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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021
VOL. 130, NO. 21 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
‘Individual responsibility’ needed to end pandemic JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Gov. Brown and state health and education officials say they are encouraged by the declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, but they also acknowledge that individual responsibility is necessary to ‘put the pandemic behind us.’ “I want to start with some promising news,” Brown announced at an electronic Zoom media briefing from her office in Salem Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 28. “Our hospitalizations are declining with 822 as of today. Cases are slowly declining as well.” Brown said she and state officials had hoped that by the end of June communities across the state would have been free of COVID-19. “Unfortunately, Delta changed everything,” she said. “The good news is that while we still have a long way to go it appears things are slowly getting better and everyday there is renewed hope as we see more people get vaccinated, progress on vaccines for our 5 to 11 year olds, and now, the beginning of boosters for some of our most vulnerable.” Brown also confirmed that booster shots will now be available for some of Oregon’s most vulnerable. “Thank you to everyone who is getting vaccinated and wearing your mask,” she said. “Your efforts are truly saving lives. Vaccines continue to be key to putting this pandemic behind us.” Brown said those Oregonians now eligible to receive the PfizerBioTech booster shots include, seniors, people living in long-term care facilities, people with underly-
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State officials said while COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining and limited booster shots are available, more people need to be vaccinated to help end the pandemic in Oregon.
ing medical conditions and people who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission, due to occupational or institutional settings. She said anyone in those groups can schedule a booster shot appointment immediately. The vaccines are free and readily available across the state, according to Brown. “Everyone who is eligible for a booster will get one,” she said. Brown said booster shots for those that have received the Moderna and J&J vaccinations will have to be patient and wait for federal guidance before those boosters can be administered. Oregon’s deputy state epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jeanne said CO-
VID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining because more people are being vaccinated and people are wearing masks in public places. “We cannot drop our guard and risk a resurgence that would overwhelm our health care system.” he said Oregon’s health care workers and the state resources have been severely strained for too long, according to Jeanne. He also urged those who are not vaccinated, to get vaccinated. “If you’re unvaccinated, you’ve never been more vulnerable to being stricken by the virus, passing the virus on to your loved ones, getting seriously ill or dying from CO-
VID-19,” Jeanne said. Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said out of the 13,000 schools in Oregon, only four have gone entirely to distant learning for a short period of time due to the pandemic impact. “Quarantine is one of the great challenges this year,” Gill said. “We have school staffing challenges that we are trying to overcome. Vaccinated staff do not have to be quarantined.” Gill said the keys to keeping schools open and students safe are for eligible students and school staff to get vaccinated, wear masks and practice social distancing. Gill said the ODE is working
with school districts to help them develop appropriate quarantine protocols. Brown added that the state also is expanding COVID-19 testing. Jeanne pointed out that due to supply chain shortage issues, conducting the testing has been challenging. When pressed by a reporter suggesting a spike in COVID-19 cases in Eastern Oregon may be the result of the popular Pendleton Roundup and asking if she or someone in the state made a mistake to allow the event, Brown replied that Oregon has some of the strongest safety protocols in the nation and that the state requires masks indoors in public places and masks are required in outdoor locations. “At some level, particularly in large events, like the Pendleton Roundup or a U of O Duck football game, it has got to be an individual responsibility,” she said. “I have asked Oregonians time and time again to be considerate and kind to their fellow Oregonians. It is so incredibility important for Oregonians to wear masks and to get vaccinated if they haven’t done so already.” Brown added that she is “very gravely” concerned about the rural area COVID-19 spikes. “We know that rural communities are more medically vulnerable and may not have the health care capacity that we have in metro Oregon,” she said. Brown said efforts to provide support to hospitals and health care centers around in the state, including rural Oregon are continuing. Follow developments here online and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
Serving the community: Clatskanie, Rainier seeking councilors JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The cities of Clatskanie and Rainier are looking for residents to help guide the communities into the future. Each of the two cities are seeking individuals to fill open city council positions. In Clatskanie, Bruce Holsey has resigned as a city councilor and moved out of town. Holsey submitted his resignation Sept. 21, according to Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Clatskanie City Council meets inside city hall at 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie.
“Bruce had been appointed by the city council Dec. 4, 2020 replacing Willard Evenson, who had to terminate his term early due to health reasons and who later passed away,” Hinkelman said. Holsey later ran for and was elected to serve a new full term, which expires in December 2024. Hinkelman said under the city’s charter, the city council will review the applications for the open seat and make and appoint the new councilor. Toby Harris, Bruce Jolma, Jean Sampson, Gary Jones and Jim Helmen are the current Clatskanie city councilors.
