FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020
The Chief
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VOL. 129, NO. 8
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Could Oregon shut down again? Local reaction MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
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he Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 281 new confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, July 1. It is the largest spike of cases since the pandemic occurred in Oregon in March. With the Wednesday surge, the count statewide reached 8,931 COVID-19 cases. Thirty of those cases are in Columbia County.
Today, Oregon, you have a choice… What happens next is up to you. ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor
Courtesy photo
Governor Brown’s face mask mandate took effect Wednesday, July 1. The statewide face covering requirement is for anyone visiting indoor public spaces.
Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said if the state moves to close down local economies again, in light of the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, it would be an economic disaster for his city. “Re-closing would be devastating to our service industry businesses, especially our restaurants.,” Hinkelman said. “I hope this does not happen.” It has been 100 days since Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued her ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ order. At the time, there were 14 positive COVID-19 cases in Oregon. Now that total is over 8,600 and is on pace to hit 10,000 by next week.
On June 30, Gov. Brown extended Oregon’s COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration for up to 60 days. On July 1, Brown addressed Oregonians at a press conference. “Today, Oregon, you have a choice… What happens next is up to you,” Brown said. “Now, we find ourselves at a new crossroads. The choices each of us make will decide whether we reduce the spread of the virus and find a way to keep our businesses open, or whether we let down our defenses and allow the virus to take hold.” Brown did take a moment to applaud Oregonians for their work to slow the spread of the virus so far. She noted that their modeling shows Oregon has prevented 1,500 hospitalizations and 70,000 infections in that 100 day period. Oregon also has one of the lowest mortality rates from COVID-19 in the United States. “There is absolutely no question that Oregon has been a leader so far in fighting this pandemic,” Brown said. “In the months of this emergency, Oregon has sured up PPE supplies, hired contact tracers and expanded testing capabilities.” However, Brown said that an uncontrolled spike that threatens hospital capacity, will force the state to take drastic measures which would include businesses closing again. She pointed out that other states are seeing hospitalizations spike and are closing businesses again, but that is not the goal for Oregon. To combat this rise in cases, Brown issued a statewide face
See SHUTDOWN Page A7
Rainier selects interim school superintendent JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Rainier School Board has appointed Dr. Joseph Hattrick as the new interim superintendent during the 2020-21 school year. Hattrick is currently the superintendent/principal for the Riverbend Prep Academy in Laveen, Arizona. According to a release from the Rainier School District, Hattrick has over 17 years of administrative experience, a doctoral degree from Grand Canyon University and is a published author/ presenter of multiple educational topics including his dissertation on school climate reform. Hattrick
began his career as a trained school social worker in the late ‘90s. “The superintendent search committee and school board were able to work with many district staff and community members to review and narrow down the search to one candidate that we wanted to invite to join our Rainier community,” Rainier School Board Chair Darren Vaughn said. Vaughn added that Hattrick brings professionalism, experience, and new energy to Rainier. “He brings a fresh perspective and an enthusiasm for academic achievement for all of us at the Rainier School District,” Vaughn said. “His past experiences show strength in community engage-
ment, as well as a strong understanding of school operations. At his current position in Arizona, he was able to bring the school’s overall state rating up two full grades while also building a love of school within its students, staff, and parents.” “I am very excited to be joining Rainier School District and look forward to getting to know the staff, parents, students, and community,” Hattrick said. “I am truly honored to have been selected to lead the Rainier School District and plan to serve the District and community with the goal of ensuring every child receives highquality education that will prepare them for a successful future. As
lead learner, I also will strive to ensure all adults in the District grow personally and professionally. Rainier’s small community brings with it many rich traditions, which I look forward to becoming a part of.” “We are pleased to have Dr. Hattrick as our new interim superintendent and look forward to working together in this very important transitional year,” Vaughn said. Hat trick will earn $124,000 annually as the interim superintendent. Hattrick replaces Michael Carter who resigned to take a similar position at the Lake County School District in southeast Oregon.
Photo courtesy Rainier School District
Dr. Joseph Hattrick has been appointed as the interim Rainier School Superintendent.
County job base shows slight improvement JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A key indicator of the region’s economy shows improvement in the job base. Columbia County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly from last month’s record high. It was 14.2 percent in May, down from 15.0 percent in April, according to the latest Oregon Employment Department report. Comparing the numbers The county’s jobless rate was 4.6
In The County ......A3 Obituaries............A3 Opinions...............A4 Market Place........A5 Public Notices......A5 July 4th..............A6-7
percent the year before. The county’s unemployment rate reached a peak of 14.6 percent during the Great Recession. The statewide unemployment rate was 14.2 percent in May, and the national rate was 13.3 percent. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 20 in May to 10,150 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. Job gains A gain of 70 jobs is normal for the month, but the county’s employment rose by 90. The private sector gained 310 jobs, and government shed 220 jobs. Leisure and hospitality added 300 jobs. Local government education shed 220 jobs. Other industries had smaller changes. Job losses May’s total nonfarm employment numbers show a loss of 1,420 jobs compared with one year before, a decrease of 12.1 percent. Almost every major industry lost jobs over the year, though losses were concentrated in leisure and hospitality, which was down 550 jobs over the year – a drop of 37.4 percent. In May, there were 3,312 unemployed and 20,969 employed in Columbia County. IN the following conversation, Oregon Employment Department work force analyst Shawna Sykes gives us insight into Columbia County’s job market.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
In May, there were 3,312 unemployed and 20,969 employed in Columbia County. During the same period last year, there were 1,014 unemployed and 23,232 employed.
