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voices of the community

Conversations as prevention

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FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

VOL. 131, NO. 11 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Clatskanie schools see major renovations JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

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ajor building and security improvements at the Clatskanie School District are well underway this summer.

The multiple projects are taking place at Clatskanie Middle/High School (CMHS) and at Clatskanie Elementary School (CES).

CMHS Projects • Secure entrance and Phase 1 front office remodel • Mechanical rooftop unit replacement • Pumps and boilers system replacement • Locker room water heater replacement • Roof restoration • Media Center window replacement • Fire Alarm System replacement • 2nd Floor corridor flooring replacement • Restroom upgrades Phase I • Upper Commons renovation including hallway and flooring A new track surface is also being added at the high school athletic field. The major breakdown of the track surface was not included in the original bond plans and is being financed outside the original $10 million. The replacement has begun and will be complete by mid-summer.

CES Projects • Secure entry upgrade

Courtesy photo from CSD

This photo shows the gutted front office looking out onto the existing courtyard at Clatskanie Middle/High School.

• Roof replacement • Intercom/Switchboard upgrade • Cardiff Door replacement What is next •New blacktop at CES and CMHS –new blacktop has been postponed to summer 2023 in the hopes that oil prices will have dropped, and the cost will not be quite so exorbitant as today.

•The complete division of the middle school and high school -Beginning in September 2022 all middle school classes will be on the second floor and all high school

on the main floor other than science. In September 2023 that will permanently be reversed –all middle school classes will be on the main floor and high schoolers will have the second floor.

•Lighting and sound upgrades to the auditorium •Bathroom Upgrades Phase 2 •Complete flooring upgrades •Completio`n of office and student services area Projects based on need Clatskanie School Board member Kathy Engel said the projects

underway this summer are based on immediate need.

“Such as roofs and our HVAC systems, as well as the very high priority of security, and costs,” she said. “We have postponed paving due to the huge inflation in cost of asphalt in the hopes it will be lower next summer if oil prices go down.”

Engel said McKinstry, the school district’s contractor, is conducting the most intrusive projects during the summer months.

“Work that must be done during the school year will be done with the least amount of interruption as possible and will make the needs of

the staff and students a priority,” she said. “Most of it will not impact the classrooms.”

Engel said new security measures are being established at the schools, including secure entries at both the middle/high school and at the elementary school.

“During the initial arrival of students and staff in the morning the doors will be open as they always have been, but once the school day begins the doors will be locked and visitors will need to come through the front entry and be buzzed in by staff,” she said, adding that currently the school doors can be locked from the inside.

Funding for the school improvements is coming from a voterapproved $10 million bond and $4 million from the Oregon Department of Education.

“We are constantly looking for more grants and avenues of paying for the current and planned upgrades,” Engel said. “Giving an ‘estimated cost’ is a luxury that no longer exists in the current building environment. As stated in the bond report, everything is running 30% higher than when this bond was passed. It remains to be seen how far we can stretch these dollars and the team is constantly prioritizing every penny spent.”

The Chief will continue to follow the Clatskanie School District projects with frequent updates posted online at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

Next Friday, read about the summer building projects at the Rainier School District.

Behind the CHD: Pressure mounts, project scrapped tion.

“All that dirt and soil became that mound of dirt, and they restructured the wetlands out here,” he said.

ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Editor’s Note: In The Chief’s third investigative report about the Columbia Health District hospital project, we will cover the board’s response to federal policy changes, the purchase and development of the Millard Road property, and Measure 5-209, a citizen-led ballot initiative to repeal the hospital district’s permanent tax rate.

“Looking back on it now, I think it probably would have been best if we just trashed the thing when they changed the rules,” said Gary Heide, former chairperson of the Columbia Health District (CHD).

A dirt mound is what remains of the Columbia River Community Hospital site on 35101 Millard Road.

The mound serves as a stark reminder of the past. Throughout the years, overgrowth has invaded the dormant site, but orange safety nets still peek through cracks in the solid ground.

Search for solutions

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chief

Pastor Max Snook points to the overgrown mound of dirt excavated to prepare the Columbia River Community Hospital site for construction.

Max Snook, a pastor at St. Helens Community Bible Church, still remembers contractors coming to and from the site next door to his property. “(A) huge issue for (the board) was the land,” Snook said. “If you’re going to work out to the winter, that land has to be hard enough to hold heavy equipment,

because you have cement trucks in there. So, they brought in heavy equipment and leveled this land, took the topsoil off the land and leveled the land to make it flat, ready for the hospital.”

Snook led The Chief out to the 8.34-acre site, now abandoned, and pointed out the land that had been excavated to prepare for construc-

nah Russell said. “We’re having a mechanical bull again, and there’s going be a bunch of activities for kids to do.”

The theme of the 107th year of Columbia County Fair and Rodeo is “Back in the Saddle Again.”

The 2022 fair opened with a flag raising ceremony in front of the pavilion attended by area veterans and community members.

The Columbia County Fair opened at 10 a.m. July 20 and continues through this weekend at the fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens. Operation hours are: • 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 24

In another twist, fair and rodeo organizers are bringing more than 100 pigs into the fairgrounds this year.

“We’ve never had that many pigs in the past 20 years,” Russell said. “We’ve never had that many pigs before.”

Horses, cows, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, and rabbits will also be present at the fairground’s 4H buildings for competition and judging, giving area youth and adults a chance to engage in the traditional experience.

