TCC320

Camping adjusted due to virus

School meals offered Page A2

Page A8

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

The Chief

$1

VOL. 128, NO. 45

Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Coronavirus Impact

Social Distancing

Schools Closed

Economic Impact

Medical Impact

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended social distancing to slow the spread of infection.

That will impact people in Columbia County and across the state, and our everyday culture, according to University of Portland sociology and social work associate professor Alice Gates.

“It is kind of alarming,” Gates said. “And it may be difficult to preserve some sense of security. There is a lot of distress and anxiety from the uncertainties.”

Gates said she is hopeful that

On March 17, Gov. Kate Brown announced an extension of Oregon’s statewide school closure she had ordered on March 12, to a total of six weeks, through April 28 . That order followed an initial two-week closure of Oregon’s schools to end on March 31.

Brown also issued further guidance for Oregon’s public schools.

• Schools are to remain closed through Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

• Districts are to provide learning supports and supplemental services to students and families during the closure period, including meals and child care.

This includes the delivery of food assistance and offering child care for essential health care professionals and

Clatskanie restaurants and businesses are feeling the strain of Gov. Kate Brown’s Monday, March 16, order, which took effect Tuesday, March 17, to end all seated dining in the state’s bars and restaurants.

“My goal is to protect the health and safety of Oregon families.” Brown said. “Every step we are taking is being made with community input and careful consideration of its impacts. I know that while these actions will impact Oregon businesses and employees, they will help decrease the rate of infection while bringing state and federal resources up to the same speed as the spread of the virus.”

Under Brown’s executive order,

Rates of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 have now topped greater than 10,000 cases in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with 88 cases and three deaths in Oregon as of Thursday, March 17, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

With the virus spreading, the CDC and state and local public health agencies, such as the OHA are urging people in Oregon and across the United States to take drastic measures to slow the spread of the disease, including minimizing their contact with other people through social distancing and not gathering in crowds of greater

­­­­

­­­­

See DISTANCING Page A5

See SCHOOLS Page A7

­­­­

See ECONOMY Page A7

­­­­

See MEDICAL Page A5

Superintendent looks to future

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz makes a point during the school security town hall on Feb. 27 at Clatskanie Middle/High School.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz is looking to the future.

She remains steadfast to improving the school environment for students, teachers and staff.

“I want to continue our improve plan out students success,” she said.

“I want to see our test scores increase and our student achievement increase. I would like us to renew a bond to update our facilities for ef-

Opinions...............A4 Police Blotters.....A5 Market Place........A6 Public Notices......A6 Obituaries............A7 Church News.......A7

ficiency and for safety. I would like us to have a comprehensive safety plan.”

This week, Hurowitz has been busy directing the district through the impacts of the coronavirus while schools are closed following Gov. Brown’s mandate to slow the virus.

The Chief spoke with Hurowitz before the coronavirus disrupt and shorty after the Clatskanie School Board approved her new three-year contact with an annual salary of $123,000.

Hurowitz became the superintendent in 2018. The Chief asked what she believes have been her major accomplishments since taking office.

“I am a worker bee, so it is hard to think about what I have accomplished,” she said. “To be honest, I could not do anything without the support of the administration and the teachers. My accomplishments have been accomplishments of all the staff, administration and teachers.”

And despite the coronavirus delay in school, Hurowitz and her team are already penciling in what she believes will be the student path to success.

“We are working really hard on developing an alternative program for students that are not having success in school, a program that will support every student,” she said.

“Whether they are homeschooled, having mental health or social issues, or behind in credits. We are

developing alternative programs to support those students.”

Horowitz said there has been an increase in students needing such alternative assistance.

“It’s not just our district,” she said. “It is all over the county. I think our lifestyles are stressful. There is so much access to technology.

Students are experiencing drama at home, whether it is divorce, or violence, there seems to be more drama at home, so we want to support all of our students.”

As the Clatskanie School District moves ahead, Hurowitz said it will need to hire more teachers.

Already in the works are plans to hire approximately seven to nine new instructors, including general and specialized teachers, a Spanish teacher, a home economics instructor and a counselor.

Hurowitz is also hopeful that the district will develop a preschool.

“There is a high need for good child care and to get ready for school,” she said. “All of the area preschools have waiting lists. It is very expensive, so I want to see a preschool here that parents can afford.”

Hurowitz said the district could seek grant money that is available for preschool development.

The Clatskanie School District is currently serving 705 students with 105 teachers, aides, secretaries and bus drivers.

Kelli Nicholson / The Chief

Kelli Nicholson / The Chief

Safety improvements are expected this summer at this intersection in Clatskanie.

New pedestrian activated signals and push buttons at the crosswalk at Nehalem Street and Highway 30 are part of the new safety projects to be completed this summer in Clatskanie.

Street improvements JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie residents can look forward to street and highway improvements in the weeks ahead, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

One of the first projects, according to ODOT spokesman Lou Torres, includes intersection improvements along Highway 30 at Nehalem and Bel Air Streets.

“We will be moving the old pedestrian ramps and installing new American for Disibilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps,” Torres said. “Also at Nehalem Street, we will be installing new pedestrian activated signals and push buttons at the crosswalk.”

Torres said improvements in Rainier, the A Street Rail Safety Project, continue to move ahead.

“We have finished the rail work and the contractor is now working on the sidewalks and roadwork,” he said. “We are still maintaining oneway traffic in the work zone. It is on schedule to be completed this fall.”

Also in the works, ODOT is coordinating a surface repair at milepost

36 on Highway 30 near Deer Island.

“This is the area where we have had frequent slides in the past,” Torres said. “The road is rough and we will go in and remove the old pavement and put a new surface down.

We do not have any plans to do a major slide repair, however.”

Torres said Columbia County residents and others should expect to see ODOT maintenance crews doing extensive brush cutting and brush removal along large stretches of U.S. 30 this spring and summer.

“We will be removing vegetation that is close to the road to enhance safety and visibility,” he said. “Of course, expect our maintenance crews to be doing their regular maintenance activities including fixing pot holes, patch paving in places, cleaning ditches and culverts, fixing guardrail and putting down new striping.”

According to Torres, ODOT does not have any large paving projects planned for Highway 30 this spring and summer.

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

A2

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 2020

Clatskanie State of Emergency necessary under the circumstances for the protection of life or property or to prevent or minimize danger to lives or With an estimated number property: 1,756 citizens and resources • City residents should at risk for the virus in Clatsadhere as closely as practikanie, Mayor Bob Brajcich cable to the recommendations declared a State of Emergency set forth by the Centers for on March 16 to help slow the Disease Control and Oregon spread of coronavirus.

Health Authority for personal Under the declaration, City hygiene and “Social Distancemployees are authorized ing.” without more direction to • City staff will continue implement any City emerto work and offices are open gency preparedness plans to the public under the regular and programs in place, to act business schedule. However, in cooperation with and in the City recommends utility accordance with Columbia customers to use the payment County Emergency Operations drop-off box or phone in your Plans and to act in accordance bill payment. If you have a with state statutes, local laws question for a City staff, call and emergency regulations and 503-728-2622. orders, to protect the health • Updated information and safety of the citizen of the will be provided on the City’s City of Clatskanie. website, www.cityofclatskanie.

On March 19, Clatskankie com.

City Manager Greg WinklUntil further notice, water eman issued the following services will not be disconstatement concerning retail nected for non-payment and gasoline sales. late fees are suspended. The The City of Clatskanie, City encourages those who operating under our Declared might be struggling to make Emergency, has issued an payment arrangements with Emergency Order to allow City staff. retail self-service within the Similar State of Emergencity. This decision was done to cies have been declared in keep the gas flowing following Rainier, St. Helens and Scapone of the gas station owner’s poose. Officials said the decdesire to shut the station due to laration also allow the cities coronavirus fears. access to additional resources “Our concern was if the sta- if needed. tion closed, that would cause Local, county and state the already heightened fear/ officials continue to urge anxiety/hysteria to go even all Oregonians to take steps higher (if that is possible),” to protect themselves, their Hinkelman said. “The selffamilies, and those who are service option was the only most vulnerable to complicaway we could keep the station, tions from COVID-19. Those specifically the gas sales, open. considered “high risk” include We issued this Order because adults 60 and older, or anyone gasoline (and diesel) are strate- with a serious health condigic commodities. We have to tion, including lung or heart keep the gas flowing.” problems, kidney disease, The following addidiabetes, or anyone who has a tional emergency regulatory suppressed immune system. measures as are imminently People vulnerable to JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

complications should follow federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings.

Every resident should take these basic steps to protect themselves and those most at risk: • Never visit a hospital or long-term-care facility if you have a fever or cough.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces like bathrooms, desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, faucet handles, toys and cell phones.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home and away from others if you are ill.

After someone contracts COVID-19, illness usually develops within 14 days. Symptoms mirror those of the flu, including fever, cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat and general feelings of illness.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The coronavirus impact in Oregon has triggered a surge of unemployment benefit claims at the Oregon Employment Department.

Unemployment claims rise

a short period of time, such navirus since the February as cleaning following a unemployment rate is based coronavirus exposure, or by on people’s activity during government requirement. the week that included The number of initial Workers can get unemploy- February 12. The monthly unemployment Insurance ment benefits, and do not unemployment rate is Stay informed claims filed in Oregon rose need to seek work with always based on a person’s from approximately 800 other employers if their employment status for the • Call 2-1-1 for general on Sunday, March 16 to a place of employment will week that includes the 12th questions total of 18,500 on Tuesday, resume operations. of each month.

