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Changes in whale watching week

Police blotter Page A5

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$1.50

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

VOL. 129, NO. 45 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Who We Are: Community rallies for K9 Lars JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie resident Jean Hogan has been pretty busy since November.

Last fall following the passing of her grandmother and as her son went off for basic training in the U.S. Air Force, Hogan said she needed to find activities to keep her busy.

Hogan said she prayed for something to do and decided she needed to reach out to help others.

Her ‘reach out’ with friend Kristin Ramsey turned out to be formation of the community group Clatskanie Be a Blessing.

“I started the Clatskanie Be a Blessing as an informal group where people can participate and we can pay it forward in helping others,” Hogan said. “I needed something to keep me busy and to help build morale in our community because there is such a need and these are all people that we know and care about.”

Since November, the group has conducted various community projects, including a food drive for a Rainier family in need and assembling gift toiletry boxes for residents at The Amber, a senior living facility in Clatskanie. Children in the community also were able to participate by making greeting cards for the senior living facility residents.

“We wanted to make participation in our group easy for anyone, even those who can’t afford to give cash donations,” Hogan said.

New vest for Lars

Courtesy photo from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

A community fundraiser is underway to purchase a new bullet proof vest for Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy K9 Lars.

The group’s latest project is a fundraiser to purchase a new bullet proof vest for Columbia County Sheriff Office (CCSO) deputy K9 Lars.

“I called the sheriff and asked

what we could do to help,” Hogan said. “We wanted to let Sheriff Pixley know that we appreciate his deputies and they are important to us and out community.”

Hogan said Pixley outlined the need to raise $3,999 for the new K9 vest and her group eagerly took on the challenge.

“It is a more expensive vest than the one Lars has now, which has expired,” Hogan said. “It’s fire proof and light weight allowing Lars more flexibility.”

Hogan said the group set up an account at the Clatskanie Umpqua Bank and a GoFundMe account to accept public donations. As of Wednesday, March 17, the group had raised $1,875.

K9 facts Pixley said K9 Lars is seven years old and the sheriff’s office obtained the law enforcement dog from Adlerhorst Kennels in Southern California. Lars is currently the only K-9 employed by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

“Prior to the passage of Measure 110, Lars was dual certified for both narcotics detection and as a patrol K9.,” Pixley said. “Currently, Lars is only a certified patrol K9, meaning he searches for people who have committed crimes and run from the police. Lars also assists us in room / building clearing, article searches and on the rare occasion, search and rescue.”

Pixley said Lars is still used to help deputies detect drugs in the jail during random searches.

Over Lars’ career, he has detected a large amount of illegal drugs and captured many felons who have run from police, according to Pixley.

“The partnership Lars has with

his handler, Deputy Cody Pesio, is amazing,” Pixley said. “Lars also is a hit at community events. Lars and his handler will often put on a demonstration at community events, but Lars also enjoys the extra attention he gets from the community. Lars also assists us and other agencies in the service of high risk search warrants.”

Lars and other law enforcement K9’s face the same dangers as human officers in performing their duties.

“K9’s are killed and injured in the line of duty every year,” Pixley said, adding that having a new and more effective safety vest will greatly benefit K9 Lars.

“When I heard the Clatskanie community wanted to do a fundraiser for Lars, it was humbling for me,” Pixley said. “The fact that a community is willing to give so much for Lars, Deputy Pesio and CCSO is really indicative of the support the community has for CCSO and law enforcement in general. While other cities are working on defunding the police, the residents of Columbia County are supporting us by starting fundraisers.”

The cost to purchase a K9 unit can range as high as $15,000.

“We budget funds specifically for the care and feeding of Lars,“ Pixley said. “We also accept donations through our 501C3 group for Lars and the canine program.”

Lars resides with Deputy Pesio and his family. Pesio was on assignment and not available for immediate comment at press time. The Chief will be following the vest fundraiser and hope to chat with Pesio in a future edition.

Hogan has yet to meet K9 Lars.

“As soon as we have raised all ­­­­ See LARS Page A5

$600,000 renovations begin at Clatskanie pool JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Drilling and other demolition sounds are echoing across Clatskanie City Park as a $600,000 renovation project gets underway at the city’s pool adjoining the northeast portion of the park.

Clatskanie Public Works Harpier Gandhi said one of the key new elements of the renovations include a new splash area for small children.

The workers will replace all the pool decking.

“They will also refinish and paint the inside of the pool,” he said. “The water filters and boilier are also being replaced.”

Gandhi said the renovations are scheduled to be done by Memorial Day. Built in 1958, the Clatskanie Pool is 90-feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 125,000 gallons of water.

The pool needs resurfacing, replacement of the old tile gutter system with a stainless steel gutter

system, which will require less maintenance, according to city officials.

Crews will also investigate multiple pool piping issues including current failures, potential failures and existing leaks.

The wading pool will be replaced with a splash pad.

“Wading pools are a thing of the past due to safety,” Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said.

The city has awarded a contract to a Wilsonville-based company and according to Hinkelman, the specific renovation designs were required to be approved by the Oregon Health Authority.

The Chief first reported in June that the cost of renovations are to be paid for through the city’s Scout Lake Funds, a special timber revenue collection set aside by the city.

Following a limited summer season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pool closed in September.

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

Demolition, renovations and repairs have begun for a $600,000 project at the Clatskanie pool.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Oregon’s new vaccination timeline Obituaries ................. A3 Opinions ................... A4 Police Blotters...........A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A6 Sports .................... A6-7

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

announced just weeks before, which sees some with vulnerable conditions and in high risk occupations eligible March 29, other frontline groups eligible May 1 and general population groups eligible June and July 1 based on age.

OHA Director Patrick Allen said the state’s currently on track to meet the timeline it’s already set, meaning those over 45 with certain health conditions, certain high-risk workers and anyone who’s pregnant, among other groups, will be eligible March 29.

