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FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 16 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Dozens testify about health, safety mandates JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Dozens of local residents voiced their concerns for and against local and state COVID-19 health and safety mandates during the Columbia County Board of Commissioners regular public meeting.

The Wednesday, Aug. 25 meeting was held virtually, with a county courthouse room open for people to assemble, practicing social distancing, and to testify electronically. Others testified over the Internet.

The county commissioners listened carefully to each person’s comments. Several of the people testifying opposed the state mask and vaccination requirements announced by Gov. Kate Brown.

Several said the mandates were unconstitutional.

Others supported the state’s health and safety efforts to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed resolution The Columbia County Board of Commissioners discussed a pending resolution that would oppose the governor’s directives. The proposed resolution follows: 1. All employees of Columbia County shall not assist in the enforcement of business closure, school closure, or stay-at-home directives under the Executive Orders of the Governor relating to the

Coronavirus pandemic, including state agency directives or guidance; and 2. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners shall make it a priority to restore, preserve and protect our local authority with matters of county concern during emergency declarations.

Following the public comments and other county business, the board of commissioners began discussing the proposed resolution.

“I would like to make it very clear that I was the one that asked to have this placed on the agenda today and I also had zero intent that this would be voted on. It was actually more of something that I wanted as a discussion item,” Commissioner Casey Garrett stated. “I apologize if there was any confusion there.”

Garrett said he didn’t come up with the resolution on his own.

“It is a similar resolution that has been made by more than one county,” he said.” It is pretty well obvious that we are extremely divided now as a nation and as a community. There is very, very strong feelings on both sides and very little room in the middle.”

Garrett said many people are skeptical about their livelihoods with the latest vaccination mandate for health care professionals and teachers.

“A lot of them are concerned that they will lose their jobs because they are not comfortable with getting vaccinated,” he said.

Kelli Nicholson / The Chief

People gathered outside the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens ready to comment about the local and state pandemic health and safety mandates.

“They feel they are backed into a corner. They feel like they are being coerced. They are worried that they will have to find another state to live in.”

Garrett said the commissioners would be doing a disservice to its constituents if the commission

does not recognize that there are legitimate fears and concerns.

“I understand there are legal ramifications to what path we decide to take,” he said. “Because this is unprecedented, I would like to vote on unprecedented measures that we can take to try to represent

a large portion of our public who have these concerns.”

Garrett said he would like to see more than a letter asking the governor to reconsider. ­­­­ See MANDATE Page A3

‘People of Columbia County want our county back,’ Sheriff says JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Sheriff Brian Pixley

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley has posted a letter to Gov. Kate Brown on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Facebook page stating he will not enforce the state’s latest COVID-19 health and safety requirements.

Pixley also charges that Brown’s latest pandemic related mandates are unconstitutional.

The following is Pixley’s letter to Gov. Brown.

“I write to you today on behalf of the citizens of Columbia County in hopes of opening a dialogue. As Sheriff, it is my responsibility to provide for the peace and safety of those in Columbia County. I believe it is in the best interest of

Columbia County, and all other counties throughout Oregon, to retain local control over decisions affecting the public health and safety and to protect the individual choice of those we represent.

I, and other elected leaders in Columbia County, have the right to do what is in the best interest for our community. Let us do so. ~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff “The people of Columbia County want our county back. The citizens have endured “two weeks

to flatten the curve,” unemployment and the loss of several of our small businesses over the last year and a half and we have had enough!

“You have once again initiated what many consider to be an unconstitutional mandate by requiring our children and citizens to wear masks and by requiring vaccinations for state employees, healthcare workers and teaching staff. We have had enough of your overreaching mandates and bullying threats. In short, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing vaccination requirements or mask mandates.

“The citizens of Columbia County will choose to wear a mask or chose not to wear a mask. We will choose to get vaccinated or

choose not to get vaccinated. But we will do so as individuals with free will over our own bodies. And I, as Sheriff, will fight for and support residents of Columbia County in this endeavor.

“As Sheriff of Columbia County, I took an oath to uphold the constitution and to stand up and defend the people of this beautiful county we call home. I, and other elected leaders in Columbia County, have the right to do what is in the best interest for our community. Let us do so. We demand local control be place where it works best, in the hands of the individual citizens and local officials who represent Columbia County.” ­­­­ See PIXLEY Page A3

Local museum move slow, but sure JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

There are new details emerging concerning the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum’s efforts to build at the new site across from the Rainier Senior Center.

The museum is currently housed in a room at the Rainier City Hall.

Local businessman Steve Oliva donated a small parcel of land along West A Street across from the Rainier Senior Center for the new museum building and ground was cleared at the site last fall.

Since than museum officials have been going through the required permitting process and raising the

Obituaries ................. A3 Clatskanie Grows .... A4 Letters ....................... A4 Blotter ....................... A6 Classified Ads ......... A5 Public Notices ......... A5

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needed finances for the move.

The Chief has reached out to Rainier Oregon Historical Museum President Kay Heflin and the museum board with the following questions.

The Chief: We understand that your group has been challenged with the permitting process and gaining the needed finances for development of the new museum location. Could you bring us up to date about the status of the project?

