Boys team season ends
A little love for veterans Page A2
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020
Flood help
The Chief
$1
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
VOL. 128, NO. 41
School Threats JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
In response to massive flooding in Umatilla County, the Columbia County Road Maintenance crew has sent six members to volunteer to help with recovery efforts. The six members, Ryan Allen, Terry Miller, Mark Shafer, Jeremy Tull, Jeff Goodman and Kelley Lungberg, will be stationed there until Friday, Feb. 21, was helping to rebuild a road that wiped out by the flood, which will give access to a bridge, according to Mike Russell, Columbia County Public Works Department Director. Gov. Kate Brown declared a State of Emergency in the county and on Friday, Feb. 15 she toured the damaged areas to talk to those affected by the levee breach which flooded a large part of Pendleton and other parts of Umatilla County. Sen. Ron Wyden also visited the county on Saturday in a separate visit. Russell said the Columbia County Public Works Department initiated contact with Umatilla first, on Feb. 10, knowing they would need help due to flooding. From there, Russell asked for volunteers to go to Umatilla, and about 12 employees stepped up. “We actually had more employees volunteer than we had slots, so we just went by seniority,” Russell said, adding Public Works made sure at least one person in each maintenance district stayed behind to cover Columbia County. The Columbia County crew is scheduled to be stationed in Umatilla until Friday, at which point they will reassess what needs to be done. All of this is possible through the Managing Oregon Resources Efficiently Intergovernmental Agreement (MORE-IGA), an agreement that different agencies can sign onto, which allows for the agencies to bill one another for the actual cost of reimbursement. “No Columbia County money is being used for this operation. It’s all reimbursed by Umatilla County,” Russell said. The MORE-IGA allows neighboring counties the ability to respond rapidly to deploy resources if two counties agree to do so. “What it boils down to is an agreement that is sharing resources with different parties around the state,” County Commissioner Alex Tardif said. The crew being deployed to Umatilla County is very similar to the help Columbia County received in 1996 after severe flooding impacted the region, according to Russell. At that time, the Bureau of Land Management Oregon-Washington sent a crew to Columbia County to assist with dirt removal that had closed many roads because of landslides. At the end of this week, it is possible that Umatilla County will still need help. If that occurs, it is possible that Public Works will bring some of their workers back home and send different workers over, depending on family commitments and other circumstances, Russell said. “I’m really proud of our guys, they really stepped up,” Russell said. “They really wanted to do this, and represent the county, and it exemplifies what we stand for, public service, and doing what we do.”
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
New security is in place at Clatskanie Middle/High School following two separate threats written on a school bathroom wall that led to two days of tensions, fear, a school lockout and lockdown. Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said new security steps have been taken by Principal Jim Helmen to ensure student and staff safety. “We have installed additional cameras inside the building so that all public areas are covered,” she said. “Mr. Helmen has closed off the back parking lot and all students and staff will park in the front of CMHS. He is also putting restrictions on hall traffic when classes are in session.” The security follows two separate threats written on a girls bathroom wall in the school’s commons on Tuesday and gain on Wednesday Feb. 11 and 12. Helmen would not reveal the specific wording of the threats so as not to compromise the investigation, but he told The Chief that the threat was to harm students.
The Umpqua Bank volunteer crew logged over 400 volunteers hours in 2019. From left to right, Savannah Gentry, Misty Roberts, Kodie Kultala, Monica Seidl, Patricia Candela-Hagen and Mariah Lumos.
Where Passion Meets Purpose JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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olunteers can be the heart and spirit of a community. In Clatskanie, there are people who share such a passion of purpose. One example are the employees at Umpqua Bank, who together logged over 400 volunteer hours in 2019. Umpqua Bank employee and community volunteer Mariah Lumos participated in a community donkey baseball game to raise charity funds. “I rode a donkey and played basketball, but I didn’t really do much with the basketball because I was trying to hold on for dear life,” she said. “It was hard to stay on the donkey, but it was fun.” Lumos said the volunteering connects her wth the community. “It is important to volunteer because it helps out the community and that is all part of the culture of Umpqua Bank, our city and it makes you feel good,” Lumos said. For the last seven years, Umpqua Bank employee Misty Roberts has participated in the annual Clatskanie Kiwanis Gala as a volunteer, helping to raise funds for student scholarships. “My role was to hold auction items during the Gala,” Roberts said. “It’s always fun to get dressed up and look beautiful for a night and to see all the happiness in the room, all the work that went into the Gala and knowing that there will be kids that will have funds to continue
school because of what we do.” Savannah Gentry participated in the scholarship book sale at Clatskanie Elementary School as her volunteer project with Umpqua Bank. “I took the money from the children as they purchased the books,” she said. “The kids are really funny. They come up so many times asking how much each book costs and they only have a dollar. Helping out the kids and having them reading is important to me.” Bank teller Patricia CandelaHagen decided to dress up as an Easter Bunny as one of her volunteer projects. “I helped out at the Easter Egg hunt at the high school,” she said. “It was a very fun and exciting experience. I was able to see so many kids running around, happy. For me, helping out the kids is the best part of volunteering. That is where my heart is. Anything I can do to help them makes me happy.” Bank employee Kodie Kultala said his favorite community volunteering project is helping out at the Rainier School District. “I help out all the ladies in the school cafeteria,” he said. “I am about to work with them in the Green Eggs and Ham event in March, serving green eggs and ham to kids in kindergarten through the 12th grade.” Kultala said his connection to the schools comes from his experience as a Rainier school student. “Many of the ladies in the cafeteria were there when I was in school, so I get to help them out and just staying in the loop in my local
community.” Kultala also organized the first annual Clatskanie Job Fair. Over the years, Umpqua Bank branch manager Monica Seidl took part in several community volunteer projects. “There are many resources the community may not realize are available, physical, emotion and others, so we put on a Health Fair to get the word out and provide connections to those community resources,” she said. “It really is educating the community.” Seidl also conducts fraud prevention classes for local seniors and budget managing classes for Head Start parents. She is also the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce President. The bank crew also participates in Random Acts of Kindness week offering treats during the event. “We always have coffee five days a week and cookies on Fridays,” she said. Seidl encourages everyone to become involved in community volunteering. “Whatever is passionate to you, find a way to get involved in your community,” she said. There are many local nonprofits and there are our schools, always looking for volunteers to help.”
Threat reaction
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy provides security in the front hallway as students exit Clatskanie Middle/High School during the lockdown. See more exclusive photos of the lockdown at thechiefnews.com.
If you know someone who is making a positive difference in our community, let us know and we will share their story with our readers. Email details to jruark@countrymedia.net, or call The Chief, at 503-397-0116.
Following the discovery of the first threat by a staff member, school authorities placed the building in a lockout, a less intense security measure, because they had alerted Columba County Sheriff’s deputies who were arriving at the school within five minutes. After being notified of the second threat by a student and school staffer on Wednesday morning, Helmen immediately placed the school in a lockdown, because it was unclear at that moment how long it would take deputies to arrive and investigate. A lockout allows students and teachers to continue working in their classrooms. The lockdown orders students and staff to remain in locked classrooms in secure positions with windows shades down for protection. As the investigation continued on Wednesday, deputies and school staff searched student backpacks and other belongings that were ordered left at the school as the students were released. The search by deputies was an effort to find anything, such as weapons or evidence, that might lead to the person responsible for the threats, according to Hurowitz. “We have a few names we are looking and the two incidents occurred in the same location,” Helmen said. “It’s the same style of writing, but we are making any guesses as to why it is occurring. We are taking every precaution so that we can determine whatever support we can provide the individual that is creating this issue.”
