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Senior Living

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 25 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

WHO WE ARE

Local teacher inspires community ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Sociologist and author Margaret Mead famously said that a small group of committed people can change the world. One teacher at Clatskanie Middle/High School reinforces that idea, with her, staff, and fellow students’ work in transforming the school community. Clatskanie Middle/High School Educational Assistant Donna Thompson runs the Share Shed, a donation hub where Clatskanie students can pick up clothes and school supplies in one centralized room, for free. Clatskanie Middle/High School Special Education Director Jim Helmen said that the idea for Share Shed started out as a small, collaborative effort between his wife, Key Club members, and Donna. “So, the intent was, how do they find activities that they can do to be able to support community members, students, or staff?” Helmen said. “And one of the ideas they actually came up with was, there was a noticeable need for a number of kids that needed school supplies and clothing, families that needed food.” According to Thompson, the room was a more modest accommodation before it skyrocketed in popularity.

Donna Thompson

A lot of these kids that really are perceived as quiet or isolated, or not very social, how grateful and thankful they are, and how often they tell her. That is incredible. ~ Jim Helmen, Clatskanie School District “They just had people donate clothing to put in this little room. And I was trying to think of how long we had it, maybe four years,” she said. “Time goes so fast, but it has just blossomed into a big room, and (now) we’re just so packed. I came in to volunteer when they had

started, and I eventually got put in charge of it.” Community members and local and regional businesses, such as Fultano’s, Flowers and Fluff, Wanua Mill, PGE, Kiwanis and the Baptist Church have been key in the donation efforts, according to Helmen. Share Shed’s scope is far reaching. When shed volunteers have overflow, they routinely take donations out to schools in neighboring cities such as Rainier. “The program itself has supported, I want to say probably over a couple hundred kids in the last three to four years,” Helmen said. Thompson said school staff endeavor to preserve the privacy of students who visit the Share Shed. “It makes it nicer because the kids know they can come in and (it) won’t be broadcast that they got clothes from us. We want to keep their dignity,” she said. This past homecoming Share Shed experienced a high volume of donations, and Thompson was there to manage it all, as she does nearly every weekend. “We had a number of (girls) that couldn’t afford dresses, young men that couldn’t afford the dress clothes,” Helmen said. “I believe in a span of a couple weeks, she had upwards of 40 or 50 kids in there. With the sheer number of dresses that were donated, I think, kids were actually able to wear a lot of these, so they could go to homecoming and they really feel good about themselves.”

Courtesy photo

A view of the donations in the Share Shed at Clatskanie Middle/High School.

According to Helmen, Thompson singlehandedly purchased 50 to 70 shoes for kids, allowing them to reenter sports and regain their confidence. “A lot of these kids that really are perceived as quiet or isolated, or not very social, how grateful and thankful they are, and how often

they tell her. That is incredible,” Helmen said. Thompson launders clothes over the weekend to make sure her students are clean-clothed and ready to attend school, according to Helmen. See SHED Page A4

Is it time for a hospital in Columbia County? JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

New discussions concerning hospital care in Columbia County are likely to be held in the coming months as Oregon moves into the rescue and recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. To gain insight into why there is currently no main hospital in Columbia County, The Chief spoke with Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul. The Chief: Currently, for folks in Columbia County needing hospitalization, where must they go? Michael Paul: Hospital level of care is not available in the county. Depending on zip code and specific need, residents may receive care at hospitals in Clatsop, Washington, Multnomah or Cowlitz counties.

Metro Creative Connection

In 2009, the Oregon Health Authority denied an application submitted by Columbia Health District to build a 12-bed hospital in St. Helens.

Obituaries ................. A3 Clatskanie Grows..... A4 Community Events A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Sports.........................A6 Senior Living ........ A7-8

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

The Chief: Why is there no hospital in Columbia County? Paul: Like many states, several decades ago the Oregon State Leg-

islature established a health planning program within the Oregon Heath Authority, and it directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to adopt rules specifying criteria and procedures for making decisions as to the need for new health care facilities, including hospitals. The primary goal of the program is to assure that health services are adequately distributed around the state, without unnecessary duplication of services or excessive costs to patients. In 2009, the OHA denied an application submitted by Columbia Health District to build a 12-bed hospital in St. Helens. The Chief: Specifically, what is the need in Columbia County for a hospital and who would be best served with such a facility? Paul: The state rules require the applicant to demonstrate the need for a hospital. The state will only issue a certificate of need if the application addresses the criteria in the rules, so it’s premature to say there is a need until the analysis is completed.

That said, the county regularly hears from residents, business owners and employees about the availability of health care in our communities. Community health needs assessments identify access to health care as a dominant concern in our communities. We need to delve further into these concerns. For instance, when residents identify access to care as inadequate, are they thinking about the availability of a vaccination, a surgical procedure, an ambulance ride, or are they thinking about acute care at an emergency department? More importantly, though, we have to look at the most recent hospital utilization data by community, as well as outcomes for our residents versus Oregonians who live closer to a hospital. It’s possible that the analysis shows the service area can’t financially support an additional hospital, or maybe it shows health outcomes can be improved by investments to our emergency medical services. See HOSPITAL Page A5

Rainier to demolish burnt home ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The city council is acting on its ordinance to tear down an old, dilapidated building in a Rainier neighborhood. Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen said that the city contractor is awaiting a demolition permit for the house at 516 East E St., a required next step before the official removal process. “We gave the (current) owner until September 30. As of October 1, I started working on my end, trying to make sure our contractors were lined up and that they visited the site and did everything they needed to do,” Jorgensen said. “So, the demolition permit was the last step and we’re doing what we can to expedite that.” The city also is working on obtaining a lean for the property, shifting the financial burden of demolition to the future property owner.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The Rainier City Council is moving ahead to have the remains of this burnt house on E St. removed and the property cleared.