Russell said tickets to the county fair have been selling well and the event has many sponsors this year, “way more than we did last year, so there’s more community support,” she said.

A blend of old and new

Economic impact

Traditional events include the popular food booths, carnival rides, My Fair Lady Pageant, the JR Rodeo and Northwest Pro Rodeo Association (NPRA) Rodeo, and Wild Cow Milking.

The extended July weekend will also feature a senior and veterans’ lunch, a western kids’ costume contest and parade, and the debut of Rascal Rodeo, an all-inclusive rodeo for individuals with special needs.

Russell added that the annual fair helps support local businesses and the county’s overall economy.

“Local businesses profit from everybody coming to town for the fair,” she said. “They may be from out of the area and after the fair they may want to go into town and eat at the local restaurants and shop

The CHD board was dealt a critical blow when it learned of the federal changes made to the definition of Critical Access Hospital (CAH).

Not only did the November 2005 policy change eliminate the “Necessary Provider” exemption, it also changed the definition of secondary roads, according to Scott Ekblad, Office of Rural Health director at Oregon Health and Science University.

In his Feb. 24, 2006 letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mark McClellan, Ekblad requested an exception be made for the Columbia River Community Hospital Project.

“Until November of 2005 there was no single definition of sec-

ondary roads; each Flex Program developed its own criteria to reflect the unique geographic and climactic conditions in that state,” he wrote.

“The community of St. Helens was eligible to participate in the Flex Program and build a critical access hospital – the only hospital model that can financially survive in that community.”

Others who sent letters requesting a waiver were former CHD Public Health Administrator Karen Ladd, Heide, former CHD Chair Jay Tappan, and former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith.

On Aug. 4, 2006, McClellan responded back to Smith, declining to accommodate the CHD’s request for a waiver.

“The proposed facility in St. Helens has always been on a primary road, namely U.S. Route 30, and it does not meet the definition of a secondary road,” he wrote.

“Please note the State of Oregon does not have the authority to define

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See HOSPITAL Page A3

2022 Columbia County Fair & Rodeo ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

All the traditions have returned to the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo, including elephant ears, corn dogs, cotton candy, carnival rides, and livestock judging.

“Everybody and everything is coming back this year,” Columbia County Fair Board Secretary Han-

Politics ...................... A2 Obituaries ................. A3 Opinions ................... A4 Community Events .. A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5

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Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

See FAIR Page A6

Veterans and others salute as the America flag is raised during the opening ceremonies at the 2022 Columbia County Fair. See more photos with this story at thechiefnews.com.

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Friday, July 22, 2022

•P olitics • •

Election 2022: The race for Oregon Governor JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

ELECTION 2022

Oregon’s historic 2022 gubernatorial race is generating lots of discussion in Columbia County and across the state as the three candidates maneuver for votes heading to the November 8 General Election.

To gain insight into the race, The Chief reached out to Jim Moore, Pacific University Associate Professor and Director of Political Outreach at the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement.

The Chief: How is this race shaping up so far, who do you see as currently the most dominate candidate and why?

Jim Moore: A real three-way race has devel-

oped. It could have been Johnson as the also-ran (third-party candidates in Oregon tend to top out in the 5%–10% range—Ross Perot was the exception in the 1992 presidential election with 24%), but polling consistently shows that none of the contenders have more than about a third of the votes.

None of them are dominant. Main reason appears to be (no polling on this, but anecdotal evidence suggests) that partisan voters are sticking with their party nominees and Betsy Johnson is making inroads among partisan voters who are less firmly committed.

The big question is where the unaffiliated voters are. That answer will take better polling or the actual election results to tell us.

The Chief: Does it appear to you that the Willamette Week article about Betsy Johnson’s traffic crash and her reported comments in a New York Times interview referring to Portland as the “city of roaches,” will hinder her efforts in the campaign?

Moore: Probably a wash. For those who are suspicious of Johnson (the stronger partisans), these articles will confirm their conclusions. For those who are fed up with the parties or like Johnson on her own, this kind of reporting will simply reinforce her image as a maverick.

The Chief: KGW highlighted the gubernatorial race during a news program Tuesday evening suggesting that both the GOP and Democrat candidates were teaming up with attacks against Johnson. If that is the case, would that strategy influence voters or could it backfire against one or the other or both candidates?

Moore: Both Kotek and Drazan are worried that there are more disaffected partisan voters out there who will go to Johnson.

Attacking Johnson makes sense in that context—it makes it less likely that voters will transfer their loyalties to somebody who might not share their values in the political or personal worlds.

The Chief: Specifically, what do voters like and dislike about the three candidates?

Moore: Kotek: Like— strong progressive Democrat. Dislike—Portlandcentric and focused on cities rather than small towns and rural issues.

Drazan: Like—not a Democrat. Dislike—how conservative is she in terms of abortion rights, environment, education.

Johnson: Like—independent and strong-willed.

Dislike—her positions often contradict bedrock stands from either party (e.g. strongly in favor of Second Amendment alienates some Ds; strongly in favor of choice alienates many Rs).

The Chief: From your vantage point, what are voters looking for in a new governor?

Moore: Do we want to continue with progressive Democratic policies with a focus on climate change, economic growth in the more urban areas,

and liberal social policies?

Or do any of those focuses alienate voters? Is 36 years of Democratic governors too long?

The Chief: What do you see as the deciding candidate factor for victory in November?

