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Clatskanie High School grad now Multnomah County Sheriff

“I am excited to take on this role and honored to be the first woman elected as Sheriff in Multnomah County. Over my career, I have been a trailblazer because I’ve had to be,” Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell told The Chief.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Morrisey O’Donnell was sworn in as the 41st Sheriff of Multnomah County.

It is the first time in the 168-year history of the agency that a woman has been elected to the position. Multnomah County is the most populous in Oregon and includes Portland, Vancouver, and Hillsboro.

“I hope that by seeing a woman hold the highest rank in law enforcement in the county, a position that is so often held by a man, that I can empower other girls and women to dream big,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

As sheriff, Morrisey O’Donnell assumes the position with goals she wants to accomplish. Some of the significant things she wants to address are:

• Reducing gun violence through proven strategies for prevention, intervention, and collaboration with system partners and community stakeholders.

• Improving safety on our streets by increasing education and enforcement of dangerous driving behavior.

• Investing in alternative service models and supports by partnering with service providers, such

as mental health and addiction specialists who are focused on outreach efforts, housing, education, job skills, and treatment opportunities.

• Focusing on recruiting and retention strategies to promote longterm agency growth and the health and well-being of our employees. Finding her path

While Morrisey O’Donnell has achieved great things in law enforcement, it wasn’t always a career she envisioned for herself.

“My commitment to community safety started at a young age, when my father survived a shooting during an armed robbery at his business in Westport. I experienced firsthand the impacts gun violence can have in our lives and in our community,” Morrisey O’Donnell

said. “However, when I went off to college at the University of Portland (UP), I did not think my future was in law enforcement.”

Growing up in Clatskanie, Morrisey O’Donnell attended Clatskanie Middle/High School and was passionate about music.

“I started college as a music major. I grew up playing the saxophone,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “When I was at Clatskanie

High School, I had a wonderful band teacher named Dee Wooley who encouraged me to follow this passion.”

“She was a great sax player,” Wooley recalled.

However, different interests arose as she went through her education at UP. After going on a ride-along with one of her friends from Clatskanie in the Portland Police Bureau, Morrisey O’Donnell has a newfound passion.

I hope that by seeing a woman hold the highest rank in law enforcement in the county, a position that is so often held by a man, that I can empower other girls and women to dream big.

“At that time, a whole new possibility for my future opened up,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “I switched to studying criminal justice and began my journey in public safety.”

Supportive foundation

Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell has served the sheriff’s office for 26 years. In 1996, she began as a cor-

See SHERIFF Page A3

Fentanyl crisis heightens concerns in Columbia County

Oregon is facing an overdose crisis.

According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA), unintentional and undetermined drug overdose deaths in Oregon more than doubled between 2019 and 2021. Illicitly manufactured Fentanyl (IMF) is at the heart of this crisis and has now surpassed methamphetamine as the most frequent drug involved in overdose deaths.

An issue briefing from the OHA to the Oregon Governor’s Office revealed staggering statistics on the crisis.

“Fentanyl overdose deaths increased nearly 600% between 2019 and 2021, from 71 to 509, respectively. In 2021, more than half (54.6%) of overdose deaths involved more than one drug and/or alcohol,” the report said.

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley reported that there has been a “significant” rise in both dealing and fentanyl use countywide. The county has also had deaths due to the drug. Pixley also gave reasons why the drug is becoming more common.

“We are seeing a sharp spike in fentanyl being used in the production

Contact The Chief

Phone: 503-397-0116

Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net

of fake oxy pills and as an additive to other illegal substances,” Pixley said. “I believe this is becoming more common because of its potency.

Users do not need to use an much fentanyl to get [and] maintain their high. It is also relatively cheap.”

What is Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC website. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Its illicit form is often added

to other drugs to make them more potent, cheaper to make, and more addictive.

“To process the drugs in a pill form takes minimal effort,” Oregon State Police media relations representative Captain Kyle Kennedy said. “Equally, the inability of users to obtain prescription medications with Narcotic Analgesic properties, such as OxyContin, etc., has increased the demand.”

Fentanyl is often used in conjunction with other stimulants and substances. It also is commonly consumed by mistake, with the user believing they are using a different substance, according to the CDC website.

“Powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl,” the CDC states.

Where is it coming from?

IMF is typically made in Mexico and trafficked to the United States,

where illegal drug markets distribute it more widely. Kennedy detailed how the drug is imported and distributed.

“Most of the fentanyl we seize comes from the southwest border of the United States, originating in Mexico,” Kennedy said. “Once the fentanyl is smuggled into the US, our investigations, along with other Law enforcement agencies, have determined it is stored in “stash houses” in southern California, Arizona, and Texas before being shipped to its final destination throughout the United States. In Oregon, common traffic corridors utilized are Interstates 5 and 84, as well as Highway 97.”

Who’s at risk?

According to the OHA, overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased from 227 in 2019-2020 to 509 deaths in 2020-2021. Unfortunately, the OHA could not provide data on the use of the drug overall. However, the OHA, OSP, and Sheriff Pixley all agreed that fentanyl dealing and use have increased. OHA data showed an increase in fentanyl seized from 690

See CRISIS Page A4

Cities outline priorities at Oregon Legislature

City and county elected officials in Columbia County are closing monitoring and taking part in the 2023 Oregon Legislature.

