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FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022
VOL. 131, NO. 2 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Oregon taxpayers to share $3B kicker
County to review voter roll concerns
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Oregon taxpayers can expect to share a $3 billion kicker. The kicker tax credit goes into effect when the actual state revenue exceeds the forecasted revenue by at least 2%. An amount is then returned to the taxpayers through a credit on their tax returns. The new kicker tax credit figures were announced in the just-released state revenue forecast. “The economy continues to boom. Jobs, income, spending, and production are all rising quickly. However, pessimism about the expansion is growing,” is the opening statement in the June 2022 Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast issued by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. “Inflation is at multi-decade highs, eroding household budgets,” the summary reads. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created an oil shock and raised fears of increased conflict. A new round of pandemicrelated shutdowns in China is set to exacerbate global supply chain struggles.” The summary states that the economic dynamics are shifting. “No longer is the U.S. or Oregon in recovery mode, but in net expansion territory,” the summary reads. “The challenges, risks, and trends associated with a mid-cycle expansion are different than those faced during the initial recovery.” The summary claims the 2022 personal income tax filing season “has been shocking.” The tax season payments will come in more than $1.2 billion (70%) larger than last year. The summary states that the unexpected revenue growth seen this year has left Oregon with unprecedented balances this biennium, followed by a record kicker in 2023-25.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
2 candidates to square off for county commission seat JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The unofficial Columbia County 2022 Oregon Primary Election results show Kelly Niles and Kellie Jo Smith leading in the race for the open Columbia County Commissioners race. The final unofficial report from the May 17 election, shows Smith with 3,946 votes and Niles with 3,353 votes. Both candidates are expected to face off in the Novem-
ber General Election. Smith, a St. Helens School Board member, business owner, and former foster care worker, told The Chief following the election that she believes the communities are “tired of politics.” “Which I completely understand,” she said. “I’ll continue to try and build relationships within our communities, listening to concerns, historic knowledge and memories. I’ll continue to learn, listen and care about our communi-
ties and the issues they’d like to tackle. I don’t have an agenda other than being a good steward and positive representative.” Smith characterized said the race so far with Niles as very clean race and in response to The Chief’s question if she would consider debating Niles, Smith said, “there’s really no reason to debate as we’re both similar. The forums that we’ve
See ELECTION Page A7
Looking back on ‘Good Raymond’
Kickers • The projected personal kicker is $3 billion, which will be credited to taxpayers when they file their returns in Spring 2024. • The projected corporate kicker is $931 million and will be retained for educational spending. Even so, if balances are not spent, net resources for the 2023-25 biennium will have increased by $427 million relative to the March 2022 forecast, according to the summary. Reaction Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said the revenue forecast indicates that Oregon continues to experi-
See KICKER Page A8
Opinions ..................... A4 Classified Ads ............ A5 Legals ...................... A5-6 Community Events ... A8 Sports .......................... A8 Obituaries ................... A8 Readers Choice ... A9-12
Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
Zoe Gottlieb / The Chief
Oregon was the first state to hold a primary election by mail. ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Voter rolls in Columbia County are a “great reason for concern,” says Columbia County resident Kathy Cooper. On Wednesday, May 4, during the public comment period of a regular county meeting, Cooper presented canvassing data from a portion of one Columbia County precinct to the Board of Commissioners. Cooper told the Board how she used a voter roll from January 2021 and canvassed 44 addresses, which gave her information on 226 registered voters. “Of those 226 voters, 98 did not live at the address where they were listed as living on the roll. That’s a 43% error rate on the rolls for our sample groups,” she said. Cooper brought in guest Dr. Douglas Frank, a teacher, chemist, and mathematician from Morrow, Ohio, to provide insight on voter roll anomalies in Columbia County. “We’ve begun an effort where we’re going to begin canvassing throughout Oregon. We’ll probably begin in Columbia County, where we’re going to be canvassing and investigating all these anomalies that we’re finding in your rolls,” he said. During his testimony, Frank estimated there could be a 10% margin of error in ballots submitted to the county. “What we’ve already begun finding (is) exactly as I predicted, not because I’m some genius, but because I’ve looked at so many other states, I’ve seen what happens,” he said. “This new movie coming out, 2000 Mules, is confirming exactly what we’ve been finding when we do canvassing. We’ll find the same sorts of things in your county.” In 2021, Frank faced media backlash for making stolen election claims during a keynote speech he delivered at a Trump rally in Ohio.
Raymond Carver, a world-renowned writer from the 20th century, has been credited for reviving the genre of the short story. ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net
For one weekend each year, tourists would cross countries and continents to experience the atmosphere of a small, rural town along the Columbia River where Raymond Carver was born. Paying homage The Raymond Carver Writing Festival, hosted every year by the Clatskanie Arts Commission and the Clatskanie Library until its discontinuation in 2012, was an opportunity for many to pay homage to a writer praised as one of the most important contributors to American literature. In 2022, when event organizers decided to revive the festival once and for all, word spread cross-country to Maine, home of American novelist Richard Ford. In an interview with The Chief, Clatskanie Public Library Director Maryanne Hirning recounted the moment Ford telephoned her. “The boy who works for me texted me, and he said some dude from Maine just called,” she said. “I was like, ‘Well, take (his) information and leave it on my desk.’ And then I was busy and never got to look at it.”
“Then I looked down, and I was like, Oh my word. Are they messing with me? There’s a postit note on my desk with Richard Ford’s phone number?” Hirning said she immediately consulted Google to find what linked Ford, an author she already admired, to Carver. “I had google searched, as a good librarian does, and found his article that appeared in the New Yorker. It was like his Ode to Raymond Carver after his death, and it’s absolutely positively amazing,” she said. Ford’s essay, ‘Good Raymond,’ was published in the New Yorker on September 27, 1998. In his first few opening lines, Ford describes where the two were in their writing careers when they met. “I was thirty-three, and Ray was vaguely thirty-nine. Neither of us had much gotten our head up out of the foggy ether young writers live in—sometimes for years, sometimes forever—in which you’re indistinctly aware of a ‘writing world,’ conscious of a few names on its periphery, a few stories, an occasional significant breakthrough into print, but most are just beavering away trying to make isolation and persistence into a virtue, and anonymity your
County response
sneak attack on public notice,” he wrote. Ford and Carver met in the fall of 1977 at a writers’ conference at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Ford told The Chief. “We’d both published our first books the year before -- his to rather considerable success,” he said. According to Ford, the two saw themselves in the other. They both came from working-class families. They both liked to hunt and fish. Above all, they had the passion - and talent - for writing. “We liked to laugh at the things in life that were so dark only laughter would suffice,” Ford said. “(Carver) was a sweet man who’d seen some hard roads, and I liked the way he’d emerged from all that.” In his phone conversation with Hirning, Ford admitted he was taken by surprise when he first learned about the Raymond Carver Writing Festival. “Of course, I know he’d be happy about this, as well,” Ford told The Chief. “He liked being famous and used his celebrity to good ends.”
The Chief asked Elections Supervisor Don Clack what precautions his division takes to verify voter roll accuracy. “Columbia County works with the Oregon Elections Division (OED) to regularly update voter registration lists to remove deceased people, people who have moved, and other changes that impact eligibility,” he responded. According to Clack, Oregon is a member of the Elections Registration Information Center (ERIC), a national data-sharing system that ensures sharing of up-to-date voter registration information across states. The county Elections Division also compiles monthly reports from the USPS, state agencies, and the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Clack told The Chief that the three employees charged with verifying ballot signatures in Columbia County have 22 years of combined experience and are all trained by a daylong in-person course. According to Clack, the Elections Division takes the following steps to verify a ballot per the Oregon Vote by Mail Procedures Manual:
See RAYMOND Page A7
See VOTE Page A7
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Friday, May 20, 2022
Multiple agencies to conduct live fire training JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Residents in and around Clatskanie could see large amounts of smoke in the area Saturday, May 21. Don’t worry. It’s only a drill. The smoke will be from a live fire training scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 75844 Lost Creek Road, near the intersection of Lost Creek Road and Highway 30 by the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD). Traffic on Lost Creek Road will be moderately impacted during the exercise and mild impacts may occur on Highway 30. Emergency vehicles will be moving on and parking near the roadway of this area on Lost Creek Road. “We ask that those traveling in the area use caution during the training exercise,” Clatskanie RFPD Training Officer Gabriel Wiggins said. “This training is important for our firefighters to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.” During the live fire training several slash piles on
property owned by the fire district will be burned as a way to prepare firefighters for the upcoming wildland fire season.
Multiagency drills like this also allow personnel from different agencies an opportunity to work together prior to an emergency incident. ~ Gabriel Wiggins, CRFPD
Wiggins said the exercise will focus on containment and suppression of fire in the wildland urban interface. “Specific tasks performed by the firefighters include building fire line, progressive hose lays, and water supply operations,” Wiggins said. “In addition to the tasks performed by the firefighters, participants will gain experience working within an Incident Command System.” According to Wiggins, the skills practiced during such
fire training exercises are real life practice that will be used to protect the homes and property of area residents. “Multiagency drills like this also allow personnel from different agencies an opportunity to work together prior to an emergency incident,” he said. “Participants will also have opportunities to gain sign-offs in their position task books, a requirement to become qualified in a position.” Even though these exercises are controlled, Wiggins acknowledges that there is still danger involved. “Live fire training does contain a certain amount of risk,” he said. “Hazards are mitigated through thorough planning and using safe work practices.” During the live fire exercise, Wiggins said incident commanders look at four elements. • What was planned • What actually happened • Why did it happen • What can we do next time “This is our fourth year conducting this type of drill and each year has built upon the previous years’ feedback,” he said.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
This rural house at Clatskanie was burned during a fire training in 2020.
The May 21 exercise will be a multiagency exercise with participants from across the region, including Clatskanie, Mist-Birkenfeld Fire, Scappoose Fire, Vernonia Fire, Columbia River Fire and Rescue, Westport Fire, Sauvie Island Fire, Knappa Fire, and Lewis and Clark Fire. Wiggins said county residents should realize that even though the region has seen a wet spring, drought condi-
tions still exist in Oregon. “Please take time to prepare your home to be safe in the event of a wildfire,” he said. “Ensure that you have defensible space around your buildings and practice responsible use of fire.” According to the National Park Service nearly 85% of wildfires in the United States are human caused. More information can be found under Wildfire Initiatives on the Oregon
State Fire Marshal website https://www.oregon.gov/osp/ programs/sfm/Pages/default. aspx and from the Oregon Department of Forestry, https://www.oregon.gov/odf/ fire/pages/fireprevention. aspx. If you have any questions about the live fire exercises, contact Wiggins at 503-7282025 or by email at gwiggins@clatskaniefire.org.