Kay Heflin: City Administrator, Scott Jorgenson, has assured us that the planning commission is looking at updating their requirements about not being able to build a metal building where our new museum will be built. Our museum board has been looking at building a Barndominium that is a partial steel building with accents of rock, and designed to fit in with the current design of homes that are near our property on West A St. The Chief: We also understand that your group has an opportunity for a matching grant to help cover

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole takes a photo in late October 2020 as Rainier Oregon Historical Museum President Kay Heflin and museum vice president Duane Bernard hold a sign marking the site of the new museum headquarters on West A Street.

the cost of the project, could you explain that and tell us what is the current estimated cost of the new building project?

Heflin: To date, our museum has raised $75,500 for our building

fund. Once we raise $100,000, an anonymous donor will match our $100,000. We are asking anyone interested in preserving the history of Rainier and its surrounding communities to donate to the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum build-

ing fund, by sending a donation to ROHM, PO Box 762, Rainier, Oregon 97048. Write on your check, or attach a note, that your ­­­­

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

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See MUSEUM Page A2

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Friday, August 27, 2021

Surging cases, deaths, what’s next?

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations continue to surge in Columbia County and across Oregon.

The COVID-19 patients, the majority of which are unvaccinated, are causing a severe strain on the state’s hospitals.

Oregon’s 3,086th COVID-19 associated death is a 55-year-old man from Columbia County who tested positive on Aug. 5 and died on Aug. 19, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report shows continued increases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

OHA reported 14,800 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Sunday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 22.

That represents a 16% increase over the previous week.

There were 601 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from 546 last week. That marked the seventh consecutive week of increases.

There were 87 reported COVID-19 related deaths, up from 46 reported the previous week.

The Chief has been keeping in close touch throughout the pandemic with Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul to help provide our readers with critical information about the health and safety of our community.

The following are our latest inquiries for his insight and Paul’s responses.

The Chief: Despite the state and county efforts to get people vaccinated, we continue to see low vaccination rates at various points across Columbia County. Why is that?

Michael Paul: Community members have likely heard a wide variety of information (both accurate and inaccurate) regarding the COVID-19 vaccine over the course of this pandemic so we can’t point to a single reason, and it is detrimental to make assump-

tions about the factors people are using to make health decisions. The reality is that nuanced and thoughtful conversations between patients and health care providers are the most effective tool right now.

The traditional health care setting is designed to create privacy for patients and providers to have safe conversations, and this allows health care providers to initiate discussions about vaccination, and uncover information a patient is using to make health decisions. Providers have an opportunity to really understand a patient’s source of information, motivations and perceptions of risk.

Second, the report finds that Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness and death. Relatively few breakthrough cases have been hospitalized, and even fewer have died; to date, 5.8% of all known breakthrough cases have been hospitalized, and only 0.8% have died.

The Chief: We understand that the CDC is recommending COVID-19 booster vaccinations and the White House was to announce that the boosters could be available in September. When and where would the booster shots be available in Columbia County, who would likely get the booster shots first and why, and would the shots be free?

The Chief: Briefly, tell us how the Delta variant is able to spread so quickly and what it does that could lead to death.

Paul: People who are infected with the Delta variant have more copies of the virus in their respiratory tracts than those infected with the original strain. There is also evidence that people who are infected can transmit the virus earlier in the course of their illness and before they are symptomatic and aware of the infection.

The Chief: Given the sharp COVID-19 case jumps and hospitalizations over the past few weeks, are you worried that we are reaching a point were businesses and schools will be forced to close down again, this time to slow the spread of the Delta variant?

Paul: Additional measures beyond promoting vaccination and wearing masks are a last resort because they have other detrimental side effects.

Health care system capacity is the main reason to trigger additional measures; specifically, staff capacity. There are ways to add and manage hospital bed capacity, but you still need health care workers to staff alternative care sites.

There are currently over 900 patients hospitalized with

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Oregon hospital nurses and doctors are working day and night to help care for the surging Delta variant COVID patients. The hospitals are at or over capacity, which means beds for any emergency patient treatment are scare.

COVID in Oregon; it’s is an all-time high and well beyond 400, which is the mark the state was previously using to trigger the extreme risk measures.

We don’t have a hospital in Columbia County so we have to closely review regional health care capacity and listen to what regional health care leaders report.

Currently, regional leaders are warning us that the recent flood of COVID patients is straining the workforce and it reduces their ability to provide quality non-COVID care. The concern is shared by health care leaders in all of the counties surrounding Columbia, including Cowlitz, Clatsop, Clark, Multnomah and Washington.

The Chief: From your insight, what are people’s fear about this latest pandemic surge?

Paul: There’s a wide range of legitimate fears that stem from social, physical and economic factors. As it pertains to our health, we can control and address some of the fear by taking action to make a health care appointment we have been postponing, whether it be a vaccination, a dental checkup or counseling. When it comes to the fear of being infected, vaccinated individuals might find comfort in reading the Oregon Health Authority Breakthrough Infection Report.

According to the report released on Aug. 19, cases of COVID-19 are much more common in unvaccinated Oregonians than in vaccinated Oregonians. During August 1-14, there were 20,701 cases of COVID-19. 17,719 (85.6%) were unvaccinated and 2982 (14.4%) were vaccine breakthrough cases.

Paul: The county is planning for booster shots in the coming months, and we will need all of the COVID-19 vaccine providers in our county to help administer doses, including clinics, pharmacies, school-based health centers and EMS providers. However, we ask for patience from the public because the Oregon Health Authority has not yet issued guidance to vaccine providers.