• Oregon response: The March 18, according to To receive benefits, afBy mid-February, there Oregon Health Authority leads Oregon Employment Defected workers must still had been relatively limited the state response. partment communications be able to work, stay in economic impact from the • United States response: director Gail Krumenauer. contact with their employdisease in the U.S. In FebThe Centers for Disease Con“Although we know the trol and Prevention leads the er, and be available to work ruary, there were 69,000 COVID-19 coronavirus U.S. response. when called back. A full unemployed Oregonians, is causing a reduction in • Global response: The resource guide with queswhich was the lowest numeconomic activity both naWorld Health Organization tions and answers about ber in more than 40 years. tionally and in Oregon, it’s guides the global response.

Total nonfarm payroll too early for unemployment specific COVID-19 coronavirus-related situations employment rose by 3,100 rate or payroll jobs numFollow developments at and unemployment benefits jobs in February, following bers to show the impact of thechiefnews.com and in the is available at Oregon.gov/ a loss of 300 jobs in Januthese employment disrupFriday print editions of The employ.

This site also has ary. Two major industries tions,” she said. “EmployChief. information for filing an added more than 1,000 jobs ment Department staff online claim. in February: construction will reach out to employMeantime, the Oregon (+1,700 jobs) and profesers and affected workers Employment Department’s sional and business services filing claims to determine Systems and Economic (+1,300). eligibility for UnemployAnalysis manager Nick Oregon’s nonfarm payment Insurance benefits, Beleiciks said the state has roll employment increased and continue to evaluate by 26,600 jobs, or 1.4 eligibility requirements and recorded record low unemployment in both January percent, over the year since benefits on a case by case and February.

February 2019. In the past basis.”

The jobless rate of 3.3 12 months, transportation, Krumenauer said the percent is the lowest on warehousing, and utiliOregon Employment comparable records dating ties grew at the fastest rate Department provides back to 1976 and is below of the major industries, Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to most work- the U.S. unemployment rate expanding by 3,100 jobs, of 3.5 percent in February. or 4.5 percent. Informaers who are out of work “It’s too early to have tion also expanded rapidly, through no fault of their Good times Meet your friends and relax data showing the emadding 1,100 jobs, or 3.2 own.

ROLL at the at this classic neighborhood ployment impact, but the percent, since February The Oregon Employwatering hole! response to COVID-19 2019. ment Department has is causing a reduction in Construction (+3,000 enacted temporary rules economic activity both jobs, or 2.8%) and other to give more flexibility in nationally and in Oregon,” services (+1,900 jobs, or providing unemployment times afBeleiciks said. “It will be 2.9%) also were leading Meet your friends and relax benefitsGood to COVID-19 weeks before we can acindustries of growth over ROLL at the at this classic neighborhood fected workers. curately quantify the extent the past 12 months. Meanwatering hole!

Unemployment Insurof the damage to Oregon’s while, only one industry ance benefits are available 11 Beers on Tap • Cocktails & Wine labor market.” shed a substantial numduring temporary layoffs OREGON LOTTERY • Shuffleboard • Pool Beleiciks said Oregon’s ber of jobs since Februrelated to COVID-19 situaCourtesy photo LIVE ENTERTAINMENT force data for Febary 2019; manufacturing tions. These School districts are offering grab-and-go meals for students during the school closures.

Musicbenefits & Magicoccur • Fridays labor & Saturdays ruary shows little impact dropped 3,700 jobs, declinfor employees whose emCold Beer • Micro-Brewsfrom • Goodthe Food Good Meet yourfeet friends andpeople relax(obvi- ployer picked up from 11:30 a.m.away from spread of the coro- ing 1.9 percent. stopstimes operation for STAFF REPORT Video Poker • Keno ROLL at the 12:30 p.m. at the following ously, neighborhood your own family is not at this classic chiefnews@countrymedia.net Scratch-Its • Pool • Darts locations: included in this). watering hole!

Beers on Tap • Cocktails & Wine Milepost 41 • Sol Haven- Near the 11 “By expanding our perLOTTERY • Pool 25196 Alston• Shuffleboard Road • Rainier, OR 503-556-4090 During the statewide pub- main office parking lot OREGON on Hwy 30 sonal bubble, we can do a lot 70255 Columbia River Hwy • Rainier, OR • 503-556-9753 at slow 11AMdown, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT lic school closure, essential • Clatskanie City Park- Open to daily stop, or the Music & Magic • Fridays & Saturdays meals to students will still be Near the Gazebo spread of the virus. Rememoffered through the ClatsCold Beer • Micro-Brews • Good Food • Westport Church parkber: A sniffle for you could kanie School District.

Video Poker seeing • Keno ing lot on Hwy 30 be a serious illness for someWe lookScratch-Its forward once we get past this. Take care!

Clatskanie School District • Pool • Darts • Quincy Store/Calvinsone else,” the release reads. staff began serving GrabParking lot If you know of students Milepost 41 N-Go breakfast and lunch Open hoursand 11 relax am-9 pm 25196 Alston Road 503-556-4090 11 Beers on Tap who • Cocktails & Wine Accordion to a release cannot make• itRainier, to the OR on Hwy 30 Meetregular your friends on Monday, March 16 and LOTTERY • Shuffleboard 70255 Columbia River Hwy • Rainier, OR pick-up AM •• Pool 503-556-9753 daily at 11off-site from the ClatskanieOREGON SchoolOpen lunch drop due & delivery only at the front window. at this classic neighborhood will continue the program District, by providing meals, to significant barriers in LIVE ENTERTAINMENT watering hole! through the school closure the district is trying to limit transportation, contact Linda Music & Magic • Fridays & Saturdays period. the impact school closure is Sherman at lsherman@scd.

Cold Beer • Micro-Brews • Good Food The District is also having on students. During k12.or.us to coordinate supCanceled music for •March Meet your friends and relax Video Poker Keno 21st. providing the next day’s meal pick-up, parents and port.

OPEN 8AM NEWDAILY Hours 4:30 pm•-Pool 8 pm• pick-up only. at this classic neighborhood Scratch-Its Darts breakfast in the Grab-N-Go students are asked to help If you know of students watering hole!

Homemade Soups • Salads sacks.

Milepost 41 support the Oregon Health who are in need of personal Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner • Rainier, OR on Hwy 30 Best Burgers Authority’s request to:25196 Alston items,Road clothing, etc., contact 503-556-4213 • 119 First St E • Rainier 70255 Columbia River Hwy • in Rainier, OR Here’s what parents need AM • 503-556-9753 Open dailyDonna at 11Thompson • Try and limit up-close, at dthompthe Area Daily Specials 11 Beers on Tap • Cocktails & Wine to know: in-person contact. It means son@csd.k12.or.us. She will OREGON LOTTERY • Shuffleboard • Pool Serving Halibut not shaking hands coordinate support through and Cod Student meals can be • Try to stand about three the CMHS Share Shed.

Fish & Chips JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

School meals offered

Historic

Goble Historic Tavern

Alston pub Goble grub Tavern ric miss your smiling faces istowill HWe Alston through the trying time. pub grub Goble

Tavern

Alston pub LUIGI’S grub PIZZA

2020 CHRONICLE

Evergreen Pub & Cafe Family Dining

503-556-4090

Luigi’sLUIGI’S Pizza Pizza • Calzone PIZZA Play Sandwiches VIDEO POKER

Spaghetti • Lasagna Burgers • Salads Beer, Wine & Sodas

Evergreen Pub & Cafe OPEN DAILY 8AM Full Bar

Homemade Soups • Salads Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

NEW Hours 4:30 pm - 8 pm Daily Specials pick-up & delivery only.

Serving Halibut

Best Burgers 11 Beers on Tap • Cocktails & Wine in the Area OREGON LOTTERY • Shuffleboard • Pool

Evergreen Pub & Cafe Luigi’s Pizza LUIGI’S Pizza • Calzone 503-556-9935 Family Dining 503-556-4213 Play Sandwiches PIZZA VIDEO Spaghetti • Lasagna POKER

Burgers • SaladsDaily Specials Beer, Wine & Sodas

Luigi’s Pizza VENDORS WANTED CANCELED 119 First St E • Rainier

503-556-4213

The Chronicle

119 First St E • Rainier

503-556-4213

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Serving Halibut

Best Burgers in the Area

25196 Alston Road • Rainier, OR AM • 503-556-9753 Open daily at 11 NEW Hours 4:30 pm - 8 pm

Alston for pick-up & delivery only. pub Music canceled for March 21st. grub

25196 Alston Road • Rainier, OR Open daily at 11AM • 503-556-9753

Read the news online

The Chief

Openand Cod 11amFish & Chips 115 -117 First St E • Rainier daily Keno • Video Poker 503-556-9935

Pizza • Calzone Play Sandwiches VIDEO Spaghetti • Lasagna April 18th and 19th. Booth reservation April 8 POKER deadline: Burgers • Salads Beer, Wine & Sodas

Show presented by The Chronicle and sponsored by InRoads and Don’s Rental.

and Cod Fish & Chips

Open 11am Full Bar 115 -117 First St E • Rainier • Video DAILY 8AM Poker dailyOPENKeno Homemade Soups • Salads Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

119 First St E • Rainier

Alston pub grub

Family Dining

Open 11am daily

Full Bar

T

LUIGI’S PIZZA

PIZZA

503-556-9935 Pizza • Calzone 503-728-3350 • 148 Nehalem St. Play VIDEO POKER

OPEN

Hom Brea

Dail

www.thechiefnews.com 115 -117 First St E • Rainier Luigi’sLUIGI’S Pizza

Keno • Video Poker

Ev

Sandwiches Spaghetti • Lasagna Burgers • Salads

Serv and Fish

E

Full OP

Ho Br

Da

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 2020

A3

At the Pumps Price break, but uncertainties

Courtesy photo

Oregon’s average price for unleaded regular as of Wednesday, March 18, was at $2.91 a gallon.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Drivers in Columbia County are getting a break at the gas pump. The national and Oregon price averages for gasoline are at their cheapest prices of the year so far.