History At a public hearing in July, former city councilor and neighbor Judith Taylor urged the council to declare the house of Nidia Coy a

public nuisance after it was badly damaged by an electrical fire. Debris blows onto nearby properties when the wind blows and the house smells bad, according to Taylor’s testimony.

The Rainier City Council approved an ordinance to remove the home, and to clear out the surrounding area. The council also laid out a resolution to start demolition by the start of the next rain season in September. “It’s going to be completely torn down, which is tragic because it was a beautiful old home. You can tell even just walking by looking at the wreckage it was a classic historic home in our town,” Jorgensen said. Coy has since settled her claim with the insurance company for the house fire and returned to her native Costa Rica. Following her departure, Gabriel Coy, son of Nidia Coy, requested that counsel grant them more time to try to get the conservatorship of some sort lined up and the council gave them until September 30. Due to inclement weather, they could not extend the deadline any further, according to Jorgensen. See DEMOLISH Page A3

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, October 29, 2021

City gets $100,000 for transportation improvements JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie is in line for $100,000 from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to help with street improvements. Clatskanie and other small cities around the state who have qualified are receiving $5.1 million in funding after the Small City Allotment Advisory Committee unanimously approved the latest round of recommendations in the 2022 Small City Allotment (SCA) program. Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said the city will be receiving $100,000 next fiscal year (2022-23) to pave Tichenor Street. “The Tichenor street repave has been a long-needed project but one we put off until we could replace the sewer line,” Hinkelman said.

“The sewer line replacement was a multi- year, multiphase project that started in fiscal year 2015-16 and was completed in fiscal year 2019-20. The last part of the Tichenor Street infrastructure improvement is to replace the water line on Tichenor from 4th St. to 7th St. That project is budgeted for this fiscal year.” Hinkelman said the city had wanted to do the project right now but supply chain issues prevented that. “Specifically, the water pipe itself was needed and we are not expected to get delivery until December, so we will reschedule the work and do that project in the spring. Once done, we can then repave Tichenor.” Hinkelman estimated the project at $275,000, of which $100,000 will come from the SCA grant and the remaining

$175,000 will come from the city’s annual Capital Improvement Project allotment form the Clatskanie Timber Fund. ODOT Director Kris Strickler finalized the selection for the small cites projects with his approval. “We received 92 applications requesting $9,032,850 and were able to award 53 projects totaling $5,135,900,” Strickler said in reviewing and approving the committee’s recommendation. The approved projects include improvement such as, replacing 18 non-compliant curb ramps along with pavement preservation in Durham; adding curb, gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes and curb ramps on selected roads in Scio; and rebuilding roads to match existing curb lines while paving the full width

of road, including shoulders, in Maupin. Oregon’s historic transportation funding package, Keep Oregon Moving from the 2017 Oregon Legislature, created the Small City Allotment program to help communities fix local roads. The program receives $5 million each year and includes any cost savings from previous years rolled into the distribution formula. Recipient cities must have less than 5,000 in population and project selection includes on-site visits. To include as many cities as possible, no matching funds are required. Programs like the Small City Allotment help ODOT in its efforts to build and support a modern transportation system, one of three top priorities in the agency’s 2021-2023 Strategic Action Plan.

Courtesy from ODOT

Oregon’s historic transportation funding package, Keep Oregon Moving from the 2017 Oregon Legislature, created the Small City Allotment program to help communities fix local roads.

Vessels abandoned on Columbia River ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Abandoned vessels clogging up the Columbia River present a myriad of safety concerns for Columbia County residents. According to Lt. Shaun McQuiddy of the Columbia County Sheriff’s office, these concerns include water, navigational, and environmental hazards, the effects of which could be mitigated by acting responsibly as a boat owner. McQuiddy said that vessel-abandonment cases have tested officer capabilities on a state level. Robbed resources “These abandoned and derelict vessels have increasingly robbed our resources and time, statewide,” he said. McQuiddy also said that the majority of abandoned and derelict boats are located in South Columbia County waterways from the Multnomah County line on the Columbia River down to Goble and the Multnomah channel.

Courtesy photo from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

Submerged vessels can release oils and chemicals that have adverse consequences on waterways.

A mechanical malfunction is one of the main reasons people abandon their vessels.

