cold wet season starts.

Clatskanie Grows

Five a day

front, with a clear glass or plastic covering on top.

The top can be opened or lowered as temperatures change.

I’m probably preaching to the choir, but one of the most important things you can do for your health is to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. The fruit and vegetables should vary in color (green, yellow, orange, blue, purple, etc.) for best results. Make healthful eating a habit. Combine this with near daily exercise (walking when you can is cheap and easy) and you’re on your way.

Have questions?

Cold frames are best used for starting seeds and growing out small transplants. They are less useful for developing larger plants unless they are big structures.

•

•V oices

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon

of the

Inauguration gave hope I listened to the inauguration.

I loved seeing (and listening) to Lady Gaga sing the National Anthem. She sang it great and she was so very

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Did you watch the presidential inauguration?

Should restaurants open for in-person dining despite the state-mandated pandemic requirements?

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Vote online at thechiefnews.com

The Chief

State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu.

Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you.

Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at extension.oregonstate. edu/columbia and click on newsletters.

Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring.

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

Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County • Address: 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 • Phone: 503-397-3462 • Email: chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu

C ommunity • •

good. I shed a tear when I heard J. Lo sing a version of America and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” It was wonderful.

Garth Brooks sang and asked us to sing “Amazing Grace” with him.

But above all, I was in awe in listening to Joe

Biden’s wonderful speech. A great historic day and a wonderful and historic speech. It is good to have hope again and see a mature adult in charge of our nation instead of an angry mad man.

Bill Eagle St. Helens

Courtesy photo from CCSO

The death investigation began after deputies were dispatched to a welfare check Jan. 18 at a house on Smith Road.

INVESTIGATION

From Page A1

Crimes Team (MCT) was called to investigate.

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051

On Jan. 19, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded to assist the MCT with the investigation.

CCSO had not released specific details about the cause of death as of early

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

Jan. 21, and said that a full investigation was underway.

Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

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Letters policy This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

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Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know. Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper. To verify authenticity, all letters must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number (just your city of residence). Submissions may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office.

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by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. Or you might just have interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at (503) 397-0116 or chiefnews@ countrymedia.net. All columns are subject to editing for style, grammar and clarity. However, views expressed in guest columns are independent and do not represent those of The Chief, its staff or Country Media, Inc. Obituaries Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@ countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, January 22, 2021

A5

Duck hunters, dog pulled from Columbia JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Four duck hunters and a Labrador retriever have the opportunity to return to the sport following their rescue along the Columbia River in south Columbia County.

According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), on the morning of Jan. 15, CCSO received a call of a capsized vessel with four people in the water.

Sheriff Brian Pixley and two deputies responded and located the people in distress. The Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue boat and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol also arrived on the scene to assist in the rescue.

The first responders were able to safely reach the hunters and the dog. All were unin-

jured and transported back to the Scappoose Bay Marina.

Specific details about what caused the hunters’ boat to capsize were not immediately available.

“This could have had a much different outcome if the persons involved had not been wearing life jackets,” a Columbia County a Sheriff’s Office Facebook post stated. “Please wear your life jacket and boat safely.”

River and in area lakes should wear a correctly fitted and properly worn life vest.

“Life vests don’t prevent accidents but can make the difference between something catastrophic to something minor,” he said. “Being prepared to go out on the water includes a plan of where you plan to go, for how long and when you’re expected back.”

Waterway fatalities

O’Conner said the Columbia River has objects just under the surface of the water that can’t be seen, such as rocks, logs, and root wads creating an unsuspecting hazard for boaters. Following storms, the Columbia River can fill with debris, such as large tree branches and logs.

“Hitting one of these objects can cause significant

The Oregon Marine Board reports 22 waterway fatalities statewide in 2020.

Columbia River Fire & Rescue Chief Ian O’Conner said of the 22 statewide fatalities, two occurred in the Columbia River.

“Twenty of those were required to have a life jacket

Unseen dangers

Courtesy photo from CCSO

This photo from the rescue site illustrates the high and dark river water.

readily accessible,” he said.

“Of the 20, 15 were not wearing them and two were not properly fitted or buckled,” he said. Three of the cases are

unknown. Eleven of these 22 fatalities were non-motorized boats, such as kayaks.

