R eal E state G uide
Fall 2020
Lights of Hope
Real Estate Guide 2020
Page A6
Citizen North Coast
A Special Publication of
Headlight Herald
The Chief
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020
$1.50
VOL. 129, NO. 16
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Hump’s still sitting empty
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Hump’s building is located along Highway 30 in the center of Clatskanie. CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Nearly two years since its most recent listing in December of 2018, the former Hump’s Restaurant, located at 50 Columbia River Highway, still sits empty, waiting for a potential buyer. ARK Real Estate, Inc., broker
Jenny Erhardt said she receives calls from promising restaurant entrepreneurs on a regular basis but will “find many times that their ability to securing the financing necessary to purchase the building has been just out of reach.” Erhardt said the initial expenditures for restaurant start-ups tend to be large and take careful planning to finalize.
“There are a few potential buyers in the local market watching this building very closely, Erhardt said, “and there have been a few out of state leads as well.” Erhardt said many calls are drive-by inquiries, meaning potential buyers are calling after driving through the community. Many of the business owners are on their way to the Oregon Coast, or are
from out of the area and want to know about the town’s potential, as well as the building, she said. “They like the town’s charm,” Erhardt said. The Hump’s building offers a 12,000-square-foot interior. The two-story building includes a basement. The list price is $850,000. Both purchase and lease options are
available, according to Erhardt. Current and possible floor plans are available for review. The building features distinct yet connected spaces, as well as river access, which Erhardt said are elements the real estate agency is using to
See HUMP’S Page A4
COVID-19 cases slowing the elderly remain the hardest hit age group. COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates increase with age; almost half of the 420 deaths have been among persons 80 or older, and 75% in persons 70 and older. August 27 Numbers COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 433, according to the OHA’s Aug. 27 report. OHA also reported 222 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 25,571. CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) weekly report shows a 13% drop in COVID-19 daily cases for the week of Aug. 16 to Aug. 23. OHA recorded 1,704 new cases of COVID-19 cases—down from the previous week’s tally of 1,963. Slightly fewer Oregonians were tested for the week, which had a total of 24,177 people tested, according to the OHA. That total includes testing done at all locations including commercial non-hospital-based laboratories, hospital laboratories and Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. The rate of positive tests also declined to 5.1% from 5.4%. The age group most affected by the virus remains 20-29, although
Opinions...............A4 Police Blotters.....A4 Market Place........A5 Public Notices......A5
Columbia County Update Columbia County is still lagging behind Oregon Health Authority (OHA) metrics for reopening schools, according to the latest details outlined before the county board of commissioners Wednesday, Aug. 27. Columbia County’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 127 confirmed and presumptive cases as of Aug. 27, according to the county’s public health director Michael Paul. In the county, there are a few dozen people being monitored by Columbia County Public Health because they have a link to a confirmed or presumptive case. There has been one death, which Paul said was an individual with underlying health conditions. There have been eight hospitalizations. Of the 127 cases, Paul said there are seven people the department considers currently infectious. Those people are required to be under isolation until the 10th day since the onset of their symptoms. In order to reopen schools on a more permanent basis, there are metrics set forth by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the OHA on both the county and state level. Both case count and test positivity rate must be met. At the county level, the case count must be at or below 10 cases per 100,000 population in the preceding seven days for three weeks in a row. There must also be a test positivity rate of less than or equal to 5% in the preceding seven days for three weeks in a row. State metrics that must be met is a test positivity rate of 5% in the preceding seven days for three weeks in a row. The county is still falling short of the required metrics for reopening, according to Paul. Case count for Columbia County
See COVID-19 Page A6
Colette Nordstrom has been chosen as the new Library Coordinator for the Rainier Public Library.
Christine Menges / The Chief
Rainier Public Library gets new director, set to open soon CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Starting Sept. 14, Rainier residents will regain access to their local library, located at 106 E. B Street, on second and third floor of City Hall, and with it, a new librarian. The library has been closed since the beginning of March due to safety precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Colette Nordstrom, who previously worked in the Rainier School District (RSD) as a Speech Language Pathologist, is the new Library Coordinator for the Rainier Public Library. Her first day was Tuesday, Aug. 25. Nordstrom has been working with newly appointed Superintendent of RSD Joseph Hattrick and Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole, who all play a role in running the library, to create a vision for the new library. Rainier Public Library has been overseen by the school district for the past two years, due to an agreement between the city and the school district, according to Cole. The agreement has been a costsaving measure for the city, which no longer has to staff the library, as well as good news for the library itself, which saw the number of patrons triple when the agreement
was implemented, Cole said. The library, which has remained completely closed and unavailable to the public except for e-books online for the past six months, is also undergoing a major renovation, both physically and more abstractly. Physically, the library is going to become more user-friendly, Nordstrom said, which includes adding different areas: spaces for residents to read, an engaging children’s section, a local authors’ section, as well as art and projects adorning the library and generally making it more inviting. Before, the library looked used and old, according to Nordstrom. A visit to the library on Nordstrom’s first day revealed the work in progress: piles of books stacked up on the shelves, dust collected on shelves, shelves moved from place to place, all in preparation for the renovation. To help with the project, some volunteers from Riverside Community Church are coming over, according to Hattrick. Their work was set to start on Thursday, Aug. 27. When the library does reopen, people will be required to book times in light of COVID-19 precautions. Hattrick said the library is working on setting up a schedule for doing so. The library will only let in
three people per hour, according to Hattrick. The building will be open from Tuesday-Saturday, and the newly implemented schedule will allow the library to serve between 15-25 people per day, according to Hattrick. Library changes will extend beyond the revitalization occurring within the four walls. Community connections are going to be enhanced, according to Hattrick. “I’ve been talking to Mayor Cole some about the possibility of having evening events, things like that,” Hattrick said. “The city hall is essentially the heart of the community. So to make it kind of the meeting spot would be great, and bring some of that to life.” They have also talked about setting up small satellite library at the senior center in order to increase engagement with that segment of the population. There will be a Facebook page coming to keep people informed about things that will be going on at the library, Hattrick said. Because the library has been closed the last few months, patrons still have library materials at home.