Moore: Drazan has no real policy experience—her campaign is focused on opposing Kotek’s progressive plans. Johnson is making the argument that she will bring in the best ideas from both Rs and Ds—but that is alienating a lot of Rs and Ds she needs to win. Kotek is arguing that the continuation of progressive Democratic policies is what has made Oregon great and will continue to do so.

This election will be a referendum on Democratic governance for the past eight years, and, I would argue, yet another referendum on the Democratic hold on the governorship stretching back to 1987.

Timeline According to the Oregon

Oregon’s health care costs surge Cost growth

Metro Creative Connection

By market, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, commercial market costs per person grew 45%, and Medicaid costs per person grew the slowest at 32%.

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Health care costs grew 49% per person across insurance markets between 2013-2019 in Oregon, outpacing national health care cost growth during the same time period, according to a new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report.

Market numbers By market, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, commercial market costs per person grew 45%, and Medicaid costs per person grew the slowest at 32%.

Rising prescription drug costs and the cost of professional services were the primary factors driving health care cost increases.

Between 2013-2019, Oregon’s health care costs grew faster than income—

while per person health care costs grew 49%, per person income grew 31.5% and average wages grew 21.6%.

The report shows that for people in Oregon with commercial, employersponsored insurance, the cost of the average annual deductible and insurance premiums combined in 2019 was 10.1% of median income.

“The effects of rising health costs have a direct impact on the well-being of people, families and our communities,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said, “When health care costs grow faster than income and the cost of living, they squeeze the budgets of families and businesses and reduce access to care. It’s important for Oregonians to understand how health costs are growing – and why – so we can take steps in our state to contain them.”

The report documents cost growth across six major service categories and identifies which types of services are responsible for most of the cost growth in each market. Between 2013 and 2019, per person pharmacy costs grew the most (116%). Inpatient services have the highest per person costs and grew by 22% over the six years.

In the commercial market, professional services contributed the most to overall cost growth between 2013 and 2019. Pharmacy, emergency department, professional services and outpatient services grew by more than 60% from 2013 to 2019, with pharmacy costs growing the most at 93%.

In the Medicare market, pharmacy costs grew by 185% from 2013 to 2019, far outpacing any other service category in any of the three markets. Pharmacy costs were the main driver of Medicare cost growth in this time period, increasing from $794 to $2,261 per person.

Medicaid market In the Medicaid market, professional services and pharmacy contributed the most to overall cost growth between 2013 and 2019.

The Medicaid market saw less growth across service categories compared to the commercial market. Service categories in the Medicaid market also had lower per person costs, with the exception of inpatient services.

Between 2012-2017, Oregon held costs under its section 1115 Medicaid waiver agreement with the federal government to a rate of growth of 3.4%, which authorized Oregon

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to deliver care to nearly 1 million Oregon Health Plan members through coordinated care organizations (CCOs).

The cost categories measured under Oregon’s 1115 waiver are a subset of the costs included in the 20132019 health cost growth report. Oregon’s 1115 waiver focuses on limiting cost inflation for core Medicaid benefits paid by federal and state governments.

The calculation of cost growth under the waiver does not include categories such as increases in payments to hospitals

for uncompensated care, graduate medical education, emergency care for non-citizens, the cost of behavioral health prescription medication and other costs. (State health officials released a fact sheet that outlines different types of health cost calculations.)

These data show that Oregon’s CCO model helped slow cost growth in the Medicaid sector, according to the OHA report.

While Medicaid costs per person grew by 32%, between 2013-2019, Medicare costs per person grew 58%, nearly double.

Elections Division, as of July 18, Johnson had not filed the required paperwork with needed voter signatures to have her name placed on the November 8 General Election Ballot as an independent candidate.

The deadline for submitting the paperwork is Aug. 16.

Follow 1x9D the Oregon Elec05-02-12 SootBusters:L tion 2022 here online and in05-02-12 the Friday print editions 1x9D SootBusters:L 05-02-12 1x9D SootBusters:L of The Chief.

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Friday, July 22, 2022

•O bituaries • • Hattie Sue Behrend

Sept. 18, 1932 ~ July 14, 2022 Hattie Sue Behrend passed away at the Delaware Plaza in Longview, Washington on July 14, 2022.

She was 89 years old. Born in Pickens, South Carolina to Clyde and Macie Porter. She was the eighth out of fourteen children. She relocated with her family to the Westport/Clatskanie area, where she lived until moving to Longview, Washington in 2020.

She married Howard C. Behrend on July 22, 1953 and has been a homemaker.

She enjoyed gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and shopping trips with her sisters and daughter.

She is survived by her son Edward (Melissa) Behrend of Clatskanie; daughter Deborah Mueller of Longview, Washington; grandson Jeremy (Ashley) Behrend;

great-grandson Jason and great-granddaughter Hattie of Longview, Washington; grandson Joshua (Shauna) Behrend; great-grandsons, Justin and Sawyer of Longview, Washington; granddaughter Heidi (Tyler) Wayne; great-granddaughter Lucy of Seattle, Washington; and one great-granddaughter on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard C. Behrend of Clatskanie, Oregon; and sons, Lawrence Behrend and Michael Behrend of Westport, Oregon.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., July 23, 2022 at Westport Cemetery in Westport, Oregon.

Lucille Irene Burke

Nov. 3, 1920 ~ July 18, 2022 Lucille “Lou” Irene Burke passed away peacefully among loving family after an extraordinary life of 101 years.