“The councilors are reaching out to community members who may be interested in serving,” Hinkelman said. The requirements to be a Clatskanie city councilor include being a resident in the city limits for at least one year. “Clatskanie city councilors are responsible for attending at least one city council meeting a month and weighing on all legislation and business that comes before the council,” Hinkelman said. See COUNCILORS Page A5
WHO WE ARE
Who we are: Cat sitter shares experience HILARY DORSEY headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
In Tillamook County, there is one man who knows about cats. Bay City resident Stephen Taylor has published his first book, “Your Cat Won’t Do That!: Observations and Advice for Cat Companions from a Longtime CatSitter.” The book provides guidance on best practices for leaving your cat with a sitter, as well as offering words of wisdom about cat care.
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Taylor said his book grew out of his experience living in California, working part time as a cat sitter for 10 years. His cat sitting business was by word of mouth and no advertising. “I kept it strictly between friends kind of thing,” Taylor said. “I wound up having a small stable of clients, probably a couple dozen cats, maybe six or seven households.” Every time Taylor would go to a house, the owners said the cat will do this and that, and Taylor found the cats would not always do what the owners said they would. That became Taylor’s general rule: your cat won’t do that. “There’s a lot of these things that people sort of do that there could be better ways of going about it,” Taylor said. “I started to compile a list of those things and those became the bare bones of the book.” Taylor originally wrote the introduction of the book thinking it would be an essay but there was
enough material for a short book. “One of the motivating factors was that I work as a graphic artist and I have for about a quarter of a century now,” Taylor said. Taylor wanted to write a book and be involved in the total project management of a full book. So, he designed the cover, did some of the layout and created the website. While living in California, Taylor worked as a cat care partner at Tony Larussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, where he helped prepare hundreds of cats for adoption. He worked there from 2011 to 2019, when he moved to Bay City. He would socialize with cats to prepare them for adoption. The cover model on the book, Taylor’s own cat, passed away last year. He wants to adopt more cats but is hesitant to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he has un See BOOK Page A5
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Cat sitter and new author Stephen Taylor holds a copy of his first book.
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Friday, October 1, 2021
Tow drivers, emergency responders facing increasing danger
Courtesy photo from Oregon AAA
AAA service techs often do their work within inches of traffic speeding by.
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The recent deaths of three AAA tow providers, killed while assisting drivers, show just how dangerous it is for those who work along the roadside. Raymond Mitchell,33, was killed Sept. 22 on I-5 southbound near Kalama, WA when a log truck hit him on the side of the freeway. Washington State Patrol says the driver who hit Mitchell was speeding. An investigation is underway and charges are possible. Glenn Ewing, 32, was killed July 4 near Cincinnati, OH, while placing a disabled vehicle on the back of a flatbed on the side of the road. He leaves behind a fiancée and two children. Only three weeks later, 30-year-old David Meyer was assisting a driver on the left-hand shoulder in Castle Rock, CO, when he was also struck and killed. As of August of this year, 14 tow providers have been killed while helping others at the roadside in 2021. “Deaths like these can be avoided if drivers just slow down and move over. AAA service techs and other emergency responders are
often only just a few inches away from speeding vehicles as they do their jobs. Please slow down, move over, and give them space,” AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds said. “AAA is committed to raising awareness of the dangers associated with working or being stranded at the roadside.” In Oregon, 12 people were killed while outside a disabled vehicle from 2015 through 2019. Nationwide, 1,622 were killed in that same timeframe, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Every year, about 24 emergency responders including tow providers lose their lives at the roadside— meaning someone in this line of work is killed every two weeks. Hundreds more are injured while tending to disabled vehicles. AAA and other traffic safety advocates have helped get Slow Down Move Over laws passed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Oregon, drivers must move over to another lane or slow down at least five miles per hour below the posted speed limit when approaching police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, road mainte-
Courtesy photo from Oregon AAA
Courtesy photo from Oregon AAA
This AAA worker attempts to remove a vehicle while heavy traffic, including this large semi truck, is passing extremely close along the highway.
AAA Oregon Fleet Technician Dan Gamble works on the shoulder of I-5 southbound in Portland south of the Terwilliger curves.
nance, and utility vehicles, as well as any vehicle that is stopped and is displaying warning or hazard lights, or a person is indicating distress by using emergency flares or posting emergency signs. The fine for a violation is $265 or $525 if within a safety corridor, school zone or work zone. (ORS 811.147) https:// www.oregon.gov/odot/safety/ pages/enforcement.aspx
ers to protect emergency responders, roadside workers and drivers with disabled vehicles: • Remain alert, avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving. • Keep an eye out for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles or disabled vehicles are stopped on the side of the road. • When you see these situations, slow down and if possible move one lane over and away from the people and vehicles stopped at the side of the road. • If you are driving, don’t get impaired. If you’re impaired, don’t drive.