The penalties for vessel abandonment range from $440 on the low end to thousands of dollars on the high end. If the vessel becomes submerged, it becomes an even greater expenditure to remove the vessel that, for one boat owner, came out to a total of $55,000. The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) may help to offset the price tag associated with vessel removal, but Columbia County is responsible for the bulk of the costs if no

vessels range from people living on their boat, to scrappers and owners of “fixer uppers,” he said. These groups are most likely to abandon their vessel when a mechanical issue arises creating a potentially hazardous obstruction.

one comes forward to claim ownership. Columbia County has a partnership with the OSMB and the United States Coast Guard (USGC) to manage abandoned and derelict vessels in waterways. “We work closely with our partners to establish best practices and procedures to keep our waterways safe and enjoyable for all users,” McQuiddy said. The most common types of offenders of abandoned

Multiple owners “It is not uncommon for us to find that a boat has changed owners three, four, five times without properly registering

the vessel. We have come across several boats where they have been stripped, all the identification markings removed, and filled with trash,” he said. “If the boat suffers a major failure such as taking on water they will just abandon the vessel and move onto another one.” The process for removing a derelict boat requires multiple, escalating steps. “First is a notification that the boat needs to be removed. Then, a notification that if the

boat is not removed it will be seized,” he said. “Next is a seizure notice posting. Once a boat has been removed, there is a time period that the boat has to be held before it can be salvaged.” Columbia County works in tandem with surrounding counties, including the USCG and OSMB, to remove these vessels from waterways. Resources and funding affect whether a boat is able to be removed quickly but McQuiddy said the county sheriff’s office is working hard to clear the obstructions and to educate waterway travelers about maintaining responsible boating practices. “While we are working on affordable solutions to remove smaller vessels it is very expensive to remove a boat from the water, then the boat has to be stored for a period of time, and then there is a salvage cost,” he said. “As far as enforcement and education (go), we work to identify boats and operators that we see on the waterways, educate when we can and enforce when necessary.”

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www.thechiefnews.com

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•O

Port appoints new executive director

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bituaries •

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Susan K. Richards

Nov. 7, 1941 ~ Oct. 12, 2021

Susan K. Richards passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2021 at the age of 79, while surrounded by her family in Clatskanie, Oregon. Susan was born on Nov. 7, 1941 in Seattle, Washington to Harold and Florence Bratland. She lost her father at a very young age and was later adopted and raised by David and Florence Johanson. In 1961, she married the love of her life Edward Richards and had three children, Ellen, Mark and Jana. Susan’s favorite role was being a Grandma to Kayla, T -Christine (Josh), Cody (Metgan), Trevor and Thomas. Susan absolutely adored crafts; baby blankets, Halloween costumes, Christmas wreaths, ornaments and

later in life, greeting cards for every occasion. She especially loved the holidays, Christmas being her favorite. She couldn’t wait to put up her tree and spend days baking all the cookie recipes that had been passed down through generations of family. Susan was also an avid reader. She loved to go camping and would take her grandkids on special trips. She loved to cook and will always be remembered for her famous Swedish pancakes, a family favorite. Sue put her heart in her family and everything she did, her heart was big, and her life touched a lot of people. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed; her parents; her sister-in-law

Delores; and a niece. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Roy and Ellen Spaulding; son Mark Richards; daughter and son-in-law Jana and Bret Shelby; grandchildren; brother John Bratland; sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Lorne Render; nieces and nephews; and her dog Maja. Susan had requested no service and her ashes will join her husbands at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to Community Home Health and Hospice at P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632. Columbia Funeral Home Longview handled arrangements.

Michael Edward Brace June 25, 1941 ~ Oct. 21, 2021

Michael Edward Brace, of Clatskanie, born June 25, 1941, passed away Oct. 21, 2021 at Community Home Health and Hospice in Longview, Washington.

DEMOLISH From Page A1

“We’ve done the hearings, and we’ve done the notifications, we even gave the property owners extra time to try to come up with a solution on their end,” he said. “But ultimately, the council wanted the demolition to be done before the weather turns really nasty before heavy rains start hitting and it becomes an even bigger mess.” Jorgensen said that his efforts to reach Coy after the Sept. 30 deadline failed. “It’s sad because he’s around my age, and it’s the house that he grew up in. So, there’s a human element to it, but he hasn’t followed up with me when I would have been more than happy to meet with him,” he said. “I did meet with him throughout this process, tried to get a hold of him while the clock

was still ticking, so to speak. I have not heard from him in several weeks.” A community danger In order to qualify for demolition, a building has to be deemed as dangerous or a ‘public nuisance’ by the city. Rainier Municipal Code 15.5 states that present fire, safety, combustibles, or condition hazards can designate a building as dangerous. According to Jorgensen, the environmental assessment done by the city showed signs of severe decay. “When we had the environmental testing done, the guys went in through the back door and they didn’t get far. Similarly, I walked through the front porch and realized very quickly that it’s very, very dangerous to be there,” he said. “You’re literally risking life and limb by treading too far inside of that

house.” Area neighbors have citied vandalism at the property and expressed concerns that children explore what they consider to be a dangerous site. “If you have a situation where kids are accessing the property, it would be terrible if some kids tried to wander inside the house and it were to collapse,” Jorgensen said.

