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Clatskanie Heritage Days 2023 theme

began the design contest last year as part of a new tradition to engage local teen artists between the ages of 13 and 19 with the Heritage Days celebration.

The Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce has announced Kaydence DeCaro as the winner of the 2023 Heritage Days theme design contest.

The theme will be: The Best Show In Town, according to Chamber Board Director Nikole Young. This theme was picked to “celebrate Heritage Days’ popular and enduring history.” The Heritage Days planning committee also selected the theme to complement DeCaro’s artwork.

“We have a cultural center in Clatskanie we refer to as the Birkenfeld Theater. It has I.O.O.F Hall letters and is also the location of our City Hall. The Birkenfeld Theater is a community hub we’re lucky to have in Clatskanie,” Young said. “Kaydence’s artwork incorporates this building along

Nehalem Street with elements of our annual Heritage Days parade heading north toward Highway 30, which is the direction our parade takes every year to kick off July 4. The celebratory nature of Kaydence’s submission, as well as her talent, are the reasons we chose her artwork.”

The celebratory nature of Kaydence’s submission, as well as her talent, are the reasons we chose her artwork.

~ Nikole Young, Chamber Board Director

The Heritage Days planning committee, which the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce oversees,

“The planning committee is a small group of dedicated volun teers who do their best to give back, coordinating all the festivi ties by reaching out to vendors, companies, and governments to ensure a safe and fun summer kickoff,” Young said. “Donations fund the event, and planning committee members oftentimes donate their own money to cross the Heritage Days finish line.” Young said that to incentivize students and pay artists for their hard work, they present a profes sional art kit and a $150 cash prize to the winner.

Because they are such a small committee that is learning on the fly, they have only been able to coordinate the contest with the public school dis trict and spread the word through social media, according to Young. They hope to increase participation in the coming years.

The Heritage Days include a series of events, starting with a car show and other activities on June 25. The next weekend includes more activities, starting with a dog parade on Friday, July 1. Throughout the weekend, there are more activities for the community. The Heritage Days celebration culminates with a parade, fireworks, and more than a dozen activities in the town.

They have had an average of 30 submissions between the two years, and both years’ winners have been in middle school, according to Young. Students living in Clatskanie’s public district

That 2022 design inspired a lot of great ideas by student artists for this year,” Young said. “We had a Veterans Memorial illustration and a drawing of Nehalem Street’s Highway 30 intersection. These were very thoughtful and beautifully done.”

The winner of the contest was announced at the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce Mixer April 6. The event was attended by local business owners, local government officials, members of the community, and the theme design winner’s family and friends.

History of the Heritage Days celebration

The Heritage Days celebration originated in 1959 in an effort to raise funds for the Clatskanie pool, according to Young.

“There had been multiple drownings, including drownings of children, in the Columbia River, so bringing a pool into town was a top priority for all citizens. The result was barbeque and baseball fundraiser,” Young said.

artwork, regardless of where they attend school. There were many designs considered for the winner.

“There were several contenders. Last year’s winner set the precedent of focusing on community landmarks by submitting a lovely design of our own Clatskanie Castle, also known as the Thomas J. Flippin House.

Originally named the Clatskanie Scramble, the celebrations have evolved into a multi-day celebration over the years, and it now includes games, races, fireworks, logging demonstrations, and more.

Read more about Heritage Days at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of the Chief.

CCSO Levy aims to add new deputies

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Voters will be asked to approve a four-year property tax that will appear on the May 16 Election ballot that would support seven new Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies.

If this levy is not passed in May, then we will be unable to provide additional deputies. In addition, limited coverage hours, slow response times, and reduced citizen safety will continue to be an issue.

~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff

The new tax would be 29 cents

per $1,000 in assessed value. A home taxed on a $400,000 assessed value would see $116 added to the home’s yearly property tax bill if the levy is approved.

What the levy would mean for public safety

Columbia County Sheriff Pixley believes the measure will address what he says has been a chronic staffing issue for a long time.

“For years, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been chronically underfunded and understaffed,” Pixley said This puts our Columbia County residents at risk as well as our Deputies and city police officers. Our deputies are dealing with over twice the number of calls for service per deputy per year as the officers in the busiest city in Columbia County. This levy would decrease that individual call load, provide for faster response times, and increase the safety for Columbia County residents.”

The CCSO Enforcement Divi-

sion encompasses eight distinct service units with a total staff of 15 deputies, one detective, and one K-9, according to the CCSO website. Pixley saoid that the need for more deputies will help provide 24/7 coverage for all of Columbia

County.