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The next steps Helmen said the school portions of the threat investigation has been turned over to law enforcement. Specific details of that part of the investigation are limited, according to Ryan Murphy at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. “We are actively investing the threats made at the Clatskanie School District,” Murphy said. “At this time we are not able to share any details.” This week, the middle/high school partnered with Columbia County’s Department of Emergency Management for staff and teacher active shooter training. Courtesy photo
Bank employee Kodie Kultala volunteers in the Rainier High School cafeteria.
Courtesy photo
Misty Roberts volunteers as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.
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Friday, February 21, 2020
Veterans get a little love JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Navy veteran Ray Triplett, of Clatskanie, reads the handmade valentine he received from RSVP.
Dozens of veterans in Columbia County received special recognition and a little love on Valentine’s Day from area students and community volunteers. The nonprofit senior support organization, Columbia County Retired Senior & Volunteer Programs (RSVP), delivered 500 valentines to the area veterans. As Cade and members of the RSVP team fanned out across the county to deliver the special messages, she took a couple of the Valentines with her to to read to the gatherings where the valentines were distributed. Cade read this message written by a student valentine card maker: “Dear Veterans, Thank you so much for serving in the military and saving our bacon when we were too
scared and too lazy to do it ourselves. Thank you so much. We all love you guys.” Cade said the students’ handmade cards will now become part of the RSVP annual tradition of making and delivering the messages of love and recognition. “I just thought they are so original and so expressive from the hearts of children and the card I read is so humorous,” she said. “Everywhere I went and read that Valentine, it has brought joy to everyone that has heard it and it has put smiles on their faces.” On Jan. 20, more than 30 volunteers met at the Scappoose Senior Center to create the valentines, all hand made with love, to distribute to local veterans during the RSVP’s 6th Annual Valentines for Vets. The volunteers created each valentine to show appreciation and respect to veterans for serving the country.
Cade said the connection with the Valentine’s for Veterans project and local school children is very important. “The valentines were made by children and adults and each one brought comfort and joy to the veterans,” she said. RSVP also partnered with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Hometown Heroes Project to provide 100 valentines that were sent to the Oregon National Guard’s St. Helens unit. “I think it must be very uplifting to them to hear from people in their own community and thanking them for their service,” Cade said. Columbia County RSVP is located at 270 Columbia Blvd. in St. Helens. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Call 503-397-5655, or see RSVP’s Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/columbiacountyrsvp.
Global Partners switching from ethanol to renewable diesel CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Global Partners, LP will soon switch from exporting ethanol to exporting renewable diesel. Global owns the Columbia Pacific BioRefinery at Port Westward in Clatskanie. During a meeting of the Port of Columbia County on Feb. 12, Global Presdent and CEO Eric Slifka said he will soon ask the port for a lease amendment to move from exporting ethanol products at Port Westward to exporting renewable, or “green” diesel. Port public relations representative Gina Sisco said the port had no further information about when the
change by Global would occur. “Renewable diesel is a fuel that is chemically similar to petroleum diesel, but 100% renewable and sustainable,” the port wrote in a statement. The change will result in Global sending shorter trains of about 40 cars to Port Westward at more frequent intervals, instead of their current trains of more than 100 cars, according to Catie Kerns, Vice President of External Communications for Global Partners, LP. Global is switching fully from ethanol to renewable diesel, but will continue to move the same quantity of fuel. There will be a public open house in March to out-
line more details about the move, according to Kerns. The time, date and location of the public open house is pending. Before the change by Global can happen, two different permits will need to be modified. The port must approve allowing a modification of Global’s existing lease in order to allow renewable diesel, and Global must modify its permit through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to allow for renewable diesel. “We’re working with the state right now to try to find what that looks like,” Kerns
said. “The product itself is actually currently lower than the products we’re already approved for, so we’re expecting it to be a somewhat simple process.” Kerns said renewable diesel is likely safer than ethanol. “The constituents of renewable diesel are actually very similar to diesel, it takes a lot more to make the product combust,” Kerns said. “In theory the product should be safer. We’re really working on vetting out this information over the next couple of weeks and making sure we have good answers for the public.”
Kerns said Global is the moving toward renewable diesel in place of ethanol due to the current diesel market and customer demand. There is a big demand for renewable diesel on the market right now, especially on the West Coast, according to Kerns. Additionally, Global Partners is a logistics provider – a company that provides management over the flow of goods and materials between points of origin to end-use destination, and was asked by a client to receive, store and ship the product. “Ethanol is a renewable fuel, but renewable diesel is
the next step and we’re just proud to be part of that opportunity,” Kerns said. Global Partners, LP came under fire in December of 2018 when the port voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the company’s lease agreement to allow the company to work with heavier grades of crude oil. The environmental watchdog group, Columbia Riverkeeper, criticized the amendment change as being unsafe. Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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Local, state agencies issue fraud alerts JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Local law enforcement and the Oregon Department of Justice are issuing new consumer alerts about scams designed to steal your money. The first fraud warning involves an 80-year old widower who lost $200,000 in a catfishing, or fraud incident. According to Division officials, the unidentified fraudster stole a Florida woman’s identity to befriend the Oregonian through an online dating service and persuaded him to send money for a business opportunity. Over several months, the con artist convinced the elderly man that they were in a long-distance romantic relationship, and proposed an opportunity to support an art gallery in Florida. The scammer pretended to seek investors to cover $5 million in transportation costs to ship a 500-ton marble lion sculpture from China. The con artist promised that investments would be returned plus a percentage of the profits from the sale of the sculpture. The widower even received fabricated documents detailing the contract with the museum and bank statements. Relying on the documents and his romantic relationship, the victim made a series of payments over five months to various individuals and overseas bank accounts totaling more than $200,000. The widower lost his entire investment and investigators have been unable to locate the scammer. “Romance scams typically target older individuals, gain their trust, then ask for money through social media and dating websites,” Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Division Administrator Andrew Stolfi said. “Unfortunately, victims often wire funds overseas or to third-party transfer agents, making it
Photo courtesy of Hilliard Brad
In the catfishing fraud, officials said the scammer pretended to seek investors to cover $5 million in transportation costs to ship a 500-ton marble lion sculpture from China.