See LIBRARY Page A4
A2
www.thechiefnews.com
Friday, August 28, 2020
Addressing Oregon’s vaping epidemic Audit testing of cannabis products
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Recommendations to address the epidemic of vaping-related illness and youth vaping in Oregon are now public. According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), youth e-cigarette use jumped 80 percent between 2017 and 2019. Gov. Kate Brown established the Oregon Vaping Public Health Work Group to establish recommendations to deal with what state health officials call a vaping epidemic. The group’s membership includes doctors and experts in pulmonology, pediatrics, and public health, as well as state legislators and state agency representatives. Over the course of the last eight months, the group met to discuss the health risks of vaping and public policy recommendations for long-term solutions. “In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, it might be easy to forget that less than a year ago, we faced a nationwide epidemic of vaping-related illness,” Brown said. “Now, though, as we are facing the spread of a disease that attacks the respiratory system, it’s even more important that we take steps to protect the health and safety of Oregon’s youth, who have been using vaping products at increasingly high rates.” “I would like to thank the members of this work group for continuing this important work even as many of them were also on the front lines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these recommendations, we can take long-term steps to ensure that we do not see another outbreak of vapingrelated illnesses and deaths, as we did last summer.” Among the health experts on the Vaping Public Health Work Group is Dr. Brian Druker of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, a pioneer in the field of precision medicine whose research has helped to revolutionize cancer treatment. Dr. Mary
A state lab to conduct audit testing of marijuana products would help to prevent the sale of prohibited substances and verify ingredients and additives. Recognizing that a state lab would be a significant expenditure, the work group recommends that the state utilize private, licensed labs to conduct audit testing in the near term. Cessation supports
Photo courtesy of Travis Brisbin
This photo shows a crowd vaping. A series of recommendations are now public from a working group established to find solutions to Oregon’s vaping epidemic.
McKenzie, the Director of Pulmonology at Legacy Health, also brought her direct experience working with patients with vapingrelated lung injuries to the panel. The recommendations of the Vaping Public Health Work Group include: • Banning the use of flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored vaping tobacco products. Flavored products disproportionately target Oregon youth, young adults, and communities of color. Banning these products is an evidenced-based approach to prevent Oregonians from becoming addicted at a young age. Flavored products are market-entry products, with 75% of Oregon youth choosing flavored products, compared to only 18% of adults over the age of 25. For decades, the tobacco industry has also targeted people with low incomes and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities with marketing campaigns, leading to harmful health impacts for those communities.
• Banning harmful additives, requiring ingredient disclosure for cannabis vaping products, and establishing standards for documentation and verification. Because cannabis is a new industry, additional regulations are needed to ban harmful additives, such as vitamin E acetate, which were strongly linked to the outbreak of vaping-related illness last summer. Many illnesses were linked to products purchased at licensed retailers. Other additives may also be harmful. Ingredient disclosure will help consumers and regulators verify what additives are in cannabis vaping products. In addition, there are not yet established federal or state safety standards for the safety of additives when combusted or vaporized. • Increasing the price of tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, through tax and non-tax approaches. As youth have less spending money than adults, they are generally price-sensitive
consumers. Raising the price of tobacco products has shown to be the most effective way to reduce youth use, reducing overall tobacco-related health care costs and deaths. In general, for every 10% increase in the price of e-cigarettes, use can drop by as much as 20%, depending on the type of e-cigarette. E-cigarettes and other inhalant delivery systems are not currently taxed in Oregon. • Banning online and phone sales of e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Requiring in-person sales of vaping products will help prevent the sale of vaping products to underage Oregonians. While state and federal law prevent the online sale of cigarettes, there is no federal law prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes and other inhalant delivery systems.
prohibiting the sale of vaping products to underage Oregonians. Licensure fees would help to cover the costs of vaping-awareness education and enforcement.
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Courtesy photo
Parents are urged to contact local health providers for information about the required immunizations.
to protect their children against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. Parents should talk to their child’s doctor or nurse about whether they have missed any routine vaccines, according to the OHA. Before rescheduling any upcoming childhood vaccination or well visit appointments, parents are urged to call the child’s health care provider to find out if the appointment can remain as scheduled and what precautions are in place to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.
