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Funeral home fraud arrests

Guide

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

VOL. 129, NO. 48 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Ground breaking for River’s Edge RV Park JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Community members gathered in a wide grassy field just off Highway 30 in Clatskanie Saturday morning April 3 for the official groundbreaking for River’s Edge RV Resort and Campground.

The park, located at 1309 Swedetown Road in Clatskanie, will offer approximately 100 RV spaces with pricing at market rates.

The new owners of the property Phillip Rissel, and his family, run Flying N Construction a Wilsonville-based company.

“I had built an RV park in Wilsonville about 10 years ago with a partner and I had always wanted to own an RV park, because it is the one thing that I can actually build for myself,” Rissel said. “I’ve spent 27 years building for other developers and letting them benefit from the projects and I just walk away. This time I can stay here, open it and we can greet the people that come here and my family can participate in all of this.”

Rissel said the plan is to open the River’s Edge this fall.

“We are going to greet everyone that comes in,” he said. “We are going to get to know the community and participate in community events and that is what’s going to be important about this. It is not going to be something that we are going to turn over to management. We are gong to manage ourselves.”

Rissel said the River’s Edge will offer the community a location to hold various functions and events.

“Whether it is an Easter egg hunt or a parade or something to do with the fisheries, this park can participate in that,” he said. “We can bring people into the park to facilitate events. There will be a ball field here, so the key is that the owners are managing it and participating in the community events.”

According to Rissel, River’s Edge has been developed to capture and preserve the natural beauty of the area.

“That is what is so unique about this park,” he said. “Fred Rathbone (former property owner) created this park to mirror the exact image Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

­­­­ See PARK Page A8

Two families gathered together with community members watching off camera to break ground for the new River’s Edge RV Resort and Campground. The families include former property owner Fred Rathbone, far right, and new owner Phillip Rissel, third from left.

Columbia County on COVID ‘caution list’ JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Columbia County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.

In two weeks, Columbia County businesses and residents may face new stricter health and safety restrictions under the state’s pandemic precautions classifications.

The county’s sharply rising COVID-19 cases over the past several days, including a new death, have triggered a two-week caution period imposed by state health officials.

If the number of COVID-19 cases do not decline in that period, Columbia County will be classified as a Extreme High risk county.

The two-week caution period applies to counties facing backward

movement. Counties that reduced their COVID-19 spread enough to move down in risk level in the previous two-week period, but see their numbers go back up in the next two-week period, are given a two-week caution period to refocus efforts to drive back down creeping case numbers and give local businesses additional certainty on their plans for operating.

Governor Kate Brown announced Tuesday afternoon, April 6, 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 on COVID-19 spread—Ex-

treme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

We are at a critical moment in this pandemic. ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor

Effective April 9 through April 22, there will be 14 counties in the High Risk level, six at Moderate Risk, and 16 at Lower Risk. As case counts and hospitalizations

increase and counties qualify for higher risk levels, restrictions on businesses and activities will resume. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.

“We are at a critical moment in this pandemic as we face more contagious variants of COVID-19 taking hold in our communities,” said Governor Brown. “Now more than ever it’s imperative that we all continue wearing masks, maintain physical distance, stay home when sick, and get the vaccine when it’s available to you.” ­­­­ See COVID-19 Page A8

Community celebrates 100th anniversary

Courtesy photo from Michael Clark

Rainier City Hall under construction in 1921.

AURORA BIGGERS Chief Correspondent

Tuesday marks 100 years since Rainier’s City Hall was dedicated, and, after a year of public building closures and limited city events, Rainier is holding an in-person celebration April 10 at city hall to

Clatskanie Grows .... A4 Viewpoints ................ A4 Letters ....................... A4 Classified Ads .......... A5 Legals .................... A5-6 Crossword ................ A6 Beer Guide ............... A7 Sports ........................ A8

Courtesy photo from Kay Heflin

Rainier City Hall sporting a white paint finish in 1923.

commemorate the building and the storied history of the city.

The Rainier City Hall sits at 106 W. B Street just off Highway 30.

History Dedicated on April 13, 1921, Rainier’s City Hall is one of the

newer historic public service buildings in the county, if you can believe it. In general, Rainier was more delayed in its development than other Columbia County cities of the time. In 1886, one year after the city was incorporated, one Oregon traveler, Joseph Hackenberg, wrote “I landed in Rainier, a filthy

Rainier City Hall stands proud and true today.

hamlet … there was an utter lack of civic pride … There was friction, occasional fights and a few killings; it was, in fact, still the wild West.”

This early reputation drove the city of Rainier to construct a proper city hall.

In 1919, still being defunct of a city hall, despite already having a

Courtesy photo

post office, school, bank, railroad depot, and several churches, the city posted plans for the building and set a meeting to address the proposal, calling upon the very civic pride that Hackenberg called into ­­­­ See HALL Page A3

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

www.thechiefnews.com

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Friday, April 9, 2021

Holding police accountable JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Oregon Legislators are moving ahead with bills to increase police accountability.

The effort follows public movements in Oregon and across the nation calling for the increased accountability sparked by police killings and officer misconduct.

The movement included several rallies and demonstrations in Columbia County over the past year, including a large march and rally at the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens in June.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown testified Tuesday, April 6, before Oregon House Committee on Judiciary urging her support for a set of bills, including HB 2162, which is a recommendation of the Governor’s Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force.

“This past year, more than ever, we’ve seen Oregonians standing up to make their voices heard in calling for racial justice and police accountability—even in the middle of a pandemic — because the need for change is so pressing. And we have responded with action,” Brown said.

Last summer, Brown created the Public Safety Training and Standards Task Force to complete a full review of law enforcement training, certification, and decertification practices in Oregon. Their recommendations are reflected in House Bill 2162.

The Oregon Racial Justice Council is focused on centering racial equity in police accountability, according to Brown.

Over the summer during a special session, the legislature passed legislation limiting tear gas and other uses of force, as well as holding law enforcement

accountable.

“Our commitment to furthering this critical work is evidenced by the set of police accountability bills considered today,” Brown testified Tuesday. “The path to racial justice in our state is a long one, but these bills are very important steps in building a more just and equitable Oregon.”

Following Brown’s testimony, the House Committee on Judiciary move 10 bills to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

The bills include deeper background checks of police officers and regulating weapons police use.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

A police officer station on top of city hall (top left) watches the Black Lives Matters rally in front of the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens last June. The public demonstration was one of many held across the nation following the death of George Floyd during a police arrest in Minneapolis.