The Chief: Usually, the demand for jobs heightens in the summer in our region, especially for service industries, such as fast food restaurants. How has the pandemic impacted that demand? Shawna Sykes: Many of the industries that typically see seasonal increases, like leisure and hospitality that includes lodging, food services, arts, entertainment and recreation businesses and retail trade and local government, including city and county parks and recreation, have seen large drops in employment due to COVID. With the pandemic, many of these sectors have suffered shutdowns or slowdowns and may no longer be hiring, while other employers are taking
advantage of the newly-available workforce to hire new staff. The Chief: For teens seeking summer work in Columbia County, what jobs are open, and what would be the pay range? Sykes: Teens may still find entry level job openings at fast food restaurants and those offering takeout options, grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail establishments. To check current job listings just visit the Job Finder tool on our website. The Chief: Overall, what are the jobs in our region that employers have struggled to fill?
Sykes: Prior to COVID-19, unemployment was very low or near record lows, and according to our job vacancy survey, a lack of job applicants made it difficult for 57% of employers to fill their job openings. Two-thirds of the jobs that were difficult to fill required previous work experience. Jobs requiring higher education and previous work experience tend to pay higher wages but also be more difficult to fill. Statewide, the health care and social assistance sector had the largest number of difficult-to-fill vacancies, while construction reported the largest share of all vacancies as difficult to fill (85%). Some top occupations by number of difficult-to-fill vacancies – personal care aides, truck drivers, farm workers – have consistently been among the most challenging job openings for employers to fill for years. This could be due to working conditions, wages, or other reasons. Within NW Oregon, which includes Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties, the jobs that were most difficult to fill according to our 2019 annual survey included, personal care aides, carpenters, cashiers, fast food counter workers, nursing assistants, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, automotive and watercraft service assistants, and construction equipment operators. Read more about the Columbia County unemployment rate in a series of stories at thechiefnews. com and follow developments in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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Friday, July 3, 2020
Life In Columbia County
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Some employers pass along the wage increases to customers as a way to sustain their business growth.
Going up: Minimum wage JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
If you make minimum wage in Oregon, you likely received a pay raise on July 1. The hike in the minimum wage is the latest next to take effect in a series of pay boosts. The new rates are $11.50 per hour in non-urban areas, $12 per hour in standard counties, including Columbia County, and $13.25 per hour in the Portland metro area. The Oregon Bureau of Labor has developed an interac-
tive map to find the minimum wage for your county or metropolitan area. Typically, you should be paid the wage for the county where you work 50% or more of your hours each week. If you travel for work, your employer can pay you the rate in each county worked. See the map, and find out more at, https://www.oregon. gov/boli/workers/Pages/ minimum-wage.aspx. Enacted by the 2016 Oregon Legislature, Senate Bill 1532 establishes a series of annual minimum wage rate increases beginning July 1, 2016 through July 1, 2022,
according to information provided by Oregon State University. Beginning July 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate will be indexed to inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a figure published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. But some employers across Columbia County and the state said hiking the wage now, during the pandemic, is especially challenging for them. Most employers often pass along such wage boosts to customers in an effort to maintain their business stability and growth.
Photo courtesy of Garry Kinney
This latest edition of Life In Columbia County comes from Garry Kinney who captured this bald eagle in flight. If you look closely, you can see that the eagle has a fish in its talons. Our special series of photos is a glimpse of Life in Columbia County seen through the eyes of our neighbors. Send us your Life photos and we’ll be happy to share them with our viewers at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief. Send photos to jruark@countrymedia.net. Photo courtesy of Garry Kinney.
DEQ approves Global permit
County issues health advisory
Courtesy photo
Global operates a transloading facility at the Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery at Port Westward, near Clatskanie. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Board again encourages citizens of Columbia County, and especially visitors to county offices, such as the Courthouse in St. Helens, to continue to follow best practices concerning COVID-19. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners has issued another COVID-19 safety advisory following the Board’s initial release June 6 when the county moved into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening framework. The second release, issued Monday, June 29, underscores approved reopening guidelines for Phase 2 for all Columbia County buildings which county employees will be following. The Board again encourages citizens of Columbia County, and especially visitors to county offices, to continue to follow best practices concerning COVID-19. “Especially given the recent increases in COVID cases since counties have reopened, even in Columbia County, taking the basic precautions to protect ourselves and others becomes even more vital,” County Human Resources Director Jean Ripa said. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should: • Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick or have symptoms. • Put six feet of distance between yourself and other people. • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask or other face covering when