At this time, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a media statement related to COVID-19 booster shots for the mRNA vaccines, but before any booster shots are distributed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must first review the safety and effectiveness of administering booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will then review the FDA’s evaluation.

Once the FDA and ACIP complete their reviews, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will assess the recommendation. Last, the OHA will

establish state guidance for booster shots in Oregon.

The Chief: What is it that you believe is most important for our community to understand about this health crisis?

Paul: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this question. I ask people to consider why the governmental response has been different for SARS-CoV-2.

It’s certainly not the case that public health officials think suicide, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, substance use and accidents are less important. Rather, SARS-CoV-2 requires a different governmental response because it is an airborne infectious disease that has the potential to rapidly lead to enough cases of moderate and severe disease to overwhelm health systems.

It is the only leading cause of death, aside from flu, that is an infectious disease, and compared with recent flu strains, SARSCoV-2 is more contagious, it causes more serious illnesses and more hospitalizations and deaths in healthy people, and we’re still learning about post-COVID conditions and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS).

As we’ve seen five times in Oregon now, too many new cases in a short timeframe strains our ability to provide hospital level of care to COVID and non-COVID patients. Health care systems and workers have done a tremendous job of pivoting to address COVID, but it’s important for the public to know that there is breaking point, and too many COVID cases could mean the systems cannot guarantee the highest quality of care.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free and available at regional pharmacies and health centers. COVID-19 testing is available at most regional pharmacies.

Follow pandemic developments at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

RAINIER OREGON HISTORICAL MUSEUM (ROHM)

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum is very grateful to our members and supporters listed below who have donated to ROHM’s new building fund. We have now raised $75,500 for our museum building fund. Once we reach $100,000, an anonymous donor will match $100,000. If you would like to donate to our new museum building fund, send a check to; Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM), PO Box 762, Rainier OR, 97048.

Smooth ride Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Street improvement work wrapped up along Clatskanie’s Bel Air Drive this week. The $180,260 project includes street repairs and paving and stretches from Highway 30 along Bel Air to the entrance of Clatskanie Middle/High School. The work began Monday, Aug. 23. On Tuesday, Aug. 24, much of the paving had been completed. Bel Air Drive is a key corridor to Clatskanie Middle/High School, a residential area, shopping mall and the city’s post office. See more photos of the project at thechiefnews.com.

MUSEUM From Page A1

donation is for the museum building fund. We only have just under $25,000 to raise to receive the $100,000 matching donation, then we can start by hiring an architect and create our building blueprints.

We won’t know an estimated cost until we have blue prints drawn up and know the dimensions of the building we are wanting to build. We estimate that it will take $500,00 to $700,000 to complete our museum.

The Chief: What is your timeline to move forward and complete the new building?

Heflin: It is hard to estimate a timeline for completing our new building. It will all depend on our fundraising. By the end of the month, Jason Schmidt will take out the last two stumps and finish leveling our property. We are so grateful to Jason who

has donated his time to clear the brush and trees from our property. Our museum highly recommends Jason Schmidt, JR Trucking, of Deer Island, for any land work or hauling that you need done.

Once we raise $100,000 and receive the $100,000 matching donation, then we can move forward and cut the curb for an entry way and install sidewalks as required to build on our property, and we can move forward with our plans to build our new museum. Our timeline to finish our building will be determined by the estimated cost, after an architect draws up plans for our building.

The Chief: Why is this new facility needed now and what is your vision that the new building will offer the community?

Heflin: We are outgrowing the room that we have at city hall. There is no room for any more display cases.

We have four additional display cases in the hallways of city hall. We can’t accept any large items. We have no

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room to display them. We have been offered a roll top desk that was used by one of the first postmasters in Rainier. A piano from the First Congregational Church, which was Rainier’s first church in Rainier, has been donated to us and is being stored elsewhere. One of Rainier’s first fire trucks will be donated to the museum if we have a heated room to keep it in.

The fire truck will be highlighted in our museum.

We hope it will attract school children to our museum. We also have logging items that are promised to us if we get a larger museum. Our new museum will offer a meeting room to be used by the public.

We will offer more events and learning opportunities in sharing historical research and the history of Rainier and surrounding communities that will interest school classes and the general public.

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

Andersen, Beverly Baker, Carl Barton, Bill Beck, Steve (Memorial) Bernard, Duane & Joanne Betschart, Tunie Blahm, Janice Blayney, Jim & Patty Bonnell, Marcia J. Brusco-Harding, Bobbie Jo Burnham, Rick & Ann Byrnes, Karol Clark, Marjorie Clark, Mike Cole, Jerry, Mayor Cramer, Jack & Nancy Elbert, Carole Evans, George & Sherry Everman, Carol Everman, Jim & Amy Fisher, Dale Galford, Nancy L. Gault, Alice Giepel, Karl, Sara & Kody Greer, Anne Gressett, Norman & Beverly Guasch, Joyce Gutierrez, Marcie Hamlik, Anneatta Harding, Rod & Karen Harrison, William & Mary Head, Meryl Heflin, Dick & Kay Heflin, Kenny & Vanita Heimuller, Henry, Co. Commissioner Hoard, Robert Holmberg, Karen Jamieson, Bernice Jenkins, Claire Jennings, Steve Johnson, Betsy, Senator Johnson, Bob & Linda Johnson, Ray & Toni Keith, Henry & Mary Kelly, Jerry & Huong Kessell, Sandi Kramberg, Heather Kreger Construction Krenik, Connie & Jim Gaston