Oregon’s average is at $2.91 a gallon and The Chief has spotted prices as low as $2.86 a gallon as of Wednesday, March 17.

The national average is at its lowest price since January 2019 and the Oregon average is at its lowest price since last March, according to the latest American Automobile Association (AAA) price survey.

“During these uncertain times of coronavirus, pump prices are declining despite shrinking U.S. stock levels,” AAA Oregon/Idaho public affairs director Marie Dodds said. “This is the time of year we normally see the spring run-up in gas prices. AAA expects gas prices to continue moving lower, with the national average likely to fall to $2 a gallon by the end of the month.”

Dodds took time to answer the following questions from The Chief about the coronavirus impact on travel and what we are paying at the pumps.

The Chief: Is the AAA seeing less travel in Oregon now than normal for this time of the year due to the coronavirus and if so, why is that?

Dodds: Yes, due to travel restrictions and closures related to coronavirus, we are seeing people comply with advisories to avoid nonessential travel now.

The Chief: With the wave of restrictions triggered by coronavirus, and more possible, what’s the advice from AAA about our personal travel plans, especially to families seeking that summer vacation?

Dodds: It’s difficult for folks to plan travel now for the spring and summer because we just don’t know what the future holds when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone should be cautious about nonessential travel right now, especially folks who may be in higher risk groups. The

safety and protection of our members is the foundation of AAA. It’s been part of our mission since AAA was founded in Oregon way back in 1905.

We really don’t yet know when things will get back to normal. For folks who are interested in still trying to plan summer vacations, most travel providers, such as airlines, cruises, hotels, etc. are waiving or relaxing change or cancellation fees.

So in many cases it’s possible to book a trip now, and then cancel later if need be. However, be sure to read all of the fine print to make sure you understand all of the cancellation and/or change policies.

It’s also good to work with a travel professional who can help you navigate through all of the uncertainty.

The Chief: Does AAA believe the restrictions could mean more stay-cations? If so, what examples could you give us?

Dodds: Yes, we do tend to see more stay-cations during difficult times. However, with the extreme uncertainty and rapidly changing developments surrounding coronavirus, it’s even challenging to try to make vacation plans to destinations that are close to home. Again, see above for advice on booking travel now, and being able to cancel or change if necessary.

The Chief: What is the AAA hearing from popular destinations around Oregon about changes they are making to protect visitors and still maintain tourist levels?

Dodds: We are constantly hearing from popular destinations around Oregon about changes and restrictions being put in place to protect the traveling public. That is the primary concern.

The outlook for domestic and international travel has been changing daily, if not hourly as the virus has spread to a pandemic level. Our AAA travel team continues to work around-the-clock to proactively contact members whose upcoming travel plans may be affected by recent travel restrictions and cancellations. As a longstanding resource for travel information, you can find up-to-date travel information related to COVID-19 on AAA.com.

More pump price details Oregon is one of all 50 states and the District of Columbia where pump prices are lower this week. Ohio (-26 cents) has the largest weekly drop while Hawaii (-2 cents) has the smallest.

This week there are three states with an average at or above $3/gallon, same as a week ago.

The West Coast continues to have the highest pump prices in the nation with all of the region’s states landing on the top 10 most expensive list.

The cheapest gas in the nation can be found in Oklahoma ($1.90) and Ohio ($1.94). This is the first time in 57 weeks that one or more states has an average below $2/gallon.

Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is 20 cents less and the Oregon average is six cents less than a month ago.

Indiana (-49 cents) has the largest month-over-month decline. Idaho (+3/10 cent) is the only state with a monthly increase and it is less than one cent.

Oregon is one of eight states where drivers are paying more than a year ago.

The national average is 31 cents less and the Oregon average is five cents more than a year ago. This is the fifth-largest yearly increase in the nation. Hawaii (+17 cents) and Utah (+17 cents) have the biggest year-overyear increases.

Hawaii is most expensive for the 14th week in a row with California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Nevada, and Arizona rounding out the top seven. Oregon is fourth most expensive for the seventh week in a row.

Pump prices in all West Coast states are down weekover-week. California (-10 cents) has the largest drop in the region.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased slightly from 31.41 million bbl to 31.64 million bbl, which is 1.14 million bbl lower than the level at this time in 2019. Pump prices are likely to continue decreasing this week, barring any supply challenges.

Motorist Trapped

Courtesy photo

Rainier Police and Oregon State Troopers responded to an accident on Washington Way on Friday, March 13, after an Army vehicle struck a power pole, which knocked over another pole. One motorist was trapped when one of the poles fell in front of his truck and power lines draped across the vehicle.

Columbia River PUD responded and removed the lines. The collapse of the poles also caused damage to a residence and disrupted power for several area businesses while crews worked to fix the damage and clean up the scene. There were no injuries reported.

Photo courtesy of Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department

Adjustments have been made to Oregon’s Whale Watching Week due to the coronavirus.

Whale Watching Week Update JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Due to the efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus in Oregon, state parks officials have altered the annual spring Whale Watching Week.

To reduce exposure, the volunteer crew that normally staffs the watch sites are staying home.

“For regular folk, watch the online guides, grab your own binocs, and head out and enjoy,” Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Chris Havel said, who adds: • If you’re ill, stay home.

• Maintain a social

distance of six feet or more when you go out.

• Wash regularly with soap and water or sanitizer.

• Sneeze into a tissue or elbow.

Havel said some parks could experience reduced service, to things like restrooms, with very little notice, so it’s important to check oregonstateparks.org before traveling. The Whale Watch Center at Depot Bay is closed until April 1.

Whale Watching Week runs through March 29 to celebrate the more than 25,000 Gray whales expected to migrate north past Oregon over the next few months.

Gray whales migrate

north along the coast annually during spring, following a route to Alaskan waters after spending the winter in the warm lagoons off the coast of Baja, Mexico.

Many of the Gray whales will be accompanied by their new calves, born during the winter.

The first large groups of whales swim by Oregon mid-March and the migratory stream typically continues into June.

See more about whales at thechiefnews.com. For more information about parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast, visit oregonstateparks.org.

Child care open with restrictions

Courtesy photo

For more information about the Early Learning Division, visit https://oregonearlylearning.com.

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The Early Learning Division (ELD) of the Oregon Department of Education has announced new guidance and temporary changes to support child care providers serving families who provide health, safety, and other essential services to their communities during the coronavirus public health emergency. Authorized under Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-08 issued on March 17, 2020, the changes take effect immediately.

“These changes will allow providers more flexibility to continue serving parents doing critical work during this state of emergency,” Early Learning System Director Miriam Calderon said. ”I want to stress that child care providers are serving as first responders, and families for whom child care is not absolutely necessary should keep their children at home to ensure these caregivers can serve those most in need.”

Changes to rules covered in the order include: Social distancing Providers must follow the specific guidance released by the Early Learning Division, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, to

help providers implement measures that prioritize the safety and health of children and staff.

Licensed care exceptions The Office of Child Care (OCC) will consider case-bycase exceptions, as is already provided for in law, on an expedited timeframe. OCC may allow existing child care centers to open additional, temporary rooms without seeking approval from local jurisdictions or other state agencies.

Expedited training OCC will adapt training requirements to allow staff to begin working more quickly, without sacrificing safety.

Online training will be available to address health and safety, First Aid/CPR, child abuse reporting, and safe sleep practices.

Emergency Background Check OCC is establishing an emergency background check process during this time.

Applicants will be subjected to LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System) check for Oregon criminal and sex offender registry, Child and Protective Services check for child abuse, National Sex Offender Registry Public Website check, and run against

the Central Background Registry.

Emergency child care facilities OCC is creating an expedited process for providers to stand up new, emergency child care facilities to serve medical personnel, emergency responders, and others who are providing essential services where the need for child care exists.

OCC accepts reports from parents or others who may report concerns. To report a complaint online, go to www. oregonearlylearning.com/ parents-families/making-acomplaint. OCC may still inspect and investigate at any time. If OCC determines there is danger to children, the agency may close the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions to address family and provider questions and concerns are available and updated regularly on the Early Learning Division’s COVID-19 webpage. For questions regarding COVID-19 and these changes, providers can call 1-800342-6712 or their local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R). Providers can also submit questions by emailing ProviderContact@ state.or.us.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

A4

www.thechiefnews.com

•

•V iewpoints • •

Friday, March 20, 2020

•

•S peed B ump • •

Uncharted Territory BRAD WITT Chief Guest Column

The Legislature’s Joint Special Coronavirus Response Committee convened in Salem on Wednesday. The Committee will be identifying actions to support economic relief and household stability for low-income workers and small businesses who are at risk of being significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be monitoring Oregon’s ongoing public health response, and producing budget and policy recommendations for consideration at a Legislative Special Session, to be convened when this committee has developed an emergency response package to address the statewide impacts of the coronavirus.

We are in uncharted territory when it comes to dealing with the COVID-19 virus pandemic. But Oregon has established a unified COVID-19 Response Center, using the incident management system that has been designed to respond to emergency situations. The Oregon Health Authority is coordinating the response, working with hospitals and health care providers focusing on testing capabilities, hospital capacity, health care workers and the supply of personal protective equipment.

Governor Brown has declared an emergency, closed public schools through April 28th, is prohibiting gatherings of 25 people, banned on-site dining in bars and restaurants limiting them to takeout sales and delivery and has convened a Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council.