Many health care providers’ offices are taking special precautions, such as ensuring children who are well are kept separate from sick children. Many providers are limiting the number of people who can go with a child to their appointment and are taking temperatures of all family members before allowing them into the building. Some providers are providing drive-up vaccine programs. With so many people out
Public education efforts have helped to decrease youth smoking and smoking rates generally in the United States, and would also be effective in decreasing youth vaping rates. This would save future health care costs over the long term.
The CBD market is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the cannabis industry. Because they do not contain THC, CBD vaping products are not subject to the same regulations as other cannabis vaping products. As such, no regulations currently prevent youth access to these products.
Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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of work and without health insurance, it’s important to know you can still keep your child safe. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free vaccines to families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s vaccines. Call 211 to find out more about VFC. If your children need health insurance, they may be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). It is open to all children and teens younger than 19, regardless of immigration status, who meet income and other criteria. Trained community partners across the state can help you fill out an application. It’s free. Visit http://www.OHP.Oregon.gov to find community partners in your area.
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Public relations campaign
CBD device regulations
Parents urged to get children immunized Parents are understandably nervous about taking their children and teens to their doctors’ offices right now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, children in Oregon are falling behind on their childhood vaccinations, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the OHA wants to work with families to ensure this pandemic is not followed by an increase in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases or a preventable outbreak. “How students attend school is changing because of COVID-19,” OHA school immunization coordinator Stacy de Assis Matthews said. “We want to make sure students are fully vaccinated, so they are protected in whatever form their school looks like: in a classroom, in a small group cohort, or online at home with their family.” Families have the power
Nicotine is a powerfullyaddictive drug, and making cessation supports like medications and counseling available through health care providers and insurers, as well as non-clinical, culturally-responsive supports, would remove barriers to patients receiving the help and support they need to quit. Availability of a variety of approaches focused on the needs of the patient provides the best chance of cessation success.
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Criminal sexual conduct sentence A Columbia County man has received a 13-year sentence in federal prison and a life term supervised release for traveling across state lines to repeatedly sexually assault a 14-year-old victim. According to court documents, Gerald Ryan Davis, 37, of St. Helens, used social media to find his victim and, beginning in December 2014, repeatedly traveled across state lines to meet in person and engage in criminal sexual conduct. Davis gave the victim alcohol during these encounters. Davis, who was 33 years old at the time, had previously been convicted in 2011 of sexually abusing a 17-year-old and was sentenced to probation. While on probation, he repeatedly violated his release conditions by contacting minor victims and was ordered to serve two years in prison. He was released in July 2014,
Gerald Ryan Davis
five months prior to sexually assaulting the minor victim in this case. On Jan. 31, 2017, local police officers arrested Davis after executing a search warrant at his St. Helens home. While in custody, he admitted to sexually assaulting the minor. On March 1, 2019, he waived indictment
and pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct with a minor. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the St. Helens Police Department. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www. justice.gov/psc. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https:// tips.fbi.gov.
Courtesy photo
McDonald Slough Reconnection tide gate project in 2016 at the McDonald Slough in the Nehalem Estuary along the North Oregon Coast.
Tide gates exploration JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Tide gates and associated infrastructure provide an important tool for protecting and controlling water and allowing for land uses, such as agriculture and roadways, along the Columbia River and North Coast of Oregon. Yet, the total number and condition of tide gates is just now beginning to be understood. Over the past few years, the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership has collected publicly available and existing data on tide gates on the Oregon Coast and compiled it into an inventory. Public outreach meetings about the tide gates were held in early 2019 in Clatskanie, Newport, Tillamook and Coquille. The discussions centered on clarity surrounding regulatory compliance and permitting requirements, possible pilot projects and funding. Starting in early September, the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) will evaluate the accuracy of this data through field observations extending from Gearhart to the Columbia River mouth on the Oregon Coast and along the Columbia River Estuary and its tributaries up to Portland. The field studies will verify specific information on the number of tide gates, their locations, the waterways they connect to and add or remove tide gates as appropriate to reflect what is
truly on the water. CREST staff will use public roads, trails, and public waterways to collect tide gate inventory data. The on-the-ground portion of the inventory of the North Coast and Columbia Estuary will be completed by Oct. 31. According to a report issued in 2019 by the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership Group, if tide gates fail, roads, businesses, homes, and agricultural lands become more vulnerable to flooding and intense winter storms. Areas once managed by tide gates are at risk of becoming unmanaged wetlands. A well-designed and managed tide gate strikes the delicate balance of protecting developed land from tidal inundation while managing tidal flows to allow migration of native fish, and maintain water quality and ecological function in the estuary, according to the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership Group. The goal of the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership Group is to develop a voluntary, collaboration-based action plan for tide gate repair or replacement that is cost effective, efficient to implement and is supported by tide gate owners, regulatory agencies and organizations providing technical assistance and funding. The CREST field studies are being sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, who will use the data to inform a tide gate decision support tool that helps pinpoint opportunities for future collabo-
rations with landowners. The results of the model will also be used by CREST and other Columbia River partners for consideration in planning, outreach and estuary restoration projects. The updated data will also be provided to the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership to update their overall tide gate inventory. CREST, located in Astoria, is a community organization specializing in environmental planning, ecological monitoring and habitat restoration for fish and wildlife. CREST offers expertise in habitat restoration project design, funding, management, implementation and monitoring with the goal of improving and enhancing the natural resources that are essential to the vitality and resilience of the communities along the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River Estuary in Oregon and Washington. See videos about the tide gates at: https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=oROqhrXYYFs Fast Fact Tide gates and associated infrastructure provide an important tool for protecting and controlling water and allowing for land uses, such as agriculture and roadways, along the Columbia River and North Coast of Oregon.