ZACK DEMARS worldnews3@countrymedia.net JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Oregon health officials last week were not quite ready to commit to an ambitious vaccination eligibility timeline laid out

by President Joe Biden.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials addressed the state’s vaccination timeline and called for continued vigilance in the face of variants of the virus in a press conference Friday, March 12.

“As weekly shipment allocations increase, we will reassess those timelines,” Brown said. “If the doses are there, I have every intention of utilizing all available state and federal resources to match the president’s timeline for universal eligibility,” Brown said. “But let me be very, very clear: While our timelines will accelerate with available supplies, my commitment to equity in our vaccine distribution will not change.”

Timeline trigger Courtesy photo from OHSU

OHA Director Patrick Allen said the state’s currently on track to meet the timeline it’s already set, meaning those over 45 with certain health conditions, certain high-risk workers and anyone who’s pregnant, among other groups, will be eligible for vaccinations March 29.

Presidential statement The announcement came the day after Biden announced in a televised address his plans to direct states to make vaccines available to all adults

by May 1 — two months ahead of Oregon’s current timeline — which Biden said would allow the country to see a Fourth of July closer to normal.

“After this long hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said Thursday night, March 11.

But the next day, Oregon officials weren’t ready to upend the multi-stage virus timeline they

But Allen also said OHA won’t change its timelines without more specific allocation commitments from the federal government.

“However, we need to know when more vaccine vials will actually arrive in Oregon as promised before we can tell a frontline worker or anyone else that we’re adjusting our timelines,” Allen said. “Until we get more clarity, we need to keep our current timelines in place.” ­­­­ See VACCINATION Page A4

www.thechiefnews.com

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Friday, March 19, 2021

Columbia County’s key indicators JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

The Oregon Employment Department reports 1,993,309 employed and 142,346 unemployed in Oregon in February.

Ups and downs in Oregon’s employment STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Last week, the Chief outlined the January unemployment figures. This week, the Oregon Employment Department has released the February jobless report, which shows a continuing decline in unemployment and an increase in jobs statewide.

Oregon’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.1% in February, from 6.2% in January, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

After dropping rapidly during May through November of last year, Oregon’s unemployment rate declined at a slower pace in recent months. During the past 10 months the pace of recovery in the national unemployment rate has mirrored Oregon’s experience. The U.S. unemployment rate also declined by a tenth of a per-

centage point last month, to 6.2% in February, from 6.3% in January.

Nonfarm payroll employment rose 13,900 jobs in February, following a gain of 7,000, as revised, in January.

Nearly all of the jobs gained in February were in leisure and hospitality (+11,100 jobs), where some fitness centers and restaurants hired back workers following closures or curtailments due to COVID-19 restrictions or cautions. Only two other major industries added a substantial number of jobs in February: transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+1,200 jobs) and wholesale trade (+800). Only one major industry — professional and business services, which cut 900 jobs in February — performed substantially below its normal seasonal trend.

In February, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment

totaled 1,819,100, a drop of 153,900 jobs, or 7.8% from the prerecession peak one year ago in February 2020. Oregon’s employment dropped to a low of 1,687,500 by April. Since then, Oregon has recovered 131,600 jobs, or 46% of the jobs lost between February and April 2020.

Even as overall economic activity hasn’t recovered fully, some industries reached record high employment in February. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities is up 5,300 jobs, or 7.2%, over the year. Professional and technical services hit a fresh record high for the first time in over a year as it added 600 jobs since February 2020, a gain of 0.6%. Architectural and engineering services expanded the fastest of the published industries in this category, adding 700 jobs, or 4.0%.

Scare tactics in latest phone scams JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is alerting residents to be aware of a reoccurring fraud attempt.

“We wanted everyone to be aware of a scam occurring in Columbia County,” the CCSO Facebook scam alert reads. “Someone has spoofed CCSO’s mainline number of 503.366.4611 and is calling people advising them they have a warrant for their arrest if they don’t pay money or give personal info to the caller.”

CCSO officials said the public needs to understand that the sheriff’s office never calls residents or businesses to request payment or personal information to avoid an arrest warrant.

The CCSO advises anyone receiving such a phone call, and are in doubt about its authenticity, to hang up and call the county’s nonemergency dispatch number at 503-397-1521 to report the fraud attempt.

False kidnapping alert On Thursday, March 4, St. Helens Police received multiple reports of a male calling from an international telephone number claiming to have kidnapped the person’s child.

In a release, investigators said that according to the people receiving the

telephone message, the caller threatens to harm the child and then a child comes on the phone and begs for help. The caller demands money in exchange for the person’s child to be returned.

The St. Helens Police officials said they have fully investigated all of the reported phone calls and said each call has proven to be false. All children have been verified as safe.

St. Helen Police advise that if you receive a phone call claiming that your child has been kidnapped hang up the phone and verify through a trusted source that your child is where they are supposed to be.

If you have a difficult time contacting your child, call your local law enforcement nonemergency dispatch to seek assistance.

If you believe the situation is an emergency, call 911.

Federal alert According to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information website, the telephone calls are part of an increasing range of coercion schemes designed to frighten and extort money from families. The callers claim to have kidnapped a child, brother, sister or other relative and in order for the victim to be released safely and unharmed, a ransom must be paid immediately.

“To stop you from

Tax deadline extended The Oregon Department of Revenue is joining the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and automatically extending the income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year from April 15, to May 17.

Both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

Individual taxpayers can also postpone state income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021 without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed.

This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 18, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.

Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or

call the Department of Revenue to qualify for this automatic tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request a filing extension until October 15 by filing federal Form 4868 through their tax professional or tax software or by using the Free File link on IRS.gov.

Oregon recognizes a taxpayer’s federal extension.

An extension to file is not an extension to pay. Additional extension information is available on the Revenue website.

To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov.

You also can call 800356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon.

For TTY (hearing- or speechimpaired), the agency accepts all relay calls.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

checking out the story, scammers order you to stay on the phone until the money is sent,” the FTC warning reads. “There’s pressure to pay quickly, and the caller says not to contact anyone.