The Port of Columbia County Board of Commissioners has appointed Sean Clark as Port Executive Director. Clark first joined the Port of Columbia County in 2014 as the Port Westward terminal manager and became deputy executive director in May 2021. Clark has been acting as interim executive director since the resignation of Douglas Hayes last month. “We take pride in selecting and promoting community members to staff and leadership positions at the Port of Columbia County,” Port of Columbia County Commission President Nancy Ward said. “Our succession planning, which ensures we will never have a key role open for which another employee is not prepared, resulted in a seamless transition moving Sean Clark from Deputy Director to Director.” “I am thankful to the Board for their confidence in me and it’s an honor to have this opportunity to continue my career at the Port as the Executive Director,” Clark said. “We have a talented and dedicated group of people at the Port, and I look forward to working with them to bring economic opportunities to Columbia County.” Clark has more than 12 years of port experience and an extensive background in

logistics and maritime management. Prior to joining the Port of Columbia County, he was the Harbor Master and Facility Security Officer at the Port of Kalama in Washington. “The Commission is grateful for the seven years Sean invested in learning the business of the Port and we’re confident his leadership will serve our expansion and investment in local jobs and industry,” Ward said. Clark earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Communications from Concordia University. He is a past president and current member of the Northwest Marine Terminals Association, past chair of the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee and represents the Port of Columbia County’s maritime interests at a variety of industry groups. As the Port of Columbia County Executive Director, Clark will provide strategic leadership for the port by working with the commission and management team to establish long-range goals, business strategies, plans, and policies. The top priority for the Port continues to be economic growth, specifically development at the Scappoose Airport, McNulty Creek Industrial Park in St. Helens, and Port Westward Industrial Park in Clatskanie, according to a release from the Port. Clark will also manage the day-to-day

Courtesy photo

Sean Clark has been appointed as the new executive director for the Port of Columbia County.

operations and promote the Port’s mission of economic development by facilitating job growth within the port district. A native Oregonian, Clark resides in Goble where he and his wife of 27 years have raised their son and two daughters. He is active in the local community and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Clatskanie and Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce and a former chairman of the Rainier School Board. In his personal time, Clark currently serves as the board president of the Columbia 911 Communications District and is a member of two bands that actively play in the region. Hayes resigned in late September and has been the focus of a port and police investigation of ‘possible misuse’ of port funds.

What happens next? The city selected Servpro of Longview as its contractor and expects to secure the demolition permit in a few weeks. “Hopefully, someday somebody buys the property, and they’re able to put a gorgeous new home on there. The family can move to Rainier, buy it, and live happily ever after. That’s my ultimate hope for this property,” Jorgensen said.

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Friday, October 29, 2021

•C latskanie G rows • •

Clatskanie Grows: First fall frost and the wooly bear CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column

The average first fall frost for the St. Helens area is early November. It is just an average. A few years ago, we didn’t have our first frost until after Thanksgiving. However, with rain and somewhat cool temperatures now, our vegetable gardens are all but done with only leafy greens and unharvested root crops hanging on.

spring and mate sooner. These older caterpillars will have wider orange bands. A long, cold winter leads to late emergence, thus younger caterpillars with smaller orange bands. By the way, the caterpillar eats dandelions and broad and narrow leafed plantain among other common plants. It is not a pest. The moth is fairly large and rusty orange.

The wooly bears (larva of the Isabella moth - Pyrrharctia isabella), those ubiquitous orange and black fuzzy caterpillars, are now in motion looking for a place until winter is over. They are pumping up their systems with carbohydrates and making glycerol to keep crucial cells from freezing. Folk wisdom says that the wider the rust-colored band in the center of the wooly bear, the warmer the winter will be. It must be noted that as the caterpillar grows, the middle band naturally gets wider. The younger the caterpillar you see, the narrower the orange band. Entomologists have concluded that consistently wider bands may show what happened last winter. If it was mild, the Isabella moth would emerge earlier in the

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Can you over-winter a fuchsia?

Drawing from Adirondack Almanack

• Spray fruit and berry plants with copper in the rain breaks. • Prune out dead branches before the leaves fall. • Divide and transplant perennial flowers. • Protect young tree trunks with tree wrap or white latex paint (not oil

More conventional long-term forecasts call for wetter but colder November through January. One of the “analog” years the forecasters are looking at is 2008. We had 20 inches of snow at our house and watched a neighbor’s tree take out the power line to Vernonia on Christmas Eve. I wouldn’t want to see that weather again. Special fall things to do: • Turn off and winterize pump. • Winterize power gardening tools and clean/ sharpen hand tools. • Plant bulbs (this is the time for the best selection).

based paint) diluted 50-50 with water as a white wash. This will protect the trunks from winter injury and summer sunburn. • Develop a plan for outside container plants in very cold weather. • Mulch areas of your garden that you don’t plan to cover crop. • Harvest winter squash and cure in a dry place as soon as possible. • Plant garlic.

Plant breeders have developed wonderful fuchsias. Most gardeners buy them each spring, enjoy them through the fall and discard them in the winter. Some intrepid gardeners save fuchsias by cutting them way back and storing them in pots under moist sawdust, in cool garages in the dark or even under the house. These techniques can be surprisingly successful. The pots in the garage and under the house will have to be checked periodically to make sure they aren’t drying out. Don’t let them get light or they may start to

grow too early. When spring conditions warm up, you can bring them out and force new growth. Other gardeners have recognized that our milder winters and cross-bred fuchsias allow many varieties to over-winter outside. Some varieties will die back to the soil line but return the following spring. Gardeners may also take potted fuchsias, dig a hole in the garden, and place the pot in it (slightly

Clatskanie Grows

lower than soil level) and cover the crown with coarse mulch. The soil must be well drained enough so that the plant doesn’t decay from a high winter water table. Then in the spring, the plants can be dug up and repotted (if necessary) when all danger of a killing frost is past.

on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Important notes

Free newsletter

The OSU Extension Office is fully reopened. Masks still required inside.