difficult to track the money and identify the con artist.” The Division encourages consumers to do their homework before making any investment. To protect yourself from getting catfished or falling for an investment scam, follow these tips: • Do not send money to anyone you have not met in person, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information. • Do not transfer money to unknown people or intermediaries. If you need to use a third party to send money, use a licensed money transmitter. • Keep copies of all communications with scammers and report them to the division, the online dating site, the local police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Trade Commission. Columbia County phone scam In St. Helens, local police are alerting consumers of the latest telephone scam
in which the person making the phone call is demanding money from citizens. The caller threatens to contact a Detective Thomas Williams with the St. Helens Police Department if the person does not pay the money. “Phone scams demanding money and threatening legal action are very common nowadays,” according to a release posted on the St. Helens Police Facebook page. The post advises anyone receiving such a call to: • Never commit to making any kind of payment over the phone without first verifying the legitimacy of the call. • Never give personal information over the phone without first verifying the legitimacy of the call The St. Helens Police Facebook post also said that an unexpected phone call demanding money is a red flag. • Don’t believe your caller ID. Caller ID can be made to look like the phone call is coming from a company,
government agency, or person that you are familiar with. Police advise that if you receive an unexpected call demanding immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone. You can always call the company, agency, or person back at a number that you know to be genuine to verify if you owe money. If you suspect a scam, but aren’t sure what to do, call the St. Helens Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch at 503-397-1521 and ask to speak with an officer. The Oregon Justice Department’s Kristina Edmunson said the last few months of 2019, fraud involving store discount coupon scams were among consumer complaints. “These have been around for a couple of years and they’ve grown traction though social media sites, mostly Facebook,” Edmunson said. “To access the coupons you have to enter a lot of personal information,
such as your name, address and email.” Edmunson said once the scammers have such personal information you likely will receive a call from them. “They call you out of the blue with some sort of wild story like you have won a free car but they say they need more of your personal information first,” she said. “We are consistently reminding people, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and this is one of those that is spot on.” Another phone scam that has been circulating in Oregon involves a caller asking for $70 to provide you with birth and death certificates, but the certificates never arrive after consumers send in the money. U.S. Census concerns A possible fraud that the Oregon Justice Department is closely reviewing involves the U.S. Census. “The Republican National Committee has been mail-
ing forms to the public that look like U.S. census forms and they ask for $15 to process your census form,” Edmunson said. “In reality, your $15 is a contribution to the Republican Party.” Edmunson said such a political contribution request is questionable. “The official census surveys do not cost money to complete,” Edmunson said. “We urge you to carefully read such documents and you will see that the questionable forms are mailed by a political party. I think we are gong to see more frauds related to the census.” Scammers have learned that a vast majority of older adults control the vast majority of wealth and they are easy to find, according to Edmunson, who said scammers also market younger people and children through apps. Edmunson said the scammers are clever. They use a variety of techniques to get your personal information and your money, and many times they are making the calls from overseas. “It is really tough to track them down and often times they are in countries that don’t care and that is our struggle,” Edmunson said. “That’s why the Oregon Attorney General has put so much in education. It is really heartbreaking to hear that people have lost a lot of money. In many cases the money is gone.” For more information and tips about investing, visit dfr.oregon.gov/financial/investments. Consumers can also contact the division’s advocates at 888877-4894 (toll-free) to ask questions, file complaints, or check the license of a company or advisor. The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov or call 503-378-4100.
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Friday, February 21, 2020
•V iewpoints • •
Cap and Trade: TIMBERUNITY responds MIKE PIHL Chief Guest Column
I started out picking strawberries for our neighbors at 6 years old, and graduated to picking black caps at 10. From then, I moved to hauling hay and working on a dairy. When I was 15, I paid cash for my first tractor. By the time I graduated from high school, I had all the implements to pull behind my tractor and a combine – all bought with cash. After graduating, the logging bug got ahold of me. I worked for several local loggers, then went to a logging camp in Southeast Alaska. I saved my money and paid cash for my first logging machine at 22. Today, 38 years later, I’m in the fight of my life. When I first heard about House Bill 2020, the 2019 Cap and Trade bill, it caught my attention. I read a 2-page flyer about the bill and thought “this sounds great.” I wanted to know more than what the flyer provided,
so I printed off all 98 pages of the bill and flipped to the last page. On the last page was an “emergency clause”. I found out that when the Oregon legislature uses an “emergency clause” in a bill, it means that Oregonians can’t refer the bill to the voters for approval. I didn’t like that, so I read the entire bill at least 10 times. What I discovered when I read the bill was that it was so open-ended and vague, and had so many government agencies involved, that I was having a hard time making any sense of it. So I started asking around, and discovered most of the other business owners I talked to that were following the bill couldn’t understand it either. That bothered me. You better believe it when I say we need to protect our home and planet. But taxing and regulating the timber operators out of business is no way to accomplish that task. Fortunately, there was a growing group of others in rural Oregon, many in the timber industry, who were very concerned about House
Bill 2020 and its impact on their communities and their jobs. So “TIMBERUNITY” was formed. We rallied twice in Salem during the 2019 legislative session to voice our concerns about the cap and trade bill. Fortunately, we were successful, in part because our rallies were done in a peaceful and orderly fashion. We didn’t wear masks, bring baseball bats, throw bottles, or act in a way that invited trouble. Our parents taught us better than that. After the legislature went home and House Bill 2020 was defeated, I spent $450,000 on a cleanemission timber harvesting machine for my logging business, to replace the less efficient and “dirtier” machine I had been using. After hearing that the legislature was going to bring back a brand new cap and trade bill in 2020, I’m starting to wonder if I would have been better off just to keep my old machine with high hours and mechanical issues. Most Oregonians don’t appreciate that we already
have thousands of carbon eating machines in Oregon. They’re called fir trees, and they do their work all day, every day, unregulated by the State of Oregon. I’ve harvested thousands of those trees in my career, and replanted many more trees than I’ve harvested – it’s the law, and it works well. Unfortunately, the Oregon legislature is back with Senate Bill 1530, a new cap and trade bill that is very similar to House Bill 2020. If this bill passes, Oregonians can expect their fuel costs to rise tremendously. Under House Bill 2020, the legislature’s fiscal office estimated that gas prices would rise from 19 to 72 cents in the first year alone, with prices climbing higher as each year passed. Imagine that – paying an additional 72 cents a gallon for gas in the first year alone. For companies like mine, the increased gas costs would bankrupt us. Plus, our utility rates would rise by double digits as well. The goal of the legislators sponsoring the cap and trade
