TCC626

9th Annual 2020 Columbia County

Business

Guide FREE

Rent relief

Columbia County Business Guide

Published by The Chronicle & The Chief

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

Page 5

The Chief

$1

VOL. 129, NO. 7

Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

$650,000 pool renovation on hold continue through the pandemic and government-mandated Stay at Home orders.

The timeline for the project is still to be determined.

“Once a contractor has been awarded the bid, they will be able to give us a better timeline for the start of this project,” Warren said.

“The bulk of the project will begin when the pool closes for the season in September.”

The bid specifications give the contractor until April 30, 2021 to begin the project, Warren said.

Through it all, Warren said she and the board recognize the value of the pool and hope to complete the project.

“Whether it is kids being taught to swim, gathering with their family and friends for rec swim or hiring approximately 20 high school and college age kids for summer employment; we believe that the Clatskanie Swimming Pool is our little ‘jewel’ of this community and we are going to give a ‘shine’.”

Warren said.

CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

A $650,000 renovation for the popular Clatskanie Pool is on hold and the pool remains closed but pool operators are hopeful they might be able to offer limited swimming opportunities this summer.

Clatskanie Park and Recreation board member Cyndi Warren oversees the pool at 346 NE 5th Street. She said staff and the board are working hard to open in phases for swimming lessons, lap swims, and water exercise. Before any of that can happen, Warren said much required training for staff and protocols for the public will have to take place due to the state’s social distancing requirements.

Warren said during the regular open season during the summer, the pool sees approximately 3,000 patrons a month.

“Sadly, we will not be be able to offer recreation (open) swimming this summer,” Warren said, adding that there is not yet an official opening date.

During the regular season, the pool offered swimming lessons at approximately $25 per session, recreational swims at $4 per day or $65 for a seasonal pass, and rentals with prices varied based on number of people and hours at the facility.

The pool is 90-feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 125,000 gallons of water.

Renovations The $650,000 pool renovations

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Fast Fact The Clatskanie Pool is 90feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 125,000 gallons of water.

Members of the Clatskanie Synchronize Swim Team demonstrated a routine at the Clatskanie Swimming Pool for this photo from 2016. A $600,000 renovation at the pool is on hold, but limited swim activity at the facility could resume soon.

had been tentatively scheduled to be done earlier this year. The pool, built in 1958, needs resurfacing, replacement of the old tile gutter system with a stainless steel gutter system which will require less maintenance, according to Warren. Also planned is removal of the wading pool and replacing it with a splash pad and replacing the

current boiler and filtration system with updated, more efficient systems.

The cost of renovations is to be funded through the city’s Scout Lake Funds, a special fund set aside through the city of Clatskanie that is collected through the city’s timber revenue.

Warren said the main reason the

work has not yet begun is not because of the pandemic, but because of the bidding process. A contractor is still needed to be hired to do the renovations.

“The bidding process is a long and arduous process, but happens primarily through phone calls or emails,” Warren said, meaning the bidding process has been able to

The Chief is closely following the reopening of the Clatskanie Pool and the pending renovation project. Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

Rerouting Rainier Days Parade “This is a bit different route. We spread it out so people could still follow the state’s social distancing requirements.”

Elements of the parade were still being solicited through the Rainier Days website, rainierdaysinthepark.com. There is no charge to enter the parade.

“We are seeking floats and people decorating their vehicles,” Cole said. “There is no entry that is too small or too big.”

Long-time community resident and local sports supporter Loyed Rea will be the parade’s Grand Marshal.

“The is a celebration of Rainier,” Cole said. “It is designed to provide some sort of joy to the city within the state’s social distancing guidelines.”

Rainer Days, a three day event is normally held the weekend after the fourth of July.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

This photo from the 2017 Rainier Days Parade shows the spirit of the event and the large crowd attending.

Chief photo

Even though the full annual Rainier Days has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit of the community celebration will live on through a downsized parade at noon Saturday, July 11.

“We felt bad that we had to cancel the Rainier Days because of the pandemic,” Rainier Days Committee member Jerry Cole said. “But we felt we could still celebrate Rainier by having a parade. It’s all sidewalk-based and we felt people would be able to spread out along the revised parade route to keep social distancing.”

Instead of traveling straight down ‘A’ Street in Rainier, the route of the parade has been shifted to start on East 4th Street to East C Street to 1st Street to A Street West ending in the area of the boat launch.

“The original route is usually packed with people,” Cole said.

Rainier Days Parade 12 p.m. Saturday, June 11.

To enter, visit rainierdaysinthepark.com

Mural winner announced CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

A winner for the first new mural in Clatskanie has been announced.

Mark Kenny’s artwork has been chosen as the winning design to be placed on the large wall of the former Hazen Hardware building facing Highway 30.

Obituaries............A3 Market Place........A3 Public Notices......A3 Opinions...............A4

Kenny submitted his design after a call for submissions was released on April 1 of this year.

Kenny, who is from Seaside, a part of Clatsop County, said he heard about the mural competition through a friend who lives in Clatskanie.