Oregon’s jobless rate dips STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 10.4 percent in July from 11.6 percent, as revised, in June, according to Oregon Employment Department researchers. In July, Oregon’s unemployment rate was very close to the U.S. unemployment rate; the U.S. rate dropped to 10.2 percent in July from 11.1 percent in June. Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 20,500 jobs in July, following a gain of 57,000 jobs in June. Over the past three months, employers added back 38 percent of the jobs that were cut in March and April. Over-the-month job gains in July were largest in leisure and hospitality (+7,300 jobs);government (+5,700);retail trade (+3,600); health care and social assistance (+3,100); and professional and business services (+1,900). Meanwhile, three of the major industries cut a substantial number of jobs in July: construction (-1,900 jobs); manufacturing (-1,500); and information (-1,200). Over the past five months the major industries were impacted differently by the pandemic. Leisure and hospitality suffered by far the largest job loss during March and April, shedding 118,700 jobs during the outset of
the pandemic-induced drop These industries include in business. Then, between construction; financial April and July,ETERSEN the industry activities; private education; ETERSEN LARKE LLC LARKE LLC regained half of the loss, as professional and business AAjobs tt tt oo rrservices; nn ee yy ssand transportation, it rebounded by 58,900 over the past three (503) months. 556-4120 warehousing, and utilities. Three industries(503) regained556-4120 more than half of their lost One-time payments jobs. Health care and social County’s Columbia County’s Premier Premier Columbia assistance regained twoOn July 14, the Oregon Personal Attorneys Attorneys thirds of itsPersonal lost jobs, with Injury aInjury Legislature’s Emergency ceennse sed d in in OOrreego go W shin ingto gtonn$35 million LLi icjobs nn && W aash rebound of 18,700 over Board approved the past three months. Durin federal Coronavirus Relief ing that time, two industries Fund money to provide regained nearly two-thirds of one-time $500 payments to their lost jobs: other serOregonians facing hardships vices (+9,300 jobs, or a 63% during the pandemic. The rebound) and retail trade payments were for those (+13,900 jobs, or 62%). qualifying Oregonians who However, several key inhad filed unemployment dustries experienced substan- claims but had not received ETERSEN LARKE LLC LARKE tial job losses ETERSEN in March and any, or all the fundsLLC they April but have not rebounded y ss AA tt tt oo rrwere nn ee yowed. substantially or have even The financial relief was declined further over the past556-4120 (503) 556-4120 distributed by several Oregon (503) three months. credit unions beginning Aug. The following indus19 and the payments ended Accidents •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death tries Accidents shed jobs between Aug. 21 when the money ran April and July: government out. No Fee Fee Until Until Recovery Recovery No (-5,200 jobs); manufactur“After just two days, the ing (-3,100); and informaprogram delivered payments gonn && W Waash shin ingto gtonn rreego tion (-1,900). Most ofOOthe to nearly 40,000 eligible other major FREE industries have CONSULTATION Oregonians,” Oregon House FREE INITIAL INITIAL CONSULTATION regained fewer than 5,000 Speaker Tina Kotek said. “On jobs each over the past three the first day of the program, months while regaining less 62% of the $500 payments than a third of jobs lost durwent to zip codes outside the ing March and April. Portland Metropolitan Area.”
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PETERSEN ETERSEN CLARKE LARKE P C Stephen D. Petersen Petersen llc Stephen D. llc A tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss Aattorney attorney
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(503) 556-4120 556-4120 (503) Specializing in in Accident Accident Injuries Injuries Specializing gonn && W Waash shin ingto gtonn IInn OOrreego
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•V iewpoints • •
Oregon Equestrian Trails volunteers SUSAN WELLINGTON Chief Guest Column
Thank you for the tribute to non-profit organizations (August 12, 2020). Not enough attention is paid to how the citizens of Columbia County fulfill their civic duty not only by voting but also working to make a special place to live and visit. I like horses and horse people, so I have joined the Columbia County Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails (OET). OET is a 501.C(3) statewide organization with the mission of establishing and maintaining recreational trails and horse camps, working to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational equestrian use, teaching “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics and linking equestrians together. Chapters around the state work with federal, state and county land managers in projects that express that
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mission in dirt, steel, wood and water. Here, the Columbia County Chapter works mainly with the County Parks Department. For more than two decades, the members of this organization have helped maintain trails at the County’s Camp Wilkerson which has downed trees and understory growth every year and some clear-cut tree harvesting along the way. The labor of members’built information kiosks, a picnic shelter, an ADA mounting ramp, corrals, helped with the new bathroom and water system in the camp sites, and built a bridge. Before the establishment of the CZ Trail Committee, OET members patrolled the newly established county trail. The Columbia County chapter of OET has maintained trails and performed clean-up at Dibblee Point even before it became a park. Now this organization is
ready to begin the process of replacing the wooden corrals of 12 years ago with steel fencing and developing horse friendly amenities at Dibblee Point Park. Both these projects are in line with the objective of making Columbia County a stronger economy by attracting recreational travelers. The use of the Horse Camp sites at Camp Wilkerson is documented in the reservation system and host record. For other people who like horses and horse people, the club meets the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Warren, maintains a Facebook page at “Oregon-Equestrian-TrailsOET-Columbia-County-StHelens” and invites everyone to once a month workday. Thank you for helping me applaud the dedication and hard work of this group in our wider community. Susan Wellington is a resident of St. Helens.