Lucille was proud of her Finnish heritage and embodied the “sisu” spirit as she lived independently the last 24 years of her life. She had an active mind, keeping current on social, political and family affairs until the past year. Her memory was legendary. She loved to tell of her early life and easily recalled events as far back as her childhood and school years. She appreciated the history and progress she witnessed in her long life and would willingly share with anyone interested.

Lucille was born in Clatskanie, Oregon to John A. and Mary P. Karvonen, and was the last surviving daughter of eleven siblings. Her father was a successful gillnet fisherman and a stalwart member of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church. Her mother was a homemaker and did domestic jobs outside of the home.

Lucille attended several community grade schools before enrolling at Clatskanie High School, where she was a top student and participated in the glee club, plays, prom and other activities.

Bradford Burke came into her life when she moved to Midland, and soon became her loving husband of sixtytwo years. They began a life of farming in Midland, and raised six children: four girls, Mary, Julie, Kathryn and Barbara and two boys, Michael and Steve. In 1940, Brad began working at

Wauna Lumber Co until the mill closed in 1958.

The family then moved to Gold Beach, Oregon where Lou enjoyed living for the next 46 years on the banks of the Rogue River. After Brad’s passing in 1998, she returned to the Lower Columbia area to a new home built for her in Knappa.

Surviving Lucille are all six of her children, Mary Burke, Julie (Larry) Parnes, Kathryn Meade, Michael (Susie) Burke, Steve (Karen) Burke and Barbara (Howard) Budweg; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Fri., July 22, 2022 at Caldwell’s Mortuary, Astoria.

Funeral services and interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., July 23, 2022 at Prairie Cemetery (aka Knappa Prairie Cemetery) followed by a reception at the Cemetery Pavilion.

Memorials may be made to Prairie Cemetery or the charity of choice.

HOSPITAL From Page A1

secondary roads for Medicare reimbursement purposes and we regret the misunderstanding that led CHD to believe it meets the requirements.”

Site work begins Internal documents reveal that the former CHD board members continued to spend and raise funds for a hospital after they were informed of legislative hurdles.

In Nov. 2007, the CHD board agreed to purchase 8.34 acres of land on Millard Rd. for $611,291, as part of a Three-Party Real Estate and Exchange Agreement.

An audit performed by Pauly, Rogers and Co., shows that the CHD board spent a total of $1,062,755 on design and professional fees, including $992,632 on direct construction.

Emails between CHD lawyer Peter Stoloff and Certificate of Need (CN) Coordinator Jana Fussell reveal that though Fussell did not say the board couldn’t begin site work, she cautioned the board against spending more than $1 million before receiving the state approval for the healthcare facility.

“Your letter estimates that the cost of proposed improvements will range from $1,017,000 to $1,092,000,” she wrote. “This is a substantial amount of money to expend when you do not know whether or not this project will be granted Certificate of Need approval. Please keep this caution in mind as you proceed.”

District Financials The Pauly Rogers & Co., audit also showed that $4,349,970 in taxpayer funds

were collected between 2006 and 2010.

Between taxpayer dollars, donations, and grants, the board collected $10,391,314 in total revenues and spent nearly all funds by 2010 in the amount of $10,358,699 without a hospital or a Certificate of Need.

The board spent $3,785,803 on acquiring and developing Millard Road site, and $4,320,496 more on staff support, gross pay, and benefits between 2006 and 2010.

‘Significant internal control deficiencies’ Pauly Rogers’ 2011 audit of CHD financial records noted several “internal control deficiencies” dating back to 2007.

As defined by Pauly Rogers, an internal control deficiency “exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct misstatements on a timely basis.”

With the 2007 audit, the firm found “instances in which checks were disbursed without dual-signatures,” and recommended that CHD improve documentation regarding approval and tracking for payroll.

The following year, Pauly Rogers noted the CHD’s use of QuickBooks for accounting purposes, which “can allow users to delete transactions without any audit trail remaining,” as a significant deficiency.

The firm also noted that district’s journal entries had been prepared and posted to the general ledger without “evidence of review or approval.”

In 2009 and 2010, Pauly Rogers noted “no evidence of a secondary review” for

bank reconciliations, a lack of backup receipts for credit card statements and discovered after reviewing payroll that several employees’ I-9s were not completely filled out.

On May 18, The Chief reached out to the CHD’s former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Dan Garrison, requesting copies of financial statements from the CHD. We did not receive a response at press time.

Measure 5-209: The beginning of the end In a letter dated November 13, 2009, Columbia County Elections Supervisor Pam Benham gave Warren resident and concerned citizen Thelma Bonar the approval to collect signatures for Ballot Measure 5-209: an initiative to repeal the permanent tax rate levied by the hospital district and to refund the tax money.

The initiative appeared on the Nov. 2, 2010 ballot and was passed by a landslide majority.

On Nov. 18, the CHD board responded to the election results by voting in a public meeting unanimously to stop work on the Columbia River Community Hospital.

The board also withdrew its application to the state for a CN, formed a committee to look at sale of the hospital property on Millard Road, and called for a final accounting on hospital expenses to date, according to a CHD press release.

Editor’s note: The Chief’s final four-part special report investigative series covers dissolution, the lawsuits filed against the former CHD board members, and the transfer of the Millard Road property to the City of St. Helens.

Look for that report in the July 29 print edition of The Chief.

Robert “Bob” Olson

June 11, 1952 ~ July 11, 2022 Our brother, a lifelong resident of Clatskanie, passed away on July 11, 2022. He was 70 years old.