O’Conner said anyone boating along the Columbia

damage to the boat, throw the occupants of the vessel into the water or throughout the boat causing injury similar to not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle,” he said. “The Columbia is particularly cold nearly all year. If you unexpectedly end up in the water your body will go into shock from the rapid temperature change making it difficult to move and get yourself out.”

O’Conner said it is important for boaters to anticipate the unexpected.

“Know the body of water, tides, currents, water depth, channel locations and local weather patterns,” he said. “All of these will have an impact on your day on the water.”

For more information concerning waterway safety, contact the Oregon Marine Board at 503-378-8587.

‘Massive-scale mobilization’ necessary for climate change STEVE LUNDEBERG Chief Guest Article

A year after a global coalition of more than 11,000 scientists declared a climate emergency, Oregon State University (OSU) researchers who initiated the declaration have released an update that points to a handful of hopeful signs, but shares continued alarm regarding an overall lack of progress in addressing climate risks.

“Young people in more than 3,500 locations around the world have organized to push for urgent action,” said Oregon State University’s William Ripple, who co-authored “The Climate Emergency: 2020 in Review,” published in Scientific American. “And the Black Lives Matter movement has elevated social injustice and equality to the top of our consciousness.”

Ripple said rapid progress in each of the climate action steps outline is possible if framed from the outset in the context of climate justice – climate change is a deeply moral issue.

“We desperately need those who face the most severe climate risks to help shape the response,” Ripple said.

One year ago One year ago, Ripple, a professor of ecology in the OSU College of Forestry, and Christopher Wolf, a postdoctoral scholar at OSU,

co-authored a paper published in BioScience in which more than 11,000 scientists from 153 nations declared a climate emergency. They presented graphics showing trends as vital signs to measure progress and provided a set of mitigation strategies.

Ripple and Wolf teamed up with scientists from Tufts University, the University of Sydney and the University of Cape Town on the Scientific American review, which reports pockets of progress while renewing calls for immediate, widespread action – including a declaration of a climate emergency by the United States and funding for mitigation.

“The climate emergency is here and accelerating more rapidly than most scientists anticipated,” Wolf said. “People are frightened – an illustration of that is the more than 1,800 climate emergency declarations issued around the world, by jurisdictions encompassing more than 820 million people.”

The scientists continue to point to six areas in which humanity should take immediate steps to slow down the effects of a warming planet: Energy. Implement massive conservation practices; transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon renewables including solar and wind power; eliminate subsidies to fossil fuel companies; and impose carbon fees that are high enough to curtail the use of fossil fuels.

Courtesy photo from OSU

“The climate emergency is here and accelerating more rapidly than most scientists anticipated,” OSU postdoctoral scholar Christopher Wolf said.

Short-lived pollutants.

Swiftly cut emissions of methane, soot, hydrofluorocarbons and other short-lived climate pollutants. Doing so has the potential to reduce the short-term warming trend by more than 50% over the next few decades.

Nature. Restore and protect ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, peatlands, wetlands and mangroves, and allow a larger share of these ecosystems to reach their ecological potential for sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas.

Food. Eat more plants and consume fewer animal products. This dietary shift would significantly reduce emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases and

• The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Rainier Police Department Jan. 1 • A 38-year-old Rainier man was taken into custody and lodged at the jail on charges of assault and strangulation.

• An unidentified female reportedly shoplifted some items.

Jan. 2 • An officer responded to roommates who were having a dispute. Peace was restored.

Jan. 3 • A caller was concerned about the welfare of a friend. The friend was checked and found to be okay.

Jan. 7 • A hat was turned in as found property.

Jan. 9 A 27-year-old man was taken into custody and lodged at the jail for probation violation.

Oregon State Police Jan. 12 • Troopers responded to a

two-vehicle non-injury crash on Highway 30 near milepost 41 at around 3 p.m. A crash investigation was conducted and both vehicles were towed due to damage.

Jan. 14 • OSP attempted to stop a motorcycle for reckless driving as a result of two separate driving complaints on Highway 30 near milepost 13. The motorcycle fled and OSP did not pursue.

Jan. 15 • Police responded to an emergency cover request by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office to an address in Warren.

