TCC611

Wildfire funding

Brad Witt reprimanded

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FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 5 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Congratulations, Class of 2021

The Rainier graduates toss their caps at the end of the ceremony.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

At the end of the ceremony, the graduates conducted the traditional tassel turn and tossed their caps into the sky to mark the end of their high school career.

County may be ‘left behind’ JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Columbia County remained at High Risk this week under Oregon’s COVID-19 pandemic health and safety categories in the latest state announcement.

That means public restrictions will continue while the county attempts to boost its vaccination rate which was at 47.9% this week.

During the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners meeting Wednesday, County Public Health Director Michael Paul updated the commissioners on the county’s progress toward full vaccination.

“The Governor’s office announced a new county risk category … Effective Friday, 21 counties are now at lower risk and four counties are in moderate risk. For Columbia, we remain in High Risk with 10 other counties.

And that’s based on our case rate, and our test positivity,” Paul told the commissioners.

What needs to be done For the county to move down in risk level, Paul said, the county needs to reduce its daily COVID-19 case rates to below 50 cases within 14 days. Currently,

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Columbia County’s High Risk classification means public health and safety restrictions will continue.

the county has an average of six cases per day—making the 14 day average 84 cases.

‘We’ve been plagued over the last two months by outbreaks at schools—we had over a dozen outbreaks at almost every school in the county, and that has really pushed our numbers up,” Paul explained. “As school comes to a close, and our overall infection rate in the state and the region has declined, I hope that very soon, we’ll move down from high risk.”

Another way for the county to move out of high risk, according to Paul, is for the county to reach 65% of the population being vac-

I don’t want us to be left behind, and then be a pocket or a harbor for the coronavirus. ~ Michael Paul, Columbia County Public Health Director

cinated—with residents 16 yearsold and older having one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We’re making progress.

We’re growing at about 1%, but we still have a little ways to go,”

Paul said. “ We’re at about 50% right now, when you count the data that I’ve received from the state about people who have gone to the VA or outside of the state for vaccination.”

To reach the 65% mark, the county will need to see approximately 20,000 residents vaccinated with at least one dose by that June 21 re-opening date.

“The good news is that if the state reaches the 70% threshold of 70% Oregonians, age 18 or older with at least one dose, then the entire sate restrictions will be lifted,” Paul told the commissioners. “I don’t want us to be left

behind, and then be a pocket or a harbor for the coronavirus.”

Following the commissioners morning meeting, Paul told The Chief county health will reach some of the remaining population by further improving access, which he said means bringing vaccinations to workplaces, schools and events, and expanding pharmacy hours.

“We also should acknowledge there are others who are not yet confident the vaccines provide protection and we need to work harder to reassure those communities and families in our county by providing clear, complete and accurate messages,” Paul said.

“This means addressing all of the reasons [that] influence a person’s decision, including cultural, social, and political factors; individual and group factors; and vaccine-specific factors.”

According to Paul, county health can reach the goal of 65% as published data of school vaccination rates do not support the notion that there is absolute opposition to all vaccinations, “but it may take more time for healthcare personnel to engage patients who still have questions about the COVID vaccines in their regular office setting,” Paul said.

County health intends to continue with its vaccination ­­­­ See COVID-19 Page A7

‘Quad Pro Quo’ to film in Clatskanie AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net

A collaboration between Quad Media and CIB Crew, a new TV pilot is set to shoot at the Clatskanie Skatepark this month. Dubbed with the working title “Quad Pro Quo,” the show’s concept is something that would be familiar to fans of competition shows like Ink Master, Blown Away, and The Great British Bake Off—but make it roller derby

Obituaries ................. A3 Letters ....................... A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals .................... A5-6 Crossword ............... A6

Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

(sort of).

Roller derby, a roller skating contact sport played between two teams, utilizes quad skates (four wheeled skates), but the skates are used in a variety of skating sports. “There’s not a lot of crossover,” Quad Media Producer and Director Benjamin Doyle said of roller derby skaters and ramp/ bowl skaters, but “Quad Pro Quo” is trying to bridge that gap.

The TV show, Doyle said, aims to increase the exposure of all forms of Quad skating by taking prominent skaters from across the country and judging their trick and line skating abilities. The reason they chose Clatskanie?

“What we really like about Clatskanie [Skatepark] is it’s covered, so we don’t have to worry if it’s rainy or crappy weather, ­­­­ See SHOW Page A4

The Clatskanie Skatepark was remodeled in 2019 to include new skatelite ramps and bowls.

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

www.thechiefnews.com

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Friday, June 11, 2021

Sheriff requests additional funding, deputies this change,” Pixley told the commissioners.

“For the residents, what this low funding means is slow response times, even in the most urgent situations, (and) spotty patrol coverage,” Pixley explained. “For the county, this contributes to higher liability for the county, and severe deputy burnout.”

24/7 coverage goal

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley is seeking funding for new deputies.

AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley is hoping to get his department to 24/7 coverage—a feat only the St. Helens Police Department has accomplished within the county.

In November, Pixley first brought his proposal to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners.

“The Sheriff’s Office has been chronically underfunded and understaffed for several, several years. And it’s time that we need to make this change. We need to work together to make

Within the county, the sheriff’s department is second in highest coverage only to St. Helens, where the department is seeking competitive coverage and rates with the Portland Metro area.

During his presentation, Pixley cited the department’s calls for service stats, saying the department averages 1,510 annual calls for service per deputy— nearly double the calls per service received in local city departments.

Pixley is hoping to get clearance to hire four more deputies, which would bring the Sheriff’s Office

from 17.5 hours of coverage a day to 21 or 22 hours of coverage a day. If he hires two deputies in the future, in addition to the four he is proposing to hire now, the Sheriff’s Office would be able to provide 24/7 coverage, Pixley said.

Pixley plans to fund the new hires through five year intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with the Port of Columbia County and Vernonia that would have the two entities paying part of the cost for the deputies.

The IGAs are only drafts currently and neither Port of Columbia County or Vernonia have agreed to the IGAs as of yet.

To make the transition swift for the new hires, Pixley plans to hire one new recruit and two to three laterals (already sworn officers and graduates of the police academy).

“If we were able to hire a lateral, we would not have to send them to the 16 week Police Academy, and typically we don’t have to do the four months field

training evaluation process program with them,” Pixley explained during the commissioners meeting on Wednesday.

By hiring lateral officers, the Sheriff’s Office would save money on their hires and expedite the process to getting the officers on their own in the field, Pixley said.

Safety concerns Pixley stressed that increasing the Sheriff’s Office’s coverage is important because there is a large gap in public safety between the county’s cities and unincorporated areas.

The Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated Columbia County and the cities of Clatskanie and Prescott, which is equal to 97.5% of the county’s land but holds less than half of the county’s population.

Though the Sheriff’s Office has the equivalent of more than 55 full-time employees, only 12 of those employees are deputies that work on patrol, according

to Pixley.