•B lotters • •
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. Rainier Police Department August 5 • A concerned caller reported a woman that was waving around a black pistol and pointing it at passing vehicles. Upon arrival, an officer observed the woman standing in tall grass on the side of the road. The officer was able to convince the woman to disarm herself without incident. Further inspection of the firearm determined it was a bb gun. The woman said that she was just
playing with the gun and that it didn’t even work. She was transported to the jail and charged with disorderly conduct. • Ivey Barrett, 54, of Rainier, was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. • A citizen reported an unknown person had fraudulently opened an AT&T account using their information. August 6 • An IPad was stolen from a local business. • Two family members got into a heated argument which turned physical on one person’s part. Stephen Vonlanken, 29, of Rainier, was taken into custody and lodged at the jail for domestic assault. August 7 • An officer responded to a twovehicle accident with possible minor injuries on the Lewis & Clark Bridge. Michael Faroni,
34, of Vancouver, was cited for driving uninsured. August 11 • An officer responded to a twovehicle accident on the bridge. The were no apparent injuries. Jesse Deladd, 38, of Longview, was cited for driving without insurance. • An officer responded to a fourvehicle, non-injury accident on the Lewis & Clark Bridge. Martin Roman, 50, of Longview, was cited for driving uninsured. • An officer assisted drivers exchange information after being involved in a motor vehicle crash on Rockcrest St.
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August 15 • Emma Alloway, 20, of Scappoose, was taken into custody on suspicion of DUII. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reports were not available.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
This For Sale sign greets visitors looking closely at the former restaurant building along Highway 30 in Clatskanie.
HUMP’S From Page A1
The Rainier Public Library is ready for some serious renovation.
LIBRARY From Page A1
They are invited to keep them until Sept. 14, when the library reopens, or to drop them off at the book drop located outside of city hall. The changes coming to library, both of the space and of the function, are meant to inspire more patrons to
take part in more of what the library has to offer. Before the pandemic, Cole said he felt like the library primarily served as an internet hub. “People would come down here and they’d use those computers and they’d get on the internet. I’m a supporter of the internet, but I really want to get back to the basics, so I’m excited to do that,” Cole said. Part of returning to the library’s roots will include
Christine Menges / The Chief
sorting through the materials the library already possesses and purging if necessary. During quarantine, multiple residents have also donated some of their old books to the library as well. “It’s been a great relationship between the city, the mayor, the district,” Hattrick said. “I would love to see these shelves empty and people coming in here and checking out books and start it going.”
The Chief
market the building. “The building could be divided up into a multiple lease situation,” Erhardt said. “The walls can be moved and usable spaces re-imagined.” The owners have been earnestly listening to market feedback and respond to any and all offers,” Erhardt said. City leaders have said that the Hump’s building would be a major economic trigger for Clatskanie. Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said he would like to see the building continue to be used as a
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restaurant, with the Hump’s name attached. “It was a historical landmark in Clatskanie and a destination,” Hinkelman said. “I would like to see that happen again for the city. It doesn’t have to be a traditional restaurant, a brew pub or something like that. I would like to see the building occupied and used as a restaurant, because that’s what it’s been for 50-60 years.” Hinkelman said the lack of buyers for the Hump’s property has to do with the COVID-19 pandemic. “While we’re in COVID world, I don’t think anything’s going to come of that any time soon,” Hinkelman said. Hump’s Restaurant
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closed on Aug. 27, 2017. General Manager Jeremiah Cameron said a combination of diminishing business and costly overhead led to the decision to close. Cameron is the son of owners Rob and Brenda Cameron, who reopened Hump’s in 2014 after previous owners shut it down in 2011. Read more about the Hump’s Restaurant history in a series of previous Chief articles at thechiefnews. com. Fast Facts • $850,000 Hump’s Selling Price • 12,000 Square Footage Interior
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in/out county: $8 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80 $3 senior discount for yearly sub
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Friday, August 28, 2020
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Paul’s Tree Service Inc. No bush too small, no tree to tall- Call Paul! Specialized in danger trees, take downs, storm clean-up. Time to prune- pruning Lace Leafed Maples & ornamental shrubberies, chipping, senior or veterans discount, free estimates. CCB# 217173 Lic., Bonded & Insured. 503-440-0723 or 503-543-8274
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Job Posting The Clatskanie Library District Board is seeking a Library Executive Director. The Library Executive Director performs responsible and varied administrative and profes-
sional work related to planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of library services for the Clatskanie Public Library. They work extensively with staff, volunteers, the Clatskanie Library District Board, Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library, and others in and outside the library to ensure that the library continually evolves to meet community needs. The Clatskanie Library District Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To Apply: A complete job description and application can be accessed through the Library Board
Chair at jim@ gibson-us.com All applicants must provide a cover letter, current resume and a completed Clatskanie Library employment application. Incomplete application packets will not be considered. Mail, email, or fax your application, cover letter, and resume to: Clatskanie Public Library, CED Application, c/o Jim Gibson, Board Chair, PO Box 577, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Email: jim@gibson-us. com. Fax: 1-888313-0650. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10th, 2020
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Community Justice Director Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 9/18/2020 Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov
Eagle Star Rock Products is seeking, full time dump truck delivery driver. Current Class A CDL needed. Overtime Pay and benefit package. Contact us at 503-3977861.