A 38-year-old Warren woman was attempting to start a fire at the front of the residence. She was located, highly intoxicated and evidence of arson was located. She was holding a lighter at the time she was detained, and was arrested for attempted arson I, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

• At around 7 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 30 westbound near milepost 19 on a white Chevy van that was failing to drive within its lane.

The vehicle was located in the parking lot of O’Reilly Auto Parts in Scappoose and the driver was located inside the store, asleep while standing.

The driver, a 44-year-old Scappoose man, was contacted and displayed signs of impairment.

He consented to a field sobriety test and continued to show signs of impairment and subsequently arrested for a DUII and transported to Columbia County Jail. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.00%.

free up agricultural lands for growing human food rather than livestock feed. Reducing food waste is also critical – the scientists say at least one-third of all food produced ends up as garbage.

Economy. Convert the economy to one that is carbon free to address human dependence on the biosphere and shift goals away from the growth of gross domestic product at any cost. Curb exploitation of ecosystems for profit to maintain long-term biosphere sustainability.

Population. Stabilize a global human population that is increasing by more than 200,000 people a day, using approaches that ensure social and economic justice such as guaranteeing education for young women and the avail-

ability of voluntary family planning services.

“The adverse effects of climate change are much worse than had been expected and now threaten both the biosphere and humanity,” Ripple said. “The year 2020, one of the hottest years on record, also saw extraordinary fire activity in the western United States and Australia, a Siberian heat wave with record high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees within the Arctic circle, an Atlantic hurricane season resulting in more than $46 billion in damages, and deadly floods and landslides in South Asia that displaced more than 12 million people.”

Action positives According to the scientists, the year wasn’t without climate action positives.

Among them: The European Union is on track to achieve its emissions reduction goal for 2020 and become carbon neutral by 2050. Other governments have committed to zero net carbon as well, including Japan by 2050 and China by 2060.

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged that the U.S. will rejoin the Paris agreement and proposed a $2 trillion climate plan to phase down use of fossil fuels and making investments within historically disadvantaged communities.

Global meat consumption is projected to decline 3%

this year, largely as a result of COVID-19, but also coinciding with the growing popularity of meat substitutes.

“Lockdowns associated with the pandemic resulted in a decrease in CO2 emissions of 7% in 2020 but this reduction is probably not going to be long-lived because there has been no major concurrent shift in the way we produce energy,” Ripple said. “This drop in emissions is a tiny blip compared to the overall buildup of greenhouse gases, which has resulted in all five of the hottest years on record occurring since 2015.”

The scientists note that no major industrialized country is on track to achieve the Paris Agreement target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“We’re at the point of needing a massive-scale mobilization to address the climate crisis,” Wolf said “A year ago, we were worried about poor progress on mitigating climate change. Now we are alarmed by the failure of sufficient progress in 2020.

Wolf said aggressive, transformative change, framed against the backdrop of social justice, can ignite an enormous deployment that will avert the worst of the climate emergency.

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

•B lotter • •

Jan. 16 • A 53-year-old Scappoose woman trespassed onto a neighboring property to take photos of recently completed culvert work that she believed was unpermitted. The property was posted with several “No trespassing” signs. She forwarded the pictures to the Department of State Lands who forwarded the pictures and information to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). ODFW confirmed the culvert work was unpermitted and installed incorrectly and asked an Oregon State Police Trooper to assist in contacting the property owner who did the work, a 48-year-old man. Contact was made and the culvert was inspected and an agreement was made on how to lawfully repair the culvert. The property owner chose to press charges against the neighbor who trespassed.

Jan. 19 • An off-duty Oregon State Police Trooper reported suspicious circumstances at a residence near his own and asked that a welfare check be conducted at the residence. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office responded and located a deceased resident of the property. A death investigation is being conducted by the Columbia Sheriffs Office.

Jan. 20 • OSP was flagged down at 11:30 a.m. by an individual who advised his wife was suicidal, took too many medications and was currently lying on the shoulder somewhere on Highway 30 near Scappoose. OSP was advised a Scappoose officer had been dispatched but diverted for a priority call. The 42-year-old Beaverton woman was report-

edly somewhere near Columbia Memorial Gardens. She was later located and determined to be overdosing on medications.

