Jessica Doe v. SHSD
Who the players are and what happens next Page A5
Honoring our heroes
See pages A9-12
Church News-A3 • Opinions-A4 • Police Blotters-A5 • Market Place-A6 • Public Notices-A6-7 • Obituaries-A7 • Veterans Day-A9-12
Friday, November 8, 2019
Special Election results Only 29 percent of Columbia County’s registered voters turned out for the Nov. 5 special election ballot measures this week, with a total of 11,384 ballots cast out of 38,481 registered voters.
The Chief
$1 Vol. 128, No. 26 12 Pages
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Local high school football teams enter state playoffs CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
The Clatskanie Tigers football team from Clatskanie Middle/High School (CMHS) and the Rainier Columbians football team from Rainier Jr./ Sr. High School (RJSHS) have entered state playoffs for the OSAA - 3A division, which begins this week. Both teams will play their first game on Friday, Nov. 8. The playoff game comes right after the Clatskanie Tigers won the league championship last weekend. The Clatskanie Tigers, ranked sixth in the division, will be up against the St. Mary’s High School Crusaders, ranked 11th in the division, at a home game at 7p.m. The Rainier Columbians, ranked fifth in the division, will be playing against the Madras High School White Buffaloes, ranked 12th in the division at a home game at 7 p.m. Both teams have regularly made it to the state playoffs. The Clatskanie Tigers have made it the last six of seven years, according to CMHS Athletic Director, Ryan Tomp-
The results are as follows: 5-277 Columbia County Rider Transit Service District: Formation of CC Rider Transit District Yes: 4,182 No: 7,178 Over votes: 0 Under votes: 24 5-275 City of Scappoose: 3 cent fuel tax for street repairs, safety projects Yes: 1,026 No: 913 Over votes: 0 Under votes: 3 26-206 Sauvie Island Fire District: Continuation of five-year local option levy for general operating purposes Yes: 14 No: 2 Over votes: 0 Under votes: 0 5-276 Rainier Cemetery Maintenance District: Fiveyear local option tax Yes: 897 No: 1,274 Over votes: 0 Under votes: 6
Photo: Rob Hilson
Clatskanie defensive lineman Stuart Bruce attempting to block a pass at a football game on Aug. 30 this year against Seaside High School at the Astoria Football Jamboree.
See FOOTBALL Page A5
Catch the Holiday Spirit Campaign back for a fourth round CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
In an effort to encourage county residents to shop locally, Keep it Local Columbia County, in conjunction with Chambers of Commerce from Clatskanie, Rainier, St. Helens, Scappoose and Vernonia, is launching its fourth Catch the Holiday Spirit Campaign, which will begin Nov. 16 and run until Dec. 31. The campaign, sponsored by Wauna Federal Credit Union, involves customers having their boxes checked off on a 20-box card, called the “SPIRIT Card,” which they obtain at participating businesses. This year, more than 88 businesses are participating throughout Columbia County, and for every $10 the person spends at their business, one box gets checked off. Local shoppers can also donate to local non-profits, and the non-profit will write “give” in one of the boxes for the amount donated. United Way and Amani Center are
two of several participating non-profits. For businesses to participate, they had to give $25 to Keep It Local Columbia County. In exchange, they were given materials, like 25 SPIRIT Cards and a poster to display with participating businesses listed on it, as well as some perks, like their business name tagged for promotion in two different Facebook Events: “Catch the Holiday Spirit” and “Spirit Selfies.” The deadline for businesses to participate was Nov. 1. “It’s very much the economic groups collaborating to have a good Christmas. It’s a fun little way to get people to shop locally,” Natasha Parvey, Director for Keep It Local Columbia County said. Shoppers should aim to fill out all 20 boxes on the SPIRIT Card, or as many SPIRIT Cards as possible. When filled out, cards should be dropped off at a specified drop-off location in the card-holder’s hometown by Dec. 31. For St. Helens residents, that dropoff location is Wauna Federal
Photo: Sarah Johnson
Credit Union in Clatskanie on Keep It Local’s Facebook page, for a prize valued at $150. Parvey said Keep It Local is still figuring out the details for both prizes. This year, Parvey said the campaign has added something else to encourage younger Columbia County residents to join in: Spirit Selfie, where customers take pictures of themselves and their purchases at local businesses. Spirit Selfie works a little differently from Catch the Holiday Spirit. The campaign still runs from Nov. 16 through Dec. 31, but shoppers do not have to carry a card with them, and there are no businesses officially partnered with the campaign. Instead, shoppers choose any business in Columbia County and spend $25 or more. They then take a picture of their purchase or their receipt, post the photo on the Facebook Event page for Spirit Selfie and tag the local business in the entry. The Spirit Selfie Facebook page encourages shoppers to “get creative” with their photograph. There will be a weekly drawing on Friday mornings, which will be announced on Facebook, and the winner will be contacted via Facebook messenger for prize pickup. Prizes valued at a minimum of $25 will be given away each week, according to Spirit Selfie’s Facebook page. Before Keep It Local took over the Catch the Holiday Spirit Campaign, the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce did their own version for a number of years. In Clatskanie, Chris Dahlgren, who served in a few different positions on the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce, created “Catch the Holiday Spirit” in 2011 when she served as Promotion Chair. The campaign had a model nearly identical to the one currently in use by Keep It Local, in which Dahlgren also serves as a member. Twice a year, once during the holidays and once during the spring, the campaign took place, with customers carrying
This year’s Catch the Holiday SPIRIT Card, which will also include names of participating businesses of the card-holder’s hometown on the back.
