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FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021
VOL. 129, NO. 46 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Pit murder case: ‘Justice system failed’
River’s Edge groundbreaking
Families reaction
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
“Because of this new law, my brother’s murderer and the man who assaulted these others was sentenced only in juvenile court, due to the fact he was 2.5 months shy of his 18th birthday,” Kristin Schumacher said. “As it was explained to us, because he is being charged as a juvenile now, the max sentence is till his 25th birthday. However, if the detention facility deems that he is rehabilitated, they can decide to let him out whenever they see fit. He can be out in a year.” According to the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), if the youth remains in the juvenile system, they would still be held accountable and face penalties, just with differences in where the youth can be placed while in OYA custody, and a difference in how long they can stay in custody. A sentencing hearing date of March 29 is set for Snook, who remains in the OYA custody. According to Nordstrom, Snook is pleading to manslaughter, assault 2, and three counts of assault 3 and DUI. “This is outrageous, Robert is dead and my daughter will never walk normal again,” Nordstrom said. This law was made with only the juveniles in mind, with no thought of the victims and their families. This new law is supposed to fairer, help reduce victimization and increase positive outcome. This law basically is saying if you commit murder and your under
“This has been one long nightmare with continuous slaps in the face,” Dena Nordstrom tells The Chief in responding to the current court outcome involving murder and a Rainier teen charged in the case. Nordstrom’s daughter suffered serious injuries in the incident. The incident The juvenile, Kyle Snook, faced murder charges after he allegedly drove through a gathering at the Hunt Creek rock pit in Clatsop County, killing one person and injuring others. On July 25, at approximately 4 a.m. Clatsop County deputies were called to the rock pit, east of Nicolai Mountain off Highway 30, for a report of a hit and run. Deputies investigating the incident learned that a large gathering had occurred at the rock pit and Snook left the area after allegedly driving his vehicle through a crowd of people. Three people in the crowd received serious injuries from being hit by the vehicle. Robert Betschart, of Rainier, died as a result of his injuries, according to the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office. Snook was later arrested in Rainier by members of the Clatsop County Major Crimes Team. Snook faced charges of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, five counts of felony vehicular assault and driving under the influence of
Metro Creative Connections / The Chief
The Oregon District Attorneys Association wants the state legislature to approve clarifications in the way Oregon’s criminal justice system prosecutes violent crimes committed by juveniles.
intoxicants. Snook was held at the Cowlitz Detention Facility because Clatsop County does not have a juvenile detention center.
We are wanting justice. We are wanting more accountability, ~ Dena Nordstrom, Kristin Schumacher
Clatsop County District Attorney Ron Brown had requested that the case be moved to adult court. But following a hearing in mid February, Clatsop County Judge Dawn McIntosh denied the motion. Brown also expressed disappointment about the current sentencing law involving juveniles
and the judge’s order not to move the murder case to adult court. “We fought like hell to get him remanded to adult court,” Brown told The Chief. The law has totally changed the lay of the land. This is not our choice. This is the way it is. I feel so bad for the victims.” Under Oregon’s Measure 11 law, Brown said prosecutors were able to indict juveniles directly into adult court but under a state legislative approved wavier juveniles who commit such violent acts of crimes and who remain in juvenile court custody are likely not to receive the harsher sentencing that they might if they were convicted in adult court. “As it stands, he (Snook) has less then a seven year sentence and they can parole him,” Brown said. “He’s basically done with the system at age 25.”
Courtesy photo
The River’s Edge RV Park is just off Highway 30 at Swedetown Road and will be nestled along the Clatskanie River. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A groundbreaking ceremony for River’s Edge RV Resort and Camping is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 3, at the site located at 1309 Swedetown Road in Clatskanie. The owners said the project will be a key economic builder for Clatskanie promising to boost tourism. “This project will bring tourism to town and not just through town,” River’s Edge owner Pattie Rathbone told the Chief in a published interview in mid February. Rathbone said RV parks across the nation are of limited supply even as the RV industry is booming. “For many, RV’ing has become an alternative lifestyle,” she said. “RV parks also provide needed housing for traveling workforces. The anticipated occupancy of the finished park will inject significant revenue sources into the city.” In the following conversation, The Chief gets new insight about River’s Edge from the company’s representative Jonna Forbes.