The scammers demand payment by wire transfer or prepaid cards because it’s difficult to trace or recover money sent that way.

The FTC said the FBI calls this scam virtual kidnapping. Scammers scour the internet and social media sites, grabbing information about where people live, work, or travel, and names of friends and family.

The cons use the details to pick a target and make their calls sound credible.

The FTC and law enforcement officials urge people to limit personal information posted on social media sites.

“If you get a call like this, remember that it’s fake, no matter how scary it sounds,” the FTC warning states. “Even if it feels really real, never wire money or pay by prepaid card to anyone who asks you to. If you’re worried about the call, get off the phone and get in touch with the relative or friend in question – just to reassure yourself.

And then notify the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement.”

To report a false kidnapping tot the FTC, visit reportfraud.ftc.gov/#

The latest Northwest Oregon Economic Indicators Report has Columbia County’s January unemployment rate at 7.5% compared to 4.5% in January 2020.

Leisure and hospitality and local government lost the most jobs in Columbia County over the past 12 months. On the positive side, retail sales and state government led in adding the most jobs in the county in the past year.

Also noted in the latest report is the growing number of jobs held by women in Columbia County and across the region.

Statewide, Oregon’s jobless rate declined to 6.2% in January.

Newly revised employment numbers show job growth was stronger than initially reported in the second half of 2020. The trend

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

The latest report from the Oregon Employment Department highlights key economic indicators in Columbia County.

in the last six months of the year was revised upward by an average of 8,700 jobs.

However, the pandemic-induced drop during the spring of 2020 was 8,000 jobs larger than previously estimated,

according to the Oregon Employment Department.

See a breakdown of the regional economic indicators attached to this story at thechiefnews.com

COVID COMMUNITY OUTREACH TESTING OHSU IS OFFERING COVID TESTING AT NO COST TO YOU!

Location: Columbia County Fairgrounds located at 58892 Saulser Road St. Helens, OR Dates: Wednesdays Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sign up: www.ohsu.edu/COVIDVans

SIGN UP TO GET YOUR TEST AT THIS LOCATION How do I get tested?

- Go to URL to sign up for your timeslot.

- Please carefully follow registration and scheduling instructions.

What else do I need to know?

- This is an outdoor testing event, so please dress for the weather.

- Testing is for those older than 2 months.

- If you tested positive before and do NOT have symptoms, you must wait 90+ days before getting another test.

- COVID vaccine will not be provided at these events.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 19, 2021

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Traditional spring break Whale Week cancelled wide COVID-19 guidelines for safe travel and physical distancing, according to the OPRD.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Spring is a time for many Columbia County residents and those across the state to head to the Oregon Coast.

Part of the attraction is the annual migration of gray whales that starts in late March and lasts until June.

This spring the whale watching experience will look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) canceled its 2021 spring Whale Watch Week program, traditionally held during spring break. Volunteers won’t be stationed at whale watching sites.

The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay is closed.

However, visitors may enjoy this spring tradition on their own, while following state-

Passing by Some 25,000 Gray whales will pass by Oregon’s shores from late March to June on their way to cool Alaskan waters. Many will be accompanied by their calves, born during the winter in the warm lagoons off the coast of Baja, Mexico.

According to the OPRD’s Chris Havel, the gray whales migrate along the Oregon Coast twice a year.

“In spring (March-May, even into June), adults and their young head north to feed in the Gulf of Alaska,” he said. “They tend to travel a little closer to shore as they head north. We have 200-400 whales that more or less stay

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

A whale rises out of the ocean along the Oregon shoreline.

off the Oregon Coast yearround.”

In winter (December–January), the whales head south from the Gulf of Alaska headed for the Baja peninsula to mate and take advantage of the calving grounds.

“We can expect 20-25,000 to pass by, peaking at about

take a deep breath.

“It kind of looks like an old steam-engine train, except it just happens once or twice,” he said.

Most viewing sites managed by OPRD are open, with reduced services in some locations due to limited resources. A map of whale watching sites is available online on the official whale watching webpage on the Oregon State Parks website.

30 an hour,” Havel said.

Headed south, they tend to be 3-5 miles offshore.”

What to look for Havel said the first thing most people see is the cloudlike puff from a whale’s blow-hole as they surface and

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City manager lobbies for $10 million JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman is taking his efforts to find $10 million to build a new city sewer plant straight to the U.S. Congress.

During a virtual congressional town hall held late Wednesday afternoon, March 17, by Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D), Hinkelman outlined the need for federal help for the new plant.

Hinkelman said if the city simply relied on loans, sewer bills would jump by a minimum of at least $20 a month, too much of a burden for local residents, he said.

“To ask these folks to pay for the $10 million sewer plant over 20 years is too much to ask,” Hinkelman told the senator. “So I am asking you, if you could, to work into any proposed infrastructure bill $10 million for the city of Clatskanie as a grant to build the new sewer plant.”

Merkley responded that water supplies and sewer systems are a challenge for nearly every community in Oregon.

“It is one of the most expensive pieces of infrastructure,” he said. “This issue comes up at almost every single town in Oregon’s 36 counties and I end up lobbying hard for this type of support.”

Merkley said it may be challenging to develop a pure grant for Clatskanie because of the need to improve such water and sewer systems all over the

•

nation.

“But we do have to find an affordable way, that’s for sure, Merkley said, “so we are going to fight for this as best we can.

I don’t know if we’ll end up getting all the way there, but I am going to fight for that to be a big piece because it is absolutely essential infrastructure.”

Merkley opened the town hall by explaining portions of the local support included in the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion federal pandemic stimulus package. He also discussed his Senate Bill 1, For the People Act, which he introduced to take on voter suppression, gerrymandering, and dark money.

During the town hall: • A resident of Vernonia asked about improving rural broadband.