Credit Union. Completed cards will be entered for a chance to win the drawing of the Community
Prize, which will be a $50 gift card for a minimum of three winners for the card-holder’s hometown. They will also be
entered for a Columbia County grand-prize drawing on Jan. 7, 2020, which will be broadcast live from the Wauna Federal
See SPIRIT Page A2
A2
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Merkley, Wyden announce key USDA investment with Vernonia-based co-op Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a nearly $8.5 million electric infrastructure investment in West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc., a Vernonia-based co-op which serves communities throughout Columbia, Yamhill, Tillamook, Washington, and Clatsop counties. Merkley serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that funded today’s grant. “As I travel around our state to meet with community leadership and hold annual town halls in each of Oregon’s 36 counties, I hear from families and local leaders about important efforts, big and small, to make our communities more energy efficient,” Merkley said. “For Oregon’s rural communities, electric co-ops play a critical role in achieving that goal. This USDA investment will
help West Oregon Electric Cooperative modernize its energy infrastructure—meaning savings for Oregonians, and reduced energy use for our environment.” “Electric co-ops are a crucial part of our country’s urgent need to improve energy efficiency, both to keep utility bills affordable for rural consumers and to lower energy use overall,” Wyden said. “This federal investment in West Oregon Electric Cooperative achieves those goals for Oregonians living in our state’s northwest corner.” The investment, which is part of a $1.2 billion USDA Rural Development program, will connect 79 new consumers, fund eight new miles and improve 41 miles of existing line, including four transmission miles. These infrastructure improvements will enhance distribution capacity and ensure greater energy reliability for over 4,400 Oregonians who are serviced by West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Lawyer in the Law Library: Non-violent communication A workshop on “NonViolent Communication” will be held at the Columbia County Law Library on Wednesday, Nov. 13th from 6-8 p.m. The law library is located at 270 S. First St. in St. Helens. The workshop will be the 35th in its series, and for the first time, the library is deviating from “Lawyer in the Law Library” to “Mediator in the Law Library” to switch it up. The speaker for the workshop will be Brandee Dudzic. She has a master’s degree in
Conflict Resolution and she is also the library’s new Law Librarian. The workshop is intended to provide attendees with some new communication skills for your toolbox— very helpful right before the busy holiday season. The workshop is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Your attendance and questions will be welcome. For more information, please contact Law Librarian Brandee Dudzic at 503-3965344 or brandee@columbiacll.org
SPIRIT
from completed SPIRIT Cards, and the true figure is probably a lot higher, Dahlgren said. Dahlgren now owns and runs Discounts & Deals in Clatskanie and has her store participate in Catch the Holiday Spirit. She said she gives out about 100 cards each year and tries to push the campaign in her store. One thing Dahlgren said she would like to see improved is the number of businesses participating, and the amount that each business advertises the campaign to its customers. “We actually need the businesses to be promoting this as much as Keep It Local,” Dahlgren said. Dahlgren said oftentimes customers will make a purchase in her store and hear about the campaign. They will then look at the list of participating businesses on the poster and say they were just at one of the stores listed, but didn’t hear about the campaign, let alone obtain a SPIRIT Card and get boxes checked for purchases made. “I tell them to go back with their receipt and make them sign it. Some of the businesses just don’t train their staff to push it, and if that happened, it would be a lot more successful,” Dahlgren said.
From Page A1 a card with them, checking off boxes when they made a local purchase, and then awarded prizes when they turned in completed cards. Prizes were often Chamber Checks that could be used to shop locally, with the grand prize being $50. Keep It Local, when it was formed five years ago to encourage business growth in Columbia County, saw the success of that model and made it their own, according to Parvey. “When Keep It Local was formed, the purpose was to be the glue to bring the county together. We thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great to bring the county together for Christmas,’ and we thought we’d use the Clatskanie model but take it county-wide,” Parvey said. Catch the Holiday Spirit has been growing in its four years of county-wide existence. According to Parvey, in its first year, the campaign brought in $26,000, its second year brought $46,000 and last year the figure was $91,000 of money spent in-county. Those numbers are just estimates
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Friday, November 8, 2019
River City Singers prepare for Christmas season
Courtesy photo
The River City Singers’ performance in 2018 at The Grotto.
The River City Singers has just held two dynamic jazz and swing concerts in Clatskanie and Scappoose, teaming up with the Big River Big Band, and is now starting to rehearse its new Christmas repertoire.
There are two major concerts each holiday season, and this year they’ll be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21 at The Grotto and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 22, at the Christian Church in St. Helens. The choir also often sings
carols for “Shop Small, Saint Helens,” “Donut Day” and for the Kiwanis Daybreakers. Artistic Director Alice Boyer’s vision for the River City Singers is taking it from strength to strength. Anyone who loves to
sing is welcome to join this non-audition choir, and now would be a perfect time to start. Rehearsals are from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the First United Methodist Church in St. Helens, located at 560 Columbia Blvd.