“I understand it is unrealistic to ask for the 26 additional patrol staff this fiscal year, or even over the next couple of years,” Pixley wrote in a prior letter to county commissioners. “Instead, I propose the county add funding to equal two deputies per year until we are at a safer and more sustainable level.”

The commissioners are reviewing the sheriff’s request.

Following the Wednesday work session, Pixley told The Chief eight additional deputies would cost between $710,984 and $1,005,256 per year, plus the one-time costs associated with fully outfitting the new deputies. Pixley said funding would come from the Columbia County general fund and by collaborating with community partners to provide additional funding.

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

CRFR conducts specialized water training STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) crews spent time along the Rainier Park Monday night, June 7, for specialized training.

“We have been conducting a rural water supply training operation at the Rainier Park utilizing the boat ramp,” a CRFR Facebook post states. “We are working on developing stronger skills and knowledge for setting up a water tender operation using an environment where we may not have fire hydrants readily available.”

CRFR officials said such training is crucial to the success of firefighting operations.

Earlier this spring, Scappoose Rural Fire Protection

crews conducted specialized helicopter training in Hillsboro. The drills included working with a helicopter conducting water drops as part of the agency’s annual wildfire training.

Fire districts and departments in the region are preparing for what officials describe as an intense and dangerous summer and fall wildfire season due to the continuing drought.

Each agency is encouraging property owners to take precautions to prepare for the fire season. Those precautions include developing and practicing a family escape plan, having a plan to protect livestock and having a Go Kit ready.

For information about such plans, contact your local fire agency.

Courtesy of CRFR

A CRFR firefighter conducts hose training along the dock.

Courtesy of CRFR

CRFR fire crews huddle during a dockside training session at Rainier Park.

Wildfire prevention funding increased STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Critical wildfire prevention funding in Columbia County and across the state is now a top priority for Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.

The senator hopes to use his post on a powerful senate committee to increase federal spending for wildfire prevention efforts.

Merkley convened a hearing this week of an appropriations subcommittee he chairs to discuss funding forest management. Merkley and the subcommittee questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen about the agency’s fire prevention work.

“The 2020 fire year became a call to action.”

Christiansen told the committee. “We saw the most acres burned on the Forest Service lands since the Big Burn of 1910. In many places, forests will not come back on their own, which impacts the potential for carbon storage and limits the land’s capacity to

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mitigate climate change,” Christiansen told senators her agency needs more money for fuel management programs and to provide higher pay for wildland firefighters.

“Despite the pandemic,” she said, “the Forest Service sustained our hazardous fuels production work, but we know it’s not enough. We need a paradigm shift.”

Following the hearing, Merkley laid out his vision for providing those funds through congress.

“Forests of course are absolutely the heart of Oregon’s identity,” Merkley said. “We value the forests. They’re headwaters of our clean drinking water. They’re the genesis of our salmon runs.

They’re the backbone of our recreation in our rural economies. And the Forest Service and the professionals that staff it are critical to our state, our people, our economy.”

One key program Merkley noted to promote resilient forests is the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, which brings

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Courtesy photo

As Oregon firefighters brace for another intense wildfire season U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley is working to gain more resource funding to help prevent the devastating fires.

together timber, environmental and other stakeholders in certain forests to collaborate on forest management.

“These collaborative have been just an amazing opportunity for folks who’d (been)

considered rivals or almost enemies to come together and work out a plan,” Merkley said. “And the result is the plans stay out of court, because the stakeholders were there from the beginning talk-

ing to each to each other.”

Merkley said he is hoping congress will approve $80 million for the program in the next budget year, doubling its appropriation.

Merkley sid he also wants the federal government to spend more money on taking care of its forests, by thinning, mowing and burning forests to reduce the risk of the most intense wildfires.

There are 2.3 million acres of forests in Oregon which have received environmental review for that kind of cleanup, Merkley said — but the cleanup has not yet been conducted.

“And yet, we don’t have the money to do the treatment,” Merkley said.

The senator said he wants to see more funding available to support that work, especially in President Joe Biden’s soon-to-be-released jobs and infrastructure package.

Beyond those large programs, Merkley said he’s also supporting other wildfire efforts, like funding for Oregon land and water conservation projects, removing a cap on wildfire suppression spending and establishing year-round firefighting teams to do fire prevention in the offseason.

In all, the senator said forest management will only continue to be more important as the climate continues to change.

“We really have to pay attention to forest management, so that’s why I called this first hearing, ‘The Future of Forest Management,’ and asked the type of questions and pursued these types of programs,” Merkley said.

The complete subcommittee hearing is available on the senate’s website at www. appropriations.senate.gov/ hearings/rethinking-resiliency-budgeting-for-the-futureof-forest-management.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, June 11, 2021

Rep. Witt reprimanded

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Rep. Brad Witt, speaking here at a previous Columbia City event, is under fire for his comments to another state legislator.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

State Rep. Brad Witt of Clatskanie is being stripped of his role as chair of the Oregon House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources following a legislative investigation of allegations of harassment against Witt.

The Oregonian reported Monday, June 7 that Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek had issued the reprimand against Witt. The Chief obtained a copy of Kotek’s statement to the Oregon House.

“Dear Colleagues, I am writing to inform you of the steps I am taking following last week’s meetings of the House Committee on Conduct regarding the Rule 27 complaint against Representative Brad Witt.

“The committee found that Representative Witt, by the content of texts he sent to a fellow member, violated workplace harassment policy under Rule 27. The committee voted unanimously on Friday to recommend that Representative Witt receive coaching and training appropriate for his conduct violation. They also agreed that further action was warranted but were unable to agree on what that action should be. The committee co-chairs both acknowledged that my office has the author-

ity to take further action and requested that I use my discretion to apply additional measures.

“In my authority as Speaker, I am removing Representative Witt as chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. I hold all chairs to a high standard of conduct, and Representative Witt failed to meet that standard. Whether he will serve as a chair in the future will depend on his engagement and learning from the coaching and training he will receive. Additionally, I am also reassigning Representative Witt from his current committees to other committees that will not overlap with the complainant.

“As your Speaker, I take Representative Witt’s actions and the work of the House Committee on Conduct very seriously. Our goal is to work together to improve our workplace culture and to ensure that the Capitol is a safe and respectful place for everyone.”

The Chief has reached out to Witt for a statement.

As of press time, we had not received a reply.

Earlier coverage A state legislative commissioned investigation into a harassment complaint against Clatskanie Democrat State Rep. Brad Witt by Prineville

Republican State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson concludes that perception of harassment against her “was not unreasonable.”

The investigator also states in the report that a text message from Witt “was not invited, or welcome” and that Breese-Iverson “was offended, uncomfortable, shaken and anxious as a result.”

“I also find that the respondent (Witt) did not intend to offer his vote on BreeseIverson’s bill, in exchange for a date or sexual favors, or to comment on sexual matters,” investigator Sarah Ryan writes in the report, outlined in an online Oregonian article.

Breese-Iverson filed an official complaint after she had requested Witt’s support of legislation she was sponsoring concerning an issue in her district.

