VOL. 131, NO. 16 $1.50AUGUSTFRIDAY, 26, 2022 opportunity’‘Extraordinary Page A2 dangerOcean Page A6 Obituaries ................. A3 Clatskanie Grows .... A4 Community Events A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: St.1805chiefnews@countrymedia.net503-397-4093ColumbiaBlvd.,Helens,OR97051 Contact The Chief Our job is to inspire people to create solutions to the housing crisis. ~ Juan Avalos, Bike & Build cyclist Bike riding with a purpose • •W ho W e A re • • LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article Courtesy photo from
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Bike & Build cyclists spend time on their journey assisting
“This is an historic investment in entrepreneurship, small business growth, and innovation through the American Rescue Plan that will help reduce barriers to capital access for traditionally underserved communi ties including those in rural areas,” Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Janet L. YellenOregonsaid.U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said
Oregon gets $83.5 million for small businesses how local businesses can access the federal funding, contact Business Oregon or the Columbia County Economic Team.
See FINANCE Page A6 STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
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housing. See BIKERS Page A6 Fatal
Eighteen young cyclists from across the country pedaling for progress stopped in Clatskanie at the end of a 4,000-mile trek, travel ing to raise awareness for afford ableThehousing.young adults are part of an organization named Bike & Build, which was started in 2003 by Mark Bush, who had been part of a simi lar organization.“Ourjobisto inspire people to create solutions to the housing crisis,” group leader and cyclist Juan Avalos said. “Not only to help the communities we bike to, but to encourage young people to live a life engaging in all sorts of civic activities.”TheBike & Build website states that the riders are ambassadors for the affordable housing cause. “Riders prepare presentations for the various church congrega tions and other community mem bers who may host them overnight or for a meal in order to talk a little bit about the cause and why they are dedicating their summer to this cause,” the Bike & Build website states. “In communities through which they pass, riders talk to local 29 and the cycling groups can have come even more evident since the gage payments, according to cyclist Serving the Columbia Region since 1891 Han John Tse local communities in constructing affordable traffic crashes in Oregon have increased according to Oregon State Police (OSP). have seen an alarming trend in fatal crashes across Or egon,” OSP Lt. Steve Mitchell told the Chief. 2-Year statewide trend Mitchell said his agency has seen the increase in fatal traffic crashes over the past two years. the law enforce reports have listed the cause of many of the fatal crashes as one vehicle crossing over the centerline of theTheroadway.Chiefasked Mitchell what OSP reconstruction of the deadly crashes reveal as the cause of the crashes. Is it driver fatigue, medi cal issue, attention failure, texting, eating? down specific reasons for distracted driving,” Mitchell said. “All the things you mention in the question are causes of Lane Usage crashes.”
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net See CRASHES Page A6
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“There are numerous variables that can cause crashes in particular geographical locations,” Mitchell said. “It could be increased traf fic volume, a long weather event and motorists committing traffic violations that lead to crashes in a particularMitchellarea.”said the largest con tributor to the fatal traffic crashes is speed and driving on the wrong side of theStateroad.troopers and partner public safety agencies focus on what is called the Fatal 5 driving behaviors, which Mitchell said contributes to most of all motor vehicle crashes.
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Metro Creative Connection For information about
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‘Alarming trend’
Small businesses in Clatskanie, Columbia County and across the state could soon get a federal financial boost.The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved Oregon’s ap plication for $83.5 million under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).President Biden’s American Rescue Plan reauthorized and ex panded SSBCI, which was originally established in 2010 and was highly successful in increasing access to capital for small businesses and entre preneurs, according to a release from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The new SSBCI builds on this successful model by providing nearly $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to increase access to capital and promote entrepreneurship, especially in traditionally underserved communities as they emerge from the pandemic.SSBCI funding is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private invest ment for every $1 of SSBCI capital funding, amplifying the effects of this funding and providing small business owners with the resources they need to sustainably grow and thrive, the releaseStatestates.governments submitted plans how they would us the SSBCI alloca tions to the U.S. Treasury Department.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief OSP investigators said driving habits contribute to most of all motor vehicle crashes.
The Fatal 5 driving habits: Speed Occupant safety Lane safety Impaired driving Distracted driving as fatal traffic crashes rise
significantly,
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a website for crash reports and statis Mitchell said there are specific areas of the state where OSP is seeing an uptick in fatal crashes. Below are the highways
num ber of fatal crashes: • 2019 = 195 • 2020 = 200 • 2021 = 234 Over the years,
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OSP has I-5 and Hwy 99 in Marion County Hwy 211 and Hwy 224 in Clackamas County Hwy 97 in Deschutes County • Hwy 97 in Klamath County • Hwy 58 in Lane County • 1-5 in Douglas County
www.thechiefnews.com Friday, August 26, 2022A2 North Columbia County’s trusted local news source
• Incentives: Other states offer incentive pack ages that are both larger and more specifically tailored to the semiconduc tor industry than Oregon. We need to preserve and strengthen existing tools and consider new ones such as a research tax credit and workforce training incen tive programs to spark new investment and generate additional public revenue.