“Currently, St. Helens Police Department is the only 24/7 law enforcement in the county, which doesn’t help residents outside of the city limits,” Pixley said. “This levy would allow for county-wide

24/7 coverage. During the busiest hours of the day, deputies would be assigned to specific districts in the county (north county, south

Majority of houseless funds misses county

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has announced how much funding each region within Oregon’s homelessness state of emergency will receive from the state, as well as the specific outcomes local communities are expected to achieve with the emergency dollars.

Contact The Chief

Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Columbia County is one of the counties that did not receive an express amount of money in the governor’s plan however, rent assistance will be available statewide through community action agency networks and their partners. The state will also make $26 million available to help address houseless needs across the state, including Columbia County.

“There’s the $26 million that will go out in July that will serve the balance of the state for shelter capacity and other things. So, those communities should be planning now on how those additional resources can help them ramp up as well as sustain in the years ahead,” Kotek said in a

conference earlier this week.

that will reduce unsheltered homelessness,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “The state will continue to provide technical assistance and partner with local communities to make sure this money makes a difference on the ground.”

The following funding amounts are based on many factors, including the appropriation made available by the legislature, detailed plans that local communities submitted, and a detailed formula developed by Oregon Housing and Community Services, according to a release from the Governor’s Office.

Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County: $18.2 million to rehouse 275 households and create 138 shelter beds.

Eugene/Springfield/Lane County: $15.5 million to rehouse 247 households and create 230 shelter beds.

Central Oregon: $13.9 million to rehouse 161 households and create 111 shelter beds.

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo from Nikole Young

The winning design depicts the Heritage Days Parade which takes place every July 4th.

Courtesy from Nikole Young Kaydence DeCaro receives her award from the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce for the winning Heritage Days theme logo.

Low returns forecasted for steelhead fishing

Steelhead are difficult to forecast due to their life history, so the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) pre-season forecast comes with considerable uncertainty. But the 2023 combined preseason forecast for upriver summer steelhead (those destined for areas upstream of Bonneville Dam including the Snake River Basin) is pointing to another poor return year, marking what would be the 8th consecutive year of low returns.

Last year, ODFW implemented fishery frameworks for Columbia River tributaries (Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers). The frameworks provide greater transparency on what management actions will be taken when steelhead runs are low so anglers, guides and local communities can be more prepared for fishery restrictions.

For 2023, anglers should anticipate summer steelhead fishing restrictions and closures in the mainstem

Columbia River and tributaries similar to previous years—including broad area and time closures, onesteelhead bag limits when open, and thermal angling sanctuaries near Oregon tributary mouths upstream of Bonneville Dam. Collectively, these regulations have further reduced the take of ESA-listed wild fish and increased hatchery escapements to help

hatcheries collect sufficient broodstock. Regulations may vary across time and across the basin based on the life cycle, the strength of individual tributary runs and the level of risk to wild upriver summer steelhead. The run of most concern, upriver A/B-Index summer steelhead, do not enter the lower Columbia River until early summer. The recreational

fishery in the lower river (downstream of The Dalles Dam) does not begin to handle these fish until July and even then, the majority of catch is still destined for lower river tributaries. But A/B-Index fish that entered the Columbia River last summer are still present in the mainstem Columbia River upstream of The Dalles Dam through winter and early spring of 2023.

Due to poor returns in 2022, the John Day and Walla Walla rivers are currently closed to steelhead fishing. Steelhead angling and retention remains open on the Deschutes River at this time.

Escapement of wild steelhead above Sherars Falls for the 2022-23 run year is expected to exceed 625 fish, the threshold needed to keep fishing open on the Deschutes after June 1. If passage of wild fish over Bonneville does not meet minimum counts from July 1-July 31, steelhead fishing on the Deschutes will close by Aug. 15. See the framework for full details.

“Impacts from dams, degraded freshwater habitat and predation, and steelhead migration patterns in the ocean that have put them in warmer, less productive waters are all playing a role in the low returns of summer steelhead,” said Shaun Clements, ODFW deputy fish division administrator.

“While conservation is our first priority, we recognize the impact closures can have on anglers, guides and

communities. We hope the webinar and frameworks can provide greater transparency about management actions and help communities impacted by closures prepare.”

Be engaged

The ODFW fish biologists throughout the Columbia Basin will host a webinar to discuss summer steelhead management and upcoming seasons at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18. Watch the webinar on ODFW’s steelhead page at https://myodfw.com/articles/ steelhead-managementcolumbia-snake-river-basins and submit a question or comment before or during the webinar at https://odfw. wufoo.com/forms/columbiariver-and-tributary-steelhead-webinar.

For more background on steelhead management in the Columbia River Basin and to sign up for updates, visithttps://myodfw.com/ articles/steelhead-management-columbia-snake-riverbasins.

Students to compete at National History Bowl Championship

ment. But I am preparing, and we meet every Thursday after school as a team to practice.”

The History Bowl questions can cover any part of history, from Ancient Rome to current events. Logan remembered one question is recent competition about the musical group, the Beach Boys, that he did not know the answer to.