His design for the mural is called “Homeward Bound” and features Chinook Salmon swimming up a river to go and spawn.

“It reflects the ecology, the environment, just the area in general, what it’s known for,” Kenny said.

Kenny grew up in Bedford, Massachusetts, and said when he moved to the West Coast, he was struck by the vibrancy of colors he saw.

“When I came out here, I couldn’t believe how vibrant the colors were. It was so green, I couldn’t get over it,” Kenny said. “It really inspired me, everything; the beach, the marine life, the wildlife.”

“Homeward Bound” represents the community, and the way the fish always go back to where they were spawned, according to Kenny.

“They have a purpose and that purpose is to continue on and reproduce. Having your roots is kind

Photo courtesy of Mark Kenny

This is an image of what the mural will look like on the side of the former Hazen Hardware building on Nehalem Street.

of important,” Kenny said. “A lot of people leave and never realize how good they have it and a lot of people end up going back.”

While Clatskanie is known for being a logging town, Kenny said fishing is also important to the area, and the fish swimming upstream would be a better depiction of life in this town.

“It’s their journey, but it’s life too. Life is a journey, never seen

a fish give up, have you? They’re fighters. Kind of like the people in the northwest,” Kenny said.

Kenny started honing his skills as an artist beginning at the age of five.

“I was pretty much self-taught,” he said. “Used to go to the library and get the books I could and copy all the drawings.”

He became a professional artist at the age of 17, when he did his

­­­­

first show. He continued to paint through the years. A few years ago, he was commissioned to do a sculpture in Warrenton as a memorial for soldiers. The entire sculpture is about 14 feet tall and is next to the post office in Warrenton, Kenny said.

Kenny’s style involves using See MURAL Page A3

A2

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, June 26, 2020

$250,000 relief grant available to small businesses STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Local small businesses could soon see a share of $250,000 as relief from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts.

Columbia County Economic Team (CCET), Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (Col-Pac) and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners have announced the immediate opening of a grant fund to directly benefit small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Oregon Legislature, in partnership with Governor Kate Brown and Business Oregon, has allocated $150,000 in state funds, and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners has allo-

cated $100,000 –a combined total of $250,000 -- for the purpose of providing direct financial assistance to small businesses and non-profit organizations in Columbia County that have been adversely affected by economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information and applications are available for download at smallbizhub. columbiacountyoregon.com All applications are due by midnight, Friday July 3, 2020.

According to the state program providing the matching funds, small businesses and some non-profits are eligible if they are: • In Columbia County • Also registered in Oregon • Current/compliant on taxes

• Adversely impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.

• 25 or fewer employees as of February 29, 2020.

• 50% or more reduction to sales as a result of the COVID -19 crisis.

• Have not received federal financial funding relief through the CARES Act of 2020 • Federally registered 5019(c)(3) non-profits “Our county board of commissioners originally seeded this grant fund and we were fortunate to successfully receive matching funds from the state through a collaborative effort with Col-Pac,” CCET Interim Executive Director Paul Vogel said. “This is critical, flexible money that business owners can put to immediate

use in adapting their business, retaining employees, any number of things that will help them navigate, reopen, stay open and begin to recover.”

“We are pleased to work with Business Oregon, the County and CCET to make these funds available to our small businesses in Columbia County,” Col-Pac executive director Mary McArthur said.

We hope that these grants as well as other important services will help our business owners and communities continue to find their footing through this public health and economic crisis.”

Eligible applications will be reviewed for potential funding and notified if a grant award will be made.

Grant checks are expected to be available by July 31.

Courtesy photo

Eligible applications will be reviewed for potential funding and notified if a grant award from the $250,000 will be made. Grant checks are expected to be available by July 31.

Multiple agencies issue fireworks advisory STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net

The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), the Oregon Fire Service, natural resource agencies, Oregon licensed fireworks wholesalers, and safety experts are asking Oregonians to “keep it legal and keep it safe” when using all fireworks.

The 2020 Oregon fireworks retail sales season opened June 23 and runs through July 6. The OSFM and its partners want everyone to know what fireworks are legal to use in Oregon without a permit, where they are allowed to be used, and how to use fireworks safely.

“In Oregon, consumer legal fireworks can only be purchased from permitted fireworks retailers and stands,” State Fire Marshal Jim Walker said. “State regulations limit where those fireworks may be used. Starting

in July, risks for wildfire in many parts of Oregon will be high. Fireworks can also start structural fires that threaten lives and property, as we have seen in past years.”

Residents who plan to visit public lands and parks for the July Fourth holiday are asked to leave all fireworks at home. The use of fireworks is prohibited in national parks and forests, on Bureau of Land Management lands, on U.S. Fish and Wildlife properties, on state beaches, in state parks, and in state campgrounds.

For residents who purchase legal fireworks, the OSFM encourages everyone to practice the four Bs of safe fireworks use: • Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.

• Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.

• Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.

• Be aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.

Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of

Rainier man charged in kidnapping case STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

New details have emerged in a violent kidnapping case involving a Rainier man.