Local structure fires mounting

Two people escaped this burning trailer home in Scappoose in October.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Fire officials aren’t yet sounding the alarm about the number of structure fires in Columbia County over the past several months, but the trend is disturbing.

In October, two people escaped a burning trailer that had erupted in flames in Scappoose.

In mid February, nine people were displaced following an apartment fire in St. Helens.

In the past two weeks, Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) crews have responded to four additional home fires, three in St. Helens, one in Warren and a shop fire in Rainier.

While the fires are a disturbing trend, CRFR said they aren’t seeing a large increase in the number of fires recently.

“Some incidents come in short waves like we experienced in the last couple days, CRFR’s Jennifer Motherway said. “In 48 hours we responded to a number of fires, several are still under investigation. We did not experience any civilian or firefighter injuries during these events.”

Precautions you can take Motherway said the fire agency is encouraging community members to “remain vigilant.”

“Turn off appliances, floor heaters, and non-es-

Courtesy photo

sential powered equipment when you away from your home,” she said.

Motherway provided the following list of fire prevention steps for homeowners:

knowing where to meet outside of the building ensures that everyone is accounted for.

• Do not leave plug in heaters operating when you are away from home for extended periods of time.

• Keep combustibles away from hot or operating equipment including heaters.

• Replace frayed or damaged electrical outlets and cords.

• Check any electrical equipment for signs of damage or misuse prior to operating the product.

• Have smoke detectors in your home and change the batteries regularly.

Fire districts officials across the state are encouraging property owners to make sure they have established a fire prevention perimeter around their homes by removing trees, brush, debris and relocating wood piles away from structures.

The 30 to 50 foot defensible space is especially important as the summer and fall wildfire season approaches.

The officials also urge remote property owners to establish clear, readable home markers, addresses of structures, so if there is an active fire emergency, fire crews will be able to navigate to the scene safely and quickly.

Motherway also encourages residents and businesses to establish and practice a fire escape plan.

“It is a good idea to have an escape plan for your family and a meeting location should a fire occur at your residence,” she said.

“It is a huge benefit to the responding firefighters to know that everyone is out of the house or if there’s a potential that someone is still inside. Fighting fire is a dangerous job and it makes that job a lot easier knowing that everyone has evacuated the building prior to our arrival. Our number one priority is life safety.”

Motherway said by having an escape plan and

Defensible space

Courtesy photo

Firefighters from Columbia River Fire & Rescue and Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District work to extinguish this shop fire on Old Rainier Road.

home structure fires.

During this five-year period, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 353, 100 home structure fires per year.

These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,030 civilian fire injuries; and $7.2 billion in direct property damage.

Sixty-nine percent of the reported home fires in 2014–2018 were in one- or two-family homes, including manufactured homes.

These fires caused 85 percent of the home fire deaths,

65 percent of the home fire injuries, and 79 percent of the direct property damage from home fires.

Certain scenarios appear more dangerous than in the past. The death rate per 1,000 reported home fires in 2014–2018 that began with the ignition of either upholstered furniture or mattresses and bedding was more than double what it was in 1980–1984.

Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating equipment, electrical distri-

bution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.

Over the five-year period of 2014–2018 in total, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Smoking materials caused the most home fire deaths.

Read the full NFPA report attached to this story at thechiefnews.com. For more information about fire safety, contact your local fire district or fire department

National report The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has compiled a detailed report about home structure fires. The following is a summary of that report.

More than one-quarter of the reported fires in 2014– 2018 (27 percent) occurred in home environments. In addition, more than threequarters of civilian fire deaths (77 percent) and almost three-quarters of reported civilian fire injuries (73 percent) were caused by

2 face charges in funeral home fraud CLATSKANIE BULKY WASTE CLEANUP DAY Saturday, April 10, 2021, 8 am – Noon, Clatskanie City Park

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Two people face multiple charges following their arrest in a Columbia County forgery investigation.

In August of 2019, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were contacted by the owners of Groulx Family Mortuary in Rainier, concerning a possible theft of funds from the business. The reporting parties alleged that two employees, were keeping customer deposits and forging contracts. The stolen funds were reported to be missing from payments made by families making funeral arrangements from 2016 to 2019.

After interviewing multiple customers of Groulx Family Mortuary, the investigation showed contracts were missing, altered, and/

ACCEPTED ITEMS for the following fees:

Bulky items, such as televisions, dishwashers, stoves, water heaters, washers and dryers, microwaves, furniture, car batteries, scrap metal, computers, printers and monitors, etc.

$10* per car, pickup or utility trailer load. Cash Only.

*Freon containing appliances, including: refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, will be accepted for $15 each. Car and pickup tires, off the rims, will be taken for $1 each.

Additional monetary donations will be accepted for disposal costs.

Please – NO commercial loads, food, yard debris, car bodies, tires on rims, concrete/bricks, hazardous waste including paint, or household garbage!

Photo courtesy of Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

Clatskanie residents Brandee Figueira, 31, and Lynn Nakaahiki, 54, have been taken into custody on multiple counts of forgery, theft, aggravated theft, and racketeering.

or forged and approximately $50,000 was identified as stolen, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s investigators.

On April 2, 2021, Bran-

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

dee Figueira, 31, and Lynn Nakaahiki, 54, both from Clatskanie, were taken into custody on multiple counts of forgery, theft, aggravated theft, and racketeering.

Visit our Facebook Event Page for more information: Clatskanie Bulky Waste Cleanup Day

Free Shred Truck Service & Portable Toilet Service

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Friday, April 9, 2021

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Vaccinations for all Oregonians 16 and older ZACK DEMARS world3news@countrymedia.net

Governor Kate Brown announced Tuesday, April 6, that all Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine on April 19.

Oregon is also expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include all family members of frontline workers.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Brown announced Friday, April 2, that the state is expanding its criteria of underlying health conditions to match the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) extended list.

“As we move into the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to deploy a vaccine strategy that is centered on prioritizing our most vulnerable, and ensuring access to the vaccine for everyone,” Brown said. “To do this, we need to move in a manner that is both fast and fair.”

Brown said she is also asking Coordinated Care Organizations and commercial health insurance providers to reach out to their members with underlying conditions to share information about the importance of vaccinations, and how to get connected to a vaccine.

Brown warned that Oregon’s increase in cases and hospitalizations over the past two weeks is cause for concern.

“It’s clear that, in Oregon and across the country, the fourth surge of this virus is at our doorstep.” Brown said. “While Oregon’s case numbers fortunately haven’t matched those of other states seeing large spikes, our numbers are rising and we are back on alert.”