The COVID-19 pandemic

is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime, and the Governor is working in this rapidly changing environment to take the steps necessary to protect Oregonians.

I will be joining with my colleagues to support actions that protect our families and communities, trying to mitigate the negative impacts on our vulnerable populations, low wage earners and all sizes of business. Right now we need to work to protect our first responders, make sure the food supply chain is uninterrupted, and our health care workers have the personal protective equipment they need to safely do their jobs.

COVID-19 will impact every community, every industry, and businesses of all sizes. Most sectors of the economy are already impacted, and those impact will continue for weeks, months, and possibly longer. Workers are already being laid off in large numbers, and so lawmakers will be focusing on housing, food, health care, and taking steps to preserve the economy. Oregon’s state budget depends on payroll taxes, and so we will be examining and working on the most effective immediate, short term and longer needs for the economic well-being of all Oregonians.

Our first immediate need is to keep people safe, and everyone needs to do their part. Remain calm, and pay attention to the guidelines coming out of the Governor’s office. Take care of yourself, don’t expose yourself to this virus. You have control of your own health, by observing the social distancing guidelines, and staying at

home as much as possible you can avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19.

Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease are at higher risk for serious illness.

But even if you are not in a high risk category, you have a responsibility to be equally careful not to contract and spread the virus. There is no vaccine, and no medication for the coronavirus, so you need to take action to avoid contracting this virus.

The Oregon Health Authority is providing daily updates on COVID-19, if you would like more information you can visit their COVID-19 webpage at WWW.oregon. gov/oha.

Because of this situation, I have cancelled my in-person town halls. Instead, I ask that you please join me this Saturday March 21 at 10:30am to 11:30am on Facebook for a live Town Hall.

The Capitol Building is currently closed to the public, but we monitor our email and phone daily, and we are here to assist my constituents. If you need help on a state issue or have a concern regarding a state agency, contact my office and we will see what can be done.

Please take care of yourself and each other. Be Safe.

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

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Will social distancing be harmful for our society?

Do you think postponing events and taking other such steps is a necessary measure in combating the coronavirus?

Yes

No

87% Yes

13% No

vote online at thechiefnews.com

Newspapers: An ‘essential service’

DEAN RIDINGS Chief Guest Column

San Francisco and six Bay Area counties, with a combined population of nearly 7 million, are under “shelter-in-place” orders directing everyone to basically stay inside their homes

for the next three weeks in hopes of suppressing the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the region.

It looks like many of us are going to be living under similar shelter-inplace orders sooner or later.

Bedroom community New Rochelle, New York, has a “zone of containment,” and at this writing, New York City’s mayor is considering an order sending everyone inside in The City That Never Sleeps, which will surely encourage other municipalities to issue their own shelter-in-place edicts.

At the national level, there are doubtless officials who gaze longingly at the lockdowns ordered across Spain and Italy.

One key to shelter-inplace orders is that busi-

nesses that do not provide “essential” services must send workers home. Most coverage lists the essential services as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and vital services from police and fire fighters to utility workers.

In California, newspapers are among the essential services exempt from shelter in place. And that is exactly how it should be.

It is imperative that all future shelter-in-place orders recognize that newspapers provide “essential services.” It’s imperative that these orders recognize their communities badly need those services in this crisis — and would be imperiled by their absence.

Day in and day out, newspapers bind communi-

The Chief

ties together, enhancing civic life and informing, entertaining and educating their local audiences.

But it is during crises that newspapers prove their mettle. In hurricanes, in floods, in tornadoes and wildfires, newspapers have provided the information, the background, the warnings and the directions to financial and psychological aid that help communities prepare, survive and rebuild in emergencies.

Newspapers are especially essential in this COVID-19 public health crisis.

For one thing, it is a complex and often baffling crisis. Again and again, public health experts speak of being in “unchartered territory” confronting this

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 148 N. Nehalem St., P.O. Box 8 Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 Periodicals postage paid at Clatskanie, OR 97016

invisible, shape-shifting deadly menace. Newspapers are uniquely situated to provide the extensive background people need to understand as a community and as individuals.

In these weeks of crisis, they have ceaselessly delivered the best practices for individual and community hygiene. Newspapers (in print and online) continue to demonstrate their ability to tackle and explain complex issues with the necessary and important details.

Newspapers have also been a voice demanding accountability on behalf of their communities during this COVID-19 crisis — from a President who denounced coronavirus as a “hoax,” to administration officials overpromising and

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 8 Clatskanie, OR 97016

failing to deliver testing kits, to lies and fudging of disease statistics.

And when this crisis passes and office workers flock back to their cubicles and waitresses to their dining stations, line cooks to their restaurant kitchens, bartenders to their taverns, actors to their stages, beer vendors to their stadiums, cashiers to their registers - when, in short, America begins to rebuild its economy, its trust and its health - newspapers will continue to provide the essential services vital to the commonweal.

Are newspapers “essential services”? You bet.

Dean Ridings is CEO of the organization America’s Newspapers.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One Year Columbia County & Eastern Clatsop County: $52/year One Year Out of County: $72 $3 senior discount for yearly sub

Contact Us • Phone: (503) 728-3350 • Fax: (503) 308-6791 • Email: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial Email: chiefnews@countrymedia.net • Advertising Email: atrull@countrymedia.net

Write to Us We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor.

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

Send Letters To: The Chief Attn: News Editor PO Box 8, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Email Letters To: chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Letters Policy The Chief welcomes letters of 250 words or fewer. Letters are subject to editing for length, clarity or grammar. They should be concise, to the point and original. Letters dealing with disputes or containing criticism of private individuals or businesses will not be published. All letters must be signed (unless emailed) and include the author’s full name, address and daytime telephone number (for verification purposes only).

Letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Letters also may be published on our website.

Obituaries Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@ countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

Guest Commentary We welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the newspaper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. Or you might just have interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at (503) 728-3350 or chiefnews@ countrymedia.net.

All columns are subject to editing for style, grammar and clarity.

However, views expressed in guest columns are independent and do not represent those of The Chief, its staff or Country Media, Inc. Editorial Policy Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Let us know what YOU think

EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO: CHIEFNEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENT LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 • suicidepreventationlifeline.org Columbia County’s trusted local news source

OREGON YOUTH LINE: 877-968-8491 • Text “teen2teen” to 839863

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 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 March 1 • An officer responded to a two-vehicle, non-injury accident on the bridge. No citations were issued.

March 2 • A caller requested a welfare check on a subject. The person was found to be intoxicated.

• A woman was reportedly wandering around, yelling at people and kicking buildings. An officer contacted her to check on her well-being and gave a courtesy transport per her request.

• A reportedly suspicious vehicle checked out okay.

• An officer responded to a disturbance at a residence on West 7th. Several people were reportedly there without permission and were trespassed from the premises.

March 3 • A caller reported seeing a driver spin around on the highway and hit the barrier. The driver then fled the scene. Officers were unable to locate the suspect vehicle.

March 4 • Walter Hughes, 46, of Rainier, was cited storing property in the city right of way on West 7th Street.

• A man sleeping in a vehicle at the boat launch was given a warning.

• A caller reported seeing a person trespassing at the East end of A Street on ODOT property.

The subject was unable to be located.

MEDICAL From Page A1 than 10 people.

Columbia County Public Health Administrator Michael Paul provided information to The Chief by phone and during the March 18 Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting regarding COVID-19, testing information and measures that Columbia County Public Health is taking to combat the potential spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Paul said measures released by the Oregon Health Authority, such as minimizing social contact, and mandates released by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, such as closing restaurants except for takeout and delivery are necessary, even if 80 percent of people who contract the illness will develop only mild symptoms.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, which develop anywhere between two to 14 days after infection, according to the CDC. While most people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, Paul said, about 20 percent of people who contract the disease will develop moder-

DISTANCING From Page A1 while this is a scary and uncertain time, “it also creates an opportunity to connect and build community

Officers responded to a report of a disturbance. The disagreement was verbal in nature and peace was restored.

A bullet was found at the skate park and was turned in as found property.

March 5 • An officer responded to an alarm at a tavern. The building was found to be secure.

An officer assisted two motorists involved in a non-injury accident on the on ramp to the bridge.

• A resident reported that some neighbors were running generators and working on vehicles disrupting the peace. The parking lot ‘mechanics’ were given a verbal warning.

March 7 • A resident reported unwanted persons were walking through their yard.

• Robert Lucas, 81, of Rainier, was cited for storing rubbish in a parking lot on West C Street near West 7th.

March 8 • An insulin kit was turned in as found property.

March 9 • A customer leaving a store noticed a woman yelling at his vehicle. When he got in the vehicle, she threw an object breaking out a window. When contacted by an officer, the woman was yelling that the people in the van had been hosing the pavement making it icy and told the officer that his boots were ugly and had been talking to her. She was issued a citation for criminal mischief and was voluntarily transported to a medical facility for evaluation.

• An officer checked on a suspicious person looking around inside of a vehicle. It was determined that the person was the owner of the vehicle and was looking for his cigarettes.

• A caller reported seeing some juveniles “locking each other inside a dirt mound with a metal ate to severe symptoms and may require hospitalization.

Those 20 percent are people who have existing conditions, like those who are already immunocompromised, or have a condition like asthma, according to Paul, who said people 65 years of age or older are also more at risk for developing severe symptoms.

“In some cases, they need a ventilator, or need to be admitted to an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and our hospital systems only have so much capacity,” Paul said. “If we allow COVID-19 to spread rapidly, then that system can get easily overwhelmed.

That means that there would be more deaths than there would be if we took measures as a community to slow the rate of transmissions.”