Medics were requested and responded to transport the woman to the hospital.

Jan. 21 • At around 1 a.m., the Oregon State Police stopped a 28-yearold man walking along Highway 30 for improper position of a pedestrian on the highway.

The subject displayed signs of impairment and was identified.

The subject came back with a statewide Department of Corrections warrant and was subsequently arrested without incident and transported to the Columbia County Jail.

St. Helens Police Department Jan. 8 • A 40-year-old was cited and released for trespassing in the second degree in the 400 block of South Third Street.

Jan. 11 • A 28-year-old was cited for disorderly conduct in the second degree following a disturbance in the 500 block of Columbia River Highway.

• Police arrested a 60-year-old on a commitment/sentence after conviction issued by the St. Helens Municipal Court Judge.

Jan. 12 • A woman reported a violation of a restraining order.

• A 28-year-old was arrested for reckless driving and attempt to elude a police officer on Columbia River Highway near milepost 33.

• Police conducted a traffic stop

and recovered illegal drugs from the vehicle at Shore Drive near Sunset Boulevard in St. Helens.

Jan. 13 • Police recovered multiple stolen vehicles from an address on South Ninth Street. A 27-year-old was arrested for multiple charges of theft by receiving and aggregated theft I. Jan. 14 • A 29-year-old man was arrested on outstanding felony warrants at the 900 block of Port Avenue.

• Officers made an outstanding warrant arrest of a 40-year-old.

• A 27-year-old was taken into custody for attempting to elude a police officer in the 900 block of Port Avenue.

Jan. 15 • Police investigated a theft from a vehicle on Shore Drive.

• A 31-year-old was arrested for a probable violation in the 200 block of N 14th Street.

Jan. 18 • Police investigated an audible alarm in the 300 block of St. Helens Street.

• A 23-year-old was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant in the 700 block os S. Columbia River Highway.

Jan. 12 • Police took a report of a stolen cargo trailer in the 52000 block of NW Shoemaked Road.

The case is pending further suspect information.

• Police assisted the Columbia County Sheriff’s office with a call of a disturbance at Pro Automotive.

Jan. 13 • Police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle in the 52000 block of NE First Street. It was reported that the vehicle was being repaired and taken some time the day prior. The case is pending further information.

Jan. 14 • Police took a report of a burglary that occurred near the intersection of NE Third Street and Crown Zellerbach Road.

It was reported that tools and other items were taken from the construction site. The case is pending further leads.

Scappoose Police Department

Jan. 15 • Police responded to the report of trespassers on the property of ProAutomotive.

An employee of the store had seen a male and female on the property via video surveillance and confronted the couple.

They fled the area and nothing was reported to be stolen or damaged.

Jan. 11 • Following a traffic stop where the driver was failing to maintain their lane, a 42-year-old Scappoose woman was taken into custody for driving under the influence of intoxicants. She was transported to the jail where she was booked and released on her charges.

Jan. 16 • Police were dispatched to a disturbance in the 52000 block of NE First Street. Following the investigation, a 42-year-old St. Helens man was taken into custody for two counts of assault IV and criminal mischief.

He was transported to and lodged in jail.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

A6

Friday, January 22, 2021

www.thechiefnews.com

CC21-1359

CC21-1364

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of DARLENE T. REA, Deceased. No. 20PB08820 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against

the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, 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. Dated and first published January 8, 2021. Kerry D. Rea, Personal Representative, STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of MARGO JEAN KOLSTAD, Deceased. No. 20PB08309 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the

estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers included, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, 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. Dated and first published January 15, 2021.

Cathy Sorenson, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC21-1365

NOTICE OF MEETING The Rainier School Board will hold its regular board meeting Monday, January 25 at 6:30 p.m. Please see District website for details.

Oregon reports highest graduation rate ever increase in graduation rates was greater for nearly every underserved student group than the increase in the state average, bringing those underserved student groups closer to the statewide average than ever before.

“While the Class of 2020 ended their high school careers in a way no one wanted or expected, the graduation rate shows how much work they put in over the last 13 years with the support of their teachers and families,” ODE Director Colt Gill said.