Laughlin, Delyla Lawrence, Sue Lincoln, Sandy May, Daniel & Radona McDonald, Christine Miracle Ear (Longview) Moon, Russ & Jan Moore, Patricia Northcutt, Sara Nys, Paul & Judy Oliva Brothers, LLC Owens, Jill Petersen, Al Poat, Tess & Alx Gilmer Rainier Eagles #4022 Rainier Liquor Store Rainier Masons Ranson, Eileen McKee Rauch, Robert L. Sr. Rea, Erma Reid, Doug & Judy Richey, Wendy Ridderbusch, Edd & Judi Rosebraugh, Charles “Ed” Russell, Nola Samuel S. Johnson Foundation Schmidt, Jason Singleton, Earl Skeans, Charles Stennick, Bill Teschner, Greg & Christina Teevin Bros. Land & Timber Thomas, Roger & Lisa Tipton, Les & Ryan Tolleshaug, Mike Uihlein, Sonja Van Natta, Kay Van Natta, Marilyn Van Natta, Robert & Martha Vance, Ken & Karen Vance, Rick Vasey, Tim & Kim Will, Larry Wilson, Emily Wolz, Jan The Estate of Penny Blahm Several Anonymous Donors

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Friday, August 27, 2021

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•O bituaries • • Lillie A. Oliver

March 2, 1938 ~ Aug. 20, 2021 Lillie Ardoth (Reed) Oliver, of Clatskanie, Oregon, died August 20, 2021 at age 83. She was born March 2, 1938 in Arispie, Iowa to John Z. Reed and Fonda L. Coate.

She graduated from Tustin High in California and Orange Coast Community College. She worked at the Santa Anna Library for 13 years.

Lillie married Elvin L. Oliver on May 7, 1966. They were married for 43 years.

Lillie was one of the sweetest people and was loved by all who knew her.

She was kind and loving, and frugal to the end. She would do anything for her children and for those she loved.

She was stubborn and held herself to a very high moral standard.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Iris

and Eddy Wellman; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Brenda Oliver, John and Cynthia Oliver, James and Daphne Oliver, and Raymond Oliver; grandchildren, Meradith, Andrew, Johanna, John Patrick, Matthew, Heather, Adam, Suzanna, Lisa, Steven, Julianna, Olivia, James, Emily, John Zachariah, Rebecca, Abraham, Jacob, Timothy, Gideon, Lillian, and Lincoln Oliver; and greatgrandchild Maya Oliver.

A graveside service for family will be held at Westport Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Deer Island Community Church at a yet-to-be-determined-time.

Cash for local libraries

Redistricting meetings to be virtual STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

In response to growing hospitalization rates across the state due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek today announced that the upcoming public hearings of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees will be moved to a virtual format.

“While the committees had hoped to visit communities across Oregon in person, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has made this increasingly risky to public health,” Courtney and Kotek said in a release.

“More Oregonians are now in our hospitals, intensive care units, or on ventilators than ever before in this pandemic.

Our hospitals, healthcare workers, and frontline staff are overwhelmed. The Delta variant has changed everything.

After consulting with infectious disease doctors, public health experts, and the bipartisan chairs and vicechair of the House and Senate Redistricting committees, it has been decided to move September’s redistricting public hearings to a virtual format.

“This will ensure a safe, transparent process where Oregonians from every community can make their voice

PIXLEY

From Page A1 Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier and Vernonia public libraries will share nearly $46,000 in federal grant funding.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Selected libraries in Columbia County are sharing nearly $46,000 in new federal grant funding.

In March, the State Library of Oregon received nearly $3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

These funds were given to the State Library by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help Oregon libraries, museums, and related nonprofits promote digital inclusion and connectivity, address needs arising from the pandemic, and generally support efforts to provide equitable service to communities.

The State Library announces that it is giving out over $2.1 million of the ARPA funds in competitive grants to local organizations.

Grants are being distributed to 61 institutions that serve nearly every part of the state.

Projects include efforts to improve internet connectivity and accessibility; expand access to and education about digital resources and tools; reach out to and better serve underrepresented commu-

MANDATE From Page A1

“I feel like lots of folks have done that over the past year,” Garrett said. “It doesn’t seem like much of a back and fourth conversation.

It feels like comply, or else.”

Garrett said there is “a lot of hate going on out there and that is not healthy.”

“This could be looked at as fueling the fire or it could be looked at as fighting fire with fire. There is some drastic difference on this and people are pretty ramped up on both sides.”

Garrett said he wants to see the county take all legal means possible to oppose that state’s mandates that take away local control.

“I am not presenting it to be anti vaccine or anti masks,” Garrett said. “I do think people should have personal choice with a medical decision like this. This is my attempt to start a conversation with the board.”

Commissioner Margaret Magruder and Commissioner Henry Heimuller responded by voicing their concerns that opposing state and federal mandates may well jeopardize county funding received from the state and federal governments.