bill is to force Oregonians away from gas powered engines and into electric vehicles. I have no problem with electric vehicles, but they don’t make electric machines for most jobs in my industry, and most Oregonians can’t afford an electric car for their day-to-day activities. In rural Oregon, electric cars are difficult to use, due to the long distances that people travel each day. We just aren’t the same as people in big cities with short commutes. If you add the costs of a new cap and trade bill to the corporate activity tax that the Oregon legislature approved last year, companies like mine won’t make it. I already missed paying myself many times last year after paying my employees and business expenses, because of the increased taxes and fees from the Oregon legislature. I don’t know how much more “anti-business” I can take from Salem. I don’t want a handout – I just don’t want to be run out of business because of new taxes and fees crafted by the legislature each year. Please,
give small business a break. Now that we’re in the short session and the same legislators are back with the new cap and trade bill, the very best family-wage jobs in rural Oregon are once again on the line. On February 6, TIMBERUNITY held another rally at the Capitol in Salem. This time, we had 1,100 trucks and 10,000 rural Oregonians in attendance – all concerned stewards of the land, and all petrified of losing the last of our high paying rural jobs. And we’ll keep coming back as long as we have to. We all care about the environment, but cap and trade is a bad idea. If the Oregon legislature is going to pass Senate Bill 1530, the least it can do is send the bill to the Oregon voters and let us make our case to all Oregon voters. Once they understand what the bill does to their rural neighbors, they’ll join us and demand a better solution. TIMBERUNITY President Mike Pihl
Local student choirs, coyote-killing, your visit School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Hannah Moorman are recipients of the Gold Award from the American Choral Directors Association, due to the high scores that have qualified them for the OSAA State Choir Championships. The Scappoose High Chamber Choir regularly places in the top five in the State competition and are truly a talented group of singers. Half way point BRAD WITT Chief Guest Column
This week at the Capitol the St. Helens High School‘s Chor Leonis, a premiere chorus, performed the opening ceremonies for the Oregon State Senate. For the House of Representatives, the Scappoose High School Chamber Choir’s performance of the National Anthem was absolutely incredible. Members and visitors to both Chambers enjoyed outstanding performances from the students of Columbia County. Both Senator Johnson and I were filled with pride as their beautiful voices enthralled the audiences and resonated throughout the building. Chor Leonis, the Choir of the Lions, is the St. Helen’s High School’s premiere festival chorus. They will be representing the United States this summer at the 19th International, world-class choral festival in Powell River, BC. Choirs selected for this festival are usually professional and semi-professional choirs from around the word. Chor Leonis has the honor of being the first public high school choir selected in over 12 years. The Scappoose High
As we reach the half-way point of the short session, bills need to be moving from one Chamber to the other if they have any chance of approval. Two bills that deal with driving privileges cleared the House this week. HB 4125 A Requires the insurer to provide notice at least 10 days prior to canceling a vehicle liability insurance policy that has been in effect for fewer than 60 days. Currently an auto liability insurance policy may be canceled, but the policy holder must be given a 30-day notice of cancellation. If the policy has been in effect for fewer than 60 days, the 30-day cancellation notice does not apply. The new law will require a 10-day notice of cancellation for auto insurance policies that have been in effect for fewer than 60 days. HB 4125 A received a unanimous vote in the House Chamber on Monday and now moves to the Senate for consideration. HB 4065 would end the practice of suspending a driver’s license for failing to pay a traffic ticket, but it would not make the debt go away. Police agencies could still go after the fine by garnishing a person’s paycheck or tax return, or turn
the debt over to a collection agency. Suspending a driver’s license deprives people of reliable, lawful transportation necessary to get to work, medical appoints, care for their family and meet their financial obligations. On Tuesday, HB 4065 passed on a 42-16 House vote before moving to the Senate. I am the Chief Sponsor of HB 4075 A legislation that prohibits coyote-killing contests for cash or prizes. This legislation still allows coyotes to be hunted as they are now, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without bag limits, just not for money. I carried HB 4075 A on the House Floor on Tuesday, where it was approved on a 42-16 vote, and now moves to the Senate. In order to best represent the people of House District 31, I need to hear from you as measures are introduced and taken up for consideration. It is my privilege to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives, so if you have an issue or concern regarding a state agency, please contact my office. If you are planning to visit the Capitol in the next couple of weeks, please call in advance to see if we can arrange an appointment, I always enjoy seeing constituents when they visit Salem. Rep. Brad Witt serves House District 31. He may be reached at: • Email: Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov • Telephone: 503-986-1431 • Capitol Building: 900 Court St NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301 • Website: http://www. oregonlegislature.gov/witt
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Friday, February 21, 2020
Columbia County Mental Health appoints interim director STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) Board of Directors has appointed Linda Prichett as the agency’s interim director. “The board of directors feels that Linda’s intricate knowledge of the agency and her years of leadership experience as one of its directors will ensure uninterrupted service to the citizens of Columbia County,” according to a statement issued Sunday, Feb. 18, from CCMH. Prichett begins her ap-
•
pointment immediately. “This will give the board of directors strong leadership at the agency while they continue the search for a permanent E.D,” Columbia Community Mental Health public relations director
Hope Wirta said. Prichett’s appointment follows the Feb. 5 announcement from CCMH that Julia Jackson, the nonprofit’s executive director, had separated employment with the agency.
•O bituaries • • Carl Pellham
Feb. 1, 1930 ~ Feb. 10, 2020 Carl Pellham, longtime resident of Columbia County, passed away on Feb. 10, 2020 at the age of 90. Carl was born on the 1st of February 1930 in Inola, Oklahoma to Corbin and Maude Pellham. He was one of 11 children. The family moved to the northwest around 1936 and shortly thereafter became residents of Columbia County. He married his wife of 71 years Gwen Hummels in 1948 in Woodland, Washington. They raised four children in the Clatskanie and Rainier
area. After living in the Fern Hill area of Rainier for 29
years they moved to St. Helens to be closer to the grandchildren. Carl and Gwen could be found at all the sporting events around town. He was a longtime member of Mayger Downing Community Church and Grace Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Gwen of St. Helens; son Carl of Rainier; daughter Roxanne (Lonnie) Hadlock of Sumpter; son Steve (Joanne) of St. Helens; son Bill (Colleen) of St. Helens; five grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
Beverly Ann Carpenter Jan. 26, 1945 ~ Feb. 11, 2020
Beverly Ann Carpenter, 75, passed away on Feb. 11, 2020 at the Thanksgiving House in St. Helens after a lengthy illness with her family was at her side. She was born in St. Helens on Jan. 26, 1945 and was a lifelong resident. Her parents were Irene Loretta and Carl Edison Putman. Bev was employed at Boise Cascade and Midway Electric and did volunteer work for Meals on Wheels and the St. Helens Little League. Beverly loved snow,
Christmas and cooking. Her Christmas trees were beautifully decorated and you could often find her “doing the snow dance.” In her spare time, she loved working the daily crossword puzzle. She is survived by her husband Charles D. Carpenter; son Michael Carpenter; three grandsons, Jacob, Eli and Jackson Carpenter; brother Douglas (Marilyn) Putman of Clatskanie; brothers-in-law, Jim (Martina), Steve (Charlotte),
Trish and Bob Delozier, Joe (Pam), Jeff (Debbie) and David (Nancy) Carpenter; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Irene Putman, and son Craig Carpenter. At her request, there will be no service. Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Doernbecher Foundation, P. O. Box 29017, Portland, Oregon 97219 in her name or a charity of their choice.