As part of City Day at the Capitol, nearly two hundred appointed city officials, mayors, city councilors, and city staff members from 80 cities throughout Oregon gathered in Salem to meet with legislators Wednesday, Jan. 25. City Day at the Capitol is cohosted by the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) and the Oregon Mayors Association (OMA); it offers city officials from around the state a chance to advocate for their communities on priority issues. The day kicked off with a media briefing, and city officials outlined three “key priorities.”

policy issues that matter most to Oregon cities. Those committees send a ballot of issues to every city council in Oregon, where they review which issues they view as most important.

The three priorities that were the focus of the media briefing, and the City Day at the Capitol overall, represent three of the eight most essential issues outlined by cities in the state.

During the briefing, three city representatives addressed these issues. OMA President and North Plains Mayor Teri Lenahan spoke about homelessness and housing. Hermiston Mayor and LOC Vice President Dave Drotzmann commented on economic development. The final official to talk during the press conference was past LOC President and Central Point Councilor Taneea Browning, who addressed infrastructure and development capacity.

to determine the

Courtesy from Lincoln City Police Law enforcement agents are finding powered fentanyl in drug investigations across the

~ Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, Multnomah County Sheriff

Courtesy photo

Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell being sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Highway 30 reopened to two-lane traffic at landslide

U.S. Highway 30 is open to two-way traffic as landslide repair continues between Astoria and Clatskanie, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Crews had cleared enough landslide debris and scaled enough loose rock from the hillside to open a second lane Friday, Jan. 20. One lane with flaggers had been open since early December after a significant landslide Nov. 29, 2022.

“This was a large landslide compared to other landslides that we get in the

coast range,” ODOT District 1 Maintenance Manager Mark Buffington said. “The rock was definitely larger than what we are used to. We usually just get mud and trees.”

There is no estimated date when ODOT can reopen the third lane nearest the hillside and resume use of a passing lane, according to Buffington.

“Crews will continue to remove debris and restore barriers to slides for at least the next several weeks,” he said. “Please continue to drive with caution and watch for crews if you travel between the Portland area and Northern Oregon Coast.”

Before you travel, visit

TripCheck.com

ODOT posts road and weather conditions, highway closures, crash locations, traffic speeds and more as quickly as possible on Tripcheck.com. You can also see traffic camera views at that online site.

“No matter where you travel in Oregon, please slow down in wintry weather and leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles,” ODOT states in a release. “Remember, it takes longer to stop in winter conditions. Also bring traction devices if you cross snow zones and know how to use them.”

Statewide fire hazard mapping delayed

The Oregon Legislature will be considering a number of recommendations for changes related to the statewide wildfire risk map during the 2023 session, some of which would substantively change the map itself.

Following conversations last week with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, state officials have decided to postpone the release of an updated draft of the map, which was planned for March 2023.

“As we’ve been working with Oregon State University on technical adjustments to the map and planning for community outreach and engagement, we’ve also been keeping a close eye on the policy conversations happening in different venues,” Oregon State Forester and Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry Cal Mukumoto said. “There were some great recommendations that came out of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council’s first annual report and opportunities identified by Wildfire Programs Director Doug Grafe related to the map that I hope the Legislature gets the opportunity to explore during this session.”

Mukumoto said those recommendations are in addition to several bills proposing a variety of changes ranging from which areas are assigned a risk classification to abolishing the map entirely.

“We want to avoid expending resources on work that may not align with new direction that may come from the Legislature this session,” Mukumoto said. Without knowing what decisions will be made by the Legislature,

the department does not yet know how long it will take to implement that direction.

Members of both the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council have expressed support for continued mapping of wildfire hazards to identify where to direct investments in wildfire mitigation activities including fuels reduction and building defensible space.

“Our goal this session is

to get resources and expertise to Oregonians already doing good work on the ground to protect their properties and neighborhoods,” Sen. Jeff Golden (D) of Ashland said.

Golden chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and was the chief sponsor of SB 762.

“It’s important to get that done and to do all we can to ease the homeowner insurance challenges that the era of megafires has brought us

before moving forward with any map,” Golden said.

There is also broad recognition of the need for increased outreach, education and engagement with communities.

“We need an integrated, coordinated and robust communications and outreach effort across all Senate Bill 762 programs to help property owners understand what their classification means, how they can better protect their homes and what resources are available to help them with that work,” Wildfire Programs Advisory Council Chair Mark Bennett.

OSU, ODF’s partner in the development of the map, will lend technical expertise to upcoming educational efforts related to wildfire risk and hazard.

“We are prepared to support state agencies in education plans and will help develop and implement an operational plan as needed,” OSU’s College of Forestry Dean Tom DeLuca said.

Other state agencies with SB 762 responsibilities that have a nexus to the map are Office of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Consumer and Business Services – Building Codes Division and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

“The success of this whole program depends on strong collaboration between state government, local leaders and property owners in wildfireprone areas. Building that partnership has to be job number one over the coming months,” Golden said. “When we feel like we’re pulling in the same direction, we’ll be ready for a much better conversation about the map.”