“I thought I heard my mom crying when I didn’t get the answer right,” Logan said jokingly.

Logan’s mother, Katie, said she could not be more pleased with her son and the local team.

“I am so proud of all these kids,” said Katie Goddard. “At first, I thought this is a little after school project. It is so much more.”

students. They typically split into two groups and quiz one another. The competition will be stiff, as per usual.

“We read history books and also study past questions that we can download,” Joseph said.

Each of the RJSHS team members said they are looking forward to the trip to the Nationals.

“I want to see new things, historical things,” Logan said. Her first trip to the East Coast will be memorable Alora said.

“I have never been on a plane. I am looking forward to seeing new stuff,” she said.

Teancum expressed confidence that the team will do well.

addition to athletics. All of our students should be able to find some kind of club, activity or sport here that interests them.”

Demko said a 1 p.m. April 27 rally in front of the high school at 28170 Old Rainier Road in Rainier is planned as send off to the Nationals for the team.

Individuals, businesses, or organizations that would like to help as a sponsor of the team may send contributions to: RJSHS History Bowl Team 28170 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, OR 97048.

“I am so proud of these Rainier students, for our team, for all the studying they did to compete in the History Bowl,” said Rainier Jr/Sr High School (RJSHS) Social Studies teacher Andy Demko. “Our trip just got approved by the school board, and we are getting ready to go!”

Demko, the team advisor, said the team qualified with a first-place finish in the Regional History Bowl championship, held in Portland.

Competing in the Junior Var sity division, this prestigious honor is allowing the team to travel to Arlington, VA. and compete in the History Bowl National Championships.

According to the event’s website, the Bowl typically attracts more than 250 teams, with more than 1,000 students competing. The History Bowl is different than a bee which is an individual pursuit. The first History Bowl was held in 2011, gaining more participants each year.

Preparing

“These students have

worked so hard,” RJSHS Language Arts teacher Robyn Cochran-Moore said.

“It is fun to see students get excited about academic pursuits. They will be getting to meet new friends, experience a different part of the country, and make lifetime memories, while experiencing a different part of the country.”

Team members are seventh grader Logan Stoddard, and eighth graders Alora Jefferson, Teancum Tygret and Joseph Elliot-Bach. When asked if he was nervous to compete in the event, Joseph said, “That is an understate-

The Bowl event is a buzzer-based history quiz competition for teams up to six students. Four compete with two alternates. Studying for the nationals is a rigorous venture for the RJHJS

“It’s all the names that we have to remember that is so hard. But it will be great,” Teancum said.

“This is just one club at the school,” Cochran-Moore said. “We offer a variety of positive opportunities in

Another upcoming event is the Rainier Jr/Senior High School History Club presentation of Rainier Revisited 2023 April 22. It is the 11th such event and will include reenactments, along with a look back at other aspects of Rainier’s history. Demko is also heading this pursuit. For more details, contact Demko at andrew_demko@rsd.k12. or.us.

Courtesy from Jessica Sall ODFW

The 2023 combined preseason forecast for upriver summer steelhead is pointing to another poor return year, marking what would be the 8th consecutive year of low returns.

LAUREY WHITE

Chief Guest Article

Courtesy photo from Laurey White

The Rainier Jr/Sr High School History Bowl Team, let to right, advisor Andy Demko, Joseph Bach, Alora Jefferson, Logan Goddard, and Teancum Tygret.

From Page A1

Robert Ray

Sept. 3, 1941 ~ April 8, 2023

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Allen Ray, a loving and devoted husband, father, and friend to all. He left us Sat., April 8, 2023. Robert was born Sept. 3, 1941, in Chiloquin, Oregon, a son of the late Samuel and Sylvia Ray.

On Sept. 6, 1960, Robert married Bessie “Angie” Ray. In his free time, Robert liked to work on cars and tractors, play on his guitar, and spend time with his family. He was a believer who enjoyed learning about and singing songs to Jesus.

In addition to his

beloved wife of 63 years, Bessie, Robert is survived by two daughters and sonsin-law, Richard and Linda Kujala of Clatskanie, Or-

egon and Greg and Wanda Van Camp of Branson, Missouri; a son and daughterin-law, Samuel and Kristy Ray of Hillsboro, Oregon; eighteen grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thurs., April 13, 2023 at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Fri., April 14, 2023 at Alston Corner Assembly of God in Rainier, Oregon. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., April 15, 2023 at Prairie Cemetery in Knappa, Oregon.

Jeremiah Ephriam Koljonen

Jeremiah Ephriam

May 7, 1966 ~ March 31, 2023

Koljonen was born on May 7, 1966 to Nehemiah and Tianna (Hort) Koljonen in Seattle, Washington. He graduated from R.A Long High School in 1985. Jeremiah passed away March 31, 2023 in Clatskanie, Oregon.