The investigative report, obtained by The Chief, shows screen shots of the email exchange in which Witt declined his support. Breese-Iverson continued seeking Witt’s backing of the bill and he responded in the email conversation, “we probably need to go for a beer sometime.”

As the conversation continued, Witt responded, “I’m not wedded to beer by any means, Could be dinner... or?

A comment to which BreeseInveson did not reply, and soon after filed her complaint of harassment with the Oregon Legislature.

The Legislative Equity Office commissioned Parker, a Portland investigator, to conduct the investigation.

The Chief received a response from Witt as the report was made public.

“I’m gratified that the investigation dealt with the facts at hand and came to a conclusion on that basis,” Witt told the Chief. “I am looking forward to the final resolution to this matter in the near term and completing the work that lies ahead in this legislative session including the public’s health, the economic rebuild of our state, wildfire prevention and the reopening of Oregon.”

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•O bituaries • • Helen Connors

June 7, 1927 ~ June 1, 2021 Helen Connors passed away peacefully June 1, 2021, six days shy of her 94th birthday.

Helen was born June 7, 1927 to George Bucko and Anna Sawko in New York, New York. She met Walter Connor and they married in 1953 in Portland, Oregon. They were blessed with four children, Diane, David, Susan, and Charles; and many grandchildren.

Helen loved to travel,

Randall Turner

Dec. 16, 1962 ~ May 30, 2021 Randall Turner 58, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away in Rainier on May 30, 2021.

Steven Day

Oct. 30, 1950 ~ June 4, 2021 Steven Day 70, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away in Rainier, Oregon on June 4th 2021.

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sew, knit, crochet, garden, read, and above all, she loved her family. She loved and walked with the lord.

She was preceded in death by her son Charles George in 1982; and her husband of 56 years, Walter Connors, in 2010.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on June 17, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Clatskanie, Oregon.

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Friday, June 11, 2021

Bikes For Books Winners announced JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Four Clatskanie area kids now have brand new bicycles courtesy of the Clatskanie Masonic Lodge and the children’s efforts to read books.

The Clatskanie Masonic Lodge presented this year’s recipients of the Bikes For Books drawing with their bikes during a ceremony Tuesday morning, June 8, at Clatskanie Elementary School.

The winners from Clatskanie Elementary School are students Quinten May, Audrey Jones, Josa Byrne and Kelen Pinard.

The Masonic Lodge’s Greg Hinkelman told The Chief prior to the presentation that the lodge members

take pride in helping local children through the Bikes For Books program, which he said is an effective way to encouraging local children to read.

“It is an enormously delightful, especially when we have our Bikes for Books drawing. The looks on the students’ faces when their name is announced that they have just won a bike is more gratifying than can be expressed.”

The program has students’ names put into a drawing for every 13 books they read. At the end of the school year, the names of two boys and two girls are drawn to receive a bike. Each student who completes at least 13 books receives a certificate from the Clatskanie Masonic Lodge, where the drawing is held.

• A man of many talents At 4 a.m. Monday, May 24, my friend Jim Dias died.

Jim was a former USDA Food inspector, FFA (Future Farmers of America) teacher, Farmers Home Administrator, Realtor, and Insurance agent. He was also a military man who served both in the Airforce and the Army (He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel).

Jim was a man of many talents.

Courtesy photo

Pictured are the bicycle winners, left to right, Quinten May, Audrey Jones, and Josa Byrne. Not pictured is the other recipient, Kelen Pinard.

Clatskanie Masonic Lodge head Greg Hinkelman stands with the winners.

•V oices

I had the privilege of serving in the military with him and I also shared an adjoining USDA office. I worked for NRCS and he worked for FmHA (Farmers Home Administration).

While I was there, Jim had the highest number of USDA loans with the lowest default rate of any office in Oregon.

Thanks to Jim, a number of people, who might never have had the opportunity, were able to buy a home.

While in the military, he traveled to Europe and Asia and providing training to

of the

both American and foreign militaries. He instructed people in the laws of land warfare and how to treat and deal with civilians, refugees, as well as how rebuild a foreign nation’s infrastructure.

Even in the military, he was a builder, a helper and a person who did his best to try and make the world a little better place.

Jim Dias will be missed.

He was a great person to know and a wonderful friend.

Bill Eagle St. Helens

C ommunity • •

One billion people We keep being told, in articles that appear on the Internet, that the birth rates of industrial nations are trending toward zero growth.

However, after reaching an estimated seven billion people during October, 2011, the planet will have added another billion people to its body of inhabitants before the next year is out. (See the World Population Clock at the Worldometers web site.) That is an

additional one billion people in under twelve years.

If that is the case, then the rate of growth of another billion inhabitants every twelveand-a-half years, since 1986, is increasing in speed - and not slowing down yet. Someone, somewhere, is derelict in their responsibility to bring this monster under control. Defund the United Nations population studies sector.

A Mayan woman with 10 children, who resides in Guatemala, is letting those of her children who want to flee poverty there travel to America, while she remains behind. I

have to agree with the late Pope John Paul II that there is a need for parental responsibility. The violence witnessed on this planet is often to be linked to this causation of the unsustainable increase in mankind.

My guess is that John Paul II understood that parental responsibility trumped his church’s ban on artificial birth control, yet was shackled by an irrational conservative arm of the Catholic Church. What harm has been wrought by that arm.

David Doerr Rainier

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we can still shoot,” Doyle explained. Doyle also lives in Portland, and the show’s host Samara Buscovick— the illustrious derby champion Lady Trample—does as well, for the time being.

The park is also one of the newer and more modern skateparks in the Portland area, according to Doyle.

“It’s just kind of a beautiful, interesting, weird park.”

Originally built in the mid-1990s, the skatepark was remodeled in 2018, completed in 2019, by the Clatskanie Skatepark Committee. Costing shy of $100,000, the committee,

in tandem, with Skatelite— a PNW based skate ramp surface manufacturer— replaced the skatepark’s cover and ramps. The city paid for the new cover and the materials of the new ramps, but Skatelite covered the installation for the city, said Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman.

To use the park, Quad Media and CIB are paying the regular reservation fee to Clatskanie Parks and Rec. When CIB and Quad Media were looking for a skatepark to film in, they had some specific gets on their list, Trample said.

“We wanted something that is going to challenge the skaters but give them the opportunity to show what is possible on quad skates.”

Clatskanie Skatepark fit the bill. “It’s challeng-

ing but still safe,” Trample said of the skatepark. “And there are good opportunities for bigger tricks.”

Most skateparks have bowls that are 10 to 13 feet high, creating high risk for bigger tricks. The Clatskanie skatepark doesn’t break nine feet on its bowls though, Trample explained, so bigger tricks with lower risk are possible.

The premise of the show centers around four skaters, who any Quad skating enthusiast would know: Rochelle Jubert aka Gal of Fray from Oregon (Rose City Rollers), Katie Baird aka Bambi Bloodlust from Iowa, Angel Lopez aka Kid Quad from Colorado, and Leonette from California.