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.

Planning for an OSU Master Gardener class next spring We are actively planning for an in-person OSU Master Gardener class starting next February. The class would most likely be held in St. Helens on Monday, during the day, for about ten weeks. If you think you might be interested, let us know. Call Sonia Reagan or myself (Chip Bubl) at 503-3973462. Your statement of interest doesn’t commit you to anything but will give us some idea if people are ready to return to in person classes. If COVID mutates again, it might have to be a digital only class. Donate produce and/or cash to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It is greatly appreciated. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Have questions? If you have questions

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

•C ommunity E vents • •

Oct. 29-30, and 31 Haunted House • Beaver Homes Grange Haunted House from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 31105 Beaver Homes Road in Rainier. Due to the pandemic, face coverings are required for everyone over 5-years-old. Adults $6. Kids 6-10 $4. Seniors 60+ / Military with I.D. $5. Funds collected will be used to support the Grange and local nonprofits. For more information, call 503556-0324. 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

SHED

From Page A1 “I can’t tell you how many times she’s brought kids in that are homeless, that she will wash their clothes on the weekend with our washers and dryers and put them together or bring kids in and make sure they have the basic needs that they want,” he said. As a cancer survivor, the kindness and support she received from parents, students, and colleagues was a big motivator for Thompson to give back to the school community. “The kids for school gym, the staff, everyone was so giving to me and so helpful that to me, it’s my turn to re-

a trunk. For more information and to reserve your spot by Oct. 15, contact Malinda Duran at malinda.duran@columbiacountyor.gov. Nov. 13-14 Holiday Bazaar • Look for over 25 local artists and craftspeople to will help you prepare for the holidays at the From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Caples House Holiday Bazaar. See a wide variety of gift items at one place, including framed nature photography, Native American art and regalia, quilts, jewelry, ceramics, dried gourds, baskets, leather bags, glassware, metal art, candles, soaps, toys, and so much more. Free admittance. Snacks and lunch for sale in the Tea Cottage. Silent auction with stuffed Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Caples House Museum is located at 1925 First ward and help them as much as I can,” she said. “I love it. I was raised that way with my mom and so whenever I see someone in need, I want to help them to the best of my ability.” Thompson was raised in Clatskanie and has lived locally almost her entire adult life. She said she has no plans to retire anytime soon, which she attributes to the high degree of satisfaction gained from changing the lives of students. “My mom was a school bus driver for 47 years and my sister drove school bus for 37 years. And then I’ve worked for 33 years. So, I think over 100 years,” she said. “I love just helping them and being a part of their lives, and a lot of kids have really touched me.”

Editorial policy Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them. Letters policy This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-3975390 or email CaplesHouse@ comcast.net. On Going • Lower Columbia River Watershed Council meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held electronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-789-9240. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom info: Events Page — Lower Columbia River Watershed Council. • The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). It is located inside Rainier City Hall on the 3rd floor. Go in side entrance and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. For more information, all 360-751-7039. Helmen said that if there’s anything to take away from Thompson’s dedication, it is that small communities can make a big difference. “(Donna) is going to play it down. That’s just who she is, and she’s very humble,” Helmen said. “But I tell you what, if this one singular program and this singular act of these small group of individuals in a small community can impact the larger population in our county, that’s something we definitely need to do.” 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.

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

Do you believe it is time to build a hospital in Columbia County?

Are you saving more and spending less this year?

Yes

54% Yes

46% No

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

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will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

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.

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@

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Friday, October 29, 2021

www.thechiefnews.com

NOTICE OF MEETING CC21-1526

The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, November 3rd, 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 Oct. 6th, 2021 regular meeting and the Oct 12th 2021 special meeting, swearing

in a new Councilor, and a presentation from the Port of Columbia County on their Rail study. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by Oct. 29th, 2021.

CC21-1521

CIRCUIT COURT OF OREGON FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY Estate of WILLIAM CARL PATTERSON, Deceased No. 21PB06180 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS ORS 113.155. The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in ORS Chapter 115 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney

at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. All persons having claims against the estate must present them within four months after the date of the first publication of the notice to the Personal Representative at the address designated in the notice for the presentation of claims or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the

Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative. Date of First Publication: October 15, 2021. JOHNNY M. HILL, Personal Representative, 2429 50th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632. Attorneys for Personal Representative: MICHAEL A. CLAXTON (OSB #961375) WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS, Civic Center Building, Third Floor, 1700 Hudson Street, PO Box 1549, Longview, Washington 98632-7934, Telephone: (360) 4235220.