He married his wife, Jeanette (Peterson) Koljonen, on Oct. 7, 1995 and they moved to the area in 1997.

They were married for 23 years before Jeanette passed away on April 28, 2018.

Jeremiah, or “Jere” as he was known, worked at Stimson Lumber for 22 years. Jere loved car shows,

swap meets, and rock and roll. He had a great sense of humor and was known around town as “Jones

Ansten Tretten

Beach Jere.” He loved life on his little farm by the river. Jere was the best guy ever and would literally give you the shirt off his back.

Jere is survived by his father Nehemiah Koljonen of Clatskanie, Oregon; and sister Rose Hanson (Daniel) of Clatskanie, Oregon; their children, Clayton, Colton, Caylee and Chloe; stepchildren, Zachary Ellis of Longview, Washington, Amanda Ellis of Kelso, Washington and Rebecca Kelley of Clatskanie, Oregon; as well as seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

April 26, 1946 ~ March 24, 2023

Ansten “Ole” Tretten was born April 26, 1946, in Laudal, Norway to Erling Tretten and Alvilde Seljelund Inget. He passed away on March 24, 2023, in Katy, Texas surrounded by family. He was 76.

In 1950, when Ansten was four, his father drowned. Ansten’s mother remarried in 1955 and moved to Clatskanie, Oregon. Ansten and his brother Einar stayed behind in Norway and rejoined the family in 1958. Ansten was about 12 years old when he moved to Clatskanie and enrolled in school not knowing English.

Ansten attended Clatskanie High School and set the national record for Javelin in 1965 at 231 feet and seven inches. He also excelled in football and basketball. In 1964, the family moved to Brazil (and later to Florida), but Ansten stayed behind in Clatskanie living with the Multanen family. He graduated in 1965 and received a full athletic scholarship to Oregon State University. However, he felt God

direction and he left college to join the US Army in 1966 where he became a veterinary specialist. He rejoined his family in Florida after his two-year enlistment was completed.

Ansten first met Roberta Fyhrie in 1968 in Evanston, Illinois while traveling from Florida to Michigan for the ALC convention. They began dating and were married on April 5, 1969, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Lake Worth. They raised their 5 children in the Lake Worth area before moving to Katy Texas in 2020. Ansten and Roberta were

Lowell Bentley

married for 53 years.

In the mid 70’s, Ansten was called into the ministry and served as a lay preacher. He was called into full time minister and served the Lake Worth Apostolic Lutheran Church from 1999 to 2013. He was also a Central Board member of the ALCA for many years and went on mission trips to Africa, India, Haiti, and Guatemala. Ansten also spend many years ministering to recovering addicts around the Lake Worth area.

Ansten was preceded in death by his father Erling Tretten; mother Avilde Inget; brother Einar Tretten; daughter Christine Farley; and grandson Timmy Sjolund.

He is survived by his wife Roberta; children Phillip Tretten of Lulea, Sweden, Rebecca Sjolund of Katy, Texas, Julie Rotegard of Kongsberg, Norway and Jeffrey Tretten of Omaha, Nebraska.

Ansten will be interred with military honors at the National Veterans Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida on April 17, 2023.

July 26, 1948 ~ April 1, 2023

county, and Nehalem Valley), which would further reduce response times and provide better service to citizens.”

By the numbers

The base tax rate for county operations as of now is $1.39 per $1,000. Pixley wants to retain the current base tax, allowing the levy to supplement the existing tax revenue. County residents already pay another CCSO levy which funds jail operations at a rate of 58 cents per $1,000 in assessed value.

HOUSELESS

From Page A1

Salem/Marion, Polk Counties: $10.4 million to rehouse 158 households and create 79 shelter beds.

Medford, Ashland/Jackson County: $8.8 million to rehouse 133 households and create 67 shelter beds.

Hillsboro/Beaverton/ Washington County: $8.0 million to rehouse 121 households and create 61 shelter beds.

Clackamas County: $4.4 million to rehouse 130 households.

Funding background

House Bill 5019 appropriated $85.2 million for local homelessness emergency plans. OHCS will reserve $3 million to ensure the goals of the emergency order are achieved. An additional $3 million will be used for a statewide landlord incentive, available to landlords participating in local rehousing efforts. The requests from all

This means that taxpayers would pay around 87 cents per $1,000 on both levies.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement between the CCSO and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Association, salaries have increased by 10 percent, according to Columbia County’s website. The salary increase means that the cost of hiring new deputies will also increase, according to Pixley.

Under the levy, the 29 cents per $1,000 will raise $1,868,330 in 2023, $1,953,433 in 2024, $2,042,434 in 2025, and $2,135,478 in 2026. The total is estimated as a levy of $7,999,685.

regions within the emergency order totaled $98.8 million, so there were not enough funds to provide each region with its full funding request.