adds 170 jobs Courtesy photo The Oregon
• Regulation: When it comes to permits and environmental regulations for new facilities, the semi conductor industry tells us it wants a strong partner ship to aggressively pursue greenhouse gas reductions and other planet-friendly measures. They point out that other states offer a more streamlined approach that is more in sync with the speed of the market. “Oregon has a once-ina-generation opportunity to advance our vision for eq uitable economic prosper ity, the report’s summary concludes. “We need to act quickly to preserve and grow our global leadership in this important indus try that anchors Oregon’s economy.”Thereport was released at Portland Community College (PCC) Aug. 17. The event at PCC’s Wil low Creek Center in Wash ington County featured speeches by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Governor Kate Brown, U.S. Congress woman Suzanne Bonamici, Portland General Electric CEO Maria Pope and PCC President Dr. Adrien Ben nings. The group discussed the release of the muchanticipated Oregon Semi conductor Competitiveness Task Force report titled, “Seizing Opportunity.” Since March, the task force has analyzed the state’s semiconductor industry and how it can continue to thrive, grow, and create prosperity and opportunity. It centered on key factors that impact semiconductor manufactur ing, Oregon’s competitive ness in those areas, and options to position the state to attract industry invest ment.“The work of the task force is a jumpstart to a unique createconductorglobalsolidifyeffortstoommendationsdynamics.educationalmanufacturingindustryprovidesBenningsopportunity,”said.“Ourworkinsightintoimpact,advancedneeds,andandworkforceOverall,therecareintendedadvancecollaborativeacrossthestatetoourpositionasaleaderinthesemiindustryandasustainablefuture
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
• R&D Strength: Semi conductor research and development is Oregon’s competitive advantage. Our strategy to secure chip investment should focus on solidifying a worldclass innovation ecosystem around chip research and production.
• Talent: Premier ac cess to talent and a robust, private sector-led innova tion ecosystem separates Oregon from others. To preserve this advantage, Oregon needs to invest across the talent con tinuum, from entry-level positions to PhDs.
Courtesy photo
• Land: To attract and retain semiconduc tor research and develop ment and manufacturers, we need more buildable industrial land proximate to infrastructure, talented workers, and specialized suppliers. Oregon’s land use system and infrastruc ture investment programs need urgent legislative attention and investment to address this need.
workforce.”“Whatis being done today is that we’re releas ing a battle plan to build an even stronger chip industry that continues generat ing jobs here in the Sili con Forest and across the state,” Sen. Wyden said. “The major center of chip research and development is Washington County. This is the major center of chip research, and the fabs that are being built in America depend on what is going on in Oregon.”According to PCC officials, student Emily Mom is an example of the success of Silicon Forest and how PCC is key to the future of semiconductor training in Oregon. The part-time PCC Mi croelectronics Technology Program student is cur rently working full-time as a manufacturing technician for Intel. Born in Cambodia and immigrated to Oregon in 2008 when she was 12, Mom will be the first in her family to graduate from college.“Everyone that I have met during my time here at PCC and in the MT pro gram has been so helpful and so supportive, even my classmates,” said Mom, who is taking advantage of the tuition assistance pro gram that Intel provides for their employees to continue their education. “We all are eager to learn and when we get to work as a class to troubleshoot an issue, it gives us an opportunity to learn from each other as well.”
A new report finds the semiconductor industry expansion presents Oregon with an ‘extraordinary op portunity’ to intentionally create jobs and investment the state needs to emerge from the pandemic with a stronger, more deliberately equitable economy. The report’s executive summary, from the Oregon Semiconductor Competi tiveness Task Force, states the global semiconductor industry is investing bil lions to fill a worldwide chip shortage and the U.S. government is taking strong action to secure the nation’s semiconductor supply chain. In July, Congress passed the $52 billion CHIPS Act to boost domestic semicon ductor manufacturing and design.“This creates a huge opportunity to solidify Oregon’s position as a world leader in semicon ductor innovation, dramati cally expanding our base of semiconductor design and manufacturing,” the report’s summary states. “The benefits in equitable economic development will be chainmanufacturingadditionaloperationalenousthemconstructionthousandsmentBillionstransformational.incapitalinvestwillcreatetensofofhigh-payingjobs,manyofheldbyblack,indigandpeopleofcolor.”Oncethefacilitiesare-thousandsofsemiconductorandsupplyjobswillbecreated, where nearly 50% of posi tions require no more than high school or community college training, according to the“Thereport.public revenues generated will be in the billions, providing needed financial resources to sup port critical community priorities such as homeless ness, affordable housing, and education,” the report states.The Semiconductor Task Force was convened to develop a strategy to secure this once-in-ageneration opportunity for all Oregonians. The Task Force organized five subcommittees to explore and make recommendations on key factors influencing the industry’s growth in Oregon.These are the subcom mittees’ findings and broad recommendations to date:
Read the full report with this story at thechiefnews. com.
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County Employment Department reports 24,418 employed and 1,144 unemployed in Columbia County in July.
