“The fire danger is going from Extreme back down to High (Red to Yellow), however, this is nowhere enough rain to declare fire season over,” he said. “While the 1-hour fuels (grass and pine needles) were significantly affected, the 10-hour fu els (.25 inch up to 1 inch in diameter) and 100-hour fuels were not touched. What this means is that the water will evaporate very quickly after the sun comes up.”
So said members of the Clatskanie Library Board as Ernie Carman, president of the Friends
appreciation for my lifelong sup port of the library by restarting and faithfully keeping active the Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library, Inc.”
0.3 of an inch of rain Sept. 12 and more rain is likely by the coming weekend.
Elizabeth Kruse, who retired as Clatskanie library director two years ago, said before she took that position, the librarian ap proached Carman about restarting the Friends of the Library. The city was having trouble funding its library, she said, so the Friends started a levy “so that we could become our own special district.”
Large utilities used Public Safety Power Shutoffs during the last extreme wildfire event.
“We still need to be vigilant with our use of fire and preventing nuisance fires on the landscape,” Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District Chief Pricher said. “In some fire years, fire season can extend into October. In other words, caution is
What’s ahead
Courtesy photo Nicole Takalo
bridge the gaps we know exist as we work hard to protect our communi ties. We still have several weeks of peak fire season ahead of us, five large active fires, and 274,000 acres burning statewide. If granted, Oregon would be the first state ever to receive such a declaration for wildfire re sponse — but unfortunately, certainly not the last to need this important assistance.“Iamincredibly grateful for the strong partnership we have with the Biden-Harris administration and with FEMA, with whom we have worked over the past several years on various emergencies. I urge their earnest consideration of my request so that, together, we can protect Oregonians
Bumgardner said the NWS office
Oregon’s wildfire season often extends into late fall, and fire district officials caution that several days of prolonged rain is necessary to ease the current threat of fire.
“I can still draw with both hands,” he added.
Local man honored for public service to Clatskanie
“He’s just got a smile for ev erybody,” board colleague Pamela JamisonCarmansaid.said the reason for the timing of the honor was that he hasCarman’scancer. other accomplish ments in Clatskanie include hav ing the library parking lot paved, helping install the library sprinkler system, and supporting children’s reading progress every year.
“We got out,” he said, “except for one buddy of mine who was shot to death through the head,” he said.After the war, Carman worked in the Wauna Mill for 30 years.
Asked what he plans to do next, he said, “It is my desire to continue serving my community as their needs appear and as long as I’m able.”
chronicle1@countrymedia.net
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is asking President Biden to approve a federal emergency declaration for the State of Oregon due to extreme risk of significant wildfires.
National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist John Bumgardner in Portland said the region is now mov ing toward more seasonal weather.
still needed with campfires.”
“Actually, my life has been blessed by giving back to so many,” he said. “I was a found ing member of the Clatskanie Arts Commission, a charter member of the Columbia County Cultural Co alition, have served as a long-term president of the Clatskanie Senior Center, Inc., and volunteered as a member of Kiwanis. The library community serves all ages and is a wonderful opportunity to enrich the lives of so many.”
Oregon seeks fed emergency declaration
“It looks a lot like normal weather for this time of the year and the rain helped knocked down some of the smoke and haze from the wildfires,” Bumgardner said. “The high temper atures will be in the mid 70s, which is a few degrees below normal.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Brown released the following statement about her request.
VOL. 131, NO. 19 $1.50SEPTEMBERFRIDAY, 16, 2022 engagementArt Page A2 The key in how much you make Page A4 Who We Are ............ A2 Obituaries ................. A3 Opinions ................... A4 Community Events ... A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: St.1805chiefnews@countrymedia.net503-397-4093ColumbiaBlvd.,Helens,OR97051 Contact The Chief
Pricher said Columbia and Mult nomah counties outdoor burn ban remains in effect. Last weekend’s ban on campfires, charcoal barbecue and portable propane / patio fireplaces is no longer in Columbiaeffect.River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) Public Information Repre sentative Jennifer Motherway recom mends that the public pay attention to local fire department websites and so cial media pages to follow potential weather and hazardous threats.
A member of the Friends for 28 years, Carman has been involved in many local activities. Despite having undergone several recent surgeries, he still drives his own car regularly and has shown few if any signs of slowing down.
He has been active in the local Kiwanis Club and the Turning Point Food Bank and in estab lishing a memorial to Raymond Carver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning short-story writer. He has been a volunteer for the Columbia County Sheriffs Association, specializing in publicity. He also has been a writer and an Communityartist.members have praised Carman for contributing so much of his time to the com munity.
Carman, whose wife, Nilce Maria Carman, is no longer living, has four daughters and 14 grand children.Hesaid he did not like 13 as a number of grandchildren, so one of his daughters gave him a 14th.
Pricher also urges local communi ty members to be aware of the Ready (Level 1 evacuation), Set (Level 2
Clatskanie Elementary School special education teacher Nicole Takalo and principal Kara Burghardt have together received a $2,000 grant as part of the Voya Unsung Heroes 2022 Unsung Heroes awards competition.Takaloand Burghardt are the only winners in the entire state of Oregon.“Educators like Nicole and Kara greatly influence and shape our na tion’s future leaders,” Voya Founda tion chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer and president, Voya Foundation Angela Harrell said. “Their creative teaching meth ods and innovative thinking inspire and motivate students to reach new heights. For 26 years, through Voya Unsung Heroes and other educationoriented programs, we have sup ported educators who go above and beyond to enrich the lives of their students.”
Carman plans to continue as president of the Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library “as long as they need me.”
See GRANT Page A3
“We aren’t in the clear yet from the fire danger and our agencies are generally really great at getting any communications about hazards posted via social media to our com munities, she said.”
HERB SWETT
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Fire danger persists
Takalo’s and Burghardt’s innova tive teaching idea, “Sensory Spaces for All,” will create sensory spaces
See WILDFIRE Page A3
a model of federal support for states facing the ongoing threat of wild fires.”
“That is the best advice we can provide the community,” she said. “The more people sign up the better chance we have at getting a larger communication out to our commu nity.”