“We are required to enforced laws, especially for public health programs,” Co-

nities; promote workforce development; and respond to needs arising from the pandemic.

The following are the Columbia County public libraries receiving a portion of the state grant funding.

The Rainier Public Library will receive a $9,698 grant to increase Internet access in the community through a hotspot lending program, to provide public access laptops at outreach locations, and to establish a lending library at a local senior apartment complex.

Rainier Library Director Colette Nordstrom said the Rainier Library received the grant in a very competitive process and that less than a third of the total funding requested was approved.

“During the pandemic, Rainier community members were faced with swift digitalization of everyday tasks, including school,” Nordstrom said. “Due to the rural areas in and around Rainier, not everybody has access to Internet services. This grant will go for the hotspots and new laptops, which will be used partially in an outreach service role.”

Colette said the Rainier

Library would also like to partner with local senior center, making reading material accessible to all community members, particularly those that are home bound.

The St. Helens Public Library will receive a $5,390 grant to update American with Disabilities Act (ADA) equipment in the library, purchase software to facilitate conferences, webinars, and meetings online and to equip the library’s courtyard for outdoor programming.

The Scappoose Public Library will receive a $15,400 grant to create an outdoor area for community members to charge devices and use WiFi outside of regular hours, and for resources, activities, and outreach to underserved communities.

The Vernonia Public Library will receive a $15,175.60 grant to upgrade public computers and Wi-Fi to meet community needs and to purchase technology to facilitate community presentations, webinars, and meetings. The grant will also be used to increase public awareness of services by purchasing a tablet to educate patrons on downloadable materials.

lumbia Legal Counsel Robin McIntyre told the commissioners. “Not complying with laws would probably effect our state and federal funding and could present liability issues.”

“If the county is financially sufficient we could do what ever we wanted but we are not and we depend on the state and federal governments for various agency funding,” Magruder said. “I am concerned with how this would effect our funding if we are not going to enforce laws that we are required to enforce.”

“When you take a look at the county budget, 75% are programs that are funded by state and federal dollars,” Heimuller said. “Those aren’t local tax dollars, those are dollars that come from our governor and state and federal governments. I don’t think any of the counties want to jeopardize that funding that is coming to help end the pandemic.”

Heimuller said he recognizes the concerns over the mandates and that the commission needs to convey those concerns to the governor, but he said the proposed resolution is the wrong form in which to oppose the mandates.

“I am very concerned that we are losing track of what the governor is attempting to do, and that is ending the pandemic,” Heimuller said.

“I would like to pursue whatever options we can to try to create some checks and balances under a state of emergency and the impact those policies are creating on our county,” Garrett said.

“It all goes back to wearing masks and being vaccinated,” Magruder said.

“I don’t think so,” Garrett replied, saying the concern is about keeping business and schools open. “I would think there would be a way to challenge the mandates of the state without breaking the law.”

“If we could come up with a legitimate solution for this I am absolutely open to the conversation,” Magruder said. “To me this (resolution) is not a solution. There is always room for collaboration and negotiation but I don’t think just pushing back is a way. I would be happy to continue the conversation but this I cannot support.”

“I do think that we need to push back,” Garrett said.

“I have very little confidence of collaboration with the state at the moment.”

No formal action was taken by the board of commissioners on the resolution and no date for further discussions on the mandates was scheduled.

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Reaction Following Pixley’s release of his letter to Gov. Brown late last week, The Chief reached out to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to find out if they endorse Pixley’s statements and if his letter represent the county’s position concerning the state health and safety mandates.

We have also contacted Gov. Brown’s office for her comments about Pixley’s letter.

We received this response from the Columbia

heard and provide input on Oregon’s next set of legislative and congressional maps,” Courtney and Kotek said.

The new schedule for the September Redistricting Public Hearings can be found below. Meetings will be held virtually and organized to hear from residents of each current congressional district.

Oregonians can participate by signing up for video or phone testimony, uploading written testimony, or by submitting a map for consideration by September 7.

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 5) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 1)

Wednesday, Sept. 8

8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (residents of Congressional District 5) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (statewide: open to residents of any district) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (statewide: open to residents of any district)

8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (residents of Congressional District 1) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 2) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 3) Thursday, Sept. 9 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (residents of Congressional District 4) County Board of Commissioners Friday afternoon.

“Sheriff Pixley’s letter to Governor Brown clearly illustrates his level of frustration regarding the Governor’s decision to bypass the authority of the county’s elected officials to determine what is appropriate for our community. He did not seek review, input, nor endorsement from the Board of Commissioners concerning his letter to the Governor. And while his letter is passionate, his words are his own and he does not speak on behalf of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners.

“At this time, the Commissioners have instructed county employees to

Friday, Sept. 10 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (residents of Congressional District 2) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 3) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (residents of Congressional District 4) Monday, Sept. 13

For more information about redistricting or how to participate, visit www. oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting. comply with the statewide mask mandate while continuing to work with the Governor and her staff on behalf of the residents of Columbia County. In the meantime, we ask that everyone continue to stay safe, be respectful of each other, and make responsible decisions as we all navigate through these challenging times together.”

As of Thursday, Aug. 26, The Chief had not received a response from Gov. Brown.

Join the conversation.

Do you agree with Sheriff Pixley’s letter and is he speaking for you? Post your comments with this story at thechiefnews.com.