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Friday, November 8, 2019
Hometown Heroes announces final nominee, gears up for shipping
A3
•Area Churches••
• CLATSKANIE
A look at the piles of donations gathered for Hometown Heroes. JULIE THOMPSON chronicle1@countrymedia.net
Round Two of Hometown Heroes is now in the final stages of sorting through donations in preparation to send out care packages in support of active duty service members and the recently deployed St. Helens National Guard unit. Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said he’s expecting some additional donations to trickle in this week. They’ve yet to weigh the donations they’ve received thus far but will be packing and weighing the assortment of donated supplies around 1 p.m. on Nov. 18 with the help of the American Heritage Girls. The most recent nominee for Hometown Heroes was announced by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on Oct. 22 and will join Cassandra Gardner of the United States Air Force, Lucas Young of the United States Navy, Zacory Clegg
Courtesy photo
Diamond and David Fischer.
of the United States Army, Leland Piccolo of the United States Army National Guard, and Darci Snyder of the United States Air Force. The next hero to be introduced is Sergeant David Fischer of the United States Army. Fischer was born in Portland and moved to Scappoose in 2000 before starting kindergarten and would go on to graduate from Scap-
Courtesy photo
poose High School in 2014. Fischer married his high school sweetheart, Diamond, in the summer of 2015 and they are expecting their first daughter in December. According to the CCSO, Baby Girl Fischer’s due date just happens to coincide with Fischer’s birthday. Until recently, Fischer’s main hobby was playing video games, but now he spends his spare time preparing for their new baby. Fischer has a younger sister, Danielle, who lives in Independence, Oregon and a younger brother, Dennis, who just joined the Army himself and is currently undergoing basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. Fischer is stationed in Grafenwohr, Germany where he works as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer, otherwise known as a drone technician. “Let’s show David how much the residents of Columbia County appreciate his sacrifice and service,” the CCSO said via Facebook.
Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday: Building a digital defense against Medicare scams
Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense against Medicare scams. More and more companies are offering services to test your DNA, allowing you to explore your genetic heritage. Eastern European? Chilean? Something super exotic that you never even considered as part of your ancestry? These tests can be spendy, though, so when someone offers you a special deal to do the testing for free, it sounds like a good deal. Scammers know this and have concocted a new scheme to steal your personal information. Our friends at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are receiving reports that callers, claiming to be from
Medicare, are asking for personal information, such as Social Security or Medicare numbers, in exchange for a “free” DNA testing kit. The fraudster may make a convincing argument by claiming that the test is a “free way” to get an early diagnosis for diseases like cancer. However, the truth of the matter is that Medicare does not market DNA testing kits to the general public. Here are some tips on what you can do to avoid being a victim: • Remember that government agencies will rarely call you. If they do, it will be to either return a call you made to them or after they send you a letter. • If an alleged “government agency” demands personal information or
Clatskanie Baptist Church 415 South Nehalem St., 503-728-2304 Senior Pastor Kirk Bennett Clatskanie Presbyterian Church 215 South Nehalem Street Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-2300 Clatskanie Presbyterian Church is a community of Christian faith that expresses a relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit for everyone individually and collectively. Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 Pastor - Erik Huget Old Testament: Psalm 98 New Testament: 2nd Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17 Reading for today: The Kind of Brave You Wanted to Be By: Brian Doyle. Sermon Title: Stand Firm, Hold Fast. Adult bible study is held at 9:15 a.m. in fireside room Mayger-Downing Community Church 80071 Life Lane, 503-728-2305 Pastor John Thomas St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 100 SW High Street 503-556-5641 Great Vow Zen Monastery 79640 Quincy-Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 Sunday Morning Program 10am 503-728-0654 Faith Lutheran Church 1010 5th Street, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016. 503-728-4604 Pastor - Mary Anthony
RAINIER
Alston’s Corner Assembly of God 25272 Alston Rd. 503-556-1961 Pastor Steve Berry Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin 204 C St., E Rainier 503-556-5641 Rainier Assembly of God 74950 Rock Crest St., 503-556-8211 Pastor Jeff McCraken Rainier Community 11-06-19 Church of 3x12 God Vets Day:Layout 1
payment, you can be sure it is a scam. • Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can make it appear as if they were calling from a government-affiliated number. • Never give anyone who randomly calls you information such as your bank account, credit card, Medicare or Social Security number. Scammers can use this information to either steal your identity and your money. • You can report Medicare imposters at 1-800-MEDICARE and ftc.gov/complaint. As always, if you have been the victim of this online scam or any other cyber fraud, can also report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your local FBI office.