• Two folks asked about power generation—one spoke of spreading the public power model of the Bonneville Power Association nationwide, and one asked about the Simpson Plan to remove dams on the Snake River.

• The IBW Local 125 thanked Merkley for his efforts to expand renewable energy by creating good-paying, union jobs.

• A student asked about support for tourist towns hurt by the pandemic, and Sen. Merkley explained some of the aid in the American Rescue Plan.

• Columbia County Commissioner Heimuller asked about the Jan. 6 insurrection.

•O bituaries • • Autumn Duren

Oct. 29, 1968 ~ March 13, 2021 Autumn Duren 52, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away March 13, 2021 in Longview, Washington.

Florence Anicker 94, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away March 3, 2021 in Beaverton, Oregon.

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“We urge visitors to explore parks close to their homes and to respect the communities they visit,” said

OPRD director Lisa Sumption. “Please, wear face coverings and give plenty of space to other visitors. If a park is crowded, consider visiting another whale watching site or returning later.”

Before visiting a state park, check the Oregon State Parks status map that shows open and closed parks, as well as parks with reduced services. The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay is closed.

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Patricia DonnaLou Flanders passed away on March 8, 2021 at home in Clatskanie, Oregon at the age of 90. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Mon., March 22, 2021 at Murray Hill Cemetery.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

A4

•

Friday, March 19, 2021

•V iewpoints • •

Education, water, stimulus payments BRAD WITT Chief Guest Article

The Oregon House of Representatives has begun holding floor votes and passing legislation out of the House Chamber. On Monday, March 8, the first two bills approved and sent to the Oregon Senate dealt with redrawing district lines in the case of three Oregon community colleges.

HB 2089: Approves transferring the northernmost portion of Lake County from Central Oregon Community College Service District to the Klamath Community College Service District.

This legislation came after two years of public hearings and meetings with stakeholders which determined that Klamath Community College better meets the educational needs of the students in that Lake County area.

HB 2091-A: Changes the boundaries of the Lane Community College to bring into the district the territory of Lane County bounded by the borders of Lincoln County and Alsea School districts, which are currently not incorporated into a community college district. This action was taken after the request and subsequent petition from Lane county residents advocating for this boundary change.

Educational issues, the veteran home loan program and recycled paper bag content were issues taken up on Tuesday, March 9, in the House Chamber.

HB 2052: Requires that school districts allow students to wear Native American items of cultural significance at public school events including high school graduation. This bill was supported by the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon School Boards Association, Beaverton School District, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and other individual educators and tribal members. HB 2052 received unanimous approval in the House Floor vote.

HB 2056: is the Access to Linguistic Inclusion bill, and expands high school diploma requirements related to dual language programs.

Students have the opportunity to take math, science, language arts, in English or other languages, but currently courses taught in non-English languages are classified as “electives” and don’t meet core requirements. HB 2056 would allow school districts to grant regular credits for those core courses regardless of the language of instruction. Among the support for this legislation is Oregon Department of Education, Education Northwest, and the Beaverton and Hillsboro School districts. This educational bill was approved and moves to the Senate Chamber for consideration.

HB 2140: Reinstates explicit authority to the Oregon Department of Veteran’s Affairs to provide certain lending activities to the maximum extent provided by law. This is a housekeeping measure that restores language that was inadvertently omitted from SB 36 which was approved in the 2019 Legislative session. All veterans have earned our respect and I

joined with all other member of the Oregon House of Representatives to unanimously approve this bill.

HB 2395: Modifies the definition of “recycled paper checkout bag” to include bags that contain non-wood renewable fiber such as industrial hemp, bagasse and bamboo. This bill received bi-partisan support and now moves to the Senate.

House Committee on Water We held our first committee work session on HB 3090 legislation to appropriate $2 million to the Department of Environmental Quality for low interest loans to repair, evaluate and replace failing septic systems.

This legislation restarts the Onsite Loan Program and aims to curb environmental pollution. More that 30% of all Oregonians relay on septic systems to treat sewage from their home or business.

When these systems fail, they threaten public health and the environment, so repairing or replacing these failing systems protect homes, private property, our lakes, streams, and drinking water sources.

Oregon’s affordable loan program is designed to help families and small businesses across the state to access the funds to replace a system when it fails.

This was the first bill to move out of the House Water Committee with a “do-pass” recommendation, and it did so with a unanimous vote.

The legislation now moves to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for funding.

Federal America Rescue Plan We received news from Senator Ron Wyden’s office that Oregon is slated to receive an estimated $4.2 billion as part of the new Coronavirus fiscal relief package.

Eligible uses of funds include: • Responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency • Providing premium pay to essential workers • Offsetting lost revenues to provide essential government services • For water, sewer and broadband infrastructure The funds cannot be used to supplement tax cuts enacted by legislation, regulation or administration, and does not apply to deposits into pension plans.

We should receive partial payment of the funds within 60 days of enactment of the federal legislation, but we can expect the payment in two parts, one-half within the two months, and the secondhalf one year later.

Summer Learning and Child Care Funding Governor Brown has issued a back-to-school mandate to get students back into the classroom within the next few weeks. At the same time the Oregon Department of Education and the Early Learning Division has developed a multi-component plan to address the essential needs of students and children during the summer months.

The Education Subcom-

mittee of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will be considering the $250 million funding package, which includes five specific parts: $90 million for Summer Enrichment/Academic Program Grants for K-8.

Grants will be available for all school districts who want to participate and make these enrichment activities available to all students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Districts would be required to cover at least 25% of the program costs. $72 million for High School Summer Academic Support Grants. These will be available for all school districts who agree to participate to support a credit recovery program for students who may have failed or fallen behind in courses during the 2020-21 school year. Again a 25% match will be required. $40 million for Summer Activity Grants. These statewide grants are for community-based activities and services for schoolaged children including day camps, park program and top-specific enrichment program. These funds may be disbursed to non-profit organizations and local government service agencies. $30 million for School Child Care Grants. This funding will go to school districts who want to cover the cost of wraparound child care services for K-8 students participating in the summer enrichment/academic programing. There is a 25% program cost match for these grants. $13 million for Early Learning Programs, to continue their services through the summer months. The programs would use existing resources to cover the June costs, the additional funding would cover the July 1 to September 1 time period.