State prepares for ‘difficult’ wildfire season HILARY DORSEY
newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
“All signs point to a difficult 2022 fire season that will challenge our firefighting teams and the capacity of our response systems,” Gov. Brown said in a briefing to reporters about Oregon’s approaching wildfire season. Brown said recent rain systems have not eased what she calls megadrought conditions in parts of the state. “While many of us have experienced a lot of rain recently, in many parts of the state we’re already seeing megadrought — with even worse drought conditions expected to continue. Already this year, I have declared drought emergencies in 15 counties — this is the most I have ever declared by this time of any year as your Governor,” Brown said. Oregon at risk Because of these drought conditions and forecasted weather, early indications are that a larger geographic area of Oregon is at significant risk for wildfires this season, according to Brown. The wildfire risk has intensified in Southern Oregon up through Central Oregon and into parts of the Columbia River Gorge and Eastern Oregon. Brown said she is asking all Oregonians to do their part in order to prevent and prepare for wildfires. “Being prepared can truly mean the difference between life and death,” she said. “It is also one of the best ways you can help our frontline firefighters do their jobs. Make a plan with your family, stay informed, and get two weeks ready. And please, be smart and be careful when you’re enjoying our outdoors. You can help prevent tragic loss.” According to Brown, Oregon has one of the best wildfire response systems in the country. “We continue to lead the nation in this space, improving even further as investments from Senate Bill 762 have already allowed us to add both seasonal firefighter capacity to our ranks and additional aviation assets,” she said. “This includes water scoopers stationed in the Gorge, where we are experiencing more intense wind-driven fires.”
was seen in March. Oregon is in a significant drought pattern with exceptional drought covering the bulk of the east slope of the Cascades and extreme drought expanding across vast portions of eastern Oregon and into southwest Oregon. How long the weather stays in cooler, wet conditions will indicate when wildfire season will begin. “In 2021, which was a very challenging season, the coverage of exceptional drought was significantly less than what you see for this year,” Shaw said. “This will likely translate to a very challenging fire season as the fires that begin in these areas will be very difficult to suppress over very significant portions of Oregon as we move into the fire season.” Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema said all conditions point to an active wildfire season. In June, additional activity will begin to pick up in Oregon with anticipated wildfires in July and August. The exceptional drought in parts of Oregon indicates a significant wildfire season. In July and August, competition for helicopters and crew could be problematic across the western United States. Air Quality Monitoring Manager Tom Roick at Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, said DEQ maintains a network of air quality monitoring stations across the state. The DEQ plans to propose more locations next month. Decisions whether to issue an air quality advisory are made by DEQ. County perspective In Columbia County, fire agencies began ramping up resources and training for the wildfire season
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at the begining of the year. “In the past we normally did not see any natural cover/wildfires in our district until late May or early June,” Columbia River Fire & Rescue Division Chief of Operations Eric Smythe told The Chief in a published report in March. “Over the last several years we have seen fires in March and April. This is outside the normal fire season, so we are adjusting our responses and equipment staffing to meet the earlier starts to our wildland season.” Smythe said the local concern is fire behavior and time. “Seasonal fires have become more erratic and potentially dangerous over the last decade. Fire districts are witnessing larger, more aggressive fires that are prone to rapid spread,” he said. “The rapid spread exceeds the local fire resources and requires local, state, and federal resources to mitigate these fires. The issue for most fire districts is that mobilization of additional resources takes time, and time equates to more acreage destroyed and threats to human habitation.” Brown conducted the media briefing Monday, May 16. Resources See detailed information about how you can develop fire safety plans for your home and business in a series of reports at thechiefnews.com. Visit wildfire.oregon. gov for more information and to sign up for emergency alerts. Follow the Oregon wildfire season developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
•C rossword S olutions • •
Solution for the May 13, 2022 crossword puzzle
State firefighters concerns Oregon Department of Forestry Chief Mike Shaw, said the cool, wet April and beginning of May has been a respite from what
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Oregon is at ‘significant risk’ as the state heads into the 2022 wildfire season.
Courtesy photo
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Friday, May 20, 2022
Arts Commission presents two local events
Courtesy photo
This is a conceptual drawing of the Raymond Carver mural in Clatskanie. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The arts are in full swing in Clatskanie. Clatskanie is “abuzz” with artistic events this month, sponsored by the Clatskanie Arts Commission. Raymond Carver Writing Festival takes place Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem St. in Clatskanie This two-day, free event will honor world renowned poet and short story writer,
Raymond Carver, who was born in Clatskanie. The Raymond Carver mural will be unveiled. According to a release from the Arts Commission, this event is for you if: • You don’t know who Raymond Carver is and want to learn more. • You want to be exposed or learn more about Raymond Carver’s writings • You want to learn more about how poetry and music can come together to create a great composition • You would like to take
a walking tour of Clatskanie with its tributes to Raymond Carver, view the Clatskanie Mural Project, visit our turn of the century “castle” the Flippin House and historical museum. • You would like to enjoy a free showing of the 2015 Best Movie, Birdman, rated R, based on the works of Raymond Carver. Friday, May 20, from 6-8, a reception will be held at the Cultural Center to kick off the festival. Visit clatskanielibrary.org for more information. This
event is partially funded by a grant from the Columbia County Cultural Coalition and Oregon Cultural Trust. Piano concert Pianist Sarah Hagen is scheduled to perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. Hagen is a Canadian pianist who has performed in concert halls and has been heard on broadcasts throughout North America and Europe. Awarded as Ontario Contact’s 2017 Art-
Pianist Sarah Hagen
ist of the Year and the British Columbia Touring Council’s 2015 Artist of the Year and mentioned by The Guardian (Charlottetown) as the Best Classical Performance of 2014, her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” [University of Waterloo Gazette],” played flawlessly” [ReviewVancouver] and “with great sensitivity and heart.” [Vernon Morning Star] Hagen is scheduled to include in her “Wonder Women” performance of compositions by female
Courtesy photo
composers such selections as Sonata in E-flat major by Marianne von Auenbrugger, Nocturne Op. 69 No. 1 by Agathe Backer Grøndahl and Adagio Op. 26 No. 10 by Louise Farrenc. Tickets are adults $15, seniors 60+ and students $10 and children $8. Tickets may be purchased online at clatskaniearts.org or at the door the day of the performance. The ticket booth opens at 2:30. p.m. Masks are recommended at the performance. For more information, call 503.728.3403.
Flu confirmed in wild birds in Oregon STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Agriculture report the bird flu, known as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is spreading in Oregon. Several Canada goose goslings collected from Alton Baker Park in Eugene have tested positive for HPAI, and a larger outbreak is suspected as more sick and dead waterfowl have been observed at the park. A red-tailed hawk from Eugene and an osprey collected from Dorena Reservoir, east of Cottage Grove, May 10 have also tested positive. These cases mark the first known detections of the new avian flu strain in wild birds in Oregon. Earlier this month, the first Oregon case in a backyard poultry flock was confirmed in Linn County and one additional case has been confirmed in Lane County. Due to federal and international disease control requirements, a regional quarantine for all avian species and vehicle traffic involved with avian species has been issued for an area extending a minimum of 10 kilometers around the infected property. This regional quarantine will prevent the movement of poultry from within this area for a period of time sufficient to allow state and federal officials to conduct surveillance within the quarantine area to ensure no additional cases of HPAI exist. The quarantine
also applies to importation of all birds from states where a state or federal quarantined area due to HPAI exists. The risk of HPAI to human health is low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The only known human case involving infection and illness was someone involved in the culling of presumptively infected poultry at a commercial farm in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Avoid close contact
With the detections this week, Oregon Department of Agriculture officials said it is more important than ever to avoid close contact with waterfowl (ducks and geese) this spring and summer. This includes feeding waterfowl which congregates susceptible birds and enables the disease to spread between birds more easily. If you see sick or dead wild birds, do not collect or handle them but report the incident directly to ODFW at 866-9682600 or Wildlife.Health@ odfw.oregon.gov. ODFW staff will be conducting surveillance and collecting/testing sick and dead wild birds to monitor for the presence of the disease. Also note that Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitators are not accepting sick ducks and geese at this time in order to protect other avian patients and education birds in their care. If you have domesticated backyard birds such as poultry,
Courtesy photo from the USDA
HPAI (H5N1) is a highly contagious virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic bird species.