We are certain he is having a grand reunion with our parents, Roland and Shirley Olson.

Bob worked in the logging industry and had many hobbies such as sell-

ing firewood to neighbors, recycling cans and bottles, and eating at local restaurants with friends. If you were a friend of Bob, you knew you were special. He enjoyed visiting and giving treats to his special “fur” friends.

He is survived by his brother; two sisters; nieces;

nephews; cousins; extended family; and all of his friends who will miss him.

Our entire family is very appreciative of the outpouring of love and concern for Bob during the last month.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 6, 2022 at the Legion Hall in Clatskanie.

Annual Buck-A-Book $ALE!

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Thursday & Friday, Aug. 4 & Aug. 5 10 a.m. to 5 p.m

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Buck-A-Box or Bag Closeout $ALE! Saturday, August 6 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Annual fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library, Inc.

CLATSKANIE LIBRARY, 11 Lillich Street • 503 728-3732

We are looking for a Media Consultant to join our team in the advertising department Email resume to jruark@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116 to set up an interview.

The Chief The Chronicle North Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Friday, July 22, 2022

•V iewpoints • •

Conversations as a prevention strategy JANEAN KRONGOS Chief Guest Column

Editor’s Note: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) addresses teen substance abuse on its website, stating the most commonly used substances by teenagers and the extent of the problem include: • Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are substances most commonly used by adolescents.

• By 12th grade, about two-thirds of students have tried alcohol.

• About half of 9th through 12th grade students reported ever having used marijuana.

• About 4 in 10 9th through 12th grade students reported having tried cigarettes.

• Among 12th graders, close to 2 in 10 reported using prescription medicine without a prescription.

Although it is illegal for people under 21 years of age to drink alcohol, the CDC said its findings show that people from 12 to 20 years of age consume about one-tenth of all alcohol consumed in the United States.

Parents can play a big role in the prevention of underage substance use and gambling. In the following

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•V oices

Hospital Special Report After college I worked as a Purchasing Agent/Accounts Payable for the ODHS facilities in Pendleton which included a psychiatric hospital with an average 119 patients and a long care developmentally disabled facility with 76 residents.

For seven years I had an intimate closeup daily look at the costs associated with operating and maintaining healthcare.

I would like to commend

•

guest column, prevention specialize Janane Krongos responds to the most common questions that many parents have about teen substance abuse.

Why are these conversations important?

Many children have questions about substances and gambling. Parents are the best people to answer these questions, because their children trust them.

Parents should help youth understand the negative health consequences of underage substance use and gambling. When youth are knowledgeable about health consequences, their perception of harm increases. An increased perception of harm will reduce the likelihood of experimentation.

Are underage youth really using substances and gambling?

Yes, some underage youth are using substances and gambling. To learn about the prevalence of underage substance use and gambling, I would recommend reviewing the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) 2020 Student Health Survey. This survey is an anonymous school-based survey of Oregon students (6th, 8th, and 11th grade).

Survey results include the following information re-

of the

garding substances, student’s perceived risk of harm, parental norms, peer norms, age of first use, and 30-day use. Additionally, information about gambling, types of gambling, and gambling behaviors is also included.

You can find this survey on the Oregon Health Authority’s website (www.oregon. gov).

When should I have a conversation?

As soon as you can. For the best results, parents should have these conversations before their children are exposed to substances or gambling.

How often should I have these conversations?

These conversations should happen regularly.

At what age do I stop having these types of conversations?

There is not a specific age to stop having these types of conversations. Parents should plan on continuing to have these conversations until their children reach early adulthood.

Is there a perfect time or occasion to have these conversations?

No, there is not a perfect

time or occasion. Parents should integrate these topics into everyday conversations.

Where should I have these conversations?

These conversations can happen anywhere.

Try having a conversation: • In the car: on a road trip, running errands, and transporting youth (sports practice, school, club meeting, or to a friend’s house).

• At home: while doing chores, preparing a meal, or playing a game.

• Outside of home (in private): on a shopping trip, at a park, sharing dinner at a restaurant, or taking a walk.

Are there some basic tips that will help me make the most of the conversations?

Yes, here are some tips that may be helpful.

Before the conversation: • Learn the facts of underage substance use. One online resource that I would recommend for this is the National Institute on Drug Abuse website (www.teens. drugabuse.gov).On this website, parents can learn the facts about underage

July 22-23 Quilt Sale Scappoose Community and Senior Center Quilt Sale on July 21 from noon to 5 p.m., July 22 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and July 23 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.at Scappoose Middle School, 52265 Lower Columbia River Hwy, Scappoose, Oregon. All proceeds from this sale benefit the Scappoose Community and Senior Center.

For questions, please call 503543-2047.

July 23 Sheriff’s Office Hiring Event The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will host a hiring event from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Warren Community Fellowship, located at 56523 Columbia River Highway in Warren.

For more information, contact Sergeant Chris Neifert at chris. neifert@columbiacountyor.gov July 23 Garage Sale This garage sale is from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Caples House Museum, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. For more details, call 503-3975390.

During the conversation:

• Remind youth of family rules regarding substance use and gambling.

• Let youth know that underage substance use and gambling can negatively affect their health.

• Provide youth with ideas on how they can decline offers of substances or gambling.

• Role-play with youth to help them feel comfortable declining substances or gambling.

• Help youth identify other caring adults that they can go to ask questions.

• Let youth know that they can come to you if they have questions about substance’s or gambling.