If you see a vehicle, a person or warning lights on the shoulder ahead, slow down and move over. You could literally be saving someone’s life. ~ Marie Dodds, Oregon AAA Unfortunately, many drivers don’t comply with Slow Down Move Over laws, and others aren’t even aware that these laws exist. A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has some startling data: • Among drivers who don’t comply with Slow Down Move Over laws, 42% thought this behavior was
somewhat or not dangerous at all to roadside emergency workers. This demonstrates that drivers don’t realize how risky it is to be along the side of the road close to fast-moving traffic. • Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (23%) are unaware of the Slow Down Move Over law in the state where they live. • Among those who are aware of their state’s Slow Down Move Over laws, about 15% report not understanding the potential consequences for violating the law at all. “If you see a vehicle, a person or warning lights on the shoulder ahead, slow down and move over,” Dodds said. “You could literally be saving someone’s life.” The reality is that drivers are increasingly distracted when behind the wheel. Previous AAA Foundation research has found that drivers are up to four times as likely to crash if they are talking on a mobile phone while driving and up to eight times as likely to be in a crash if texting. Impairment is another factor which greatly reduces a driver’s judgment and reaction time. AAA has tips for driv-
About Slow Down, Move Over Since 2007, AAA has been instrumental in passing Slow Down Move Over laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including advocating for those laws to cover tow providers and other emergency responders. Oregon’s Slow Down Move Over law was implemented in 2010. In 2017, the law was expanded to include non-emergency vehicles (Senate Bill 34) and went into effect Jan. 1, 2018.
Additionally, AAA clubs have participated in educational and advocacy initiatives, creating public service announcements, and reaching out to state officials. But there is more work to be done. AAA is committed to raising awareness of the Slow Down Move Over laws and the dangers associated with working at the roadside. Fast Fact In Oregon, drivers must move over to another lane or slow down at least five miles per hour below the posted speed limit when approaching police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, road maintenance, and utility vehicles, as well as any vehicle that is stopped and is displaying warning or hazard lights, or a person is indicating distress by using emergency flares or posting emergency signs. The fine for a violation is $265 or $525 if within a safety corridor, school zone or work zone.
Oregon redraws congressional, legislative districts This is by no means over.” Drazan said the congressional map adopted by the legislature is illegal, drawn for partisan benefit and will not survive legal challenge.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed into law a new plan creating new congressional and legislative districts in the state. The special Oregon Legislative special session to redraw the state’s political districts, which includes a new sixth U.S. House seat, ended Tuesday and shortly after the session ended, Brown signed Senate Bill 881, which creates six new congressional districts, and Senate Bill 882, which creates Oregon’s new state legislative districts. “The right to vote is sacred,” Gov. Brown said. “In Oregon, we know that every vote matters because every voice matters in our electoral process. I’d like to thank the Legislature for coming together, through adversity, to pass legislation for redistricting. We do not always all agree, but when we find common ground, we can work together to do what is best for Oregon. Redistricting is a process that necessarily involves compromise, and I appreciate the Legislature working to balance the various interests of all
The right to vote is sacred. ~ Kate Brown, Oregon Governor
Courtesy photo
Following the end of the special Oregon legislative session at the capitol in Salem, Gov. Kate Brown signed into law new redistricting maps, adding a sixth congressional seat to Oregon.
Oregonians.” “These maps are fair, representative, meet the highest of legal standards and incorporate feedback we heard from Oregonians across the state,” Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), co-chair of the House Committee on Redistricting said. “We followed the Census data to protect the constitutional requirement of one person, one vote.” “Each district in these bills was carefully designed to ensure compliance with Or-
egon’s redistricting standards and ensure that communities across Oregon will have strong and accurate representation in the Oregon Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives,” Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland) said. Taylor is the chair of the Oregon Senate Committee on Redistricting. Republican reaction House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby)
said the partisan maps are a wake-up call for Oregonians. “They know Democrats had to cheat to get these maps across the floor,” Drazan said. “Democrats in Oregon have passed rigged political maps that will guarantee super-sized majorities in the legislature and immediate control of more than 80 percent of Oregon’s congressional seats. They should be ashamed that they have gerrymandered Oregonians out of their shot at fair elections for the next decade.
“Political gerrymandering in Oregon is illegal and drawing congressional lines to ensure five out of six seats for your party long-term is gerrymandering,” Drazan said. “Oregonians will only get the fair maps they deserve, free of partisan influence, by supporting an independent redistricting commission in the next election. Politicians should not be drawing their own political lines. If Oregonians believe we need fair redistricting, then they should overturn what resulted from this charade of a vote at the ballot box.” Following the 2020 census, Oregon’s population growth qualified the state for the redistricting and sixth House seat.