Expansion comes amid rising COVID cases As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again in Oregon, state officials are expanding

HALL From Page A1

question: “The plan is both feasible and practical and should be favored by every citizen having the welfare of Rainier at heart,” the posting read. “The facts are that at some time we must have a city hall, and there is no better time to begin the project than the present.”

One year and five months later, a brand new and shiny city hall stood in Rainier. A 1921 Rainier Review article proclaimed the “splendid building is [the] pride of Rainier.” Hundreds of citizens attended the dedication, “under the auspices of the American Legion,” according to the Review. In his opening address, then Mayor Joseph Gordon McKay, “commended the people of Rainier of their civic pride and enterprise … stat[ing] his belief that the city hall would set an example in the building of Rainier.”

City pride Driven by this notion of civic pride and building Rainier’s future as a standard for the county, the city spared no expense in city hall’s construction. The Review dubbed the building, “by far the best and most substantially built building in the county.” The upstairs rooms of the building were used as the official offices for the chapter of The American Legion, and downstairs housed the city offices, Commercial Club room, and the library — which was constructed alongside the first police department offices.

Now, 100 years later, the building still stands in nearly original condition. Since COVID-19 forced most public buildings to close, including city hall, Rainier City Planner Scott Jorgensen decided this was a good time to implement renovations to the building.

“The fact that we were closed to the public, gave us a chance to make some internal improvements without disruption of service,” Jorgensen said. “Most of the

the list of individuals eligible to receive a vaccine, despite a reduction in expected supply.

The update to the state’s vaccination plan came Friday in a press conference where Gov. Kate Brown and state health officials described the state’s next several months of pandemic response as a tug-of-war between vaccines and virus spread.

“Make no mistake, this is a race between the vaccines and the variants,” Brown said. “It’s a critical moment for us all to double down so we can outrun this next wave.”

Brown and officials from the Oregon Health Authority announced expansions to the state’s vaccine eligibility: Starting Monday statewide, the household family members of frontline workers, as well as those with a now-wider set of underlying health conditions, will be eligible to receive a shot.

“We know it’s not easy for everyone to find the time and the transportation to get to a vaccination appointment,” Brown said.

“If you’re a frontline worker making the effort, bring your family members and do it all together.”

The new list of eligible underlying health conditions brings the state’s rules in line with federal recommendations, and now includes the following: • Cancer • Chronic kidney disease • Chronic lung conditions including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension • Down Syndrome • Dementia or other neurological conditions • Diabetes, type 1 or 2 • Heart conditions • HIV infection • Weakened immune systems • Liver disease • Overweight or obesity • Pregnancy • Smoking, current or former

changes probably won’t be too noticeable to the public but one big change to spot at the event: new front doors.”

In collaboration with Vortex Doors, Jorgensen selected doors that still had that “historical look” but would be a bit more functional than the century old ones.

Inside the building, new marble countertops add a furnished touch. But don’t worry, Jorgensen said these changes won’t diminish the building’s character either.

“It was done in such a way that it looks like it’s always been that way,” he said.

To make the building a bit more COVID-19 safe and security conscious, Jorgensen also added plexiglass screens where city hall workers will interact with the public, and the doors have new enhanced security systems.

The celebration On Saturday, April 10, the public can admire these renovations, as well as the original facets of city hall.

The anniversary celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. on the front steps of the structure, where the local Boy Scout troop will lead a flag salute.

During the event, Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) Board President Kay Heflin will present on the history of city hall and Vice President Duane Bernard will present on the future of the museum. After Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole’s remarks, Cole will cut the ribbon symbolically inaugurating city hall’s next one hundred years.

“This is the first event [the museum has] been able to have since the COVID-19 pandemic started, a year ago,” Heflin said. “It is important that this is a successful event.”

The city is hoping to see people from across the county show up in appreciation of the city’s history and architecture. Heflin said she aims to make the event about more than the building.

“We want the celebration to be the kick-off for our five historical tours of Rainier, she said.

According to Heflin, Rainier has a rich history in

Courtesy photo from OHSU

Oregon has again stepped up its COVID-19 vaccination timeline but officials expressed concerns about the amount of doses available.

• Sickle cell disease • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant • Stroke or other cerebrovascular disease • Substance use disorder A complete list of eligibility definitions is available on the state’s website at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

Virus rebound Friday’s change comes as the virus “appears to be rebounding,” according to State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger.

“We continue to see a general trend of increasing daily cases along with virus-related hospitalizations,” Sidelinger said.

The increases mean some counties could return to higher levels of virus restrictions in the coming weeks as case rates continue to rise, Sidelinger said.

The health officials said they had no plans to change the current virus restriction framework, despite objections from some that the risk level model is too restrictive on businesses, and objections from others that the state should be enacting more restrictions in the face of increased virus spread.

Instead, Brown, Sidelinger and OHA Director

Patrick Allen repeatedly stressed the actions residents can take to slow the spread of the virus, even if they’ve already been fully vaccinated: Wearing face coverings, washing hands, maintaining social distancing and getting vaccinated when possible.

“The good news is, now when we face a surge, we know how to protect ourselves and others, with powerful safety measures like mask wearing and avoiding large social gatherings. And we have three safe and effective vaccines rapidly rolling out,” Brown said.

Dosage shortfall Still, meeting the state’s original vaccination targets is looking to be less of a possibility, as vaccine manufacturer Johnson & Johnson announced this week a production error could force it throw out millions of not-yet-distributed doses.

“That shortfall results in about an eight-or nine-day setback in the timeframe when cumulative doses in Oregon would exceed the number of people who are eligible,” Allen said.

In other words, the state’s projection of when it’ll have vaccinated all

eligible adults is moving past its previous late-May projection.

“Oregon will not delay our vaccine eligibility timelines despite the disruption in Johnson & Johnson doses,” Allen said.

“However, we may need to temper our hopes of having enough doses to vaccinate all Oregonians over 16 by late May, and bump that expectation back a couple of weeks.”

Allen also said some regions of the state have begun to see a concerning trend of seniors choosing to wait to the get the vaccine, instead of getting it as they become eligible

Seven in 10 seniors have already gotten vaccinated, but Allen said several counties report less than five in 10 have been vaccinated due to low demand, including Douglas, Gillam, Grant, Lake, Malheur, Morrow and Umatilla.

“The serious risk the virus poses to older adults far outweighs the temporary discomfort and disruption you might experience from getting a vaccine,” Allen said, encouraging older adults not to wait to get vaccinated.