While the Legislature is in session, the department will:

• Continue to work with OSU on exploring technical adjustments in response to feedback received on the initial map, including concerns related to irrigated lands and classification differences on adjacent lots.

• Follow the progress of bills related to the risk map to plan quickly and appropriately for any rulemaking actions or other activities required to implement new or changed legislative direction.

• Work with the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council to identify community needs and with partner agencies to leverage opportunities for outreach, education and engagement.

Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

Statewide graduation rates at record levels

The statewide graduation rate for the class of 2022 is 81.3 percent, marking gains for every student group compared to the previous year and the second highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon, according to data released Jan. 26 by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

After a slight drop due to the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide 2022 graduation rates are a positive sign that Oregon’s students and school systems are continuing to recover, according to ODE Director Colt Gill.

Notably, students completing two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the statewide average, graduating

LEGISLATURE

From Page A1

Homelessness crisis

Mayor Lenahan addressed the issue of homelessness and began her remarks with a call to action.

“Homelessness in Oregon is a statewide crisis that needs to be tackled by public and private sectors, non-profits, and all levels of government. It is a humanitarian crisis, and it affects all of us,” Lenahan said.

She urged the Governor and the legislature for a “stronger partnership in addressing homelessness.” Lenahan is forwarding a proposal to establish and expand local communitybased responses to provide shelter and services for the unhoused.

“Under our proposal, each city would be allocated $40 per resident, with no city receiving less than $50,000. Many communities are

at a rate of 93.0 percent. Students who successfully completed English Learner programs prior to entering high school in Oregon graduated at 86.4 percent, 5.1 percentage points higher than the statewide average and an all-time high for that student group.

“When we combine the tremendous resilience of Oregon’s youth, the courageous, tireless, work of our educators, and the individualized, student centered resources made available through the Student Success Act and other key initiatives, we’re able to make meaningful progress for Oregon’s students,” Gill said. “There is more work to do, and we are ready to keep working to make sure all students have what they need to succeed.”

“Each graduate represents an individual and family success story, a point of pride for their

struggling to make ends meet the needs of their residents by virtually non-existent budgets,” Lenahan said. “For example, the city of Powers, population of just about 700, they would spend $50,000 just on clean-up and code enforcement alone. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is a lot of money for a small city’s budget. To resource every single city in the state of Oregon the total cost is $125 million.”

Lenahan went further, saying this would not be a “one-time ask” but annual funding. These funds would not just address existing needs but could also assist with prevention. Lenahan also noted that competitive grants and county allocations heavily favor larger cities.

“The OMA is confident that direct allocations to our cities will be used for solutions tailored to meet the needs of our communities,” Lenahan said. “If funds go only to cities with highly visible challenges, the root

community, and a stronger future for Oregon,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “It will take focused leadership and increased accountability to continue our recovery and ensure that all of Oregon’s children are better served by our investments in K-12 schools. All of our education investments must be paired with specific strategies to ensure we know how the dollars that are spent are connected to the education priorities that Oregonians care about. Every child is full of promise, and I am committed to creating the conditions for them to thrive.”

Other key findings from the statewide data:

• Black/African American students’ graduation rate of 73.7 percent is 0.2 points higher than the previous year and the secondhighest rate ever for that

causes of homelessness are left untreated.”

While Linahan did acknowledge that Oregon has made some significant investments to address homelessness, these were “onetime” payments, and continued investment is necessary.

Economic development

Next, Dave Drotzmann addressed how the LOC is working to support economic development for Oregonians.

“We are supportive of community economic development tools,” Drotzmann said. “To that end, the League of Oregon Cities will support legislation this session to preserve and strengthen discretionary local economic development incentives.”

Without legislative action, the standard and rural enterprise zone programs will end in 2025. A 2022 study commissioned by Business Oregon credited companies that participated in these

student group.

• Hispanic/Latino students’ graduation rate of 78.7 percent was up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year and the second-highest rate ever for that student group.

• American Indian/ Alaska Native students had a 1.9 percentage point increase to 68.9 percent, the highest ever for that student group.

• The Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander student group rebounded from a 6.8 percentage point drop for the Class of 2021 to a 4.8 percentage point increase for the Class of 2022.

(Because this is one of the smallest student groups it can have large annual percentage swings.)

• The graduation rate for students experiencing houselessness increased 3.2 percentage points to the second-highest level for the group.

programs with the creation of $8.5 in total economic activity and over 46,000 new jobs. These jobs provided $2.5 billion in income for Oregon workers and $685 million in taxes to the state.

These jobs are primarily in the manufacturing sector. In Oregon, enterprise zone programs have helped fund jobs in various areas, such as food processing, data centers, food sciences, and manufacturing.

“Without these tools, it makes it difficult for rural communities to recruit new businesses due to our lack of services and amenities, often found more prominently in metropolitan areas,” Drotzmann said.

Drotzmann also noted the importance of strategic tax incentives to help residents and businesses navigate an economic downturn.