Monday was the deadline for the Oregon Legislature to compete the redistricting efforts. Following the census, a legislative committee was established and public meetings were held to review the redistricting plans. In a Chief interview published in April, Katherine Morrison, legislative director for Sen. Taylor said Oregon will benefit from the redistricting. “The benefits for Oregon include greater representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, so Oregonians’ voices are heard proportionately in the federal legislature,” Morrison said. “It also gives Oregon an additional vote in the electoral college, which will increase Oregon’s influence in presidential elections. As our population has grown Oregon can expect to see a greater portion of federal dollars to support our students, our infrastructure and human services.” View the maps • https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting/ • Explanatory summary: https://olis.oregonlegislature. gov/liz/2021S1/Downloads/ FloorLetter/3317.
SNAP: Increases to continue permanently STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Columbia County resident and other Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a permanent average increase of about $36 per month, per person to their regular SNAP benefits. The permanent increase took effect Oct. 1, and is the result of federal changes to the Thrifty Food Plan. In addition, most SNAP recipients in Oregon will continue to receive additional emergency SNAP benefits in October. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COV-
ID-19 pandemic. In October, approximately 408,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $64 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to increase regular SNAP benefits and to provide additional emergency benefits to most SNAP households in Oregon,” Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Program Director Dan Haun said. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support during this difficult time.”
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Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-6999075. If you are a SNAP household and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-todate information. You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways: Emergency food benefits will be available on Oct. 12 for current SNAP households. New SNAP households will receive the emergency allotments Oct. 29 or Nov. 2. SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to
receive these benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards. More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/ FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/ About-SNAP.aspx.
• Online at: ONE.Oregon. gov • By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309 • By fax at: 503-378-5628 • By phone at: 1-800-6999075 or TTY 711
Resources to help meet basic needs Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www. adrcoforegon.org. Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org Oregon Department of Human Services Resources For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855673-2372.
www.thechiefnews.com
Friday, October 1, 2021
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Red Cross experiencing ‘emergency shortage’
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley gives a blood donation inside the Red Cross donor van set up at the InRoads Credit Union parking lot in St. Helens Sept. 28. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month for the blood supply to recover and meet hospital and patient needs. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to overcome the current shortage, ac-
cording to a release from the American Red Cross. Blood donor turnout has reached the lowest levels of the year as many delayed giving amid a return to the workplace and in-person learning, as well as a recent surge in COVID-19 cases across the country due to the Delta variant. As cases spiked in August, blood donor participation decreased about 10%, but blood product distributions to hospitals have remained strong, significantly outpacing blood donations in recent weeks.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Blood donor turnout has reached the lowest levels of the year as many delayed giving amid a return to the workplace and in-person learning, as well as a recent surge in COVID-19 cases across the country due to the delta variant.
Historically low inventory levels The national Red Cross blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015, with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks, the release states. The supply of types O positive and O negative blood, the most needed blood types by hospitals, dropped to less than a half-day supply at times over the last month − well below the ideal five-day supply. “Fall is typically a time when the blood supply
rebounds as donors are more available to give than during the busy summer months, but this year has presented a unique and serious challenge,” Red Cross Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pampee Young said. “While it’s clear the pandemic continues to weigh heavily on our minds, the Red Cross asks the public to remember donating blood and platelets is essential to the many patients that rely on lifesaving transfusions every day.” Pampee encourages donors not to wait. People across the country depend on the generosity of blood donors, she said,
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The American Red Cross uses this large converted bus as its mobile donor van.
asking that anyone eligible should make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Blood drive safety
As part of its monthly Random Acts of Kindness, InRoads Credit Union hosted the Red Cross bloodmobile on Sept. 28, at its St. Helens administration building. Thirty participants, including InRoads employees and their family members, gave blood during the workday.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been
InRoads Random Act of Kindness connection
Port of Columbia County announces 2 resignations STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Port of Columbia County Board of Commissioners announced today that Executive Director Douglas Hayes has resigned his position with the Port, effective immediately, according to a release from the Port, which did not state a reason for the resignation. Hayes has been with the Port since 2017. The board has appointed Deputy Executive Director Sean Clark to the role of Interim Executive Director. He has been with the Port since 2014 and became Deputy Executive Director in May. Port commissioners will determine a path to find its next Executive Director at the October port commission meeting, the release states. “We’re fortunate to have someone as qualified and experienced as Sean to take the reins at the Port during this time of transition,” Port of Columbia County Board President Nancy Ward said. “We’re confident that his leadership will only strengthen our vision of
Courtesy photo
The Port of Columbia County announces that its executive director and a board member have submitted their resignations.
possible candidate to fill the position vacated by Ericksen, and will take comment prior to the vote. If approved, Iverson would finish out Ericksen’s term, which runs through 2023. At that time, the position will be open to all candidates in the May 2023 election. Prior to this role, Iverson served as a commissioner with the Port over three terms, the last of which ended earlier this year. “We’re thankful for Larry’s excellent service to the Port over the years,” Ward said. “While he leaves big shoes to fill, we’re pleased to have a well-qualified volunteer in Chris willing to rejoin as a port commissioner.” The Port of Columbia County is the port authority for Columbia County, Oregon, United States. The port is a municipal corporation formed under state law to engage in economic development activities.