And Sidelinger announced the state detected more than 200 previously unreported cases of a California variant of the virus, which the CDC says can spread more quickly and is less susceptible to some treatments and vaccines.

Those variants and the state’s recent increases in cases suggest a continued need to stay vigilant, according to Brown.

“I’m obviously very concerned about the increased spread of the virus throughout Oregon,” Brown said. “That’s why we are working hard to get more Oregonians to get vaccinated, particularly our most vulnerable populations.

I’m asking Oregonians to continue to rely on safety measures.”

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its own right, and after viewing city hall’s renovations, she hopes people will take advantage of the five walking tours throughout Rainier, created by Alan Hulsopple, a museum member.

The first tour, which guides people through city hall, Rainier’s first hospital, the Masonic Hall, the WWII observation tower, and Rainier’s first school and church, will be guided, but the remaining four tours are self-guided with available YouTube videos. The museum will also be open for perusal until 4 p.m.

The museum volunteers will also be handing out a newsletter which contains the history of city hall, and there will be historical pictures of the building and other history available as handouts. See the newsletter attached to this story at thechiefnews.com.

Heflin said even local children are involved in the celebration through a display of entries to a coloring contest of the city hall by Rainier kindergarten through 6th grade classes.

Though not on the schedule, Jorgensen said a few local elected officials will be in attendance and he plans to give them time to speak. State Rep. Brad Witt and Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller have indicated their intent to attend, and State Sen. Betsy Johnson may make an appearance as well.

After admiring city hall or enjoying one of the historic walking tours, Jorgensen encourages people to support local business and grab a bite to eat at one of Rainier’s restaurants — perhaps Cornerstone Cafe, Jorgensen’s personal favorite — “We want to help them out too.”

For more information, contact Rainier City Hall at 503-556-7301.

100 Year Celebration 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 10 Rainier City Hall 106 W B St. Rainier 503-556-7301

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Friday, April 9, 2021

•C latskanie G rows • •

Clatskanie Grows: Starting a garden CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column

If you have never had a vegetable garden or your experience vegetable gardening was a long time ago, you may be unsure about how to start and which vegetables to try.

Here are a few ideas that may help your garden flourish: The sun Vegetable gardens need at least six hours of sun. The more sun the garden gets, the more vegetable choices you have and the faster the vegetables will grow. If you are near or below six hours of sun, concentrate on leafy greens (lettuce, kale, chard, etc.), beets, and carrots.

If possible, create your garden where it is easily visible from the house.

After planting, there are lots of things that can be done in short blocks of time like weeding out plant competitors and thinning out your crop to give each plant the space to thrive.

You are more likely to do it if it is nearby.

Start small Start small with your first garden. A 10 foot by 10 foot garden can grow quite a bit.

You could easily have a couple of tomato plants (one cherry type and one regular type), some peppers, rows for greens like lettuce, chard and/or kale, a pole bean trellis on the north side of the garden, maybe beets and/or carrots, and a zucchini. It probably is too small for sweet corn but that can come next year if the garden gets bigger.

If your prospective garden is now grass, you can either turn it all under with a shovel or first remove the grass and then dig up the soil underneath. It is generally better to remove the sod which you can pile into the odd corner and cover with black plastic. It will compost over the summer and can be added back to the garden next year. But either technique will work. If the ground seems to wet to dig, it probably is. Wait until lit dries out a bit.

Add agricultural lime at the rate 15 pounds or so per 100 square feet. Add fertilizer to provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at the rate recommended on the bag. Nitrogen is the key element that determines the application rate.

The product can be organic or conventional.

Get your peppers and to-

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•V oices

Corporate taxes American corporate federal tax receipts reached its zenith in 1944 America providing a whopping 25% of tax revenue. We needed it. We were in the midst of fighting WWII. We were counting on Ford, Boeing, and other corporations to out build the Axis and the federal contracts were huge.

By 2017 corporate America had long ago adjusted to one of the highest corporate rates in the world by offshoring their businesses. Though the 2017 federal rate of 35% had come down from a high of 52% from 1952-1963, only 8.33% of tax receipts were corporate and had remained there +/- since 1980.

With the 40% reduction starting in 2018, the news was out: Investing in America wouldn’t place you at the disadvantage it had since WWII. What followed was a historic reinvestment in America of $1.6 trillion over the ensuing 3 years.

(Wall Street Journal 2 April; Biden’s Stumble in the Global Tax Race).

Raising corporate taxes won’t provide an increase in tax receipts over time.

Companies will quickly shift back to offshore rem-

matoes started indoors. Beans can be started from seed (get the trellis ready if growing pole green beans) indoors as can kale, lettuce, chard, and beet. Plant carrots and beets by making a shallow furrow in your soil, plant the carrots, and then cover the seed with a thin topping of potting mix. They will germinate much better.

poose High School. Look for signs – go east on SE High School Way and turn into the parking lot between the high school and the school ball field areas. This is their semi-annual event to get you ready for spring and summer planting.

They have lots of new plants at great prices – all native to our area. Staff and volunteers are available to help chose plants suggest gardening ideas and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more in-formation see www.scappoosebaywc.org/nursery-sales.

This event allows for pre-purchase by April 3 and pick-up the day of the sale.

There will be limited walk-in to the nursery on the sale Clatskanie day itself.

Grows

Have questions?

Same with beets. Carrots can be planted in blocks with “mini” rows 4 inches apart and leaving, after thinning, one carrot per 3 inches within the rows. Carrots will also need to be thinned once they are growing to about 1 plant for every three inches of row. Same for beets. Kale will need wider row spacing as will lettuce and chard (6+ inches between plants). Lettuce can be purchased as transplants.

It is usually best to transplant in the evening, so plants have a chance to get established overnight before sun the next morning. Potatoes can be planted about 12 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. They can take up a lot of space.

Water and weed Water and weed as needed.

If deer are wandering through your yard, they like to eat almost everything you like. So, find a way to fence them out with a gate that you can open and close as needed. They generally won’t jump into a fenced area as small as 10 x 10 but no promises.

For more information, go on-line to get Growing Your Own, an Oregon State University publication: catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9027/ html. This is one excellent publication.

Scappoose Bay Watershed Council’s Native Plant Sale Join the Watershed Council at their Spring Native Plant Sale Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SBWC nursery, located behind Scap-

of the

Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at extension. oregonstate.edu/columbia and click on newsletters.

Wayne Mayo Scappoose

Healthy Clatskanie Dear Clatskanie residents We are a group of local men, women and children promoting the health and well being of Clatskanie with a platform for the local voice. We support and encourage local health and wellness through public education and shared ideas.