CC21-1525

TO INTERESTED PERSONS In the matter of State of Oregon Circuit Court for Columbia County (Probate Dept) Kirk W. Fraser, deceased; Estate personal representatives are Scott and Vance Fraser, PO Box 611, Clatskanie

OR 97016. TO INTERESTED PERSONS: Those having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers, within four months after first notice date of 10-292021, to the above repre-

sentatives, or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding can obtain additional information from court records, the personal representatives, or their attorney.

CC21-1529

NOTICE OF WORK SESSION HOSPITAL From Page A1

The Chief: What type of hospital do you believe would best fit Columbia County and would that be a trauma facility? Paul: As you suggest, there are different types of hospitals. Before choosing size and type, an applicant will first need to conduct an analysis of utilization data and nearby facilities, and the applicant will need to complete a financial analysis. The Chief: Where would the most critical need be in the county to place a hospital and why that area? Paul: If distance to care is the only consideration, a hospital would be posi-

tioned centrally so that it was equidistant to the greatest number of population centers. But distance to care is not the only consideration; many additional factors are considered, including geography, availability of suitable land, access to workforce, population age, as well as future growth projections and transportation patterns. Columbia County is vast, but there are geographic barriers, the population is not evenly distributed, and there are existing hospital facilities in adjacent counties to consider. For example, if you put a hospital in Clatskanie, is a Scappoose resident going to travel to Portland, Hillsboro, Longview or Clatskanie? It might depend on capacity, preference, quality, specific need, distance, and/or cost. The Chief: Please explain the steps and require-

ments necessary to cite a hospital in Columbia County and who could start such a process. Paul: Applicants bear the burden of proof and must demonstrate need and financial viability. The first step is for applicants file a letter of intent, and applications are submitted on forms prescribed by the OHA. The Oregon Health Authority will determine if the application is complete, and then the review process begins. The applicant must be the person or entity obligating the expenditure. The applicant could be a public or private entity. The Chief: Do you believe the time is right for Columbia County to open discussions about citing a hospital in the county, and if so, why?

The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J will hold a Special Board Working Session, Monday, November 1, 2021, 9 a.m.

till approximately 4 p.m. Adjournment of meeting will be to discretion of the Board. The meeting will be in person at Colvin’s banquet room. Please see

our website at www.csd. k12.or.us for the agenda, which includes but is not limited to: CIP, Generate District Goals, and Design of District Office.

Paul: Periodically evaluating access to all levels of care is an important governmental function, whether it leads to hospital or not. As we move into the rescue and recovery phase of COVID, it’s important for local and state agencies to undertake a critical review of our systems, and evaluate continuity and availability of care. Health equity is a key component of public health modernization; it means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. In this context, it means that hospitals should be located strategically so that specific communities are not suffering worse health outcomes than other communities because of the location of hospitals. The pandemic has also brought additional scrutiny to certificate of need laws

and some experts argue of their significance to these laws actually limit accommunity and economic cess to health care services development. because they favor large, established health systems. The Chief: If in fact the Several states are considercounty begins such a discusing reforms. I do believe the sion, and a decision is made time is right to have those to construct a hospital in tough conversations. CON Columbia County, how long laws have been around for would it be before ground is decades so it’s appropriate broken? to ask whether they are effective at distributing access Paul: It’s not a simple to care. Systems, payers and process when you consider expectations have changed the time needed to conduct significantly since CON the initial analysis, demlaws were enacted. onstrate need, file a letter Last, our local governof intent, and then the time ments need to weigh the for application review. The secondary effects, both state rules require approval positive and negative. It’s or denial of a complete apvery clear that health care plication within 90 days. systems and hospitals play an important role in local Join the conversation. economies and are often Do you believe it is time to the largest employers in the build a hospital in Columbia communities they serve. County? Post your comHospitals are known as ments with this story at anchor institutions because thechiefnews.com. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

Clearing up the booster shot confusion

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Most pharmacies and medical clinics are offering the booster shots free of charge to those who qualify.

Courtesy from Gov. Kate Brown

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown receives her COVID-19 booster shot. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Health Authority has announced approval and guidance for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster vaccinations, in addition to the previously announced booster approval for the Pfizer vaccine. These vaccines are now also authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under these recommendations the following groups qualify for booster doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine at least six months after their second shot: • People 65 years and older and residents in longterm care settings should receive a booster. • People ages 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster. • People ages 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster. • People ages 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure

and transmission because of an occupational or institutional setting that puts them at higher risk may receive a booster (this includes health care workers and teachers, for example). A booster dose for Johnson & Johnson is recommended for everyone who received the vaccine, at least two months after the first dose. National and state health agencies have also authorized “mixing and matching” of the three vaccine brands for boosters, meaning a person may get a booster dose of a different vaccine than they originally received. Gov. Brown gets her booster Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 26, after receiving her COVID-19 booster shot and flu vaccine at Salem Health’s Edgewater Clinic. “I am extremely grateful for the protection the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has given me. All three of the vaccines are safe, and incredibly effective at protecting against