Herbert Swett / The Chief Ernie Carman
Local teacher, principal earn prestigious honor
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
The Friends have an annual book sale, the biggest sale in town, usually making about $1,500. One year, the sale brought in $3,000.
Motherway encourages residents to sign up for the CAN system, an electronic notification system.
Metro Creative Connection
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
for students to increase engagement in learning activities and attendance in the general education setting. Teachers will us the Voya Unsung Heroes grant to design grade-appropriate spaces that will contain smaller items like building bricks, putty and sand, as well as larger items like swings, climbing apparatuses, or large body move mentTheequipment.goalisfor students to be taught how to identify the need for a sensory break, either by selfrecognition or by explicit teaching. Students will learn how to make choices to help bring their bodies back to a learning ready state, which will ultimately help them achieve academic expectations, according to Harrell.Selected from a group of appli cants from schools across the United States, Takalo and Burghardt are among only 50 winners in the nation to receive the $2,000 award to help fund and bring their program to life. In addition, they will now compete
Carman was born in Central City, Nebraska, and his family moved to Clatskanie when he was 3 years old. Naturally left-handed, he was forced in school to learn to write and draw with his right hand, he said.
He dropped out of Warner Pacific College (now University) during the Vietnam War to join the Air Force and was stationed in Costa Rica and Panama before being sent to Vietnam. While in Central America, he said, he was the lead person in a weather ser viceArrivingproject. in Vietnam by para chute, Carman and a few fellow airmen got caught in a tree.
“Last week, as Oregon faced fore casted high winds, sustained hot and dry conditions, and the potential for lightning — and with 168,000 acres burning across the state at the time — Oregonians braced for increased and worsening fires. State firefight ing teams and agencies, along with local partners and resources brought in from California and Washington through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, mobilized to prepare for a swift response and to protect lives, communities, and our natural“Thanksresources.toscience and data, we know enough in the days ahead of anticipated weather and fire patterns — just like states that prepare for hurricanes — that it is imperative to communicate with the public, pre-po sition resources for our fire response, and employ preventive measures, such as public safety power shut-offs. All of these efforts reflect a modern ized approach to meeting the needs of fighting the fires of this century; they are proactive measures that we can take to protect communities and save“Thelives.request I made for a federal disaster declaration is critical to help ing bolster our state’s response, and it presents an opportunity for Oregon to partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to
Her goal is to inspire individuals to come together through art.
• Leisure and hospitality (+18,500 jobs, or 9.9%)
LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article
For Twila, it was won derful to return to Oregon, after having lived in Mas sachusetts and Louisiana.
Art by Twi is indeed the path to bringing out your in ner artist.
“Art is a very healthy expression of emotions,” she said. “It is also very reward ing to complete a project. In fact, at the end of week four, each student will have created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!”
“I was so excited to go to Beaver Falls,” she exclaims. “It is one of my favorite places on earth, I love everything about Clatskanie. I love the people here. It is so wonderful to see people I grew up around. I am doing what I love, in the place that I love. I feel like I am living a dream.”
For years, students stood in front of the large painting and posed with their various awards.Twila said she was lucky to have a family who en
• Facebook or by email at ArtByTwi@yahoo.com
Children take part in an art class at the Clatskanie studio.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
reductions in July and August of this year, local government education employed a total of 108,600 in August, which was 2,500 above its level in August 2019.
said. “I painted a large mural in my bedroom. She was so proud of me. I want to en courage children to love art as much as I did. To bring mothers and their children together to create art is so wonderful.”
“Everyone can create,” Twila said. “And there are no mistakes. There is no right or wrong way.”
Local government strayed from its usual seasonal pat
Twila is available for art at events, including face paint ing, rock painting, window art, custom art or private classes. She presents a fun class for those who want to capture their pet for posterity in pop art, Twi said she can also develop great ideas for Thanksgiving or Christmas
Twila made a name for herself in high school, when she was elected to paint a depiction of a large tiger, the Clatskanie High School mascot, which adorned the front hall in the high school.
Twila also emphasizes how beneficial art is as a therapeutic modality.
• Construction (+9,600 jobs, or 8.7%)
• Professional and busi ness jobs, or 4.7%)
The U.S. unemployment rate was the same as in Or egon, at 3.7% in August and 3.5% in July. Over the past six months, Oregon’s unemploy ment rate has remained low by historic standards, averag ing 3.6% during that period.
first six months of the year, when local employmentgovernmentaveragednearly 12,000 fewer jobs than in 2019, prior to the recession. But with fewer short-term job
Resources for Twila Rhodes and Art by Twi
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 9,300 in August, following an upwardly revised gain of
13,000 jobs in July. Monthly gains in August were larg est in government (+3,800 jobs), leisure and hospital ity (+1,900), construction (+1,400), professional and business services (+1,000), and manufacturing (+900). Other services (-800 jobs) and financial activities (-700) were the only major industries that shed more than 500 jobs. With the rapid gains in total nonfarm payroll jobs in July and August, Oregon reached a record employ ment total of 1,974,700 jobs in August, which was 2,500 jobs above the pre-pandemic peak reached in February 2020. The private sector has also regained all of the jobs it lost during the pandemic recession.