The Oregon Department of Education would receive $5 million for administrativerelated costs for the proposed plan. Any of the $250 million in funding not spent by districts and early learning providers would be returned to the state General Fund during the 2021-23 fiscal year.

Stay engaged Due to the COVID-19 health protection restrictions, the Capitol building remains closed to the public, with committee work being done remotely. You can still weigh in on the bills under consideration by writing, phoning or by computer link-up.

If you have concerns or comments about a state issue, agency or proposed legislation, please contact my office, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, email is the most efficient at this time. It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives as we undertake this important work together.

Rep. Brad Witt serves House District 31. He may be reached at: • Email: Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov • Telephone: 503-9861431 • 900 Court St NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301 • Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt

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Vote online at thechiefnews.com VACCINATION From Page A1

Allen said the current projections and timelines are based on the assumption the state will receive over 200,000 first doses of the vaccine each week — and that roughly an additional 100,000 or more could be necessary to meet the president’s May 1 timeline.

Still, Allen said the state currently exceeds the national average in fully vaccinated individuals, with 11% of the state’s population fully vaccinated.

In an interview this week with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Allen said the state would allow all adults to be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which would comply with the federal order.

In a statement released March 17, Gov. Brown said it is welcome news for all Oregonians that the BidenHarris administration has secured the vaccine production agreements needed for everyone 16 and over in the United States to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.

“We look forward to partnering with the federal government to ensure that Oregon and our local health partners have the vaccine supplies and federal support necessary to implement this directive,” Brown said.

“We are following up with the administration for more specifics about when vaccine shipments to states will increase, but in a briefing with governors earlier this week, it was clear the White House has worked hard to secure additional vaccine supplies for states in the coming weeks.”

According to Brown, the state will continue to center equity in all of Oregon’s vaccine distribution efforts.

“Whether that means ensuring that seniors, people with underlying conditions, frontline workers, and the Oregonians most vulnerable to COVID-19 have the opportunity for vaccinations prior to May 1 – or after May 1, working with local health partners to ensure these

priority groups continue to have access to appointments,” Brown stated.

The state was to provide support this week to counties, including Columbia, that are falling behind the state in vaccinations, Allen said.

“We’re providing onetime catchup doses for seven counties,” Allen said.

Those doses include 700 additional doses to Clatsop, 1,100 to Columbia, 1,400 to Coos, 500 to Curry, 500 to Grant, 2,040 to Jackson and 3,080 to Josephine.

In a letter to Gov. Brown, Columbia County Commissioners this week expressed their concerns about the number of doses available.

“Due to the lack of supply of doses, Columbia County is at the bottom of the list in the number of citizens vaccinated per 10,000 population,” the commissioners’ letter stated. “We are anxious to change this status. We would welcome a discussion with you to advise us as to how we might increase our supply of vaccine.”

Remain cautious State health officials are urging Oregonians to remain cautious as some counties see restrictions ease and other counties report cases of mutated forms of the virus.

“Our recent modeling suggests that with the presence of the new variants and the relaxing of restrictions, we can expect to see an increase in new cases,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “Or put more bluntly: We can expect to see wider distribution of this virus in Oregon.”

Those variants aren’t unexpected — they come as a normal part of virus spread, Sidelinger said.

But according to researchers from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), a variant of the virus which has spontaneously appeared in Oregon is potentially concerning because of its likeness to other variants reported to have higher risks of transmission.

“We don’t really understand exactly what the implications are for this variant because it hasn’t been really

well described anywhere in the world yet, but because it shares a marker, we think it’s something we need to keep an eye on,” said Dr. Bill Messer, an assistant professor of epidemiology at OHSU. The continued appearance of variants means residents need to continue wearing masks, washing hands and socially distancing — even in spite of declining case rates statewide and expanding vaccine eligibility, according to Sidelinger.

“But as it seems with all things COVID, progress is conditional. The virus is dangerous and it remains a threat to all of us,” Sidelinger said. “(Getting a) vaccination is not a free pass to come to our prepandemic behavior, and we are months away from achieving our community immunity.”

Vaccinations as of March 17 The OHA reported that 15,289 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 7,849 doses were administered on March 16 and 7,440 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on March 16.

The vaccine totals are lower than usual due to an outage in the ALERT IIS system that affected several states. It is anticipated that the number of doses from March 15 and 16 will increase over the coming days as providers catch up on submitting data to ALERT IIS. Cumulative daily totals can take several days to finalize because providers have 72 hours to report doses administered and technical challenges have caused many providers to lag in their reporting. OHA has been providing technical support to vaccination sites to improve the timeliness of their data entry into the state’s ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS).

Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 1,363,311 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

To date, 1,777,145 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.

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

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 19, 2021

• The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Rainier Police March 1 • A caller was concerned about the welfare of two girls on the bridge, reportedly climbing on the railing. The girls were walking across the bridge, and said they took a picture while they were there but denied being on the railing.

• An officer went to check on a call of a suspected prowler.

The perimeter of the area was searched, and no one was observed in the area.

yelling and causing a disturbance. The man left prior to officer arrival and was unable to be located.

• A caller in a residence, who did not live there, was startled by a loud knocking at the door.

The ‘knocker’ was determined to be a landscaper.

March 6 • Two men in a parking lot, with ‘buckets’ of their personal belongings, were reportedly ‘bouncing around’, acting suspicious. They checked out to be okay.

• An officer responded to check on the welfare of two dogs that were in a locked vehicle. The dogs appeared to be in good health and were steadfast in protecting the vehicle.

March 7 • A report was made of a possible restraining order violation.

This case was also sent to the DA’s Office for review.

• An officer responded to a business alarm. The building was found to be secure.