Infrastructure Central Point Councillor Taneea Browning updated

the press on Oregon’s infrastructure. Browning led with staggering statistics on the state’s future costs of water infrastructure.

“In 2021, the LOC completed a water, wastewater infrastructure report, and of the 100 cities that responded to the survey, of our 241 cities in Oregon, identified $9.7 billion in water infrastructure needs, including water quality-related needs, drinking water, and water supply needs,” Browning said. “With this data, PSU estimates approximately $23 billion in statewide water infrastructure costs over the next 20 years.”

Browning stressed that continued investment is critical to promote public health, livability, economic development, environmental protection, and housing.

Browning also outlined that communities face new and emerging challenges that require more funding.

“These challenges include: seismic upgrades to

better ensure that some of the critical components of water systems will be able to withstand the Cascadia earthquake, system backbone, lines to hospitals, reservoirs, and storage, stormwater upgrades to withstand extreme rain and severe weather events due to climate change, additional water supply storage to combat persistent drought and declining snowpack, and new and more stringent water quality permit requirements including stormwater,” Browning said.

To address these challenges, Browning called for funding to various infrastructure funds. Browning stressed that these state investments would be coordinated with housing production efforts to reduce the cost of needed housing in Oregon.

“While infrastructure is not sexy, it is absolutely important for our continued growth,” Browning closed.

Courtesy photo from ODOT

This was the scene shortly after the landslide on Highway 30 in late November.

Courtesy photo

When the maps are

the wildfire hazard risk areas in Oregon.

Oregon graded in State of Tobacco Control report

Oregon is among states with the best policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use, according to the Ameri can Lung Association’s 21st annual “State of Tobacco Control” report. The state earned mostly passing grades on this year’s report. The “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives. This is critical, as tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in America and takes the lives of 5,470 Oregonians each year.

“Last year, we were pleased to see ordinances pass in both Washington County and Multnomah County to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products,” American Lung Association Senior Director of Advocacy in Oregon Carrie Nyssen said. “Though not yet implemented, the passage of these policies shows the support for more protective policies to protect our youth from the epidemic of youth use of electronic cigarettes. This is important progress, however, there are still too many Oregon residents who are impacted by tobacco use, like the 12.4% of adults who smoke and the 23.1% of high school students who use tobacco products.”

Oregon’s grades

The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. In the 2023 report, Oregon received the following grades:

1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade A

2. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade A

3. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade C

4. Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco –Grade C

5. Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products –Grade F

This year’s report noted the need for Oregon’s policymakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2.5 million high school and middle school students use e-cigarettes, and more 85% of those kids use flavored e-cigarettes. In addition, menthol cigarettes continue to be the major cause of tobaccorelated death and disease in Black communities, with over 80% of Black Americans who smoke using them. Ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, will not only help end youth vaping, but will also help address the disproportionate impact of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars have on many communities, including Black Americans, LGBTQ+ Americans and youth.

Federal grades overview

The report also grades the federal government on their efforts to eliminate tobacco use. This year, there were new steps taken by the government to prevent and reduce tobacco use, including proposed rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and fla-

Janet Rose Willey

vored cigars, Congress passing a law requiring the FDA to regulate tobacco products made with synthetic nicotine, and increased federal enforcement of the Tobacco Control

As a result of these steps forward, the federal government’s grade for “Federal Regulation of Tobacco Products” improved from a “D” grade last year, to a “C” grade in the 2023 report.

The 2023 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five

• Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade C

• Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments –Grade D

• Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes – Grade F

• Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use – Grade A

• Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Incomplete

FDA is overdue in publishing the final Tobacco 21 regulations as required by statute, which is why it earns an “incomplete.”

To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and take action, visit Lung.org/sotc.

Sale ban

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports over 26,000 Oregonians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and an estimated 8,400 will lose their lives to the disease.

The ACS said smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths in this country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 49.1 million U.S. adults, or nearly 1 in 5, used any tobacco product in 2018. Cigarettes were the most common at 13.7%.

House Bill 3090 has been introduced at the Oregon Legislature designed to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, including cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

“With a new year and new

Nov. 12, 1940 ~ Jan. 3, 2023

Janet Rose Willey, age 82, of Claskanie, Oregon, died unexpectedly on Tues., Jan. 3, 2023, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, during a holiday visit with family. Janet was born Nov. 12, 1940 in Hood River, Oregon. Her parents were Joe and Neta Moore.

Janet graduated from Wy’East High School in Odell, Oregon in 1958. She attended business school in Portland, Oregon, and worked as a legal secretary between periods as a full-time homemaker. Janet retired from the office of Steven D. Petersen in Rainier, Oregon, in 2007.

She and her husband, David, who retired from the Wauna Mill in 2002, enjoyed travel, reading, visiting family, and their beloved dogs in retirement. Janet continued

to bake the pies and cookies she was known for until her passing. Janet married David Willey on June 25, 1960, in Hood River. She and David remained together for life.

Janet and David had two children, Greg (Robin) and Melissa (Dan Allen), who

grew up in Clatskanie in the home she called, “the most beautiful place on earth.” Janet doted on four grandchildren. Melissa and Dan are the parents of Kevin, while Greg and Robin have Nolan, Jade, and Max.