around others. be conducted remotely, so we • Cover your cough or are encouraging citizens to sneeze with a tissue, then appear by video or phone. throw the tissue in the trash. The County also asks that • Clean and disinfect frecitizens refrain from conquently touched objects and gregating in the lobby of the surfaces regularly. annex, either before LLC or after ETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE The CDC now recomhearings. If you arrive early AA tt tt oo rrtonnthe ee yyCourthouse, ss mends wearing face coverwe ask ings when in public settings. that you remain outside until (503) 556-4120 (503) All County employees will 556-4120 the time of your hearing and wear masks when moving check in with the County’s through publicColumbia areas and front office assistant imCounty’s Premier Columbia Premier hallways of the Courthouses County’s mediately upon entering or when unable to physically Personal Injury Attorneys Personal Injury Attorneys the building. If the court is distance. For those do ceennse sed d in in OOrreego gonn & &W Waash sh ingto gto LLi icwho in nn hearing, not ready for your not have masks, there are dis- county officials ask that you pensers located on the main wait outside until you have and 3rd floor. received a call or text. The Board is also working “We encourage folks to with State Courts to keep our take reasonable precaution visitors as safe as possible. in protecting themselves and “We are asking people others,” Commissioner Marto wear masks,” Presiding garet Magruder said. “We Judge Ted Grove said. “Court expect county employees ETERSEN LARKELLC LLC ETERSEN LARKE staff have masks available to wear masks when workfor use, both in the courtA tt tt oo rring nn eeclosely yy ss with customers rooms and at the TrialA Court where physical distancing is Administrator’s Office. We 556-4120 (503) 556-4120 (503) not possible. We are providalso have instructions on ing masks for the public and how to wear masks and hand encourage them to wear them Accidents •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death Accidents Injury •Wrongful Death sanitizer available •Personal in every to protect themselves and our courtroom.” employees.” Judges may require people No Fee Fee Until Recovery Recovery No Until If you are seeking court to wear masks in the courtgonn && W Wservices shin ingto gtonbut n have concerns OOrreehave go aash rooms. The court spaces about COVID-19, wearing been measured and marked to FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION CONSULTATION masks, or ADA accommodaINITIAL direct visitorsFREE to sit socially distanced, and court staff will tions, contact the Court by phone at, 503-397-2327, or help direct visitors to where by emailing columbia.genthey can safely sit. Many eral@ojd.state.or.us. hearings are being set up to
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved Global Partners to add renewable diesel to its transloading permit for the Clatskanie, Oregon terminal at Port Westward. This was the last regulatory hurdle before Global could begin transloading renewable diesel at its rail and ship capable facility on the Columbia River. “We are thrilled to have received the permit from Oregon DEQ and look forward to transloading renewable diesel,” Global Partners CEO Eric Slifka said. “At Global, we believe that our strategic assets are well positioned to move the lowcarbon fuels of the future.” Earlier this year, Global announced plans to receive, store, and ship renewable
diesel through their Oregon terminal. Oregon DEQ has approved the final permit and Global has signed a longterm contract for handling the product. Global officials said they will prepare to start receiving renewable diesel this fall. “With this permit modification, our ability to handle a portfolio of advanced biofuels is further enhanced,” Global Partners Terminal Operations Senior Vice President Dylan Remley said. “Since 2016 the facility has been storing and handling ethanol. The addition of renewable diesel provides further capabilities and opportunities for the biofuels marketplace, which are driven by West Coast low carbon fuel standards.” “We want to thank everyone who participated in the permitting process, and especially the local community,” Slifka said.
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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
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(503) 556-4120 556-4120 (503)
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Columbia County’s trusted local news source
Vern Ruch November 12,1934 ~ March 29, 2020
Celebrating the life of a great man. July 12, 2020, at 1pm Alston Pub & Grub, 25196 Alston Rd, Rainier OR 97017
“Without local support, we couldn’t take this next step in the use of the facility. We are thankful for our partners and neighbors in Columbia County and look forward to providing jobs and community support for many years to come.” Renewable diesel is a cleaner fuel derived entirely from plant and animal byproducts, according to a release from Global. Renewable diesel can be used in any diesel engine. It can help reduce greenhouse emissions and help meet state and federal climate standards. There is large demand for renewable diesel, driven in part by government climate policy, and Global’s Clatskanie Terminal is wellpositioned to distribute it in a safe and reliable manner, the release states. Learn more at www.globalp.com.
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Friday, July 3, 2020
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•O bituaries • • John Watts
Karen Faye Pesio
Sept. 14, 1929 ~ June 18, 2020
Sept. 6, 1949 ~ June 23, 2020 Karen Faye Pesio, 70, passed away with her family by her side on June 23, 2020. She was born Sept. 6, 1949 in Grangeville, Idaho to Fred and Elma Junes. Karen grew up in the Grangeville area. On May 13, 1966 she married Alan Pesio. They had four children Bryan, Todd, Tina and Deanna. In 1969 they moved to Clatskanie, Oregon where Karen resided most of her adult life until recently moving to Lewiston, Idaho. Anyone who knew Karen knew the love she had for family, especially her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. They were the joy and love of her life. She never knew a stranger and she touched many with her loving nature and willingness to lend a helping hand in any way she could. Karen was also wellknown in the Clatskanie community for the daycare that she owned and operated for 30 years. Countless children
mas. She would spend days decorating and would receive requests from others to tour her home. Karen was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her son Todd Pesio; daughter Deanna (John) Holt; grandchildren, Cody (Danica) Pesio, Eli (Bree) Pesio, Chatney (Keith) Youngblood, Makenzie (Brett) Pillar, Whitness (Dustan) Sullivan; greatgrandchildren, Rylan, Adam, Ayla, Emory, Silas and two more on the way; siblings, Rube Junes, Darrel Junes, Stella (Dick) Funke, Darlene Norden, Nora (Bill) Longhorn, and Thelma Ward; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her son Bryan; daughter Tina; siblings, Jeannie Howard, Ruben Junes, Harvey Junes, Archie Junes, and Don Junes; and her parents. Due to the current restrictions, there will not be a service.
were a part of her daycare over the years and she loved each and every one and was known by all as “Grandma Karen” or “Auntie Karen.” She was an avid sports fan with the Oregon Ducks and Seattle Seahawks ranking high on her list. However, at the top was watching her grandchildren and the children from her daycare play sports. She truly was their biggest fan. Karen also enjoyed ceramics and her favorite holiday was Christ-
Thomas D. Roggow
May 9, 1943 ~ June 23, 2020 Thomas Roggow passed away at his home on June 23, 2020 at age 77. He grew up in Westport, Oregon and lived there until moving to Clatskanie, Oregon. Tom graduated from Clatskanie High School. Tom retired from RSG Forest Products after working as their plannerman for 30 years. He is survived by his wife Nina; daughter Marcee (Alex); two brothers, Rocky (Sharon) and Mickey; sister Shirley; three grandsons; nephews; nieces; and many
close friends. Tom was preceded in
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death by his father; mother; two sisters; one brother; and one grandson. Tom was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Rainier Gun Club, and Knappa Gun Club. Tom loved trap shooting, wood working, hunting, and fishing. Tom will be dearly remembered and missed by all family and friends. A graveside service was held on June 27 for close family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church at a later date.