www.thechiefnews.com Friday, September 16, 2022A2 • •C rossword P uzzle • • ACROSS 1. Relating to Vatican’s 13.9.6.FrancisDenouementHVACtunnelLesserAntilles destina 14.tionBig Island necklace 15. Truth without proof 16. Luciano Pavarotti, e.g. 17. Distressing acronym 18. Acrylic fiber 19. *Outing in a wagon 21. *Overnighting outdoors 23. “____ Te Ching” 24. RC or Jolt 25. Tax pro 28. Lowest brass instrument 30. *Alfresco meal 35. Kaa’s warning 37. This and that 39. Extended family member 40. “The Sun is ____ a Star” 41. Namely (2 words) 43. “The Parent Trap” child 44. Renter’s paper 46. H. H. Munro’s pseud onym 47. Snaky swimmers 48. Geisha’s garb 50. Kids’ construction block 52. Caustic chemical 53. Display displeasure 55. Blunder 57. *S’more cooker 61. *U-Pick destination 65. Yahoo! message 66. Hyperactivity acronym 68. Relating to hilum 69. To the point 70. Make a pigeon sound 71. Silly 72. Ancient eternal life symbol 73. H in British HMS 74. Socially inept DOWN 1. *Promenading route 2. Atlas stat 3. Small and weak 4. Cut short 5. Cowboy’s catcher 6. Additional 7. Opposite of paleo 8. “Xanadu” music genre 9. Village, mostly in South 10.AfricaTangerine plus grapefruit 11. Colloquial “Follow me!” 12. NASA’s orange drink 15. Master’s area 20. Meryl Streep/Philip Sey mour Hoffman 2008 movie 22. *Climbing peak 24. Fashion week stage 25. *Sidewalk artist’s me dium 26. Mushroom caps 27. Indian black tea 29. Unwelcome reception, pl. 31. Give a quote 32. Handrail post 33. In an unfriendly manner 34. Incense without prefix 36. Comme ci, comme Áa 38. *Nature walk 42. Detroit mascot 45. Store as fodder 49. Not their 51. Lady Slipper, e.g. 54. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host 56. Horny odd-toed ungulate, for short 57. Between Phi and Kappa 58. Bad luck predictor 59. Police informer 60. *Angling reward 61. O in b.o. 62. Having wings 63. Military status 64. Squirrel’s nest 67. Rudolph’s Clarice, e.g. STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: OUTDOOR FUN Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief.
or renew your artistic side? Local resident search ing for new art are in luck - because Clatskanie is now home to Art by Twi, an art gallery and workshop owned and operated by accomplished artist Twila Rhodes, who proudly grew up in Clatskanie, and has her artistic roots at Clatskanie Middle/High School.
The Oregon Employment Department report shows 95,391 unemployed and 2,122,434 employed in the state in August.
• 315 E Columbia River Highway Suite B
The art classes are varied but all have one thing in common – you will learn many valuable skills, she said.Parents are welcome to join any class for a nominal fee. Monday ceramics is offered, and Tuesday and Wednesday she teaches art classes, four per month. She starts with the basics, how to use a brush, what each brush
can do, different techniques and wrist and hand control. In the class you will also explore color mixing and painting in layers. The skills that are taught include hand/ eye coordination, and fine gross motor control.
• 503-728-5070
Art is a very healthy expression of emotions.
• Manufacturing (+9,900 jobs, or 5.3%)
Powering the recovery
Her reason for this new endeavor is easily explained.
tern as local schools expe rienced fewer summer job reductions than normal, adding jobs in both July and August.This trend followed the
Gains and loses
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 3.7% in August from 3.5% in July. This was the first increase in Oregon’s unemployment rate since April 2020.
STAFF
Local artist returns to Clatskanie
projects.Twila is very enthusiastic about her return to Clatskanie.
• Cell 857-210-4545
~ Twila Rhodes, artist and new business operator
Courtesy photo from Jerome White Art by Twi is located in Suite B, at 315 E Columbia River Highway in Clatskanie.
Courtesy photo from Jerome White
REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net • • w ho w e A re • •
State sees first rise in unemployment since 2020
Over the past 12 months, total nonfarm payroll em ployment grew by 74,800 jobs, or 3.9%.
The following industries are powering the recovery, as each added more than 6,000 jobs while expanding at a faster rate than total nonfarm:
The new art gallery and workshop is at 315 E Columbia River Highway, Suite B, directly next door to Bundy’s, a restaurant
To learn more about this year’s winning projects, as well as those from previ
During her media brief ing, Brown said the state’s work over the past few years has helped to better prepare communities for wildfires, that there are more resources available, and healthier land scapes have been created during the off season. “This has made a huge difference,” Brown said.
Kimberly Lorentzen
State operated electronic reader boards along highways in Oregon were used to alert the public of the danger with the warning: “Extreme wild fire conditions. Use caution.”
mined way, she outlived her original prognosis to get a few more years with her children and grandchildren. She would’ve easily consid ered them her greatest joy andStill,accomplishment.waytooearly, after
nity Church with a specific heart for both young men and music ministries. Joshua enjoyed service and making friendships through May ger Church, Heritage Bible Church as well as Grace Bible Fellowship in Kelso, Washington.Joshualeaves behind his
“It’s the normal equip ment, such as polls, wires, trucks and professional line persons that we have readily available,” Hanson said. “They will be out there inspecting, so it will be an active time as the crews work to make a quick and safe restoration of service.”
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
He also served with his dad, Pastor John Thomas, at
Kimberly was born on June 4, 1960, in Portland, Oregon. She was the fifth of seven children to Jim and Phyllis Cox of Clats kanie, Oregon. Kimberly Ann (Cox) Lorentzen grew up in Clatskanie and lived throughout the Pa cific Northwest in her adult years.She settled in Vader, Washington, in the early 1990’s, where she raised her seven children and tamed a raccoon or two along the way. With a quiet and gen erous spirit, she welcomed anyone who needed love into her heart. As a daugh ter, sister, mother, Memaw, aunt, and wife, she passed on her love of children and animals to all those she knew. In her typical, deter
“Leave your home quickly,” he said. “Have your go-bag ready to go.”
The Oregon Legislature implemented a statewide rent control policy in 2019 setting rent increases at 7% plusTheinflation.rentincrease cap only applies to apartments and rental homes that are 15 years old or older.
On Sept. 7 Pacific Power and Portland General Electric (PGE) alerted thousands of customers that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) would be possible due to the increas ing wildfire conditions.