Following the conversation: • Check in after the conversation to see if they have any questions.

• Repeat the conversation often.

I hope that this column has been helpful to you. If you have questions about this column, please feel free to contact me at Janeanek@ tfcc.org.

Janane Krongos is a prevention specialist with Tillamook Family Counseling Center. She can be reached at Janeanek@tfcc.org or at 503-843-8201.

C ommunity • •

the outstanding work of Zoe Gottlieb in the ongoing examination of the failure of Columbia Hospital District to justify building a hospital in Columbia County (St. Helens). The only key factor that I see omitted was the completion of the new four-lane highway between Linnton and Columbia City which reduced patient transport time by more than 50% prior to the updated CMS Section 485.61D(c) that went into effect Jan. 2006.

Even with the recent population growth in Columbia County, the county still

lacks the industrial growth necessary for my old bosses at ODHS to approve building a facility within 35 miles of Portland considering the closures of Boise Cascade, Armstrong Ceiling Tile, the veneer plant and mill on Deer Island Road.

The recent approval by the county commissioners to once again spend taxpayer money to pursue a lost cause reflects directly on our local and state leadership qualities, or the lack thereof.

Joe Turner Columbia City

•C ommunity E vents • •

July 22-24 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo The Columbia County Fair and Rodeo opens at 10 a.m. to midnight on July 22 and 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 24. NPRA Rodeo at 7 p.m. on July 22 and July 23. The fair is held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens. See the full schedule and lineup at columbiacountyfairgrounds.com.

substance use, learn about the health consequences of underage use, learn common questions that youth have about substances, and learn how to prevent underage substance use.

• Learn how gambling can affect a person’s health.

I recommend the OHA’s Impacts of Gambling on Public Health. Health and social impacts featured in this document are substance use, mental health, physical health, relationships, criminology, and economy.

This resource is located on the OHA website (www. oregon.gov).

• Learn how to have conversations about substance use with youth. One place that I would recommend for this is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Talk They Hear You (TTHY) campaign website (www. samhsa.gov). Campaign resources include: 5 Conversation Goals, Answering You’re Childs Tough Questions, Keeping your Kids Safe Brochures, and the SAMSHA TTHY podcast.

• Learn about problem gambling prevention. I recommend the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR) website (www.opgr.org). Prevention resources on the OPGR website include warning signs, responsible guidelines, and conversation tips.

July 31 Rainier All-Class Picnic Picnic starts at 11:00 a.m. and potluck at noon and ends at 4 p.m. at Hudson-Parcher Park, 75503 Larson Road in Rainier. It is recommended that you bring extra chairs and a potluck dish. The picnic is sponsored by the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum.

The museum will provide the park admittance fee, water, coffee, plates, utensils, and napkins. Please help offset the $300 park fee and cost of supplies by making a donation when signing in at the picnic site.

currently held electronically

by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv.com, or call 503-789-9240. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www. lowercolumbiariver.org/ events-page.

August 6 Legion BBQ The American Legion Vernonia Backyard BBQ from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. at 627 Adams Avenue. Live music, huge raffle prizes, PSE compound bow, game camera, charter boat fishing trip for two worth $400+, BBQ grill and smoker combo, outdoor propane fire pit, multiple gift certificates $25-$50 and more. Come have a great time with your local Veterans!

Rainier City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Ongoing Farmers Market Clatskanie Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through September 24 at Cope’s Park in downtown Clatskanie.

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-751-7039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m.

For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070.

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Are you spending more and saving less due to inflation and the higher costs for goods and services?

Do you think Clatskanie should have more summer events?

Yes

No

75% Yes

25% No

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

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

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Friday, July 22, 2022

It’s easy to place a classified ad in The Chief

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Events

Help Wanted

Estate Sales

Westport Community Church is having Bible School July 25July 29 from 9 a.m.

- noon. Questions, please call 503455-2539.

information can be found on our website or by calling 503-366-6972.

HUGE WARREN ESTATE SALE July 23/24, Sat 8-4 Sunday 10-4.

32915 Stonebrook Road. Entire packed house.

Horse equipment & Tack. Power & hand tools. Gardening & yard tools. Outdoor gear & sporting goods.

2 canoes. Kitchenware & appliances.

Multiple Big Screen TVs. Computer equipment DVDs & books. Furniture, upright piano, Kids toys, Clothing, holiday decor. Washer & dryer & Refrigerator. CASH ONLY. See photos at estatesalefinder.com

502

Help Wanted

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hiring process for a Chief Financial Advisor.

Apply online at www.col u m b i a 9 11 . c o m / careers. Additional

PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY The Port is hiring a Data Resource and Projects Specialist.

To learn more and apply, please see our website www. portofcolumbia c o u n t y. o r g / j o b s .

EOE

Need a job? check the classifieds online at www.thechiefnews.com to find your perfect job offer

860

Storage

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20 sizes, Inexpensive RV Storage, Carports, Hand trucks, Locks, Fully-lined, Insulated, Condensation free, all units lit. On-site Manager

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Email chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net to advertise

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

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COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM, INC. “Building Bridges to Self-Sufficiency”

Head Start Needs YOU! Community Action Team Head Start is hiring in Columbia County!!