Mr. John Thomas Watts of Washougal, Washington passed away at home surrounded by his wife and children on June 18, 2020 at the age of 90. John was born on Sept. 14, 1929 in Meridian, Mississippi. His parents, James and Mary Watts, moved John and his two brothers and sister to Clatskanie, Oregon when he was 15 years old. John graduated from Clatskanie High School in 1947. In 1948, John married his high school sweetheart Imogene Johnson and began working as a journeyman plumber in Meridian, Mississippi. Over the years, John’s family of four boys and three girls lived in Clatskanie, Oregon, South Bend, Washington, Meridian, Mississippi and Winslow, Arizona before settling in Washougal, Washington in 1971. John attended St. Thomas Catholic Church in Camas and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In his spare time John enjoyed woodworking, bowling and was an honorary life member of Orchard Hills Country Club in Washougal. John was an avid private pilot
with an instrument rating and was accompanied by Imogene on numerous crosscountry trips. John operated a plumbing shop in Washougal for 14 years and all of his sons followed him into the plumbing trade. Following the plumbing business John served as an inspector and plans examiner for several local jurisdictions. John spent considerable time during his career educating journeyman plumbers and conducting certification seminars throughout the United States. John will be loved and missed by surviving wife of 71 years, Imogene; sons, Mike (Jill), Tom (Sharon),
Rick (Suzanne) and Roger (Julie); daughters, Teresa (Chip), Shelley (Greg) and Loretta (Ed); brother, Henry Watts (Arlene) of Winslow, Arizona; sister, Mary Kay Green of South Bend, Washington; 24 grandchildren; and 37 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother James. John had a great deal of pride in his wife and family. A celebration of life will be conducted at a later date due to COVID-19 restrictions and condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 186, Washougal, WA 98671. Internment at Murray Hill Cemetery when allowed.
John Edwards
June 23, 1959 ~ May 2, 2020 John Edwards of Clatskanie, Oregon passed away on May 2, 2020 in Clatskanie at the age of 60.
Gerald McQueen
Jan. 20 1955 ~ June 27, 2020 Gerald McQueen of Rainier, Oregon passed away on June 27, 2020 in Rainier at the age of 65.
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Cornelius Pass to Close July 13 Commuters in Columbia County who rely on Cornelius Pass will have to seek alternative routes for ten weeks beginning July 13. NW Cornelius Pass Road will closed to through traffic between Highway 30 and NW Skyline Boulevard in mid-July, with a target date of Monday, July 13, according to new details released by Multnomah County. Road users will need to use alternate routes for an estimated 10 weeks while contractor Wildish Standard Paving completes safety improvements on the road. The road is scheduled to reopen in late September. What will be done This steep, winding and narrow section of NW Cornelius Pass Road has a long history of crashes. More improvement work, left over from a major $5.6 million renovation project in 2019, is necessary, according to planners with the Multnomah County Transportation Division. Work this summer will realign the two-lane road to reduce sharp curves at two locations. Last year the contractor completed other safety improvements in the corridor, including all work south of NW Skyline Blvd. When the road is closed to through traffic, access will be maintained for local residents and emergency services. The contractor will set up a hard road closure just north of NW 8th Ave. where a culvert that carries a creek under the road will be replaced. No vehicles will be able to pass that point for several months. The second work location is at the sharp S curves north of NW Skyline Blvd., where the road will be realigned. Flaggers will direct traffic through the S curves when one lane is closed. Alternate routes for through traffic
Map courtesy of Multnomah County
Cars, Pickup Trucks and Motorcycles • From Highway 30 take NW Newberry Road and NW Skyline Blvd. to NW Cornelius Pass Road to Washington County. A temporary traffic signal at NW Newberry Road will allow traffic to safely turn left onto Highway 30. This detour is shorter than in 2019, since work south of Skyline is complete. Trucks • From Highway 30 take I-405 south to Highway 26 west. Trucks Carrying Hazardous Loads • These trucks cannot use the Highway 26 tunnel in Portland. The detour is longer, taking I-5 south to Highway 217 north to Highway 26 west. Road users are encouraged to: • Allow more time for their trip, due to congestion on detour routes. • Be alert for other road
users, including cyclists, on alternate routes in the west hills. These rural roads are narrow, steep and winding with limited sight distance. • Avoid NW Logie Trail Road, which has a steep section that is too narrow for two vehicles to pass. NW Logie Trail Road will be closed to through traffic while NW Cornelius Pass Road is closed, but will remain open to residents. Funding history The Oregon Legislature provided funds for the $5.65 million project. The Legislature also directed that the section of NW Cornelius Pass Road between Highway 30 and Highway 26 be transferred to the Oregon Department of Transportation after the project is completed. For information about the transfer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/CornPassTransfer. For information about this summer’s construction and to sign up for project updates, visit www.multco.us/cornpass. Read more about the improvement project in a series of reports at thechiefnews.com.