Columbia County Public Health action The term “flatten the curve,” has been used by federal and state health authorities, which means to slow the number of people ill at any time to make sure the health system continues to function, according to Paul, who said coronavirus cases would double every five to six days if no social distancing procedures are put into place.

As of Thursday morning, March 19, there had been no reports of the COVID-19 in Columbia County. and honor our interdependence and connectedness,” she said.

According to Gates, it is important for parents to have a conversation with their children about coronavirus.

“It is important for

GUTTERS! GUTTERS! GUTTERS!

WA BRADLMG954B6

OR 84292

Bradley A. McKay General Contractor Clatskanie, OR Custom Aluminum 5k GUTTERS Made on NOW SUPPLYING site, No waiting! Save on in stock colors!

Continuous Aluminum 5k GUTTERS We also offer gutter and roof cleaning Keeping it local. Saving you money. services. Call for details Call now for free estimate.

(503)728-2965

A5

•B lotters • •

door”. An officer went to check on the situation and found a pump room that was unlocked.

Public works was advised and secured the room.

• A woman was advised to cease contacting her exhusband. Upon said notification, she said that she did not want him to contact her either.

• A person was warned they were not allowed to camp at the boat launch.

March 11 • An officer checked on people thought to be sleeping in a vehicle in a parking lot. They checked out to be okay.

• Two batteries were reportedly stolen from a vehicle in a parking lot.

• An officer responded to a twovehicle, non-injury accident. No citations were issued.

March 12 • An officer responded to a business alarm. The building was secure and the alarm was reset.

• An officer responded to another business alarm. It appeared that the alarm was set off accidentally by employees.

• A man was ‘camping’ in a business parking lot. He was contacted and advised he needed to leave.

• A caller reported seeing a disabled vehicle on the bridge blocking traffic. An officer was able to assist getting him and his vehicle over the bridge safely.

• A man was trespassed from a business after he left his trash in the parking lot and then threw a fit inside the store.

• A local business reported that an unknown subject broke one of their windows.

• A neighborhood disturbance was reported in the area of West C Street and Fern Hill Rd. They were advised they needed to focus on their own issues and work on vacating the premises.

March 13 • Officers responded to an accident on Washington Way.

An Army vehicle struck a power pole, which in turn, knocked over another pole. A motorist on Washington Way was trapped when one of the poles fell in front of his truck and power lines were draped across the vehicle. Columbia River PUD came to the scene and removed the lines. The collapse of the poles also caused damage to a residence. No injuries were reported. Many businesses were without power for several hours while crews worked to fix the damage and clean up the scene.

• A bicycle was reported as stolen from a resident on West C Street.

March 14 • An officer responded to a concern of people unloading garbage from on vehicle onto a property located on West 7th Street. The vehicle owner was fixing the canopy and therefore needed to remove the contents from the back of the truck. He said the mess would be cleaned up when he was done.

• An ex-boyfriend and his exgirlfriend were having a dispute over visitation of their child and property. They were advised the situation was civil in nature.

• Tyler Jackson, 25, of Rainier, was taken into custody and lodged at the jail on an outstanding warrant.

• A citizen called in suspicion of a prowler. Officers arrived, but no one was found to be in the area. The resident was given some suggestions to help deter the subject from returning.

March 15 • A CB was turned in as found property.

• Officers responded to a domestic disturbance. The case is pending investigation.

Oregon State Police March 16 • At approximately 3:54 a.m.

Oregon State Police responded to vehicle located in a ditch on

Highway 30 near milepost 25.

The driver displayed signs of impairment and admitted drinking alcohol. The driver, James Hand, 39, of St. Helens, consented to SFST’s and displayed additional signs of impairment.

The driver was arrested for DUII and transported to the Columbia County jail where he provided a breath sample of .17 BAC. The driver was cited and released for DUII and Reckless Driving.

Additionally, the driver had an outstanding warrant for DUII in Multnomah County and was cited and released per the listed warrant instructions.

• 8:31 p.m. OSP stopped a vehicle on Hwy 30 near MP 13 for Violation of the Basic Rule (VBR) and Speed Racing. The driver displayed indicators of impairment and admitted to smoking marijuana. The driver consented to SFST’s and was impaired by a noticeable and perceptible degree.

The driver was arrested and transported to Scappoose PD. The driver’s BAC was 0.00%.

The driver, Garret Higby,19, of Beaverton, consented to a blood draw. Blood was obtained from the driver. Higby was cited and released to a parent. He also was cited for VBR 95/50, Speed Racing and MIP-Marijuana. The vehicle was towed by Grumpy’s Towing.

March 14 • At approximately 9:31 p.m.

Troopers OSP Troopers received a driving complaint on a vehicle that pulled over near milepost 57 on Highway 30. ODOT then checked on the vehicle which continued westbound after hitting a post. The vehicle was located on Olson Road in Clatskanie.

• The driver, James Ocain, 66, showed numerous indicators of impairment and admitted consuming alcohol prior to driving. The driver consented to performing the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and was subsequently placed under arrest for DUII. He was transportTesting Resources

“What we have to do right now is consider our community to be a lot bigger than it is,” Paul said, meaning that Columbia County residents are frequently coming into contact with people residing outside the county as they travel to other counties for work, recreation and the like.

The county must operate under the assumption that it is possible someone from Columbia County will have come into contact with someone carrying the virus, Paul told the commissioners.

“So we’re doing everything we can on a number of different fronts,” Paul said.

That includes communicating with Emergency Medical Services, long-term care facilities, Community Action Teams, all of the clinics in the area and other places that may come into contact with sick people to make sure they have the equipment they need, such as personal protective equipment if they need to treat someone infected with the virus, according to Paul.

“We’re working with other counties to make sure people in Columbia County have somewhere to go if they need hospital-level care if those other counties are overwhelmed,” Paul said.

This generally involves a lot of inter-county communication, Paul said.

Public health agencies, at

both the local and state level, are past the point of containing the virus by tracking those who have been infected and with whom they have come in contact, according to Paul. While his agency will continue to track at the local level, Paul said the focus now is to implement social distancing, so the disease does not spread farther.

The lack of personal protective equipment for care workers, such as face masks, is a big concern and there are also a limited number of ventilators in hospitals, according to Paul, who added that the Public Health office has heard many concerns from community members about others not following guidelines set forth by the OHA about proper social distancing.

Another concern is the spread of misinformation and panic.

Paul is urging the public to not post on social media about having been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

“We’re sidetracked when that happens,” Paul said, as doing so can induce panic.

He said Columbia County Public Health will release information as soon as they are informed of a positive COVID-19 test result in the county.

Paul said any Columbia County resident interested in getting tested for COVID-19 needs to know there are certain people who are prioritized for testing, including those who have traveled to an area where COVID-19 cases have occurred, has had close contact with a known case, or has had an unexplained viral pneumonia.

Those people would go to the emergency room, with their tests sent to the state lab, Paul said. Currently, the state lab can run approximately 80 tests per day, according to Paul.

Others interested in getting a test would go through their regular care provider, according to Paul. At this time, with the capacity of the health care system to test people, not everyone can get a test, Paul said, and clinicians are prioritizing who gets tested.

“They’re using at-risk categories, people who are symptomatic, people who have had known exposure,” Paul said.

Oregon health officials are working to make testing more widely available in order to get a better picture of how many people in the state have the disease, Paul said. There are now three commercial labs, in addition to the state lab, that are providing testing services for

parents to talk to kids about coronavirus and not shy away from the topic,” Gates said. “Kids are not only hearing about it, but, by now, their routines have been disrupted, and many of them are feeling stressed and worried.”

Gates added that parents can offer reassurance about what adults are doing to stay safe and use it as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of hand washing as a way of protecting not only ourselves but our neighbors, families and friends.

“Even as we are taking these precautions as a community, you can explain that it’s still relatively rare and does not seem to affect kids as severely,” Gates said. “And remind kids that it’s an ongoing conversation. They can ask questions anytime.”

Oregon Psychiatric

Physicians Association president Dan Bristow said as Oregonians spend more time at home as a result of the coronavirus, that isolation can have negative consequences on mental health.

“Isolation is generally not good for your mental health,“ Bristow said.

“There are ways you can feel less isolated and stay socially supported during these uncertain times.”

Bristow offers the following tips during times of social distancing.

• Try to keep a regular routine as much as possible While your routine will be different compared to before, you can still set a routine that keeps your day organized and focused.

Have a regular schedule for work or study. Take breaks and eat meals at regular times. Try to maintain

the same sleep schedule.

Consistency helps structure your day and gets you acclimated to the new routine quicker.

• Stay as active as possible This might mean getting outside for regular walks. If that’s not possible, regular stretching, yoga, and meditation are options to help your body and mind feel its best.

• Limit social media and use reliable sources of information Scrolling social media feeds habitually tends to not help you feel connected or boost your mood. Social media can also spread misinformation that does not help you stay accurately informed. Stick with reliable sources of information (eg, www.cdc.gov).

• Stay in contact with friends and family While open-ended social

Local concerns

ed to the Clatskanie CCSO and provided a breath sample which resulted in a BAC of 0.16% The driver was then transported to his residence where he was cited and released for DUII. March 13 • At approximately 1:14 p.m. the Oregon State Police was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle on Highway 30 near milepost 14. A caller reported a white Ford F-350 had flashing blue lights on the truck and had pulled over near milepost 14. The vehicle was located near milepost 23 and stopped for failing to maintain its lane.

During the traffic stop a red and blue LED light bar was located in the front windshield, along with several blue and white LED lights in the front grill and along the running board.