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We provide: • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits • Personal and sick leave • Balanced work schedules • A culturally respectful work environment

We are looking for a Media Consultant to join our team in the advertising department

We have career opportunities for the following positions: Cook – Vernonia Head Start: $15.10/hr Prep Cook – St. Helens Head Start: $14.41/hr Floating Aid – St. Helens Head Start: $14.41/hr

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL Driveways • Roadways • Subdivisions • Parking Lots • City, County, State Specification Products

Call Jim today at

(503) 509-8657

Email resume to jruark@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116 to set up an interview.

The Chief The Chronicle

Contact JoAnne Dodge at 503-397-4114, jdodge@nworheadstart.org; or Dawn Crawford at 503-556-3736, dcrawford@nworheadstart.org

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW CC22-1676

CC22-1674

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS is hereby given Four, Canyon, Portions of: TER PEOPLE’S UTILITY no later than 5:00 p.m.

THE STATE OF OREGON FOR thatNotice on Tuesday, November City of Scappoose Two, DISTRICT • Director, Sub- August 30, 2022. Each 2022, an election will be SE Scappoose, Multnomah division 1 (4 Year term): filing must include a filing THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA 8,conducted by mail for the County • Director, SubPortions of: McNulty, N fee of $10.00 or a petition Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of SHEILA JOYCE MCCALLISTER, Deceased. No. 22PB06168 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to

the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published July 15, 2022.

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

purpose of electing board members (positions/zones and terms) to the following districts: CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT • Director, Subdivision 3 (4 Year term): S Clatskanie and Quincy • Director, Subdivision 4 (4 Year term): Portions of: Delena COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT • Director, Subdivision 1 (4 Year term): City of Scappoose One, City of Scappoose

division 2 (4 Year term): McNulty, S Warren, N Warren, W Scappoose, Portions of: City of Scappoose Two, SE Scappoose, Chapman • Director, Subdivision 4 (2 Year term): City of St. Helens 1 and portions of St. Helens 4 • Director, Subdivision 5 (4 Year term): Goble, N Deer Island, S Deer Island, City of Columbia City, City of Prescott, E Rainier, W Rainier, portions of: City of Rainier, Delena, Apiary McNULTY WA-

Warren, City of St. Helens Six • Director, Subdivision 2 (4 Year term): Portions of: Milton, McNulty, City of St. Helens Six • Director, Subdivision 5 (2 Year term): Portions of: Milton, City of St. Helens Six, Yankton Each candidate for an office listed above must file a declaration of candidacy (SEL190) with the Elections Department of Columbia County within the period beginning on July 21, 2022 and ending

of nomination (SEL121) signed by at least 25 registered voters residing in the electoral district for the office. Filing information, forms and Voters Pamphlet submission packets are available online on the County Elections page at the Columbia County website www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/Elections or available in person at the Columbia County Elections Department, 230 Strand St., St. Helens, OR.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SUMMER DAYS ACROSS

1. Candy bar Baby 5. New York baseball player 8. *____ days of summer 11. Southern cuisine pod 12. Austin Powers’ charm 13. Phlegms 15. Finish with plaster 16. Balanced 17. Shy 18. *Usually June 21 20. Wood sorrels 21. Between septet and nonet 22. Stir fry pan 23. *”Out” for most kids in summer 26. Popular white fish 30. ___ Tsu 31. Pavlov’s conditioned ____ 34. Part of cathedral 35. Dwelling 37. *It’s often hot and muggy in summer 38. Be in accord 39. Physicist Niels ____ 40. Like some wedding cakes 42. A Bobbsey twin 43. Comparative of staid 45. *Like waterskier’s

dream lake surface 47. Jean-Claude ____ Damme 48. Not our 50. *Dangle them in the pool?

52. *Tossing around, pl.

55. Drunkard 56. Falling out 57. Like one deserving of a Christmas gift 59. On and on (2 words) 60. Black tropical cuckoos 61. Bob ____ of boxing industry 62. JFK’s brother 63. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” band 64. Typically 5 of these in a men’s tennis match

DOWN

1. “Arabian Nights” bird 2. Luau strings 3. Crosby, Stills and Nash, e.g.

4. Attention-grabbing shout 5. *Summer blockbuster 6. DVD player button 7. Muscle quality 8. Russian parliament 9. “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” singer

10. Cowboy’s heel prod 12. Courage to carry on 13. Counter seat 14. *Summer activity: berry ____ 19. Game status 22. Car wash option 23. Granite store units 24. Explorer John ____, a.k.a. Giovanni Caboto 25. Commotion 26. German mister 27. Farm structure, pl.

28. Part of an eye, pl.

29. *Adjective for bikini?

32. *County event 33. Tall tale 36. *#5 Down venue 38. Improvise 40. Sophomore’s grade 41. Antonym of ingests 44. Old hat 46. NBA venues 48. Threesome 49. No-distortion sound reproduction, pl.

50. Arctic floater 51. Augmented 52. Brawl 53. Republic of Ireland 54. Hare’s tail 55. *Uninvited picnic guest 58. Ambulance squad, acr.

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

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A6

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Oregon joins national 988 Suicide, Crisis Lifeline STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon has joined a new nationwide effort to connect people in need of behavioral health crisis support through a new telephone number.

People in Oregon and nationwide who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis are able to call, text or chat 988 to get compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors.

The new three-digit 988 number will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new phone system took effect July 16.

Why is this needed now?

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental healthrelated crisis care needs.

Supporters of the system said the 988 number is easy to remember, like 911. 988 will be available to help people who are experiencing a range of behavioral health crises, including: thoughts of suicide or selfharm, substance use, or any other kind of behavioral health crisis.