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Public Notices CC20-1294
CC20-1296
NOTICE OF STORAGE PLACE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF
Rainier Storage Place, LLC will hold a sale at 29098 Dike Rd., Rainier OR 97048 of the contents of the following
storage units: 8x40 storage container, CY1 – Abandoned; 10x28 A1 – Abandoned; 7x10 A16 – Abandoned at 11:00
a.m. on Saturday, September 12th, 2020. Published Aug. 28, 2020, Sept. 4, 2020 and Sept. 11, 2020.
CC20-1297
NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the ballroom of 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 5th, 2020 regular meeting; resolution to suspend the base-rates and utility fees on non-profits owning their building; and the first and second reading of an
Ordinance to revise the City’s contracting code; and a motion to approve a revision to the Pool refurbishment contract. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by August 28th, 2020.
OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of PHILIP CALVIN WHITE, Deceased. No. 20PB04462 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims
against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain
additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published August 21, 2020. Kelly Suzanne White, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.
The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.
Price Road legalization triggers controversy CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
A new “Price Road” is likely coming, but the difference will mostly be apparent in county records. Furthermore, the road legalization has been a subject of controversy. Nine residents will benefit from the legalization, and one neighbor, Bob Krause, will lose out. The road, which county Public Works Director Mike Russell described as being badly in need of repair, was discovered in 2013 as not being legalized, which means that it cannot legally receive federal or state funds for repairs. Russell said during a Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 26 the department has been doing pavement patching on the road. He showed photos depicting pothole patches and alligator cracks. “It’s in pretty bad condition. At the end of the paved section, there’s no more asphalt left, practically. In order to address the pavement condition we need to apply asphalt overlay this summer,” Russell said. But applying asphalt can only happen if the road is legalized, which it currently is not. What is commonly referred to as Price Road, a road that heads back in a straight path from Highway 30, is actually a private road that was never legalized by the county. According to county records from 1924, the original road moved westerly in a zigzag fashion from its starting point on Highway 30. Today’s road heads back in a straight path. Houses
have been built on the road, their addresses reading “Price Road.” The mistake has been attributed to a clerical error, according to county commissioners. County staff recommend renaming the original Price Road as West Price Road, and legalizing the current Price Road, which will enable homeowners to keep their addresses, Russell said. “If the board chooses not to proceed with legalization, multiple properties will be landlocked without legal access. Households will have to work together through a maintenance agreement,” Russell said. Russell said that scenario was not preferable, and because the county has worked over the years to maintain the road, it would be better to simply address the road in county records and make the road officially legal. The county held a public hearing at their board meeting on Aug. 26 for all neighbors affected by the legalization to speak. Carole Kelley, a homeowner on Price Road said she spoke to eight of the nine households that have a property on the Price Road section in question and said they all agreed to let the county go forward with legalizing the road. “They really want the county to do this,” she said. Kelley said she was unable to reach the ninth household, and that the household does not speak English very well. Not every neighbor is in favor of the legalization. Don Campbell, who lives on Price Road, spoke on neighbor Bob Krause’s behalf, who was unable to participate in the meeting due to medical issues,
according to Campbell. Campbell said Krause did not have any benefit to the legalization. Legalization would mean Krause would be losing some rights to his property, according to Campbell. “Where Bob Krause is at, if you create a right of way, you’re creating a property he can’t utilize in the future,” Campbell said. A right of way would mean there would be 20 feet of Krause’s property where he would be unable to park his equipment, or build a barn within 40-50 feet of the road. “Mr. Krause can’t use a 50-foot strip of his property on the relabeling of his property for a quarter mile. I don’t think that’s right, I don’t think that’s fair,” Campbell said. If a legalization does not go through, there are some alternatives. “Bob’s position is he doesn’t want to landlock anybody, he’d like to communicate with neighbors and create private easement with them,” Campbell said. Campbell also said the county is trying to make up for land use mistakes they have made for over a decade by doing what he sees as stealing someone’s property. County commissioners Alex Tardif and Henry Heimuller both said during the meeting that they are not responsible for mistakes made from before they were elected to their positions. All county commissioners said they were in favor of legalization. They will have an official vote to legalize the road during their regular meeting next Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Courtesy photo
Throwing away of lighted matches, cigarettes, and other materials is prohibited under Oregon law.