being a leading, innovative port focused on economic opportunities for today and the future. In a separate change, Larry Ericksen, current vice president of the board, is resigning his position, effective Oct. 17. A second-term commissioner in Position #3, Ericksen is moving to Tennessee to be closer to his family. The board will vote on Oct. 13 at the next meetThe Port of Columbia ing on an individual to fill County operates offices in the remainder of Ericksen’s Columbia City and can be term. The board has sugETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC reached at 503-397-2888. gested Chris Iverson as a
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Shauna (Kenny), Courtney (Erik), Carla (Tim), Tom, Justin, Travis (Tahana), Amanda and Tony; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family ETERSEN LARKE LLC and ETERSEN LARKE LLC friends. AA tt tt oo rr nn She ee yywas ss welcomed into heaven by Edward; daugh(503) 556-4120 556-4120 (503) ter Vickie; granddaughter Carrie; great-grandson Boone; •Wrongful sisters, DorrieDeath and Accidents •Personal •Personal Injury Injury •Wrongful Death Accidents Clella; and brothers Ern and Kenny. No Fee Fee Until Until Recovery No Recovery A graveside service will be atnn 11 a.m. on Sat., gonn && W W shin in gto OOrreego aash gto Oct. 16, 2021 at Murray She is survived her FREEby INITIAL CONSULTATION Hill Cemetery, Clatskanie. FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION son Joe; son Jack (Carol); A potluck gathering will brother Lonnie (Ellen); follow at her home. Groulx grandchildren, Jackie (MiFamily Mortuary is in chelle), Chad (Michelle), charge of arrangements.
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Friday, October 1, 2021
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Clatskanie Grows: First fall frost CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column
The historic average date for the first fall 32° frost is about Halloween for the St. Helens/Scappoose area. Those temperatures will arrive sooner at higher elevations and later as you go downriver towards the coast. Vernonia’s average first frost date is Sept. 28 and Clatskanie’s date is Nov. 15. Of course, an average is simply an accumulation of data points. They predict with some accuracy the most likely timing of the first fall frost and the last spring frost, but you can’t know for sure. However, more often than not, St. Helens now doesn’t get a frost until just before Thanksgiving. This is climate change in process. The recent data now argues for a later first frost in St. Helens closer to Nov. 10, and an earlier last one in the spring about April 10.
Some garden crops check out before the first frost. Basil is starting to weaken as are many tomato plants assailed by the recent rainy weather. However, most root and leafy green crops and cabbages do just dandy when colder temperatures arrive. Often they get sweeter as the plant changes more starch to sugar to slow plant cell freeze damage. More frost facts: • When skies are clear, heat from the soil rises, which allows cooler air to settle near plants. Cool air is heavier than warm air. • When it is windy, warm and cool night air mix, generally keeping temperatures above freezing if it has been a reasonably warm day. • Plants are less tender in the autumn than in the spring, so light frosts do less damage. Woody plants are less affected than herbaceous plants. Plants already ex-posed to cool temperatures may be somewhat acclimated and more resistant to cold temperatures. • Plants can be covered with row covers to give protection from light frosts. Other garden topics It is not too late to plant a lawn, but get right on it. Most grass seed mixtures are sown at the rate of
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5#s per 1000 square feet. Add one pound of seed for each week past Sept. 15, to ensure a solid stand. Don’t plant after Oct. 15. Voles, also known as meadow mice, can do a lot of damage in gardens. They will gnaw and girdle young trees, eat bulbs and root vegetables, and chew the roots of herbaceous plants. People lose many trees they plant in the spring to vole feeding in the
snow onto dormant bark can cause sunburn even when air temperatures are quite low. Damage to young trees shows up as vertical cracks and open wounds. Hot days and the direct rays of sun in the late afternoon also cause sunburn. It is more pronounced on the southwest side of a tree or bush and is especially an issue on trees with a modest leaf cover. Farmers have painted tree
• Don’t save seeds from hybrid (F1 or F2) parents. Such seed will be a mixture of plant types, most of them inferior to the variety that you grew. The seed packet will tell you if it is a hybrid variety. • Seeds easily saved include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, peas and lettuce, as long as they aren’t hybrids. • Seeds difficult to save (because they cross pollinate easily) are squash, melons, cucumbers, carrots and the cabbage family (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc.). See the OSU publication Collecting and Storing Seeds from Your Garden.
397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia and click on newsletters.