“Seeing greater growth in graduation rates for most students of color, students with disabilities and students navigating poverty than the state as a whole means our continued efforts to foster equity and excellence for all

Oregon students continues to yield positive results.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that closed schools to in-person learning in March 2020, some of the rules regarding graduation were changed. Seniors still had the same 24 credit requirement for the Oregon Diploma as in previous years. But, they were assured credit for any course in which they were passing at the time of the extended school closure. This allowed schools to provide additional focus on securing credit-earning opportunities and learning for seniors who were not yet passing all required courses at the time of the school closure.

“Year over year, Oregon has worked to address the

last school board meeting Jan. 11. The tentative plans outlined one option where preschool students and high From Page A1 school seniors return to inperson classes Feb. 1, with liability protection from the kindergarten through third state. The new metrics allow grade returning two weeks Columbia County schools later, followed by fourth to reopen and retain state through eighth grade and protections. ninth through 11th in oneAt the Rainier School to two-week interval; and District, officials are still one option where preschool waiting for more informaand seniors start Feb. 16, tion. followed by other grades in “We will need to see a two-week drop in cases, push one-week intervals.

The ODE guidance for vaccines and get answers to some of the questions that specifies that counties with remain unclear,” Superinten- between 200 to 350 new cases per 100,000 people in dent Joseph Hattrick said. a two-week period can phase Rainier School Disin on-site or hybrid classes trict previously announced for elementary learners. possible start dates at its Columbia County’s trusted local news source

The guidance recommends moving to middle and high school phasing in following the success of elementary transitions and lower case rates.

“Unfortunately, this week saw another increase in cases in Columbia County (from 295.8 to 301.4), so at best if we saw the next two weeks decrease in cases and we have answers to our big questions we could open for hybrid on Feb. 16,” Hattrick said. “This remains a waiting game for us while we wait for vaccines and ensure rates do not continue to climb.”

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The statewide graduation rate for the class of 2019-20 is 82.6%, up 2.6 percentage points over the previous year and the highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon, according to data released today by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

The increase means the four-year graduation rate has increased more than 10 percentage points compared to six years ago.

The gap in high school graduation rates between most historically underserved student groups and the state average is smaller than in previous years as well. The year-to-year

SCHOOL

Follow updates from Rainier School District at www.rainier.k12.or.us.

systemic inequities that impact our students from Black, Latino, Latina, and Latinx, Indigenous, tribal, Pacific Islander, and communities of color,” Gov.Kate Brown said. “In each of the last six years, Oregon’s graduation rate has risen, and we have steadily increased the number of students from communities of color completing high school. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the disparities in our education system even further, which is why it is so critical we get our students back into the classroom as quickly as possible. We must renew our commitment to ensuring that every student in Oregon graduates prepared for lifelong success.”

Other highlights from the

data: • African American/ Black students saw the largest increase over last year of any student group, up 5.9 percentage points to 76.3%.

That is close to what the statewide average graduation rate for all students was four years before (76.7%).

• Hispanic/Latino students graduated at a rate of 79.5%, up 3.3 percentage points from the previous year and higher than the statewide average was two years ago (78.7%).

• Students who have successfully completed English Learner programs in Oregon before they enter high school graduate at a rate of 86.1%, higher than the statewide average. Speaking multiple languages im-

proves education outcomes no matter which language a student learns first.

• Career and Technical Education participants (those students taking at least one CTE course) graduated at a rate of 90.8% in four years and CTE concentrators (students passing two classes in a CTE Program of Study) had a 94.8% graduation rate in four years.

• The graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness is up from 50.7% from the class of 2017, to 60.5% for the class of 2020. The class of 2017 was the first class for which this data was calculated.

Read more about the local graduation rates at

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, January 22, 2021

A7

Local artists receive relief grants STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Courtesy Screenshot from Joint Congressional Committee of Inaugural Ceremonies

President Joseph Biden gave his inaugural address Wednesday morning.

Oregon leaders welcome new president STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The inauguration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris was held Jan. 20, starting the new four-year term in the federal office.

“Democracy has prevailed,” Biden said in his inaugural address. He also acknowledged the toll the pandemic has taken on the country and the way it has challenged the U.S. “To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words and requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity,” he said.