In addition, the early funding package included $33.6 million to help prevent homelessness for an estimated 8,750 households. This funding will be distributed statewide through existing eviction prevention programs.

Recognizing that unsheltered homelessness impacts communities in every part of Oregon, the legislature also approved $26 million to address homelessness in the counties that do not meet the threshold of the emergency order.

The Governor’s Office reviewed the Community Plans and funding requests to ensure that each region has the resources and technical assistance they need to meet specific goals to reduce unsheltered homelessness in their community, according to the release.

OHCS is sending each region an announcement of its funding amount today and will include an updated timeline for finalizing grant agreements with the goal of funding being available to communities by April 28, 2023.

Pixley said that if the levy is not passed, the CCSO will not be able to add more deputies, and there will be issues with their service as a result.

“During the last election, residents were very clear that 24/7 patrol coverage was important to them,” Pixley said. “If this levy is not passed in May, then we will be unable to provide additional deputies. In addition, limited coverage hours, slow response times, and reduced citizen safety will continue to be an issue.”

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

“I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to help move this work forward –including staff at the state and local level who have been working diligently to make sure we have solid plans to quickly distribute these emergency funds,” Kotek said. “This alone won’t solve this crisis, but it is a significant downpayment on our efforts. It will build the new, outcomes-oriented infrastructure we need to address homelessness heading into next year.”

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the state housing agency (OHCS) have supported the establishment of Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) groups in emergency areas that will serve as the core infrastructure of the emergency response. MAC groups have been providing the planning, coordination, and operational leadership to bring real, measurable improvements on the ground. They will be responsible for the day-today implementation of funds, working with their communities to help move individuals and families into housing stability.

Admission

Lowell Bentley, 74, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away April 1, 2023 in Longview, Washington.

Turmoil at CRFR: No Confidence Vote, sexual harassment lawsuit

Columbia County’s largest fire agency is navigating through a Vote of No Confidence and a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The Columbia River Fire (CRF) Board will not remove Fire Chief Joel Medina following a unanimous no-confidence vote by the St. Helens Professional Firefighters Association.

More than 50 people, including firefighters, volunteers, paramedics, and their family members were among those in attendance at the board’s regular meeting, April 11.

Public comment period

While approaching the venue for the meeting, protestors held signs saying, “St. Helens firefighters supports women’s rights” and more.

Various employees and community members spoke during the public comment period about their concerns with the fire district. Comments covered various issues; some spoke about the recent lawsuit that has been filed with Columbia County Circuit Court that alleges sexual harassment and financial mismanagement. Others spoke about Chief Medina’s conduct or the dispute over wages in the recent collective bargaining agreement.

“This is not a place that anyone wants to work anymore; you can try and blame COVID all you want. This is our reputation throughout the state; the word is out. If you work here, the chief will arbitrarily cut your wages,

Ongoing

Caples Evening

Programs

regardless of any agreement, remove parts of your healthcare without warning. Or scream at you, threaten your job,” said Aaron Peterson, the St. Helens Professional Firefighters Association Vice President. “We’ve never had a chief like this. You guys have forced our hand to do this vote of no confidence.

I’m hoping you’ll do the right thing, but honestly, I don’t have any hope that you’re going to.”

Following each of the public comments to the board by the union and community members, the attending crowd applauded. The board was largely nonreactionary.

“Last week, I sent an email to all five board members saying that I was grossly mispaid and was paid incorrectly. The previous month I worked the exact same amount of hours as I did that month and you paid me $1,200 less. $500 was a garnishment for hours that I worked that you took away from me,” said Patrick Kisch, who has served the district for more than 15 years. “The response I received from all five of you was that there was no error, and I was paid correctly. With that, you have done two things: you have reduced my ability to provide for my family, and you have taken time away from my family. I am on vacation right now, and I am supposed to be at my kid’s soccer games, but instead I am standing here talking to you guys.”

After public comment

Following the public comment period, there were no meeting agenda items

regarding the vote of no confidence or board action regarding the chief’s job status. During the meeting, Chief Medina gave his Chief Officer’s Report.

During the report, Chief Medina said that the Columbia County District Attorney has opened an investigation into present and past employees and some family members regarding financial irregularities Chief Medina discovered upon his arrival at Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR).

“The financial situation when I arrived was a circus. Back in February, I took all the information and all the documents to the Columbia County District Attorney,” Medina said. “We’ve met with them three times already. He has found that the information in the documents that we gave him were not just credible, but had merit to the degree that he believes there are serious things going on. As such, the Columbia County DA is conducting an investigation on present and

mmu N ity e V e N ts

The cost for this evening and all our Fireside Chats will be only $5. Caples will be offering a different program the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-397-5390.