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

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

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Friday, August 27, 2021

•C latskanie G rows • •

Clatskanie Grows: Food preservation CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Article

Are you planning to preserve food from your garden or purchased from a farm this summer? If so, call or visit the OSU Extension Service office before you start canning, freezing, or drying.

Costly and potentially harmful mistakes can be made by using outdated canning recipes and instructions.

You can find free publications AND pressure gauge testing at the Columbia County Extension office located at 505 N. Columbia River Highway in St. Helens (across from the former Legacy Clinic). If you have questions, phone the office at 503-397-3462.

You can download for free all our food preservation publications at extension. oregonstate.edu/fch/foodpreservation. An additional great resource is the National Center for home Food Preservation at www.uga. edu/nchfp/. In July, the OSU Extension Statewide Food Preservation Hotline (1-800354-7319) will open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.

– 4 p.m. starting and ending on October 8. Pressure gauge testing can be done at our office on Wednesdays or by appointment on some other days as well.

Home orchard notes Apples can show several

•

•V oices

Follow the Constitution The Constitution is the final law of our country, unless following it can harm or endanger the citizens.

Then it drops to second, and the health and welfare of the Citizens over rules it.

You may have a right to wear or not wear what you please, but if not wearing a mask endangers other citizens, and the ruling government authority says to wear it, it wouldn’t be too smart to go without it.

Denis Shook Warren

Responding to Sheriff Pixley This is an open letter in response to the recent letter published in the name of Sheriff Pixley, in defiance of Governor Brown’s mask mandate.

The majority of Americans agree with mask mandates at this time (72%). We sympathize with our governors who are trying to save lives. As you are neither a medical professional nor the holder of a legislative or executive office, please re-

kinds of damage this time of year. Two insects, the apple maggot and the codling moth may have laid eggs that develop into their larva. The codling moth caterpillar makes the fairly wide tunnel to the core. When it is done feeding, it exits through the bottom of the apple and goes to the ground to pupate. The moth emerges next spring about a month after full bloom.

The apple maggot is the larva of a fly. She emerges from her slumber about the end of June, mates and then lays her eggs on the developing fruit. Her little maggot darlings feed on the flesh of the apple. If you look carefully, you will see tiny tunnels where they have fed. If they got there early and/or if there is a passel of the maggots, the fleshy can get quite spongy and soft. Not a good eat at all.

No apple infested with either of these will store at all well and, if the dam-

of the

age is mild, will need to be eaten or made into applesauce as soon as possible.

It is a bit late to spray at this point but the best product for the home gardeners is one that contains “spinosad” as the active ingredient. You need at least three applications to reduce the damage from both the codling moth and the apple maggot.

Another apple concern is sunburn, caused by our scorching days in late June and again early this

spot, especially from the early hot weather when the apples were small, dries and turns tan but isn’t prone to a secondary infection. Apples that were more mature in August may end up with scald spots that allow fungal infections which make the fruit generally inedible.

Finally, apples can develop hard, slightly sunken spots. This is a calcium shortage called “bitter pit.”

It is caused by a combination of genetics, failure to lime the soil

Clatskanie Grows month.

Most damage is on the shoulder of the apple, but it does show up anywhere a portion of the apple that gets late afternoon sun isn’t somewhat shaded by leaves.

Apples on the south to west side of the tree are most likely to be damaged since they are getting the direct rays of the sun in the late afternoon, the hottest time of day. Often the sunscald

once every four years, and very dry soils. Dry soils are probably the biggest factor. The damage is only skin deep and can be removed before eating, the “King” is a good example. It can develop a glassy and exceptionally sweet, juicy center called “water core.” It is caused by the same basic conditions as bitter pit and is also a calcium shortage disorder.

The apples are exceptionally good fresh eating but don’t store at all well.

For fruit trees in general, remove all dead or dying limbs when you can still see their condition before leaf drop. Finally, with this good weather, prune your stone fruits (cherries, peaches, and plums) right now while the weather is still dry and warm. This greatly reduces the transmission of bacterial canker, a serious disease of sweet cherries and peaches.

or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter: The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at extension.oregonstate.edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Many Extension publications are available online

Important notes

Plant an extra for the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. Cash donations to buy food are also greatly appreciated.

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

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/

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

Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462

C ommunity • •

frain from misrepresenting our county with anti-mask misinformation.

The Delta variant is many times more transmissible than previous variants and children and young adults are more susceptible to it—this fact is particularly crucial as schools open for the new academic year. The whole country is in the grip of a surge. As of today’s report (8/23/2021), Oregon has 4,701 new cases (the tip of the iceberg), and 24 deaths. Columbia County has seen a leap in numbers (80 reported today); we have cumulatively lost 33 souls to this scourge. Country wide, one out of five ICUs is now at full capacity, with more cases coming in daily. Our medical system is again at the brink of being overwhelmed--in fact, IS overwhelmed in states unfortunate enough to have governors who oppose mask mandates.

All around the country, a vocal minority is trying to subvert the will of the majority regarding public health. The situation is both tragic and absurd. Please don’t add your voice to the cacophony, Sheriff Pixley.

Columbia County Coalition for Human Dignity

Mandate Enforcement Sheriff Brian Pixley is abdicating his duty to protect his citizens by refusing to enforce the mask and vaccine mandates set forth by the Governor.