James Donald Cooley, 59, had originally been arETERSEN LARKELLC LLC ETERSEN LARKE rested in late May and faced multiple criminal charges AA ttintt oo rr nn ee yy ss what authorities called an (503) 556-4120 556-4120 abduction.

(503) According to court documents released Friday, June Columbia County’s Premier Premier 19, Cooley is Columbia alleged to haveCounty’s traveled from his home in Injury Personal Injury Attorneys Attorneys Personal Rainier to his ex-girlfriend’s James Cooley sedd in in OOrreego gonn && W W shin ingto gtonn LLi icceennse aash home in Ilwalco without notice or invitation early May Columbia County Sheriff’s 18. He parked his vehicle Office and reported the on the side of Highway 101 incident. Sheriff deputies near her home. Cooley apresponded and later arrested proached his ex-girlfriend Cooley. and a confrontation ensued.

Cooley made his initial He grabbed her by her appearance in federal court arms, tied her hands together Friday, June 19, before U.S. with zip ties, and began pullETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC Magistrate Judge Stacie F. ing her toward the highway.

A t t o r n e y s Beckerman.

Cooley was A t t o r n e y s Cooley drug his ex-girlfriend ordered detained pending a couple hundred feet to his 556-4120 (503) (503) 556-4120 further proceedings. vehicle, put a knife to her The case was investigated throat, shoved her into the by the Columbia County Accidents •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death Accidents •Personal •Wrongful Death backseat, and began driving Injury Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. back to Rainier.

Gregory R. Nyhus, AssisWhen Cooley arrived at Until No Fee Fee Until Recovery No Recovery tant U.S. Attorneys for the his residence, his sister, who District Oregon, is the gonn && W Waash shin ingto gtoof also lives in Rainier, spotOOrreego nn prosecuting attorney. ted Cooley’s ex-girlfriend A criminal complaint FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION CONSULTATION FREE INITIAL at his residence.

Cooley’s is only an accusation of a sister confronted them and crime, and a defendant is the ex-girlfriend told her that presumed innocent unless Cooley was going to kill her. and until proven guilty.

Cooley’s sister contacted the Domestic violence is a

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serious violent crime that includes both physical and emotional abuse, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Portland.

It is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members and communities.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have developed support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.

any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground, without a permit issued by the OSFM. Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon, without a permit.

For the last reported

five years through 2019, there were 1,173 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon, resulting in more than $4.9 million in property loss and contents damage. During that same period, fires resulting from fireworks resulted in one death and 36 injuries.

The data from structural fire agencies do not include incidents that occurred on federal and other state lands.

Officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $2,500 per violation and a civil penalty of up to $500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damage.

Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.

“All of us share the responsibility to use only

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

An inmate from Columbia County in custody at a prison forest camp walked away from the camp on Monday, June 22, according to state prison officials.

Brandon Sykes walked away from a work crew near the summit of Highway 6 at approximately 11:35 a.m.

He had been in custody of the South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) in Tillamook.

Sykes, 35, is a white male, 5 ft. 9 in., weighing 195 lbs. with green eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans with the word “inmate” stenciled on the knee in orange, a blue T-shirt, sweatshirt, and coat similarly stenciled.

Sykes entered DOC

Brandon Sykes

custody on June 13, 2016, on several counts of assault and kidnapping out of Columbia County. His earliest release date was October 18, 2021.

The Oregon Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the

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Fast Fact For the last reported five years through 2019, there were 1,173 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon. Fires resulting from fireworks resulted in one death and 36 injuries.

Inmate walks away from custody

PETERSEN ETERSEN CLARKE LARKE P C Stephen D. Petersen Petersen llc Stephen D. llc A tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss Aattorney attorney

Oregon consumer legal fireworks and use them carefully,” Walker said. “Please also consider your neighbors and their pets before deciding on when and where you choose to light legal fireworks.”

The OSFM has published FAQs for commonly answered questions about the sale and legal use of consumer fireworks, permits for the retail sale of fireworks, and state rules for their use and enforcement activities.

OSFM’s fireworks education materials for sharing on social media also can be found on the agency’s website.

Oregon State Police are investigating.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sykes should contact the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888, the nonemergency number of their local police department, or the Oregon Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit at 503-5690734.

SFFC is minimum-security work camp that houses approximately 200 adults in custody who are within four years of release. Part of SFFC’s mission is to supply a ready work force to combat forest or wild fires throughout the state.

SFFC is located approximately 28 miles east of Tillamook, off of Highway 6 along the Wilson River in the Tillamook Forest.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, June 26, 2020

A3

Marketplace

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Just call 503.397.0116

Listings are updated daily at www.thechiefnews.com 109

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Help Wanted

Boats & Motors

Misc Wanted

Paul’s Tree Service Inc. No bush too small, no tree too 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.

CCB# 217173 Lic., Bonded & Insured.

503-440-0723 or 503-543-8274.