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Friday, July 3, 2020
•V iewpoint • •
Historic Special Session results BRAD WITT Chief Guest Column
The Oregon Legislature held an historic Special Session last week, with committee work being held virtually, and floor sessions adhering to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. We responded to the needs of Oregonians impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, demands for police reforms, and took up other important legislation in the 24 bills passed in the 3-day special session. Of course, I work on issues and bills that are important to all of Oregon, but as always my sharpest focus is on what matters most for the people and communities of House District 31. Ending ‘timber wars’ As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, I was pleased to sponsor and co-carry SB 1602 in the House Chamber. This legislation, negotiated by Governor Brown with timber interests and environmental and fish coalitions, signals the potential end of the decades long so-called “timber wars.” Both sides agree to mediation to work toward a habitat conservation plan, pursue changes to the Oregon Forest Practices laws and regulations that are driven by science with federal assurances, so they will be more durable. SB 1602 makes changes to notification and reporting of aerial spraying of pesticides, and increases buffer zones around streams, bringing them in line with other western states. I was pleased to see unanimous support in the House on a bill that will end initiative petitions and costly litigation between the two groups, putting them on a path that benefits all Oregonians. Meat inspections HB 4206 authorizes a state meat inspection program which would increase the ability of small independent family farmers and producers to access certified meat processing plants. This program will support the Oregon meat producers and consumers in these times when the food supply chain has been tested by the coronavirus pandemic. My amendment to the bill
bans consideration of horse meat for processing. Scott Beckstead with the Humane Society of the United States testified in favor of HB 4206 pointing out that additional processing facilities actually improve animal welfare by creating shorter and better transfer conditions for animals on their way to processing. This legislation received unanimous support in both chambers of the legislature. I’ve heard from hundreds of HD 31 citizens who are struggling with the economic impacts of the pandemic. In addition to helping them on unemployment claims, I voted in favor of these coronavirus bills which will be a lifeline for many. COVID-19 related legislation HB 4213 extending the grace period for residential and commercial evictions due to nonpayment. The eviction moratorium was set to expire June 30th, but is now extended to September 30, 2020 followed by a six month repayment period where a tenant may not be evicted for failure to repay their back rent, but their ongoing monthly rent must be paid. While I recognize the need to keep people in their homes, this bill was not perfect and I introduced an amendment to help landlords in case of non-payment due to the eviction moratorium. My amendment would have required the Oregon Stability Council to reimburse the landlord for the non-payment balance, transferring any claims of the non-payment balance to the department, and repaying any amount the landlord receives from the tenant or on the tenant’s behalf. Although the amendment wasn’t adopted, it is a concept that I will continue to support going forward. SB 1606 affirms the rights of persons with developmental disabilities seeking care at hospitals. This bill provides new protections for disabled patients so their admission is not conditioned on signing an end-of-life agreement before being admitted to the hospital and they will also be able to access personal support persons. HB 4212 can be described as an omnibus package of COVID-19 related actions, and importantly it included
Cares Act repayment protection, to keep vulnerable Oregonians who receive federal CARES ACT Recovery Rebate payments from having portions of those payments withheld. This means that all relief money can be used to pay for essential needs like housing, food and medical expenses. Payments are protected from any garnishment actions initiated before September 30, 2020. Police reform Bills relating to police reforms received wide bipartisan support, including HB 4207 which establishes a public statewide online database of suspensions and revocations of police officer certifications. HB 4201 establishes a Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force, they will meet over the next few months and be making legislative recommendations for the 2021 legislative session. By working together to find common ground, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle managed to get a lot of work done in a three-day marathon session. Most of the 24 bills passed during this first 2020 Special Session passed with unanimous support or only a few voting against them. There will be another Special Session this summer, one where we will take up budgetary issues to rebalance the state’s budget due to revenue shortfalls caused by the pandemicrelated economic downturn. I really appreciate all the outreach from constituents, which always help shape my decision making. I rely on input from people in House District 31 to be able to better meet the needs of my friends and neighbors. Closed As is the case with many public spaces, the Capitol Building remains closed to the public, but my office staff and I monitor our email and phone daily, and we are working to assist constituents. If you need help or have an issue or concern please feel free to contact my office. Brad Witt represents Oregon House District 31. He may be reached by email at Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov, or pay phone at, 503-986-1431.
Weekly Online Poll
Last Week’s Results
Are you following Governor Brown’s order to wear a face mask in all indoor public places?
Do you plan on lighting off your own fireworks this Fourth of July?
Yes
No
19% Yes
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Get better candidates After 19 months of combat in Vietnam I was welcomed home by long haired college student anti-war protesters who after graduation cut their hair, put on suits and became members of the corporate elite. Eight years later after my discharge I came home to west Oregon to find I couldn’t find employment because I was considered a war mongering, dope smoking baby killer. Being a right of center political type I was a registered Republican until the day of the Iraq invasion in 2003, based on lies from VP Cheney and the Republican senate, at which time I re-registered as a Democrat. Three weeks after the election of President Obama in Nov 2008, DNC Chairperson Rep. Debbie WassermanShultz declared that the progressive liberal socialists had seized control of the Democrat party and over the next three years I watched as President Obama and VP Biden pursue a socialist agenda before reregistering again to become an Oregon Non Affiliated Voter in 2011. During the 2020 Oregon primary election the Oregon Democrats actively sought
81% No
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Oregon NAVs to register as Democrats to support their candidates, yet many Democrats today are supporting the Black Lives Matters movement and the defacing of historical monuments and destruction of properties. Why should I, an Oregon NAV and decorated veteran, support a political party who supports the destruction of the very country I fought in defense of? Why can’t our two major political parties get better candidates? Joe Turner Columbia City
Dear fellow Columbia County neighbors and friends With all the division and political rankor going on from BLM to COVID to left wing vs right wing, and all the lies and conspiracies going on: Isn’t it time to stop it, to repent? It’s time to recognize our own sins personal and corporate. That because of them, we as a nation are in great trouble. “For short of