321 W C St., Rainier, 503-556-5661 Rainier United Methodist Church Corner of 1st & ‘C’ St., 503-556-3440 Pastor Michele Holloway Riverside Community Church 305 West C Street, Rainier 503-556-1216; Pastor Paul Rice Columbia Bible Church 10:30 a.m. Sunday 407 East Second St. Rainier, OR 97016 Robert Klukas 360-501-4060 Heritage Bible Church, Rainier Senior Center, 48 W 7th St., Rainier, Oregon 97048
ST. HELENS
Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church 1911 Columbia Blvd., 503-312-1072 Pastor Burkhardt Calvary Lutheran Church 58251 Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1739 Pastor: Mark Dennis Columbia River Foursquare Church 555 Commons Drive, St. Helens 503-397-0069 Senior Pastor Mike Cooke Christ Episcopal Church 35350 E. Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1033 Rev. Jaime Sanders Columbia Christian Center 235 S 15th St., 503-366-8028 Pastor Terry Luttrell St. Helens Community Bible Church 35031 Millard Rd., St. Helens Pastor Max Snook www.sthelensbiblechurch.org Christian Church 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens 503-397-2151 Pastor Justin Bruner First Lutheran Church 360 Wyeth St. 503-397-0090 Interim Pastor Randy Sinn First United Methodist Church 560 Columbia Blvd., 11/1/19 2:50 PM Page 1 503-397-0061
Pastor Jared Maddox Plymouth Presbyterian Church 2615 Sykes Rd., 503-397-0062 Pastor David Hutchinson St. Frederic Catholic Church 175 S. 13th St., 503-397-0148 Father Nicolaus Marandu The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2755 Sykes Road, St. Helens St. Helens 1st Ward Bishop Kent Dery 971-225-8727 St. Helens 2nd Ward Bishop Paul Erickson 971-8134000 Scappoose Ward Bishop Lorin Fielding 503-987-2179 Sunset Park Community Church 174 Sunset Blvd, St Helens Pastor Aaron Hiller St. Helens Church of Christ 295 S. 18th St., St. Helens Pastor Ivan Bissell 503-366-0967
SCAPPOOSE
Grace Lutheran Church 51737 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose 503-543-6555 Joshua Wiley Scappoose Foursquare Church 33404 SW JP West, Scappoose 503-543-5069 Pastor Daniel Schmoll St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 51555 SW Old Port Rd., Scappoose 503-543-2110 Chuck Wood
WARREN
Bethany Lutheran Church 34721 Church Rd., Warren 503-397-2050, Ingrid Aderhold Grace Baptist Church 58690 Ross Rd., Warren 503-397-0405 Pastor Dean Christensen Warren Baptist Church 56799 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-1005 Pastor Randy Thomas Warren Community Fellowship 56523 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-4387 Pastor Cary Wacker
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AN E V A ES SS S N A A H R URC P VETE N O 11/11 y a % d n L5 A – Mo 6 N / 1 1 IO sday e n DDIT d e LY W
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For diabetes, oral health is important PATTI ATKINS Communications Consultant for Columbia Pacific CCO
If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar in a normal range is important for overall health. High blood sugar levels over time can lead to damage of the eyes, kidneys and circulation. That’s why it’s so important to have regular visits with your doctor — and your dentist. Oral health screenings There is a direct link between oral health — specifically, periodontal disease — and diabetes. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, including gums, ligament and bone. “Inflammation is the link
between the physical health of a patient with diabetes and their oral health condition,” says Alexa Jett, dental hygienist and CareOregon oral health integration manager. “When there are increased bacteria in the mouth and the gum tissue becomes inflamed, it causes a chain reaction throughout the body.” The effects of this inflammation can contribute to cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis, respiratory disease and diabetes mellitus. “It goes both ways,” says Sherry Edwards, DDS, CareOregon dental director. “The infection in the mouth can cause a spike in blood sugar so that you won’t have a healthy blood sugar test. And if your blood sugar is high, as it is with diabetes
• Remembering parents on Veterans Day As another Veteran’s Day approaches, I think of my parents. Dad grew up in north Portland and enlisted in the Navy after graduation from Jefferson High School. Although being scheduled for discharge in mid-October 1941 he received stop gap orders from the War Department and was assigned to a new light carrier USS Wasp (CV-7). After completing two trips ferrying aircraft in support of the Battle of Britain and the island of Malta, his ship was refitted for the Pacific. While conducting aerial combat support of Guadalcanal the ship was torpedoed by Japanese Submarine I-19. While on survivors leave he met and married mom, who at the time was a real “Rosie the Riveter”
that can make your gum disease worse.” In her practice as a dental hygienist, Alexa could be alerted that a patient might have uncontrolled diabetes by the condition of their gums. If you have periodontal disease, certain types of dental cleanings — which depend on the diagnosis — may actually improve your blood sugar control. They could mean a 0.4 percent reduction in A1C, the blood test that provides information about average levels of blood glucose—sugar—over the prior three months. Since “normal” is below 5.7, a 0.4 reduction can be significant. Coupled with medication, weight loss and improvements in exercise and diet, dental cleaning can really help reach the goal of controlling diabetes. That’s why the Coordi-
•V oices
for Consolidated Aircraft manufacturing aircraft such as the PBY Catalina and the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. He stayed on after WWII and served in Korea before retiring as I started the first grade. While I was in grade school we received “stand by” orders during the Cuban Missile Crisis but was not deployed because the blockade proved successful. In 2005 I took mom and dad’s ashes to the Bremerton Naval Base where they were placed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) for their last cruise and were buried at sea with full military honors in international waters off San Diego, coming full circle. As for myself, I am a disabled Army veteran who served 19 months in Vietnam and 30 months in Germany along the “Iron curtain,” but that’s another story. Joe Turner Columbia City
of
fillings and other repair work. Medical screenings If you have diabetes, your regular visit to your physical health care provider should include screening for: • A1C – a long-term measure of blood sugar level. • Vision – uncontrolled diabetes causes changes in the retina or excess fluid, which results in blurred vision. This requires a special eye exam. • Kidneys – high blood sugar makes kidneys work extra hard, and damage to blood vessels also hurts kidney function. • Feet – diabetes can damage circulation and nerve endings, causing some people to stop feeling heat or cold. People can get ulcers on their feet when this happens.