“Our goal today is to encourage Oregonians to be prepared and have a plan,” Brown said. “Each one of us can make a difference in the next 24 to 72 hours. Our goal is to save lives and to save property.”
a valiant fight, she left this world on July 10, 2022. She left behind her children, Kari (Dale), Kory (Kyle), Chelsea (Travis), Evan, Erin (Jason), Kayla (Kody), and Kyle (Linnea); grandchil dren, Trevor, Brookelyn, Andrew, Charlotte, Austin, Jordan, Kalvin, Maddie son, Kaleb, Dustyn, Parker, Amilia, Alivia, Corbyn, and Aylin; her husband of 31 years, Mark; her mother; six brothers and sisters; and countless nieces, nephews andKimberlycousins. has been cremated by Fir Lawn of Toledo. A celebration of life is planned for 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2022 at the Cowlitz Prairie Grange, 5184 Jackson Hwy, Toledo, WA 98591.
Joshua John Thomas was born Dec. 20, 1978 to John and Marilyn Thomas in McMinnville, Oregon. The family moved to the Clatskanie area in 1985.
From Page A1
Phelps also encouraged community members to check on their neighbors, friends and co-workers and to make sure they are safe.
The Oregon Legislature imple mented a statewide rent control policy in 2019 setting rent increases at 7% plus inflation.
wildfires are threatening their community. Phelps said in the case of evacuations, everyone needs to be ready.
• •
At the end of the brief ing, Brown again stressed the urgency of the current wildfire danger.
WILDFIRE
June 4, 1960 ~ July 10, 2022
ous years, visit the Unsung HeroesUnsungwebsite.Heroes is part of Voya Foundation’s signa ture program, Voya Teacher Voices, that focuses on empowering teachers to be come leaders by promoting the teaching career, recog nizing high-achieving edu cators, providing training opportunities, and offering financial support to achieve their goals.
Phelps added that be ing prepared will allow first responders to help others who may need help the most.
www.thechiefnews.comFriday, September 16, 2022 A3
parents, John and Marilyn; sisters, Pam and Karina; wife Rebecca, 10 children; Corrie, Christiana, Caleb, William, Nathan, Tate, Cec ily, Trysten, Molly, Alec and their unborn baby girl.
with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 from Voya Financial.
Smaller utilities, like Columbia River PUD and Clatskanie PUD in Columbia County, said they were not planning to use PSPS as of mid-day Sept. 8, unless condi tions change to include immi nent fire danger, or mandatory fire orders are in effect. Both utilities said they were moni toring the current situation and have mitigation plans in place. Following the weekend event representatives from the two utilities said they did not conduct any PSPS.
Rental housing that is more recent is not covered, ac cording to a KPTV report.
“We are at a critical point, any additional fires would be problematic,” Oregon Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Travis Medema said.
Hanson said such weather events are another reminder for local residents to be prepared for power disruptions, no matter what the season.
“The combination of dry conditions, high winds and low humidity can lead to ex plosive fire growth,” Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Chief Mike Shaw said during the media briefing. “We are very concerned about the next 72 hours and what that means both in terms of what new fires will start and the larger fires on the landscape.”
For 26 years, the Voya Unsung Heroes program has awarded grants to K-12 educators in the United
Be prepared
OEA calculates this amount as 7% plus the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brown urged all Or egonians to be prepared for evacuations.“Gotobed tonight with a plan in the event your family needs to evacuate, or you wake up without power,” she said. Brown encouraged any one who hasn’t, to sign up for emergency notification alerts at ORALERT.gov.“Nowisthetime to charge your devises, make sure you have batteries, have nonper ishable food and water avail able and extra medications in case you have to go without power for a couple of days, or if you need to evacuate from your home because of fire,”
There will be a celebra tion of life at 4 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 25, 2022 at Woodland Christian Church in Wood land, Washington.
From Page A1 Solution for the Sept. 9, 2022 crossword puzzle • •C rossword s olutions • •
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source bitu A ries
by 14.6% in 2023 under Or egon’s renter cap law.
That exact calculation will be the percent change from the CPI average for the September 2022 to August 2023 time period (most recent year), com pared to the September 2021 to August 2022 time period (previous year), plus 7%.
GRANT
OEA states it will pub lish the maximum annual rent increase for 2024 by Sept. 30, 2023.
Joshua made friends everywhere he went, always meeting people both new and old, in town making time to stop and talk to them. Joshua loved athletics, specifically, soccer, running, hunting, outdoor activities, making music (played gui tar, violin and sang), build ing and creating. Joshua loved spending time with his family, being a super dad to their 10 kids and an amazing husband and son.
The agency is responsi ble for calculating and pub lishing, by Sept. 30, of each year, the maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed by statute (ORS 90.323 or ORS 90.600) for the following calendar year.
Oregon Emergency Manage ment Director Andrew Phelps said.He also urging everyone to have an evacuation plan in place and to be ready to go if
Joshua John Thomas
States to honor their in novative teaching meth ods, creative educational projects, and their ability to positively influence the children they teach. Since the program’s inception, Voya has awarded more than $5.9 million in support of educators through this nationwide program.
Metro Creative Connection
Before the event, Pacific Power worked closely with local emergency management planners at cities and counties in the utility’s districts with table-top exercises for best preparation. The utility also planned to bring in addi tional crews and equipment to various district locations late
Governor’s caution
Joshua graduated from Clatskanie High School in 1997. He married the love of his life, Rebecca Fischer, on September 22, 2001 at Longview Community Church in Longview Wash ington.Joshua worked for years at Columbia Lawn and Yard, and he also owned Nalco for 10 years as well as being a custom builder/contractor for 10 plus years. He was also a part of the ALERT (Air, Land, Emergency Re source Team) straight out of high school learning several important skills.
“Turning off power is the last resort,” PGE CEO Maria Pope said. “It is only done to protect customers, property and the communities that we serve from fire.”
• • o
What renters in Colum bia County and across the state pay may be going up
Late Thursday afternoon, Sept. 8, Gov. Brown con ducted a media briefing about the approaching windstorm and the extreme wildfire conditions. Brown was joined by state fire and emergency management officials and leaders of the state’s two large electrical utilities.
Nearly 15% rent boost allowed in 2023
Red flag warning
evacuation) and Go (Level 3 evacuation) in the event the area experiences a rapidly growing emerging wildfire incident.Heurges property own ers to make sure they have defensible space in place to best protect their homes and businesses.“Community members should check with their local fire agencies for more infor mation and in some cases, we will come out and survey their property on how to harden a home in the urban interface area,” Pricher said.