Janet is survived by her children and grandchildren. David passed in 2015. Janet is missed by Spencer, her Clumber Spaniel companion for the last eleven years.

Janet’s family will hold a private observance of her passing. There will be no public services. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, or Doctors Without Borders are suggested.

Mom will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

legislative session comes a new opportunity for Oregon lawmakers to prioritize the health of Oregonians over tobacco industry interests and bottom line,” American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Oregon Director of Government Relations Jamie Dunphy said. “Ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products would be a huge step in that direction.”

Dunphy said menthol, mint and other candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products are a key part of the tobacco industry’s strategy to addict our youth, Black, LGBTQ and limited-income communities.

Research shows that flavors drive the unprecedented increase in youth tobacco uptake, with 81% of kids who have ever tried tobacco started with a flavored product, according to Dunphy.

“On behalf of cancer patients, survivors, and all impacted by tobacco use, ACS CAN thanks chief bill sponsor, Rep. Lisa Reynolds, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, and Sen. Bill Hansell and Rep. Hai Pham, and urges House and Senate members to start the new year with a commitment to support this legislation and prioritize public health over the tobacco industry’s wallet,” Dunphy said.

SHERIFF

From Page A1

rections deputy. After serving as deputy, lieutenant, captain, chief deputy, and undersheriff before being elected sheriff with 62% of the vote.

At Clatskanie High School, Morrisey O’Donnell remembers being empowered to dream big.

“Starting from a young age, I was told by many educators, like my PE teacher Kathi Jackson, that I could do anything I set my mind to,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

According to Kirk Blecha, a former math and science teacher at Clatskanie High School during Morrisey O’Donnell’s time, she was

always a great athlete and a good student.

“Am I surprised that she is in law enforcement? Absolutely not,” Blecha said. “She always seemed to be a caring goal orientated young lady. And being a good athlete, she would fit into an occupation where being athletically fit is a necessity.”

Coming from a small town, Morrisey O’Donnell had plenty of obstacles to navigate en route to her current position. Still, for those who may have dreams of serving their community, she gave an encouraging message. “As students and other young people think about their future careers, I would tell them to be open to all possibilities. I left my small town believing I would be in the music industry, and completely changed directions,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “Because I had a passion for serving my community, law enforcement ended up being a really good fit. I know that right now it may be a challenging time to enter this profession, but at the heart of everything we do is a willingness and dedication to serve.”

Who We Are is a frequent presentation by The Chief highlighting community members who are making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Courtesy from Shutterstock House Bill 3090 has been introduced at the Oregon Legislature designed to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, including cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

Courtesy of Clatskanie High School

A photo of Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell from the Clatskanie Middle/High School yearbook in 1992.

Answering why won’t my plant bloom?

after flowering, doesn’t allow the bulbs to replenish their reserves.

Daylilies: Deer ate the flower buds just before they opened. They love daylilies.

When plants don’t bloom there could be several possible causes.

First, they are in the wrong place, usually one too shady. This is very common as the trees in landscapes mature and start to shade shrubs and other plants.

Second, a frost nipped the blooms before they fully opened. Third, the plant is still vegetative. This is a problem on some woody plants that require a certain age before they will start flowering. Heavy pruning slows that maturation process. Fourth, pruning at the wrong time removed floral buds.

Don’t confuse failure to bloom with failure to set fruit. An apple tree may bloom vigorously yet not get flowers pollinated due to poor pollination weather (poor bee activity, late frost, wet-weather diseases). Here are common problems:

Daffodils: Bulbs need dividing to produce bulbs large enough to bloom; and foliage cut too early, right

Thank you

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, St. Helens Chapter BO would like to thank everyone who purchased poinsettias from us this year. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser provides scholarships to local women pursuing their education. In 2022, eight Columbia County

Lilac: Not enough sun – this is quite common as landscapes mature - the only choice is to thin the trees or move the lilac; some varieties take a long time (10+ years) to flower; summer, fall, or winter pruning removed flower buds (prune after blooming).

Dogwood: Not enough sun; tree is an un-grafted seedling which means it will take longer to bloom; pruning in summer/fall; previous summer very dry.

Peony: Not enough sun; planted too deeply; botrytis blight killed flower buds.

Tulips: A warm winter; bulbs too small to bloom; mice ate the bulbs; poor drainage; not enough sun; bulbs are too old and should be replaced; various diseases.

Wisteria: The vine may have been propagated from seed and not grafted – it may take years to bloom; fertilizing with nitrogen that stimulates vegetative growth vs. floral buds; not enough sun; excessive pruning in the summer.