March 2 • Suspicious persons were reported hanging out in the vicinity of a church. Extra patrol has been requested.

March 9 • A citizen was concerned about a man in the middle of the intersection. He was assisted out of the roadway.

March 3 • A barking dog was disturbing the peace on Washington Way.

March 10 • A male causing a disturbance at the Evergreen was trespassed.

• A man pushing a wheelchair, harassing customers and employees, was trespassed from Grocery Outlet.

• A man outside of El Tapatio was yelling outside the back door.

• A male subject was in city hall and causing a ruckus during a court session. An officer was able to convince him it would be in his best interest to

March 5 • Chevron reported an individual who drove off without paying for their gas.

• A caller reported a possible violation of a restraining order.

The case was forwarded to the DA’s Office for review.

• A reportedly ‘suspicious person’ was waiting for a ride.

• An employee called due to a male inside the store who was

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•B lotter • •

leave the building.

March 12 • An officer was able to assist a disabled motorist.

March 14 • A vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Gladstone was recovered during a routine traffic stop. Suspected methamphetamine was seized as well. The driver was lodged at the jail on multiple charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.

March 15 • A 37-year-old Castle Rock resident was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. He was also issued a citation for multiple traffic violations.

St. Helens Police March 1 • A 61-year-old male was issued a criminal citation for attempting to elude a police officer in a vehicle while already in custody of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 901 Port Avenue in St. Helens.

March 2 • Police issued a female a criminal citation for Theft II at the intersection of North Columbia River Highway and Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens.

• Police responded to the 300 block of South 18th Street for a death investigation.

March 3 • An individual was arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant in the 400 block of South 2nd Street.

• Police assisted the Oregon Department of Human Services in the 200 block of S 2nd Street on a welfare check.

March 4 • A 43-year old male was arrested on multiple probable cause charges at the intersection of South Columbia River Highway and Gable Road.

March 5 • Police 28 arrested a 28-yearold male on an outstanding warrant while at his residence in the 400 block of S 10th Street.

• Police arrested a 49-year-old male on an outstanding warrant while at West Street Grocery at 305 N. 7th Street.

male at 555 South Columbia River Highway on an outstanding felony warrant.

• A 33-year-old male was arrested on an outstanding warrant while on Church Street near S.18th Street in St.Helens.

• Police responded to the 200 block of N 2nd Street on a report of a missing juvenile.

• A 35-year-old female was arrested in the 2200 block of Gable Road for Forgery I. Oregon State Police

March 10 • Police arrest a 28-year-old male in the 200 block of North 12 Street for an outstanding warrant.

March 8 • At 1:30 p.m. a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer forwarded an Oregon Fish and Wildlife Trooper information on a suspect who was unlawfully buying an Oregon resident annual combination license and combined angling tag. Contact was made with the suspect who admitted to not changing his residency once he moved to Washington from Oregon. The suspect’s license and tag were seized.

• At 5:12 p.m. Oregon State Police stopped a vehicle that was involved in an assault that just occurred in Scappoose.

The vehicle was stopped near milepost 32 on Highway 30.

During the stop the driver displayed indicators of impairment. The driver consented to voluntary standardized field sobriety tests. The Driver was subsequently arrested for DUII and DWS – Misdemeanor. The driver refused breath and blood tests. A search warrant was obtained and a blood draw was conducted. Driver was lodged into Columbia County Jail. The vehicle was towed by Drakes Towing

March 11 • Police arrested a 33-year-old

March 11 • At 4:53 p.m. On the above

March 6 • Police cited a 51-year-old male for an active warrant near the intersection of Old Portland Road and Port Avenue Street.

• A 35-year-old male was arrested by police on an outstanding warrant while at his residence in the 1000 block of Deer Island Road in St. Helens.

March 8 • Police arrested a 37-year-old individual in the area of North 19th and Columbia Boulevard for Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Aggravated Harassment, Resisting Arrest and multiple outstanding warrants.

March 9 • Police responded to the 59000 block of Whitetail Avenue on a report of Theft II. • Police arrested an individual for violating his release agreement.

date and time the Oregon State Police responded to a driving complaint along Highway 30 eastbound near milepost 38. A caller reported a white passenger car was failing to drive within it’s lane and almost went into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was located by OSP near milepost 30 and was failing to drive within its lane. During the traffic stop the driver displayed multiple indicators of impairment along with having multiple open containers in plain view. The driver refused to perform standardized field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for DUII and Reckless Driving. While at the jail the driver refused the breath test and a warrant was obtained.

Post warrant, the driver still refused the breath test and two sample vials were obtained.

The driver was booked and released on the above mentioned charges. The vehicle was towed by Drakes Towing.

• At 9:08 p.m. Oregon State Police assisted Scappoose Police with a physical domestic between a male and female at in the 51000 block of Columbia River Highway in Scappoose. When OSP arrived, a female was dragging a small child out of the house with what appeared to be her arm around / near the child’s neck line, while yelling. This domestic was linked to a prior child abuse call in Hillsboro.

SPD conducted the investigation while OSP provided cover. During the investigation OSP recommended that DHS be contacted based on observations and statements.

SPD contacted DHS to both cross report and get guidance.

OSP cleared the scene before any enforcement action took place.

New transit director looks behind, ahead MONIQUE MERRILL Chief Guest Article

John Dreeszen became the interim director of the Columbia County Transit Department at an interesting time: March, 2020.

The former director of the department, Todd Wood, left the position last year to take a job closer to home. Wood’s departure had been expected and the transition came nine months into a two-year budget cycle.

“The expectation was this should be pretty straightforward,” Dreeszen said. “At the time we didn’t anticipate any big money challenges, which have been our primary challenges, and then COVID hit. It definitely changed our world, as with everyone, but that’s been an interesting part of it.”

The pandemic lowered ridership dramatically during the early months as people were instructed to stay home as much as possible, Dreeszen said. The department oversees the CC Rider which connects residents around Columbia County and around the region.