Lower Columbia River

Watershed Council

Lower Columbia Water

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-7517039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sat

St. Helens at 503-3668070.

Clatskanie Senior Center lunches Clatskanie Senior Center Lunches now served Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon at the Castle Cafe, 620 SW Tichenor. Please call 503.728.3608 for reservations. Use ground floor entrance to the left of front stairs. Good parking in back off of SW Bryant Street. Castle Tours available by appointment, includes Clatskanie Histori

past employees and on some family members.”

Meeting follow-up

Following the meeting, the Chief spoke with St. Helens Professional Firefighters Association President Aaron Schrotzberger. Schrotzberger said that the next steps are awaiting a board decision, but he hopes they take the issue seriously. “I’m not too sure when they were aware of the lawsuit, but it went public this last Friday. So, as hard as it is to just let them take it, that and our no-confidence vote on Monday, to digest all of this and make a decision, I know it’s a very difficult one to make because it leaves us without somebody at the top level,” Schrotzberger said. “But I would really hope that they would take all of it seriously, considering that in the past, we have, in the last ten years, we wound up getting rid of another division chief for nearly the same stuff. So, it kind of surprises me that

they’re not taking this as seriously. But the next move is to just wait and keep applying pressure.”

CRFR Board President Hans Feige said that the board members have much information to review, but that they are not going to remove Chief Medina.

“We haven’t had any time, at least I certainly haven’t, board members are out of town, there’s not a lot of time for us to review anything of their stuff, so really can’t comment on it. We’re not going to change anything with respect to Chief Medina, he’s our Fire Chief, and we’ll continue with that,” Feige said. “We’ll take it under consideration and think about it and do something in the future.”

Following the board meeting, Chief Medina told The Chief that he is still working to do what is best for the district and spoke about some of the allegations that had been outlined in the meeting.

“I can’t comment on the lawsuit, but I can tell you this. I was shocked to hear some of those things. Because the inaccuracies are just astounding, that’s not a reflection of me or my administration.

I have a daughter. I have a daughter who I cherish. I was married to a woman who was in the fire service,” Chief Medina said. “I understand the struggles of being a minority going through the fire service; I’m incredibly sensitive to that.”

Speaking on the investigation that the Columbia County District Attorney is conducting, Medina had this to say:

“Go ask the District Attorney when I went and talked to him, and then ask when that thing was filed. Now, I’m not saying that they have any

correlation with each other, I’m not trying to say that. But perhaps, there is. Because one of the things that, obviously, if, and people are going to be impacted by the investigation, deeply, severely. If they go on character assassination, and attack me, then when the truth comes out, they hope that nobody will believe me,” Medina said.

When asked if Chief Medina’s announcement of District Attorney Jeff Auxier’s investigation changed Schrotzberger’s opinion of the situation, Schrotzberger said that he doesn’t know about it, but believes that there has been recent financial mismanagement under Chief Medina’s administration.

“I don’t anything of it. What I do know of, is that, over the past several years, our previous Finance Director Marit Nelson, she was able to get us out of and away from TANs (Tax Anticipation Notes) it’s basically a government loan,” Schrotzberger said. “She was able to get us out of that, and we had a cash carryover, so we could sustain from July to November, which is when usually most all tax money come in, is in November. So, she was able to sustain us with carryover, between July and November and then a year after Chief Medina’s in charge, or two years, now we’re back to using TANs again. So I think there’s an issue with money management. I can’t tell you who’s at fault, because I don’t spend the money, but there’s obviously a problem somewhere.”

Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

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This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone

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number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

Guest commentary

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contact us at (503) 397-0116 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. 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.

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CRFR Fire Chief Joel Medina took the oath of office in January 2021.

CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT MEETING NOTICE

The Clatskanie People’s Utility District Board of Directors has scheduled the next regular Board meeting for Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm in the community room of the District’s administration building located at 495 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie. A Board Workshop will be held at 5:30 pm. An executive session may be called at the workshop and/or meeting, pursuant to: ORS 192.660 (2) (f) information or records that are exempt by law from

public inspection. AGENDA CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT BOARD WORKSHOP

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

P.M.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

II. PUBLIC COMMENTS

III. CONSENT AGENDA · Minutes of Board Workshop, March 15, 2023 · Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 15, 2023 · Review payment of bills for March 2023 IV. ACTION ITEMS · Resolution 23-01 Granting Exemption from Competitive Bidding · Voting Delegate & Alternate for NWPPA Annual Meeting V. DISCUSSION / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS · Board Comments & Calendar VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION VII. ADJOURNMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, will be held virtually at 3:00 p.m. on the 27th of April 2023. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to

receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. The meeting will be virtual. Any person may speak at the meetings to discuss the proposed budget with the Budget Committee. For instructions and information about joining the meeting, visit the District’s website or contact the Dis -

trict’s administrative staff at 503-366-6973. A copy of the proposed budget may be inspected or obtained on or after the April 27th meeting at the District office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. This notice is also published on the District’s website at www.Columbia911.com.