Eagle Star Rock Products is seeking, full time dump truck delivery driver. Current Class A CDL needed. Overtime Pay and benefit package. Contact us at 503-3977861.

dition. $1,495.00.

2.) 12 foot, 6 HP Evenrude, painted trailer. $450.00.

Both stored inside.

Oars. Spare tire.

Manuals. Rainier, (503) 556-8800

WANTED lawn mowing and trimming services for disabled veteran. Please call 971-260-3213

Part Time Nonprofit Director HOPE of Rainier is looking for an enthusiastic person to operate, administer and maintain the emergency food pantry.

Please visit our Facebook page for more information.

Resumes can be sent to P. O. Box 448; Rainier, OR 97048 EOE

Estate sale Several combined estates.

Large amount of antiques and collectibles.

Asian art, toys, advertisment items, pottery, Emphemera, tools, too much to list. Fri 6/26, 10 am - 2 pm. Sat 6/27, 9 am - 2 pm. 113 West B St./Hwy 30, Rainier. Right next to police station.

Signs out.

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H47854 H47843

General Contractor looking for Exterior & Interior Painting, Pressure Washing, Siding and Rot Repair, Roofing, Flooring, Interior Remodeling, General Carpentry.

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Person to Person

Retired Army Veteran Divorced white male, nice looking clean cut, good health. Wishes to meet nice retired female for long term relationship. No home owners please. Must be able to relocate. No games, must be serious for replys. Call Mike with phone number and leave message.

360-491-4848

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TWO MIRRORCRAFT ALUM BOATS 1.) 14 foot, 10 HP Honda, galvanized trailer, good con-

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Free kittens around 8-10 weeks old. Litter box trained. Call 503936-5092.

Public Notices

Storage

For sale 6+ acres of grass hay. A mile and a half off of Scappoose.

503-9311192

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published June 12, 2020. Kimberly A. Dalley, Personal Representative.

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

CC20-1273

CITY OF CLATSKANIE CLATSKANIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 75 South Nehalem St. (Clatskanie Cultural Center,

2nd floor). Agenda items include, but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the June 3rd, 2020 regular meeting; a presentation from Columbia Co. Public Health;

a resolution to renew the IMIF fee; first reading of an ordinance clarifying business license fees. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by June 26, 2020.

Burn ban takes effect July 1

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•O bituaries • • Matthew Samuel Throop

CC20-1265

the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publications 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

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PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of DONNA ROZANN MASSEY, Deceased. No. 20PB03100 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against

Offering Quality Asphalt Paving Services to Columbia County and surrounding areas.

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

ASPHALT PAVING

April 27, 1973 ~ May 11, 2020

Matthew Samuel Throop passed away at his home on May 11, 2020 at age 47. He was born April 27, 1973.

He grew up in Vancouver, Washington and lived a short time with his parents in Clatskanie, Oregon.

Matthew graduated from Vancouver’s Mountain View High School, Clark College, WSU-Vancouver with a degree in Psychology, with honors. He then attended law school at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington DC. He moved to Rich-

mond, Virginia, where he started and practiced his

successful law firm, Throop Law, which he continued to expand until his early passing.

He is survived by his father George; two brothers, George and Ryan; stepmother Debbie; stepsister Jennie; three nephews; a niece; and many friends.

His mother, Barbara, died in 1985.

Matthew will be dearly remembered and missed by all family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held for close family and friends.

Debra Teschner

March 24, 1951 ~ June 22, 2020 Debra Teschner 69, of Rainier, Oregon passed away on June 22, 2020 at home.

Lila Oleane Martin

April 14, 1936 ~ April 13, 2020 Oleane Martin, a longtime resident of Clatskanie, passed away on April 13, 2020 in Warrenton, Oregon. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on July 12, 2020 at Mayger Downing Community Church, 80072 Life Lane, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016.

Thomas Duane Roggow May 9, 1943 ~ June 23, 2020

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Columbia County Fire Districts will enter an open debris burn ban beginning at 12:01 a.m. July 1.

This affects private, county, state, and local government lands within Columbia County.

It is anticipated that summer weather patterns will dry wildland fuels and increase the risk for fire spread, these weather patterns also bring the risk of lightning and increase fire activity in the area. The reason for the burn ban is intended to reduce human fire starts by restricting some activities related to forest operations and open burning.

Recreational fires will be allowed within the landscaped footprint of a residential yard so long as recreational fire regulations are followed. Recreational fires must be in designated fire pits and can be no larger than three feet in diameter with flames not to exceed two feet in height and should be a minimum of 25 feet from any

combustible material.

Only clean, natural wood that is short enough to fit within the fire pit is allowed to be burned. Recreational fires must be attended at all times by a responsible, sober, non-impaired adult with suitable on-site fire extinguishing equipment such as a working garden hose. Burning of garbage or yard debris is not considered recreational burning. Backyard barbecues including charcoal and propane power units are allowed.

Open burning of yard debris will be prohibited as of July 1 until fall rain returns.

Open burning within the city limits of the fire districts are regulated by those local government entities.