•

hospitalization and death. And now, I am grateful to have received extra protection against both COVID-19 and the flu with the Moderna booster shot and the flu shot. “Many Oregonians are now eligible for a booster — I encourage you to have conversations with your health care provider, like I have with my doctor, Dr. Yates, to learn more about the extra protection a booster can offer you. Vaccinations are our way out of this pandemic. If you still have questions about getting vaccinated, call your doctor or health care provider today to get your questions answered.” “And, when you get your COVID-19 vaccine, it’s quick and easy to get your flu shot, too. You can help prevent the flu from spreading in your community, and help our doctors, nurses, and health care workers to preserve resources to treat COVID-19 patients.” “The COVID-19 booster is safe and effective in prolonging protection against severe illness. The vaccine remains our only path out of the pandemic and my colleagues and I encourage everyone to get the booster when eligible,” Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ralph Yates said. “Flu vaccines are another important way to protect one another, especially as we head into the winter months. An increase in flu cases is anticipated this year, but flu shots can help. Flu shots can be given at the same time as the booster.” Most pharmacies and medical clinics are offering the booster shots free of charge to those who qualify. For more information, contact Columbia County Public Health at 503-3977247.

Clatskanie Middle/High School Sports Schedule

Friday, October 29, 2021

•

•C rossword S olutions • •

Solution for the Oct. 22, 2021 crossword puzzle

Friday Oct. 29 • 1:30 p.m. Cross Country Districts @ Sherwood • 7 p.m. HS Football vs. Blanchet Catholic Monday Nov.1 • MS Boys Basketball 1st Practice: 4:15-5:45 p.m.

Emergency benefits to increase in November Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in November. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, approximately 398,400 SNAP households will receive approximately $63 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to provide 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.” Emergency allotments will be available on Nov. 11 for current SNAP households. New SNAP households will receive the emergency allotments Nov. 30 or Dec. 2. SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards. More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.

Courtesy photo

SNAP is an assistance program designed to help approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities, with emergency food allotments and other benefits.

oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/ Pages/About-SNAP.aspx. Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075. 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-to-date information. You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways: • Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov • By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309 • By fax at: 503-3785628 • By phone at: 1-800699-9075 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 COVID-19 help center For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: CANDY ACROSS

1. Good earth 5. Pea soup bone 8. Transport, with a U 12. Top notch 13. Copenhagen native 14. Boggy 15. Who would 16. Play parts 17. “Sesame Street” roommate 18. *World’s best-selling candy bar 20. Law school entry requirement, acr. 21. Use a garrote 22. Homer Simpson’s exclamation 23. *”Gimme a break” bar 26. Scrimmage line group 30. Dollar 31. Saltwater game fish 34. Hindu workout 35. 4 years for a U.S. President, pl. 37. *Hyde & ___ Boutique candy 38. Seize a throne 39. Popular aquarium performer 40. Germany’s National Socialism, for short 42. Ryder Cup peg

43. Excellent 45. Jet setters’ vessels 47. Scientist’s office 48. Game ragout 50. One from Glasgow 52. *Twizzlers competitor 55. There’s none like home? 56. Vocal piece for one 57. Small ladies’ handbag 59. Black cat crossing the street, e.g. 60. One with biggest share? 61. Actor Wahlberg 62. Secondary school 63. Follow ems 64. Sheltered, nautically

DOWN

1. Order’s partner? 2. Sounds of amazement 3. Any day now 4. a.k.a. hop clover or nonesuch 5. Certain consonant marker 6. Cavern or cave 7. Army ____ hall, or dining room 8. *Who’s Kisses? 9. Pavlova or Kournikova 10. Newton, e.g. 11. Caustic chemical 13. One of Fanning sisters 14. Cell dweller

19. Online conversations 22. Cacophony 23. Japanese string instrument, pl. 24. Apathetic 25. 9 a.m. prayer 26. Mischievous Norse deity 27. *Pop Rocks sizzle and pop in it 28. Kind of heron 29. Back of the neck, pl. 32. Back of military formation 33. *Short for Pfefferminz 36. *Chocolate-covered whipped marshmallow (2 words) 38. Savory taste sensation 40. Apprehend 41. Spirit of the woods 44. Not now 46. Auteur’s art 48. European finch 49. Goodbye, in Puerto Vallarta 50. Hurtful remark 51. Zoo room 52. Respiratory rattling 53. Et alibi, abbr. 54. “You betcha!” 55. OB-GYN test 58. *Mike and ____ fruity, chewy candy

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, October 29, 2021

Senior Living

Clatskanie Senior Center looks to the future STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The Clatskanie Senior Center is located inside the Castle at 620 SW Tichenor Street in Clatskanie.

Courtesy photo

The Clatskanie Senior Center is located inside the Thomas J. Flippin House, known locally as the “Castle,” located at 620 SW Tichenor Street. The Castle is a turn-ofthe-century Victorian mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is owned by the Clatskanie Senior Citizens, Inc (CSC). The CSC is completing a project to restore and update the Castle, while still operating its Mealson-Wheels program. The home-delivered meal program has been continued with the meals prepared at the Rainier Senior Center, staged and delivered by volunteers from Faith Lutheran Church in Clatskanie. “The mission of the Clatskanie Senior Citizens, Inc., in cooperation with

the Clatskanie Historical Society, is to operate the Castle as a place for seniors and the community to come together for senior outreach, social activities, educational opportunities, and historical insight,” Castle Capital Improvement Project fundraising chair Debra Hazen said. In an interview with The Chief this past summer updating the Castle renovations, Hazen said as it has for the past four decades, the Castle will continue to house the senior citizen meal program, including congregate meals and the preparation of home-delivered meals, as well as other senior activities. Look for an update about the Clatskanie Senior Center in upcoming editions of The Chief. To reach the Clatskanie Senior Center, call 503-728-3608, or visit the center on Facebook.