•Area Churches••
• CLATSKANIE
Clatskanie Baptist Church 415 South Nehalem St., 503-728-2304 Senior Pastor Kirk Bennett Clatskanie Presbyterian Church 215 South Nehalem Street Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-2300 Clatskanie Presbyterian Church is a community of Christian faith that expresses a relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit for everyone individually and collectively. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 Pastor: Erik Huget Old Testament: Exodus 24: 12-18 New Testament: 2nd Peter 1: 15+21 Reading for today: Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen Sermon title: Are You There? Adult bible study at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday in the Fireside Room Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary Mayger-Downing Community Church 80071 Life Lane, 503-728-2305 Pastor John Thomas St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 100 SW High Street 503-556-5641 Great Vow Zen Monastery 79640 Quincy-Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 Sunday Morning Program 10am 503-728-0654 Faith Lutheran Church 1010 5th Street, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016. 503-728-4604 Pastor - Mary Anthony
RAINIER
Alston’s Corner Assembly of God 25272 Alston Rd. 503-556-1961 Pastor Steve Berry Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin 204 C St., E Rainier 503-556-5641 Rainier Assembly of God 74950 Rock Crest St., 503-556-8211 Pastor Jeff McCraken Rainier Community Church of God 321 W C St., Rainier, 503-556-5661
Rainier United Methodist Church Corner of 1st & ‘C’ St., 503-556-3440 Pastor Michele Holloway Riverside Community Church 305 West C Street, Rainier 503-556-1216; Pastor Paul Rice Columbia Bible Church 10:30 a.m. Sunday 407 East Second St. Rainier, OR 97016 Robert Klukas 360-501-4060 Heritage Bible Church, Rainier Senior Center, 48 W 7th St., Rainier, Oregon 97048
ST. HELENS
Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church 1911 Columbia Blvd., 503-3121072 Pastor Burkhardt Calvary Lutheran Church 58251 Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1739 Pastor: Mark Dennis Columbia River Foursquare Church 555 Commons Drive, St. Helens 503-397-0069 Senior Pastor Mike Cooke Christ Episcopal Church 35350 E. Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1033 Rev. Jaime Sanders Columbia Christian Center 235 S 15th St., 503-366-8028 Pastor Terry Luttrell St. Helens Community Bible Church 35031 Millard Rd., St. Helens Pastor Max Snook www.sthelensbiblechurch.org Christian Church 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens 503-397-2151 Pastor Justin Bruner First Lutheran Church 360 Wyeth St. 503-397-0090 Interim Pastor Randy Sinn First United Methodist Church 560 Columbia Blvd., 503-397-0061 Pastor Jared Maddox Plymouth Presbyterian Church 2615 Sykes Rd., 503-397-0062 Pastor David Hutchinson
St. Frederic Catholic Church 175 S. 13th St., 503-397-0148 Father Nicolaus Marandu The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2755 Sykes Road, St. Helens St. Helens 1st Ward Bishop Kent Dery 971-225-8727 St. Helens 2nd Ward Bishop Paul Erickson 971-8134000 Scappoose Ward Bishop Lorin Fielding 503-987-2179 Sunset Park Community Church 174 Sunset Blvd, St Helens Pastor Aaron Hiller St. Helens Church of Christ 295 S. 18th St., St. Helens Pastor Ivan Bissell 503-366-0967
•
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•C ommunity C alendar • •
Mondays: • Oregon Hunters Association Columbia County Chapter membership meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the Kozy Korner Restaurant in St. Helens. Meetings start at 7 p.m. or come early at 6:30 p.m. for some good food and visiting. • Community Action Team Board of Directors meetings take place on the fourth Monday of every month unless the meeting would fall on a holiday, from 2 – 4 p.m. in the CAT boardroom, 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens. • The American Legion Post 68 meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St., Clatskanie. Tuesdays: • The VFW meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 960 SW 5th St., Clatskanie. • The Columbia County Law Library will be holding Court Forms Clinics every Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (weather permitting). Get help filling our court forms commonly used in the Columbia County courthouse. The forms are free and the clinic is free. Sign up is required and is available at the courthouse Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or at the
•
Law Library Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Questions: 503-396-5344 or ccll@columbiacll.org or davis12000@aol.com. Wednesdays: • Rotary Club of Columbia County – St. Helens meeting is held at the Warren Country Inn at 12 p.m. For more information, call 503-397-2341. • Columbia SWCD meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens. December’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. • Lawyer in the Law Library is a series of talks about common legal problems. Meeting are on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A lawyer will provide basic information and answer your questions about the topic of the evening. Columbia County Law Library, 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Call 503-396-5344 with questions. • Port of Columbia County Board of Commissioners hold meetings at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Port of Columbia County office, 100 E St., Columbia City. Thursdays: • The Veterans breakfast is held the first Thursday of the
month at 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St., Clatskanie. • The regular monthly Rainier Chamber of Commerce meeting is held on the second Thursday of every month at 12 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Lunch is provided for a suggested $6 donation. Fridays: • Veteran’s Breakfast at the Village Inn in the Banquet Room the first Friday of every month. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the meeting starts at 8 a.m. Guest speakers will discuss topics that are important to local Veterans and their families. All veterans are welcome to attend. Saturdays: • NAMI Columbia County Support Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness, meets on the second Saturday of every month from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Elks Veterans Bunker, 125 S. 13th St., St Helens, Oregon. For more information, contact Judy Thompson 503-397-6056 or contact NAMI Oregon at 503230-8009. • The Rainier Historical Museum is open every Saturday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. It is located inside Rainier City Hall. Please enter the side entrance and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
•C ommunity E vents • •
February 22 • Eagles Spaghetti Dinner: 6 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the Rainier Senior Center will be held at 109 W A Street in Rainier.
medial. All work will be juried at entry. Prospectus available at: columbianartists.org. For questions, contact Eileen Thompson at 206-949-9811 or webster9821@comcast.net.
March 13 • Columbia County Job Fair: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Columbia River Four Square Church, 555 Commons Dr. St. Helens.
April 14 • Columbia County Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. at 58611 McNulty Way, St. Helens.
April 4 - 13 • 44th Annual Spring Art Show: Call to Artists - The Columbian Artists Association presents the 44th Annual Spring Art Show at the Red Lion Inn, Kelso, Washington. This event is open to artists in 2-D and 3-D
April 18 • Home and Garden Show: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051. Come by and enjoy the Master Gardeners
February 22, 2020 11-4 pm Fashion Show 2 pm Free Admission
Sponsors:
presentations, hear music from the St. Helens Public Library Ukulele Orchestra and see many other vendors. Get your free tickets at The Chronicle, InRoads, Clatskanie PUD and Don’s Rental. $3 admission at the door. April 19 • Home and Garden Show: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Rd., St. Helens, OR 97051. Come by and enjoy the Master Gardeners presentations and see many other vendors. Get your free tickets at The Chronicle, InRoads, Clatskanie PUD and Don’s Rental. $3 admission at the door.
Meriweather Place 1070 Columbia Blvd St. Helens OR, 97051
Wedding Cakes Event Planner Photography Accessories Officiant Catering
Flowers Music Giveways Samples & more
Presented by Dianna’s Formal Affair Information: 503-397-3026 Columbiacountybridalexpo
SCAPPOOSE
Grace Lutheran Church 51737 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose 503-543-6555 Joshua Wiley Scappoose Foursquare Church 33404 SW JP West, Scappoose 503-543-5069 Pastor Daniel Schmoll St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 51555 SW Old Port Rd., Scappoose 503-543-2110 Chuck Wood
WARREN
Bethany Lutheran Church 34721 Church Rd., Warren 503-397-2050, Ingrid Aderhold Grace Baptist Church 58690 Ross Rd., Warren 503-397-0405 Pastor Dean Christensen Warren Baptist Church 56799 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-1005 Pastor Randy Thomas Warren Community Fellowship 56523 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-4387 Pastor Cary Wacker
Family Memories are made at Fultano’s Thank you Toby and Kara Harris!