We call for the lifting of all Covid related mandates, including school and business closures/limited attendance and capacity, wearing of facial coverings, event cancellations, social distancing or any other freedom that is our inherent right as human beings and global citizens.

We especially advocate for freedom and well being for our local children and elderly population.

Would you like to share what your experience has been during Covid this past year?

Going forward, what would you like to see hap-

Weekly Online Poll Are you concerned about the increasing COVID-19 cases in Columbia County?

Yes

Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to catalog. extension.oregonstate.edu.

Click on publications and start exploring.

The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.

Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County • Address: 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 • Phone: 503-397-3462 • Email: chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu

pen in our community?

In peace, health and happiness for all, Healthy Clatskanie Association

Tell me about Oregon I am writing to you as part of a class project for the novel ‘The Watsons Go To Birmingham.’ My classmates and I are contacting newspapers across the country in a state we chose to learn more about. I wanted to learn more about Oregon because my uncle lives there. I want to go to Oregon to meet my uncle up there.

I am writing to ask your readers to please write back and tell me why they like Oregon, interesting facts about the state, and what visitors can do there. They can write to my school’s address at Queen of Peace Catholic School, 4508 Vistula Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46544. If they could include a copy of the newspaper where they saw my letter, I’d greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact my teacher’s email at qweisser@ queenofpeace.cc or you may contact her by phone at 574255-0392 x 123.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Liam Gallagher Indiana

Last Week’s Results What is your favorite spring season activity?

No

29% Gardening

21% Fishing

29% Barbecue

21% Walking

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

•

Many Extension publications available online

C ommunity • •

edies.

Employment, wages, and investment will shift momentum.

Write your congressman. I just did.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu.

•V iewpoints • •

‘Snails pace’ at the Oregon Capitol a unanimous floor vote. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

BRAD WITT Chief Guest Article

The legislative process continues to move slowly in the House Chamber, and bills are now being read in their entirety instead of the usual process of being identified by title only. However, we did have bipartisan agreement to finish some important budget bills during a night floor session last week to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in students and in communities impacted by the pandemic and wildfire devastation.

Summer learning, child care HB 5042 includes $250 million to fund Summer Learning and Child Care programs throughout the state, $18 million for emergency housing shelters and nearly $5 million to help wildfireimpacted communities across Oregon. HB 5042 received a unanimous House Floor vote and is now in the Senate awaiting consideration.

While the work on the House Floor seems to be moving at a snail’s pace, I was able to carry HB 2693 my “Food Box” bill in the chamber. It allows nonprofits to use apprentice trust training facilities for no more than seven consecutive days, or 30 cumulative days in any tax year under a rental agreement without jeopardizing the facility’s property tax exemption. This problem came to my attention last year when the Plumbers and Steamfitters wanted to facilitate collection and distribution of food boxes for people in need. As Chief Sponsor of HB 2693 I was gratified to see the bill receive

Stream restoration Another bill, HB 2298 authorizes voluntary stream restoration and habitat improvement projects in small Eastern Oregon streams through the construction of environmental restoration weirs. This bill came out of my House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee, and I signed on as a sponsor because I believe this bill will help landowners address erosion and riparian degradation, while providing ecological and economic benefits. This bill was approved on the House Floor and it moves to the Oregon Senate.

There is now a backlog of more than 100 bills waiting for House Floor votes.

It’s important to note that 90% of those bills coming to the floor had bipartisan, unanimous support coming out of their committees, but procedurally, the bills are being read in their entirety until a 2/3rds majority of Representatives agree to waive that requirement and allow the bills to be read by title only.

There is so much work to be done to protect Oregonians struggling under the weight of the pandemic, our economic downturn, the housing crisis, wildfires and so many other issues.

It is frustrating to sit on the House Floor for hours at a time, and feel that our time and taxpayer dollars could be better spent getting things done for the people of our state. In an effort to get the people’s work done, each day we hold morning and evening floor sessions, and are sched-

uled to convene this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Saturday session Unfortunately, Saturday’s House Floor Session means I will have to miss the 100 year celebration of the Rainier City Hall. The Rainier City Hall officially opened for business April 13, 1921 and although a few days early, the 100 year anniversary will be celebrated this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. There will be tours, historic displays and presentations of the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum and a chance for friends and neighbors to celebrate the city’s rich history. The city does ask that those attending wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocols.

Keep in touch As always, please remember that I can best serve your interests when I hear from you. If you have a comment or concern about pending legislation, please reach out to my office. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Capitol building remains closed, so email is probably the best way to have your opinions recorded. If I can help you navigate an issue or problem with a state agency, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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

The Chief

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051

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Friday, April 9, 2021

A5

www.thechiefnews.com

CC21-1406

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING on Monday April 19, 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Columbia County Planning Commission will have a work session on April 19, 2021, regarding the adoption of new forest zone rules implementing State Law from 2019 House Bill 2225 and House Bill 2469.

These new rules will modify the Primary Forest Zone, Section 500 of the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. This work session meeting will be informational and discussion only, no public hearing or decision will be made at this meeting. (File # TA 20-03). SAID PUBLIC MEETING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commission on: Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:30 pm.

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Columbia County Planning Commission will be hosting

their public hearing via online webinar.

Please use the links below if you wish to participate in the public meeting. Online Access Information: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (PDT). Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https:// global.gotomeeting. com/join/721407565 You can also dial in using your phone.

United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 United States: +1 (646) 749-3129 Access Code: 721-407565 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/ install/721407565 If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call the Land Development Services office at (503) 3971501.

CC21-1405

TS No. OR08000140-18-4S APN 11353 TO No 191102148 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BARRY L EVANS as Grantor to TICOR TITLE COMPANY OF OREGON as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for USA DIRECT FUNDING, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 1, 2017 and recorded on August 4, 2017 as Instrument No. 2017-07168 and the beneficial interest was assigned to The Money Source Inc. and recorded October 15, 2018 as Instrument Number 2018-08781 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 11353 LOT 1, BLOCK 119, CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON Com-

monly known as: 496 S 15TH ST, ST HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, The Money Source Inc., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, 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): 9 Monthly Payment(s) from 05/01/2019 to 01/31/2020 at $971.54 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2020 to 02/28/2021 at $957.59 13 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2020 to 03/31/2021 at $948.94 Monthly Late Charge(s): 215.45 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 $166,236.35 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.37500% per annum from April 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 July 27, 2021 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: March 18,2021 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300Order Number 74312, Pub Dates: 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

www.thechiefnews.com

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Friday, April 9, 2021

Public Notices CC21-1408

CC21-1400

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF There will be a pubof the meeting is to receive please contact our AdminOREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA lic meeting of the Budget the budget message and to istrative staff at 503-366Committee of the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This meeting will be held at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications district, 58611 McNulty Way, St. Helens, Oregon.