The swearing in of Vice President Harris, a Black and Asian woman, also marked a historic day for the country.

She is the first woman, and person of color, to take office as vice president.

The inauguration ceremony was held on the U.S. Capitol’s West Front, one of the sites where a mob overpowered police and stormed inside two weeks ago.

Gov. Kate Brown In a statement released following the inauguration, Gov. Kate Brown said she looks forward with working with the new president, vice president and congress to pass a coronavirus relief package.

“We have waited a long time to have a strong, competent and trustworthy

partner we can work with at the federal level — and now more than ever, we need that federal leadership to help states beat COVID-19, once and for all,” she said. “As we still face what could be the darkest days of the pandemic, President Biden has laid out a strong vision and clear plan, based on science, for how the federal government will help the American people, and governors across the country — starting with the announcement of a muchneeded $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.

“While there are many challenges ahead, on this historic day I remain hopeful.

We are determined as ever to rise, rebuild, and reinvent a more just and equitable country.”

pandemic that has already claimed 400,000 American lives and robbed millions of their livelihoods. But we must also reckon with deeper and more long-lasting forces that have shaped everything about our lives and our politics, up to and including the current pandemic.

“For decades, powerful special interests have done everything in their power to rig our economy and our society in their favor. They’ve flooded Washington with dark money, and stoked fears and pitted groups of Americans against each other in order to protect themselves.

Their project has done real, lasting damage to the fabric of our republic, and it’s on each of us to do our part to restore it.”

Sen. Merkley

U.S. Rep. Bonamici

Sen. Jeff Merkley said he has confidence that the new president and vice president are equipped to take charge, and that he is committed to doing all he can to make the Senate a strong partner to their efforts.

“In the midst of one of the darkest winters in American history, today is cause for celebration and resolve.

Today, our nation begins the hard work of turning the page on a dark chapter marked by racism, division, and incivility, as we set out to write a new one of hope, freedom, and equality for all,” he said.“ “It won’t be easy. First and foremost, we must face and defeat a devastating

In a statement from U.S. Rep Suzanne Bonamici, she said she will work with President Biden and Vice President Harris to help rebuild hurting communities.

“Our new leaders are true and empathetic public servants, committed to putting the needs of the people first. Together we can address the pandemic, help Oregonians and Americans achieve financial stability, make quality education more equitable and accessible, build a 100% clean energy economy, and more,” she said. “This is a difficult time for our country, but there are brighter days ahead as we begin a new chapter. I’m ready to get to work.”

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1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051 atrull@countrymedia.net 503-397-0116 Photo by Matt Brandt Photography

Over 600 artists across Oregon have received relief grants from the Artist Relief Program, and two are located in Columbia County.

Visual artist Susan Curington from Deer Island was awarded $1,000 in relief funds, and musician Timothy Van Cleave of Scappoose was awarded $2,300.

The two were selected out of more than 1,000 eligible applicants to receive relief funding. The relief program was created by the Oregon Arts Commission in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.

Curington said she plans to use the grant money to start teaching classes online.

“I was teaching quite a lot— that came to a screeching halt,” she said. The grant funds provide a resource for her to overcome some of the hurdles of transitioning classes to an online audience.

Curington’s been a lifetime painter, but started to take it more seriously in 2008 when she had more time on her hands. She recently moved into her new studio in Deer Island and said she is excited for the time when students can be brought back for in-person classes.

Over $1.25 million in grants were awarded to 646 artists of varied disciplines throughout the state.

“Artists are the creative core of our communities

SNOW

From Page A1

rock at all for icing conditions usually only during snow events. There are occasions when we use sanding rock on ice because rain just prior to freezing keeps us from applying de-icer by diluting it and keeping it from being effective.

There have been many occurrences where we see the rain stop and clearing of cloud cover and the section freezes very quickly. During those times it is a race to get product applied quick enough to prevent slick conditions so we may send out sand trucks to apply sand until de-icer can be applied and have time to be effective.

ODOT Clatskanie uses a product called MeltdownInhibited, that is corrosion – inhibited Liquid Magnesium Chloride.

We are currently not set up to store or apply salt.

The Chief: What is the annual winter operation budget for Columbia Cunty and what does that fund?