Bee wise

What’s the value of a bumblebee? One estimate of

women were given a total of $22,240 in local, state and international scholarships for the Fall 2022 school year. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve

the value of pollination pro vided by native bees is four to six billion dollars per year! And the pollinators work long hours for free. However, many studies show declining numbers of native bees and other pollinators.

poppy, columbine, Oregon and Douglas iris, bleeding heart, and asters. Woody natives abound, including red flowering currant, oceanspray, salal, red huckleberry, and Pacific ninebark. There are some good ornamental flowers, as well, including; basil, lavender, mint, coneflower and rosemary.

nests to create and provision brood cells. In the wild, bees use bare ground, dead trees, and untidy tangles of rough grass, all the places we tidy gardeners want to clean up. So, help them out by building some nest sites such as nesting blocks for mason bees. About 70% of the native bees nest in the ground, so keep some bare or partially vegetated ground.

Interested in doing more?

Here are a couple of good sources of information. The Xerces Society (www.xerces. org) has a mission to protect wildlife through conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. Pollinator conservation is an important focus for them and they have a ton of information you can use.

produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-3973462 or at chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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So what should a sustainable gardener do? Pollinators need two things that we can provide in our gardens –flowers for nectar and pollen and a place to nest. The first is a natural for gardeners. Even if you are primarily a vegetable gardener, there’s always room to include some flowers around your plantings. And the kind of flower is important, too.

Native bees evolved with native plants, so plant natives as your first choice. And what a wealth of plants

But, if you’re planting for the bees, avoid many of the popular and beautiful, but highly modified flowers. Many of our most popular ornamentals today are double flowers (or more), which are nice to look at, but all those extra petals aren’t so good for the bees. The double flower mutations usually cause the male parts of the flowers, the part that makes pollen, to develop into petals instead. The old dahlia variety, Japanese Bishop, is avidly visited by bumblebees but other more complex dahlia types are not. So think simple flowers for the bees. We can assist bees with their second big need as well – nesting sites. Bees make

Finally, one of the most important urban flowers for early season pollinators are true dandelions (the ones without the hairy leaves). So put off killing that wonderful weed. Lightly edited by Chip Bubl from Robert Reynolds, former OSU Extension Service faculty member.

Food Preservation:

You can get up-to-date and accurate answers to your food preservation questions by calling our office at 503-397-3462 and ask to speak to Jenny Rudolph.

Important notes

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Donate extra garden

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 http://extension.oregonstate. edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Resource contact Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462

their highest aspirations.

Again, thank you to our friends, family and local businesses who support our Poinsettia Sale, which makes these scholarships possible. We are looking forward to selling poinsettias to you again in 2023!

Karen Van Winkle P.E.O. St. Helens Chapter BO

ommunity e V ents

February 10, 11 Quilt Show

Bethany Lutheran Church’s Annual Quilt Show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11 at 34721 Church Road in Warren. Bring quilts to display from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Call Chris Mollenhour at 503-888-7540 for more information.

Ongoing

Caples Evening Programs

The cost for this evening and all our Fireside Chats will be only $5. Caples will be offering a different program the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-3975390.

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Henry Franzoni ar 360-353-0937 or email to hjfranzoni3@gmail.com. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver. org/events-page.

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-7517039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m.

For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070.

CRISIS

From Page A1

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116. dosage units (counterfeit pills) in 2018 to more than 2 million so far in 2022.

“Drug overdose deaths are highest among middle-aged people, males, Black individuals, American Indian/Alaska Native people, and people experiencing houselessness,” according to the OHA issue briefing.

Authorities are attempting educational outreach to battle the increase in use and overdoses. OHA emphasized that people should know that even small doses of fentanyl can be fatal. They also urged people who use opioids, or are close to those who do, to carry naloxone. Also known as Narcan, naloxone is an “easyto-use, life-saving drug.” It can reverse the effects of an overdose if administered in time.

What is the state doing to help?

Oregon is utilizing a variety of ways to address the growing crisis of opioids

within its borders. OHA has implemented two legislative initiatives addressing substance use disorders and overdoses: Ballot Measure 110 (the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act), passed in 2019, and 2022 House Bill 4098 (Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Board).

Measure 110 makes screening, health assessment, treatment, and recovery services for drug addiction available “to all those who need and want access to those services.” House Bill 4098 is a settlement between the State of Oregon and four companies that manufacture and distribute opioids. Starting in 2022, $325 million will be awarded to Oregon over 18 years through the settlement. Per the OHA website, these funds can be used for “a wide variety of opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies.”

The OHA has also invested $1.35 billion from the 20212023 biennium to address behavioral health system transformation. In 2020, the OHA also put forward a fouryear improvement plan called Healthier Together Oregon, which acts as a “blueprint for

Oregon’s public health system modernization.”

In the briefing to the Governor’s Office, the OHA outlined the following tactics to address the complex systemic transformation Oregon needs to address drug use and overdoses:

• Leadership from the Oregon Governor’s Office to implement a cross-agency, multi-sector governance structure to further align and leverage prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery strategic plans, initiatives, and key strategies.

• Integrated harm reduction approaches across the SUD continuum of prevention, care, treatment, and recovery and increased culturally specific resources and services.

• Community-level prevention interventions that address intergenerational substance use and root causes of factors that contribute to substance use and overdose, including racism, stigma, and the many forms of trauma.

Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

NOTICE OF MEETING

al Center, 75 South Nehalem

CC23-1719

Access to the meeting on ZOOM will be posted on the city website, www.cityofclatskanie.com. Please call City Hall (503) 728-2622 at least 48 hours in advance if you need assistance.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

CONSTANCE D.