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employ ment in Columbia County increased by 170 in July to 11,800 jobs, according to the latest Oregon Employ ment Department report. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A loss of 290 jobs is normal for the month, but the county’s employment fell by only 120. Job gains In July, the private sec tor added 150 jobs, and government employment dropped by 270. Profes sional and business services added 70 jobs. Leisure and hospitality gained 60 jobs, and construction grew by 40 jobs. Local govern ment education shed 270 jobs. Other industries had smaller thejobsincreasewithaemploymentJuly’schanges.totalnonfarmnumbersshowgainof90jobscomparedoneyearbefore,anof0.8%.Thecountylost1,360inApril2020aspandemichit,andit remains 70 jobs below its pre-pandemic employment of July 2019. Some of the major industries gained jobs over the past year. Other services added 90 jobs over the year. Profes sional and business services added 80 jobs, and leisure and hospitality regained 60 jobs. Private education and health services lost 110 jobs.Columbia County’s seasonally adjusted unem ployment rate was 4.1% in July, essentially unchanged from 4.2% in June. It was 5.6% the year before. The statewide unemployment rate was 3.5% in July, and the national rate was 3.5% as well. Statewide report Over the past five months, unemployment rates for the U.S. and Or egon have averaged 3.6%, near record lows dating back almost 50 years. The labor market is tight, and many people have gotten back to work. Over the past two years, Oregon’s labor force par ticipation rate rose rapidly. The share of the popu lation 16 and older that is either employed or unem ployed reached 63.5% in July, its highest rate in a decade.InOregon, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,200 in July, following gains averaging 6,300 jobs in the prior eight months. Monthly gains in July were largest in leisure and hos pitality (+1,500 jobs), other services (+1,400), manu facturing (+1,300), and private educational services (+1,300). Retail trade (-700 jobs) was the only major industry that shed a sub stantial number of jobs. As of July, Oregon has regained 94% of jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic. The U.S. has regained 100%.Oregon’s private sec tor is close to a full jobs recovery, having regained 99% of pandemic recession losses. However, Oregon’s government sector has only regained 49% of the jobs it lost during March through June 2020. Professional and technical services was one of the fastest growing industries over the past two years. It added 1,900 jobs in July and has grown by 10,400 jobs since February 2020.Over the past 12 months, architectural and engineering services added 1,700 jobs, or 9.4%, which was the highest growth rate of the component industries within professional and technical services. Retail trade has inched downward since late last year. In July, it dropped to 209,000 jobs, which is back to where it was in late 2016. Over the past 12 months, the weakest retail trade sectors were building material and garden supply stores (-1,700 jobs) and general merchandise stores (-2,400Oregon’sjobs).unemploy ment rate was 3.5% in July, unchanged from 3.5%, as revised, in June. The U.S. unemployment rate was also 3.5% in July.
‘extraordinary opportunity’ for Oregon
Donald Cramer
THEME: AWARD-WINNING DRAMAS
$72M for Oregon
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief Law enforcement members gathered during the investigation in front of the shooting location, which was taped off during the probe.
The
• $2,008,180.97 Oregon Department of Forestry for emergency protective mea sures as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds.
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• $2,013,729.82 to the Oregon Department of Cor rections for emergency pro tective measures as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
April 8, 1984 ~ Aug. 11, 2022
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Oregon will receive $72,211,884.93 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emer gency Management Agency (FEMA) awards. The funds are intended to help various organizations and departments around Or egon to financially recover from disaster and emergency response efforts and to repair critical infrastructure from extreme weather events. Natural disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, requiring emer gency responses during and in the immediate aftermath of the event, according to Oregon U.s. Sen. Jeff Merkley.“This FEMA funding, which is going to Oregon communities and agencies that have been impacted by wildfires, winter storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial to ensuring our com munities are able to recover quickly and will support future preventative measures to protect Oregonians in ev ery corner of the state from natural disasters when they strike,” he said. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said the funding is welcome news for Oregon com munities working hard on the response, recovery and rebound following natural disasters.“These federal resources are a must to help our entire state in the wake of weatherrelated disasters and the fallout from COVID on emergency response state wide to the unprecedented public health crisis. I’ll always keep fighting to en sure Oregonians get similar federal assistance whenever disasters hit,” Wyden said. Award amounts and re cipients follows below:
Background
• $1,696,398.75 To Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) for perma nent repairs as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds. $1,423,569.51 to the City of West Linn for Public Assistance Alternate Procedures (PAAP) debris removal operations as a result of winter storms. disaster, Creative Connection funds are intended to help various organizations and departments around Oregon to financially recover from disaster and emergency response efforts and to repair critical infrastructure from extreme weather events. o bitu A ries
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net • •
Kenneth Vance 87, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away on Aug. 17, 2022 in Longview, Washington.
Kenneth Vance Jan. 23, 1935 ~ Aug. 17, 2022
The shooting occurred on the morning of March 31, at the Scappoose towing company.Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and Colum bia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies, including Sheriff Pixley, responded to the call of a disturbance call involving a suspect at Grumpy’s Towing at 53279 Columbia River Highway, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Office de tective Shannon Wilde. As officers arrived on scene, witnesses said of ficers ordered the armed suspect involved to put down his weapon, according to a KOIN report. The suspect, later identi fied as 39-year-old Michael Stockton, fired multiple shots at two law enforce ment officers, and the officers returned fire, hitting Stockton, according to in vestigators. No officers were injured during the gunfire. Multiple law enforce ment agencies, including St. Helens and Scappoose Po lice also responded to the in cident. Officers at the scene rendered aid to Stockton un til medical personnel could take over. Stockton was later pronounced differentinvestigatorsFollowingdeceased.theshooting,locatedtwohandgunsinStock ton’s possession confirming he fired multiple shots in the direction of the law enforce ment officers, according to Washington County Sher iff’s Office (WCSO) Detec tive Shannon Wilde. During the investigation, officers learned that Stock ton was wanted by Gresham Police for the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man at a storage facility in Gresham, according to Wilde. Inves tigators said the shooting in Scappoose is unrelated to the Gresham homicide case. Stockton had served 60 months in prison in 2014 after his conviction of two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of being a felon in possession of a gun, according to The Oregonian.Pixleyand Drew were placed on critical incident leave, which is standard pro tocol following an officerinvolved shooting.