The meeting will take place on the 22nd of April 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose

receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place.

Ay person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. Due to the State of Oregon’s order of social distancing, this meeting may be held virtually. For instructions on how to join the meeting

6973. Instructions will also be posted on our website. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after the April 22nd meeting at the District office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This notice is also published on the District’s website at www.Columbia911. com. Nancy J. Edwards, Budget Office.

CC21-1412

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BUDGET COMMITTEE The Clatskanie School District 6J Board of Directors is accepting applications from patrons interested in serving on the budget committee.

Two - three year positions (expiring 6/30/23) and two - two year position (expiring 6/30/22) are available.

You can pick up an application form at the Clatskanie

School District Office, 660 SW Bryant St, or on-line at csd.k12.or.us Please return applications to the District Office by 3:30 pm April 29, 2021. The budget committee meeting dates are May 10, May 17 and, if necessary, May 24. Selected candidates must be qualified voters of the district. Officers, agents, or

employees of the district are not eligible. Applications may be submitted to Tami Burgher, Clatskanie School District 6J, PO Box 678, Clatskanie OR 97016 or email tburgher@csd. k12.or.us . Questions regarding serving may be directed to Tami Burgher at 503-7280587, ext. 2003, or to any board member.

CC21-1414

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J will hold a Board meeting, Monday, April 12, 2021, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please see our

website at www.csd.k12.or.us on the main page for directions to join the zoom meeting.

The agenda includes but is not limited to: Superintendent and

Principal’s reports, financial report, and the consent agenda.

Please see our website for an official agenda. The public is encouraged to attend.

their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred.

All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional infor-

mation from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published March 26, 2021. Aaron Palm, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC21-1409

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINE PARK DUMP STATION INSTALLATION The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for Installation of a Dump Station at the Scappoose Bay Marine Park. Interested contractors may obtain the

RFP documents from the Port’s website, www.portofcolumbiacounty.org; from the Port Office located at 100 E. Street, Columbia City, from 8:00 to 5:00pm; or via email

at jensen@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00pm on Monday, April 19, 2021.

For questions, please call 503-397-2888.

CC21-1401

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING A public meeting of the 2021-2022 Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD Budget Committee will be held April 29, 2020, at 7:00 PM at the MistBirkenfeld Main Station located at 12525 Highway 202. This is a meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place.

Any person may attend this meeting and discuss the

proposed programs with the Budget Committee. This meeting can be joined via teleconference at the following: 1 971 247 1195 Meeting ID: 937 9570 9121 Passcode: 217436 BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED AT THIS MEETING WILL BE: Election of Officers - Presentation of Budget Message - Presentation of Budget

Document - Discussion of the Budget Document - Public Testimony - Scheduling of possible future meetings. The proposed budget document will be available for inspection on April 20, 2021 at the Mist-Birkenfeld Main Station at 12525 Hwy 202, Mist, Oregon, during the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Joe Kaczenski, Budget Officer

CC21-1404

CC21-1410

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Rainier School District No. 13, Columbia County, State of Oregon, on the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held at 28168 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, Oregon. The meeting will take place on April 26, 2021 at 5:00pm. The purpose of

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of LILLIAN HAZEL PALM, Deceased. No. 21PB01186 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present

the meeting is to receive the budget message. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place.

An additional, separate meeting of the Budget Committee will be held to take public comment. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with

•

the Budget Committee. The meeting for public comment will be on May 10, 2021 at 6:30pm, held at 28168 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, Oregon. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after April 27, 2021 at 28168 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, Oregon, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of KARL HEINZ MULLER, Deceased. No. 21PB02075 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the

estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published April 2, 2021.

Nancy K. Muller, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE OSCARS ACROSS

1. Hedgehog of video games 6. And so forth, acronym 9. *Oscar-nominated black and white movie 13. Treeless plain 14. Grazing field 15. Moses’ mountain 16. Sty sounds 17. Nelson Mandela’s org.

18. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 19. *Posthumous nominee 21. *Anthony of “The Father” 23. “What’s up, ____?”

24. Huge pile 25. Protestant denom.

28. Feed storage cylinder 30. Load again 35. Relating to ear 37. Flighty one 39. Proclaimed true without proof 40. Musician David Lee ____ 41. Ascetic holy Hindu 43. Eastern European 44. Plural of #10 Down 46. 500 sheets 47. Looking for aliens org.

48. Kitchen whistler 50. Wails 52. Bad-mouth 53. Medieval torture device 55. Pied Piper follower

57. Politburo hat fur 61. *Daniel of “Judas and the Black Messiah” 65. Raspberry drupelets 66. Fuss, to Shakespeare 68. Void, as in marriage 69. Defective car 70. Given name of Jack Kerouac’s Paradise 71. ____ of Honor 72. Adam and Eve’s first residence 73. Money in Myanmar 74. Shoemaker without shoes, e.g.

DOWN

1. Undesirable roommate 2. Medley 3. Grannies, in UK 4. Tattooed 5. Universe 6. Panache 7. *Most 2021 Oscar nominations for one film, #9 Across 8. Secret storage 9. Stole fur 10. One opposed 11. Indian restaurant staple 12. U.S. customary unit of force, pl.

15. Soaked 20. DNA and RNA 22. Argonaut’s propeller

24. Shared work surface at an office 25. *Sasha Baron Cohen’s “Subsequent Moviefilm” role 26. Be sorry for one’s wickedness 27. Pita, in UK 29. *Like Roberto Benigni’s fictional son 31. Husband to a widow, e.g.

32. Checked out 33. Stradivari competitor 34. *”Fences” winner and “Ma Rainey” nominee 36. Poker ante 38. *”Nomadland” director 42. Shadow 45. *The Trial of the Chicago 7” screenwriter 49. Greek “t” 51. Sandwich sausage 54. Necklace lock 56. Radio receiver 57. Nutritious leafy green 58. Got A+ 59. Ice on a window 60. Happening soon, old fashioned 61. Caffeine-containing nut tree 62. Editing arrow 63. Chinese monetary unit 64. Friend in war 67. *Nominee for Billie Holiday role

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief.