Here are some tips about how to prepare for that annual exam: • Keep a blood glucose log and bring it with you. • Keep your list of medications and supplements, both prescription and over-the-counter, up to date. CareOregon provides a free tool to help you keep track. It’s called the MEDS Chart, and you can download a copy at http://bit.ly/CO-Rx020819-MEDS-Chart. • Write down any symptoms and questions you have. • Be prepared to talk about the results of any screenings you’ve had, and ask about any you should have. • Talk about your treatment and daily routines, such as food and exercise, and ask if there are any changes you should make to improve your screening test numbers.
T he C ommunity • •
I’m mad My 11-year-old 6th grade granddaughter came to me the other day and asked for help studying for a test in her Health class for school. She presented a list of words with the definitions that would be on the test that they would be having the next day. ( Mind you this is a Health class with boys and girls together) I was floored at the list of words that she presented masturbation, clitoris, ejaculation, penis, erection, and the list went on, I have to tell you I am 68 years old and these words were never introduced to my vocabulary until much later in life I would have to say adult life. I immediately became embarrassed and livid all at the same time. What are they teaching our children in school these days? Last year they taught one of my
The Chief
nated Care Organizations that oversee the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) are making an extra effort to raise awareness of the importance of oral health among members and physical health care providers. CareOregon Dental’s team is reaching out to primary care providers to share this knowledge. “We are promoting dental health, and explaining it is part of the package that should be presented for diabetes care,” Alexa says. “In this case, it is not dental care, it is diabetes care. “Establish a relationship with a dentist, have the annual exam, and develop an oral health treatment plan.” The Oregon Health Plan covers comprehensive oral health care, including exams and cleanings, in addition to
other granddaughters that there are 9 different genders or more. No there is not there are two genders a boy and a girl. How dare they teach this trash to our children at the tender ages of 0-15 years of age. I wholly understand the need for “young adults” to know the meaning of sex , reproductive system, puberty, body functions and communicable diseases, but really when has it become the right of the public school system to drench our young, vulnerable, impressionable minds with such private sensitive information. Tell me what class do they teach morals, abstinence, self-control, responsibilities, consequences, self-respect, decency, family, civilized. Whether people believe in God or not there are civilized rules that humans have lived by for many years. The difference between right and
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wrong, good and evil, civilized and animalistic. Killing and not killing. Stealing and not stealing. These idealisums are what differentiates us from being animals. Civilized people live together in harmony, have moral beliefs, have hope for a better after life, believe in the family unit love and marriage and children respectability private sex life. Animals are just that wild and uniforms live in packs and live by no rules. And have no dignity. You cannot possibly expect the minds of children going through puberty to handle sex talk thrown straight into their faces. For heavens sakes look what is going on around the schools and the world. You have generations of mixed up people. Well getting back to the subject of the words and class. The human mind is
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stimulated by “words” our bodies are programmed to react in certain ways to words. For instance throw the word out there “pain” your brain automatically associates that word to an unpleasant feeling, throw the word out there “soft” your brain responds inkind immediately thinking of something smooth to the touch. So what do you think happens to the developing body and mind of a young person coming into puberty and sexuality when you through words out to them like orgasm sex, ejaculation. Think about it. I’m not sure what I can do about this, but believe me I am on the war path and I am wholly unsettled about this matter and I think it is time to do something about it. Help me out here. Rosalie Wallace St. Helens
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Jessica Doe v. SHSD: Who the players are and what happens next JULIE THOMPSON chronicle1@countrymedia.net
Last week, a new chapter unfolded in the nearly two-year saga documenting the actions of former St. Helens High School (SHHS) teacher and track coach Kyle Jarred Wroblewski, who was sentenced to four years in prison in August for sexually abusing a student. On Oct. 29, a lawsuit was filed by the student against the St. Helens School District (SHSD) in federal district court in Portland, which alleges the district failed to protect her from child sexual abuse at the hands of Wroblewski. But who are the players and what happens next? The Chief reached out to the SHSD, and Community Relations Specialist Stacey Mendoza said the district does not comment on ongoing cases as policy. The student, using the pseudonym Jessica Doe to protect her identity, is represented by attorneys Steve Crew and Peter Janci of Crew Janci LLP, a law firm that specializes in childhood sexual abuse cases. Crew said he and Janci have been doing this work exclusively for almost 13 years now. During that time, they have taken on cases against the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America, the Mormon Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and a number of other institutions. They are based in Portland, though their work takes them across the country, and their higher profile cases have been featured in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, and The Oregonian. When they took on the Boy Scouts in 2010 on behalf of scout Kerry Lewis, their client was awarded almost $20 million. They were the first law firm to bring to trial the Boy Scouts’ “perversion files,” released during discovery in their case and admitted as evidence. Those files can now be found on the firm’s website, as well as in a data base curated by the LA Times. The Chief caught up with Crew via a phone call from New Jersey, where he was working on another case against a private school. Last
File photos
Kyle Jarred Wroblewski, pictured here working as a coach for St. Helens High School in 2011, was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this year for sexually abusing a student. The new federal lawsuit against the school district alleges the defendants were negligent in protecting the student from abuse.