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503.354.4514 Fibre Financial Group Retirement & Investment Services financial professionals are registered representatives of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/ SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment professional, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution. CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. is a registered broker/ dealer in all fifty States of the United States of America. FR-2290725.2-1120-1222

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Friday, October 29, 2021

Senior Living

Rainier Senior Center moving ahead “This only changes when we offer social activities and, even then, the number of seniors and family members are fewer.” The center is made up of more than 200 seniors from Columbia and Cowlitz County. “Under normal circumstances we would get folks from all over who are visiting family,” she said.

ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The Rainier Senior Center is moving forward with Monday night bingo and the Holiday Bazaar this year, taking statewide COVID safety guidelines into consideration. The Holiday Bazaar is held on Nov. 6 from 9-3 p.m. Vendors will have their own tables, displaying unique Christmas gifts and homemade goods. Food will not be served this year. Members are welcome to attend the event, according to Rainier Senior Center President Jan Rich. “People either think that we’re a nursing home, or they think they have to be a senior to be a member,” ARE Rich YOU CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? said. Anyone can join the senior center as a member YOU LOOSING to ARE get special access to these YOUR CURRENT MEDICARE COVERAGE? events. Last Tuesday, the center held a “Fun Fall Fest,” The Rainier Senior Center is located at 48 W 7th Street in Rainier. providing gamesHELP and desserts YOU NEED FINDING THE RIGHT MEDICARE PLAN its website. Staff FOR recommend working doubly hard to 556-3889. for attendees. provide hot meals to their The Rainier Senior Center seniors call the day before to The Rainier Senior order their meal or no later residents, according to Rich. is open from 9:30 a.m. to Center, at Attend 48 W 7th Street in one of our FREE educational seminars than or give us athe call: 10 a.m. day of, and “(Among) our accom2:30 p.m. Monday through Rainier, also features a gift ARE YOUtoCONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? pick-up time is set between plishments include the Friday, according its shop with items made(503) by 203-6724 or (800) 424-1199 11:30 a.m. through 12:30 continuation of our home local artists and crafters, in-YOU website. ARE CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? p.m. Rates include a $5 donadelivery meals even though cluding crocheted & knitted ARE YOU Schedule for CURRENT Educational Seminars: LOOSING YOUR MEDICARE COVERAGE? tion for seniors 60 and older, the need has increased Meal services apparel, jewelry, ceramics, or $7 for under 60. twofold which then requires YOU YOUR•CURRENT MEDICARE COVERAGE? quilts, andARE more. 20%LOOSING of the Scappoose Senior Center 10/05/14 at 9am The center will be offering drivers,” she said. The center will continue overall proceeds will benefit CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? DOARE YOUYOU NEED HELP FINDING THE RIGHT MEDICARE PLAN FOR additional its Thanksgiving and Christ“We plan to continue with its Meals on Wheels prothe senior center directly. • CONFUSED ARE YOU WITHMEDICARE? MEDICARE? mas drive through lunch this our home delivery meal CONFUSED gram and provide congregate DO interested YOU NEED HELPYOU FINDING THE RIGHTWITH MEDICARE PLAN FOR Those in ARE becoming ARE YOU CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? year, Rich said. meals to go, according to the Attend one of our FREE educational seminars or give us a call: ARE YOUtoLOOSING YOUR CURRENT MEDICARE COVERAGE? vendors are encouraged • Center staff have been latest COVID-19 update on contact DO Marily Tift at 503(503) 203-6724 orus (800) 424-1199 ARE YOU LOOSING YOUR CURRENT MEDICARE COVERAGE? YOU NEED HELP FINDING THE RIGHT MEDICARE PLAN FOR YOU? ARE YOU CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE? Attend one of our FREE educational seminars or give a call:

YOU?

ARE YOU CONFUSED WITH MEDICARE?

Engagement opportunities

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

program and, once given the word, will open back up for congregate meals.” Enrollment Rich said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a slowdown in enrollment. “The seniors that come to the center right now are mostly volunteers,” she said.

The Rainier Senior Center is looking for volunteers to help out around the center or assist with its Meals on Wheels program. Those interested in volunteering can ask the front desk, drop by and pick up an application, or contact Marily Tift at 503-5563889. An American Red Cross blood drive will be held Nov. 30. Children ages 16 and up can donate with parental consent. The center earns money when shoppers buy from Fred Meyer in Rainier. Fred Meyer shoppers can go to fredmeyer. com/communityrewards to link their card, using the code AH614. The Rainier Senior Center is located at 48 W 7th St. in Rainier, Oregon. For information, call (503) 556-3889 or email RainerSeniorC@gmail. com.

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The Chronicle and The Chief arestop in and talk to an independent insurance agent who House”? It is where you can publishing the 2022 Columbia County are. Ask any questions you might have on Medicare. For an up to date list of seminars and Calendar and we want to showcase your photography! Only 14 photos r website at www.UnderstandingMyMedicare.com

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