GOBLE
Cornerstone Baptist Church 70024 Goble Rd. 360-562-6201 Pastor Fred Mathews
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The Rainier Senior Center will be having a free AARP tax clinic in conjunction with the IRS to assist low to middle income tax payers on March 13th. The emphasis will be on seniors but is open to the public. You do not need to be a member of the RSC but will need to come in to put your name on a list. Rainier Senior Center 48 W. 7th St. Rainier, OR 97048. Questions call 503-5563889.
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A special meeting in executive session of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00pm at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR, Port
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Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING NOTICE of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School) To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations. Board President, Robert Keyser
The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
Clatskanie Grows: Workshops, classes and what to do about lichens Chief Guest Column by CHIP BUBL
Oregon State University Extension Service - Columbia County
Grafting workshop March 7 The OSU Extension office in St. Helens will be hosting a grafting workshop on March 7 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Participants will be taught how to graft apple scions on to dwarf apple rootstocks. Each participant will receive five rootstocks to work with and supplies to secure the graft. Scion varieties will be available for free or participants can bring their own varieties they wish to graft. Cost of the workshop is $15. The class is limited to 20 people so early registration will assure a place. To register or for more information, call the Extension office at 503 397-3462. Intermediate canning class offered
The OSU Extension Service in Columbia County offers information, classes, and resources to help residents safely preserve foods at home. Registration is now open for our Intermediate Level Canning and Food Preservation Class. This three hour class is for anyone who already has prior experience with canning, but would like a refresher on current safety practices. The class will focus on a review of canning in both a pressure canner and boiling water canner. Participants will practice making and canning recipes in the kitchen, and will process a jar to take home. Space is limited, so call soon to reserve your spot. Preregistration is required. Class Date and Time: Saturday March 7, 2020, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbia Soil
and Water Conservation District, 35285 Millard Road, St. Helens, OR 97051. Cost: $25. Scholarships are available by request. Registration: Call or email the OSU Extension Service to sign up at 503-397-3462 or Sonia. reagan@oregonstate.edu. Choosing and caring for houseplants talk There will be a program at the OSU Extension office in St. Helens on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Household hazardous waste collection event in St. Helens Columbia County will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, at the Waste Transfer Station at 1601 Railroad Avenue in St. Helens. Keeping the environment clean and protecting fish and wildlife habitat as well as water quality is one of Columbia County’s goals. One way to help reach that goal is to provide residents a safe and responsible way to dis-card toxic and dangerous household hazardous waste. Below is a list of items that can be brought to the Saturday, February 22 event. Items must be in containers of less than five gallons and should be secured safely during transport. Trained household hazardous waste technicians will unload materials from vehicles. Here is what can be brought in for this event: ammunition, fireworks and flares, gas/diesel/fuels, lawn and garden chemicals, herbicides and pesticides, pool and spa chemicals, light ballasts—please remove from light fixtures, fluorescent tubes, art and hobby, chemicals, solvents and thinners, items containing mercury, propane cylinders, compressed gas cylinders, batteries - car, rechargeable, button —no alkaline, cleaners and detergents, paint and paint products (latex and acrylic paint, oil-based paint, enamel, stains, lacquers,
shellacs, varnishes, primers), poisons, used motor oil and antifreeze, medical sharps in OSHA-approved containers. Take advantage of this service. No garbage, trash, items containing asbestos, or liquids in containers larger than five gallons will be taken. No pharmaceuticals will be taken but they can be dropped off at the St. Helens Police Station at regular business hours. Call them for details. Columbia County Small Woodlands Association Annual Tree Sale
ers, and or fragrance. Species include the following: elite Douglas fir, noble fir, western red cedar, coast redwood, incense cedar, western hemlock, giant sequoia, mimosa, grand fir, ponderosa valley pine, giant dogwood, Japanese snowbell, Korean fir, red Japanese maple, black gum, European beach, Shantung maple, katsura tree, purple lilac, river birch, Japanese zelkova, twinberry honeysuckle. Many of the spe-cies are small and desirable for small properties. Columbia County Small Woodlands Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to responsible forest stewardship and clean water. For additional information on the sale contact Lynn Baker at (503) 708-9066.
Clatskanie Grows
Lichens and moss on trees and shrubs concern gardeners. But should they? On Saturday March 14, the Columbia County Small Woodlands Association will hold its 22nd annual tree sale. The sale begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Lawrence Oil (Pacific Pride) parking lot at 845 N Columbia River Hwy in St. Helens on Hwy 30. Twenty-two different species of deciduous and conifer trees will be available for purchase. Prices range from $1.50 to $6. They will also have bags of Douglas fir, noble fir, western red cedar, and coast redwood available for purchase. Cash and checks will be accepted for payment. As always buyers are advised to come early for best selection. The selections for this sale are mostly bare root with ornamental trees being selected for colorful fall foliage, flow-
There are several things to know about these interesting plants. First, they are not para-sites. They attach to trees and shrubs but take nothing from them. To prove this point, lichens can survive on fence posts, rocks, car bodies outside in the rain, etc. Second, lichens are a botanical mash-up with a fungus and an alga (or sometimes, a cyanobacteria in place of the alga) living together to create a single functional species. The alga provides the chloroplasts for photosynthesis (energycapture) while the fungal partner traps minerals from rainwater, holds moisture, and provides interesting biochemical compounds important to the growth and development of the lichen. There are over 1000 spe-
cies of macro (the large ones) and micro (the teeny ones) lichens in the Pacific Northwest. Lichen abundance and the pattern of species distribution has been used to assess air quality since lichens (to varying degrees) are generally intolerant of pollution. Vernonia, with little air contaminants and lots of cool rainy days, is home to a rich lichen flora. An odd cold war tidbit: lichens were used to determine when China tested its early nuclear bombs since micro-amounts of radioactive Cesium from the blast would be captured by lichens on the west coast. Systematic sampling for Cesium was part of the tool kit to know what the Chinese were up to before there were satellites. They are now helping us to monitor the progress/impact of global warming.
Third, lichen volume on a tree or shrub does build up over time. It generally takes about 3-5 years for new tree growth to get its first lichen or moss colonies. Very slow growing trees may look like they are being inundated with lichens but that is because they either aren’t vigorous by nature or need rejuvenation pruning to force more growth. Lichens tend to be more abundant in shady or moist locations. Trees that are shading themselves because they are overgrown are good candidates lichen growth and also good candidates for pruning to improve air circulation. Fourth, lots of species make use of lichens. One local hummingbird covers the outer surface of its nest with lichen “shingles” to keep it a bit drier and somewhat disguised. Lots of birds look for
insects and spiders for winter feed amongst the lichen growth. And the ability of lichens to hold water in tree canopies helped smooth out the moisture in the for-est, improving tree stand growth Finally, lichens and moss will be removed, albeit slowly, from trees and shrubs when you use dormant sulfur or copper sprays. You can also pull moss and lichens from stems without damaging the plant. For more information about these fascinating plants, go to https:// www.backyardnature.net/ lichens.htm and http://www. opalcreek.org/wp-content/ uploads/2016/03/A-FieldGuide-to-the-Lichens-ofOpal-Creek-2016.pdf 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 http://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 https://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: 505 N. Columbia River Highway , St. Helens, OR 97051. 503 397-3462 . Email: chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu
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Friday, February 21, 2020
• 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. Rainier Police Feb. 5 • Officers checked a building responding to an alarm call. The building was found to be secure. • Officers were dispatched to a disturbance. It appeared to be verbal in nature and peace was restored. • Officers checked on a residential alarm. It was determined to be a false alarm. Feb. 6 • A homeowner reported an unwanted subject at their property. The person was a tenant moving their belongings. Feb. 8 • Deborah Revill, 39, of Rainier, was taken into custody on suspicion of DUII and additionally cited for DWS. • A caller reported a suspected prowler outside of their residence. No one was found in the area when an officer arrived.