Torres: Clatskanie’s winter operating budget

Courtesy photo from Susan Curington

Susan Curington was awarded a $1,000 artist relief grant.

and help define who we are.

They inspire us to innovate, to learn and grow,” said Brian Rogers, executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission. “We are thankful to be able to provide support as our artists continue to suffer great losses due to the pandemic.”

The funding serves to help artists struggling with lost revenue from the effects of the pandemic, and each award ranged from $1,000 to $5,000.

The awarded artists represent a wide array of

artistic disciplines including: Literature (creative nonfiction, fiction, play writing and poetry); dance (including choreography); music (composition and music performance); theatre and performance art; folk and traditional arts; visual arts (crafts, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and new media); design arts; and media arts.

is currently $206,000 that funds staff for seven-day a week coverage day and night shift, all winter vehicle operation and maintenance, all materials purchased for winter ops, like sand and magnesium chloride, all safety equipment, such as tire chains, and any purchases for maintaining winter stockpiles sites.

winter driving conditions.

The Chief: What is the most important safety advice ODOT wants motorists to pay attention to?

Torres: According to our managers, the most common problem is crashes due to winter conditions.

The public needs to remember to adjust their driving to the road conditions.

People have become so reliant on de-icers and they do not realize that they are not always effective or present due to dilution and how quickly things change in our environment in this area.

It is important to remind folks that driving at normal high traffic speed is very dangerous when freezing temperatures are present.

We constantly are encouraging motorists to make smart decisions, especially during the winter. Know before you go and be prepared for

Learn more about Curington and her classes at susancurington.com.

The Chief: Your final thoughts?

Torres: The Clatskanie Crew consists of many locally raised crew members who live in these communities and are dedicated to our communities. Our goal here is to keep our communities safe. We are extremely proud of our crew. They work extremely long hard hours in the winter and sacrifice precious family time like weekends and holidays sometimes working 12-14 hour shifts with no days off for multiple weeks.

They genuinely care about our communities and strive to make sure we do our best during some of the crazy winter storms we get in our area that are not only snow and ice but high wind storm events, flooding events, and also situations that happen because of conditions like landslides, sinks and settlements rock falls from steep slopes along the highway system and downed trees sometimes involving power lines.

For travel conditions, call 511 or visit TripCheck. com. Follow weather developments at thechiefnews. com.

WAUNA PAPER MILL Lung Cancer • Other Cancers Special trusts have been set up by vendors and suppliers of the Wauna Paper Mill plant to pay asbestos victims.

You can make a claim without even leaving your home.

If you ever worked at the Wauna Paper Mill plant before 1982 you may have been exposed to asbestos - and not even known it. You could be entitled to multiple cash settlements without even leaving your house, going to court, or filing a lawsuit.

If you ever worked at the Wauna Paper Mill pplant, you were likely exposed to asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer (even if you are a smoker) - or Esophageal, Laryngeal, Pharyngeal, Stomach, Colon, Rectal Cancer or Mesothelioma, or know someone who died from one of these cancers, call

1-800-478-9578 Free Claims Analysis

www.getnorris.com/asb Nationwide Service

Birmingham, Alabama attorney Robert Norris helps injured claimants, nationwide, collect case benefits from Asbestos Trusts. “No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

A8

Friday, January 22, 2021

Tax Guide 2021 Unemployment tax © ADOBE STOCK

The 2020 pandemic left millions of Americans unable to work as businesses around the country paused their operations or permanently closed. © ADOBE STOCK

Make the most of deductions If you’re filing your forms at home, you may be missing out on significant reductions.

Hiring a CPA will cost more than a DIY online program, but it may surprise you how their impact can improve your bottom line. An expert will analyze your yearly income and spending habits to find qualifying deductions that you probably missed.

Entrusting your federal and state documents to a qualified professional, also ensures that you’re protected from mistakes that may cause delays or raise red flags by the Internal Revenue Service.

Check out how an expert can efficiently lessen your

taxable income by maximizing deductions that are often forgotten.

care costs may be eligible for a 100% deduction of the premium cost.