The NWS issued a Red Flag Warning Sept. 8 for much of Oregon and Washington, which means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will shortly. A combination of high winds, low humidity and drought can contribute to extreme fire behavior, the NWS said.
“The allowable rent increase percentage for the 2023 calendar year is 14.6%,” the Oregon Of fice of Economic Analysis (OEA) website states. “The allowable rent increase percentage for the previous year, 2022, was 9.9%.”
Pacific Power and PGE did conduct selected PSPS, shutting off electrical service in selected communities. As the wind event subsided, the utilities restored the power.
Shaw said the current wildfires are threatening hun dreds of homes in Oregon.
“This is really about doing what you can, where you are, with what you have,” he said.
Pacific Power’s weather team had been tracking the wind event for several days, providing updates daily that indicated where the most need would be for crews to be stag ing, given the combination of low humidity, high winds and dry conditions, Pacific Power Public Relations Representa tive Drew Hanson said.
As the winds shifted Saturday, Sept. 10, smoke drifted from the wildfires in the region into Columbia County and across much of the state. The Oregon Department of Environmen tal Quality (DEQ) issued air quality advisories for Northeast and Southwest sections of Oregon due to the unhealthy conditions.
Dec. 20, 1978 ~ Sept. 1, 2022
Friday as a proactive effort to be ready to respond to any weather-related event.
Follow the latest devel opments at thechiefnews. com with extended coverage in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
Wage data presented here are collected through the Occupational Employment Survey (OES), a semi-annual survey measuring occupa tional employment and wage rates for payroll workers by industry. In Oregon, the sur vey samples more than 6,000 establishments a year, taking three years to fully collect the sample of 19,000 establish ments.
Not only are occupational wages typically lower in Northwest Oregon and other rural areas, but the region has many jobs in low-wage oc cupations. The most common occupation is fast food and counter workers. Retail sales persons, cashiers, waiters and waitresses, cooks, maids and housekeeping cleaners, are other common occupations.
Metro Creative Connection
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source e vents
The OES survey defines employment as workers cov ered by unemployment insur ance. Wages are straight-time gross pay excluding premium pay and nonwage fringe benefits. Base pay rates, tips, commissions and certain types of production bonuses are included. Exclusions include overtime pay, housing allowances and nonproduc tion
of her top priorities. She is a strong advocate for strength ening our public schools. As a retired teacher, I value that the Oregon Education Association is also endorsing Melissa.Iinvite you to read about Melissa Busch and see for yourself why she is the best candidate to represent you and your family in regonSD16.andwww.MelissaForOregon.comSalem.facebook@MelissaForO
CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 Website: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial: chiefnews@countrymedia.net The Chief The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in county: $8 1 month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80
Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more informa tion, contact Council Co ordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-7899240. Visit the council’s website for agenda post ings and Zoom at events-page.lowercolumbiariver.org/www.
Farmers Market Clatskanie Farmers Mar ket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
esses. Dishwashers ($30,404 per year) and food prepa ration workers ($30,774) were also among the lowest paid occupations. Childcare workers were also a lowerwage occupation with an annual average wage of $34,129, though that was an improvement from the year before.Occupational wages in Northwest Oregon are esti mated from a survey of local employers. Wages for many different occupations in the region are available – the exact number differs each year. This article presents the 2022 wages for selected occupations in the region.
Occupational wages
The wages for these and a few other more common occupations are given in the table. Wages in Northwest Oregon usually follow the same pattern as they do else where. Wages are usually low for occupations requiring less education and fewer skills and higher for occupations demanding more preparation and investment in training and education. Because so many
Not all occupations in the region have published wages. This may be the case for confidentiality reasons (only one or two firms em ploy an occupation), if only a few employees work in the occupation (too few in the sample), if the occupation is primarily self-employed (such as farmers), for some occupations if the wage is more than $208,000 per year, or if the wages report ed in the sample for North west Oregon are substantial ly different from those for other regions (an indication of poor data quality).
The average wage in Northwest Oregon is lower than the statewide average, but much of the difference is due to the prevalence of lower-wage occupations in the area – the most common occupation in the region is fast food and counter workers, followed by retail salespersons.Whencomparing wages for the same occupations, Northwest Oregon is closer to statewide levels than the average difference would suggest, and some local occupations even pay more than is typical for the state.
BuschSupports
had average wages around $111,000 per year. Wholesale sales and construction are generally recognized as two occupational categories where it is possible to make aboveaverage wages without having formal post-secondary educa tion or training.
The Rainier Oregon His torical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays week ends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-7517039.
Wages for other occupa
• •
In the tight labor market of 2022 wages for lower wage occupations seemed to increase fairly rapidly. The lowest-wage occupation in 2022 paid nearly $30,000 per year. In 2021 there were 10 occupations that paid less than this amount. The lowest-wage occupation in 2021 was paid $27,867 per year, meaning that the lowest paid occupation in Northwest Oregon saw a wage increase of 7.4%.
www.thechiefnews.com Friday, September 16, 2022A4
As a home health nurse,
Reviewing occupational wages is a useful step in plan ning a career. The table below presents the size and average wages for broad occupational groups instead of for spe cific occupations. Healthcare practitioners, management, engineering, and legal groups lead the wage list, and they some had wages that were nearly twice the average for all occupations. Many of the specific occupations in these top groups require advanced education and training. Unfor tunately, with the exception of health care practitioners and management, these occupa tional groups don’t provide plentiful jobs in Northwest Oregon’s economy. Legal and engineering occupational groups combined provide fewer than 2,000 jobs.
It may also be the case that wages for very specific occupations are not reported. For example, the wages for registered nurses are re ported, but the wage survey doesn’t distinguish between operating room nurses and cardiac care nurses.
How much do you make? Occupational wages in NW Oregon
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Is looking for organizations, busi nesses, agencies and/or individuals to host a trunk or booth at the agency’s 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens From 3-5 p.m. Set Up/Decorating. 5-8 p.m. Trunk-or-Treating. 8-9 p.m. Take Down/Clean Up. If you are interested in hosting a trunk or booth please contact Malinda Duran by email at byPleasephone,biacountyor.gov,malinda.duran@columorbyat503-366-4601.reserveyourspotFriday,October14.