www.thechiefnews.comFriday, August 26, 2022 A3 North Columbia County’s trusted local news source • •C ross W ord P uzzle • • ACROSS 1. Radiant light 5. Ceiling prop 8. Sweatshirt attach 14.13.12.mentAuricularLightlycoloredLikeacertainlass 15. Rotterdam or Singa pore, e.g. 16. Greek god of love 17. Event host 18. *1960 GoldenGlobe winner with Kirk 20.DouglasTheBee ____ 21. Rowed 22. Costa del ____ 23. *1922 Pulitzerwinning “Long Day’s Journey into Night” 26.author*James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar-winner 30. Steal 31. “Killers of the Flower Moon” tribal 34.membersAll’sopposite 35. *2021 “royal” Emmy winner 37. “One Fish Two Fish ____ Fish...” 38. More eccentric 39. Assistant 40. Expels 42. Before, old-fash 43.ionedConsummate pro fessional, in music 45. Mid-body narrow ing, pl. 47. Feather glue 48. Library offerings 50. Cry like a baby 52. *”The ____”, 1972 mafia Oscar winner 56. Jeopardy, not the game 57. Type of molding 58. This location 59. Full of blood vessels 60. Christian of haute61.coutureSuite cleaner 62. Mountain goat ter 63.rainD.C. bigwig 64. Middle of March DOWN 1. Brewer’s perennials 2. Perching place 3. Italian money 4. Type of local tax 5. Travesty 6. Not silently 7. Loch ____ 8. *2012 Emmy-win ning espionage thriller 9. Fairy tale opener 10. Half of binary code, pl. 11. Yellow #5, e.g. 13. Bits of wisdom 14. Fathered 19. Bird of prey’s 22.weaponFemale sib 23. ____’s razor 24. Waterwheel 25. Horace’s poem 26. Danson and Ken nedy 27. Lymph “containers” 28. Lacking vigor 29. Roman counterpart of Greek Demeter 32. *Ben Affleck’s 2012 Golden Globe best drama winner 33. Wow 36. *2000-2003 White House Emmy winner, with The 38. Port city in Japan 40. Get it wrong 41. BOGO offer 44. Total amount 46. Isthmus, pl. 48. Railroad car under 49.carriageTheater, to Socrates 50. Samuel Adams, e.g. 51. Operatic solo 52. Hermes and Apollo 53. Cabbage amount 54. Great Lake 55. *Best Director Oscar-winner Warren Beatty’s 1981 film 56. Rubber substitute, acr. Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief STATEPOINT CROSSWORD
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
• $60,183,670 to Oregon Health Authority for emer gency response and protec tive measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fatal shooting justified
Columbia County Dis trict Attorney Jeff Auxier has ruled that the actions by Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley and Oregon State Police Sgt. Chad Drew were justified in a fatal shooting at Grumpy’s Tow “My conclusion is that the actions of Sheriff Pixley and Sergeant Drew on March 31 were justified, and that no further action on the part of my office is neces sary,” Auxier states in his official findings letter. Read the report from the DA with this story at thechiefnews. com.Auxier sent the review documents to Pixley and to Oregon State Police Capt. AndyLastMcCool.April,following the shooting, Pixley placed a statement on his Facebook site, which read in part: “It is a complex and dif ficult experience to process but I find some comfort in knowing that we were able to defend the lives of our cit izens and both the sergeant and I were able to go home safely to our families.” At that time, Pixley de clined an interview with The Chief pending conclusion of the shooting investigation.
• $4,886,335.88 to the City of Umatilla for replace ment of a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Umatilla River as a result of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was the lead law enforcement agency in the shooting investigation.
COVID-19 relief Metro
Donald was born to Mi chael and Lorrie Cramer of Rainier, Oregon. He graduat ed from Rainier High School Alternative Program in 2002. He is preceded in death by grandparents, Donald and Wanda Cramer; Jack and E. Arlene Scott of Rainier, Oregon; and Uncle Ronald Weller of Alaska. He is survived by both parents; grandfather Wil liam F. Weller of Ocean Park, Washington; step father C. Scott Eaker of Castle Rock, Washington; two sisters, Megan Cramer of St. Helens, Oregon and Leah Cramer of Fremont, Nebraska; two brothers, Alexander and Nicholas Cra mer of Fremont, Nebraska; three stepbrothers, David and Christopher Eaker of Longview, Washington and James Lewis Jr. of Fremont, Nebraska; stepsister Jennifer Lewis of Fremont, Nebraska; two nieces, Charley and Annabelle Cramer; many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.Family wants him to be remembered by is wit. He liked making others laugh. He was kind and had a gentle soul. He will be missed by all that loved him and anyone who knew him. Celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2022 at Trojan Park in Rainier, Oregon. There will be a service followed by food and refreshments. Bring a dish or desert if you would like, but it is not required.
Driver • •C ommunity e vents • •
OSU Master Gardener™ signups being taken for 2022-23 class to be held in St. Helens
Jeremy
Ongoing Farmers Market Clatskanie Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through September 24 at Cope’s Park in down town Clatskanie.