The vehicle was also equipped with a siren control box and PA system. The driver, Daniel Clymer, 48, of Vancouver, had no affiliation with law enforcement or as an emergency responder.

The driver displayed indicators of impairment and consented to perform voluntary field sobriety tests. The driver was subsequently arrested for DUII. After contacting the district attorney’s office, all emergency lighting and equipment was removed and seized.

• A felony amount of methamphetamine along with a used meth pipe was located inside the vehicle. The driver provided two valid breath samples with a BAC of .00%. The driver consented to a voluntary blood draw and admitted to using the meth earlier in the day. The driver was booked and released on DUII and PCS methamphetamine. A charge of impersonating a police officer will be forwarded to both the Columbia and Multnomah County DA’s Office for consideration. The vehicle was towed by Grumpy’s.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s logs were not available at press time.

COVID-19. How quickly a test returns results varies lab to lab, according to Paul.

The test involves collecting swabs from the nose and mouth, Paul said.

Future action Paul said his agency will continue to monitor how social distancing practices are working.

Because the incubation period of the virus is two to 14 days, Columbia County Public Health will need a few cycles of the incubation period to evaluate the effectiveness of social distancing, Paul said. Every five to six days, public health will have a better picture of how social distancing strategies are working, according to Paul.

Paul encourages anyone who wants to help to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly. Another way is by spreading the word of the importance of social distancing.

“I just want people to know that their actions can make a difference and if we all take actions that may sound alarmist at this time, we can actually save people’s lives by slowing the spread of this disease,” Paul said.

Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief. media use might not help you stay connected, using social media to communicate with loved ones can be very uplifting. Emailing, phoning or video calls can help you stay connected to friends and family. Good social support can boost mood and prevent feelings of isolation.

• Be flexible and realistic about the time it takes to adjust Adjusting to your new routine will take time. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don’t expect to be as productive immediately in your work or studies from home.

For more information, contact the Oregon Psychiatric Physicians Association atinfo@oregonpsychiatric.org, or at 503-427-8977.

Follow developments at thechiefnews.com.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

A6

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 2020

Marketplace

It’s easy to place a classified ad in The Chief.

Just call 503.728.3350

Listings are updated daily at www.thechiefnews.com 104

Landscaping

109

J.J. LANDSCAPING

360-241-6889 or 360-425-0738.

109

Construction Services

CALL

The Chief at 503-728-3350 to place a class ad

TODAY

BETTER THAN NEW CONSTRUCTION LLC General Contractor looking for Exterior & Interior Painting, Pressure Washing, Siding and Rot Repair, Roofing, Flooring, Interior Remodeling, General Carpentry.

H47854 H47843

Gardening needs, lawn maintenance, clean ups, bark, soil, planting, pruning, aeration, fertilization, weed control, plant trees, blackberry removal, free estimates and I have references.

150

Construction Services

FOR QUICK RESPONSE AND AFFORDABLE QUOTE CALL

503-298-1456

Keep up with

The Chief

thechiefnews.com

311

502

502

Misc Services

Announcements

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Paul’s Tree Service Inc. No bush too small, no tree too tall - Call Paul! Specialized in danger trees, take downs, storm clean-up.

Time to prune - pruning Lace Leafed Maples & ornamental shrubberies, chipping, senior or veterans discount, free estimates.

CCB# 217173 Lic., Bonded & Insured.

503-440-0723 or 503-543-8274.

that you bring the correct change.

For seniors over 60 it is a donation of $5 and for folks under 60 the cost is $7. The menu for March is posted on our website: www.

RainierSenior.com.

Due to the building being closed, meals are delivered to you outside at the door.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Corrections Technician Columbia County, OR EOEDeadline 4/3/2020 Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov

years of experience preferred, General management preferred, Ability to obtain National Swimming Pool Foundation certifications for Certified Pool Operator within three (3) months of hire date, Ability to obtain Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR certification within three (3) months of hire date, Knowledge of swimming pool maintenance

311

Announcements

The Rainier Senior Center located at 48 W. 7th Street, will be providing luncheon take out meals.

The pick up hour is from 11:30 to 12:30 but PLEASE call the day before or by 10:00 am to order. We also ask

An account has been set up at Wauna Credit for RIVER LARSON on behalf of her mother, Andrea Larson passing suddenly Nov. 15, 2019. For anyone who wishes to help River, please donate to the account at Wauna Credit Union. We truly appreciate anyone who wishes to help her.

Land Use Compliance Specialist Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 3/27/2020 Apply at C o l u m b i a CountyOR.gov Assistant Pool Manger: Clatskanie Park & Recreation District, Clatskanie Swimming Pool is now accepting applications for an Assistant Pool Manager position Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent, Minimum one (1) year pool management, swimming instruction and lifeguarding experience; two (2)

860

Storage

CLATSKANIE Mini Storage

Hoarder’s Paradise!

20 sizes, Inexpensive RV Storage, Hand trucks, Locks, Fully-lined, Insulated, Condensation free, all units lit. On-site Manager

503 728-2051 503 369-6503

view classified ads in the Chief and online at thechiefnews.com

Visa/MC/Amex 950

Real Estate Wanted

Need a job? check the classifieds online at www.thechiefnews.com to find your perfect job offer

sell in buy and ieds sif the clas

I buy houses and land in any condition.

360-261-4700.

Call

The the chief at 503-728-3350 to place your ad today!

Public Notices PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CC20-1170

TS No. OR07000143-19-1 APN 11750 TO No 191135548 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, CESAR ORLANDO ALFARO as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE CO. OF OREGON, AN OREGON CORPORATION as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for NEW PENN FINANCIAL, LLC, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of May 13, 2018 and recorded on May 14, 2018 as Instrument No. 2018004106 and the beneficial interest was assigned to NEW PENN FINANCIAL, LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING and recorded December 11, 2018 as Instrument Number 2018-010255 of official records in the

Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 11750 LOT 3, BLOCK 4, SHERMAN`S ADDITION, TO THE CITY OF ST. HELENS, COUNTY OF COLUMBIA, STATE OF OREGON Commonly known as: 124 MACARTHUR ST, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, NewRez LLC FKA New Penn Financial, LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, and the Trustee, Tony Kullen, Esq., OSB #090218, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became

due Monthly Payment(s): 6 Monthly Payment(s) from 08/01/2019 to 01/01/2020 at $1,895.38 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2020 to 02/01/2020 at $1,893.33 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $277,478.67 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.37500% per annum from May 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on June 16, 2020 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon

Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment

to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic.

Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential

danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any.

Dated: 01/30/2020 By: Tony Kullen, Esq., OSB #090218 Successor Trustee Tony Kullen, Esq., OSB #090218 c/o Wright, Finlay & Zak, LLP 121 SW Morrison, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97204 (949) 477-5050Order Number 69655, Pub Dates: 03/13/2020, 03/20/2020, 03/27/2020, 04/03/2020, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

CC20-1193

Request for Quotation Demolition and Removal of Dangerous Building The City of Rainier, Oregon through a Public Hearing on March 2, 2020 declared the property located at 29545 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, OR to be a dangerous building. The Rainier Municipal code allows for the City to have said

building removed. RMC 15.15. The City of Rainier is seeking the services of a demolition and removal company. The scope of work is to provide labor, materials and equipment necessary to provide demolition, removals and

legal disposal services of the dangerous building on the property listed above.

Non-mandatory pre-bid site visit information: Property Location: 29545 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, OR 97048 Date/Time: Wednesday March 25, 2020 at 10:00

CC20-1192

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 Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

at GreenWood Resource’s 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, 2020.

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

a.m. Proposals should list references for comparable work performed within the last three (3) years.

The City will award the contract at the next council meeting at the lowest price.

Responses and quotations are due no later than April

8th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

One electronic copy in PDF format via email should be addressed and delivered to: City of Rainier, Public Works, Attn: Sue Lawrence, Public Works Director, slawrence@cityofrainier. com, PO Box 100, Rainier,

CC20-1181

CC20-1191

NOTICE OF SALE Rainier Storage Place, LLC will hold a sale at 29098 Dike Rd., Rainier OR 97048 of the contents of the following storage units belonging to: 8x40 storage containers Jack Miller CY53 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21st, 2020.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The City of Clatskanie is seeking a Request for Proposal from qualified firms to conduct a Facility Master Plan for the Waste-water Treatment plant.

RFP information packets are available on the City web-site at www.cityofclatskanie.com.

Deadline for submissions is close of business, Monday March 30th, 2020.

OR 97048. All inquiries concerning this bid must be directed to Sue Lawrence, Public Works Director at slawrence@cityofrainier. com or 503-396-1736 or visit our website www. cityofrainier.com for more information.

Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon.

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

Get your news directly from your mobile device, tablet, or computer

The Chief ONLINE

DESKTOP COMPUTERS • MOBILE • TABLETS

Subscribe today to read the news online 503.728.3350 www.thechiefnews.com

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 2020

My Fair Lady nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 My Fair Lady Court.

The My Fair Lady Pageant is held during the Columbia County Fair each year to recognize senior women for their outstanding volunteer service in our

community. 2020 celebrates the 32nd annual My Fair lady Pageant.

Do you know an amazing senior lady you could nominate for this honor for St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Vernonia, or Clatskanie?

Nominations are due in the

ECONOMY From Page A1 restaurants and bars are now restricted to takeout and delivery only for at least the next four weeks.

Business impact But the restaurants, bars and even a coffee shop, like Farmhouse Coffee, are feeling the impact of the new rule.

Farmhouse Coffee has closed down the inside and just has its drive-through open, according to co-owner Deanna Robbins.

“It’s slower because people can’t come in, and we always have our inside open to people. It’s hurt our business for shutting down the inside, but they’re still supporting us and coming through our drivethrough,” Robbins said.