Feb. 11 • A young man was upset after he went to a residence where he used to live wanting to retrieve his W2 forms. The resident advised he did not have them. The young man was advised to contact his previous employer to get a copy from them. Feb. 12 • An officer observed a vehicle drive in the oncoming lane of travel, drive over a curb and stop in an empty lot. The officer made contact with the driver who provided false information as to his identity. The driver, later identified as Rodger Berry, 48, of Longview, was taken into custody on outstanding warrants and cited for his traffic violations. • A driver reported that her car had been hit about a week ago by an unknown person. Feb. 13 • Some bedding that was found at the marina was turned in as found property. • Eulogio Verdecia-Romero, 50, was taken into custody and lodged at the jail on two outstanding warrants. • A disoriented woman, with her shoes on the wrong feet, was attempting to get into the beer cooler at Chevron. An officer was able to provide the woman a courtesy ride to her residence.
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Feb. 14 • A very skinny dog was reportedly roaming a neighborhood. The dog was not located. Oregon State Police Feb. 14 11 a.m. • Oregon State Police assisted Columbia County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation and documentation of a two-vehicle critical injury collision on Delena Mayger Road near Cox Road in an unincorporated area of Columbia County. The collision occurred when a northbound passenger car crossed the centerline while negotiating a tight right-hand curve and collided head-on into a southbound straight truck. The operator of the car was transported by air ambulance with critical injuries. The operator of the straight truck was not injured. Feb. 14 2:46 p.m. • Troopers responded to a multiple vehicle injury crash on Highway 30 near milepost 26.5. One driver was transported for injuries and the other driver left with no injuries. The at-fault driver, Kacie Jean Churchill, was issued multiple citations. Feb. 15 4:07 p.m. • OSP Troopers observed an altercation between a man and a woman off of Highway 30 near milepost 64. It was discovered that the involved female,
Lorraine Byrd, had an active warrant for her arrest. The warrant as confirmed and she was transported to the Columbia County Jail. Feb. 15 11:30 p.m. • Troopers stopped a white pickup near milepost 27 on Highway 30 for a speed violation. During the traffic stop the driver showed numerous indicators of impairment. The driver admitted consuming alcohol prior to driving and consented to performing the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. The driver, Fortunate Vasquespacheco, was subsequently placed under arrest for DUII. He was transported to the Columbia County Jail where he provided a breath sample which resulted in a BAC pf 0.10%. He was booked and released and the vehicle was towed. Feb. 16 3:34 p.m. • A citizen located a large bag of trash on Smith Road in Columbia County. He found mail in the garbage from a residence in Saint Helens. A State Trooper investigated the garbage also and found discarded mail belonging to the same person in Saint Helens. Contact was made with the resident who admitted that one of her adult children had made a dump run for her while she was out of town. She was given two days to find out which adult child had done it. It was suggested that
the garbage get picked up and taken to the Columbia County Transfer Station. Feb. 17 6:32 a.m. • Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle, with reported injury, crash on Highway 30 near milepost 55. Investigation revealed the driver of westbound Unit #1, a red Ford pickup, was driving too fast for conditions and subsequently lost control and collided with westbound Unit #2, a loaded log truck. The driver and passenger of Unit #1 were transported by EMS to a local hospital for suspected injury. Unit #1 was towed by Drakes Towing. The driver of Unit #2 was not injured. Unit #2 was repaired on scene and driven away. Feb. 17 7:15 a.m. • Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 30 at milepost 54.5. Investigation revealed westbound Unit #1, a black Dodge pickup, was traveling too fast for conditions when it lost control, went into the ditch, and then flipped onto its roof. All six occupants were uninjured. Unit #1 was towed by Grumpy’s Towing. Feb. 17 7:16 p.m. • The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 54.5. Investigation showed westbound Unit #1,
a dump truck, lost control and collided with a concrete barrier. CCSO determined the crash was not reportable. ODOT was notified about the barrier that had been pushed out. Feb. 17 11:57 a.m. • Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 49. Investigation revealed the driver of eastbound Unit #1, a maroon Subaru wagon, was not paying attention and following too closely to eastbound Unit #2, a black Nissan pickup, that had stopped for congested traffic. Subsequently, the driver of Unit #1 was unable to stop and rear-ended Unit #2. No injuries were reported. Unit #1 was by the owner. Unit #2 was driven away. Feb. 18 5:53 a.m. • Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 49. Investigation revealed the driver of westbound Unit #1, a white Chrysler passenger car, failed to safely merge onto Highway 30 and subsequently sideswiped westbound Unit #2, a commercial motor vehicle. No injuries were reported. Neither involved vehicle required a tow truck. See the Columbia County Sheriff’s logs at thechiefnews.com.
Search ends for missing man STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The search for a missing Vernonia man has ended. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, missing man Curt Golson was found deceased. At approximately 1 p.m. on Feb. 15, a citizen located
a vehicle that they believed belonged to Golson in the Vernonia area. Deputies arrived in the area and were able to locate Golson, who was deceased. No other details have been released by the sheriff’s office and the incident was still under investigation as of late Thursday, Feb. 20. The sheriff’s office
launched a search effort for Golson on Feb. 13 following a report that he had not been heard from since Jan. 25. “Our condolences go out to the Golson family and we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” according to the sheriff’s office Facebook post.
Commission opposing cap and trade bill CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Education
Families, schools, communities and state-level policymakers use the aggregate data from this assessment to look for trends and determine what is working and what is not in early childhood programs and preparation.