year, the firm represented 21 students who were sexually abused by a teacher at the New Jersey-based Pingry School in the late 70s and early 80s. The school settled. When asked why they chose to take on the case against the SHSD, Crew had a quick answer. “We think this case is particularly aggravated,” Crew said. “It’s a trusted teacher and he has been caught and sanctioned at least twice in the past for sexually harassing, boundary violations clear warning signs - and he was placed on probation not once, but twice. The school district didn’t tell anybody about the fact that this guy had been disciplined in the past, had been warned and suspended for inappropriate conduct with young girls.” That conduct, detailed in a press release by the firm, was also evoked during the criminal case against Wroblewsk through documents filed by the Columbia County District Attorney’s office which revealed the school had confronted the teacher about his behavior towards students 10 years prior to the abuse crimes that sent him to jail. The state used those documents to argue Wroblewski had repeatedly demonstrated he was unwilling or unable to exercise self-control, he targeted vulnerable victims from his position of trust at SHHS, and that he had shown a consistent pattern of sexually predatory behavior. The suit alleges “over the decade leading up to the abuse of the Plaintiff” who was 16-years-old when the
• Mondays: • Oregon Hunters Association Columbia County Chapter membership meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the Kozy Korner Restaurant in St. Helens. Meetings start at 7 p.m. or come early at 6:30 p.m. for some good food and visiting. • Community Action Team Board of Directors meetings take place on the fourth Monday of every month unless the meeting would fall on a holiday, from 2 – 4 p.m. in the CAT boardroom, 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens. • The American Legion Post 68 meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the
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abuse began, the District and defendants Superintendent Scot Stockwell, Ted Zehr, James Carlile, and guidance counselor Heather AndersonBibler, “became aware on multiple occasions of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment by Wroblewski towards students in the District.” Carlile and Zehr both served as interim principals during the 2017-2018 school year, during which time much of the abuse against the Plaintiff was said to have occurred.
more complaints concerning the teacher’s behavior, including making sexualized comments to a female student about sexual positions, being caught privately texting with a female student, manipulating a situation to be alone with a female student at school on the weekend, and fraternizing with female students at his desk during class hours. Further documents, the firm said, show the school understood the position they
“I think it’s an important case. If we don’t settle it, we’ll take it to trial.” ~ Steve Crew, attorney Ten years earlier, a 2008 letter from the District covered 16 different issues of concern surrounding Wroblewski’s behavior, including: “running [his] hands through girls’ hair and giving shoulder massages, smelling girls and referring to their ‘delicious’ perfume, behaving in a manner that students refer to as ‘too touchy’ and a specific situation regarding helping a female student stretch out at track.” At that time, the school ordered Wroblewski to have “no physical contact with students unless necessary to prevent injury to the student or provide assistance in an emergency situation.” Despite the reprimand, Crew Janci LLP said documents show that Wroblewski continued his pattern of inappropriate boundary violations with female students. In 2009, the District received
were in with Wroblewski and what his conduct signified. “You have been guilty of serious misconduct; as indicated above, your conduct constitutes sexual harassment of students,” the school informed Wroblewski via letter. “Your behavior is strictly forbidden by state and federal law as well as the District’s policies.” At that time, as outlined by District Attorney Jeff Auxier in the criminal case against the teacher, Wroblewski was again given another list of expectations, and again told that he would have no physical contact with students unless it was necessary to prevent injury or to provide aid. The state argued that, while these instances took place a decade prior to the charges Wroblewski stood accused of, they represented the “defendant has engaged in
grooming, pushing limits and using his position to access and victimize this community for years.” “The School found Wroblewski ‘guilty’ of ‘sexual harassment of students.’ But other than multiple empty warnings, the School did nothing,” the law firm said. “Despite it all, the St. Helens School District continued to allow Wroblewski to serve as a teacher and coach - giving him continued access to children.” Fast forward to the summer of 2017, when the complaint alleges Wroblewski first expressed to Plaintiff Doe that he had sexual feelings for her. After school began in the fall, Wroblewksi began “noticeably singling out Plaintiff for special attention.” As a result of the teacher’s grooming, the complaint alleges, Doe confided in Wroblewski that she was experiencing severe emotional problems in her personal life. The teacher began sexually abusing her a month later, and the abuse increased in frequency and severity over the coming months. The abuse occurred in various places, and sometimes on school grounds. The complaint alleges during the spring of 2017-2018, the relationship between Wroblewski and the student was discussed widely throughout the school and had become known to certain school staff. In January of 2018, the complaint alleges another student notified numerous District personnel about the relationship but was cautioned by a staff member
to exercise discretion because such allegations are a “serious thing.” The complaint alleges no steps were taken by the Defendants or their agents to investigate, report, or prevent Wroblewski’s future abuse of Doe. Perhaps more disturbing, as outlined in the complaint, in April of 2018 after some of the abuse had already occurred, Doe informed a female track coach of further emotional problems - she was cutting herself and struggling with suicidal ideations. As a result, a counseling session was set up with AndersonBibler, and the complaint alleges she allowed Wroblewski to not only participate, but to direct the entire session. A month after the counseling session, Wroblewski was arrested on 32 counts of second-degree sexual abuse, two counts of official misconduct and one count of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. “Our client was obviously in distress and he took advantage of that. He preyed on that,” Crew said. “They put a team together to help her and he kind of directed that team. That just made things even worse. Then, he’s out on bail and he abuses her again.” Wroblewski was first arrested in May of 2018 and remained out of custody subject to a release agreement. He was arrested again in August for violating that release agreement by trying to contact Doe. He was arrested for a third and final time shortly thereafter for the same violation. Crew said the firm will proceed with the litigation, and the first step will be to exchange discovery with the school district. He said the firm will get any and all documents that are in any way relevant to the case and will also take depositions, or sworn statements, from school administrators, union officials, teachers, staff, and anybody else who might have pertinent information on the case. “I think it’s an important case. If we don’t settle it, we’ll take it to trial,” Crew said. “I think the school district afforded him more rights than they did to my client, and the result was a disaster for her.”