BUDGE, an individual, Plaintiff, and Jackie L. Gump, Trustee, or his successor(s) in trust, under the Evelyn B. Boursaw Revocable Living Trust dated August 8, 2012, an individu-al, Karen E. Johnson and Ryan O. Flori No. 20CV02279 Summons To: RYAN O. FLORI You are hereby required to appear and defend the Complaint filed against you in the above-entitled action within

THIRTY (30) DAYS of the date of service of this summons upon you, and, in case of your failure to do so, for want thereof, plain -

tiff will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT: READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY! You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer”. The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within THIRTY (30) DAYS of the date of first publication specified herein, along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service

on the plaintiff’s attorney or, if the plaintiff does not have an attorney, proof of service upon the plaintiff. The date of first publication of this summons is January 13, 2023. If you have any questions, you should see an attorney immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (503) 684- 3763 or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-4527636. Stephen D. Petersen, OSB#73235 Attorney for Plaintiff. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. P. O. Box 459 Rainier, OR 97048 (503) 556-4120.

CC23-1716

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN RFP

The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals to assist the Port in updating its Strategic Business Plan. Interested and qualified firms may obtain the RFP documents

CC23-1708

on the Port’s website at https://www.portofcolumbiacounty.org/rfps; from the Port Office located at 100 E Street, Columbia City, OR, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday; or via

email at sisco@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2023. For questions, please call 503-397-2888.

NOTICE OF WORK GROUP MEETING

Columbia County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Local Work Group Meeting When: February 16, 2023 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hybrid Location: USDA Service Center, 35285 Millard Road, St. Helens. Or Virtual Zoom online Meeting Please contact Hannah Isaacs at hannah.isaacs@usda.gov for Zoom passcode and login

CC23-1715

information. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input from farmers, ranchers, foresters, agencies, and groups to help guide the conservation efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Columbia County. Due to COVID concerns, our meeting will be offered both in-person at the office and virtual via Zoom online for those that

NOTICE OF AUCTION

Rainier Storage Place, LLC will hold a foreclosure auction at 29098 Dike Rd., Rainier OR 97048 of the contents of the following

wish to join that way. For questions or persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Hannah Isaacs with the USDANRCS at (503) 438-3146 by February 9, 2023, or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

storage units: CY15 (8x40) Robert Killough Warren 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th, 2023.

48. “There it is,” ‡ Paris 50. “Hold on!”

52. *Home of the Ravens, for both Super Bowl appearances 56. Cuckoo for these puffs!

57. Curved molding

58. Medicinal plant

59. Court orders, e.g.

60. Sonny & Cher and Abbott &Costello

61. Talk like a drunk

62. Actor Danson and character Lasso

63. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” band

64. *Star of the mostwatched Super Bowl Halftime Show

DOWN

1. Paddleboarding acronym

2. Court order

3. Between ports

4. Hungarian composer Bela ______

5. *Either one of the opposing Super Bowl teams

6. FlambÈ

7. Position of leadership

8. *2023 Super Bowl AZ location

9. Frosts, as a cake

10. Hit the road

11. Like certain humor

13. Disprove

14. Dickens’s Heep

19. Each and all

22. One of a set of dice

23. Father,

Clatskanie basketball looking for strong season end

With just about two weeks remaining in the high school basketball regular season, let’s get an update on where the Clatskanie Tigers stand going down the stretch.

Boys basketball

For Clatskanie boys basketball, it has been a tough stretch of games. After a strong start in non-league play, the Tigers notched wins against Scio, Rainier, and Portland Adventist Academy to win three of their first four games. After that, a tough run of form set in, and the squad dropped 11 of their last 12 games.

In league play, the Tigers have struggled as they have gone 1-7, competing in the 2A-1 Northwest League. Their one win was an absolute domination of Gaston, with the score ending 79-36 on the road on Jan. 10. As of press time, Clatskanie boys are amid a five-game skid, with losses to Knappa, Mannahouse Academy in Portland, Portland Christian, Vernonia, and Nestucca.

The loss to Knappa was a heartbreaker, with the Tigers

losing 64-66 at home on Jan. 16. The boys program is currently ranked 31 of 37 teams competing in the 2A classification. Of the eight teams in their league, they are ranked seventh, with Gaston taking the eighth spot. The top team in their league is Knappa, who boasts an 8-0 record within league competition. With six games remaining, the Tigers will look to get back on track for their final games and end the season on a high note. Results of the Thursday, Jan. 26 game against Faith Bible can be followed at OSAA.com. In their first game against Faith

Bible on Jan. 6, the Tigers were defeated 37-52.

Girls basketball

Clatskanie girls basketball has enjoyed more success and has an 8-8 record as of press time. After a strong start to non-league play where the team started 4-0 and finished their pre-league play with a 5-3 record. Within the 2A-1 Northwest League, the Tigers are 3-5 and are ranked 20 of 36 teams in the 2A classification. The team lost close games to Knappa and Vernonia, with each game

being decided by ten points or fewer. The team has also had some big wins, beating Portland Christian 54-37 and Gaston 73-45. Within their league, the Tigers sit are ranked sixth of eight, and Nestucca is pacing the league with an 8-0 record. At the time of press, Clatskanie girls have six games remaining to try and make a push for the state playoffs.