“Ridership began fairly immediately to drop significantly— as it should have, really, under the stay at home orders and those things— we expected that part,” he said.

What was less expected were the federal aid packages that turned out to help stabilize finances within the department, despite decreased ridership and broken transit contracts with local colleges.

Before moving to the transit department, Dreeszen

had been in charge of payroll for the county and comes from a background in accounting. He was moved to the transit department due to its heavy reliance on grants.

“We don’t have a tax base for our transit department and very little from the general fund comes in,” he said. “It’s as much a grantmanagement job as anything else.”

A lot of these folks, especially in our rural area, they don’t have another source of transportation.

We’re really it. ~ John Dreezen, Transit Director

Approximately 80% of the department’s roughly $2.4 million operating budget is supported through federal grants distributed at the state level. Dreeszen said the department has historically operated at a deficit, and was typically borrowing money from the general fund to balance its budget each fiscal year, then repaying the funds to the general fund and at a deficit again.

“The department definitely got caught up in a little bit of a vicious cycle there,” he said.

Enter the CARES Act. Despite losing a contract with Portland Community College when its campuses shut down, and low overall ridership, the department was able to close the fiscal

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Ridership has declined on the CC Rider, but the transit department is working to balance its budgets with John Dreeszen officially at the helm.

year in June without borrowing any money from the general fund.

“I’m really happy to say this fiscal year ending in June, we did not borrow any money from the general fund and we were able to pay off the last loan we took from the general fund last fiscal year,” Dreeszen said.

The CARES Act funding has allowed the department to balance its finances and continue to provide what Dreeszen identified as its most important services: the bus line to Portland and the Dial-A-Ride service.

The high number of Columbia County residents who rely on the bus service to get to work in Portland has started to pick up again, he said. And demand for Dial-A-Ride has remained

State redistricting hearing March 20 The Oregon Legislature’s Redistricting Committees has launched its first virtual “road show” sessions, to hear public testimony from community members about their goals and priorities for redrawing Oregon’s legislative and congressional districts.

The hearings began earlier this month as part of the once-every-decade redistricting process. The public comment sessions are scheduled for each of the state’s five congressional districts.

Additional hearings for each of the districts will be held in the coming weeks.

You can find instructions on how to testify by video, phone, or written testimony at the Legislature’s Redistricting webpage: www. oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.

Input from the public is critical to the redistricting process, which determines how the boundaries are drawn for Oregon’s legislative and congressional districts, according to a release

from the Oregon House Democrats.

There are two public comment sessions scheduled for Columbia County. The first was conduced Tuesday, March 9. The second session is schedule from 9 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 20.

How to give your input • Learn how to testify by phone: 833-588-4500 • Submit written testimony to: Oregon.Redistricting@ oregonlegislature.gov

consistent.

“We’ve lost revenue during COVID, and that’s continuing,” he said. “That CARES Act money has helped sure us up through this year.”

While the money helped the department get on balance, Dreeszen said he doesn’t expect to see more federal pandemic funds flow his way.

“I think, off the top of my head, I would expect us to need to do some belt tightening going into the next fiscal year for sure,” he said.

Services In April, ridership was estimated to be at 50% of what it had been prepandemic, and Dreeszen

said the levels have changed throughout the course of the year. The department is in the process of evaluating the different services it offers and changes that might be made. The Portland commuter bus and the Dial-ARide service will be maintained, he said, as they have constant demand and need in the community.

In September and October, when another wave of high COVID-19 cases hit the area, the Portland commuter service dropped about 80%, he said.

“When we began layering on the CDC guidance for transportation that requires social distancing on the buses themselves, we had to eliminate really about half the seats in the bus,” he said.

“In some ways we might

have been fortunate demand didn’t stay where it was, we might have been doubling buses.”

Demand has started to slowly inch back up for the commuter bus, he said.

“I don’t know if it will be 10 runs a day like it is now, but it will definitely be enough to meet demand— which has also gone down with so many folks working from home,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see if that reverses itself or to what extent that reverses itself as we work our way out of the pandemic.”

Dial-A-Ride demand went down slightly through the pandemic, but Dreeszen said it picked up quickly.

The curb-to-curb service is available for anyone to use, but the department prioritizes older adults or people with disabilities who use the service to make it to medical appointments, grocery shop, bank or anything they need a ride to do.

The service picks people up from their homes and takes them directly to their destinations.

“A lot of these folks, especially in our rural area, they don’t have another source of transportation.

We’re really it,” Dreeszen said. “So those two areas we know we’re going to hang onto. The other areas we’re definitely taking a close look at.”

CC Rider offices are located at 1155 Deer Island Road in St Helens. To reach the transit office, call 503366-0159. New transit director looks behind, ahead.

LARS

From Page A1 the money we need to buy the vest, I do want to meet Lars and give him a hug,” she said.

“That will be my reward.”

Hogan said if there are any donations left after the bullet proof vest is purchased, those donations will go toward the K9’s medical and care costs.

Donations may be made at the Clatskanie branch of Umpqua Bank, or at the New Courtesy photo from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Vest For K9 Lars GoFundMe K9 Lars and his handler Columbia County Sheriff Deputy Cody Pesio. account.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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A6

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Friday, March 19, 2021

Just call 503.397.0116

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Any questions, please contact Cyndi Warren, 208249-7144 OR Becki Horness, 503-3082363. Applications will not be accepted after 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

mentary School Office. Required: Applicant must meet the requirement of being 15 years of age by the last day of the Lifeguard Training/Certification Course. Training will be provided. Any questions, please contact Cyndi Warren, 208249-7144 OR Becki Horness, 503-3082363. Applications will not be accepted after 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

apply, please visit our website www. portofcolumbiac o u n t y. o r g / j o b s .