When a sworn officer refuses to answer calls from his community, he is no longer able to be trusted.

We foolishly have given the Sheriff’s Office in this county the role of arbiter of our State’s constitution, rather than the courts.

He’s taken this role and expanded on this power trip by going beyond gun rights, the guise this ordinance was passed under, and moved to decline to enforce anything he disagrees with.

We are not safe with a sheriff who refuses to protect our community by enforcing the safety measures spelled out, and embarrassingly believes he speaks for the entire county by posting his defiance on the official Facebook Feed.

I look forward to supporting any challengers to his position in the next election for Sheriff.

Rob Forman Columbia City

The Chief

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Vote online at thechiefnews.com

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Write to us We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor.

Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know. Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper. To verify authenticity, all letters must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number (just your city of residence). Submissions may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office.

Guest commentary We welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the newspaper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns written

by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. 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 and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

Friday, August 27, 2021

A5

www.thechiefnews.com

,

CC21-1502

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE OCUNTY OF COLUMBIA CLAY W. BROWN, Petitioner, and YVONNE D. DEITERING, Respondent. No. 12-3343 SUMMONS To: CLAY W. BROWN You are hereby required to appear and defend the order to show cause filed against you in the above-entitled action within THIRTY (30) DAYS of the date of service of this summons upon you, and, in case of your failure to do so, for want thereof, respondent will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the order to show cause. NOTICE TO

THE PETITIONER: READ THESE PAPERS CAREFULLY! You must “appear” in this case or the other side will win automatically. To “appear” you must file with the court a legal paper called a “motion” or “answer.” The “motion” or “answer” must be given to the court clerk or administrator within THIRTY (30) DAYS of the date of first

publication specified herein, along with the required filing fee. It must be in proper form and have proof of service on the respondent’s attorney or, if the respondent does not have an attorney, proof of service upon the respondent. The date of first publication of this summons is August 13, 2021.

If you have any questions, you should see an attorney

immediately. If you need help in finding an attorney, you may call the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (503) 684-3763 or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-4527636. Stephen D. Petersen, OSB #73235, Attorney for Respondent. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, (503) 556-4120.

CC21-1506

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of VIRGIL DON WRIDGE, JR., Deceased. No. 21PB06119 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been ap-

pointed 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 represen-

tative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published August 20, 2021. Ronald Steven Wridge, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC21-1508

NOTICE OF MEETING The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 South Nehalem St. (2nd floor).

Agenda items include, but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the

August 4th, 2021 regular meeting, a presentation from the Columbia Economic Team and the first reading of an ordinance annexing real property into the City. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by Aug. 27th, 2021.

CC21-1507

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION For Sale by public auction at 10:00am on Tuesday, August 31, 2021: Abandoned Mobile Home formerly belonging to Judy Newville. The mobile home is located at Westport Villas II Mobile Home Park, 91155 Old Mill Town Road, Space No. 18. The home is a 1973 Singlewide 3 bedroom/1.5 bath, 936 sq ft., X-Plate No. 101653. Interested buyers may contact Ansara Sayers, Manager of

the Park, at 503-455-9911 prior to the sale to inspect the home. The sale will be held at the home’s location. Sealed bids will not be accepted. The home may remain in the park as long as it is owner-occupied by a person approved for tenancy by Westport Villas II Mobile Home Park. Purchaser must be approved as a tenant prior to occupying the home and/or must sign a storage agreement.

www.thechiefnews.com

A6

Friday, August 27, 2021

Rainier’s bridge transformation

Courtesy photo from Scott Jorgensen

This is the bridge before and after the cleanup project.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo from Scott Jorgensen

Community volunteers join members of the Rainier city staff during the effort to prepare the bridge for the next phase of the Rainier Riverfront Trail Project.

Community volunteers and Rainier city staff members rolled up their sleeves and converged on a small bridge along the Columbia River Saturday, Aug. 21.

The work party was there to strip the bridge down to its steel frame in

anticipation of the Rainier Riverfront Trail project’s third phase starting soon.

The City of Rainier completed the second phase of its long-planned project earlier this year. A third phase had always been included in the plans, in which the existing bridge would be used to connect the city park to the trail,

according to Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen.

“City staff applied for grant funding through the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments for the third phase,” Jorgensen said. “That request was approved, and the city will be receiving around $85,000 for the project.”

A bid has been received for $159,350 to do the work. The Rainier City Council will be voting on the bid at its Sept. 13 meeting, according to Jorgensen.

Read more about the Rainier Riverfront Trail project and see more photos in a series of stories posted at thechiefnews.com.

County appealing sanctuary ordinance review JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Columbia County is appealing a court judge’s decision concerning the second amendment sanctuary ordinance.

“The County will file an appeal today to request review of Judge Grove’s July 29th decision not to answer legal questions surrounding Columbia County’s Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance,” a release from Columbia County reads.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners filed the petition for validation seeking clarity from the court about what firearm regulations can be enforced to avoid other costly litigation.

Grove refused to answer those questions, according to the county’s release.

The Columbia County Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance was adopted in April by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to implement the intent of the voters as demonstrated by the passage of the “Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance” in 2018 and the “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance” in 2020.

“The ordinance is being implemented by the County to the best of its ability given the many questions that remain unanswered,” Columbia County Counsel Sarah Hanson said in a statement when the appeal was filed.