Clatskanie Grows: Termites on the wing A tsk A nie G ro W s
September 5 Park Concert The Clatskanie Arts Commis sion (CAC) presents Big Band in the Park Concert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Clats kanie City Park, 300 Park Street in Clatskanie. This free concert will feature music by the North Coast Big Band from Astoria. Food items will be available for purchase beginning at 1 p.m. as a fun draiser for the Clatskanie Arts Commission. Please bring your own chairs. Bleacher seating will also be available. For more information about the CAC performers visit, clatskaniearts.org.
Ruark Regional Executive Editor Jon Campbell Advertising Sales Kelli Nicholson Office Manager James Yang Creative Director Jon
This newspaper’s
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 360751-7039. 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 Demen tia 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.
Newer research impli cates my favorite mineral, calcium, in the disorder. Calcium is very important to cell wall integrity in plants. In addition, it is a mineral that is not moved easily from the soil up through the stems and into the various plant parts. Fi nally, the winning.thecalciumavailableforcompeteshootsandrootsthewithshootsgenerallyThisplaysoutin the potato as follows: during rapid tuber growth, the plant is still trying to put out new leaves. Calcium is absorbed through the main plant roots and most of that goes to the leaves. Even watering tends to encourage more calcium uptake. The tubers also have some roots that supply them directly.Calcium those roots and it will absorb the develop ing spuds. If you can give the tuber roots some soluble calcium at the time of most rapid tuber growth, you can dramatically lessen hollow heart. Commercial growers are using calcium nitrate as a soluble fertilizer run through their irrigation systems at this critical tuber formation period. Home gardeners can use soaker hoses and drop calcium nitrate next to them to achieve the same results. Other possible solu tions involve the use of changingciumaddaroundwoodpotatoes,applyinggypsumpre-planttocalwithoutthesoil pH (which increases potato scab) and avoid ing varieties more prone to hollow heart like Russet Burbank and Kennebec.
The
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Important
or at isoregonstate.edu.chip.bubl@Theofficeopenfrom8a.m.-5p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter The Oregon
versity Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming top ics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// letters.columbia/extension.oregonstate.edu/andclickonnews Resource contact details Oregon
the obituary, so we can verify information as
The OSU Extension of fice in Columbia County will be offering a mostly in-per son OSU Master Gardener™ training starting this fall at the OSU Extension office in St. Helens.Thisyear, we are trying a new schedule that allows people that work to attend. The classes will be held on alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m.- noon starting on Sept. 10 through Thanksgiving. Then there will be a winter break. The classes will start again in early February and go through the end of April. There will be classes on vegetable gardening, growing fruit, plant identifi cation, understanding your soil, insects, diseases, plant propagation, composting, household pests, managing deer and other animals in your garden, plant and weed identification, and much more. Cost of the program is $100 which includes a large resource book. Scholarships are available. OSU Master Gardeners™ are responsible for volunteering to work on gardening education projects for partial payback for the training.Ifyou think you might be interested in the program, call the Extension office at 503-397-3462 for more details or email Chip Bubl, OSU Extension Agent/Co lumbia County directly chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu.at
who
per month. All
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CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 • Website: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial: chiefnews@countrymedia.net ADVERTISE WITH US: Advertising Email: chronicleads@countrymedia.net • Classified email: chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net The Chief The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in county: $8 1 month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80 Joe Warren
Movies by Moonlight Scappoose Public Library and the City of Scappoose offer free Movies by Moonlight each Friday in August at Heri tage Park, 52469 SE Second Street, in Scappoose. A series of four family friendly movies will be shown with thematic activities and events each night. For up-to-date information about the events, visit the Movies by Moon light website link, Facebook page, or contact Jeff Weiss 503-543-7123. Food vendors will be on site with snacks and full meals available for purchase. All movies start at dusk with pre-movie events beginning at 7 p.m. In the event of rain, the showing will be rescheduled. Alcohol and smoking are not permit ted in the park.
To list an event in the Com munity Calendar, email details with a phone num ber that may be published, to 503-397-0116.countrymedia.net,chronicleclassifieds@orcall
policy Opinions
Many publicationsExtensionavailableonline Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting kiwis? OSU has a large number of its pub lications available for free download. Just go to tionsstate.edu/.catalog.extension.oregonhttps://Clickonpublicaandstartexploring. notes Donate produce and/ or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated.