We are encouraging the public to avoid recreational fires on dry, windy days when fires are more likely to escape. Fine fuels such as green grass can easily ignite when the humidity is low and winds are strong.

When drier weather conditions result in a more significant fire hazard, recreational burning may be more tightly regulated or banned completely. Escaped fires of

any kind resulting in property damage may result in fines and individual financial responsibility.

Commercial burning such as slash burns regulated by the Oregon Department of Forestry will be closed.

For more information regarding campfires, recreational burning and debris burning please visit the following website depending on which district you are in: • Columbia River Fire & Rescue www.crfr.com and click on “Burn Permits” • Scappoose Fire District www.srfd.us and click on the “Outdoor Burning” link • Clatskanie Fire District http://www.clatskaniefire. org/burn-permit • Oregon Department of Forestry https://www. oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index. aspx • Mist Birkenfeld Fire District https://www.mistbirkenfeldrfpd.org/outdoorburn-information If you are within the city limits of any city, visit the appropriate website, or contact the fire agencies by phone for additional burning regulations.

Thomas Duane Roggow of Clatskanie, Oregon passed away at home on June 23, 2020 at the age of 77. A memorial will be held at a later date.

Thomas Durham

May 27, 1952 ~ June 21, 2020 Thomas Durham 68, of Rainier, Oregon passed away June 21,2020 in Longview, Washington.

MURAL From Page A1 bright colors, elements that will be reflected in the former hardware store’s mural.

The Hazen Hardware wall will be the first to be painted in the project, with the Radio Shack building, just done the street an, a few blocks away, the Clatskanie skate park to follow shortly after.

The Clatskanie mural project is the vision of

Jeremy Furnish, who is the Clatskanie Bloom Gallery president and founder of the Clatskanie Artists Network.

The overall vision of the project, according to Furnish, is to establish several murals throughout Clatskanie. He said he created the project in order to visually improve the community, as well as to encourage engagement, education and involvement from the community.

The competition was open to all students, emerging and professional artists ranging from Columbia, Clatsop, Cowlitz, Pacific and

Wahkiakum counties.

Approximately 14 community volunteers, including a group of Clatskanie High School art class students will conduct the mural painting beginning later this month with completion set for September.

Kenny will be at the side most days, supervising the completion of his vision at the Hazen building project.

The Chief will check in from time to time to show you photos of the mural project and followup when it is completed.

Place an obituary in The Chief Email us at chiefnews@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116

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www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, June 26, 2020

Cemetery District receives grant

Courtesy photo

The Rainier Cemetery District has received a grant to repair headstones at the facility.

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded a historical cemetery grant to the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (CROHM) to benefit the Rainier Cemetery District.

There were only 12 historic cemetery grants that were awarded throughout the State of Oregon, and two of those were awarded for headstone repairs at two Rainier cemeteries. The total grant will be for $5,384 plus $1,454 in matching funds. Sixteen headstones in the Woodbine Cemetery on Larson Road will be repaired and leveled and 21 headstones in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery on Neer City Road will be leveled, reset and glued.

Headstones in both these cemeteries date back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

The matching money from donations made by museum members and the collaboration between ROHM and the

Rainier Cemetery District working together played a big part in the decision of being awarded this important grant, according to Rainier Oregon Historical Museum President Kay Heflin.

The project is the first collaboration between the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum and the Rainier Cemetery District. Heflin and Judy Lepin, a cemetery district board member, worked together with the help of Brian Garrison, a 2003 Rainier graduate and grant writer, who volunteered his time to help guide them in writing the grant.

Additional funds are needed to repair and level two headstones at the Neer City Cemetery on Neer City Rd. If you would like to make a donation for muchneeded repairs in the Rainier Cemetery District, you can send a check to the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM), P.O. Box 762,

Rainier, OR. 97048. On your check make a note that this is for the Rainier cemetery repair fund.

Lepin said the cemetery district board members were thrilled upon hearing the news that the Rainier Cemetery District was awarded the cemetery grant to repair 37 headstones in two of our 12 cemeteries. This is the ONLY way this kind of work will ever be funded because the district does not have the equipment or manpower to do it otherwise.

While listening to the judges reviewing the 20-plus grant applications received

by OCHC it was very clear that the applications showing community support were the ones scoring the highest, Lepin said.

Accordion to Lepin, Rainier Cemetery District could not show any community support on the grant application, other than that from the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum.

“If it hadn’t had their support, both in Kay’s efforts and time, and the ROHM members financial donations, there’s no doubt that the application would not have passed scrutiny of the commissioners that were doing this year’s judging,” Lepin said. “Our district has tried unsuccessfully for two years to get a tax levy passed, that would allow funding for more man hours, so desperately needed by the district to manage, and maintain, the needs of our 12 cemeteries.”

According to Lepin, the support of the museum members has shown that they understand and empathize with the district’s financial needs. She added that the museum membership wants the Rainier Cemetery District to be able to do what’s right for those buried, and their loved ones.