increase your biosecurity and keep your birds separated from wild birds, especially waterfowl. If you have poultry that appears sick or has died of respiratory or neurological disease call 503-986-4711 (Alt Phone: 1-800-347-7028). For more tips visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website at https://oda.direct/ AI or en español at https://oda. direct/AIESP Hunting season alert Turkey hunting season is currently open in Oregon and it is possible for turkeys to become infected with avian flu. Waterfowl hunting seasons begin in fall and run through January. The risk of the disease spreading to a hunter is low, but hunters should always wear gloves, thoroughly sanitize equipment that comes into contact with wild birds, cook birds to an internal temperature
of 165 degrees and never consume a bird that appears sick or is found dead. Visit https:// www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/ health_program/avian-flu/index.asp for more information. This strain of avian flu is not known to be a threat to songbirds but keep your bird feeders clean and take them down if you see sick or dead birds near your feeder or in your neighborhood. More information is available at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/ wildlife/health_program/dead_ bird_reporting_protocol.asp About avian influenza Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by a bird-specific influenza Type A virus. This virus has been documented in more than 100 different species of wild birds worldwide. The first 2021/22 detection of Eurasian strain (EA) highly pathogenic avian influenza (specifically referred
to as H5N1) in North America occurred in December 2021 in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It was believed to have entered North America in an infected wild seabird or migrating waterfowl The virus currently circulating in Oregon and other parts of the world is very contagious among birds, and can sicken and even kill many bird species, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. The USDA and CDC report that infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they contact the virus after it is shed by infected birds. Birds also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds. Wild birds that typically carry the virus include waterbirds (such as ducks, geese, swans, gulls, and terns), and shorebirds (such as plovers,
and sandpipers). Dabbling ducks such as (mallards, pintails, and wigeons) serve as reservoirs hosts for avian influenza A viruses although it often does not cause disease in these species. The disease can also infect raptors (hawks, eagles) that prey on or consume sick or dead waterfowl. The wild bird species in Oregon most at risk from this strain of virus currently appear to be all waterfowl, shorebirds, eagles and scavenging species such as crows, ravens and turkey vultures. Currently, the outbreak has affected 68 species in 1326 positive detections. Of the 40 states with infected birds, 37 states have HPAI detected in wild birds, 27 states with the virus in backyard poultry flocks, and 19 states have had infections in commercial poultry operations. All 10 Canadian provinces have HPAI infections in wild birds or poultry. While avian flu can kill multiple birds at a specific outbreak location, wildlife managers in other areas have not measured significant impacts to wild bird populations at this point. Susceptible species that occur at lower population numbers may be at greater risk. ODFW does not expect the disease to have a significant impact on the waterfowl population in the Pacific flyway that includes Oregon. Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
Fentanyl, Opioid Response Toolkit for schools STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The overdose reversal drug Narcan may soon accompany the Band-Aids and tongue depressors in nurses’ offices in schools across Columbia County and statewide. In a Thursday, May 12 press release, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced the release of a Fentanyl & Opioid Response Toolkit for Schools to support educators, administrators, school nurses, students and families, following a period of record-breaking accidental overdoses in Oregon. The toolkit provides information about how schools can create an emergency protocol to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan. Included in the toolkit is information on how to access, administer and store
Counterfeit pills
the life-saving opioid overdose prevention medication. The toolkit also contains resources to support staff training, prevention education and other resources essential to developing and implementing school emergency response procedures.
Rising opioid overdose deaths are a public health crisis, and schools are the heart of Oregon communities. ~ Patrick Allen, OHA Director Courtesy photo
“The resources in this toolkit can save lives,” said ODE Director Colt Gill. “We strongly encourage schools to adopt policies
This photo shows examples of what fentanyl laced-pills could look like.
and practices for safe and effective management and prevention of opioid-related overdoses in schools. When
drug-related emergencies occur in or around schools, proper response is critical to save lives.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from May 2020 to April 2021, deaths due to accidental overdose surpassed 100,000 for the first time on record. Sixty-four percent of those deaths were attributed to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which often comes in the form of pills that closely resemble prescription oxycodone or benzodiazepines such as Xanax. In Oregon, fentanylrelated overdose deaths increased by 74% from 2019 to 2020, for a total of 298 fentanyl-related deaths in 2020. “Rising opioid overdose deaths are a public health crisis, and schools are the heart of Oregon communities. Unfortunately, this trend is expected to continue, as Oregon has continued to see an increase in accidental overdose deaths due
to fentanyl,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said. ODE cautions that pills obtained from social media, the internet, or a friend could be laced with fentanyl, advising youth to steer clear from pills obtained from any source other than a trusted pharmacist. There are clear signs that point to an overdose, according to ODE. Whether or not the victim is responsive is a key indicator. Other signs of an overdose include slow, shallow, or no breathing, pinpoint pupils, heavy gurgling or snoring sounds, cold or clammy skin, inability to wake up, or blue or gray skin, lips, or nails. Counterfeit pills may be blue, greenish, or pale, and be marked as “M30.” Visit the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division for resources: www. oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/substanceuse/ opioids/pages/naloxone. aspx.
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Friday, May 20, 2022
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Latest LUBA decision means more jobs for lawyers DEBORAH STEELE HAZEN Chronicle Guest Column
In the prepared statement printed in The Chief last week, the Columbia Riverkeepers, the 1000 Friends of Oregon, and their supporters are misrepresenting the facts again. The property known as “Port Westward” has been owned by the Port of Columbia County since 1966. It has been zoned “Industrial” all of that time - 56 years. From 1942 until 1965, the approximately 900 acres was owned by the U.S. military which called it the Beaver Army Storage Point and the Beaver Army Terminal. The name changed to “Port Westward” in 1967 when the Port of St. Helens (now the Port of Columbia County) leased it to a California company called Westward Industries. Portland General Electric (PGE), which operates three generating plants on the property, assumed the lease in 1972. Some of the unused industrially-zoned land at Port Westward is being leased to Columbia River Farms for grazing and to local mint grower, Mike Seely. Seely does not own any land at Port Westward. He does own land on the Beaver Drainage District which is zoned for agriculture.
Opponents of economic development at Port Westward repeatedly use the term “Port Westward” as synonymous with the Beaver Drainage District. That is very misleading, very far from the truth, and gives a false impression to people who do not have complete historical and geographical knowledge of the property. The Beaver Drainage District contains about 6,000 acres. The original Port Westward occupies just over 900 acres. No one lives on Port Westward, there is no “Port Westward Community.” In 2010, the Port purchased 837 acres adjacent to Port Westward from Greenwood Resources, which is phasing out its hybrid poplar plantations around Clatskanie. Greenwood wanted to sell. No one lives on that land either. The Port purchased it with the goals of addressing a state-declared critical shortage of marine industrial sites on the Columbia River, creating much-needed local family wage jobs, and providing revenue for our many tax-supported public services. Since the Port first filed to rezone that 837 acres in 2013, there has been a seemingly endless stream of applications, appeals, remands, modifications, and resubmissions. No one has benefited
from this but the lawyers and the professional obstructionists. Answers have been provided many times to the questions raised repeatedly by the Riverkeepers, the 1000 Friends, Mike Seely, and others who do not want to see family wage jobs in our community and high valuation revenues for our schools, first responders, county roads, library, park and recreation, cemetery districts, 4-H, vector control, etc. As of last year, when the Port resubmitted the rezone request yet again with more answers, only one question supposedly remained as far as the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) was concerned. “Is rezoning the property ‘reasonably compatible’ with the surrounding farms.” Obviously, it is! Farms have existed around the industrially-zoned property at Port Westward for over 80 years. Assuming the rezone is eventually approved, there would still be 4,000 acres zoned for agriculture on the Beaver Drainage District. Until new industry is sited on the portowned land it will remain in agricultural use. The rezoning proposal allows for large buffer zones between industrial development and surrounding farmland.
Additionally, there are thousands of agriculturallyzoned lands on the rest of the Clatskanie area dikelands the Johns, Clatskanie, Marshland, Midland, Magruder, Westland, and Webb drainage districts. Most of those roughly 10,000 acres are under-utilized for agriculture. Columbia County contains over 440,000 acres of which about 90 percent - roughly 396,000 acres - is zoned “natural resources,” exclusively for farm, forest, timber, wetlands, etc. We can spare another 837 acres to create employment for the 70 percent of local workers who have to travel outside the county to find jobs. In previous remands and resubmissions to LUBA, the types of industries that would be allowed have been limited to: 1. Forestry and wood products processing, production, storage, and transportation; 2. Dry bulk commodities transfer, storage, production, and processing; 3. Liquid bulk commodities processing, storage, and transportation; 4. Natural Gas and derivative products, processing, storage, and transportation; and 5. Breakbulk storage, transportation, and processing. Two of those the liquid bulk commodities and the natural gas processing, storage and transportation - are already taking place
at Port Westward. I have read the 29 pages of legalese released last week by LUBA in response to the Columbia Riverkeepers and 1000 Friends of Oregon most recent appeal. Basically, LUBA has upheld those two organizations’ demands that Columbia County needs to expand the study area which may theoretically be negatively impacted by future, as yet unknown, industrial development within the already specified limitations on the 837 acres, and then imagine the worst possible effect those industries may have and how the imagined problem could be solved. The rezoning proposal approved by the county already requires those issues be addressed in the permits from the county, state, and federal governments when an industry is actually proposed for the property. But now LUBA wants the county to expand the area in which it must imagine all the worstcase scenarios of possible future industries and specify how they would be addressed in the zoning document itself. LUBA was established by the Oregon Legislature in 1979 to “(1) provide an accessible forum for resolving land use disputes quickly and efficiently and (2) make its decisions available as a decision-making resource to
state and local legislators, land use professionals, city and county land use decision makers, property owners and the citizens of Oregon.” The three LUBA members are required to be attorneys and are appointed by the governor to four year terms. The nation’s least popular governor, Kate Brown, appointed all the current members: board chair H.M. Zamudio, members Michele Gates Rudd and Melissa M. Ryan. In the 2021-23 biennium, LUBA’s staff increased from three to four - three of them lawyers. The budget for the seven-member agency increased from $2,273,639 in the 2019-2021 biennium to $2,626,826 in the current biennium - about a 15 percent increase. Most of the budget comes from Oregon’s general fund, but the LUBA attorneys are going to make up a small portion of the difference by increasing the cost of filing appeals from the current $200 to $300 and increasing the cost of citizens getting copies of their actions. At least we know some people will get jobs out of this - the LUBA lawyers, the Riverkeeper lawyers, the 1000 Friends’ lawyers, and the lawyers the county and port must hire to fight them. Deborah Steele Hazen is a Clatskanie resident.
Funding efforts for new museum continue KAY HEFLIN Chief Guest Column
The Rainier Historical Museum (ROHM) is currently housed in a room at the Rainier City Hall. Local businessman Steve Oliva has donated a small parcel of land along West A Street across from the Rainier Senior Center for a new museum. The land was cleared in 2020. So far, ROHM has raised $207,000 towards building the new museum in Rainier. The ROHM has $400,000 more to raise and we are working hard to meet that goal. We couldn’t have come this far without the continued support of our members, and community. It is more important now than ever that other Rainier Businesses follow Fibre Federal CU in showing their support for building a new museum in Rainier. We are very grateful for their $500 donation. We have applied for a state grant and are planning a fundraiser this summer. We have hired a local firm,
Lower Columbia Engineering LLC of St. Helens to draw up building plans for our new museum and will be finalizing the plans soon. If you would like to donate to the Rainier Museum building fund you can send your donation to Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM), PO Box 762, Rainier, Oregon 97048. With any donation of $500 or more, your name will be engraved and displayed on a plaque in our museum, located on the third floor inside Rainier City Hall. We are excited about receiving Rainier’s 1926 fire truck to put on display when our new museum is built. We have just acquired the Hallberg’s grocery store 1964 delivery van, that will also be put on display at our new museum. Preserving the past Along with raising money to build the new museum, the ROHM continues to preserve and share the history of Rainier. Past projects included repairing, leveling and
Courtesy from Kay Heflin
Rainier Fibre Credit Union representatives donated $500 to the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum for their museum building fund. From left to right are Fibre Credit Union Community Engagement and Education Coordinator Bailey Roberts; Rainier Oregon Historical Museum Treasurer, Martha Van Natta; Rainier Mayor, Jerry Cole; Rainier Historical Museum Vice President Duane Bernard; Rainier Historical Museum President Kay Heflin; and Fibre Credit Union Financial Services Supervisor BreAnna Grissom.
resetting 37 headstones in Rainier’s three oldest cemeteries, The Knights of Pythias, Green Mountain and Woodbine cemeteries, in partnership with the Rainier Cemetery District.