Tossing smokes, reckless burning STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
As Oregon moves into its second weekend of a declared wildfire State of Emergency, officials are urging everyone to know Oregon’s laws about fire prevention. Large wildland fires are a part of living in the Pacific Northwest during the summer and fall months. Wildland fires are dangerous, costly, and have a severe impact on air quality, according to a release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. “Our partner agencies in the fire service do a great job of providing public information about burning and outdoor recreation restrictions to keep us all educated and safe,” the release reads. “Despite their best prevention efforts, firefighters are still called upon to extinguish human-caused wildland fires all over the state.” Discarded cigarettes are a frequent cause of wildland
fires along roadways, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Even if the discarded cigarette does not start a fire, throwing them out of the car is still a crime under the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS). Throwing away of lighted matches, cigarettes, and other materials is prohibited under Oregon laws. ORS 476.715 reads, “No one shall, at any time, throw away any lighted tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, matches or other lighted material, on any forestland, private road, public highway or railroad right of way within this state.” This crime is a Class B misdemeanor and applies year-round. Offensive Littering Oregon also has an offensive littering law. According to ORS 164.805, “Discarding or depositing any rubbish, trash, garbage, debris or other refuse upon the land of another without permission
of the owner, or upon any public way or in or upon any public transportation facility” or “Permitting any rubbish, trash, garbage, debris or other refuse to be thrown from a vehicle that the person is operating.” This crime is a Class C misdemeanor and can apply to the person who threw out the cigarette and to the person operating the vehicle. Reckless Burning People found reckless burning also face penalties. ORS 164.335 states, “A person commits the crime of reckless burning if the person recklessly damages property of another by fire or explosion.” This crime is a Class A misdemeanor. Despite being a criminal act, discarded cigarette butts detract from the natural beauty of our area. Discarded cigarettes can contain chemicals and carcinogens that are harmful to animals and the environment.
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Friday, August 28, 2020
Lights of Hope fundraiser Kallunki: We are only doing a drive by, socially distanced, display in Salem. If we have to do our display for 2021 in our state again, then I would totally try to do something for the ClatskanieRainier community.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The Chief: What is your message to folks about why this project is important?
towards Lights of Hope, either in my dad’s memory, or in memory or honor of someone in their lives that have been affected by cancer. I don’t really have a goal specifically to Clatskanie, although I only need $90 to reach my goal of $500 for the year. The ACS CAN year ends Sept. 12. Plus I was born and raised in Clatskanie, so wanted to share what I’m doing and bring the attention of ACS CAN to the community.
Kallunki: Lights of Hope is done every year; this is only my second year participating. This project is really important because everyone has been touched by cancer. Lights of Hope is a powerful way to honor and remember our loved ones that we’ve lost to cancer and celebrate cancer survivors. Each bag tells a story and sends a powerful message to our members of Congress and the community that they need to do more to help us fight cancer. This year is extra special because it’s the 10th anniversary of Lights of Hope. Because of the pandemic, we are not gathering in Washington, D.C., for our annual display at the Lincoln Memorial. But we are bringing hope home this year to our local communities with Lights of Hope Across America in all 50 states.
The Chief: Will there be any event in Clatskanie - Rainier with the Lights of Hope bags displayed, or is that event only going to be held at the capitol building in Salem?
For details on how to dedicate a Lights of Hope bag, please contact Missie at justus@embarqmail.com, 503-970-4786, or visit http:// action.fightcancer.org/goto/ Margaret_kallunki.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Kallunki
Lighted bags with the names of cancer victims were placed on display in Washington, D.C. during the 2019 celebration.
On September 12, communities will honor lives affected by cancer when Lights of Hope Across America takes place on the front porches, kitchen tables and lawns of cancer patients, survivors and advocates nationwide, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “As a result of the pandemic, ACS CAN volunteers will not gather for the annual Lights of Hope ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands of bags are decorated and adorned with the names of cancer survivors and those lost to this horrible disease,” the ACS CAN release reads. “Instead, advocates will
Photo courtesy of Margaret Kallunki
The Lights of Hope celebration in Washington, D.C. in 2019.
celebrate 10 years of hope at home as part of a larger virtual event.” Clatskanie resident Margaret Kallunki has launched a local fundraiser through Lights of Hope to generate money for cancer research. “I’ll be honoring my parents. In memory of my Dad, Sonny Kallunki, and in support of my mom, Sally. I’d love for those you know who have been touched by cancer friends and loved ones - to be part of it too,” she said. In the following conversation, Margaret gives us her personal story. The Chief: In the release you say you are honoring your parents. Could you briefly
share with us how cancer has touched your family and why you have decided to honor your parents? Margaret Kallunki: In early May 2018, my dad was diagnosed with pneumonia. He went back to the doctor in June and was told he had stage 4 lung cancer, “the tobacco kind.” The doctors told us his cancer was almost certainly caused by a lifetime of addiction to cigarettes. The doctors told us the cancer was too advanced to treat. They recommended my Dad receive pain management support and hospice care. Not knowing how much time we had left with dad, my family and I spent as much time with him
as possible. He passed away in October 2018. In April 2019 I became a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network because they were (and still are) fighting big tobacco and I feel like I can try and make a change by sharing my dad’s story. ACS CAN focuses on many different ways to help fight against cancer. The Chief: What is your goal for the Clatskanie-area Lights of Hope fundraiser and how do you plan to reach that goal? Kallunki: I really am just hoping by putting something in the newspaper, people will read it and make a donation
“Homeward Bound” mural complete
Photo courtesy of Peggy McCormick
Amanda Furnish, Danica Huff, Margaret Magruder and Jeremy Furnish cut the ribbon in front of Artist Mark Kenny’s mural, “Homeward Bound.”