The new rule has an even greater impact on restaurants.

Fultano’s Pizza in Clatskanie has closed down its dining area per Brown’s order, switching to only takeout.

“It’s definitely impacted our business, we’re losing business,” owner Toby Harris said.

Fultano’s in Clatskanie is not up in sales like they were in prior weeks, Harris said, but the restaurant has not been severely impacted because a big part of their business is delivery and pickup anyway. There has been a small reduction in the hours of their employees, Harris said.

Harris said the restaurant is taking advantage of the dining room being closed by some staff doing some painting, maintenance and deep cleaning.

Fultano’s in Clatskanie made the rounds on social media this past week with their “Toilet Paper Tuesday” promotion. On Tuesday, March 17, the restaurant offered a roll of toilet paper for every delivery – an offer done in light of grocery stores throughout the country consistently running out of supplies like toilet paper because of a recent surge in customers stocking up for

Kelli Nicholson / The Chief

Colvins Pub & Grill in Clatskanie, is one of the many restaurants across the state that is now restricted to takeout and delivery only.

periods of social distancing and self-quarantine.

To make the offer, Harris had to drive to Portland to find a case of toilet paper from Georgia-Pacific, the largest employer in Columbia and Clatsop counties.

“I didn’t want to get a nonGeorgia-Pacific roll of toilet paper in a Georgia-Pacific town,” Harris said. “I’m probably not going to do it again.”

Another business in Clatskanie that has suffered recently is Colvins Pub & Grill, which according to its owner, Kim Rogers, has seen a 75 percent reduction in business since Brown’s order.

All of the restaurant’s serving staff has been laid off, and it is only Rogers, the cooks, and the manager working most of the hours now. Rogers estimates that the cooks are working at 20 percent of their normal scale.

The business is looking for every way they can to save money, Rogers said.

“We’ve shut down poker machines, turned off TVs. We’re trying to save electricity by turning off one burner, not starting fryer early in the morning,” Rogers said.

Colvins is still doing takeout and curbside service, and the restaurant is getting ready to do orders online and by phone. To get that started, Colvins will have to install some new computer hardware in the next few weeks, Rogers said.

Columbia County RSVP office by Thursday, April 2.

To request a nomination form to be mailed or emailed to you, please contact Monica Cade at 503-397-5655, or email at cadem@crfr.com.

Rogers has also been in talks with some of his serving staff about being delivery drivers.

“But with Clatskanie being a small town, it’s hard to invest a lot of money into that,” Rogers said.

While Colvins had a successful St. Patrick’s Day with a lot of sales, Rogers said his restaurant does not usually get a lot of people driving up and to-go orders.

“If we don’t start getting some type of bite from local people, we might have to close our doors,” Rogers said.

Business uncertainty Columbia County Economic Team executive director Chuck Daughtry said the economic impact of the coronavirus across the county and the state will be significant.

“Business owners now have to make some brutal decisions,” Daughtry said. “For bars and restaurants that don’t have the ability to delivery or do curb side service this cuts into their cash flow. They can’t afford to take revenue from their cycle. It has a ripple effect from the bottom up, impacting people living pay check to pay check and for employers not having service workers.”

Daughtry said the business uncertainty is reflected in the stock market.

“Businesses have to rely on steady revenues and have customers, employees and inventory to survive,” he said. “There is fear. There is anxiety. There is misinformation and a loss of business and there has not been a clear national response. This could happen again. I don’t think it can be solved at the local level. We need to look at a national system to deal with this issue.”

But Daughtry also said he is optimistic about the future.

“We need to help take care of one another and this will pass,” he said.

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

SCHOOLS

•

•O bituaries • • Bessie “Bes” Savage

July 9, 1936 ~ March 4, 2020 Bes Savage passed away on March 4, 2020 at the Community Hospice Care Center in Longview, Washington at the age of 83. She was born in Los Angeles, California to Virgil and Kathleen (O’Boyle) Clark.

She was the oldest of three girls.

Bes married her husband, Robert “Bob” Savage in 1952 in Las Vegas, Nevada and were together for 55 years. They raised their three children in Southern California before moving to the Pacific Northwest.

They eventually settled in

Clatskanie in 1968.

Bes was an accomplished artist, talented seamstress, avid gardener and loved to wallpaper, design and remodel her beloved house. If only those walls could talk!

She made the best chocolate cakes and yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

She liked to work hard and loved to be the “boss”!! Her work career started at the age of 15 as a gas attendant in Los Angeles, California and concluded after many years of work at the Georgia Pacific Paper Mill in Wauna, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob. She is survived by her three children, Jo Thackery of Clatskanie, Oregon, Robert D. (Amber) Savage of Astoria, Oregon and Betty (Larry) Jackson of Clatskanie, Oregon; six grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to the staff at the Canterbury Gardens and Community Hospice Care Center in Longview, Washington.

At Bes’s request, no service will be held.

Christopher Wayne Sawyer Dec. 13, 1990 ~ March 5, 2020

Christopher Wayne Sawyer, 29, passed away on March 5, 2020 in Fort Hood, Texas. He was born on Dec. 13, 1990 in San Francisco, California to Denise Rockwood and Barry Sawyer.

He lived in the Clatskanie/ Longview area for 16 years and graduated from Clatskanie Middle/High School.

After high school he attended Lower Columbia College and entered an LCC Diesel program. He joined the U.S. Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He was stationed in Fort Hood.

He enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, rock collecting, family campouts, hiking, bonfires and BBQ’s. Christopher was very family oriented. He loved to run with his daughter and hugs and

kisses were his little girl’s favorite.

He was funny and had the best sense of humor. His laughter was contagious and his love for God was deep and wide. He was so intelligent, a good teacher and very selfless. He was a member of

New Hope City Church and Vintage Church of Harker Heights in Texas.

He is survived by his wife Destanie Sawyer (Kilgore); daughter Elsa Rae Lynn Sawyer; parents Denise and Brent Rockwood; stepfather Mitch Penn; sister Jewell (Penn) and Damien Strowger; brothers, Jeremiah Sawyer and Scott Laurent; father (birth) Barry Sawyer; grandparents (father) Sharon and Allan Jason Sawyer and Carol Peschl and Charles Laurent (Wanda); two nieces; eight nephews; three stepbrothers, Jeremy Rockwood, Jason Rockwood and Brent Rockwood Jr; stepsister Angela Taylor (Greg); numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is missed and loved very much.

Mary Sue Rauch

Sept. 27, 1935 ~ March 15, 2020 Mary Sue Rauch, 84, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away March 15, 2020 in Longview, Washington.

Norma R. Shulda

June 11, 1921 ~ Feb. 21, 2020 Norma Shulda passed away on Feb. 21, 2020. A celebration of life was planned for March 28, 2020 but it has been postponed.

Elizabeth Sue Tenison

Jan. 20, 1946 ~ March 18, 2020 Elizabeth Sue Tenison, 74, of Longview, Washington, passed away on March 18, 2020 at Auburn Regional Medical Center.

Changes at Turning Point

From Page A1

first responders.

• School districts may call on public school educators and employees to deliver limited learning and support services.

• Each district will pay all their regular employees during the closure.

• The Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, and Department of Human Services are directed to support public schools in the continuity of mental health services.

“I do not take the decision to extend school closures lightly,” Brown said. “This will have real impacts on Oregon’s students, parents and educators. But we must act now to flatten the curve and slow the rate of COVID-19 transmission in Oregon, otherwise we face a higher strain on our medical system and greater loss of life to this disease.”

Following the initial school closure order, Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz called the situation frustrating for all involved.

“Right now it is very fluid and a frustrating situation,” she said. “I am concerned for my families, my students and my staff. I like to plan and to be proactive. We have been put into a position where all school districts have to be reactive and not be proactive.”

Rainier School District Superintendent Michael Carter said his school administration and staff is working hard to ensure the safety of the entire community.

“So that is our primary focus and we are not frustrated, but very focused on our mission,” Carter said. “Our primary mission is our focus and we will be successful by working together always serving the needs of others. Please remember, we are in unchart-

A7

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

As schools in Columbia County and across the state closed to slow the spread of coronavirus, this message was spotted on the reader board at Lewis and Clark Elementary School in St. Helens.

ed territory and that things change hourly as the circumstances change. We will make it past this crisis and in the end we will be stronger because of our joint efforts.”

Rainier, Clatskanie, St. Helens and Scappoose School Districts continue to provide student meals at various Graband-Go sites. For specific locations, visit the school districts’ websites.

Late Wednesday night, March 18, Brown issued an executive order directing Oregon’s higher education institutions to move their curriculum to online learning, prohibiting in-person classroom interactions through April 28.

“I know students have worked hard this school year, and we’re doing everything we can to help them safely finish their learning,” Brown said. “But we’re also learning more about this disease every day, and social distancing is key to keeping Oregonians safe. I understand there are seniors getting ready to graduate this spring, and I want to assure them that our universities and community colleges are working hard to make sure they can get their diplomas.”

The executive order also limits on-campus operations to critical functions, such as dining services and dormi-

tories — all of which are directed to employ social distancing — as a way to ensure students have a safe place to live and eat, since some may not otherwise have housing options.

“Governor Brown’s clear guidance will help Oregon’s colleges and universities statewide to move forward into spring term with the utmost priority placed on the health of our communities, while they continue their educational missions during this extraordinarily hard time,” Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission director Ben Cannon said.

Cannon said the students, faculty and staff who are impacted by the changes should know that the important roles they play in this transformation are all critical to help slow the growth of COVID-19.