“The Rainier Cemetery District is thankful for those who care about our cemetery district, and understand that 37 acres of gravesites cannot be maintained by one person,” Lepin said. “This is the same person who is also 100% responsible for preparing every new grave for burial, while trying to offer the best environment for a family to experience the death of their loved ones.”

Newspaper offices closed July 3

The offices of The Chief and The Chronicle at 1805 Columbia Blvd. in St. Helens will be closed July 3 in observance of Independence Day. Feel free to call us at 503-397-0116 before or after if we may assist you with advertising, obituaries, or any questions. Happy 4th of July!

•

•C orrection • •

In the 2020 Columbia County Business Guide an article concerning the Port of Columbia County states that port tenant “Oregon Fusion Farms will grow cannabis to be used for cannabis products…” That statement is not correct. Oregon Fusion Farms is a wholesale

hemp processing company that leases a building from the Port on Milton Way in St. Helens for the wholesale storage and preparation for further shipment of harvested hemp plants (not grown on Port property) that are then shipped to different firms for further process-

ing into commercial CBD products. The Port cannot and does not do any business with cannabis companies due to grants and loans provided by the federal government through the FAA. The Chief regrets the error and is happy to set the record straight.

The Chief

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•V oices

What Constitutes a Patriot?

I love to read my local newspaper.

My favorite portion is the Opinion page. I always enjoy reading the guest columns and letters to the editor.

An article by Sarah Heppner caught my eye. It had her name and “sponsored content” in italics. I asked the paper what “Sponsored Content” meant and I was told that it meant that someone paid to place this letter in the paper The letter carried the headline; “A Letter from the Concerned Patriots of Columbia County.”

I am not sure what constitutes a “Patriot.” Did the writer believe that these patriots were the people armed with assault rifles, and displayed white power signs and slogans like “The Constitution sucks”?

Or did she believe that they were the six or seven hundred old and young people peacefully saying that “Black lives matter.”

I was appalled when I read the statement “… Preceding the event was the threat of an Antifa presence ...This is not something to be taken lightly considering the violence that has followed this group in the past.”

This Group? Violence?

ANTIFA isn’t a group or an

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051

of

T he C ommunity • •

organization. ANTIFA Stands for Anti-Fascist it is a concept not an organization. There is no national, or International ANTIFA organization. An ANTIFA organization only exists in the imaginations of white nationalists, racists, and the followers of reactionary web sites and possibly foreign propaganda sites.

ANTIFA isn’t a terrorist organization because it isn’t an organization. No one has lost their lives because of this organization; an organization called ANTIFA doesn’t exist.

What does exist are white militias, white power groups, groups like Patriot Prayer, Proud boys, Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazi’s, and Christian Identity, some of whom were here in St. Helens, armed and watching the Black Lives Matters march.

I and all the men in my family have served in the military. My brothers fought in the last war to stem Fascism.

America used to be Anti-Fascist. Has something changed?

Bill Eagle St. Helens

Re: What Constitutes a Patriot?

tion to Mr. Eagle’s notion that ANTIFA is a concept and not an organization or group of people.

ANTIFA is defined as a movement consisting of people who’s goal is changing our republic into a socialist anarchy by any means, whether non-violent or violent. True that they are loosely organized but do not doubt that they are well financed with a common goal of disrupting peaceful protest at every chance.

The armed citizens who were in our town were there to ensure people and property were not harmed. They communicated their intentions with the St. Helens PD and cooperated and were lawful in every way. To be concerned about a possible ANTIFA presence is a valid concern as they do have a reputation of causing trouble resulting in injury, death and extensive property damage. Not in St. Helens but in Portland, just 30 miles away. And in Seattle as well.

Fortunately there was no trouble in St. Helens. And I praise the good, armed citizens who were there to protect the peaceful protesters and property. True, they were not needed.

But had they been needed and not been there the results could have been devastating.

Referring to “What Constitutes a Patriot?” I take excep-

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Friday, June 26, 2020

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$70 Million for rental relief, energy assistance Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is distributing $55,000,000 in COVID rental relief funds and $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to local organizations statewide.

“Rental and energy assistance provides immediate relief to people in crisis,” OHCS Executive Director Margaret Salazar said. “I am very happy we were able to act swiftly to get these additional resources into communities to help our friends and neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.”

At the June Joint Emergency Board meeting, state lawmakers unanimously allocated $95 million in Coronavirus Relief funds to OHCS for housing stabilization, rent assistance and energy assistance. $55,000,000 is dedicated to emergency rental assistance. These resources will

augment the COVID Rent Relief Program announced by the state in May. Eligible tenants must have had their ability to pay rent impacted by the COVID pandemic and live at or below 80% in Area Media Income (AMI) of the county for which they reside.

“This rent relief will help to ease the financial strain on Oregon families who have been unable to pay rent due to COVID-19, but we have more work to do,” Governor Kate Brown said.

“I will continue to work with legislative leaders, community partners, and Oregon Housing and Community Services to help Oregonians who are struggling financially to stay housed during this pandemic.”

The rental relief funds were distributed to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the state.