Health care premiums

Child care

As medical insurance costs increase, the IRS assists taxpayers by allowing for deductions for a portion of the expenses. For instance, in 2020, Americans may deduct the total qualified unreimbursed medical care fees that exceed 10% of their adjusted gross income. This is an increase from last year when the threshold was only 7.5% of an AGI. Self-employed workers who are solely responsible for their health

If you have children, the year 2020 likely through a wrench in your budget regarding child care. As schools closed around the country for the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were rushed to rethink their plans to remain at work. Fortunately, the fees you paid for a babysitter are partially deductible on your taxes. A CPA will understand your state’s child care tax laws’ intricacies, but many require

a tax ID number, name, and address of the home or facility. Sometimes, the allowable deduction can place you in a more beneficial bracket, rather than itemizing.

Lifetime learning The United States tax code includes a lifetime learning credit for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for students enrolled in an eligible educational institution. Taxpayers can claim it to help pay for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses. There is no limit on the number of years the $2,000 credit can be used.

Tax changes for 2021 As the year nears to a close, it’s time to start thinking about filing taxes again. While tax laws regularly make minor alterations each season, your 2020 return includes significant changes.

Find out how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Waived RMDs The IRS defines a required minimum distribution (RMD) as the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement plan each year. Generally, taxpayers begin pulling funds from an IRA, SEP IRA or simple IRA at the age of 72. This year, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 waives these minimum distributions.

Since an RMD typically counts as taxable income, this one-time exoneration means that many retirees will have a lower responsibility, leading to less federal income taxes.

• Married filing jointly: $24,800, an increase of $400 from 2019.

• Married filing separately: $12,400, an increase of $200.

• Head of household: $18,650, an increase of $300 • Single: $12,400, an increase of $200.

Make sure you file with the correct status to avoid delays on your return.

to itemize deductions rather than taking the standard course. This year, as a way to ask Americans to donate to causes affected by the coronavirus, the CAREs Act enables taxpayers to deduct up to $300 in monetary contributions during 2020, even when taking the standard deduction.

Charity deduction guidelines

For 2020 filings, the tax credit for qualified adoption expenses increases to $14,300. That’s up from $14,080 from the previous

Tax-deductible donations to charity are commonly used

More valuable credits

year. You will also be granted upturns for both the income limits and the Earned Income Tax Credit’s maximum credit amount. Here are the eligibility qualifications if your adjusted gross income is not more than: • Married filing jointly: $56,844, up from $55,952.

• Other filing statuses: $50,594, up from $50,162.

Fortunately, the government assisted those without a job with the CARES Act’s Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program. However, if you accepted the benefits and live in a state that collects income tax, the additional funds may lead to an increased liability when taxes are due.

Check out these statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to discover how Americans were affected by the coronavirus pandemicrelated closures.

• In June, 40 million people reported that they had been unable to work at some point during the month.

• People who typically worked part-time were twice as likely as full-time employees to be without work.

• Only 15% of those who couldn’t work received some payment from their employer.

• June showed 16% of employed people could not work for at least four weeks because their employer closed or lost business.

Since state laws vary by location, your financial responsibility may be difficult to track if you received unemployment benefits.

Follow the advice offered by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling

(NFCC) to avoid problems during the tax season.

Why is unemployment taxed?

Because the money you received while unemployed is considered income, it is usually subject to the same tax requirements as regular wages. However, the revenue differs from a salary by avoiding payroll taxes, which typically pay towards Social Security and Medicare. Your state’s laws will determine whether you are required to pay taxes on your unemployment benefits. For instance, local governments that do not charge residents an income tax can avoid the fees.

How to pay The easiest way to avoid a surprise expenditure at tax time is to have your state’s unemployment office withhold your check’s expense. This should have been discussed when you first applied for the benefits. Another option is to pay in estimated quarterly payments. It’s an excellent strategy to avoid penalties for failing to pay enough during the year.

You may also wait until the fees are due and cover them in full. The NFCC suggests this option if you only expect to receive the benefits for a short period.

Higher standard deductions A standard deduction reduces the amount of your income that qualifies for federal taxes. Each year, these deductions usually increase to catch up with inflation.

For 2020, the IRS reports these amounts for tax-filing statuses.

503-728-2163 www.clatskaniepud.com www.facebook.com/clatskaniepud 495 E Columbia River Highway Clatskanie, OR

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