ROHM is currently working with the county to create a walking/bike path to Little Jack Falls. Every year ROHM honors their local veterans with a special event. They took
part in the historical picture selection that is displayed at the new Rainier Transit Center. ROHM member Alan Hulsopple has created five separate historical walking
tours of Rainier. Pictures and the tours can be seen on YouTube. Every summer the museum has a booth at the Rainier Days in the Park celebration, and ROHM sponsors the Grand Marshal for the parade as well as an event at the museum for the public to meet the Grand Marshal. ROHM stays involved with the community. The museum organizes and conducts the All-Class picnic at Hudson Park every summer. Their next project is having a history walk and games for children at the Riverfront Bridge Dedication ceremony for the new foot bridge connecting the new Rainier waterfront path on May 29. The newest project ROHM hopes to get the communities support for, is to restore and preserve the Hudson Chapel located on Larson Rd. at the Green Mountain Cemetery. Kay Heflin is the President of the Rainier Historical Museum. She may be reached at kay-lynn2@ hotmail.com or phone 360751-7039.
The Chief
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Public Notices
PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
CC22-1614
TS No. OR07000022-21-1 APN 011482 TO No 210502829-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, DONALD EMERY as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE COMPANY OF OREGON, AN OREGON CORPORATION as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for AMERICAN ADVISORS GROUP, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of July 18, 2019 and recorded on August 5, 2019 as Instrument No. 2019-06202 and the beneficial interest was assigned to REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC and recorded January 26, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-00693 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 011482 PARCEL 1: A PARCEL OF LAND BEING AND LYING IN THE FRANCIS PERRY DONATION LAND CLAIM IN SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, AND SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 5, RANGE 1 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF THE ANGELO PASERO PROPERTY AS DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 20 PAGE 84, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON; SAID POINT BEING WEST 833.9 FEET AND NORTH 09 DEGS. 05` WEST 819.5 FEET FROM THE SOUTH-
EAST CORNER OF THE FRANCIS PERRY DONATION LAND CLAIM IN SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, IN THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA AND STATE OF OREGON; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGS. 15` WEST A DISTANCE OF 244.1 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGS. 45` WEST A DISTANCE OF 213.0 FEET; THENCE EASTERLY TO A POINT ON THE SAID WESTERLY LINE OF THE SAID ANGELO PASERO PROPERTY, THAT IS SOUTH 09 DEGS. 05` EAST 136.90 FEET FROM THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE NORTH 09 DEGS. 05` WEST A DISTANCE OF 136.90 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION CONVEYED TO DAVID V. OLIVER AND SHARON A. OLIVER, IN DEED RECORDED APRIL 2, 1998, AS FEE NUMBER 98-03489, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. PARCEL 2: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF THE ANGELO PASERO TRACT AS DESCRIBED IN BOOK 20, PAGE 84, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, SAID POINT BEING WEST 833.9 FEET AND NORTH 09 DEGS. 05` 00” WEST 682.59 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE FRANCIS PERRY DONATION LAND CLAIM IN SECTION 5, TOWR SHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY,
OREGON, SAID POINT ALSO BEING IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE GARY R. ESHELBY AND PAULA J. ESHELBY TRACT AS DESCRIBED IN INSTRUMENT NO. 97-13249, CLERKS RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE SOUTH 75 DEGS. 31` 17” WEST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID ESHELBY TRACT A DISTANCE OF 168.89 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACT; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 75 DEGS. 31` 17” WEST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID ESHELBY TRACT A DISTANCE OF 112.14 FEET TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PARCEL 1 OF THE DAVID V. OLIVER AND SHARON A. OLIVER TRACT AS DESCRIBED IN INSTRUMENT NO. 91-5291, CLERKS RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGS. 15` 00” EAST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF PARCEL 1 OF SAID OLIVER TRACT, A DISTANCE OF 1.05 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PARCEL 2 OF SAID OLIVER TRACT, THENCE SOUTH 00 DEG. 26` 51” EAST, ALONG THE WEST LINE OF PARCEL 2 OF SAID OLIVER TRACT, A DISTANCE OF 15.70 FEET; THENCE NORTH 86 DEGS. 59` 53” EAST A DISTANCE OF 107.56 FEET; THENCE NORTH A DISTANCE OF 38.13
CC22-1644
Clear Page
Form OR-LB-NBC
A
Notice of Budget Committee Meeting Oregon Department of Revenue
Use this notice if public comment will be taken at this meeting.
Clatsop Westport-Wauna RFPD A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the ______________________________ State of Oregon, to , _______________________, (District name)
(County)
23 will be held at ________________________________________ 22 to June 30, 20_____, Westport Community Center discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 20_____ (Location)
a.m.
p.m. 91177 Westport Ferry RD May 25 7:00 _____________________________________. The meeting will take place on__________________________at __________________________. (Address)
(Date)
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. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee.
Westport Fire Station May 25 A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after __________________________at ______________________________, (Date)
a.m. a.m. p.m. and ________________________________. p.m. 4:00 8:00 between the hours of ______________________________
150-504-063 (Rev. 11-19-21)
Form
Notice of Budget Committee Meeting
(Location)
FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH AND SUBJECT TO A NONEXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF WAY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING TEN FEET ON EACH SIDE OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED CENTERLINE: BEGINNING AT A POINT IN THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID PERRY DONATION LAND CLAIM, WHICH IS WEST 1281 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID PERRY DONATION LAND CLAIM IN SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, IN THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA AND STATE OF OREGON; THENCE NORTH PARALLELING THE WEST LINE OF THE EDMOND BLANCHETTE PROPERTY, AS DESCRIBED IN DEED FROM GEORGE W. PERRY AND WIFE, RECORD AUGUST 7, 1942, IN BOOK 70, PAGE 496 OF DEED RECORDS, 825.1 FEET Commonly known as: 59974 BONNEY LN, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Reverse Mortgage Funding, LLC, 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 the principal balance which became all due and payable based upon the failure to pay taxes and/or insurance, pursuant to paragraph 7(C)
(III) under the Note, and pursuant to paragraph 10(C)(III) of the Deed of Trust. 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 $0.00 together with interest thereon from November 21, 2020 until paid; 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 August 16, 2022 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint 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 31,2022 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 949-252-8300 Order Number 81620, Pub Dates: 4/29/2022, 5/6/2022, 5/13/2022, 5/20/2022, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC22-1640
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the Landowners and Supervisors of the Magruder Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia Coun-
ty, Oregon, will be held on Monday May 23rd, 2022 at 6:00 pm in the conference room at the office of Kynsi Construction, 14193 Midland District Rd, Clats-
kanie, Oregon. Purpose of the meeting will be Maintenance/Project Review and Budget Planning. Mark Kynsi, President.
CC22-1639
SEEKING INTERESTED CANDIDATES Northwest Regional Education Service District is seeking candidates interested in filling the remaining term of NWRESD Board Position: At Large. The five elected members of the NWRESD Board will interview and
vote an appointed ESD board member on June 14, 2022. The newly elected board member will take office July 1, 2022 and their term will end June 30, 2026. Candidates may apply online at www.nwresd.org under
Board of Directors - Elections. The deadline for filing is no later than June 1, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Questions may be directed to the Northwest Regional ESD Board Secretary at 503-614-1401 or vwhite@nwresd.org
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Public Notices CC22-1646
CC22-1642
CC22-1643
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF The Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the Landowners and Board Members of the Woodson Drainage Improve-
ment Company, Columbia County, Oregon, will be held Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Poplar Tree Nursery Office at 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed
by the owner. The meeting is to elect a director, adopt a budget, and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 17th day of May 2022. Andrew Warnock, President Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc.
The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
•
CC22-1641
CC22-1648
NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE OF Clatskanie School District 6J invites all Native American, Aleut, Eskimo, secondary Native American Students, and interested persons to an open public meeting regarding the
2021-2022 school year Title VI Indian Education Project. The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2022 at Clatskanie Middle High School, 47 SW Bel Air Dr.
MEETING
The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J has canceled the May 23rd Budget Committee Meeting.
•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: WEATHER 101 ACROSS
1. Found in Pandora’s box 5. Kind of trip 8. Toothy freshwater fish 12. Medieval headdress 13. Ne on periodic table 14. Golfer’s weapons 15. Biblical twin 16. Russian river or Russian mountains 17. Understand (2 words) 18. *Moisture in the air 20. Law school test acronym 21. Layers in plywood 22. Trigonometry abbr. 23. Uses a laser 25. Squawked or crabbed 29. Bitty 30. Two dots above a letter 33. Jasmine of “Aladdin,” e.g. 34. Forbidden, in Islam 36. Bruin legend Bobby 37. Lays in peace 38. “Metamorphoses” poet 39. Charge with crime 41. “For ____ a jolly...” 42. Easily irritated
44. *No clouds 46. Gremlin or pixie 47. *Check the weather before hitting this hiking path 49. Speech defect 51. *Cloudy 54. Classic TV’s Mrs. Brady 55. Same as island 56. “Cheers” regular 58. Elephant poacher’s ware 59. Pb on periodic table 60. *The first sign of rain? 61. Declare untrue 62. Pig’s digs 63. MacFarlane or Rogen
DOWN
1. *Road hazard 2. Eyelid hair 3. Oahu shindig 4. Assumes bad posture 5. Chill-inducing 6. Bearded ruminants 7. Unrivaled 8. *Barometer reading 9. Tiny bit 10. Purl partner 11. Three ahead of PST 13. Certain beachgoers’ philosophy 14. *Cold weather is
needed for this meltable home 19. Part of small intestine 22. Cathode-ray tube 23. Hit the road 24. Falcon’s home 25. Mentor or expert 26. The Obamas’ daughter 27. Bruce Lee’s “____ the Dragon” 28. Treat without respect 29. Wallop 31. Scottish lake 32. *Rainbow shape 35. *Weather warning 37. Archeologist’s find 39. Venom source 40. Filled with dread 43. State indirectly 45. African antelopes 47. Living room centerpiece? (2 words) 48. 4 x 4 race 49. Cleanse 50. #14 Across, sing. 51. They don’t mix with water 52. Sight for what eyes? 53. Between walk and canter 54. El ____ of medieval Spain 57. *Knot alternative, acr.
Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief. North Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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Aw shucks, it’s over five bucks JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The price you pay for gasoline in Columbia County has now jumped to over $5 a gallon. Pump prices began rising significantly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The prices took another sharp jump, over 30 cents a gallon locally between Friday, May 13 and Monday, May 16. The high price for unleaded regular in Clatskanie has reached over $5 a gallon. According to the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) price survey, the national and Oregon averages skyrocketed to new record highs after the price of oil jumped above $110 per barrel over the past week. Pump prices are set-
ting new record highs again this week with the Oregon average climbing above $5 a gallon for the first time ever. The major driver is the high cost of crude oil which is above $110 per barrel. For the week, the national average for regular jumps 15 cents to $4.52 a gallon. The Oregon average soars 21 cents to $5.06. “When we have high gasoline prices, they do trickle down to every part of the economy impacting all goods delivered by trucks powered by gasoline and diesel,” AAA Oregon/ Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds told The Chief. “Everything we purchase and that we need transitions down to additional transportation costs.” Dodds said it’s not likely that there will be any price relief soon.
tion was reduced because of the loss of demand. It takes a lot of infrastructure, a lot of labor and a lot of time to ramp the supplies back up.”
Metro Creative Connection
When we have high gasoline prices, they do trickle down to every part of the economy. ~ Marie Dodds, AAA
For the first time ever the price for unleaded regular in Columbia County has climbed over $5 a gallon.
“Unfortunately, crude oil remains significantly elevated because of the ongoing war in Ukraine,” Dodds said. “Oil supplies were already tight before that.” The previous tight oil
market is the result the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dodds. “We saw demand for oil and gas fall dramatically during the pandemic,” she said. “The bottle fell out of the oil market, so produc-
Following the Ukraine invasion, countries around the world ceased ordering Russia crude oil, as a protest to the war. “So, Russian crude oil is
no longer in place and that oil has to be replaced from supplies around the world and that is why prices are rocketing up,” Dodds said. Pump prices are fueled by the most part from the cost of crude oil. “On the average, about 53 percent of what we pay for a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude,” Dodds said. “Twelve percent is for refining, 21 percent is for distribution and marketing, and 15 percent is for taxes.” Dodds said the zooming gasoline prices are having a psychological impact on drivers. “People have done their best in dealing with $4 gasoline, but when you see $5-plus for a gallon posted on the service station signs, that does send shock waves,” she said.
Baby formula shortage challenges families STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Governor Kate Brown has issued a proclamation declaring an abnormal market disruption due to the baby formula shortage in the United States and in Oregon. The shortage follows recalls, supply chain and labor disruptions. The proclamation is in response to reports of unusual increases in baby formula prices. “Many Oregon families across the state rely on baby formula to nourish their newborns and children, and it is critical that they can easily access this nutrition without abnormally increased prices,” Brown said “This proclamation empowers the Attorney General and the Oregon Department of Justice (ODJ) to investigate instances where price gouging on baby formula may be happening, and to take appropriate action if businesses are found to be in violation. Oregonians who believe they have been subjected to excessive prices for essential consumer goods and services due to this disruption can report these instances to the ODJ through their Consumer Protection hotline at 877-8779392. Oregonians can also visit www.OregonConsumer. gov for more information. The ODJ has the authority to investigate unlawful trade
practices.
• Report suspected violations to the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline at (503) 378-8442 or online at www.oregonconsumer. gov and attach your pictures, receipt, or other information. More information about Oregon’s price gouging statute can be found at: https://www. doj.state.or.us/consumerprotection/sales-scams-fraud/ price-gouging.
Price gouging concerns Brown’s declaration follows a request from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum who had sent Brown a letter May 12, asking her to immediately declare an “abnormal disruption of the market” in Oregon following the increased shortages of baby formula due to recalls, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions. Oregon law authorizes the Governor to declare an abnormal disruption of the market in response to “any emergency that prevents ready availability of essential consumer goods or services,” according to a release from Rosenblum’s office. The declaration will allow the Oregon Attorney General to take action against any business, or online vendor, who upsells the price of baby formula, which is considered an essential consumer product, by more than 15 percent. The ODJ is aware of reports of baby formula being sold online for prices far exceeding its retail value, according to the release. Rosenblum urges Oregonians to be on alert for potential price gouging of baby formula and to report any significant price increases to her office. She encourages parents having difficulty find-
Congressional pressure
Metro Creative Connection
Gov. Brown has declared an ‘abnormal market disruption’ due to the baby formula shortage.
ing formula to speak with their child’s health provider before attempting to dilute formula or make their own, either of which, according to health authorities, can be potentially dangerous to a child. Rosenblum also encourages anyone with extra breastmilk to consider donating it to their local milk bank. “If Oregonians see significant price increases for baby formula, I encourage them to report it to my office immediately,” Rosenblum said. “Anyone who tries to take advantage of this shortage by gouging parents desperate to feed their babies is on notice.” Due to the nationwide shortage, the ODJ advises consumers to buy only as much
formula as they need and not to unnecessarily stock up; as panic buying may intensify the shortage and could encourage sellers to engage in illegal price gouging. It is not price gouging for retailers to limit the amount of formula they sell to individual consumers. When reporting price gouging to ODJ, consumers should take the following steps: • Get as much information as possible before reporting by taking a picture of the posted price, advertisement, or online listing, including the product name, brand, size or quantity, and unit price. • Keep receipts for purchased items.
ELECTION From Page A1
‘Good Raymond,’ an essay written in Carver’s memory, was published a decade after his death in 1988.
had were not well attended, but fun.” Niles said given the low Primary Election turnout, he will work to reach more voters to get his message out. “I have to figure out how to get more votes,” Niles told The Chief. “That means going debating, going door to door, whatever it takes. I just need to inform the people as much as possible.” Niles said campaigning will be challenging due to his job as a wildland fire supervisor with the Oregon Department of Forestry. In an earlier published interview with The Chief, Niles said frustration with the current board of commissioners prompted him to run for the vacant commissioner seat.
RAYMOND
VOTE
Courtesy photo
From Page A1
Raymond Carver passed away from lung cancer on August 2, 1988. In his closing of ‘Good Raymond,’ Ford reminisced on their friendship. “It was a full, mirthful, involved, charged, dedicated time in which we couldn’t feel the walls of life, couldn’t go back, could only go forward. And to remember it this way, in the late middle of my life, means I may still know something important when I see it,” he wrote. Clatskanie Connection Raymond Carver was born in Clatskanie and grew up in Yakima, Washington. He studied at Chico State
University in Chico, California, with John Gardner and earned his BA at Humboldt State College in 1963. Carver first achieved mainstream success with his short story collection “Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?” (1976). Other publications include “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” (1981), and “Cathedral” (1983). Beginning in 2007, the Clatskanie Arts Commission and the Clatskanie Library partnered to put on a two-day festival celebrating Carver and his connection to Clatskanie. Tributes to Carver are found throughout downtown Clatskanie. A mural, started in 2021 by artist Jeremy Furnish, depicts a larger-than-life Carver alongside Beaver Falls and a quote from Carver’s poem, “Where Water
Comes Together with Other Water.” The Raymond Carver Writing Festival runs Friday through Saturday, May 20 - May 21. Friday’s reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Clatskanie Cultural Center Ballroom at 75 S Nehalem St. in Clatskanie. First and second-place winners of the Poetry Contest were selected by judges on Friday, May 13, from 43 submissions, Hirning told The Chief. First and second place winners from each age category will have the opportunity to read their poems in front of an audience at the Birkenfeld Theater. See clatskanielibrary. org/schedule-of-events for the writing festival itinerary. Read our previous coverage at thechiefnews. com.
From Page A1 1. When a ballot has been returned by the voter, the signature on the return identification ballot envelope is compared to the signature on the voter’s most current registration record. If the return identification ballot envelope is unsigned, the ballot is only accepted if the elector provides a signature either by signing the return identification envelope or by providing the no signature attestation form. 2. If the signature does not match the most current registration record review, all signatures contained in the registration record in OCVR to determine the validity of the signature. Power of attorneys may not sign the return identification
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has joined colleagues in a letter calling on infant formula manufacturers to make every effort possible to get parents and families in Oregon and nationwide the formula they need to feed their kids. “We write to express our concern about the infant formula supply shortage which is making it harder for parents and caregivers nationwide to get their children the nourishment they need,” Wyden and the senators wrote in a letter to Mardi Mountford, President of the Infant Nutrition Council of America. “Formula is a critical source of nutrition for newborns and infants, and this supply shortage has put their health and development at risk. We are calling on you and your member companies to take immediate action and ensure that infant formula manufacturers are making every effort to mitigate this “I believe that the current commissioners are not making decisions in the best interest of the people,” he said. According to Niles more family-wage jobs, additional law enforcement, and infrastructure upgrades introduced to Columbia County are important issues facing the county. The candidate who wins in the November General Election will fill the Columbia County Commission position currently held by Henry Heimuller, who is retiring. State races In statewide races, Brian Stout gathered 2,865 votes beating Drew Layda who had 1,619 votes in the Republican race for House District 31. Democrat Melissa Busch will face Republican Suenvelope for a voter. 3. If the signature matches a registration record in OCVR, the ballot is accepted and will be tabulated. “We invite anyone interested in observing the process to join us at the elections office and see our work in action,” Clack said. “The process is completely transparent.” Vote By Mail in Oregon In December 1995, Oregon became the first state to hold a primary election entirely by mail, according to the Multnomah County website. In 1998, just a few years later, proponents of the Vote By Mail (VBM) system spearheaded an initiative to expand VBM to primary and general elections,
dangerous shortage and get children the nourishment they need.” Over the past several months, partially due to a massive recall following contaminated formula from major supplier Abbott Nutrition, it has become increasingly difficult for families to get access to infant formula. In the letter to the Infant Nutrition Council of America today, Wyden and his colleagues stressed how dire the situation is for families and urged formula manufacturers to take action to increase infant formula production and distribution and prevent future supply chain disruptions. “This shortage has placed an unacceptable burden on parents and caregivers and has put the health of babies and infants at risk. For many families, infant formula is critical for ensuring their children receive the nutrition they need to grow healthy and well-nourished,” the letter continued. “This shortage has been especially challenging for some of the most vulnerable infants, with particularly acute shortages of specialty formulas to address health needs such as allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or metabolic disorders. There is no easy substitute for infant formula, and this shortage has left families across the nation scrambling to figure out how they will safely care for their children.”