Important notes
Clatskanie
winGrows ter. trunks Holes and about lower the size of scaffold a quarter or a limbs for years bit larger indicate a with a calcium problem. Keep grass mowed mixture called whitewash. around young trees to make There are lots of formulas. the mice nervous and the A modern solution is to mix predators happy. Try to exterior white latex paint collapse mole runways that 50-50 with water and paint it the mice use. Voles can on the trunk. This treatment be trapped with the larger will help protect your trees “snap-traps.” from both winter and sumWhitewash also saves mer sunburns. It is particutrees. Trees can be injured larly useful on young trees. by sun in either the summer Seed saving: Many veg(like this year) or winter. etable seeds can be saved. Reflected sunlight off of Here are some guidelines:
Many Extension publications available online
Donate produce and/or cash to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated. The OSU Extension Office is fully reopened. Mask still required inside. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.
Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https:// catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring.
Have questions?
Contact information
If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-
Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462
•C ommunity E vents • •
Oct. 2 Performing Arts Series • Concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer to perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie as part of the Clatskanie Arts Commission (CAC). Ticket at adults $20, seniors 60+ and students $18, children 12 and under $16. Tickets may be purchased online at clatskaniearts.org or at the door the night of the concert. Tickets may also be reserved by calling Elsa, at 503-728-3403. CAC will follow state mandates and require all attending to wear masks. Check the CAC website, clatskaniearts.org
for any updates concerning COVID restrictions. Additional CAC’s 32nd Performing Arts Series: • Sunday, Dec. 12, 3 p.m. Men of Worth and Friends Celtic Holiday Concert • Sunday, Mar. 20, 3 p.m. Sundae & Mr. Goessl Oct. 4-17 Get There Challenge • The event is designed to build skills, stay active, and make Oregon a better place. The ninth annual Get There Challenge participants can take actions to unlock a variety of experience, knowledge, and skill-building achievements. Anyone age 18 or older who lives and/or works
in Oregon can join the Get There Challenge at any time by visiting GetThereOregon.org. Oct. 31 Drive Through Trunk-or-Treat • The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Columbia 911 Communications District will host a Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat from 4 p.m.-7 p.m at 58611 McNulty Way in St. Helens. The agencies are currently seeking any small businesses or community partners that would like to host a trunk. For more information and to reserve your spot by Oct. 15, contact Malinda Duran at malinda.duran@columbiacountyor.gov
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Write to us We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know. Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper. To verify authenticity, all letters must be signed and include your address and daytime phone number. We won’t print your street address or phone number (just your city of residence). Submissions may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. Guest commentary We welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the newspaper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns
written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. Or you might just have interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at (503) 397-0116 or chiefnews@countrymedia.net. All columns are subject to editing for style, grammar and clarity. However, views expressed in guest columns are independent and do not represent those of The Chief, its staff or Country Media, Inc. Obituaries Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.
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Friday, October 1, 2021
A5
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SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED Pay starting at $17.12 per hour, paid in-house training to get Class B CDL, great hours, weekends off, paid holidays and great benefits. For more information, call (503)728-2422 or fill out an application on the Clatskanie School District school website www.csd.k12.or.us. AA/EOE
The City of Rainier (OR) is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Applicants must meet DPSST standards for certification. A qualified candidate for this position is someone who is community minded with a strong team work ethic. The closing date for applications is Friday, October 15, 2021, at 5:00
p.m. Rainier is an equal opportunity employer. Job Requirements: No felony convictions, GED or High School Diploma, Be able to pass a thorough background investigation to include Credit History, Criminal History, Driving Records and Psychological Examination, Be able to pass a medical screening, and drug screening. Entry level officers
will be required to pass both a written and physical test. Rainier Police counts on oncall capability for off-duty officers, mainly in the early morning hours. Officers are required to be within a 15minute response time. Applications are available at the Rainier Police Department located at: 106 W. B Street, Rainier, Oregon or call (503) 556-3644.
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NOTICE OF MEETING The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 South Nehalem St. (2nd floor). Agenda items include, but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the Sept. 1st, 2021 regular meeting, the second reading of an ordi-
nance annexing real property into the City, a resolution authorizing a supplemental budget, Grant Administrator contract approval and a request for grant reallocation by the School district. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by Oct. 1st, 2021. The council will also conduct an Executive Session and return to regular session
following. Following the regular meeting, the Clatskanie City Council will meet for: Executive Session per ORS 192.660(i); To review and evaluate the employmentrelated performance of the chief executive officer of any public body, a public officer, employee or staff member who does not request an open hearing.