•C ommunity C alendar • •
Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St., Clatskanie. Tuesdays: • The VFW meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 960 SW 5th St., Clatskanie. • The Columbia County Law Library will be holding Court Forms Clinics every Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (weather permitting). Get help filling our court forms commonly used in the Columbia County courthouse. The forms are free and the clinic is free. Sign up is required and is available at the courthouse Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or at the Law Library Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 3
p.m. 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Questions: 503-396-5344 or ccll@columbiacll.org or davis12000@aol.com. Wednesdays: • Rotary Club of Columbia County – St. Helens meeting is held at the Warren Country Inn at 12 p.m. For more information, call 503-397-2341. • Columbia SWCD meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens. December’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. • Lawyer in the Law Library is a series of talks about common legal problems. Meeting are on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8
p.m. A lawyer will provide basic information and answer your questions about the topic of the evening. Columbia County Law Library, 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Call 503-396-5344 with questions. • Port of Columbia County Board of Commissioners hold meetings at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Port of Columbia County office, 100 E St., Columbia City. Thursdays: • The Veterans breakfast is held the first Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St.,
Clatskanie. • The regular monthly Rainier Chamber of Commerce meeting is held on the second Thursday of every month at 12 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Lunch is provided for a suggested $6 donation. Fridays: • Veteran’s Breakfast at the Village Inn in the Banquet Room the first Friday of every month. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the meeting starts at 8 a.m. Guest speakers will discuss topics that are important to local Veterans and their families. All veterans are welcome to attend.
Saturdays: • NAMI Columbia County Support Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness, meets on the second Saturday of every month from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Elks Veterans Bunker, 125 S. 13th St., St Helens, Oregon. For more information, contact Judy Thompson 503-397-6056 or contact NAMI Oregon at 503230-8009. • The Rainier Historical Museum is open every Saturday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. It is located inside Rainier City Hall. Please enter the side entrance and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
•B lotters • •
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. Rainier Police Department October 15 • Officers responded to a residential alarm. It was set off accidentally. • Officers were dispatched to a family disturbance. Peace was restored. • A local resident reported fraudulent activity on their bank account. • Officers assisted a motorist who accidentally drove off the roadway. No injuries were reported. October 16 • A caller was concerned about a vehicle that was parked and partially blocking a lane of travel. The vehicle was gone when an officer arrived at the location.
• A woman reported that she was driving a friend to Vancouver. Along the way, they stopped at a local store to use the restroom. When the woman came out, the friend and vehicle were gone. The woman wanted to report the vehicle as stolen. The vehicle was not registered to the woman and the parties had been alternating as drivers. The registered owner did not contact police to report the vehicle as stolen. October 17 • Officers responded to a false residential burglar alarm. October 19 • An officer went to check on a report of a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was no longer in the area when the officer arrived. • A caller reported two dogs that had been involved in a fight and was worried about their welfare. An officer spoke to the dog’s owner who advised that her sister came to visit and brought her dog. One of the dogs was in heat and the two got into a tiff. The victim dog was taken to the vet to be checked out. October 21 • A local business reported receiv-
ing a counterfeit $100 bill. October 23 • A possible domestic situation was referred to the district attorney’s office for review. October 24 • An officer assisted a motorist who had a flat tire. October 25 • An officer attempted to stop a bicyclist that was riding on the shoulder of Highway 30 without lighting or reflectors in the early morning hours. The rider refused to stop despite repeated attempts to get him to comply. • A woman called saying that she received a text and believed that her boyfriend was going to hurt himself. Officers were able to locate the man, who said he had no intention of hurting himself, but thought she may have claimed that to have police contact him as the couple was not currently getting along. • A reporting party advised they saw two ‘shady’ looking men go into a store. No persons matching the caller’s description were found in the area.