County moving ahead in kindergarten assessment Every fall, Oregon’s incoming kindergarteners take an assessment meant to determine their early literacy, early math, interpersonal and self-regulation skills. The purpose of this observational and activitybased assessment - known as the Kindergarten Assessment - is to get a snapshot of a student’s skill level when they enter kindergarten. The Oregon Department of Education released the statewide data for this assessment this past Thursday. Families, schools, communities and state-level policymakers use the aggregate data from this assessment to look for trends and determine what is working and what is not in early childhood programs and preparation. The data can also be used to determine whether and where there are gaps between specific racial and ethnic groups. Kindergarten assessment highlights for Northwest Regional Education Service District’s four-county region include: • Clatsop and Washington county students performed above the state average on the early literacy domain. • Clatsop, Columbia,
Tillamook, and Washington county students scored at or above the state average on their interpersonal, self-regulation and early math skills. • Astoria, Banks, Beaverton, Gaston, Neah-Kah-Nie, Scappoose, Tigard-Tualatin school district students scored above average in early literacy, early math, self-regulation and interpersonal skills. • Sherwood School District students scored above average in early math and early literacy and at the state average for self-regulation and interpersonal skills. The data also revealed areas for growth. For example, Latinx students in Clatsop, Tillamook and Washington counties scored much lower in early literacy compared to the total population. The only county where this wasn’t true was in Columbia, where Latinx students surpassed the county average. “Our early learning staff work hard to prepare students for kindergarten, and they should be proud that students are at or above the state average in most areas in the counties where we work,” Northwest Regional Education Service District executive director of In-
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structional Services Johnna Timmes said. “At the same time, this assessment identifies a clear need for us to improve how we support the early development of young Latinx children in Clatsop, Tillamook and Washington counties.” The early literacy portion of the assessment measures a student’s ability to identify uppercase and lowercase letters and letter sounds. The math section includes questions about counting, geometry, measurement and data, and cardinality. The third measurement, which is officially called approaches to learning, is based on the teacher’s observation of the student during regular classroom activities. It assesses a child’s interpersonal and self-regulatory skills. The assessment was developed by the Oregon Department of Education, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, and was specifically developed to be predictive of later school success. Read the full report attached to this story at thechiefnews.com.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is voicing opposition to Senate Bill 1530. The legislation, frequently referred to as the “cap-andtrade bill,” would put fuel taxes in place and would limit carbon emissions for many companies, in the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In their proclamation, dated Feb. 19, the Columbia County Commission listed several reasons for their opposition. One of the reasons, the proclamation states, is that SB 1530 would increase the cost to provide critically needed services to residents, as well as as services dependent on truck and rail transportation. Additionally, the bill would further financially burden residents already burdened by other costs, according to the proclama-
THREAT From Page A1 Dan Porter the county’s training coordinator, said given today’s ever-changing threat environment, preparing for and training employees to cope with active threats and workplace violence should be a key piece of an organization’s emergency action plan. “The topic of Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response (ASHER) is uncomfortable, Porter said. “Nevertheless, it is necessary to address it. It’s
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tion. Those costs include “higher rents, increasing costs to purchase a home and additional tax burdens placed on them by the State of Oregon,” the proclamation states. In addition to daily financial burdens, the proclamation states that SB 1530 would “significantly hamper the ability of the residents of Columbia County to attempt to recover from the economic devastation remaining from the last recession.” The final reason the Commissioners state in the proclamation is that the current legislative session is a shorter session, and therefore intended to “correct existing bills or for emergency legislation.” “Any proposed legislation of this magnitude should be appropriately addressed in a standard legislative session,” the proclamation states. Commissioner Alex Tardif spoke briefly to The Chief about his reasons for not supporting the bill. “I’m strongly opposed to creating any sort of legisla-
tion that creates a commodity that can then be sold on the backs of our tax payers. If we’re going to go to the voter and ask for revenue and support, we need to show them exactly how it will be done, and where it’s going to go, and I have yet to see that happen,” he said. Tardif added that while he is in support of Oregon moving toward what he called a more sustainable future, “We can do better than cap and trade and we need to do better.” Hundreds of people both opposed and for the legislation have voiced their opinions in demonstrations and testified at public hearings as the Oregon Legislature debates the issues surrounding cap and trade. Progress on the legislation has halted in order for more discussion to be had, House Speaker Tina Kotek said.
a common miss-belief that learning how to respond to these events will make one more fearful than prepared. Having a plan empowers people.” Porter said one component that makes these events frightful is they are not predictable in regards to when or where they occur. However, it is undisputed that they will continue to happen. The FBI’s Active Shooter Incidents Study indicates these events are becoming more frequent. “Experts are trying to develop patterns to circumvent attacks,” he said. “Currently, determining the who, where, and why of these attacks is still nearly impossible. I submit the only constant variable in these events is the victims. Therefore, the most efficient manner to combat these events is to learn how to respond.” In the Friday, Feb. 28 edition of The Chief, read more about this specialized active shooter trainer at Clatskanie Middle/High School.
“It is time to have a community discussion about what further proactive steps we can take as a community to keep our students safe,” she said. Hurowitz is inviting the Columbia County Sheriff’s office, City of Clatskanie officials, first responders, emergency management, agency volunteers, and the entire community to join the town hall meeting to discuss current and future safety concerns. “I would like to begin a community dialogue that is greater than just a threat event,” she said. “We need a comprehensive short term and long term plan and proactive approach to student and staff safety for our schools and your ideas and opinions matter.” The town hall is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center, at Clatskanie Middle/High School, 471 Bel Air Drive in Clatskanie. If you are unable and would like to contribute to the discussion, contact Hurowitz at 503-728-0587, email her at, churowitz@csd.k12.or.us.
Be engaged Hurowitz has scheduled a town hall for Feb. 27 to be held at the high school to open discussion about what community members believe should be the next steps in security at the high school.
Follow this developing story online at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief, and join the conversation. Take our online poll about school security.
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• Athletically Speaking:
Friday, February 21, 2020
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Season ends for Clatskanie boys
Saturday February 22 • 5 p.m. HS Girls Basketball District Championship vs. Willamina @ McMinnville HS • 7 p.m. HS Boys Basketball District Championship (if win on Thursday) vs. Rainier • Rooter Bus Available for any HS Students: Cost is $3 and must sign up in the office with a permission slip. Thursday February 27 • HS Wrestling depart for State Championships @Memorial Coliseum: Depart 4 p.m. Friday February 28 • 4 p.m. HS Wrestling State Championships @Memorial Coliseum • HS Girls Basketball: 1st Round State Playoffs Saturday February 29 • 10 a.m. HS Wrestling depart for State Championships @Memorial Coliseum: • HS Boys Basketball: 1st Round State Playoffs
Courtesy photo from Clatskanie Middle/High School
The Clatskanie Middle/High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team. LUKE E. ROTH For The Chief
The Warrenton Warriors have forced the Clatskanie Middle/High School Tigers out of State competition in a nail-biting finish to Tuesday’s playoff contest. The Clatskanie varsity boys basketball team came out strong but ultimately came up short against Warrenton 48-52. Clatskanie entered the
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contest after defeating Taft of Lincoln City on Monday. The Tuesday night loss eliminated the Tigers from postseason contention and ended their season at 5-19. The victory for Warrenton sends them to a state playin/league playoff semifinal at Willamina on Thursday night. In the first quarter, Clatskanie dominated the inside and built an early 10-2 lead. The Tigers keep pace and
led 13-7 at the end of the 1st period. The 2nd quarter, however, proved to be more challenging for the visiting Clatskanie Tigers. Warrenton implemented a hassling press, which forced eight Clatskanie turnovers. The defense turned to offense, and Warrenton used an 18-0 run to take a 2516 halftime lead. At the half, junior Caleb Ramsey and senior Jon Moravec led the Tigers with
four points apiece. For the Warriors, junior Ethan Green led all scorers with six. The Warriors maintained the lead through the second with a series of clutch shots. With five seconds left, senior Dawson Evenson hit a 3 pointer, but the clock wound down, forcing the Tigers to foul. With 0.8 left, Warrenton freshman Dawson Little hit the game-sealing free throw. Down the stretch, Warren-
ton held the ball and won the game at the foul line. Clatskanie couldn’t get over the hump but played until the final whistle. Clatskanie (5-19) was led by senior Dawson Evenson, who scored 15 points; senior Jon Moravec added 14. Watch for updates online and in the Friday editions of the Chief as the Clatskanie varsity girls basketball team heads to State competition.