Michael J. Fletcher, Budget Officer.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: CARTOON CHARACTERS

Shawm

52. Yoda: “Do or do not.

There is no ____”

53. Like hard times

55. Tube in old TV, acr.

57. *Jessica or Peter

60. *Anthropomorphic squirrel’s last name

63. Small and elegant

64. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo”

66. Like a whistle?

68. Optical illusion creation (2 words)

69. “Time,” e.g., colloquially

70. Hint of color

71. “The Way We ___”

72. Farm pen

73. Skedaddle

DOWN

1. What hedonism and idealism have in common

2. Rejections

3. Flatfoot’s lack

4. Pie option

5. Calamitous

6. One of the Eagles

7. *Pluto or Snoopy

8. Acrobat maker

9. Rural building

10. Homesteader’s purchase, sing.

11. Nabisco’s “Chips ____!”

12. To use a Singer

15. Dairy industry missing person-seeking prop

20. Nordic gl¸hwein

22. Ooh and ____

24. Troublemaker

25. *Fudd’s first name

26. Line to the audience

27. “It is silent,” in sheet music

29. Living space

31. Don Johnson’s Bridges

32. Plaudit and pomp

33. Bake an egg

34. *One of the Pickles

36. Like a broken horse

38. *Phineas’ stepbrother

42. Be a parasite

45. Just about (2 words)

49. Hula necklace

51. Builds a tower, e.g.

54. Very small particles

56. Opposite of ecbatic

57. Ready for picking

58. A bit cracked

59. Not the life of the party

60. Same as cagey

61. Lotto variant

62. Palm starch

63. Gift topper

65. *Garfield or Tom

67. Butterfly catcher

CC23-1759

CC23-1757

Rainier trap team to defend state title

Oregon Symphonic Band in Clatskanie

The Rainier High Jr/Sr School Trap Team is starting its season in the Oregon State High School Clay Target League.

To prepare for their regular season, members of the team competed in a tournament separate from its league schedule.

The Rainier Columbians Trap Team made the trip to Vancouver Saturday, April 8, to participate in the Woodland Beaver Open.

“What I like to do is look for other opportunities for the team to get some practice in tournament format,” RJRHDS Coach Jeff Sorenson said. “So, there’s another youth shooting organization that the Woodland trap team belongs to that hosts tournaments across Washington and Oregon, and so the Woodland team hosted that tournament in Vancouver on Saturday.

So, I brought some of our kids over to shoot in that just to help prepare for our season here.”

In a tournament that included teams from around Oregon and Washington, the Columbians took home second-place honors in the Team event, finishing behind the host Woodland team.

The top five shooters for Columbians contributing to the team score were Tristin Stout, Lilly Langhorne, James Watkins, Levi Hall, and Brighton Stout.

Individual honors for the Columbians were received by Tristin Stout (2nd place 22 yds), Lilly Langhorne (1st place Continental, 3rd place 22 yds), James Watkins (2nd place 22 yds JV, 2nd place Continental JV), and Levi Hall (1st place Continental JV).

Oregon Clay Target League

The high school team is separate from the Trap Team, but Sorenson brings shooters from the high school team to get them more experience because there is only one tournament in the Clay Target League’s season.

“The way the Oregon Clay Target League works is all the schools across Oregon; I’m not sure, there’s about, there’s over 50 this year, I think it’s probably about 55 schools have a trap team in Oregon,” Sorenson said. “We just shoot at our home range, and record our scores and enter those virtually every week. And then, at the end of the season, there’s one big tournament where all the teams get together, it’s in Hillsboro this year, and have

a head-to-head tournament, and so that’s the only time that we actually travel and shoot against the other teams in our league.”

Last season, the Rainier High School team won the state tournament in the Class 1-A division, which is comprised of programs with 25 shooters or less. Sorenson and his sharpshooters will look to win back-to-back championships this season.

Takeaways for top shots

Aside from developing expert shots, Sorenson said that the takeaways from the activity go beyond the range.

“There’s a few things, right? Obviously, since we’re a shooting team, safety is the first priority. And so, they have to demonstrate the responsibility and maturity to safely handle guns in that type of environment,” Sorenson said. “Past that, it really just comes down to discipline and practice. The key to shooting is consistency, and so for a lot of kids that’s a challenge.”