The line-up embodies CIB’s mission, Lady Trample said. “We wanted

The Chief

to create an opportunity for visibility for skaters that identify in different ways,” she explained.

While CIB was originally created to stand for “Chicks in Bowls” (a reference to skatepark bowls), Trample said CIB is “so much more” now.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for visibility for skaters that identify in different ways,” she` said. As a queer woman, Trample says “I didn’t see myself among mostly cis, white, male skaters … I didn’t see a lot of females, and I didn’t see a lot of queer [skaters].”

The skaters set to compete break the molds of the historically white, male, and cis skatepark, Trample and Doyle explained.

“We have a mostly

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women and LGBTQ expansive audience,” Doyle said.

“CIB has the energy of ‘we should be welcomed here too. We’re going to come here as a group and take this by force.’”

By having a cast of skaters that aren’t tokenized, Trample said she hopes the skaters have an “opportunity for them to compete in the show just as themselves” and be judged solely on their wicked skating abilities.

The competition itself is the first generation of its kind, according to Trample.

Quad skating is still fairly under the radar, in terms of competitive sports. The skaters will be given short bursts of time to show off their skills for the judges— Mary Smith aka Kid Ace from Washington and Nick

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the Medic from California (two more judges are yet to be announced)—in a tight hour-long pilot.

“At the end of the day, even though it’s a competition, it’s a celebration of skating, and we want to help grow the sport,” Trample said. “This really is a stepping stone for the skaters and for the sport itself.”

Once the show is filmed, Trample and Doyle hope their pilot will be picked up by a larger platform, but if not, “We will find a way to do it ourselves,” said Trample.

The show will film on June 17 and 18. The public is welcomed to watch from a distance, and between shots, Doyle said local skaters can get a chance to skate with the competitors.

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A5

Marketplace

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

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

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Communicable Disease Intervention Specialist Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 6/29/2021 Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov

Parks Maintenance Worker 1 Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 6/25/2021 Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov

PO Box 307, Clatskanie, OR 97016.

You can also email your resume to warren.cyndi@yahoo. com. If you have any questions, please contact Cyndi at 208-2497144. Resumes will be accepted until 3:00pm on Monday, June 21, 2021.

Enforcement Deputy-Lateral Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 6/15/2021 Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov

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Part-Time Office Manager The Rainier Cemetery District is looking for a Part-Time Office Manager (approximately 2530 hours per week).

Must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a background check.

Duties are, but not limited to; answering phones, meeting with the public, manage maintenance schedule and record keeping. Skills required for this position are, but not limited to; Strong excel and Word, data entry, attention to detail, customer service and the ability to work independently. The position is available approximately July 1.

Please send your resume to: Rainier Cemetery District,

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Public Notices CC21-1470

TS No. OR05000043-20-1 APN 24852 TO No 200506562-OR-MSO TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BEVERLY ANN MITCHELL AND SYKES MITCHELL, WIFE AND HUSBAND as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INS CO as Trustee, in favor of WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. as Beneficiary dated as of December 15, 2008 and recorded on December 19, 2008 as Instrument No. 2008011283 and the beneficial interest was assigned to Nationstar Mortgage LLC DBA Champion Mortgage Company and recorded September 20, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-008688 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 24852 PARCEL 1:BEGINNING AT A POINT THAT IS NORTH 86° 39` WEST 1563.8 FEET FROM THE EAST QUARTER CORNER OF SECTION 10,TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST,WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY,OREGON, SAID POINT BEING ON THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10;THENCE NORTH 86° 39` WEST, ALONG THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10,115 FEET;THENCE SOUTH 3°

21` WEST 325 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE CENTER OF THE NEHALEM RIVER;THENCE EASTERLY, ALONG THE CENTER OF SAID NEHALEM RIVER TO A POINT THAT IS SOUTH 3° 21` WEST FROM THE POINT OF BEGINNING;THENCE NORTH 3° 21`EAST TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.PARCEL 2:BEGINNING AT A POINT THAT IS NORTH 86° 39` WEST 1,563.8 FEET FROM THE EAST QUARTER CORNER OF SECTION 10,TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH,RANGE 4 WEST,WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN,COLUMBIA COUNTY,OREGON,SAID POINT BEING ON THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10;THENCE NORTH 86° 39` WEST, ALONG THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10,115 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;THENCE NORTH 86° 39` WEST, ALONG THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10, 115 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 3° 21` WEST 325 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE CENTER OF THE NEHALEM RIVER; THENCE EASTERLY, ALONG THE

CENTER OF SAID CENTER OF SAID NEHALEM RIVER TO A POINT THAT IS SOUTH 3° 21` WEST FROM THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;THENCE NORTH 3° 21` EAST TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.PARCEL 3:A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS,DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:BEGINNING AT A POINT THAT IS NORTH 86° 39` WEST 1333.8 FEET FROM THE EAST QUARTER CORNER OF SECTION 10, TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST,WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, SAID POINT BEING ON THE EAST AND WEST CENTERLINE OF SAID SECTION 10;THENCE NORTH 86° 39` WEST 230 FEET;THENCE SOUTH 3° 21` WEST 15 FEET;THENCE SOUTH 86° 39` EAST 230 FEET;THENCE NORTH 3° 21` EAST 15 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as: 64505 NEHALEM HWY N, VERNONIA, OR 97064 Both the Beneficiary, Nationstar Mortgage LLC DBA Champion Mortgage Company, 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 move-out by all mortgagors from the property, ceasing to use the property as the principal residence, pursuant to paragraph 7 (B))(I) under the Note, and pursuant to paragraph 9(B) (I) 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 $282,699.18 together with interest thereon from April 19, 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 October 4, 2021 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: May 20, 2021 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Order Number 74888, Pub Dates: 6/11/2021, 6/18/2021, 6/25/2021, 7/2/2021, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

CC21-1476

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON In the Matter of Amending the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1100, Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (PUBLTCATTON) TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS 1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on this matter on June 30, 2021, Wednesday, at or after 10:00 a.m., in a virtually public meeting, held from the Columbia County Courthouse,

located at 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon. Interested parties may attend the virtual meeting room by: Joining from a computer, tablet or smartphone at: https://global. gotomeeting.com/join/357054141 Joining by phone at: United States (Toll Free): 1-866-8994679 Access Code: 357-054141 New to GoToMeeting?

Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global. gotomeeting. com/install/870493693 2. The purpose of the hearing is to consider amendments to the

Columbia County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1100, to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 3.

The proposed amendments will become available for viewing at least seven days prior to the hearing. 4. The proposed amendments, staff report, applicable criteria, application, and comments on this matter submitted to the Board will be available for inspection at: https://www.columbiacountyor. gov/departments/BoardofCommissionersOffice/Hearings or copies of these materials may

be obtained at a reasonable cost upon request at the Board of County Commissioners’ Office, Room 338, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Additional information about the proposed amendments may be obtained from Jacyn Normine at (503) 3974322 ext. 8400. 5. Comments may be submitted to Board of County Commissioners’ Office, Room 338, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 or by email to Jacyn Normine jacyn. normine@columbiacountyor. gov prior to the hearing. 6. Fail-

ure to raise an issue or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Board an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to LUBA based on that issue. 7.