Mark Kenny, the artist.
Photo courtesy of Peggy McCormick
Artist Mark Kenny, family members, friends, county representatives and artists came out on Wed., Aug. 26 to cut the ribbon in front of Kenny’s completed mural, “Homeward Bound.” Kenny, who lives in Seaside, was selected from a Call to Artists put out in June of this year by local artist and Clatskanie Artists Network founder, Jeremy Furnish to create the design for the first mural in Furnish’s Clatskanie mural project. “Homeward Bound” depicts Chinook salmon swimming upstream to spawn, something Kenny described as symbolic of community and returning to one’s roots.
COVID-19 From Page A1
stands at 25 cases per 100,000, which does not meet the metric set by OHA and ODE, and test positivity rate stands at less than 5%, which does meet the metric. Meeting the former metric but not the latter has been the case for the last few weeks of Paul’s report. “We just need to bring our case count down,” Paul said. Commissioner Henry Heimuller asked that, once both metrics are met, if it would be required for schools to continue to meet the metric, or if schools would have to move back to Distance Learning if either metric ended up not being met. Paul said if the case count increased to 20 per 100,000, the state would require the school to move back to Distance Learning. The school district would have to communicate with the public health department to resolve the outbreak before returning to in-person instruction. Paul said further that he was not on the committee that developed the metrics, but the committee that developed the metrics had to examine other countries and see how they reopened schools. “We’ve seen several colleges open and then close because of outbreaks,” Paul said. Precautionary measures In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Paul said individuals restricting their travel will be key. “We’re asking people to think about their Labor Day plans. We know that travel, gatherings throughout the
summer have led to lots of cases. One way to keep our case count down is to stay local instead of traveling,” Paul said. Paul said case counts seem to be plateauing. During the meeting on Aug. 26, commissioners questioned Paul regarding the city of St. Helens plans to hold the Spirit of Halloweentown festivities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Columbia County is currently in Phase 2 of reopening, which means that outdoor events at venues are capped at 250 people, per the governor’s orders. The annual Spirit of Halloweentown festivities have drawn a crowd of up to 10,000 people in the past for events like the pumpkin lighting ceremony held in the city’s Plaza Square. Spirit of Halloweentown is an annual month-long series of celebrations held during the month of October in St. Helens and gets its name from the 1998 made-for-TV Disney movie “Halloweentown,” filmed in St. Helens. Paul said his office has been fielding many questions from residents on whether or not the city should continue with Spirit of Halloweentown plans. “We’ve been directing people to provide comments to city council,” Paul said. “We understand they’re still planning Halloweentown. We’re encouraging people to provide their comments to the city.” Commissioner Margaret Magruder asked Paul if Columbia County Public Health is required to approve plans for events such as Spirit of Halloweentown. She said she knew the fair board had to work with public health in order to meet requirements for the fair’s drive-in concerts, held in lieu of the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo this year.
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Paul said the public health department is not required to approve plans. “We haven’t been approving plans, we’re reviewing plans,” he said. “We’re not actually approving plans. We can help to find an answer to something the organizer doesn’t understand.” One concern commissioners brought up was use of Plaza Square, which the city asks the county for a permit to use each year for Halloweentown. Commissioner Henry Heimuller described Plaza Square as the “epicenter” of the annual Spirit of Halloweentown festivities in St. Helens.
“What are the county’s liabilities? This is county property where this is going on, what controls do you have in place to make sure you’re not allowing inappropriate activity on county property?” Heimuller asked. The county has had the city submit a plan for review before approving use of Plaza Square before. When they review the plan before giving the permit, the county is able to enforce their own COVID-19 requirements, which is something the commissioners discussed at the meeting. “The city will likely do the best they can,” Heimuller
said. Heimuller noted that the annual festivities draw people from all over the world. He said it was possible that different groups from different locations could not heed state and federal guidelines in the area, something that would be out of the city’s control. “It’s going to be a bit of a complicated situation,” Heimuller said. St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh responded to an email from The Chief on Thursday, Aug. 26 and said Spirit of Halloweentown would be “dramatically different this year.”
According to Walsh, the event will be in a ticketed, controlled environment in order to comply with Gov. Brown’s executive orders. The Festival of the Fairies event will not happen, and the pumpkin lighting event will be less crowd-orientated. For further information on Spirit of Halloweentown, visit DiscoverColumbiaCounty. com or the Spirit of Halloweentown Facebook page. Follow the daily pandemic case reports at thechiefnews. com with in-depth coverage in the Friday print editions of The Chief.