Ongoing Events
The Rainier Public Li brary is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurs days, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sat urdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.
Lower-wage occupational groups, including food prepa ration and serving, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, personal care, and sales occupations, are filled with specific occupa tions that generally require less education. Some specific occupations in these lowerwage occupation groups do pay well. For example, some sales people make very high wages. Sales engineers
Lower-wage occupations are a key indicator.
every Saturday through September 24 at Cope’s Park in downtown Clats kanie.
• •C ommunity
Monday October 31
Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday.
As part of her job, she visits community members in their homes and she sees firsthand the impacts of lack of access to quality health care. As the mother of a Clatsop County health care professional, I appreciate Melissa’s endorse ment from the Oregon Nurses Association.Families in our com munities recognize there is a desperate need for child care.
Melissa is a working mother and has set expanded, afford able, safe childcare as one
Cheryl JohnsonAstoria
The Oregon Employment Department estimates wages for more than 500 occupa tions in Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln and Tillamook counties com bined. The highest-paying occupation in the region with a published wage was family medicine physicians, which had an estimated annual average wage of $257,791 in 2022. Most of the occupations with higher wages were in medicine or management, although some specialty occupations such as physicists, judges, wholesale sales representa tives, lawyers, engineers, software developers, and electric power-line installers, earned more than $100,000 per Theyear.lowest wages, $29,935 per year, were for restaurant hosts and host
Wages for occupationsselected
To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be pub lished, to orfieds@countrymedia.net,chronicleclassicall503-397-0116.
jobs in Northwest Oregon require few skills, wages are often in the $15-$24 per hour range. Wages for more skilled occupations, such as truck drivers and registered nurses, are higher. The median wage for all occupations was $19.91– about the same as the previous year. But the median wage doesn’t tell the full story on how wages are changing.
tions can be found at www. qualityinfo.org by following the link to Jobs & Careers, then the Occupation & Wage Information, and searching for the occupation of interest.
Wages for occupationalbroadgroups
Morebonuses.detailed informa tion is available in the Oregon Wage Information publication that is updated each June at www.QualityInfo.org.
Melissa Busch knows firsthand the importance of comprehensive health care.
Erik Knoder is a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department. He may be reached at 541-3515595.
This summer I had the op portunity to meet and speak with Melissa Busch on more than one Melissaoccasion.isyoung, intel ligent, high energy and com pletely dedicated to serving the individuals and families of our north coast. I have come to the conclusion that she is the best candidate to represent us as state senator in Salem for Senate Dist 16.
ERIK KNODER Chief Guest Column
Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Demen tia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-3668070.
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PROPOSAL The NW Regional ESD requests proposals from experienced Commercial Real Estate Brokers to serve as the ESD’s Real Estate Broker of Record for various real estate trans actions. It is the intent of the ESD to enter into a contract with the selected Real Estate Brokerage or individual which will include specified rates for the services that are required to be provided for a specified scope of work. Respondents to this request will be evaluated based upon their qualifications, prior ex perience, associated fees, and other relevant factors. Copies of the Request for Proposal
to register will be sufficient cause to reject proposals as non-responsive. For this service, the provisions of the contract attached to the RFP will apply. This solicitation does not obligate the NW Re gional ESD to pay any costs incurred in preparation or presentations, or to select any proposer who responds. The ESD reserves the right to re ject any proposal not in com pliance with all prescribed requirements and may reject for good cause any or all pro posals upon a written finding that it is in the public interest to do so. Sherry Ely, Interim Chief Finance Officer NW Regional ESD
In the Matter of the Estate of DALPHANA LOPEZ, Deceased. No. 22PB07106 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the under signed has been appointed personal representative.
Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclo sure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 8 Monthly Payment(s) from 06/01/2019 to 01/01/2020 at $2,160.39 6 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2020 to 07/01/2020 at $1,928.93
All persons having claims against the estate are re quired to present them, with
22,1971 IN BOOK 180, PAGE 326, DEED RE CORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON AND IN A DEED RECORDED AUGUST 11,1992, IN STRUMENT NO. 92-5765 AND IN DEED RECORD ED AUGUST 11,1992, IN STRUMENT NO. 92-5766, OFFICIAL RECORDS OF
c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300
document may be obtained by emailing Sherry Ely at sely@nwresd.k12.or.us, or online at nwresd.org/departments/https://www. fiscal-services.office-of-the-superintendent/Proposalsare due no later than 3:00 P.M. PST Thursday, October 13, 2022. Proposals received after the specified time will not be considered. If deemed necessary, the ESD will con duct interviews of the suc cessful proposers; interviews could potentially be sched uled for Tuesday, October 18, 2022. All proposers must be licensed by the Oregon Real Estate Agency prior to submitting proposals. Failure
CC22-1188
Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corpo ration Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112
which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this prop erty at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 8/17/22 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112
able, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $139,404.34 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.50000% per annum from May 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on December 27, 2022 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Court house, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in
vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal rep resentative at the address below, within four months after the date of first publi cation of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceed ings may obtain additional information from the re cords of the court, the per sonal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative. Dated and first published September 2, 2022. TAMMIE SARTIN Personal Representative c/o Lucas & Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 519 Rainier, OR 97048 Phone 503-556-3741 FAX503-556-0708 Lucasatty@ yahoo.com.
