Real Estate Guide Spring 2020 SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020
Executive Director fired from Columbia Community Mental Health Page A2
The Chief
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VOL. 128, NO. 39
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Peanut butter and jelly at the library
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Clatskanie Public Library employee, Becky White, reads to children during the Story Time on Wednesday, Feb. 5. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
You’ll find more than books inside the Clatskanie Public Library. Don’t be surprised to see children making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well! The kitchen experience was part of the Wednesday Story Time on Feb. 5 at the library. The library’s Story Time has been ongoing since 1987, accord-
ing to Clatskanie Library Director Elizabeth Kruse. It is designed to offer children four to six years old a place to have fun and to learn. “I like this program because we share with children a vanity of books and a way that we can bring to their attention fun and learning, she said. “The stories may also include a craft, giving the children a hands-on learning experience and learn how to listen to instructions.” Kruse said the Story Time en-
gages entire families. “We do have families that come by during other days and they will sit down with their children and read stories, so it is a real community connection,” she said. The Clatskanie Library staff share duties during the Story Time. On this day, it was Becky White’s turn to coordinate the event. “This is a really important project to our children in the community and also to our home-school kids, it
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
A child carefully makes her peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the Clatskanie Library’s Story Time craft session.
not only gives them a chance to hear a fun story and do a craft, but also to interact with their peers,” she said. “This is one of my favorite parts about working at the library is working with the kids and seeing them get excited about books.” White said the craft she would present at this Story Time session is a bit different than what the library usually presents. “We are doing a food craft, which is a break from the norm,”
she said. “Usually the crafts are very basic. They might involve simple cutting or using glue sticks. Today we are going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.” White said her approach to Story Time is to pick a theme and relate the craft to that theme. During the Wednesday session, White read children’s books about
See LIBRARY Page A8
Clatskanie School District to receive $638,000 JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Courtesy photo
The Student Success Fund Application/Plan will be on the District website for community to review once there is Board approval.
The Clatskanie School District has reached out to the community in developing a plan to use $638,000 for student investment. According to Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz, the Student Success Act, signed into law in May, 2019, is a historic opportunity for Oregon schools. When fully implemented, the act will invest approximately $2 billion for early learning and K-12 education, and close to $500 million will go directly to Oregon school districts and eligible charter schools through the Student Investment Account. Hurowitz said the Clatskanie School District will get an additional
$638,000 to support students. The focus of the Student Investment Account is focused on four key areas for improvement: • Reducing class size • Increasing instructional time • Addressing health and safety needs • Ensuring a well-rounded education The law requires school districts to meaningfully engage their community to determine the best investments for students in their local community while explicitly focusing on: • Student mental and behavioral health • Addressing disparities based on race • Students with disabilities • Improving teaching and learning conditions “Our school district has an im-
portant role to play,” Hurowitz said. “We are required to develop a plan for how we want to invest additional education funding.” Hurowitz said the District needs community help and support and a online questionnaire was available at the District’s website for public participation. “Our plan must be developed with broad input from staff, students, families and the community,” she said. The following is a conversation with Hurowitz about development of the student investment plan.
The Chief: By engaging the community, what is your hope for the outcome of this project?
See INVESTMENT Page A4
Clatskanie on ‘highest risk’ list for radon STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Clatskanie is on the list of highest risk for radon in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Radon is odorless, tasteless and invisible. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes up from the ground and is drawn into buildings, where it can build up to dangerous levels.
Clatskanie Grows...A3 Poll...........................A4 Meetings..................A4 Obituaries...............A5 Church News..........A5 Out & About...........A6 Market Place...........A7 Public Notices........A7 Sports......................A7 Police Blotters........A8
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. New Oregon radon data shows that many regions of the state are at moderate risk of having high radon levels, with several pockets of highrisk areas around the Willamette Valley, and in eastern and southern Oregon. The Oregon Radon Awareness Program collects radon test data from test kit manufacturers to understand which areas of the state have the potential for high radon levels. Oregon’s areas of highest risk for radon are in Clatskanie, Columbia City, Dundee, Scappoose, Banks, and North Plains, as well as Boring, Parkdale, Milton-Freewater and La Grande, according to the data published on the Oregon Radon Awareness Program website. A large swath of Portland, particularly in the north, northeastern and southeastern parts of the city, also was found to be at high risk. People can take steps to reduce their exposure to radon by testing their homes for radon and, if necessary, hiring a professional to reduce it to a safe level. “Every homeowner should test their home for radon every two to five years,” Oregon Health Authority Radon Awareness Program manager Curtis Cude said. “The best time to test is during the heating season, when the windows and doors are closed up tight.” Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test
Map courtesy of oregonhealth.org / radon
This map summarizes test results of indoor air for radon that test kit manufacturers have voluntarily provided to OHA’s Radon Awareness Program.
kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, or online from radon test kit supply companies. Many test kits are priced between $15 and $25. Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs such as painting or having a new water heater installed.
There are many cities and ZIP codes in the state for which the Radon Program has little to no data. The program is offering a free radon test kit to residents whose homes are in ZIP codes with fewer than 20 radon test results. Residents can send an email to radon.program@dhsoha. state.or.us to receive instructions on how to get a free test kit, which will
be provided while supplies last. For more information about radon levels in neighborhoods, radon testing and mitigation, radonresistant new construction, call the Oregon Radon Program at 971-6730440 or visit www.healthoregon. org/radon or visit the EPA radon website.