The Oregon Legislature also provided $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to Oregonians financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregonians concerned about their ability to make upcoming rent payments or concerned about keeping the lights on should contact 211 to find out about assistance options in their area.

CAAs and key partners are taking applications for assistance from residents in their service area. These services are provided free of charge by CAAs. To find out how to access these resources in your area visit 211info.org or call 2-1-1. The full list of Community Action Agencies, funding allocation amounts and service territories with contact information can be found on the map attached to this story.

Map courtesy of Oregon Housing and Community Services

Oregonians can access assistance by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org

Five U.S. Coast Guard stations participate in Operation Dry Water STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Marine Board, marine law enforcement from 18 county sheriff’s offices, Oregon State Police, and five Oregon U.S. Coast Guard Stations will be participating in Operation Dry Water during the weekend of July 3-5.

The enforcement is part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII).

“We have multiple patrols scheduled this season to catch impaired boat operators,” Oregon Marine Board Boat-

ing Safety Program Manager Randy Henry said. “We also have new tools. The legislature gave us the authority in 2020 to take your boater education card for up to three years, if convicted.”

Many marine officers have completed specialized training to recognize alcohol and drug impairment. This includes prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or any other substance that impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and to safely operate a boat.

The effects of drugs and alcohol are also amplified on the water with the combination of sun glare, wind, waves, and

other environmental stressors.

Alcohol also dehydrates the body making sudden immersion into cold water at an even greater risk for drowning.

Impaired boaters can expect to be arrested or face serious penalties. In Oregon, the consequences of being convicted of BUII include the possibility of jail time, $6,250 in fines, loss of boating privileges and a one to three-year suspension of the boater education card and potentially being court-mandated to take another boating safety course.

Marine officers can arrest boaters on observed impairment and can legally obtain blood, breath or urine if a

boater fails field sobriety testing. Officers have already arrested three people for BUII this year and at least two fatalities appear to have involved alcohol or drugs.

“Overall, recreational boating is safe if boaters wear life jackets, boat sober, and keep a sharp lookout,” Henry said.

Waterways are becoming more crowded with a variety of mixed boating and other activities, according to Henry, so he said it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on around you and to follow the navigation rules of the road.

“If boaters changed two things; wear life jackets and abstain from impairing sub-

stances, accidents would be rare,” Henry said. “We’re facing a high number of boating fatalities already this year just from cold water and life jackets not being worn. We really want to keep alcohol and drugs out of the mix, or we’ll be at record high fatalities for 2020.

We want to ensure that boating remains safe and fun.”

Henry said the public is the Marine Board’s ally in safe boating.

“If you see an impaired operator or someone who is operating in a way that threatens others’ safety, call 911 and report it,” Henry said. “That’s how we can work together to save lives.”

For more information about Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org.

Fast Fact In Oregon, the consequences of being convicted of BUII include the possibility of jail time, $6,250 in fines, loss of boating privileges and a one to threeyear suspension of the boater education card and potentially being court-mandated to take another boating safety course.

Clatskanie Grows: All about solitary bees CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column

On Bees There are hundreds of native bees that live in the ground and aren’t even recognized as bees. These solitary insects come out to pollinate and return to their nests so quickly most people never see them.

There are a lot of bees in the city that are solitary.

They have radically different lifestyles than honey bees.

I’m struck by people who want to save the bees who don’t know this. They’ll see an insect that looks like a fly and not realize it needs your help, too.

Bumble bees – one of the largest-sized bees in the country – are a group to be concerned about. Not as much research has been done compared to honey bees, but there is evidence of decline of some species, and one

bumblebee in the Midwest is endangered.

We have about 500 species of bees in Oregon and we know that, of 30 or so bumble bee species, a handful are experiencing declines.

But that may just be the tip of the iceberg since we have even poorer information on the remaining 470 or so species.

Home gardeners, whether they know it or not, provide pollen and nectar for pollinators simply by planting a mixture of flowering plants.

In fact, it’s been shown that cities provide better forage than bordering agricultural land that tends to be planted in large, one-crop fields that may attract only one or a few types of bees. If you have diversity as in many cities, there’s an opportunity to feed many mouths. You lay out a smorgasbord for everyone.

The more things you plant, the better.

There are three general principals to attracting bees

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to the garden: Choose plants attractive to bees. Walk through the neighborhood to see what they’re visiting. Many nurseries have areas where they display pollinator-friendly plants. Check the many lists available, including https:// today. or-

egonstate. edu/ news/25plantsattracting-nativebees-garden, as well as in newspaper and magazine articles. Keep in mind, not all flowers provide food for bees. Some plants have been bred that don’t provide nectar or pollen. The rule of thumb is that natives tend to be better sources, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t exotic plants that offer food, also.

Rosemary is a good example.

Plant in swaths. Planting something is better than nothing, but you’ll notice that a single plant rarely has pollinators visiting. Bees are economical. They want to go to a big box store. No momand-pop stores for them.

Have plants that bloom at different times of year.