Thursday, Jan. 26, Clatskanie was scheduled to face off against Faith Bible/ Life Christian. Results can be found at OSAA.org. In their previous matchup at home, the Tigers fell 27-55 and will be looking for revenge.

Game schedule

After their showdown with Faith Bible on Jan. 26, the Tigers will next be in action Monday, Jan. 30, when they will host Gatson. The girls tip-off at 6 p.m. and the boys play at 7:30 p.m.

The next opportunity to watch Clatskanie girls following Monday’s contest will be when Mannahouse Academy plays in Clatskanie at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. The boys will travel away to Portland Christian with tipoff will at 7:30 p.m.

High Ed PE courses declining

A new study from Oregon State University finds that about 32% of colleges and universities in the U.S. re quire some form of physical education course to graduate, down from 39% as observed in an OSU study from 2010.

Decline

The continuing decline in required PE courses comes at a time when children and youth in the U.S. are also engaging in less and less physical activity, according to the Physical Activity Alliance’s 2022 Report Card, which bases its rubric on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

“There’s an enormous amount of scientific evidence supporting the value of physical activity. It’s good for the human body, good for students — it helps them be better learners, better prepared; it increases cognitive functioning and helps with stress management,” said study co-author Brad Cardinal, a professor in OSU’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences.

However, he said, there is no universal standard for what should be required in terms of physical education courses in colleges and universities.

“Longitudinal studies have shown that when someone attends an institution with a physical activity education graduation requirement, they tend to be healthier long-term,” Cardinal said, citing research from his lab and other research from the 1980s to the 2000s.

More recently, he said, researchers at George Washington University, the National Cancer Institute and the American College Health

Association found that college and university students attending institutions with PE graduation requirements were more likely to meet the national physical activity guidelines.

“Removing the requirement is such a counterintuitive idea,” Cardinal said. “It definitely does not represent an evidence-based best practice.” Without requirements in place, Cardinal said, his research has found that on-campus PE offerings are more likely to engage students who are already physically active or comfortable in gyms and sportrelated settings. This leaves out students who might benefit from learning how to use such spaces and become comfortable in them for the first time during early adulthood, he said.

The study

The study looked at a representative sample of 331 colleges and universities from around the country and documented whether they fully or partially required completion of a PE course

to graduate. Partial requirements included schools where only certain degree programs had a PE requirement, or where students could choose from a menu of options that included physical education among other health-related courses such as financial literacy or sexual health.

Researchers defined PE as “any activity or academic course pertaining to health, wellness, sports or physical activity,” and included “conceptual” PE courses that emphasize teaching health behavior strategies to maintain lifelong physical activity lifestyles.

They found that 56.2% of institutions did not require PE; 31.7% fully required all undergraduates to complete a PE course to graduate; and 12.1% had a partial requirement.

The most common requirements mandated students complete both an activity-based and a conceptual-based course or a conceptual-only course. Private institutions were roughly twice as likely as public institutions to fully require PE courses, and institutions

Welcome Nyjah McClain Allen

in the south were most likely to fully require PE out of any geographic region.

The study did not specifically examine disability access or accommodations for PE requirements.

Moving away from PE requirements

Cardinal said several factors are likely motivating colleges to move away from PE requirements: Students have a lot of other courses they’re required to take for graduation, and there is a prevailing assumption that most learn basic physical education in their K-12 years, making it less necessary at the college level.

But the current numbers from K-12 schools show that isn’t the case, he said. According to the 2022 Report Card, the U.S. gets a Dgrade with only 21% of U.S. children and youth ages 6-17 meeting the physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

That drops significantly within the older age bracket: 42% of 6-11-year-olds hit the target, but only 15% of 12-17-year-olds are getting their daily hour.

“The argument that physical education is something they’ve been taught, that they already know this before college — it’s just not happening,” Cardinal said. “The culture has shifted to where physical activity continues to be stripped out of daily life.”

Alexandra Szarabajko led the study. Szarabajko is a recent doctoral graduate from OSU who is now the department chair of exercise science at Columbia College in South Carolina.

Molly Rosbach works at the OSU Department of Marketing and Research. She may be reached at molly. rosbach@oregonstate.edu.

Courtesy photo from OSU

A new study from Oregon State University finds that about 32% of colleges and universities in the U.S. require some form of physical education course to graduate, down from 39% as observed in an OSU study from 2010.

MOLLY ROSBACH

Chief Guest Article

Courtesy photo

Nyjah McClain Allen was born on December 20, 2022, in Toledo, Ohio, to parents Krista and Andrew Allen. Krista and Andrew graduated from Rainier High School in 2009. He was 7 lbs. 7oz. and 20 inches long. This is the first child for both of them. Proud grandparents are Mark and Mary Harrington of Rainier, Oregon.

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo

Clatskanie Middle/High School basketball update.