the glory of God.. there go I?” Yes I, me. As a 27 year veteran of a “foreign” (spiritual) war on the streets of downtown Portland, I’ve seen a lot of carnage done to people... by themselves or other people, even by some who call themselves, “Christian.” It breaks my heart for it breaks God’s too. And I weep. Somebody wrote we need change. But since we vote, we get the leaders we deserve. But it goes much deeper than that. For 50 years we have sown to the wind and we are now reaping the whirlwind in going our own ways. But it is not too late. The time is now for us (including God’s people) to repent, to cry out to our Creator, and confess our sins so He can forgive us and heal our land. It is God’s will that none shall perish (in eternity), but come to repentance. That is why Jesus went to the cross, to take upon himself our judgement. There is no greater love. Repent, forgive, reconcile; love your neighbor as yourself. Shalom, Marty Kennedy St. Helens
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Public Notices
CC20-1272
SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE VACANCY The Port of Columbia County is seeking to fill a recent vacancy on the Scappoose Bay Marine Park Advisory Committee. The committee undertakes projects and advises the Port’s staff and the Board of Commissioners
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on a variety of matters relating to the marina. The meetings take place every other month at 5:30 p.m., on the first Tuesday of the month, at the Port Office. Interested persons can obtain an application by visiting the
Port’s website at www. portofcolumbiacounty.org or by contacting Miriam House at 503-928-3259 or by e-mail house@ portofcolumbiacounty.org. The deadline to submit an application is July 27, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
CC20-1274
NOTICE OF PRIVATE SALE PURSUANT TO ORS 90.675 This is a notice of private sale of personal property (a mobile home) pursuant to ORS 90.675. 1. The personal property is abandoned. 2. The former tenant’s name is Shawn Harris, Latara Harris aka Latara Moore and all others. 3. The address where the property (mobile home) is located is 74866 Doan Road, Space #38,
Rainier, OR 97048. 4. The mobile home is identified below: Liberty manufactured home Serial # 09L21908X/09L21908U Home ID# 253577; X PLATE: n/a 5. The sale is a private bid sale. 6. The landlord is accepting private sealed bids. The last date on which such sealed bids will be accepted is July 17, 2020. Please
submit bids to Western Hills, C/O Mark G. Passannante, 1050 SW 6th Ave., Suite 1220, Portland, OR 97204 7. Please contact Western Hills/Michael Werner or Denise Werner at (360) 253-5603 to inspect the home. 8. Lienholder(s): Western Hills Mobile Home Village, LLC, 4611 NW Fruit Valley Rd, Suite 102, Vancouver WA 98660
Police reform, COVID-19, budget shortfall rate impact on communities of color; determine most appropriate policy for independent review of deadly force; and make recommendations to the Judiciary committees by December 31, 2020.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Oregon Governor Kate Brown will soon call a special legislative session to address the state’s $1 billion budget shortfall. House Speaker Tina Kotek said during the review of the shortfall, the state needs to carefully focus priorities. “With a $1 billion hole to fix, I want to be sure we put early childhood and K-12 education first in line by maintaining our State School Fund and strengthening investments through the Student Success Act for the upcoming year,” Kotek said. “Our children and youth deserve support and stability in these difficult times.” The shortfall follows the COVID-19 pandemic. Police reform, COVID-19 session results The Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned its first special session of 2020 on Friday, June 26, after approving six bills concerning police accountability and a variety of areas to support public health, individuals, local governments, courts and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown called on the legislature to respond to the public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enact police accountability reforms. “Across the state, tens of thousands of Oregonians have taken to the streets to demand racial justice and police accountability,” Brown said in a statement following the special session. “It will take far more work to set our state on a path toward racial justice, but these are very important steps forward.” The police reform includes limits by police of the use of choke holds and tear gas. House Bill 4203: Declares that a peace officer is not justified or reasonable in any circumstance to use physical force that impedes “the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person” unless it is a circumstance in which an officer may use deadly force as
COVID-19 Response
Courtesy photo
During the Oregon Legislature’s special session, a variety of police accountability measures were approved in response to public uprisings demanding change. The next special session is expected to be called later this summer and will deal with the state’s $1 billion budget shortfall.
provided by ORS 161.239. Rules will be adopted prohibiting the training of this force, except as a defensive maneuver. HB 4205: Requires police and reserve officers to intervene to prevent or stop another officer from engaging in an act they know, or should reasonably know is misconduct. Misconduct is defined as “unjustified or excessive force that is objectively unreasonable under the circumstances or in violation of the law enforcement agency’s use of force policy; sexual harassment or sexual misconduct; discrimination against a person based on protected class; committing a crime; or violation of the minimum standards for fitness for public safety personnel.” The bill requires the officer to report the misconduct as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after the misconduct; failure to report is grounds for discipline. Department of Public Safety and Training (DPSST) will provide an annual report to the legislature on the rule adopted for implementation. HB 4207: DPSST to establish a statewide online public database of records for
officers whose certification has been revoked or suspended and specifies the information to be provided as well as timeline for posting. The bill brings current grounds for revocation or suspension of certification by DPSST from rules into statute. Law enforcement agencies are required to request and review applicant’s personnel files from current or prior employing law enforcement agencies and liability protection is provided for requesting and supplying agencies. Clarification is given that both violation and criminal convictions for marijuana possession are not grounds for mandatory suspension or revocation of certification. HB 4208: Prohibits law enforcement agencies from using tear gas for crowd control, except for circumstances that meet the definition of a riot in ORS 166.015. Before using tear gas in the event of a riot, law enforcement must 1) announce their intent to use tear gas; 2) allow sufficient time for individuals to evacuate the area; 3) announce for a second time that they intend to use tear gas. SB 1604: Under current processes, when an internal investigation finds miscon-
duct of a police officer, the Chief of Police would apply a discipline guide that has been agreed to by the public employer and the collective bargaining unit. In response, the officer has the option to grieve the decision all the way to arbitration. The arbitrator has the power to either disagree with the finding, agree with the finding and uphold the discipline, or agree with the decision but substitute a different discipline. Under this measure if the arbitrator agrees misconduct occurred they must impose the discipline required by the matrix. House Bill 4201: Establishes a Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform to continue making progress on police reform. The committee is directed to examine policies to improve transparency in investigations and complaints regarding use of force by police officers; increase transparency in police protocols and process to build public trust; examine policies that reduce the prevalence of serious physical injury or death caused by use of force, the authorization of use of force under state law, and the dispa-