COUNCILORS
new councilor, according to Hinkelman.
the November 2 council meeting to replace James Bradfield, a longtime councilor who had also moved out of town. Her term expires in Jan. 2023. The deadline for applications for the open city council position was Sept. 27. Applicants for the volunteer position must currently reside, and have been a resident for at least one year, within the city limits. Councilors are expected to attend one regular meeting per
Council members serve four-year terms, and terms are staggered so that every two years, three council members are up for re-election. The Clatskanie city councilors are not paid for their service to the city. No date has been set to make the appointment of a
The City of Rainier began a search for a new city councilor in early September following the resignation of City Councilor Brenda Tschida, who has moved out of state, according to Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen. Tschida was appointed at
•
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derlying health conditions. Taylor said the book was written as a tribute to some of the cats he sat. There are pictures in the book of former client’s cats and his own beloved cat. He acknowledged clients in the back of the book. “A lot of people when they do cat sitting they drop in and they feed them and change the litter,” Taylor said. “I always wanted to be not just a cat sitter but sort of a house sitter too because I wanted to make sure I was spending time with the cats and was giving them the best experience that they could have while their month, which typically takes place at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. Other meetings may also be scheduled as needed. According to Jorgensen, the city received five applications for the open council position. • Jeremy Howell • Denise Watson • Randall Johnstun • Nic Gratzer • John Lewis
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companion families were out traveling.” Taylor has written a number of articles and essays published in various venues, including manuscripts of some children’s books, an essay for Baseball Research Journal, an essay for Watching Backyard Birds, and several cat stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Taylor said publishing his book has inspired him to look at older, unpublished work he has done. He may convert some of these stories to e-books and publish them online. “I want to address some more general questions like, why do you actually need a cat sitter, why it’s better to have someone come to your house to do the cat sitting as
opposed to boarding them,” Taylor said. “Your Cat Won’t Do That!” was published in August and is available for purchase online at Amazon, BookLocker, Barnes and Noble, and more. You can also ask your local bookstore to order a copy for you. A copy of the book will also soon be available for check out at the Tillamook County Library.
Johnstun has since withdraw his nomination, according to Jorgensen. Johnstun and Watson are members of the city’s newly formed parks committee. Watson had previously applied for the council vacancy that was created when longtime councilor Rick Sanders passed away. Scott Cooper was appointed to that seat. The current Rainier City Council consists of Connie
Budge, Levi Richardson, Jenna Weaver, Mike Kreger, Scott Cooper and Robert duPlessis. The Rainier City Council is scheduled to make the appointment of the new city councilor at its Monday, Oct. 4 meeting.
For more information, visit https://yourcatwontdothat.com. If you know of someone, an agency or business, or a group, that is making a positive difference in our community and would like to see them featured in Who We Are, email details to jruark@countrymedia.net.
Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SCARY MOVIES ACROSS
1. Shenanigan 6. “Losing My Religion” band 9. Kind of learning 13. Capital of Egypt 14. Nest egg acronym 15. Cupid’s target 16. Bar, legally 17. Indian restaurant staple 18. Kind of committee, two words 19. *Hedge maze, dull boy, redrum, with The 21. *Pretend girlfriend, surgery, body parts 23. Monkey ____, monkey do 24. Post-it message 25. It makes a guitar louder 28. Royal Indian 30. Perfumes 35. Glorify 37. Freeway exit 39. Like today’s cell phones? 40. Keen on 41. Like a confection 43. At any time 44. One of the large keys on the right 46. Greek portico 47. Common workday start 48. Former President of Egypt
50. Ancient eternal life symbol 52. *Bathtub, hacksaws, Jigsaw 53. Euphemism for “darn” 55. *Blind violinist, transplant surgery, sees ghosts, with The 57. *Hotel, mother, shower 60. *Count, bite, cross 64. Hot winter drink 65. Aye’s opposite 67. Financial benefactor 68. Seize a throne 69. Headquartered in Langley 70. Exclude or omit 71. Done on a Smith Corona 72. Old age, archaic 73. 6666...
DOWN
1. Single pip cards 2. Crosby, Stills, ____ & Young 3. South American monkey 4. Actor Jeremy 5. Xerox machine 6. *Videotape, stone well, seven days, with The 7. Paleozoic one 8. Tropical smoothie flavor 9. Make over 10. Hawaiian island 11. Ragtime turkey dance 12. And so on, abbr.
15. Bias crime perpetrators 20. Closes in on 22. Pilot’s announcement, acr. 24. ID badge, two words 25. *Sigourney Weaver, outer space 26. Old Testament miracle food 27. Hits while on the green 29. *Beachgoers, police chief, need for bigger boat 31. *Boy, shadows in photographs, three sixes, with The 32. “Transylvania” daughter 33. Entertainment complex 34. Scatter 36. “Nobody ____ It Better” 38. Low-ranking worker 42. One who accepts the offer 45. Porter’s head gear 49. U Rah ____! 51. Seven daughters of Atlas 54. Present 56. Food-borne bacteria 57. One in a pocketful, according to Mother Goose 58. Fish a.k.a. porgy 59. Bygone era 60. Two of a kind 61. Type of operating system 62. Prospector’s mother? 63. God of war, son of Zeus 64. Director’s cry 66. Be ill
Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief Columbia County’s trusted local news source
www.thechiefnews.com
A6
•
Razor clamming returns
•S ports • •
Clatskanie Middle/High School Sports Schedule
Friday Oct. 1 • 7 p.m. High School Football @ Warrenton Monday Oct. 4 • 4 p.m. Middle School Football vs. Knappa Tuesday Oct. 5 • 4:15 p.m. High School Girls Soccer vs. Banks @Rainier • 4 p.m. Middle School Volleyball vs. Rainier Wednesday Oct. 6 • 4 p.m. Middle School Volleyball @Knappa • 4 p.m. Cross Country @Trojan Relays
Thursday Oct. 7 • 4 p.m. High School Volleyball @ Willlamina • 6 p.m. High School Girls Soccer @Valley Catholic Friday Oct. 8 • 7 p.m. High School Football @ YamhillCarlton Saturday Oct. 9 • 10 a.m. High School Volleyball @ Seaside Tourney • 10 a.m. Cross Country @Rainier Invite
Crossword Solution Solution for the Sept. 24, 2021 crossword puzzle
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You may be entitled to benefits for serving your country.