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• The Extension Service offers its programs and mate rials equally to all people. The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Have questions? If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 State Uni State University
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Editorial expressed on this are independent of Chief views are solely those of the writers expressing Letters policy letters to the are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include are limited to one published letter 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. Guest commentary welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the news paper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representa tives. Or you might just have interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at (503) 397-0116 or chiefnews@ countrymedia.net. All columns are subject to editing for style, grammar and clarity. However, views expressed in guest columns are independent and do not represent those of The Chief, its staff or Country Media, Inc. Obituaries Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address person submitted necessary. Publisher C. Lowrance
Flying termites don’t indicate that your house is infested with termites. The insects are part of our wood decay cycle and are very common. They cer tainly have been around far longer than humans in this landscape. The reproductive forms of the termite fly this time of year to mate. Fertil ized queens drop to earth, shed their wings and look for a suitable home. Suitable is the Akey.dampwood termite requires continuously wet wood. If there is no dirt piled up against your house or leaking pipes in the walls, you don’t have to worry about the dampwood termite. They can’t live there. The subterranean termite is more devious. It must have moisture. But it can conduct moisture up mud tubes from the earth into your house structure. Crawl under your house once a year to look for these tubes. If you find them, you need to hire an extermi nator.Itis interesting to watch the numbers of creatures that look forward to this annual termite flight. They include many birds especially swal lows and Steller’s jays, bats, tree frogs, alligator lizards, yellow jackets (I have seen them grab wingless queens and haul them away to the nest), mound-building ants (they attack in groups), spi ders, and so many more. This feast is probably millions of yearsButold.don’t get too compla cent. Carpenter ants are our number one wood destroying pest in Columbia County and they are very dangerous. They don’t require wet wood, though they do readily infest it. But that is a story for an other column. If you suspect a carpenter ant infestation, you should have your house inspected and develop a treatment plan. Hollow potatoes Hollow centers are a pe culiar disorder (not disease) of potatoes. It often strikes the largest, fastest growing tubers. However, you won’t notice the problem until you actually cut into the potatoes during dinner preparation. The heart of the potato is either streaked brown or is actually hollow, hence the names of the disorder, “brown streak” or “hollow heart.”Older books say hollow heart is caused by uneven potato watering, especially on lighter (sandy) soils. That is part of the story but not the entire picture.
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Extension Service – Colum bia 505CountyN.Columbia River HighwaySt.Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462 CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column Clatskanie Grows Improved driver behavior More law enforcement patrols Increased penalties for traffic violators All of the above
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Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held elec tronically 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 events-page.www.lowercolumbiariver.org/at
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Willamette Connections Academy has announced the school’s latest honor roll for grades K-8. The statewide tuitionfree online public school is recognizing students across Oregon for outstanding aca demic achievement during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year. “On behalf of the ad ministration, teachers and counselors at Willamette Connections Academy, we congratulate all the students who earned a spot on the honor roll,” Willamette Con nections Academy School Leader Chris Long said. “I am incredibly proud of our Willamette Connections Academy students who have been thriving in a full-time online learning environ ment that has continued uninterrupted and thrilled to recognize the list of Honor Roll students.” Roll Grader Crixus Har ris of Clatskanie Grader Eli Harris of Clatskanie 3rd Grader Legacy Har ris of Clatskanie 4th Grader Seven Har ris of Clatskanie Grader Akaree Lain of Columbia City Grader Lilith Cava ness of Rainier 6th Grader Kamara Scath of St. Helens Grader David Potter of Vernonia “As parents consider full-time online school for their students, Willamette Connections Academy is a great choice for families,” Long said. “We offer a highly engaging curriculum in a nurturing, safe academ ic environment, which helps prepare students to thrive in a changing tionsWillametteworld.”ConnecAcademyisenrolling students for the 2022-23 academic year. Families are encouraged to attend an online information session to see if virtual education is the right fit for their student. To learn more about the enrollment process, visit 800-382-6010.tionsAcademy.comWillametteConnecorcall
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CC22-1186 The Rainier School District’s 2022 - 2023 Board Meetings will be held on the sec ond Monday of each month in the Boardroom at 28168 Old Rainier Rd beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sep tember 12, 2022, October 10, 2022, November 14, 2022, December 12, 2022, January 9, 2023, February 13, 2023, March 13, 2023, April 10, 2023, May 8, 2023, June 12, 2023 and July 10, 2023.
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The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is seeking volunteers for its Veteran Volunteer Program who are interested in serving aging veterans in their own com munities by helping veterans learn how to access potential earned benefits and resources. The goal of this program is to equip volunteers with information, so they can help educate and connect veterans — primarily, seniors — to their earned benefits and other potentialVolunteersresources.work closely with the Veteran Volunteer Coordinator and the accred ited local veteran service officer or tribal veteran service officer in their area, locating veterans who may need assistance accessing their benefits in long-term care facilities, senior centers, libraries, mobile home parks, and retirement communities, or wherever people gather. The program is open to anyone 18 years or older. Vol unteers are asked to commit to serving eight to 10 hours per month. A background check will be performed (at no cost to the volunteer) be fore the volunteer is permitted to work with veterans. If you enjoy working with the aging population and want to make a difference in the lives of veterans, you are encouraged to apply.Thenext training is sched uled for interested volunteers in Jackson and Josephine counties and will be held in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Medford Senior Center, 510 East Main Street in Medford. In order to attend this training, interested persons must fill out the online inter est form or contact Veteran Volunteer Coordinator Mark Newell by phone or email by 4 p.m. Sept. 19. For more information or to register, please Volunteer@odva.oregon.gov.720-8911Volunteercontactoregonvetvolunteer.comvisitorODVA’sVeteranCoordinatorat971-orODVA_Veteran to help aging veterans at thechiefnews.com Keep up to date with local news, community events, advertisements, and more. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, 503-397-0116thechiefnews.comOR