The omnibus House Bill 4212 covers a variety of areas to support public health, individuals, local governments, courts and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, including emergency shelter siting, remote notary, Enterprise zone deadline extension, individual development account funds for pandemic relief, COVID-19 race and ethnicity data, Safe public meetings, CARES Act payment protection, safe court proceedings and temporary physician assistant authorization. Residential and commercial rent, eviction, foreclosure protections House Bill 4204: Directs lenders to defer both residential and commercial mortgage payments during the pandemic emergency period until September 30, 2020 if a borrower is unable to pay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deferred payments would be due at the end of the loan, unless the borrower and lenders determine alternate, agreeable terms. House Bill 4213: Extends the moratorium on both commercial and residential no-cause evictions through September 30, 2020 and creates a six-month repayment grace period after the moratorium ends for tenants to repay their back rent accrued during the moratorium. During the repayment period, tenants may not be evicted for failure to repay their back rent, but they must keep paying their ongoing monthly rent. Negative credit reporting for non-payment of rent during the moratorium is prohibited, as is assessing late fees or other penalties for nonpayment during the moratorium period. Other urgent needs SB 1601: Prevents cita-
tions from being issued for expired driver licenses, permits, and vehicle registrations and further directs courts to dismiss any citation for specified offenses between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. SB 1601 also provides flexibility for transit providers by allowing Oregon’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) to be used to maintain existing service. Previously, the STIF was reserved for transit expansion or improvement. Additionally, SB 1601A merges the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Fund with the STIF and requires the Oregon Transportation Commission to dedicate a portion of the fund to transit for older adults and individuals with disabilities. HB 4210: Removes authority of courts to impose driving privilege suspensions for failure to pay trafficrelated fines or comply with requirements ordered in lieu of fines. House Bill 4214: Modifies Oregon’s dependency code to align with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and requires the Oregon Department of Human Services to provide biennial reports about American Indian and Alaska Native children in the child welfare system. SB 1603: The Rural Telecommunications Act establishes the Broadband Fund to support projects for planning or developing broadband service infrastructure, and for the administration of the Oregon Broadband Office. Subjects sale of all retail telecommunications services, retail commercial mobile radio services, and retail interconnected voice over Internet protocol services to the universal service fund surcharge to support the Broadband Fund. HB 4202: Makes technical changes and clarifications to the commercial activity tax that the legislature approved in 2019. These changes include technical clarifications and exempting six small, Oregon dairies. Follow the Oregon budget shortfall developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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1. Why is Independence Day celebrated on the Fourth of July? A) It’s the day the Continental Congress voted to declare independence B) It’s the day the Declaration of Independence was formally accepted and signed by the delegates C) It’s the day the Revolutionary War ended D) It’s the day Richard Henry Lee introduced the motion for independence 2. The original draft of the Declaration of Independence included a denunciation of England’s involvement in the slave trade. Delegates from two colonies insisted on removing the passage. Which ones? A) North Carolina and South Carolina B) Florida and New York C) Georgia and Maryland D) Georgia and South Carolina
3. The Star Spangled Banner was originally a poem by the lawyer Francis Scott Key chronicling which battle of the War of 1812? A) The Battle of New Orleans B) The Battle of Plattsburgh C) The Siege of Fort McHenry D) The Burning of Washington 4. What year did the Fourth of July become a paid federal holiday?
A) 1870 B) 1908 C) 1983 D) 1941
5. Fireworks have been part of Independence Day Celebrations from the very beginning. They’re so important that, in 1884, irate miners blew up a Post Office because it wasn’t stocked with fireworks. In which city did this happen?
Fourth of July Events Freedom Bells Ring
A) Swan City, Colorado B) Healdsburg, California C) Bozeman, Montana D) Washington, D.C.
Answers: 1-B, 2-D, 3-C, 4-D, 5-A
With Independence Day fast approaching, Americans everywhere are getting ready to celebrate. What better way to get into the spirit of the holiday than to brush up on your Fourth of July trivia?
Friday, July 3, 2020
2 p.m. Freedom Bells Ring at the Columbia County Courthouse Clock Tower, Courthouse Front Steps, Warrior Rock Replica, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, St. Frederic Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Plymouth Presbyterian Church and John Gumm Olde School. If you’d like to be a donor, or a character in the celebration, check the SHEDCO and Keep it Local Facebook for details and contact, Judy Thompson at 503-397-6056.
Patriotic Car Contest
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Line up in your decorated car at Columbia Theatre in the Old Town District of St. Helens and get popcorn for $5 or ice cream for $4. Stay in your car while the activities entertain you from outside. There will be live music, vocalists and roving characters. Also, look for a QR code for virtual tours of museums.
At Dark
The 4th of July Fireworks Display will be set off behind Spencer Park at dark. The City of Vernonia is encouraging citizens to watch from home or view the show drive-in style if the show is not visible from your residence. If you choose to watch from the Spencer Park grounds please remember to practice social distancing, and vacate the park immediately following show’s end. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
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Happy 4th of July (503) 556-4120
612 W B Street, Rainier, OR 97048
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Stay safe and enjoy July 4th www.clatskaniepud.com 503 728-2163 • 495 E. Columbia River Hwy. We’re proud to celebrate living in the land of the free and the home of the brave with our family, friends, neighbors and loyal customers.
The Chief 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051 • 503-397-0116 • PO BOX 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051
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Friday, July 3, 2020
Independence Day by the numbers In 1776, 56 delegates from 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence and founded our great nation. As Americans everywhere get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, fireworks and backyard cookouts, let’s look at some other interesting facts and figures about this beloved holiday.
2 : The number of delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence and went on to become President. They were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
13 : The number of stars on the first American flag.
The stars represented the union of the 13 founding colonies, while the 13 red and white stripes represented the colonies themselves. Today, the flag displays 50 stars, one for each state, while the stripes remain unchanged.
SHUTDOWN From Page A1 covering requirement for anyone visiting indoor public spaces. Nearly 20 states have implemented similar rules and Gov. Brown said this generally applies to all indoor spaces where the public may go. “Any time you might be in an indoor area with the general public, you should put on a face covering,” Gov. Brown said. There are some exceptions to the order, such as people with a medical condition that makes it hard to breath and children under the age of 12. However, the state is still recommending face covering use for all children above the age of two. The biggest question about the governor’s new order is enforcement. Brown pointed out that this order is enforceable by law at both the business level and the individual level, which includes a Class C misdemeanor charge. However, citations are not the goal of this order. “As with all of my orders, I do not want the local police issuing tickets,” Brown said. “Instead, I’m calling upon our businesses to step up and help ensure that the public and their employees are protected.” According to Brown, state agencies are currently working with businesses on education and information
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LET THE STAR SPANGLED CELEBRATION BEGIN
27: The number of different versions of the flag in our nation’s history.