• The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Rainier Police July 27 • A found wallet was returned to the owner.

• A woman had been playing video poker and she put a sign on the machine while she took a break.

A male cashed out the machine in her absence.

July 28 • A 43-year-old male transient was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.

July 29 • A wallet was turned in as found property and returned to the owner.

Aug. 1 • A citizen was chatting online with another person, believed to be a woman, and asked to send intimate photos. After the photos were sent, the recipient, who revealed himself to be a man, attempted to extract money from the victim.

•B

“We are asking the Court of Appeals whether it is lawful for the local court to refuse to provide a judgment as to the legality of the Ordinance.”

Commissioner Casey Garrett said he disagrees with the latest appeal.

“It would have been more appropriate that there is a record that I don’t agree,” Garrett told The Chief following the release of the county statement. “It would be appropriate that the record should reflect that I was not supportive of the appeal. The county made a reasonable effort to ask that the court make an opinion and the court said it was not necessary. We made our reasonable effort.”

PETERSEN ETERSEN C CLARKE LARKELLC LLC P

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

A tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss about the county’s Columbia County is appealing a court decision that refuses toA answer legal questions second amendment sanctuary ordinance.

(503) 556-4120 556-4120 (503)

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lotter •

vehicle accident on the bridge.

The driver lost control and hit a sign. No injuries were reported.

• A local business reported receiving a counterfeit twenty dollar bill.

Aug. 4 • Catalytic converters were stolen from two vehicles parked at the boat launch.

Aug. 9 • A sticker on the loading door at the post office was damaged.

Aug. 10 • A maroon Honda Accord was stolen from a residence on Harbor View Drive.

Scappoose Police Aug. 9 • Police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person in the 33000 block of SW Havlik Drive. Following the investigation, a 35-year-old Portland man was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief III and Disorderly Conduct II and was transported and lodged in the jail.

Aug. 12 • Police were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance in the 34000 N. Honeyman Road. A 39-year-old Scappoose man was later arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

He was cited and released.

Aug. 2 • An occupant at the Budget Inn set their room on fire because he wanted to go back to jail. His wish was granted.

• A driver lit a firework and threw it out of the window of his vehicle in front of a residence.

Aug. 14 • Police were dispatched to a non-injury accident in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway. It was reported that the driver was possibly intoxicated.

Following the investigation, a 53-year-old St. Helens woman was taken into custody for DUII–Drugs. She was transported to and lodged in jail.

Aug. 3 • An officer responded to a single

Aug. 15 • Police took a report of a

possible theft and a break in of a vehicle parked in the 51000 block of SE 2nd Street.

The victim reported that while parked in the area, an unknown suspect broke into their car and rummaged through. This case is suspended due to lack of suspect information.

Aug. 16 • Police were dispatched to the report of a theft of a catalytic converter in the area of West Lane Road and NE Porter Lane.

This case is suspended due to lack of suspect information.

Aug. 17 • Police took a report of a fraud that occurred in the 52000 block of Columbia River Highway. The victim reported that his vehicle was broken into in Portland, however his debit card was used in the Scappoose area.

This case is pending further investigation and suspect information.

• Police investigated the report of a domestic in the 51000 block of SW Rembrandt Street.

Following the investigation, A 41-year-old Scappoose resident was taken into custody for Assault IV–DV. She was transported to and lodged in jail.

Aug. 19 • Police responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Columbia River Highway and SE High School Way. No citations were issued. The vehicles and all parties involved cleared the scene after exchanging information.

Oregon State Police Aug. 18 • At 9:44 a.m. OSP Troopers responded to a single vehicle non-injury crash on Highway 47 just north of Sleepy Lane. An investigation determined that the driver of a Unit #1 (silver

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Solution for the August 20, 2021 crossword puzzle Toyota) fell asleep and crashed off the roadway and into the ditch. The driver was assessed at the scene by paramedics and refused medical attention. The driver was driven home by a relative • At 2:29 p.m. OSP Troopers responded to a non-injury traffic crash on Highway 30 near milepost 36.5. The driver of Unit #1 (blue Honda) crashed into the back end of Unit #2 (white Dodge). Both vehicles were parked off the roadway and both drivers arranged for their own tow trucks. The driver of Unit #1 was cited for DWS - Violation and No Insurance.

• At 2:48 p.m. OSP Troopers responded to non-injury traffic crash on Highway 30 near Jack Falls Road. The driver of Unit #1 (red Ford) failed to obey a traffic control device and collided with a Unit #2 (blue Honda). Both vehicles were parked off the roadway and both driver arranged for their own tow trucks.

The driver of Unit #1 was cited for Fail To Obey a Traffic Control Device.

• At 4:43 p.m. Troopers responded to traffic complaint on Highway 30 near MP 41 on Highway 30 involving a road rage between a motorcycle and an SUV. The driver of the motorcycle was located and stopped near milepost 42. The male admitted to driving in a reckless manner and violating a court order. The court order was confirmed and the male was subsequently arrested.

The male was transported to the Columbia County jail where he was booked and lodged on a St. Helens Municipal court detainer. The male was booked and released on other charges.

The motorcycle was recovered by the subject’s family at the scene.

The St. Helens Police and Columbia County Sheriff’s reports were not available at press time.

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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

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