“Shifting almost entirely to remote delivery will help ensure that Oregon’s colleges and universities can continue to prepare thousands of students with degrees and certificates they are working so hard to achieve,” Cannon said.

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

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Turning Point is a social service agency offering a thrift store and other assistance to those in need in the community.

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Turning Point’s thrift store at 220 E Columbia River Highway is closed until further notice, according to a Facebook post.

Food boxes will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Thursday, March 19 through a call-in system

only. Those needing the food boxes are asked to call 503-728-3126 to place their food box order and schedule a time for pick up.

“Please be patient during this process. We will continue to do our best to accommodate our community as we all go through this time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding,” the Facebook post reads.

Turning Point is a local social services agency that has coordinated assistance to those in the need in Clatskanie and the surrounding community since 1971. Its mission, stated on Turning Point’s website is, “to assist low income individuals with food and other basic needs and to address emergency crisis situations for members of the community.”

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

A8

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, March 20, 2020

State agencies suspend some camping The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will accommodate current overnight guests through April 2. Reservations for all state park stays from April 3 to and including May 8 will be canceled and site fees refunded.

Before May 8, the department will review the state park campground closure to decide whether it should be extended.

The decision affects all individual and group overnight facilities: campsites, yurts, cabins, tepees, and services operated by concessionaires.

The suspended service also affects reservations for group day-use areas.

The Oregon Department of Forestry maintains campgrounds in the Clatsop, Santiam, and Tillamook State Forests. Most campgrounds are currently closed for the season, and will not reopen for individual or group use. Yearround campgrounds will close starting on Monday, March 23. All day-use and campground restrooms are tempo-

rarily closed due to limited janitorial services. A reopening date for all restrooms and state forest campgrounds has not yet been determined.

During this time, trails, forest roads and trailheads on state forestlands will remain open to the public.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing its Wildlife Areas to overnight camping effective Sunday, March 22. The closure affects both dispersed camping and established campgrounds.

Several wildlife areas are also currently fully or partially closed to all visitors as part of annual seasonal closures to protect wintering wildlife.

While camping will be prohibited, wildlife areas that are currently open remain open to visitors for day-use activities including wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation. See the ODFW Wildlife Area Visitor Guide for more information (link at bottom).

State park, forest, and wild-

life area camping areas are built into relatively small areas by design. Maintaining social distance is difficult. Working with fewer staff and volunteers is becoming a reality, making it difficult to maintain proper cleaning procedures.

To support the state goal of reducing transmission of COVID-19, temporary campground closures are necessary.

The details of these actions— such as dates and affected programs—are under constant review and will change as new information develops.

This will reduce long-distance travel for many people, but all state natural resource agencies remind Oregonians that a local outdoor experience can improve our mental and physical health, especially now. Daytime activities are still widely available and encouraged. The usual reminders, plus the new COVID-19 guidelines, apply: • Prepare for your visit with the clothing, supplies, and knowledge you need to

have a safe visit.

• If you’re ill, stay home.

• Cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue (then throw it away) or inside of your elbow.

• Avoid touching your face.

Wash regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It’s up to you to practice good personal hygiene, and not every place at every park can be kept clean all the time.

If place is so crowded you can’t maintain a healthy social distance—at least six feet— find a different place to go.

Know before you go: • Travel Oregon travel alerts: https://traveloregon. com/travel-alerts/.

• State park service reductions and closures: https://bit. ly/OPRD-covid.

• Oregon Department of Forestry: https://www.oregon. gov/ODF/ • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: https:// myodfw.com/visit-odfwwildlife-areas

Courtesy photo

The suspensions are a proactive effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

COVID-19 triggers low supplies CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

COVID-19 has caused a recent rush to buy household products like toilet paper, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, with many stores that sell these products throughout Columbia County feeling the pinch of the surge of demand.

One of those places is HiSchool Pharmacy in Clatskanie.

Store manager Katie Long has said it’s been getting worse as the days progress.

“It started with hand sanitizer, then just in the last few days we’ve been having trouble getting thermometers,” Long said.

To keep up with the increasing demand, the corporate office is working double time to procure the items, Courtesy photo

The switch would take place at the Global transloading facility at the Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery, which the company owns and operates at Port Westward, near Clatskanie.

Global seeking 2nd approval CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

After several weeks of public discussion, Global Partners has received one of two approvals necessary to ship green diesel from its Columbia Pacific Bio Refinery (CPBR) at Port Westward in Clatskanie.

The Port of Columbia County unanimously approved on Wednesday, March 11 amendments to Global’s sublease, dock use agreements and pipeline easement to allow the fuel transition.

This is the first of a twopart approval process for the company to ship renewable diesel to CPBR, which it will then ship out by barge from the Columbia River.

Global has submitted a request for approval from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which is the second approval needed in order to move to renewable diesel.

As of Wednesday, March 18, that request was still pending.

“There is a large demand for the product on the West Coast and Global is excited for the opportunity to move to this green product.” ~ Catie Kerns, Global Partners Global Partners, LLC Vice President of External Communications Catie Kerns said the company submitted their DEQ permit in late February, which DEQ is currently reviewing. The company was hoping to have a public hearing in April, but Kerns said that might change due to COVID-19 concerns.

Kerns said Global and DEQ have plans to discuss a potential virtual hearing next week.

After the public hearing process, there will be a public comment period and then a draft permit developed.

The company must have an approved permit from DEQ in order to switch over to renewable diesel.

Kerns said she would be contacting DEQ to see how the agency plans on handling the public hearing concerning the permit and if there would be a remote, telecommunications option.

The switch would take place at Global’s transloading facility at CPBR. Since 2016, the company has only transloaded ethanol, a first-generation renewable biofuel. The company wants to move to the next generation of renewable biofuels, which is renewable green diesel. As a logistics provider, Global has received at least one request from a client to receive, ship and store the product, according to Kerns.

“There is a large demand for the product on the West Coast and Global is excited for the opportunity to move to this green product,” Kerns said.

The Chief will continue to follow this story with updates at theclronnicleonline.com.

according to Long.

“But we’re in line just like everybody else,” Long said.

The company has also been running out of products to make hand sanitizer, like aloe and rubbing alcohol, according to Long. Those products have also been getting increasingly harder to obtain, Long said.

Long has also been getting more customers from out of town looking for household supplies. She said she recently had a mother and daughter come in from Astoria to buy toilet paper because no other market had any available.

She also recently had a vendor come to her store from Seattle to buy bleach.

Long received a shipment of toilet paper on Monday, and ran out yesterday, but Long said the store will get another shipment today, although she

doesn’t know how much it will be. Disinfectant wipes, however, are nowhere to be found, according to Long.

To minimize the depletion of products, Long is limiting the products people can buy, like one package of toilet paper per household.

“My main goal is to try to take care of as many people as possible and prevent one person from hoarding. That’s what we’re doing,” Long said.

Regardless of supplying for customers’ increasing demands, employees at HiSchool Pharmacy have been self-directed in maintaining a sanitized work space, according to Long. Practices include washing hands and keeping work stations clean, Long said.

Follow developments at thechiefnews.com

Long-term care facilities restrictions STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Department of Human Services has increased restrictions on visitation policies for all licensed long-term care facilities as well as residential group homes.

The effort is to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.

DHS is taking this action in consultation with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at the request of Gov. Brown. OHA and DHS have determined that, given the increase in COVID-19 cases, these additional restrictions are essential to protect those at greater risk of the most severe outcomes of this disease.

The updated restrictions limit all visitors except essential medical and emergency personnel and visitors to residents who are in the end of life.

“To effectively stop the spread of this disease, we must take every action possible to slow the rates of infection, especially to indi-

viduals for whom COVID-19 is life threatening,” said OHA director Patrick Allen.

The new all-visitor restrictions apply to: Nursing facilities; Assisted living facilities; Residential care facilities; Adult foster homes; and, Group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We know that these restrictions are a hardship for residents of care facilities as well as their families and friends, but they are essential to mitigate the spread of disease,” DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said. “We encourage facilities to use technology to help residents maintain connections with their families and loved ones.”

The restrictions on all visitors are effective immediately; they follow a March 10, 2020, policy that limited visitation for long-term care facilities.

OHA continues to recommend that older adults and people with underlying conditions take the following steps to stay safe and healthy:

• Minimize contact with people who may be ill.

• Avoid community gatherings.

• Order prescriptions by mail.

• Take daily precautions: wash your hands frequently, don’t touch anywhere on your face, and clean surfaces.

Links to updated visitation policies • Developmental Disabilities Services http://www.dhs.state.or.us/ policy/spd/transmit/pt/2020/ pt20028.pdf • Aging and People with Disabilities Long-Term Care https://www.oregon. gov/DHS/PROVIDERSPARTNERS/LICENSING/ AdminAlerts/DHS%20 Long-Term%20Care%20 Covid-19%20Visitation%20 Policy%203-16-2020.pdf For more information • OHA Coronavirus page • CDC COVID-19 page • CDC travel notices • World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 page

STARTTATHE MADNESS ONLY Y R E V I L E D D N KE OUT A THE RIGHT WAY

DINING ROOM

CLOSED.

2 $ OFF Got Hops? 3 $ OFF 4 $ OFF

ANY MEDIUM PIZZA*

ANY LARGE PIZZA*

Start the madness the fresh way.

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

1111 Columbia Blv d, St Helens, Oregon 97051

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

ANY FAMILY SIZE PIZZA*

Coupon DINE-IN OR DELIVERY

LIMIT 1 PER COUPON. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON. $2.00 DELIVERY CHARGE. OFFER GOOD THRU 4/1/20.

SunShine

PIZZA

2124 COLUMBIA BLVD., ST. HELENS

503-397-3211