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LIFEGUARD Clatskanie Park & Recreation District is now accepting applications for Lifeguard positions. You can obtain and turn in the application at the following locations: · Clatskanie Middle High School Office · Clatskanie Ele-

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Public Notices PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CC21-1398

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF THE CLATSOP #15 DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, INC. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the landowners and Board Members of the Clatsop #15 Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia and Clatsop County, Oregon, will be held Tuesday March

30, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at the Poplar Tree Nursery Office located at 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed by the owner. The meeting is to elect a director,

adopt a budget and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 16th day of March, 2021.

Kathy Haiby, Secretary/Treasurer, Clatsop #15 Drainage Improvement Company, Inc. Board of Directors.

The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon.

Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

•

CC21-1396

INVITATION TO BID: Abandoned property of Jennifer Giberson and All Others. For Sale, a 1980 EDINB, Serial #ABC7SC7480R, Home ID #120275. The mobile home is located at 1315

Swedetown Road, Space #22, Clatskanie, OR in Swedetown Village. This will be a private sale with a minimum bid of $8,000.00. Bids accepted until April 2, 2021. Send/submit

bids to 18150 SW Boones Ferry Road, Portland, OR 97224, Attn: Sarah Smith.

Please call Christina at: 503597-8822 for appointment to see home.

CC21-1397

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that Columbia NW Self Storage located at 75764 Heath Rd. Rainier, OR 97048. Will sell to satisfy lien of the owner, by public

sale via on-line auction @ storageauctions.com. The following storage units, unit # C10 Alisha Cameron, misc items. Unit # C13 Maynard & Tamra Houle, misc items.

Unit # F8 Greg Poorman, misc items. Auction dates 04/01/21 - 04/15/21. Bidder must comply with storageauctions.com rules of sale stated on the website.

•S ports • •

OSAA clarifies spectators at local games JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) has clarified allowing fans at the high school sports competitions based on recent communication with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Columbia County remains at the state’s ‘High Risk’ classification under the state’s current pandemic health and safety guidelines. Under the clarified OSAA guidelines for high school football, the schools are allowed 120 maximum field capacity for coaches, officials, players, etc. The schools are allowed spectator capacity at 75 maximum in each designated spectator area with separate entrances, exits and restrooms.

For soccer and cross country, the schools are allowed five maximum field capacity for coaches, officials, players, etc, with 75 maximum spectator capacity in each designated spectator area with separate entrances, exits and restrooms.

OSAA outdoor spectator guidance • Spectators in the stands are considered separate from the players, coaches, etc. on the field.

• Spectators must be in a designated area with separate entrances, exits and restrooms from the sports participants, that is at least six (6) feet from the sports activities.

• A physical distancing monitor must be assigned to ensure compliance with the maximum capacity limits for spectators.

• Face coverings and contact tracing requirements remain in effect.

Local reaction Clatskanie Middle/High School Athletic Director Ryan Tompkins said the OSAA announcement is important both for spectators and the student players.

“We are now permitted to have 75 fans in the Clatskanie cheering section of high school football and Rainier/Clatskanie Soccer,” he said. “We will be unable

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The OSAA has issued clarifications about fans being able to attend local high school sporting events.

to open up for general admission, but are allotting two tickets for each player and coach to invite some family members to attend. The remaining tickets will be made available for the student body/staff.

Tompkins said high school soccer events will also have a similar setup for fans.

“As restrictions/metrics improve we look forward to expanding options to our community,” Tompkins said.

Graden Blue, principal and athletic director at Rainier Jr/Sr High School said the OSAA clarification is welcomed news for his school and the community.

“We have been in a situation that has restricted fan attendance,” Blue said. “This opens a door for some fans to watch in person.”

According to Blue, protocols have to be put in place before the school can open the doors for those fans.

“It’s not just automatic,” he said. “The biggest component is getting the separate bathrooms delivered for fans.”

Blue said these changes only relate to outside events, indoor activities will remain under their current restrictions.

“With the new guidelines we will be able to start bringing fans into events for soccer, cross country and football,” Blue said. “We will be limited to 75 fans for soccer. They must enter through a separate entrance, continue to social distance, wear masks and have separate bathrooms from the players.

They will also be assigned a designated area to watch the game. They will be screened and sign in for contact tracing.”

Blue said football attendance is limited to 75 fans for each designated area, meaning a visitors side and a home side. Fans will have to stay inside the designated area of the bleachers. They will have their own entrance, have separate bathrooms from the players, social distance and wear masks

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the entire time. They will be screened and sign in for contact tracing, according to Blue.

Cross country fans will follow the same directions and will be restricted to bleacher areas to watch the start and finish of the race.

“This is a start to get us to a point of opening up for all fans,” Blue said. “When we move to the next lower level then the number of allowable fans would increase. Keep in mind that when we reach the 75 max that is allowed under these current guidelines we would have to restrict entrance to the event.”

Sports game update Tompkins said the varsity football contest between Rainier and Clatskanie scheduled for Friday, March 19, was cancelled because Clatskanie did not have enough team players for the competition.

Follow the latest school sports schedules and adjustments at the Clatskanie and Rainier school district websites.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 19, 2021

FIRST ROUND MARCH 20

SECOND ROUND MARCH 22

THIRD ROUND FOURTH ROUND MARCH 27-28

MARCH 29-30

FIFTH ROUND APRIL 3

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FIFTH ROUND APRIL 3

FOURTH ROUND MARCH 29-30

THIRD ROUND MARCH 27-28

SECOND ROUND MARCH 21

FIRST ROUND MARCH 20

The Chief The Chronicle

Got Hops?

Call For Dinner Reservations

Start the madness the fresh way.

• Taking Reservations NOW For Dinner Hours • Schedule Today For Next Weekend • 11am-4pm First Come First Served • 4pm-8pm Reservations Required (90min limit) • Take-Out is Always Available • Outdoor Dining Option

centerplacemarket.com/sthelens.html • 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

1111 Columbia Blv d, St Helens, Oregon 97051

298 S. 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon • 503-396-5108

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The Chief 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens www.thechiefnews.com 503-397-0116

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www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 19, 2021