Failure of the applicant to raise constitutional or other issues relating to proposed conditions of approval with sufficient specificity to allow the Board to respond to the issue precludes an action for damages in circuit court. 8. Columbia County does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and will provide reasonable accom-

modations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request accommodations or to review the County’s ADA Policy, please contact the Board of Commissioners office at (503) 397-4322. 9. The hearing will be held according to the procedures established in the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance. DATED this 3rd day of June 2021. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON By Jacyn Normine, Board Office Administrator

CC21-1478

CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT MEETING NOTICE The Clatskanie People’s Utility District Board of Directors has scheduled the next regular Board meeting for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the community room of the District’s administration building located at 495 E Columbia

River Highway, Clatskanie.

A Board Workshop will be held at 5:30 pm. An executive session may be called at the workshop and/or meeting, pursuant to: ORS 192.660 (2) (f) information or records that are exempt by law from public inspec-

tion. AGENDA CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT BOARD WORKSHOP on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. I. 2020 AUDIT REPORT: Keith Simovic and Molly Mulhollen, Moss Adams LLP II. WGA WRAP UP: Barb

Haas, Finance Manager III. POLICY REVIEW: #301 Safety Policy, #315 Short Form Investment Policy, and EH #314 Educational Assistance IV. STAFF REPORTS UPDATE. CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD

MEETING on Wednesday, ACTION ITEMS · Accept the June 16, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. 2020 Audit · Amended NEXT I. PUBLIC COMMENTS MOU · Resolution 21-02 II. CONSENT AGENDA · Disposal of Surplus EquipMinutes of Board Workshop, ment IV. DISCUSSION / May 19, 2021 · Minutes of INFORMATIONAL ITEMS · Regular Board Meeting, May Board Comments & Calendar 19, 2021 · Review payment V. EXECUTIVE SESSION of bills for May 2021 III. VI. ADJOURNMENT Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Public Notices CC21-1464

CC21-1465

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of RICHARD EARL ROBERTSON, Deceased. Case No. 21PB03379 NOTICE TO INTERESETED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are

required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at Roberta M. Greene, 77484 Erickson Dike Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by

the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyer for the personal representative, John P. Salisbury, 560 NE F. St., Suite A, No. 251, Grants Pass, OR 97526. Dated and first published on May 28, 2021. Roberta M. Greene, Personal Representative.

CC21-1479

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of JAMES EDWARD ROBINSON, Deceased. No. 21PB03913 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate.

All persons having claims

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

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published May 28, 2021.

Cory P. Robinson, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC21-1480 FORM ED-1

NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING

A public meeting of the Clatskanie School District #6JK will be held on June 21, 2021 at 5:30 pm on Zoom. The link is available on the district website www.csd.k12.or.us. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 as approved by the Clatskanie School District Budget Committee. A summary of the budget is presented below. A copy of the budget may be inspected or obtained at 660 SW Bryant, Clatskanie, OR between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or online at www.csd.k12.or.us. This budget is for an annual budget period. This budget

Contact: Mark Bergthold, Business Manager

Telephone: 503.728.0587

TOTAL OF ALL FUNDS Beginning Fund Balance Current Year Property Taxes, other than Local Option Taxes Current Year Local Option Property Taxes Other Revenue from Local Sources Revenue from Intermediate Sources Revenue from State Sources Revenue from Federal Sources Interfund Transfers All Other Budget Resources Total Resources

Email: mbergthold@csd.k12.or.us

FINANCIAL SUMMARY - RESOURCES Actual Amount Last Year 2019-20 $1,216,250 4,227,003 0 788,437 85,034 5,293,354 572,841 455,000 50,000 $12,687,919

Adopted Budget This Year 2020-21 $988,695 4,495,404 0 575,300 105,178 5,728,113 1,376,325 647,673 50,000 $13,966,688

FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS BY OBJECT CLASSIFICATION Salaries $5,086,017 Other Associated Payroll Costs 3,461,403 Purchased Services 845,916 Supplies & Materials 561,553 Capital Outlay 34,584 Other Objects (except debt service & interfund transfers) 334,474 Debt Service* 776,642 Interfund Transfers* 455,000 Operating Contingency 0 Unappropriated Ending Fund Balance & Reserves 0 $11,555,589 Total Requirements

Approved Budget Next Year 2021-22 $915,448 4,464,033 0 786,300 31,000 12,706,768 1,111,380 548,107 10,000,000 $30,563,036

$5,387,642 3,578,141 1,094,755 1,307,094 273,443 179,950 926,109 647,673 571,881 0 $13,966,688

$6,286,438 3,745,959 1,195,540 958,019 15,808,993 148,120 942,288 601,869 875,810 0 $30,563,036

FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS AND FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) BY FUNCTION 1000 Instruction $5,942,261 $6,473,796 $7,339,946 FTE 63.42 65.52 71.83 2000 Support Services 3,963,649 4,820,634 4,997,980 FTE 30.59 33.87 33.34 3000 Enterprise & Community Service 418,036 496,498 583,487 FTE 5.06 5.12 5.12 4000 Facility Acquisition & Construction 0 166,650 16,007,200 FTE 0 0 0 5000 Other Uses 5100 Debt Service* 776,642 789,556 758,185 5200 Interfund Transfers* 455,000 647,673 548,107 6000 Contingency 0 571,881 328,131 0 0 0 7000 Unappropriated Ending Fund Balance Total Requirements $11,555,588 $13,966,688 $30,563,036 Total FTE 99.07 104.51 110.29 * not included in total 5000 Other Uses. To be appropriated separately from other 5000 expenditures.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACTIVITIES and SOURCES OF FINANCING ** In Function 1111, two elementary teachers will be added using ESSER funds. In Function 1100, two PE teachers will be added and funded with SIA funds. In Function 1250, one special education teacher will be added using SIA funds. In Function 2660, one technology support position funded with ESSER funds.

Permanent Rate Levy (Rate Limit __________ per $1,000) Local Option Levy Levy For General Obligation Bonds

PROPERTY TAX LEVIES Rate or Amount Imposed To be determined To be determined To be determined

Rate or Amount Imposed

Rate or Amount Approved

STATEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS Estimated Debt Outstanding Estimated Debt Authorized, But on July 1 Not Incurred on July 1 $0 $10,000,000 General Obligation Bonds $359,620 $0 Other Borrowings (LED) $305,015 $160,000 Other Borrowings (Bus Lease) $664,635 $10,160,000 Total ** If more space is needed to complete any section of this form, insert lines (rows) on this sheet. You may delete blank lines.

LONG TERM DEBT

CC21-1477

CC21-1466

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J will hold a Board meeting, Monday, June 14, 2021, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom and in person at the Old Middle School Gym,

•

660 SW Bryant St. Please see our website at www.csd.k12. or.us on the main page for directions to join the zoom meeting. The agenda includes but is not limited to: Superin-

tendent and Principal’s reports, financial report, and the consent agenda. Please see our website for an official agenda.