ERLY OF THAT TRACT CONVEYED TO EDGAR A. CUMMING ETAL BY DEED RECORDED JUNE 27,1968 IN BOOK 169, PAGE 773 DEED RECORDS OF COLUM BIA COUNTY, OREGON. EXCEPTING THERE FROM THAT PORTION, IF ANY, OF THE CLARK AND WILSON LUMBER COMPANY RAILROAD RECORDED MAY 5,1932 IN BOOK 54, PAGE 247, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OR EGON. TOGETHER WITH THE CORDEDINEASEMENTSNON-EXCLUSIVEDESCRIBEDDOCUMENTSREFEBRUARY
CC22-1195
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RFP 2223-1 Real Estate Broker/ Agent of Record REQUEST FOR CC22-1189 NOTICE OF PORT INVITING PROPOSALS CC22-1190 tents of the following storage Publish dates: September 9th, NOTICE OF AUCTION The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper. Having a Garage Sale? Contact The Chronicle at 503-397-0116 tochronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.netorgetyourgaragesaleintheclassifieds. Advertise in your local paper and online Email jonat chronicleads@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116
gations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any per son named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of repre sentations or warranties, Or egon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufac
6 Monthly Payment(s) from 08/01/2020 to 01/01/2021 at $2,390.19 12 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2021 to 01/01/2022 at $1,166.83
TS No. OR07000141-19-1S APN 24851 TO No 220065369-OR-MSO TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE
Order Number 84922, Pub Dates: 9/2/2022, 9/9/2022, 9/16/2022, 9/23/2022, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
NORTH, VERNONIA, OR 97064 Both the Beneficiary, FREEDOM Trustee,CORPORATION,MORTGAGEandtheNathanF.Smith,
to TICOR TITLE INSUR ANCE COMPANY as Trustee, in favor of MORT GAGE ELECTRONIC REG ISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as desig nated nominee for EAGLE HOME MORTGAGE, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of Oc tober 21, 2011 and recorded on October 25, 2011 as Instrument No. 2011-007899 and the beneficial interest was assigned to Freedom Mortgage Corporation and recorded September 9, 2020 as Instrument Number 2020009127 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 24851 THAT PORTION OF THE NORTH HALF OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER OF SECITON 10, TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST OF THE COUNTY,MERIDIA,WILLAMETTECOLUMBIAOREGON,LY
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA
7 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2022 to 08/24/2022 at $1,386.39 Late Charge(s): 498.16 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary
•
industry groups attempting to delay climate action have filed three separate suits attacking the program. NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Western States Petroleum Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Business & Industry Associa tion, and Associated Oregon Loggers are among more than a dozen industry petitioners challenging DEQ and the EQC’s authority to adopt the CPPIntervenorsrules. in the case include Beyond Toxics, Oregon Business for Climate, Oregon Environmental Coun cil, Climate Solutions, and Environmental Defense Fund, all represented by the nonprofit Crag Law Center, and the Natural Resources Defense Council“Oregon’s(NRDC).vulnerable communities have first-hand experience of the suffering and hardship caused by the climate crisis,” Beyond Toxics Staff Attorney and Climate Policy Manager Teryn Yazdani said.
emissions reductions. Keeping the Climate Protection Pro gram intact is key to improving public health and resilience for Oregon’s environmental justice and frontline communities.”
The Wisdom of Columbia County is an original music composition written about and for the people of Columbia County, telling our history through a series of characters.
SUBMITTED BY COLUMBIA CHORALE OF OREGON
The youth advisory council is made up of students from the counties of:
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
New York City.
First, please save the date: the inaugural performance will take place on June 16, 2023.
• Enable investments in clean energy projects to sup port job creation, economic vitality, and cleaner, cheaper, healthier energy and transpor tation options in communities of color, Tribal, low-income, rural, coastal and other com munities across the state.
While the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act will provide long overdue federal investments and incentives to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy, state-level action remains criti cal to ramping down climate pollution at the pace and scale necessary to avoid climate catastrophe, the Coalition release states. Oregon’s CPP sets a vital precedent for other
“We believe the experience will create structures that help embed youth voice in larger and longer-term statewide health policy and program decision,” Schneidman said.
“Oursystem.goalis for students to want to access our services,”
The CPP is a cornerstone Oregon climate protection policy and essential to achiev ing the state’s climate pollution reduction goals, according to recent modeling led by the Oregon Department of Energy.
• Polk • Union Washington
www.thechiefnews.com Friday, September 16, 2022A6
A coalition of environmen tal justice, climate, and busi ness organizations have filed a legal intervention to defend Oregon’s landmark Climate Protection Program (CPP) against attempted oil and gas industry rollbacks.
• Increased need for mental health and other healthcare services.
North Columbia County’s trusted local news source
The Oregon Health Author ity (OHA) this past summer appointed youth aged 15-19 to serve on the council and lead decision making for the recov ery funding investment. OHA has partnered with REAP Inc. to facilitate and provide leader ship development to the group.
COVID-19 School Based Recovery Funds Program Coordinator Lev Schneidman said. “The way to do that is to build our youth-adult partner ships and listen to what youth around Oregon are saying they
The program will also:
need right now. We are beyond excited to be partnering with REAP, an organization with over 20 years of experience providing multicultural youth empowerment and leader ship.”
WHERE TO FIND LOCAL FOODS AFTER THE FARMERS MARKET SEASON ENDS
“If left untouched by fossil fuel industry opposition, the Climate Protection Program has the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of Oregonians through strong
clean economy,” Oregon Busi ness for Climate Director Tim Miller said. “This program provides the clear, predict able path businesses need for planning, with multiple flexibility options for the fuel suppliers, ultimately delivering cleaner, healthier, cheaper, and more stable energy options for everyone.”
“Reducing climate pollu tion demands an all-handson-deck effort, one that fully leverages both federal and state action,” Oregon’s Global Warming Commission NRDC Northwest Consultant and Chair Emeritus Angus Duncan said. “States are crucial for regulating utilities, shaping local transportation choices and enforcing provisions of the Clean Air Act, as Oregon’s under-challenge Climate Protection Program is intended to do. NRDC has good reason to join the national and local Oregon groups intervening to defend Oregon’s carbon cap from the polluting industries resisting the need to ramp down emissions.”
Defending Oregon’s climate protection program
• Financial instability due to job loss or issues finding and maintaining work.
A statewide youth advisory council is expected to release recommendations this fall on how to invest $1 million to support school and com munity recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
states seeking to adopt similar programs to limit climate pol lution from top emitters.