See MURDER Page A5
County moves to Moderate Risk
The Chief: How many RV spaces and camping spaces will be available at the park?
Metro Creative Connection / The Chief
Columbia County moves to Moderate Risk classification on March 26, meaning less pandemic-related restrictions. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Pandemic-related restrictions will ease Friday, March 26 in Columbia County as the county moves from High to Moderate Risk under the state’s COVID-19 health and safety classifications. Governor Kate Brown announced Tuesday, March 23, updates to county risk levels under the state’s public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based
Crossword ................ A3 Obituaries ................. A3 Clatskanie Grows .... A4 Viewpoints ................ A4 Letters ....................... A4 Classified Ads .......... A5 Legals ........................ A5
on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level. Under the Moderate Risk classification, indoor dining, recreation and entertainment can allow for 50%capacity or a limit of 100 people, whichever number is smaller. Stores and malls can increase their capacity of shoppers to 75%. Curbside pickup is still encouraged. Indoor church services may increase to 50% capacity of 150 people, whichever is smaller. Limits to indoor gatherings increase to eight and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. Brown said the majority of Or-
egon’s counties this week continue at Lower and Moderate Risk. “As we work to open up vaccine eligibility to all Oregonians by May 1, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel get a little brighter,” Brown said. “But, we still have more work to do to reach the level of community-wide protection we need. I encourage all Oregonians to keep wearing your masks, maintain physical distance, stay home when sick, and get your vaccine when it’s available to you.” In Rainier, Mayor Jerry Cole said the county’s classification to Moderate is a positive signal. “I believe this movement from
high to moderate shows that people in our communities are staying vigilant,” he said. “There is no doubt this helps our local businesses.” As the city of Rainier and the county attempts to move forward, Cole said we all need to stay the course. “It’s important to stay strong as we can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel,” Cole said. “I strongly advise people to get their vaccinations and continue to practice social distancing while we move out of the pandemic.” According to Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen, businesses in Rainier and throughout Oregon have been patient over the last year as their activities have been restricted. “This should be welcome news that will allow them to operate safely and in greater capacity, Jorgensen said. “Hopefully, more activities can resume as vaccine distributions become more widespread and readily available.” Brown and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced earlier a two-week caution period is now being used in monitoring the pandemic. The caution period applies to counties facing backward movement. Beginning this week and continuing until further notice, counties that reduced their COVID-19 spread
Jonna Forbes: We will be somewhere between 90 and 96 pads with a few of the pads being double pedestal for high occupancy events.
The Chief: What will be the charges for RV spaces and for camping spaces at the park and what will that provide? Forbes: We are working through those details, but we will base rates on the market. We are looking into Good Sam memberships along with others to make sure we can offer great, competitive rates for the avid RV’er. The Chief: Following the groundbreaking, what specific work needs to be done to open the park? Forbes: Groundbreaking includes site grading and construction prep. Then the installation of the infrastructure begins, including water, sewer, power, the streets and pads and the clubhouse. We are also doing an off-site water improvement for the city. There is lots to do bringing this park to life. The Chief: When do you hope the park will officially open? Forbes: We are hoping to be able to accommodate guests sometime in October.
See COVID-19 Page A5
See RV RESORT Page A6
10th Annual 2021 Columbia County
Business
Guide The 2021 Columbia County Business guide is a full color, glossy magazine that showcases local business and highlights current news events. It is the go-to reference for visitors, newcomers, residents, and potential customers of Columbia County. The Chronicle
The Chief
PUBLICATION DATES: CHRONICLE: JUNE 23, CHIEF: JUNE 25 AD DEADLINE: JUNE 9
For space reservation, contact Amy: 503-397-0116 or atrull@countrymedia.net