The Rainier team begins the campaign to defend their 2022 State Title in the Oregon State Clay Target League Sunday, April 16, at the Rainier Rod and Gun Club, 28243 Old Rainier Road in Rainier.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The City of Vernonia will host a county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

The HHW Event will be held at Spencer Park at 377 Bridge St. (at the parking lot of the covered basketball area). Columbia County residents may drop off various toxic and unsafe materials at no cost.

Items must be in containers not larger than five gallons and should be secured safely during transport. Trained HHW technicians will unload materials from your vehicle.

Examples of acceptable items:

• Fireworks and flares

• Gas / diesel / fuels / motor oil / antifreeze

• Lawn and garden chemicals

• Herbicides and pesticides

• Pool and spa chemicals

• Light ballasts—must be removed from light fixtures

• Fluorescent tubes

• Art and hobby chemicals

• Solvents and thinners

• Items containing mercury

• Propane and compressed gas cylinders

• Batteries – all types and applications

• Cleaners and detergents

• Poisons

• Paint and paint products (latex and acrylic paint, oil-based paint, enamel, stains, lacquers, shellacs, varnishes, primers, etc.)

• Cooking oil

• Medical sharps in OSHA-approved, punctureproof containers

• Ammunition

Do not bring:

• Items containing asbestos

• Garbage or trash

• Liquids in containers larger than five gallons

Filled Sharps Containers (sealed, red, OSHA-approved, puncture-proof containers) are accepted at this event. You can also return them to the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District, 555 E. Bridge St. Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or call 503-429-8252 for appointment and receive a free sharps container in exchange.

Vernonia Hardware and Supply at 1026 Bridge St. accepts unwanted or used paint for free. Drop off your sealed paint container during business hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) for proper disposal.

Oregon

The Clatskanie Arts Commission announces the return of the popular Oregon Symphonic Band in concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23, in the Donavon Wooley PAC at Clatskanie Middle/High School.

Oregon’s Premier Symphonic Band will be performing selections from Man of La Mancha, Strike Up the Band, An American

in Paris with music by Ira and George Gershwin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Williams, and others. This concert will also showcase Barbara Hellmair on clarinet performing the Clarinet Concerto by Rimsky-Korsakov.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and free admission to music students, music teachers and

children. Tickets may be purchased online at clatskaniearts.org, or at the door the day of the concert. Don’t miss the upcoming Raymond Carver Writing Festival on May 19 and 20.

Visit raymondcarverwritingfestival.org for more information about this event and the poetry contest.

Roadside Safety

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Columbia County Sheriff accepts unwanted or expired medication at 901 Port Ave., St. Helens. They are open seven days per week, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Place items in the MedReturn collection box.

Unwanted paint products, used motor oil, and electronics are accepted free of charge at the Transfer Station during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday).

The next county-sponsored HHW collection will be on May 20, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Rainier. The complete HHW collection event schedule is available on the Columbia County website at https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/SolidWaste/hhw-schedule.

For more information, contact Jacob Anderson at 503-397-7259 or by email at jacob.anderson@columbiacountyor.gov.

tomobiles are now designed with more safety features than ever before, the rate of traffic accidents and fatalities continue to rise.

The National Safety Council says safety improvement like crash-avoidance technology hasn’t reduced accidents, and driver error is still to blame for many crashes — with distractions behind the wheel and impaired driving leading the way.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016 alone.

Distracted driving is defined as any activity that diverts drivers’ attention from the road. This can include everything from talking to passengers to eating to fiddling with the car radio. However, distractions from technology have become especially alarming, particularly texting or reading phones while driving. During daylight hours,

from the road for a mere 5 seconds when traveling at 55 miles per hour is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Reducing distractions should be a priority for all drivers. Here are some suggestions, courtesy of Geico insurance and AAA Exchange.

• Store loose gear and other items that can roll around away from the driver’s seat so you are not tempted to reach for them.

• Adjust mirrors, GPS maps, climate controls, music, and more before you put the car in drive.

• Use a mobile phone only for emergency purposes and only after pulling over to the side of the road. Avoid social conversations on the phone while driving.

• Limit the number of passengers you allow inside

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• Eat food before getting in the car. Snacking while driving makes you less attentive to the road around you.

• Secure children and pets accordingly. Both should wear harnesses and not be given free reign to roam around the car.

• Try to focus only on driving while in the car. Leave the multitasking to when you’re not behind the wheel.

Geico indicates that studies have shown people are limited in the amount of information they can process at any one time. Driving requires focus and an ability to react to a host of potential circumstances.

Distractions compromise drivers’ ability to focus. Reducing distractions can considerably cut down on the number of motor vehicle accidents each year.

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Symphonic Band in concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, in the Donavon Wooley PAC at Clatskanie Middle/High School.

Courtesy from Pam Stout

The Rainier Jr/Sr High School Trap Team members James Watkins, Levi Hall, Lilly Langhorne, Brighton Stout, Tristin Stout and Bree Cole. WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.