zanne Weber in the November General Election for Oregon Senate District 16. Both ran unopposed in the Primary Election. Columbia County voters chose Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek and Republican Bob Tiernan. Statewide, Kotek captured the Democrat nomination. Christine Drazan was leading Bob Tiernan and Stan Pulliam for the Republican nomination. Late Tuesday the Associated Press declared Drazan the winner after Tiernan conceded. In a statement, Drazan said she was waiting for final balloting results. Columbia City residents have approved a five-year levy for police services. The unofficial vote tally was 533 yes and 217 no votes. Voter turnout in Columbia County was 31.7%. Certification for the election is scheduled for June 13. which passed in the November by a vote of 757,204 to 334,021. Since its passage, Oregon’s voter turnout has jumped from 51% in the 2000 Presidential Primary to 86% in the 2004 General election. Today, eight states allow all elections to be conducted by mail, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington, the National Conference on State Legislatures reports. Columbia County Elections Division officials say they will review the information provided by Cooper’s testimony and issue a report to the Board after the May election. Follow this developing story online at thechiefnews.com and in Friday print editions of The Chief.
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Friday, May 20, 2022
State marks lowest jobless rate in 2 years STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Metro Creative Connection
There were 2,122,538 employed and 78,796 unemployed in April.
•
More people are back at work in Columbia County and across the state, according to the latest Oregon Department of Employment report. Oregon’s unemployment rate edged down to 3.7% in April, from 3.8% in March, reaching its lowest level in more than two years. The rate is now close to Oregon’s record low of 3.4% which occurred in each of the four months of November 2019 through February 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6% in both March and April 2022.
•C ommunity E vents • •
Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 Writing Festival The festival is at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. A two-day, free event honors world renowned poet and short story writer, Raymond Carver, who was born in Clatskanie. The Raymond Carver mural will be unveiled. Sunday, May 22, 3 p.m. Piano Concert Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen will perform at the Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. Tickets are Adults $15, Seniors 60+ and Students $10 and Children $8. Tickets may be purchased online at clatskaniearts.org or at the door the day of the performance. The ticket booth opens at 2:30. Masks are recommended. For more information, please call Elsa at 503.728.3403. Sunday May 22 Community Walk and Fair National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Walks Our Way & Columbia Commu-
nity Mental Health (CCMH) Fair 10 a.m. to 2 pm. Walk starts 10 a.m. at Jordan Center 297 South 1st St. Helens. Easy route around waterfront. Mental Health Fair in Columbia View Park. Please register for walk at https://www.namiwalks. org/northwest. Join CCMH Columbia Walkers https:// www.namiwalks.org/team/ CCMH Visit NAMI Columbia County Oregon Facebook Event. More Information: contact Judy Thompson at 503-397-6056. Ongoing Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-789-9240 Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver. org/events-page. The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum is open from
noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). It is located inside Rainier City Hall on the 3rd floor. Go in side entrance and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. For more information, all 360-751-7039. Rainier City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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 Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays. Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070. To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.
The state economic forecast summary states that the economic dynamics are shifting.
KICKER From Page A1 ence economy strength as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong state revenues, coupled with an unemployment rate that is back down to pre-pandemic levels, should be welcome news for Oregonians, Brown stated. “However, I know that not all Oregonians are feeling these positive effects, especially given rising costs of living,” she said. Brown said the continued strength in the economy will allow the legislature to look at additional one-time investments in the coming budget cycle.
“Like those we’ve recently made in housing, behavioral health, and child care—to further spur growth and support working families, so that all Oregonians see and feel the benefits of our economic bounce back,” she said. Brown warned that even with revenue growth, the state needs to proceed with caution and plan for the future. “Strong leadership in Oregon has led the state to a place where we have ample reserves to help us weather unprecedented times,” Brown said. We need to continue that forward-looking leadership as we head into the next budget cycle. We have to be careful. Experts are seeing storm clouds on the horizon.
History
Throughout the past two years, Oregon and the nation have experienced similar trends as their economies and labor markets have recovered from the pandemic recession. Both saw their unemployment rates spike to unusual highs of more than 13% by April 2020, followed by a drop to below 7% six months later. For the past 21 months, Oregon’s unemployment rate has been within a half percentage point of the U.S. unemployment rate. Payrolls Payroll employment trends have also been similar
for Oregon and the U.S., with both losing roughly 14% of payroll jobs between February and April 2020, then recovering roughly a third of those jobs three months later, followed by a more gradual recovery leading up to April 2022. However, Oregon has slightly lagged the U.S. jobs recovery overall, with the U.S. adding back 95% of jobs lost during the pandemic-induced recession, while Oregon has only recovered 88% of the jobs. Gains and losses In April, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose
Clatskanie Middle/High School Sports Schedule Friday May 20 • High School Track State @ University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene. • Baseball and Softball League Playoffs Varsity Baseball will be playing at Taft in a league playoff game at 3 p.m .vs.
•
Catlin Gabel. The winner will play Taft at 5 p.m. in a winner-to-state game. Admission is $6/adult and $4/student (cash only). Wednesday May 25 • First Round High School State Baseball and Softball Playoffs
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
•O bituaries • • Jepson Lauritz Lonnquist Nov. 29, 1920 ~ May 9, 2022
Jepson Lauritz “Jeep” Lonnquist of Birkenfeld, Oregon, died May 9, 2022 at the age of 101. Jepson was born Nov. 29, 1920 in Birkenfeld to Joseph E. Lonnquist and Ellen (Jepsen)(Berg) Lonnquist. He attended Gustavas Adolphus College in Minnesota studying drama, literature and piano performance. He finished with a degree in Fine Arts at Montana State University. Jepson’s lifework has been to serve his Lord Jesus,
thus utilizing his talents in art, preaching and musical composition. Jepson is survived by seven children; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Junior Lonnquist; and his former spouse Ann Marie (Stein) Lonnquist. A memorial service will be held for Jepson at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the Birkenfeld Community Church.
Joseph Burnham
Nov. 4, 1944 ~ May 13, 2022
Joseph Burnham, 77, of Rainier, Oregon passed away May 13, 2022 in Longview, Washington.
Courtesy photo
Oregon has done a good job saving. We’ll keep moving forward.” Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) said the $3 billion kicker will be a much-needed break from the increasing burden of inflation. “The kicker continues to act as a check against the Democrat’s continuous urge to blow out the spending,” Knopp said. “Now, more than ever, it’s essential to protect the kicker. Too much spending got us into this inflation mess, it’s not going to get us out. Knopp also urged caution. “Our economists are predicting an economic downturn soon,” he said. “We must budget wisely for the future.”
Celebrating the Class of 2022 Show your support for our high school graduates with an ad in our paper. We’ll feature names and photos of all the graduates of Clatskanie Middle/High School and Rainier High School.
Call 503-397-0116 to advertise
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by 4,200 jobs, following a revised gain of 7,000 jobs in March. Over-the-month gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+1,800 jobs), manufacturing (+1,300), and professional and business services (+1,300). The only major industry to cut at least 1,000 jobs was other services (-1,000 jobs). Professional and business services has grown rapidly and consistently over the past two years. In April, employment reached 261,700, another record high for the industry. Recent revisions to the jobs tallies boosted the past six months’ employment upward by about 3,000 above original estimates.