In spring in the Willamette Valley, there’s a big burst of cherries, maples, Oregon grape and then ceanothus and lupine come on, but after that there are gaps. Pay attention and fill in those lulls with flowers.

From Andony Melathopoulos and Kym Pokorny, OSU Extension Plant a block for the bees San Francisco urban gardens were studied for their bee attractiveness. Flowers were monitored twice a week for bee visitors, both native and domestic. They looked at about 700 flower species and cultivars within species and found that only 5-10% of the flowers attracted measurable bee numbers. One interesting fact was that attractiveness of individual flowers increased if the flowers were found close to other flowering plants. Flowering blocks needed to be about three feet

by three feet or more to see this effect.

Not surprisingly, native bees preferred native plants, though there were some significant exceptions. There are lots of options for taking waste ground and making very attractive bee habitat. For more informa-

Clatskanie Grows

tion, go to urban bee gardens : http://nature. berkeley.edu/ urbanbeegardens/ or the Xerxes Society, http:// www.xerces.org.

Tidy isn’t always best Many living things count on the disorder of life and death to survive. For example, a significant number of tiny bees use dead stems to lay their eggs in. I first noticed this years ago when a potted outdoor Brugmansia died in a very cold winter.

There were some remaining flat-cut semi-woody stems that were quickly bored and occupied by little bees. Carpenter bees will make holes into the soft pith of dead cut rose stems to lay their eggs.

They can’t bore into living wood and do no damage at all to the rose. Many other plants in your garden have semi-woody stems that could be attractive to pollinators.

Gardeners have been known to harvest suitable dead stems and put them in sheltered containers to be found by the bees in the spring.

There is some serious research going on to identify all the wild bees we have. Many have very specific requirements. One wild be enthusiast in Washington County has created blocks with holes of many diameters and Plexiglas viewing ports to watch them. He has discovered a number of species not known to be in Oregon. For those of you with an interest in bee identification and attention to detail, there will be a wild bee pollinator one-day workshop either this November or next spring to train people to contribute samples to the state bee atlas. Watch the newsletter for more information.

A nod to the sunflower Sunflowers rotate their growing point during the day from east to west and then rotate back east at night. This is called heliotropic movement for you botany fans and/or crossword puzzle enthusiasts. All this comes to a halt when the flower buds form. Then, the plants quit rotating and face east permanently.

Why east and not south or west? Why stop? It turns out that flowers facing east get five times the number of pollinator visits and that seems to be related to higher morning temperatures of the flower. Flowers forced to face west and then heated artificially in the morning received more visits than unheated west-facing flowers. So, it appears, as always, it comes down to reproductive success, which for the sunflower means keeping the honey and bumble bees happy the first thing in the morning with a nice warm landing pad.

The OSU Extension office closed to face-to-face public contact but you can still reach us We are developing plans for reopening that will have to be approved by the University and ultimately, the Governor. Our target is midJune. In the meantime, all of us (faculty and staff) will still be working (mostly out of the office), answering phone calls left on our answering machines, email messages (chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu), writing newspaper columns and newsletters, and working to develop programs that can reach you online.

We are really committed to helping our communities in any way we can, especially in our areas of subject matter expertise (farming, gardening, forestry, food, food safety, and nutrition, healthy decision-making, and youth education) and any other way we can enrich your life and/ or make you safer in these challenging times. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

And please, take all steps necessary to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe.

Free online OSU vegetable gardening class https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/mastergardener-series-vegetablegardening Free online beginning OSU/Food Bank vegetable

gardening class (“Seed to Supper” https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/our-work/programs/education/gardening/ Pressure gauge testing: We have, for years, tested the pressure gauges of home canning equipment. They should be checked periodically to make sure food that needs to be pressured canned to avoid botulism gets the right treatment. We plan to set up a series of days to do the testing. If you are interested, contact Jenny Rudolph at our office and she will email you the date(s) and time when we will be doing the testing.

Her email is Jenny.rudolph@ oregonstate.edu.

Celebrate pollinators June 22-28, 2020 has been designated National Pollinator Week. It is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.

Here are some articles that might interest you.

Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly.

All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503 397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https://catalog.extension. oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring.

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

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

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Friday, June 26, 2020

Your small business affected by COVID-19?

APPLY TODAY COVID EMERGENCY GRANTS for small businesses Brought to you by: Business Oregon, Columbia County, Col-Pac & CCET

$2,500 - $25,000 Depending on qualifications

Apply here today: smallbizhub.columbiacountyoregon.com “Emergency grants” Due date: July 3, 2020 If this describes your business, apply today • Adversely impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.

• 25 or fewer employees as of February 29, 2020.

• 50% or more reduction to sales as a result of the COVID -19 crisis.

• Have not received federal financial funding relief through the CARES Act of 2020.

(Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Emergency Injury Disaster Loan(EIDL) assistance program) or any subsequent federal act that provides emergency pandemic funding as of the date of application. (This does not include personal income stimulus)

• Non-profits may be eligible Columbia County’s trusted local news source