Contact your Veteran Service Officer • 503-366-6580 Call CAT at (503)397-3511 to find out if you qualify. Rental and energy assistance applications are available at 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR. Also available on our website at www.CAT-TEAM.org
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Friday, October 1, 2021
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce the opening of all razor clam harvesting from Tillamook Head, south of Seaside, to the California border. Recent shellfish samples taken from this area indicate levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid have fallen below the alert level. Razor clamming remains closed from Tillamook Head north to the Columbia River, including inside the Columbia River. This area of the north coast includes the popular Clatsop beaches which remain closed under the annual conservation closure. Mussel, bay clam and crab harvesting remain open along the entire Oregon coast. Coastal scallops are not affected by biotoxin closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten. ODA does not recommend eating whole scallops. Commercial shellfish products remain safe for consumers.
Courtesy photo
Clamming has resumed from Tillamook Head, south of Seaside, to the California border but remains closed from Tillamook Head north to the Columbia River, including inside the Columbia River.
Paralytic shellfish toxin and domoic acid toxin are produced by algae and originate in the ocean. ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening
an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety
Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage. Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.
SOLVE reports success in statewide cleanup From Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, Oregonians are participating in SOLVE’s 38th annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. The volunteer event is aimed at improving the health of waterways through litter pick-up and restoration work. While this event spans three weekends, most volunteer projects occurred Saturday, Sept. 25. Since the event began, over 2,000 volunteers have come together and collected 26,815 pounds of litter and marine debris from Oregon’s coast, rivers, waterways and neighborhoods, according to a release from SOLVE. “For many Oregonians there was an even greater drive to participate in a statewide cleanup and restoration event this year,” the release state. “Droughts have persisted in western states through the summer months, sounding the alarm on the importance of taking care of our water as a precious natural resource.” According to SOLVE, by removing litter anywhere, volunteers prevent pollution everywhere. Each piece of garbage or debris that is not properly disposed of poses a risk to the surrounding environment, wildlife and water quality. Litter is most easily transported by the wind into storm drains or waterways. From there, it can flow downstream, adding to our international marine debris crisis. Volunteers gathered at more than 100 projects across the state to demonstrate their commitment to keeping Oregon’s waterways clean. Along the Oregon Coast, the Heart of Cartm, a recycling and reuse organization, a new SOLVE beach captain in Nehalem Bay, collected
Courtesy photo
Large bags, such as these from a previous statewide cleanup, are used in the volunteer environmental effort.
more than 400 pounds of litter and marine debris from their project site. Jessi Just, the executive director of Heart of Cartm, then sorted through the collected items, looking for things that are on her organization’s “wish list.” These items will find new life in upcoming repair workshops and art classes, according to SOLVE. The non-profit Washed Ashore also helped divert other collected items from the waste stream from three beach cleanups. As they have done for several years, members of the Washed Ashore Team drove along the Southern Oregon Coast, collecting items that can be reused in their nationally recognized art sculptures. In Portland, more than 400 volunteers participated
at various cleanup projects throughout the city. The project located in Portland’s Central Eastside saw more than 80 volunteers who removed 1,230 pounds of litter in just two hours. This cleanup targeted litter that if left uncollected would have a strong possibility of entering the nearby Willamette River. Among the items recovered were crab pots, couches, and river rafting equipment. According to SOLVE, each volunteer made a direct difference in Oregon’s water quality and environmental health. SOLVE supports volunteer projects year-round. To view upcoming volunteer opportunities, please visit solveoregon.org. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is held in partner-
ship with the Oregon Lottery, with additional support from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, Subaru of Portland, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, Chevron, NAVEX Global, Fred Meyer, Facebook, Clean Water Services, Bamboo Sushi, The CocaCola Company, and Tillamook County Creamery Association. About SOLVE SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization established in 1969 to improve the state’s environment and build a legacy of stewardship. The Tillamook Headlight Herald contributed to this report.