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Friday, May 20, 2022
Best in Columbia County
2022 Readers’ Choice Awards PRESENTED BY
The Chronicle &
The Chief
Join us as we celebrate the best businesses in Columbia County, as voted by our readers Bakery
Gold • Brown Butter Bakery 51320 SW Old Portland Road, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1740 Silver • Bamford Bakeshop 33608 E Columbia Avenue #120, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1274 Bronze • Scappoose Bagel 52039 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1635 • Safeway 795 Lower Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2630
Breakfast
Gold • Kozy Korner Restaurant & Lounge 371 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9754 Silver • Warren Country Inn 56575 S Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-410-5479 Bronze • Ichabod’s Restaurant 52049 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-2450
Brewery:
Gold • Running Dogs Brewery 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103 Silver • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108
Bronze • Columbia County Bistro 305 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5680 • Colvins Pub & Grill 135 Nehalem Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-4122
Asian:
Gold • Zhens Chinese Restaurant 1671 Columbia Boulevard St. Helens, OR 97051 503- 397-4686 Silver • Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant 52595 Columbia River Highway Scappoose, OR 97056 503-366-4298 • Lotus of Bangkok 295 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5155 • Oriental Café 555 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5466 Bronze • Simm Oriental Cuisine 33466 Havlik Drive, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-4098
Coffee:
Gold • Dutch Bros Coffee St. Helens: 2274 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 541-955-4700 Scappoose: 33503 SW Chinook Plaza, Scappoose, OR 97056 Silver • Javalation 399 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3094
Bronze • Cathedral Coffee 33555 E Columbia Avenue #111, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-935-4312
Dessert: Gold • Dari Delish 1680 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2129 Silver • Brown Butter Bakery 51320 SW Old Portland Road, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1740 Bronze • Warren Country Inn 56575 S Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-410-5479 • Bamford Bakeshop 33608 E Columbia Avenue #120, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1274
Dinner: Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Bronze • Columbia County Bistro 305 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5680
Food Cart: Gold • Kimbo Spice 305 S Columbia River
Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 971-813-9364 • Hacienda las Juanitas 555 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-369-7834 Silver • Eat @ George’s 305 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 971-363-5773 • Hallows Pizza 305 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-6536 • Hawaiian Plate 175 Bowling Alley Lane, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-987-0808 Bronze • Patriot Burger 175 Bowling Alley Lane, St. Helens, OR 97051 971-203-3306
Fine Dining: Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Columbia County Bistro 305 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5680 • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Bronze • El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant St. Helens 2105 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens 503- 397-1465 /
Rainier 117 W A Street, Rainier, 503-556-8323 • Warren Country Inn 56575 S Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-410-5479
Frozen Desserts: Gold • Dari Delish 1680 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2129 Silver • Dairy Queen 33500 SW Chinook Plaza, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-2311 Bronze • Yo Place 58735 Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-6983
Burgers: Gold • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Silver • Dari Delish 1680 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2129 • Johnny’s Bar & Grill 1750 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4594 • Patriot Burger 175 Bowling Alley Lane, St. Helens, OR 97051
971-203-3306
Bronze • Yankton Store & Restaurant 33144 Pittsburg Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-7974
Happy Hour:
Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 • Pour House 2098 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-2694 • Running Dogs Brewery Whisker Room 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103 Bronze • Warren Country Inn 56575 S Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-410-5479
Italian:
Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Sunshine Pizza 2124 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3211 Bronze • Mod Pizza 2298 Gable Road Suites 110 & 120, St. Helens, OR 97051
503-410-5218
• El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant 2105 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1465 • Hometown Pizza 109 E A Street, Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-3700
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source
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Friday, May 20, 2022
2022 Columbia County Readers Choice Awards Lunch: Gold • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Silver • Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514 Bronze • Ichabod’s Restaurant 52049 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-2450 • Molly’s Market 290 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5479 • Fork’d 52395 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-5030
Bronze • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108
Bronze • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108
Pizza:
Sushi:
Gold • Pizza Vendor 33705 E Columbia Avenue, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-7197 Silver • Sunshine Pizza 2124 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3211 Bronze • Fultanos Pizza 770 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-2922 51511 SE 2nd Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-5100
Mexican:
River View:
Gold • Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant 33452 Havlik Road, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3017 640 E Columbia River Highway Suite A, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-3344 Silver • El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant St. Helens: 2105 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens 503- 397-1465 / Rainier: 117 W A Street, Rainier, 503-556-8323 Bronze • Hacienda las Juanitas 555 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-369-7834
Gold • Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514 Silver • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Bronze • El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant 117 W A Street, Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-8323
Organic Food: Gold • Walt’s Farm to Table 53758 W Lane Road, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3385 Silver • Market Fresh 111 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2288 Bronze • Scappoose Farmers Market 33568 E Columbia Avenue, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3469 • Deer Island Farms 66582 Bishop Creek Road, Scappoose, OR 97054 deer.island.farms.order@ gmail.com • Kimbo Spice 305 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 971-813-9364 • Safeway 795 Lower Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2630
Patio Dining: Gold • Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514 Silver • Running Dogs Brewery 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103
Sandwiches: Gold • Vinnies Chicago Sandwich Shop 1521 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3135 Silver • Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514 Bronze • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108
Seafood: Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Bronze • El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant St. Helens: 2105 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, 503- 397-1465 / Rainier: 117 W A Street, Rainier, 503-556-8323
Steak: Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Longfellows Inn 52535 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-9996
Gold • Miyako Restaurant 1835 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9701 Silver • Noi’s Thai Kitchen 524 Milton Way, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5191
Vegan/ Vegetarian: Gold • Columbia County Bistro 305 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5680 Silver • Noi’s Thai Kitchen 524 Milton Way, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5191 • Running Dogs Brewery 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103 • Simm Oriental Cuisine 33466 Havlik Drive, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-4098
Annual Event: Gold • Spirit Of Halloweentown Sept. 17 - Oct. 31, 275 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 Silver • Columbia County Fair & Rodeo July 20, 24, 58892 Saulser Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4231 Bronze • Toy N Joy www.crfr.com/toynjoy Make donations to: St. Helens Fire Station: 105 S. 12th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, Columbia River Fire & Rescue Administration Office - 270 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR Rainier Fire Station - 211 W. 2nd Street, Rainier, OR 97048 • Rainier Days July 8 - 10, W A Street, Rainier, OR 97048 www.rainierdaysinthepark. com • Christmas Ships Parade Dec. 10, St. Helens Waterfront www.christmasships.org • July 4th Let Freedom Bells Ring July 4, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Bartender: Gold • Stephanie Davis at Pour House 2098 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-2694 Silver • Kristen Mason at Pastime Tavern 2019 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-7972 • Kristen Mason at Pour House 2098 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-2694
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Bronze • Jesse Lagers at The Klondike Hotel & Tavern 71 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-782-8002
Esthetician: Gold • Julz Barber at Platinum 51 Salon 150 St. Helens Street Suite C, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-410-5167 Silver • Rosie at Belleza Health & Beauty Center 115 N 21st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4772 Bronze • Haley Stirling at Bliss Hair Studio 51081 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1573
Financial Advisor: Gold • Topher Mood at Edward Jones 2504 Sykes Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1125 Silver • Adam Sommers at Sommers Financial Management 144 S 14th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 51605 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-397-1545 Bronze • Kara Sotir at H&R Block 2159 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4156
Food Server: Gold • Jodi at Fultanos Pizza 770 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-2922 Silver • Milane Bjork at Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Bronze •(Heather Smith at Running Dogs Brewery 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103
Hair Stylist: Gold • Jodi Tupper at Scandalous Hair Design 261 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-0310 Silver • April Payton at Bliss Hair Studio 51081 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1573 • Laura Ives at Shear Perfection 2015 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4247 Bronze • Katherine Stanton at Platinum 51 Salon 150 St. Helens Street Suite C, St. Helens, OR
97051, 503-410-5167 • Jennifer Stanton at Platinum 51 Salon 150 St. Helens Street Suite C, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-410-5167 • Jessica Palmer at Bodak Beauty 52490 SE 2nd Street #130, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-369-9693
Health Professional: Gold • Roxana Abbott at Legacy Health 475 S Columbia River Highway Ste 100, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-0471 Silver • Legacy Urgent Care 475 S Columbia River Highway Ste 105, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-7119 Bronze • Dr. Heather Sorber at Columbia River Natural Medicine, LLC 1510 St. Helens Street Suite C, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-3134
Insurance Agent: Gold • Sheryl Teuscher at Country Financial 112 W B Street, Rainier, OR 97048, 503-556-0186 Silver • Heather Epperly at American Family Insurance 1570 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2033 Bronze • Joel Avina at State Farm Insurance 2534 Sykes Road Suite A, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4808
Manicurist: Gold • Heather Hoge at Vanity Room 155 N 18th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-1920 Silver • Jenny at Colorful Nails & Spa 33548 Edward Lane Suite 130, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-987-1780 Bronze • Lisa at Colorful Nails & Spa 33548 Edward Lane Suite 130, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-987-1780
Massage Therapist: Gold • Shannon Preston, LMT 52485 SW 1st Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-396-6599 Silver • Mandy Hawkins at A Better Way Massage 500 N Columbia River Highway #410, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-410-5623 Bronze • Dea at Pure Serenity Health Spa 440 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-8084
Mortgage Agent: Gold • Peggy Pense at Guild Mortgage 51669 Columbia River Highway., Suite 140, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-9797 • Pat Olson at Guild mortgage 51669 Columbia River Highway #100, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-9797 Silver • Matt McHugh at Cascadia Home Loans 51895 SW Old Portland Road, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-9999 Bronze • Ashley Locken at InRoads Credit Union 425 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-2376
Police/Fire/EMT: Gold • Sheriff Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff 901 Port Ave, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-366-4611 Silver • Dustin King, St. Helens Police Department 150 S 13th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3333 Bronze • Jon Eggers, St. Helens Police Department 150 S 13th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3333 • Clatskanie Fire District 79704 Quincy Mayger Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016, 503-728-3000
Real Estate Office: Gold • John L. Scott Real Estate 1845 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5668 Silver • Lea Chitwood, Real Estate RE/MAX PowerPros 33465 SW Maple Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-730-4554 Bronze • Ark Real Estate 200 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-0161 • Urban Pacific Real Estate 253 S 1st Street St. Helens, OR 97051 503-329-7269