The public is encouraged to attend.

•C rossword P uzzle • •

Sealed bids for the City of Clatskanie, SW Bel-Air Drive Pavement Overlay, will be received by the City of Clatskanie until 3:00 PM, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Bids shall be addressed to Mr. Greg Hinkelman, City Manager, 75 South Nehalem Street, P.O. Box 9, Clatskanie, OR 97016. At 3:00 PM. Bids will be opened and read aloud in the City Hall Council Chambers, Clatskanie, OR. The project consists generally of selected areas of asphalt grinding and repair and pavement overlay on Bel-Air Drive for the City of Clatskanie, in Columbia County, Oregon.

Plans and specifications are available for review at the City of Clatskanie’s administrative offices, located at 75 South Nehalem Street, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, telephone number: (503) 728-2622. No bids shall be considered unless the Bidder is registered with the Construc-

tion Contractors Board as required by ORS 671.530. To be considered, bids must follow bidding instructions including but not limited to completion of bidding forms provided, and accompanied by a 10% bid security in favor of the City of Clatskanie. Each bidder must indicate in the space provided on the Bid Proposal whether they are a Resident or NonResident Bidder, pursuant to ORS 270.029. The successful bidder will be required to possess a current Clatskanie City Business License before finalizing the Contract Agreement with the City. No bid shall be received or considered unless the bid contains a statement by the Bidder that the provisions of ORS 279.350 and Oregon Prevailing Wage Rates will be complied with if the amount of the bid equals or exceeds $50,000. Oregon prevailing wage rates, published by the

Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, are available on-line at www.oregon.gov/BOLI. Within two (2) working hours after the date and time of the bid opening, the bidder shall submit to the City of Clatskanie a disclosure of the first tier subcontractors, pursuant to ORS 279C.370. Failure to submit the first-tier subcontractor list will constitute a non-responsive bid. If there is no first-tier subcontractors mark “NONE” on the submittal. The City of Clatskanie reserves the right to reject any or all bids not in compliance with all prescribed bidding procedures and requirements, may reject for good cause any and all bids upon a finding of the agency it is in the public interest to do so, and may waive all informalities.

No bidder may withdraw or modify his bid prior to the lapse of thirty (30) days after the bid opening.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SUPERHEROES ACROSS 1. Golf club handle 5. Aviation safety agency 8. Although, for short 11. “Give me your tired, your ____....”

12. Homecoming guest 13. PhD in Great Britain 15. Legendary NFL quarterback Graham 16. Like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard 17. Propelled like Argo 18. *Batman’s romantic interest 20. Wildebeests 21. Use the other end of a pencil 22. Cherry middle 23. *Thor’s weapon 26. Brays like a donkey 30. Another word for Tokyo 31. Makes a sum (2 words) 34. *Like The Joker 35. Without self-control 37. Black gold 38. Buddy 39. Site of Leaning Tower 40. Canvas ceiling fan 42. *____man, one of original X-Men 43. Comes to the fore 45. *____ Woman, first female in

the Justice Society of America 47. “Rub A Dub Dub” vessel 48. Paralysis-causing disease, for short 50. Smoothie berry 52. *a.k.a. the Caped Crusader 55. “Encore!”

56. Pupil’s place 57. Like Arizona in summer 59. *Ben Grimm of “It’s clobberin’ time!” fame, with The 60. Eyeglasses glass 61. Buggy terrain 62. Gingerbread creation 63. *Superhero creator, Stan ____ 64. Eurasian duck DOWN 1. Government Printing Office 2. Campus military acronym 3. Letter before kappa 4. For the time being, Latin (2 words) 5. Basic drumming pattern, pl.

6. Saints’ crowns 7. End of grace 8. Through, for short 9. Hie, third person singular 10. Not new or borrowed or blue 12. “All ____!”

13. Motherless calf

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

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

14. *Wakanda’s Black ____ 19. Make havoc 22. Coach’s locker room speech 23. Oodles 24. ____ one, on a pass 25. *Mighty ____ 26. *Known to say: “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry” 27. Steer clear 28. Grimace in pain 29. More cunning 32. Make pretty, two words 33. Break a commandment 36. *America’s title 38. Vienna Boys’ group 40. Public house, for short 41. Devoid of reverence 44. Seeking damages 46. Wondering ones 48. Put through a blender 49. Offer two cents 50. Turkish honorific 51. Jealous biblical brother 52. Perfect houseplant spot 53. Bob ____, famous boxing promoter 54. Cat o’how many tails?

55. Cash dispenser 58. Morning condensation

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, June 11, 2021

A7

State issues pyramid scheme alert STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo from Columbia County

Columbia County Corrections work crew member Ross Clark cuts grass beyond a gravestone that dates back to 1919.

Corrections crew cleans up cemeteries STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Columbia County’s cemeteries are seeing new life thanks to the efforts of the Columbia County Corrections work crew and the work is having a big impact on the offenders now tending to the grounds, according to those involved in the project.

About five months ago, the Rainier Cemetery District was scrambling to find new ways to keep the grass cut, according to Columbia County Community Service Coordinator David Brooke. The usual landscaper was soon to retire, leaving uncertain the responsibility for maintaining 13 cemeteries and the more than 13,000 gravestones they contain across Columbia County.

“That’s when we stepped in,” Brooke said, explaining a member from the cemetery district’s board reached out after seeing the work crew in action at one of the many parks they help maintain.

“They were in some rough shape.”

Digging in Two-year work crew supervisor Jeremy Kaufman said he found many of the gravestones overgrown.

Debris and garbage littered the cemeteries’ landscape, along with downed tree limbs from high winds and invasive blackberry bushes reclaiming portions of the properties.

The work crew initially pitched in for free as a part of the nonprofit work it is able to do outside of the usual contracts maintaining parks and trails for the City of St. Helens, the Port of Columbia County and other agencies. But, Brooke said, they weren’t able to give the

district enough time for the work that was truly required to bring the cemeteries back into shape.

Kaufman found out about their landscaper retiring and stepped up to ask if this was something they could take off the district’s hands until they found a replacement. Brooke said he thought their crew had impressed the district, and so their newly contracted work began in April.

“We started at the top of Rainier Hill and just slowly worked our way through the rest of the cemeteries of Columbia County,” Kaufman said. “Just cleaning them up and respecting the dead.”

Worker benefits Beyond the benefit to the cemeteries, Brooke and Kaufman both agree the work has had a discernible impact on the offenders themselves.

These offenders are not in custody and come to the work crew through several different streams. Some are paying off court fines, while others have been assigned a certain number of hours by the courts for crimes they’ve committed within Columbia County, perhaps through parole or probation.

Normally, their work sees them maintaining parks and Kaufman said they typically want to come in and get the day over with - it’s menial work to them, he said. But the work at the cemeteries is a bit more consuming because they are more often working with the equipment that requires headphones to protect their hearing.