People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

“Too many people in Oregon don’t have easy, quick access to the support and care they need when facing a mental health crisis,” Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Patrick Allen said. “While fully implementing a transformative crisis care system will take time and further investments, the launch of 988 is a sound first step to connect more people in need with critical, life-saving care.”

The 988 dialing code connects callers to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; a network of local crisis call centers throughout the country. In

Courtesy photo

The Oregon Legislature is strengthening and expanding the state’s behavioral health crisis system.

Oregon, 988 call centers are operated by Lines for Life statewide, and Northwest Human Services in Marion and Polk counties.

“988 is going to transform the way we support people in crisis,” Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton said. “It will take time to build, but 988 will deliver hope to people in crisis as well as their families, loved ones and communities.”

How 988 works to help people in crisis 988 call services will be available in English and Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages. Texting 988 and online chat (available at http://988lifeline. org/) are currently available only in English.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, counselors resolve more than 95 percent of calls over the phone. The crisis counselors are trained to use the least invasive interventions and are linked to a network of services.

Often, a supportive conversation is all that is needed to help someone in crisis.

When in-person support or intervention is needed, counselors may dispatch a mobile crisis team or first responder.

Preparing for 988 calls In 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline received nearly 2.4 million calls, and call volume is anticipated to significantly increase with the launch of 988.

The Oregon Legislature, through House Bill 2417

(2021) and other transformative investments, is strengthening and expanding the state’s behavioral health crisis system. This includes approximately $7 million for staffing Oregon’s two 988 call centers and approximately $39 million allocated to Community Mental Health Programs to enhance and expand community-based mobile crisis intervention services.

In Oregon, Lines for Life has staff who can provide culturally and linguistically specific services around the clock and Northwest Human Services has expanded its staff to do the same, according to Holton. As the 988 crisis response system expands, additional funding will be required to sustain the call centers, response units and other services.

Community input is designing the future of 988 Allen said the OHA is working with communities with lived experience in the behavioral health system to guide the design, implementation and policies of 988 and a broader crisis response system, especially through the Crisis System Advisory Workgroup (CSAW). OHA recognizes that many individuals and families with lived experience and from disproportionately affected communities have experienced adverse impacts of the crisis response system due to systemic and historical social injustice.

With community partnerships and insights, OHA hopes that 988 can provide an empowering, culturally responsive experience for

individuals in crisis and that the system will meet the unique needs of groups disproportionately impacted by health inequities, including youth, rural populations, communities of color, veterans and people in the military, Tribal communities and people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

While 988 is the first step, OHA continues to work with partners to develop a crisis response system that will help divert people from emergency rooms and connect people to other community-based behavioral health treatment facilities, such as the Behavioral Health Resource Networks, funded by Measure 110 dollars.

Important facts people need to know about 988: • 988 will be available though every landline, cell phone and voice-over internet device in the United States, as well as text and chat.

• The current technology for 988 will route callers by area code, not geolocation.

• 988 is not currently available when phones are locked or do not have prepaid minutes.

• The transition to 988 will not impact the availability of crisis services for veterans and military service members. They can call 988 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.

• For support in Spanish, callers can press 2 to connect with the Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has an infographic with more information on what happens when people call, text or chat.

Learn more about 988 in Oregon on OHA’s 988 webpage.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800273-TALK (8255), which will continue to function after the transition.

Friday, July 22, 2022

Westport Community Church is having Bible School July 25-July 29 from 9 a.m. – noon.

Questions, please call 503-455-2539.

Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency

Community Action Team

Are you a veteran?

You may be entitled to benefits for serving your country.

Contact your Veteran Service Officer • 503-366-6580 Call CAT at (503)397-3511 to find out if you qualify. Rental and energy assistance applications are available at 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR. Also available on our website at www.CAT-TEAM.org

Get Reliable Financial Advice Breta Grumbois, Tracy Aalvik, & Scott Thompson are Financial Advisors with Fibre Financial Group located at Fibre Federal Credit Union. They’re available to consult with you at no initial cost!

Breta & Tracy

360.414.4223

FAIR

From Page A1

Scott

at the local business. If they (businesses) sponsor the fair, we advertise for them and then they get presale tickets that they can choose to do whatever they want with.

Just a little bit of everything.”

Russell said the vendors at the fair also help fuel the economy.

“The vendors shop at the local grocery stores for ice and other supplies they need while at the fair,” she said.

According to Russell, approximately 16,000 gate admissions were recorded during the 2021 Columbia County Fair, down slightly from 2019. The fair had been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

360.575.5705 Fibre Financial Group Retirement & Investment Services financial professionals are registered representatives of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/ SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment professional, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/ NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee.

Not a deposit of any financial institution. CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. is a registered broker/dealer in all fifty States of the United States of America. FR2290725.2-1120-1222

Pig judging at the fair. See more photos with this story at thechiefnews.com.

• Youth: $6 • Seniors: $6

Ticket information

Sunday • Everyone $5

Friday-Saturday • Adults: $15

Pre-sale tickets may be purchased online at: https://

www.columbiacountyfairgrounds.com/p/purchasetickets.

Rodeo admission comes with the gate ticket prices.

Parking is $5 all day. No pets are allowed at the Columbia County Fair.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

To learn more about the fair, or sign up for individual events, follow the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo Facebook page, visit the fair’s website at: www.columbiacountyfairgrounds.com or call the fair office at 503-397-4231.

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