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www.thechiefnews.comFriday, August 26, 2022 A5 North Columbia County’s trusted local news source Marketplace Just call 503-397-0116It’s easy to place a classified ad in The Chief Listings are updated daily at www.thechiefnews.com 150 Misc Services 790 Misc Wanted 860 Storage Wanted cedar boughs and noble fir. Willing to pay for branches only. Do not damage trees. Call Cesar 360-241-6889 360-425-0738or Kelso. LANDATTENTIONOWNERS! MiniCLATSKANIEStorage Hoarder’s Paradise! 20 sizes, Inexpensive RV Storage, Carports, Hand trucks, Locks, Fully-lined,CondensationInsulated,free,allunitslit.On-siteManager 503 728-2051 503 369-6503 Visa/MC/Amex Public Notices PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW ASPHALT PAVING Offering Quality Asphalt Paving Services to Columbia County and surrounding areas. COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL Driveways • Roadways • Subdivisions • Parking Lots City, County, State Specification Products EstimatesFREE CC22-1185 To: All antrictPeople’srectorsD.lespie,Mustola,Donsons.otherCounty,payersFreeholdersElectors,andTaxofColumbiaOregonandinterestedperBobWiggins,Hooper,JeannieMerleGilandStephenPetersen,theDiofClatskanieUtilityDis(the“District”),OregonPeople’s Utility District, have filed a PETITION IN REM (pursuant to ORS 33.710 and ORS 33.720) for the judicial examina tion and judgment of the Court as to the validity and enforce ability of Resolution No. 22-03. At its regularly scheduled meeting on July 20, 2022, the District adopted Resolution 22-03, which amends District Policy No. 113 to require that an Advanced Meter be installed at each service location as a condition of receiv ing electric service from the District. An “Advanced Meter” is an electric meter that is capable of twoway communications between the meter and the Circuitinpetitioninfrastructure.advancedDistrict’smeteringTheispendingColumbiaCountyCourtasCase No. 22CV26653. The District has asked the court to set a time and place for a hear ing on its petition to enter a judgment as to the authority, regularity, and legal ity of 24,Chronicleinwill22-03.ResolutionThisnoticebepublishedtheSt.HelensonAugustAugust31,and September 7, 2022, and in the Clatskanie Chief on August 26, September 2, and September 9, 2022. ANY INTERESTEDPERSON MAY APPEAR AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF TEN DAYS AFTER THE ATEDTHINGSOFINGS,THETHEANDOFPUBLICATIONFINALTHISNOTICECONTESTVALIDITYOFPROCEEDOROFANYTHEACTSORENUMERTHEREIN.
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“This significant invest ment is an exciting opportunity for Oregon’s small businesses and the hard-working, entre preneurial Oregonians who run them,” Oregon U.S. Congress woman Suzanne Bonamici said. “Small businesses are an important part of our commu nities and our economy. With more people starting new small businesses and growing exist ing businesses, it’s important to break down barriers to success, especially in underserved areas and rural communities.” How the money will be used Oregon will operate five programs, including two ven ture capital programs to which the state has allocated $30 mil lion. The venture capital pro grams are designed to invest in funds in need of additional capital to launch and scale and to make co-investments in companies alongside private investors by matching the lead investor’s structure and terms, according to the release. Across its programs, Oregon’s plan aims to counter systemic barriers to economic opportunity by providing access to capital in persis tently underserved, low- and moderate-income areas and rural communities. Oregon expects these programs to be self-sustaining, providing vital support to small business in Oregon now and over the long term.A recent White House report found that more Ameri cans are starting new business es than ever before. In 2021, Americans applied to start 5.4 million new businesses – 20% more than any other year on record.The report also found that small businesses are creating more jobs than ever before, with businesses with fewer than 50 workers creating 1.9 million jobs in the first three quarters of 2021 – the high est rate of small business job creation ever recorded in a single year.
FINANCE From Page A1
Courtesy photo from Han John Tse
www.thechiefnews.com Friday, August 26, 2022A6 Solution for the August 19, 2022 crossword puzzle •C ross W ord s olutions • Follow me to Berry Global in St. Helens for Big Pay, Big Career, and Big Success $1,000 -$1,500 SIGN -ON BONUS It’s not a myth…it’s the real thing. Berry Global offers competitive pay starting at $18.00/hr. ➢ 4 Tier Pay Progression within first 2yrs. ➢ Monthly Bonus Programs ➢ Full Benefit Package after 30 days A unique team environment, and a workplace culture with career advancement that makes me even want to come out of hiding to join their team. Apply online at: www.berryglobal.com/careers Berry Global is an equal opportunity employer If you know one of the former Clatskanie People’s Utility District customers listed here, please have them contact our staff immediately. They may call 503-728-2163 or email cpud@clatskaniepud.com to discuss their unclaimed funds. Notice of Unclaimed Funds Hannah Alwine Joshua Latimer JC Returns, LLC Emma BeverlyMarylsDeloresJinTinaCristhianArnolodoVirginiaElmerRossLynnJonathanDonLionaPatriciaHopkinsBernardP.AmblerHansonHansonK.NakaahikiBankstonIIKallioJrEdmonTCuyTzepACuyGuachiacNievesWenLiuCrozierMeyer-TaftSeymore
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The last day of the Or egon visit, the cyclists trav eled to Astoria for a celebra tory dip in the ocean. “It is such a positive feel ing knowing we made differ ence.” Behler said. “And to recognize the challenges of so much of our country. And I now have 18 new best friends.”DelDyer, a longtime member of the church, says the evening spent in Clats kanie with the cyclists was very“Hostingspecial. the cyclists was very rewarding and uplift ing,” Dyer said. “ It was one of the most wonderful experiences ever. Very inspi rational.”