“So, you can’t hear or see much, and they’re reading the headstones,” Kaufman said.

“They’re noticing families, they’re noticing a lot of these are overgrown and no one is taking care of them - some-

one the other day mentioned seeing a headstone of someone that was three years old and they asked to take a minute and step aside. There’s a lot of recognition of, ‘Oh, we did a good job today. We’re bettering our community.’”

Ross Clark, who came to the work crew by way of probation to pay off supervision fees, said he found the work unexpected.

“We usually clean up overgrown areas like at the Scappoose Airport or McCormick Park,” Clark said. “This is really different. It’s kind of sad. Their names are overgrown. If I had a relative here I wouldn’t even be able to find their gravestone the way it is now. Someone will appreciate this. If I were buried here, I’d appreciate not being buried and forgotten.”

Kaufman said he regularly sees the work crew take extra time to clean moss and other growth away from the gravestones, and none of their work requires the usual motivation the parks do.

Brooke said it’s something they can take pride in while building life skills to prepare them for moving on in life.

“These are all people who have gotten into some kind of trouble in Columbia County,” Kaufman said. “And when you’re at a hard point in your life, it’s easy to get off track.

Things happen quick in life, and this is kind of a reminder of that.”

For more information about the Rainier Cemetery District, visit: www.rainiercemeterydistrict.com.

For more information about Columbia County’s Community Justice Programs for Adults, visit: www. columbiacountyor.gov/departments/CommunityJustice/ community-justice-programsfor-adults.

Celebrating Clatskanie Businesses JUNE 4TH TO JULY 4TH

The Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Days Committee invite you to join us in supporting local businesses with special deals from June 4th – July 4th!

Check out these special offers: • Bundy’s: Free Dessert (kids under 13 baby cone and adults a special sundae) with meal purchase on orders of four or more • Clatskanie Builders Supply: Featured special kits for purchase including Marshmallow Gun, Herb Garden Kit, and Industrial Shelf Kit • Clatskanie River Inn: Four Swim Passes for $10 • Clatskanie Tan: $10 off a Monthly Red Light or Tanning Package • Colvins: Family Taco Package 12 pork tacos for $20 or Adult Special 6 pork tacos and 2 margaritas for $20 • Conestoga: 4 Cheese Burgers and French Fry family meal for $25 • Flowers N Fluff: Free Bag of Chips with sandwich purchase • Jo’s Country Market: Fruit and Veggie Box for $30 The Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Days Committee have teamed up to support local business in lieu of our normal Heritage Days celebration. Visit any participating business (just ask if the business participates when visiting) to get a Drawing Entry Card and your first signature on the card, then visit 7 more participating Clatskanie businesses for signatures. When all 8 boxes have been completed, turn your card in at Wauna Credit Union or Clatskanie PUD and start your venture all over again! No purchase necessary.

Cards must be turned in by 5 pm on Tuesday, July 6th for the prize drawing.

Prizes:

Grand Prize Package: Traeger Grill from Clatskanie Rural Fire District along with Seasonings and Sauces from Clatskanie Parks and Recreation District Pool Party – Clatskanie Parks & Recreation District Emergency Prep Kit – Clatskanie PUD 1 Night Free Stay – Clatskanie River Inn Cora Bee’s Skincare Basket – Megan Evenson Gift Basket – Farmhouse Coffee

$50 Gift Card – Fultano’s Pizza Hair Cut & Product Package – Megan Hicks The Hair Place Pedicure Gift Package – Kendra Poor The Hair Place $100 Gift Card – Hidden Treasures Within Gift Basket – Johnson Feed Spa Basket – Mann Mortgage $25 Gift Card – Scotty’s Antiques and Thrift $15 Gift Card – Singing Dog Jewelry Basket of Summer Fun – Umpqua Bank Gift Basket – Wauna Credit Union

The more cards you complete and turn in, the better your chances are to win these graciously donated prizes from our local businesses!

The pyramid scheme has a new look and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning consumers to steer clear.

Gifting clubs, such as Death Row, are illegal pyramid schemes that are scamming several Oregonians, according to a division release.

The Death Row gifting club, not associated with Death Row Records, was operating in Oregon last year. It advertised on social media and in online forums as a community wealth share group. More than 20 Oregonians lost their initial $1,400 investments.

The Death Row gifting scheme promised financial returns of at least $9,000.

The division was alerted to the scheme when an Oregonian reported not receiving anything in return for their $1,400 investment.

The investment was not registered with the division and no one was licensed to sell investments in Death Row. Victims invested their money using a cloud-based payment platform and communicated with others about the investment during online forums for the Death Row program.

The division is still investigating the Death Row gift club. Anyone who has information about the scheme or was a victim of it are asked to contact the Division of Financial Regulation Advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).

“If someone invites you to join a gifting club, just say no to their high-pressure tactics and stories of high earnings,” Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Administrator TK Keen said. “The simple reality is that only a few people profit from these schemes at the expense of everyone

Courtesy photo

The Death Row gifting club was first spotted in operating in Oregon in 2020. It advertised on social media and in online forums as a community wealth share group. More than 20 Oregonians lost their initial $1,400 investments.

else who ultimately lose their investments.”

Gifting club schemes are similar to pyramid schemes because no new money is created. Members of the scheme encourage friends, family, and co-workers to give gifts of cash to higher ranking members. The only way for a person to recover the initial investment is to bring new members into the scheme.

The division’s tips to spot an illegal gifting scheme • Promises of cash, gifts, or electronic payments via mail, email, or social media • The primary focus is to recruit new investors – no goods or services are being sold • No written agreements and the promoters boast about high earnings of a few people Oregonians are encouraged to contact the Division of Financial Regulation’s consumer advocacy team if they spot a gifting scheme or believe they are a victim of one. Advocates can be reached at 888-877-4894 (toll-free), email dfr.financialserviceshelp@oregon. gov, or by visiting dfr.oregon. gov.

The division warns • Do not become a victim of an illegal gifting scheme • Be skeptical about investment opportunities • Avoid giving your personal information to strangers • And remember – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is For more information about investments and protecting yourself from investment fraud, visit the division’s avoid investment fraud page.

About DCBS The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs. oregon.gov.

About Oregon DFR The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs. oregon.gov and dfr.oregon. gov/Pages/index.aspx

Change of command at Astoria STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The U.S. Coast Guard in Astoria is celebrating a change of command of Coast Guard Cutter Alert (WMEC 630).

“It has been a privilege to lead the Alert crew over the last two years,” Cmdr.

Tyson Scofield said during the ceremony Friday, June 4, at Astoria. “Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, maintenance on a 52 year old cutter, or the stormy conditions of the Pacific Northwest, this crew continuously rose to occasion to safely and successfully execute our missions.”

Rear Admiral Peter Gautier, deputy commander

COVID-19

From Page A1

campaign through the summer, in order to prevent the scenario Paul warned about.

Earlier this month, the county launched the public awareness campaign in an effort to increase the vaccination rate. A drivethrough clinic was set up last week in Clatskanie and immunizations are continuing at various other locations across the county, including the mass vaccination site at the OHSU Scappoose Clinic.