Solution for the March 2, 2021 crossword puzzle

10th Annual 2021 Columbia County

Business Guide

PUBLICATION DATES: CHRONICLE: JUNE 23, CHIEF: JUNE 25 AD DEADLINE: JUNE 9

503-397-0116 or atrull@countrymedia.net Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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

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Friday, April 9, 2021

A7

Guide Craft beer growth slow, steady

What is an IPA?

folks have lived closer to so many brewery options.”

Going macro

Craft beer has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, and while it is still growing, industry magazine Beverage Dynamics says that growth has slowed.

More than 7,000 craft breweries are now churning out great beer all over the U.S., the magazine says, with another 2,000 predicted to come online in the next two years.

State of the industry Craft breweries grew 4% in 2018, the Brewers Association reported, with a retail dollar value growth of $27.6 billion. The number of barrels produced hit a five-year high, with more than 25 million barrels of beer produced. More than a thousand craft breweries opened in 2018, but less than 300 closed, meaning the market is still going

strong.

Saturation All these breweries mean that the average consumer has more beer choices than ever. Brewers are going to have to try harder than ever to capture consumer attention, either with innovative new brews or by perfecting tried-andtrue favorites.

“Whenever we are asked, ‘Are there too many craft breweries?’ I always ask, ‘Are there too many BBQ joints in Kansas City?”

Natalie Gershon, vice president of marketing for Boulevard Brewing Co., told Beverage Dynamics. “While the market may have slowed a bit, there is still a ton of opportunity for breweries to carve out spots where they can become the neighborhood bar. There’s never been a time where

Deer Island Store

Your Community Store

Yeah, that seems like an oxymoron, but craft breweries are finding themselves more and more with a ton of products in rotation.

Fighting this battle means acting more like a macrobrewery, some brewers told Beverage Dynamics.

“You look at the beer industry as a whole, we’re all fighting over that same 15% market share, and not that 85%,” said Mike Stevens, cofounder of Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “We need to focus on a narrowing handful of brands, not 28 brands, and spending money supporting those core brands. We need to free this thing up a bit so that the momentum can get back to the positive numbers.

“We must professionalize our branding efforts.

Think about it: Nobody has really built a brand in craft beer like Amazon, Apple or Coca-Cola. Someone in craft right now could be the next person to build America’s next greatest brewery. There’s opportunity and a need to fill.”

$10 Growler Fills!

64561 Columbia River Hwy, Deer Island, 503-397-6862

For many beer drinkers, craft beer and IPAs are basically synonymous. But what are they?

History IPA stands for Indian pale ale. It started in 1793, when George Hodgson of Bow Brewery was exporting porters and pale ales from London to India. These hoppy IPAs were light and thirst quenching, and therefore popular with British troops in India. Abundant hops and alcohol were suggested for the brew to make the long ship voyage from England to India, according to American Craft Beer.

Future of IPAs While some experts say consumers are getting tired of IPAs, brewers see the category splintering

and plenty of innovation happening within each subgroup.

“The IPA segment has slowed in growth, yet it still represents more than half the volume of the craft beer market, so it’s hard to say that we’re nearing the end of the craze,” Ben Widesth, vice president of marketing for San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing Co., told Beverage Dynamics.

“Instead, you see IPAs transforming into its own sub-category with hazy, low-ABV, high-ABV, and low-calorie options. This sort of innovation within the IPA space should continue to keep the style dominant.”

What to try now As always, ask the experts at your local liquor or beer store for some great brews. They can help you determine the right beer

for you by asking about other brews you prefer. Still intimidated? Try these toprated brews from Craft Beer & Brewing: New Belgium Brewing Ranger, Fort Collins, Colorado (ABV: 6.5%): Reviewers noted a clean finish and sweet grapefruit notes with a hops-forward taste but not over the top.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Torpedo Extra IPA, Chico, California (ABV: 7.2%): Famous for its use of Sierra Nevada’s hop torpedo, it has a hoppy aroma with a malty sweetness.

Lagunitas Brewing Co. IPA., Petaluma, California (ABV: 6.2%): This beer is called “wonderfully hoppy in the best way” with a taste of citrus and pine.

Boston Beer Co. Rebel IPA, Boston (ABV: 6.5%): Reviewers said this American IPA is middle of the road but decidedly bitter to showcase the hops.

Celebrate Beer Month with us!

Mention this ad and get $1 off your first beer the Month of April.

Cheers! We look forward to seeing you.

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Come on down to Molly’s Market and enjoy a beer.

Your local neighborhood market.

10 rotating taps offering seasonal brews Beer to go? We fill growlers 1/2 OFF Happy Hour Appetizers M-F 3 pm - 5 pm 298 S. 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon • 503-396-5108

Molly’s Market Open 8-8 Everyday | 503-396-5479 | 290 1st Street, St. Helens OR | mmmatchak@gmail.com Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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A8

Friday, April 9, 2021

Clatskanie track team ready for new abbreviated season JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The high school spring sports season is set to begin next week and Clatskanie Middle/High School Track and Field Coach Tim Van Voorst is looking forward to a successful season.

In the following conversation, Coach Van Voorst gives us his insight into what’s ahead.

Courtesy photo

Pinwheels and ribbons for prevention have been placed at the front entrance of St. Helens Community Action Team Building.

Pinwheels stress prevention STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Columbia County had 198 founded child abuse cases, according to the latest figures available in the state of Oregon, Child Abuse 2019 Data Book.

Community Action Team Inc., Northwest Oregon Healthy Families is Columbia County’s largest child abuse prevention program offering home visiting services for prenatal or new birth families.

This year the agency has put out ribbons and pinwheels to symbolize local child abuse data. Each ribbon placed on the railing outside the Community Action Team Building in St. Helens represents a founded child abuse case in Columbia County.

Healthy Families of Columbia County serves approximately 40 families each calendar year. Healthy Families empowers parents to be their child’s best teacher from the very start, supporting family’s healthy growth and development, according

to a release from the agency.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This month and throughout the year, Community Action Team Inc., Healthy Families encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Columbia County a better place for children and families.

The agency states that by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, child abuse and neglect can be prevented by creating strong and thriving children, youth, and families in the communities.

Research shows that protective factors are present in healthy families, the agency states in a release, adding that protective factors are conditions or attributes of individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that mitigate risk and promote healthy development and wellbeing.

Healthy Families of Columbia County states that promoting the following protective factors is one of

the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect: • Nurturing and attachment • Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development • Parental resilience • Social connections • Concrete supports for parents • Social and emotional competence of children “April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children and strengthening families,” Community Action Team Director Dan Brown said. “Everyone’s participation is critical.