Oregon is a leader in innova tion, thanks to the entrepre neurs and small businesses generating thousands of jobs in their eventotostateandentrepreneursbusiness“Yet,communities.toooftensmallowners–especiallyofcolor,women,thoseinruralpartsofour-faceseriousobstaclesgetthecapitaltheyneedgrowtheirbusinesses,orgettheirbusinessesoff the ground in the first place,” Wyden said. “These historic American Rescue Plan invest ments will go far in tearing down obstacles to growth and support more entrepreneurs and small businesses in every nook and cranny of our state.” “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communi ties,” Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said. “As our econo my continues to recover from the ongoing pandemic and other market disruptors, it’s crucial to continue supporting our local community business es. This important access to capital will help jumpstart new and growing small businesses in Oregon by ensuring business opportunities are accessible and encouraging entrepreneurs old and new to build out their small businesses - ultimately, serving their communities and building the shared future we want.”
If your end-of-summer plans include time along the Oregon Coast, first responders are urging beach visitors to use caution and to understand the dangers of the Pacific Ocean. The advisory follows the death of one person and the near drowning of another in a dangerous rip current and multiple other weekend water rescues at Seaside. At 2:33 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, Seaside Fire & Rescue (SFR) responded to a water rescue in prog ress on the beach out from 6th Avenue. When rescue units arrived, three Seaside lifeguards were in the water in an active rip current with two victims and multiple bystanders who were trying to assist the victims, accord ing to UnitsSFR.deployed jet skis, which allowed rescuers to quickly assist lifeguards in bringing victims and bystanders back to the beach. Both victims were trans ported to Providence Seaside Hospital for treatment and evaluation. One victim, a male in his 50s, was found unconscious in the water and pronounced deceased after efforts to revive were unsuc cessful. A female victim in her teens survived the incident.Signs have been posted in the incident area advising of the immediate rip current danger. Multiple water rescues A water rescue occurred in Cannon Beach approxi mately 45 minutes after the Seaside incident and Seaside lifeguards rescued two swim mers in distress at the south end of Seaside’s beach off Avenue U approximately two hours after the 6th Avenue incident.Oneof the rescued swim mers from the second inci dent, a 27-year-old female, told fire personnel that they were in waist-deep water one minute and struggling in wa ter over their heads the next.
“We cannon stress the unpredictable dangers of the ocean enough,” SFR Division Chief of Prevention Genesee Dennis said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family for their tragic lossSFRyesterday.”andthe water rescue team pulled 16 distressed swimmers out of the ocean over the next two days. The agency posted the following on its Facebook following the multiple rescues. “The water temp is un usually warm for this time of year, so people are venturing farther out and ultimately getting into trouble. There are lots of rip currents and drop-offs everywhere. Please stay shallow and check in with a lifeguard to find out where the safer areas are to play in the water. Reminder lifeguards are only on the beach from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. daily. Stay safe out there!!!” Seaside officials urged beach visitors to use extreme caution and always enter the water with others present. Avoid areas prone to rip cur rents and understand how to escape by swimming parallel to the beach. Learn more, including how to recognize a rip cur rent from the beach, at sideFire.com/beach-safety.Sea
Courtesy from Seaside Fire & Rescue
We appreciate your assistance to help locate the following people:
Seaside Fire & Rescue is warning beach visitors of the dangers of the ocean following the death of one man and multiple other water rescues over the past weekend.
1 person dies in rip current, others pulled to safety
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Read more about Bike & Build at https://bikeand build.org.
BIKERS
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“This church is such a beautiful location, and so is this town” cyclist Eliza Behler said. “We are so lucky to always have such great places to stay where we can meet great people.” And with their punishing schedule, a good period of rest is essential, considering their day starts before the sun comes up. The riders said it is important that they end their day before the start of a location’s rush hour. The groups 72 day journey began in Yorktown, Pennsylvania and finished in Oregon. They typically ride two to four days, then contribute their time another one to two days. And they often have to contend with dreaded conditions such as excessive heat, hills, and headwinds.
“Our patrol division troopers focus on the Fatal 5 violations to reduce crash and fatal crash rates,” Mitchell said. “Through high visibility enforcement, OSP attempts to reduce the crashes related to Fatal 5 violations.”Thefollowing is a link to an interactive that shows OSP patrol activities around the state: trolmap.aspx.oregon.gov/osp/Pages/pahttps://www.MitchellsaidOSPmakes
16 water rescues at Seaside
the following recommenda tions to help drivers stay safe: Speed – Drive the speed limit and on occasion drive the speed with due regard to the conditions at the time, which could be road and weather conditions that would warrant slower speeds for safety.
“Across the U.S. there is a shortage of more than seven million affordable homes,” Verzani said. “The shortage has also happened gradually as people move from rural to urban areas. Sobering statistics indeed, which is one reason groups such as Bike & Build are so necessary.”Hostssuch as Faith Lutheran Church, recogniz ing their hard work, gladly invited the group to be their guest. After a wonderful dinner, the riders discuss the process of Bike & Build and take questions before settling in comfortably for the night.
Occupant Safety –Wear your seatbelts. Wear them correctly. Make sure children are in proper child safety seats. Lane Safety – Drive within your lane. Keep distractions at a minimum that could cause a person to leave their lane. If you are fatigued pull over and rest at a safe location so that you do not fall asleep and leave the travel lane.
On the road with the cyclist from Bike & Build.
Impaired Driving – Do not drive buzzed, whether from alcohol or other drugs that could cause any impair ment. Call for a designated driver, taxi, rideshare or other options. Distracted Driving –Put that phone down. Stop doing anything that can cause you to look away from the road.
CRASHES