For more information about vaccinations, contact Columbia County Public Health at 503-397-7247.

Gov. Brown’s reopening outline Gov. Kate Brown said that Oregon could be fully reopened by June 21, if the state can maintain its current COVID-19 vaccination rate.

As of June 9, 67% of Oregonians 18 years old and older have been vaccinated. Brown earlier had set a 70% vaccination goal statewide to be met by the end of June.

“Thanks to all of you we are getting close to fully reopening our economy and moving out of this chapter of the pandemic,” Brown said during a news briefing June 4.

U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, presided over the ceremony where Cmdr.

Matthew Kolodica relieved Cmdr. Scofield as Alert’s commanding officer.

Following his command of Alert, Scofield will report to the Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington, D.C. Kolodica’s reports to the Alert from the Coast Guard’s Maritime Force Protection Program office in Washington, D.C. The change of command ceremony is a historic military tradition representing the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another.

The event reinforces the

continuity of command and provides an opportunity to celebrate the crew’s accomplishments.

Commissioned August 4, 1969, Alert was the last 210-foot medium endurance cutter built. Alert’s crew conduct search and rescue missions, counterdrug operations and enforce local, state, and federal fisheries legislation in support of the Coast Guard’s living marine resources mission. The crew operates from the Maritime Boundary Line in the North Pacific between Russia and the United States down to international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Alert is one of two 210foot medium endurance cutters homeported in Astoria.

Brown said the vaccinaState focus shifting tions have led to a sharp decline in COVID-19 case Brown said the state counts and hospitalizations. is now shifting its focus In Brown’s outline of on emergency response to fully reopening Oregon, pandemic recovery to move she said there would be forward with the support of no more capacity limits health care providers, and for businesses. Masks public health with the rewould largely no longer be sources to manage outbreaks required by the state with locally. the exception of places that “I want to be very clear,” the federal government Brown said. “We are able to has outlined that are still reopen because of the advonecessary, such as airports, cacy of the vaccine. For those public transit and health of you who are vaccinated care settings, and no more you have helped us reach this requirements for physical point and you are protected distancing. from this virus.”

“By in large we will be Oregon Health Authorable to return to the activiity Director Pat Allen said ties and traditions we have Oregonians who have been missed for more than a vaccinated can now move year, (such as) 4th of July forward. barbecues, eating popcorn “The data clearly shows if in movie theaters, or getyou are fully vaccinated you ting a beer after work at can put the pandemic behind the local brewery with your you and you’ll have peace of friends. Restaurants and mind if you are exposed to bars will be able to have a someone who has COVID, full house,” Brown said. you won’t have to be quaranThe governor also said tined,” he said. she expected that K-12 While Allen said he beschools will return to full lieves that the state can make time in-person instruction the June 30 target date of in the fall and that child 70% vaccination, but it is gocare settings will be able to ing to take a lot of hard work meet the needs of Oregon’s to get there. families.

“There are really two “Because children are pandemics, not one,” he said. not yet eligible for vaccina- “One is dying out among tions, there may be some people who are vaccinated, health and safety measures the other is one that still ragthat need to stay in place ing among those who are not for those types of educavaccinated.” tional settings,” Brown said. “But again, Oregon’s Follow developments at primary school instruction thechiefnews.com and in the will be in the classroom Friday print editions of The five days a week this fall.”

Chief.

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A8

Friday, June 11, 2021

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Oregon facing dangerous wildfire season

Courtesy illustrations from National Interagency Fire Center

These illustrations show the significant wildfire potential for June, July, and August.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Oregon is moving into a more dangerous and more intense wildfire season complicated by the state’s continued and deepening drought.

That is the overall assessment presented during a media briefing Thursday afternoon, June 3, conducted

by Gov. Kate Brown’s staff and that included a number of state agency representatives.

“We are seeing longer duration and more complex fires,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are looking at fires in a different way this year and there is significant concern of the fires we are seeing and where these fires are.”

Much of Oregon is facing abnormal drought conditions, according to Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Protection Chief Doug Grafe.

“Continued drought conditions persist and weather conditions are complicating the drought,” Grafe said.

“Over the next three months temperatures are projected to be above normal and precipitation below normal through

August and September.”

The official May-June-July forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center shows higher chances of above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for most of the region, which indicates that drought conditions are likely to get worse in the coming months.

The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook shows higher chances of wildfire potential east of the Cascade crest throughout Oregon and in southwest Washington by June and July, according to NOAA. According to the latest water outlook report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, nearly all reservoirs in the Klamath Basin are storing less than 50% capacity, and basin streamflows are expected to run between 8% to 49% through the summer.

In addition to the worsening impacts already being felt across the region, there is also the potential for dry conditions to impact drinking

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Department of Transportation

The 2020 Oregon wildfires swept though entire communities leaving a wide path of devastation and destruction.

water, endangered species and wetland ecosystems, and fire danger, the NOAA report states.

Grafe said Oregon has already experienced 300 fires this year which is well above normal.

Comparing the devastating wildfires that spread across the state last year, Grafe said the 2020 event was an ailment of natural forces that was unprecedented.

“Any weather event that will be close to that, such as dry lightning, will put us at significant risk,” he said.

Oregon Office of Emer-

gency Management Director Andrew Phelps said the state is quickly ramping up its coordinated efforts for the wildfire season, which includes coordinated responses for transportation, mass care, health and medical, sheltering, law enforcement and military support.

The state has also worked with Oregon counties providing mass communication systems to alert the public of emergencies, such as wildfires, and to help coordinate survival efforts.

But when questioned by a reporter about the apparent

ineffectiveness of such a mass communication system in Jackson County, Phelps acknowledged that no system is perfect.

“These systems rely on humans and mechanical systems,” he said. “Every county needs to take that responsibility seriously and make sure their staff are trained for such systems.”

Phelps said every Oregonian can take steps now to reduce the wildfire risks.

“I am asking every Oregonian to plan being a disaster survivor,” he said. “Disasters are inevitable but there are things that we can do to reduce our individual risks, our families risks and the risks to our communities.”

Using a graphic during the Zoom media briefing, Phelps outlined a plan to be ready.

Reduce risk • Prevention • Prepare Your Home • Know Before You Go Prepare • Have a plan and practice • Pack your go-bag

• Know how and where to evacuate Stay Informed • Sign up for alerts • Follow trusted social media accounts • Community resources Both Grafe and RuizTemple agreed that the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) new temporary rules allowing utilities to switch off power during wildfires to protect the public and property are important.

“The power companies are engaging more with the state’s coordination system and the decision to turn off power is the responsibility of the power companies,” Grafe said.

“I see that (the PUC rules) as a good movement,” RuizTemple said. “Senate Bill 762 speaks specially to the PUC response and how they engage.

There needs to be a process.”

Ruiz-Temple said the state has made investments in responses, risk reductions and resilience, including implementing the governor’s wildfire council’s recommendations and 2021 legislation.