Focusing on ways to connect with families is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”

For more information about child abuse prevention programs, contact Community Action Team Inc., Healthy Families at 503-366-6556.

Distracted driving awareness, enforcement STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Columbia County and across the state began a national law enforcement effort on April 8 to pull over distracted drivers.

By the numbers Over a five-year period in Oregon, 18 people died in crashes involving a driver using a cell phone.

Distracted driving, including being distracted by a phone, contributed to the deaths of 137 people total in Oregon from 2014 – 2018, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

“When you’re behind the wheel, there is nothing more important than paying attention,” ODOT Distracted Driving Program Manager Kelly Kapri said. “If you let something distract you, you could end up in a serious or deadly crash. And it might not be others hurt or killed – it could be you.”

In Oregon, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile

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electronic device while driving. A first offense without a crash can earn up to a $1,000 fine. Later convictions can result in fines up to $2,500 and six months in jail. See specific information online at oregonlaws.org/ors/811.507.

In support of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, public awareness campaigns are being launched and law enforcement agencies across Oregon will operate high visibility enforcement activities throughout the month, funded by grants from ODOT’s Safety Division.

What is distracted driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes driving distractions as specific types of inattention that occur when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on other activity instead.

Distraction occurs when a driver voluntarily diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver’s eyes, ears, hands and mind. There are four types of driver distraction: to boost the economy.

“Having a 100-space RV park increases tourism, increases people stopping in Clatskanie instead of passing through the city and the business will be able to benefit from everybody stopping on their way to the coast or just traveling,” Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce President Monica Seidl said.

“It is going to bring a lot of revenue and interest to Clatskanie.”

Seidl said the city has many attractions to offer, beyond shops and businesses, including a city pool, city park and state-of-the-art skatepark and the River’s Edge development should trigger an economic ripple in the city.

“That’s the hope,” she said, “that it does increase business and attracts new businesses. We have some empty buildings that would be great to fill with new shops and businesses.”

Fred Rathbone said he sold the 12-acre property to Rissel because the two shared a development vision.

of this land and to protect all of the natural area, including the adjacent ponds and wetlands. That’s what brings in the wildlife and the natural beauty that is here.”

Rissel said the estimated value of the RV park and campground when completed will be between $4 and $5 million.

Rissel said River’s Edge will be an economic boost for Clatskanie and Columbia County.

“People are going to come in and they are going to stop here,” he said.

“They’ll shop at the businesses and eat at the restaurants and enjoy the beauty of this area, the river, the fisheries. It is a great stopping spot.”

“I think it is great,” Clatskanie Mayor Bob Brajcich said. “They have been working on it for a long time. It should bring in a lot of people to town and help Columbia County’s trusted local news source

• Visual – Looking at something other than the road • Auditory – Hearing something not related to driving • Manual – Manipulating something other than the wheel • Cognitive – Thinking about something other than driving Most distractions involve more than one of these types, with both a sensory – eyes, ears, or touch – and a mental component, mind.

Enforcement planned During the distracted driving enforcement, “Connect 2 Disconnect,” thousands of agencies nationwide, including law enforcement in Oregon had joined the effort. For a fourhour period, personnel will be out in force, helping to ensure drivers focus on safe driving.

Learn more about distracted driving at oregon. gov/odot/safety/pages/distracted.aspx.

Rathbone and his family have been in the RV industry for many years and he said when he first spotted the Clatskanie property in 1998, he knew it would be a perfect fit for an RV park and campground.

“River’s Edge is turning out just exactly like I had envisioned this project to be,” Rathbone said. “This allows for all the amenities for the community which will be a park area and whatever the community wants, so from the inception this was an absolute success story for the community.”

Next steps for the project will be grading and construction preparations, installation of the infrastructure, including water, sewer, power, the streets and pads and construction of the park clubhouse.

Rissel said he expects the park to be open sometime in the fall.

For more information about River’s Edge, contact Jonna Forbes, jonnaforbes555@comcast.net.

The Chief: As you prepare for the new season, how do you plan to help guide the student track members and what are you telling them to expect with the abbreviated season due to the pandemic?

Tim Van Voorst: I am planning on working with my coaches and athletes to prepare them with daily practices and weekly meets to be successful this season.

COVID-19

From Page A1

New statewide metric added for determining Extreme Risk level COVID-19 hospitalizations are a key indicator of severe illness in Oregon communities. As vaccine distribution increases, case counts and percent positivity will not be adequate indicators on their own for measuring the threat COVID-19 poses to public health. This week, Oregon is adding a statewide hospitalization metric for moving to Extreme Risk.

Beginning this week, for counties to move to (or remain in) Extreme Risk, they must meet the county metrics for case rates and percent positivity, plus a new statewide metric: COVID-19 positive patients occupying 300 hospital beds or more, and a 15% increase in the seven-day average over the

We are expecting to compete in one track meet a week and hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to wrap up our season with a league district meet sometime in mid May. The Chief: What do you hope would be the strengths of the team and what do you see as the weaknesses?

track meet? If each athlete can PR at almost every track meet then we consider that a success.

The Chief: What track teams would you expect the most challenges from this season, and why?

The Chief: What will be the key training you’ll stress at practices and why?

Van Voorst: I expect the most challenging aspect of this season will be keeping my athletes physically healthy. Without having much of a preseason or the normal two or three weeks of practice to adjust to our bodies track workouts, I’m expecting lots of sore muscles and possible injuries along those lines.

Van Voorst: I always tell my athletes to measure success by personal growth. Are we getting better every day in practice and are we able to improve our marks every

Follow Clatskanie Middle/ High School sports results at osaa.org and see sports features online at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

past week. Counties that meet the criteria for Extreme Risk but for the statewide trigger will be assigned to High Risk.

This week there are three counties that qualify for Extreme Risk based on their county metrics, but are assigned High Risk because the statewide trigger has not been met: Josephine, Klamath, and Tillamook.

Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.

Polk County qualifies for High Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.

Yamhill County qualifies for Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly.

County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks.

The first week’s data will provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced April 20 and take effect April 23.

Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov.

Van Voorst: I am expecting to have a smaller team this year which will allow our coaches to work with our athletes on a more one on one basis.

Four counties enter two-week caution period This week, the caution period applies to five counties: Baker County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.

Columbia County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.

Lane County qualifies for

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

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

Sign up: www.ohsu.edu/COVIDVans

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

- Go to URL to sign up for your timeslot.

- Please carefully follow registration and scheduling instructions.

What else do I need to know?

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

- Testing is for those older than 2 months.

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

- COVID vaccine will not be provided at these events.