62 : The percentage of Americans who own a Star-Spangled Banner.
150,000,000 : The estimated number of hot
dogs consumed on the Fourth of July, which is enough to stretch from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. five times.
before enforcement. The state is asking everyone to take the requirement seriously and expect businesses to comply with the guidelines. Business owners are not encouraged to call the police for violations, but rather to call OSHA for advice and assistance. New Statistics During the media briefing on July 1, Oregon State Health Officer Dean Sidelinger, MD, gave a brief update on COVID-19 infections at the state level. Sidelinger said for five straight weeks Oregon has seen case growth, with case growth up 20 percent in the last two week at an increase of 2,500 cases. Almost 9,000 Oregonians have tested positive for COVID-19 and 208 people have died as of July 1. Positive tests are increasing, with 4.3 percent of tests coming back positive, it’s the highest rate Oregon has seen since April. Sidelinger also noted that the number of sporadic cases (no known source) are increasing, meaning the state suspects the virus is circulating more widely within communities. That state has also seen an increase in transmission within ages under 50, particularly children and teens. Because of this OHA will begin reporting outbreaks in child care facilities starting this week. Hospitalizations are up six percent, with health care systems maintaining capacity. However, as new model-
ing by OHA shows a likely scenario of 900 cases and 27 hospitalizations per day at the current rate, Sidelinger said this trend could place a large burden on the Oregon health care system. “We all have to remember the numbers I speak about are people, these are people who are sick and tragically, some of them have died,” Sidelinger said. “These are people with families, these people are our neighbors.” Face Covering Effectiveness As is the case with most of the Governor’s orders, questions have arose about the effectiveness of these in requirements. During the Wednesday press conference, Chief Officer of OHSU Health, Dr. Renee Edwards, spoke about face covering use, physical distancing and hand washing. “Oregonians should really give themselves all a pat on the back for the outstanding work that we all did back in March and early April… we reduced our underlying transmission rate of COVID -19 by 83 percent,” Edwards said. “What can feel truly frustrating about COVID-19 is that there is no sure medical treatment to prevent it or treat it once a person is infected. Our defense against the coronavirus is a good proactive offense.” Edwards stressed the importance of washing hands, wearing a face covering and
keeping physical distance because it is known that the coronavirus is transmitted by respiratory droplets while in close contact with other individuals. “It just makes good common sense that simply covering our mouths and noses with a face covering or mask to serve as a barrier for these droplets from getting to others, along with standing a certain distance away from one another would prevent disease spread,” Edwards said. Edwards cited medical studies that involved thousands of people across several countries, which showed staying six feet away and wearing a face covering leads to large reduction of transmission. “Wearing a mask reduces disease spread… and distancing reduces disease spread,” Edwards said. “Each alone are valuable, but done together, gives even greater protection. Not one or the other, but both is actually best.” She also noted that people can be infectious to others for 2-3 days before they develop COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms, primarily in young people, can be so mild that they aren’t noticeable. “It might cause some discomfort wearing something on your face, or cause some skin irritation… or for some people with pre existing medical conditions, such as a breathing problem, they could potentially increase this
breathing difficulty. I would say that these effects are small relative to the value that we all gain by using them,” Edwards said. “The bottomline is, the more people you interact with, the closer you are to them and the longer you are with them, the greater your risk is of either getting COVID-19 or spreading it to someone.” Brown also addressed the concerns of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, as Oregon saw a significant spike in the spread of COVID-19 after Memorial Day weekend. Brown is encouraging everyone to “keep it local, and keep it small this weekend.” Local business reaction In Clatskanie, Fultano’s Pizza restaurant owner, Toby Harris gives The Chief his reaction to another possible economic closure. “It won’t keep us closed” he said. “I have heard a few stories from restaurants that if they have to go through a second round, it’ll put them under. That’s not the story for us, but it definitely is not helpful. It’ll definitely be a punch to the gut, but we will prevail, because we have no choice.” Harris said overall, since the pandemic, his business has seen some growth. “We’re basically back to pre-corona numbers right now, but it’s taken a few weeks to get there,” he said. “Still not quite doing what
we were doing before. Can’t do buffet, can’t do salad bar. Until we’re able to fully open we won’t be able to be back to where we were. That’s still costing us some business. We’re pretty close to our precorona numbers.” Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce president Monica Seidl said she does not support a full closure of the state’s economy. “In the first go round of the COVID pandemic business closure we fared well enough with one restaurant business, Ixtapa, closing temporarily and Colvins, Subway, and Fultano’s maintained pickup service,” Seidl said. “The Berry Patch in Westport also had closed temporarily.” Seidl said she remains hopeful that Governor Brown will not fully shut down the state. “I do not know if businesses could take another hit,” Seidl said, “Especially with no additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding. I urge local businesses to stay the course. Protect when they can and for citizens to do their part and mask up whether they like it or not. COVID is going to run its course and we need to maintain the ‘shop local, stay local’ concept for protection and prosperity.” Reporter Christine Menges contributed to this report. Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
quired Face masks re
Have a great July 4th from your friends at Colvins!
135 N Nehalem Clatskanie • 503-728-4122 • www.colvinsgrill.com
Rep. Brad Witt Coming together as a nation, happy Independence Day
Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day! 1620 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 | (503) 397-0123
Have great July 4th from your friends at Plymouth Pub 298 S. 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon • 503-396-5108
Happy 4th of July!
ST. HELENS LIQUOR STORE 420 Columbia Blvd. • 503.397.1733
Get your fifth on the fourth Open July 4th 10 am - 3 pm
Happy 4th of July
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A8
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Friday, July 3, 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