• Racism and other forms of oppression.Theadvisory council is also supported by 13 commu nity-based organizations from across the state, including the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees in Multnomah County, Citizens for Safe Schools in Klamath County and Rogue Climate and Rogue Action Center in Jackson County.“Iam humbled by the students and the experiences they bring to the table as we shape out a path for the future of councils and for COVID relief,” REAP Inc. Strategic Initiatives Manager Anderson DuBoise said. “There is so much care and passion infused
“Mounting droughts, wildfires, heat waves and other climate-fueled impacts demand continued leader ship from states like Oregon,” Environmental Defense Fund U.S. Climate Policy Manager Kjellen Belcher said. “Now armed with new investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, Oregon needs to double down on doing its part to slash harmful climate pollu tion through a strong Climate Protection Program. We need to defend the state’s progress in building a clean, healthy and resilient economy. And we need to stand up for the thousands of Oregonians who spoke out in support of the Climate Protection Program.”
The Chorale is seeking community-wide support for these historic performances. How can you be involved?
• Housing affordability and instability.
Checks can be sent to: Columbia Chorale of Oregon, P.O. Box 1309, St. Helens, OR 97051, or you can donate on our website at: Columbia Chorale of Oregon When you donate, please be sure to in clude your name and/or your organization’s name so that you can be properly thanked and credited on the programs of all the Chorale concerts for the 2022-2023 season.
The Columbia Chorale of Oregon will be presenting this major choral work for the first time within Columbia County in June of 2023. Then, thanks to the excellent reputation of Artistic Director Alice Rice Boyer, it will be performed at Carnegie Hall in mid2024. Our aim is to provide sponsorships that will make it possible for 20 high school choristers to sing with us in
• Douglas • Hood River
•
The Department of Envi ronmental Quality (DEQ) re ceived more than 7,600 public comments on the CPP rules, the overwhelming majority of which were in favor of the program and strong climate protections.TheCPP requires oil companies and fossil gas utili ties in Oregon to reduce their emissions 50 percent by 2035 and 90 percent by 2050; estab lishes first-ever requirements for major industrial facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emis sions; and enables millions of dollars annually to be invested in clean energy projects that benefit environmental justice and other communities across Oregon.Fossil fuel and other
The council is set to expire in a year. However, the council opportunity will create a foun dation for an equity-focused approach to youth engage ment and advisory within the agency, according to the OHA.
• Curry
Since their formation in June, the group has met four times and has already established values related to advancing health equity in the wake of the pandemic.
• Food insecurity.
The youth advisory council will lead decision making for the $1 million in pandemic recovery investment.
“This is a coordinated act of desperation on behalf of the fossil fuel industry. DEQ facilitated an extensive public engagement process in crafting the CPP rules. These lawsuits are a slap in the face to the will of the people and sound democratic process,” Oregon Environmental Council Cli mate Program Director Nora Apter said. “These companies know what they are selling is a threat to the health and well-being of Oregonians, yet they’re fighting the state so they can continue to prioritize polluter profits over people.”
Second, if you like to sing, consider joining the Colum bia Chorale for one or both performances, or for its entire season. Our adult and chil dren’s choirs do not require an audition. We’re looking for singers of all parts, although we particularly need more ten ors and basses. Rehearsals are held at the Christian Church of St. Helens, 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens, every Thursday evening. The children’s choir meets at 6 p.m. and the adult choir at 7 p.m.
people with disabilities, LG BTQ2SIA+ communities and youth involved with the child welfare
• Lane • Malheur Marion • Multnomah
transition Oregon’s electricity grid to 100% clean, emissionsfree energy sources by 2040, according to the coalition’s release. The electric utilities collaborated in shaping the law governing their emissions reduction responsibilities and are seizing the opportunity to invest in the clean energy technologies of the future. In contrast, the petitioners in this case are digging their heels in to protect outdated, polluting approaches to doing seekingtionsadvancingstateandimperativepanies“Forward-lookingbusiness.cominOregonseetheofclimateaction,theopportunityforourtobecomealeaderinandexportingsoluthatthewholeworldisinthetransitiontoa
The CPP provides clear, predictable, and achievable targets for reducing climate pollution, and complements existing Oregon statute requiring electric utilities to
The work was created as a legacy to our choir and county, and especially our youth, today and in posterity.
• Improve public health and resiliency for Oregon commu nities most harmed by fossil fuels and climate impacts, sav ing billions of dollars annually in avoided health costs.
OHA recruited high-school aged youth from across the state and received hundreds of applicants. OHA and REAP selected 20 youth representing 12 counties and 19 schools. Fifty percent of the youth represent rural or frontier ZIP-codes. All members of the council identify with a community disproportion ately impacted by COVID-19 including communities of color, Tribal communities,
The group members began identifying several needs created and exacerbated by COVID-19, including:
into every conversation about how to better the entirety of our state, not just the larger cities.”
innovation and advancement that will benefit Oregon’s workers and consumers by transitioning to a clean energy economy.TheOregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) adopted the CPP in December 2021 following an extensive 18 month rulemaking and robust stakeholder engagement process, according to a release from the coalition.
Courtesy photo
“This case is yet another example of NW Natural’s double-speak,” Climate Solutions Clean Buildings Policy Manager Greer Ryan said. “They spend millions of customer dollars advertis ing their supposed efforts to be climate-friendly. What they don’t want the public to know is that they’re blocking climate progress and suing the state trying to overturn the landmark Climate Protection Program and skirt responsibil ity for their contribution to the climate crisis.”
• Jackson • Klamath
• Lack of engagement opportunities in schools and communities – fewer clubs, classes, and events.
Youth council to recommend how to spend $1M for COVID-19 recovery
For more information, email thechiefnews.com.Countythegmail.com.drmtrenchardsmith@ReadmoreaboutWisdomofColumbiawiththisstoryat
Musical tribute to county scheduled
Third, if you can donate to the Columbia Chorale of
Oregon, your gift, large or small, will help us toward our goal and demonstrate to grantfunding bodies that we have community-wide support, triggering the funds we need to do our county proud.
• Incentivize technological
• Difficulties with the transition back to in-person education – including issues with student behavior and challenges with socialization.
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