Real Estate Agent: Gold • Shelley Paulson, Urban Pacific Real Estate 253 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-410-1982 Silver • Tammy Scamfer, John L. Scott Real Estate 503-806-3820 Bronze • Linda Bolen, John L. Scott Real Estate 503-730-1646 • Lea Chitwood, Real Estate RE/MAX PowerPros 33465 SW Maple Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-730-4554
A11
www.thechiefnews.com
Friday, May 20, 2022
2022 Columbia County Readers Choice Awards Tattoo Artist:
Appliances:
Gold • Dana Lathrope at Real Eye Zing Art 203 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5018
Gold • Stan’s Refrigeration & Appliance Service 58481 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-5510 Silver • Rainier Appliance 115 E A Street, Rainier, OR 97048, 503-556-3005 Bronze • Hi- School Pharmacy 33454 SW Chinook Plaza, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-6316
Veterinarian: Gold • Robyn Rieger at Columbia Veterinary Clinic 150 N 15th Street, St. Helens, OR, 97051 503-397-1928 Silver • Dr. Lewis Fowler at Midway Veterinary Hospital 34453 McGary Lane, Warren, OR 97053 503-397-6470 Bronze • Jessica Anderson at Pawsitive Critter Care 135 Nimitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
503-396-7613
Accommodations: Gold • Best Western 585 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-393-3000 Silver • Twilight Swan House 184 S 6th Street, St Helens, OR 97051 Bronze • Scappoose Creek Inn 53756 W Lane Road, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-2740 • Clatskanie River Inn and RV Park 600 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-9000
A Fun Time: Gold • Becki Bozart Cruise Planners 32525 Highland Road, Rainier, OR 97048 971-340-8660 Silver • The Columbia Theatre 212 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9791 • Oregon Trail Lanes 735 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1011 Bronze • Pour House 2098 Old Portland Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-2694 • Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514
Accounting: Gold • Judi Brackin at Brackin CPA 134 S 14th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1555 Silver • Scappoose Business & Tax 51671 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-397-6993 1510 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-6993 Bronze • Windy Ridge Accounting & Tax Service E A Sreet, Rainier, OR 97048, 503-556-8299
Auto Body: Gold • St. Helens Auto Body & Painting 560 Milton Way, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9720 Silver • Emmert Motors 2175 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-438-4143 Bronze • Ricks Auto Body 325 S 12th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-380-7895
Auto Service: Gold • Pro Automotive and Diesel 50038 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-987-4000 Silver • Eaton’s Tire & Auto Repair LLC 1780 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3145 Bronze • Emmert Motors 2175 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-438-4143 • Jim’s Garage 430 N Nehalem Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016
503-728-2638
Boutique Shopping: Gold • Woodland Cottage 241 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 541-953-9994 Silver • The Real Deahl Gift Store 254 N Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 971-303-2033 Bronze • Feathers and Leathers 295 S 1st Street, St Helens, OR 97051 503-943-0208 • Rose Street Boutique 2250 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5255
Cannabis Dispensary: Gold • Sweet Relief 52515 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1193 1809 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5382 Silver • Emerald City Dispensary 50414 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-987-1028
• Gnome Grown Dispensary 100 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5268 Bronze • Green Lion Dispensary 365 S Columbia River Highway, St Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-3545 50178 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-987-1063
Caregiving: Gold • Comfort Makers Supportive Living Services Comfort-makers.com 503-369-2460 Silver • lifempowered 105 Port Avenue, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1922 Bronze • Avamere 2400 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-8070
Clothing: Gold • Harrington’s Clothing 1817 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4052 Silver • Feathers and Leathers 295 S 1st Street, St Helens, OR 97051 503-943-0208 Bronze • Rose Street Boutique 2250 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5255
Computers Sales and Service: Gold • Preheim Computers 33480 SW Chinook Plaza, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-4884
Cars & Trucks: Gold • Emmert Motors 2175 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-438-4143 Silver • Dealers Market 51801 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-980-4792 Bronze • St. Helens Auto Center 57895 Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-397-5454
Cultural Experience: Gold • Becki Bozart Cruise Planners 32525 Highland Road, Rainier, OR 97048 971-340-8660 Silver • Great Vow Zen Monastery 79640 Quincy-Mayger Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016, 503-728-0654 Bronze • Clatskanie Library 11 Lillich Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-3732
Customer Service: Gold • Becki Bozart Cruise Planners 32525 Highland Road, Rainier, OR 97048 971-340-8660 Silver • Running Dogs Brewery 291 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1103 Bronze • Topher Mood at Edward Jones 2504 Sykes Road St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1125
Date Night: Gold • Dockside Steak and Pasta 342 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-0877 Silver • Scappoose Cinema 7 33520 Southwest Edwards Place, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-3537 • Plymouth Pub 298 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5108 Bronze • The Columbia Theatre 212 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9791
Entertainment: Gold • The Columbia Theatre 212 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9791 Silver • Becki Bozart Cruise Planners 32525 Highland Road, Rainier, OR 97048 971-340-8660 Bronze • Scappoose Cinema 7 33520 Southwest Edwards Place, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-3537
Electrician Service/Install: Gold • Peak Electric Group 57096 S Morse Road, Warren, OR 97053 503-397-7818 Silver • Vilardi Electric 79106 Alston Mayger Road, Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-2951
Family Attraction: Gold • Becki Bozart Cruise Planners 32525 Highland Road, Rainier, OR 97048 971-340-8660 Silver • The Columbia Theatre 212 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9791 Bronze • Scappoose Cinema 7 33520 Southwest Edwards Place, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-3537
Fishing/Hunting Equipment/ Supplies: Gold
• Bi-Mart 51536 SE 2nd Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-1075 Silver • Walmart 2295 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-5866 Bronze • 4 Directions Guide Service-Billy Fisher 503-807-9467
Financial Service: Gold • Topher Mood at Edward Jones 2504 Sykes Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1125 Silver • InRoads Credit Union 52691 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-397-2376 425 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-2376 Bronze • Sommers Financial 144 S 14th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 51605 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-397-1545
Fitness/Well Being/Spa: Gold • Pure Serenity Health Spa 440 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-8084 Silver • Anytime Fitness 1538-1540 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-0027 Bronze • Pacific Athletic Club 320 A Street, Columbia City, OR 97018 503-397-1000
Florist: Gold • Flora Designs 52658 NE 1st Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3135 Silver • Flowers N Fluff 45 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016, 503-728-4222
General Contracting/ Construction: Gold • Rich Bailey Construction www.richbaileyconstruction.com 503-880-6679 Silver • Kneeland Brothers 33459 SW JP West Road, Scappoose, Oregon 503-319-6871 Bronze • Doug Baker Construction 360-431-5092
Gardening Supplies and Plants: Gold • Means Nursery 27400 NW St. Helens Road, Scappoose, OR
97056, 503-543-3223 Silver • Flowers N Fluff 45 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016, 503-728-4222 Bronze • The Real Deahl Gift Store 254 N Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 971-303-2033
Groceries & Sundries: Gold • Market Fresh 111 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2288 Silver • Safeway 795 Lower Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-2630 Bronze • Grocery Outlet 205 Brayden Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5533
Heating and Air: Gold • Columbia NW Heating & Air Conditioning 52734 NE 1st Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-3624 Silver • Western Heating and Cooling 50618 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-303-0771
Hiking Trails: Gold • Crown Zellerbach Trail 34005 Mobile Lane, Scappoose, OR 97056 Silver • Beaver Falls Beaver Falls Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Bronze • McCormick Park 475 S 18th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Home Improvement: Gold • Dahlgren’s Do it Best Building Supplies 58351 Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-0086 Silver • Ace Hardware 155 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-366-1363 Bronze • Habitat for Humanity 164 Little Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-1400
Home Furnishings/Décor: Gold • Richardson’s Furniture Mattress Gallery 2015 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-1329 Silver • Theresa Holt Design 503-438-0871 Bronze • Fred Meyer 51501 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-4500
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source
A12
www.thechiefnews.com
Friday, May 20, 2022
2022 Columbia County Readers Choice Awards Jewelry: Gold • Fred Meyer Jewelers 51501 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-543-4515 Silver • Columbia River Jewelry 33555 E Columbia Ave Suite 116, Scappoose, OR 97056, 971-813-4366 Bronze • Alterations By Heather 2145 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-839-9112
Landscaping: Gold • Ramos’ Yard Maintenance 57703 Old Portland Road, Warren, OR 97053 503-366-7863 Silver • Alonzo Yard Maintenance Columbia City, OR 97018 503-410-5632 Bronze • EZ Mow ezmowlandscape.com 971-225-8011
Live Entertainment: Gold • 13 Nights on the River June 2 - August 25 3 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 • Hit Machine www.hitmachineband.com
• Roof 31 Cowlitz Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-396-5514 Silver • Rosebud Café 50316 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503-987-1374 • Wisteria Lodge www.facebook.com/ vvisteriaLodge Bronze • The River City Singers www.facebook.com/ MNRiverCitySingers
Museum: Gold • Columbia County Historical Society and Museum www.colcomuseum.org 971 225-3971 Silver • Caples House Museum 1925 1st Street, Columbia City, OR 97018 503-397-5390
Outdoor Recreation: Gold • Next Adventure Scappoose Bay 57420 Old Portland Road, Warren, OR 97053 503-397-2161 Silver • Sand Island Campground sandislandcampground. com, 503-310-0235
Outdoor Sports Equipment: Gold • Next Adventure Scappoose Bay 57420 Old Portland Road, Warren, OR 97053 503-397-2161 Silver • Walmart 2295 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-5866
Overnight Camping: Gold • Sand Island Campground sandislandcampground. com, 503-310-0235 Silver • Scappoose Bay Marina 57420 Old Portland Road Warren, OR 97053 503-397-2888 Bronze • Columbia County Fairgrounds www.columbiacountyfair grounds.com/p/rentals/ camping-information 503-397-4231
Pet/Livestock Supplies: Gold • Purrz and Paws (All About Pets 52567 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose, OR 97056, 503) 543-5740 Silver
• Wiggle Butz Gourmet Pet Bakery & Gifts 1945 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-410-5752 Bronze • Clatskanie Feed and Seed 905 NE Van Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-3140 • Columbia Feed and Seed 33559 NE Prairie Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-5156
Pharmacy: Gold • Walgreens 175 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-7862 Silver • Hi- School Pharmacy 33454 SW Chinook Plaza, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-6316 Bronze • Rite Aid 785 S Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-6787
Roofing: Gold • Kneeland Brothers 33459 SW JP West Road, Scappoose, OR 503-319-6871 Silver • RA Construction 32459 Tide Creek Road,
Deer Island, OR 97054 503-397-3787 Bronze • A Peak Above Roofing 56347 Columbia River Highway, Warren, OR 97053, 503-397-6356
Sales & Rentals: Gold • Don’s Rental 2274 Columbia Boulevard, St. Helens, OR 97051 503) 397-0585 Silver • Dahlgren’s Do it Best Building Supplies 58351 Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-397-0086 Bronze • Ark Real Estate 200 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-0161
Senior Living: Gold • Avamere 2400 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-8070 Silver • Brookdale Rose Valley Scappoose 33800 Frederick Street, Scappoose, OR 97056 503-543-4646 Bronze • Spring Meadows Assisted Living
Community 36070 Pittsburg Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-0401
Support Group: Gold • NAMI Columbia County www.facebook.com/ ColumbiaCountyNAMI Silver • Columbia Community Mental Health 58646 McNulty Way, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-5211 Bronze • Alano Club 215 N 6th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-9530
Visual Arts: Gold • Columbia Learning Center and Public Library 375 S 18th Street A, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4544 Silver • ShoeString Community Players 2375 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-366-4406 Bronze • Gilded Bloomers Studio & Gallery 555 SW Bryant Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-440-7477
A big thank you to the community for a successful
2022 Columbia County Home & Garden Show
The Chief and The Chronicle want to thank everyone who attended the 2022 Columbia County Home & Garden Show sponsored by OnRoads Credit Union held May 23 and May 24. Thank you to InRoads for bringing in Shannon Quimby as a speaker and the credit union’s staff for greeting everyone at the door. We also want to thank the OSU Extension Service Columbia County Master Gardeners for providing speakers and demonstrations throughout the event. Thank you to kwprofessionals, National Property Inspections and Guild Mortgage for the Free Shred Day event. Please join us for next year’s Columbia County Home & Garden Show scheduled for April 22 and 23 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. If you are interested in joining us as a vendor, call 503-397-0116 or email chronicleads@countrymedia.net
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source