Photo: Cynthia Forney
The Clatskanie Tigers saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the league championship game last Friday.
FOOTBALL From Page A1
kins. The Rainier Columbians have made it at least the last 10 years, according to Graden Blue, RJSHS Principal and Athletic Director. Last year, the Columbians defeated the Tigers during the quarterfinals, Tompkins said. The Columbians then went on to win the state championship 44-14 against the Cascade Christian High School Challengers and had an undefeated 13-0 season, according to the
OSAA website. Before then, the Columbians had won the OSAA 3A Football State Championship in 2010. The Columbians’ tactic will be to lead from the start, according to the team’s athletic director. “We’ve got a pretty strong frontline, we’ll lead the lineup there,” Blue said. For now, the team’s goals are pretty simple, according to football coach, Mike King. “We try not to look forward. We’re completely and totally focused on tomorrow night, playing Madras. If we can take care of business
tomorrow, we can take care of next Friday,” King said. If the Columbians win this game, they will play either the Amity High School Warriors or the Brookings-Harbor High School Bruins next weekend. For the Clatskanie Tigers, experience will be the name of the game, according to Tompkins. “We have a whole lot of seniors on the team, 15 seniors, all of them have been to the playoffs the last four years,” Tompkins said. “So there’s a lot of experience in the playoffs and what it takes.”
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PERMIT TECHNICIAN Columbia County, OR See website for details www. co.columbia.or.us Deadline: 11-15-19 EOE SUPPORT SERVICES CLERK Columbia County, OR See website for details www. co.columbia.or.us Deadline: 11-12-19 EOE
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Public Notices CC19-1100
TS No. OR08000171-17-1S APN 10324 TO No 170373145-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE
Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, ROBERT A MARTINEZ, AND ANGELA M MARTINEZ, HUSBAND AND WIFE as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE CO. as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for CWB MORTGAGE VENTURES, LLC DBA RESPONSE MORTGAGE, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of September 11, 2009 and recorded on September 14, 2009 as Instrument No. 2009008642 and the beneficial interest was assigned to Bank of America, N.A. and recorded July 9, 2012 as Instrument Number 2012005174 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 10324 COMMENCING AT THAT CORNER OF THE AARON BROYLES DONATION LAND CLAIM WHICH IS
14.52 FEET NORTH AND 450.78 FEET EAST OF THE QUARTER CORNER BETWEEN SECTIONS 4 AND 5 IN TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, A FIR TREE 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER BEARS NORTH 15° 10` WEST 20 FEET, AND RUNNING THENCE NORTH 65° 20` EAST 196.66 FEET TO AN IRON PIN AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE HOULTON BUILDING ASSOCIATION`S LOT, THIS IS THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; AN OAK TREE 20 INCHES IN DIAMETER MARKED “B X T” BEARS SOUTH 21° 20` WEST 55.29 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 70° 40` WEST 50 FEET ALONG THE COUNTY ROAD TO AN IRON BAR; THENCE NORTH 19° 20` WEST 100 FEET TO AN IRON BAR; THENCE NORTH 70° 40` EAST 50 FEET TO AN IRON BAR; THENCE SOUTH 19° 20` EAST 100 FEET TO THE
PLACE OF BEGINNING (MAGNETIC VARIATION NORTH 21° 30` EAST), ALL IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 2310 COLUMBIA BLVD, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051-1638 Both the Beneficiary, Bank of America, N.A., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 89 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2012 to 06/01/2019 at $1,012.97 3 Monthly Payment(s) from 07/01/2019 to 09/01/2019 at $1,067.34 Monthly Late Charge(s): 1 Monthly Late Charge(s) 9/4/2019 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately
due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $152,468.29 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.87500% per annum from January 1, 2012 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on January 13, 2020 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to
satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the
chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 09/04/2019, By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Order Number 64172, Pub Dates: 10/18/2019, 10/25/2019, 11/01/2019, 11/08/2019, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC19-1103
TS No. OR07000118-19-1 APN 14365 TO No 191040221-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, NATHAN THILAVAN as Grantor to TICOR TITLE as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for PACIFIC RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 30, 2018 and recorded on August 31, 2018 as Instrument No. 201807353 and the beneficial interest was assigned to AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC and recorded July 26, 2019 as Instrument Number 2019-05896 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 14365 LOT 12, BLOCK 28, CITY OF COLUMBIA
CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 2050 3RD ST, COLUMBIA CITY, OR 97018 Both the Beneficiary, AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 6 Monthly Payment(s) from 04/01/2019 to 09/01/2019 at $2,169.47 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 10/01/2019 to 10/01/2019 at $2,311.54 Monthly Late Charge(s): 09/24/2019 By
this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $276,070.59 together with interest thereon at the rate of 5.62500% per annum from March 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on January 28, 2020 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Courthouse 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at
public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due
had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In
construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 09/24/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300Order Number 64852, Pub Dates: 11/01/2019, 11/08/2019, 11/15/2019, 11/22/2019, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC19-1123
Notice of Availability of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Lower Columbia Watershed Restoration Project The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), in partnership with the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District as the project sponsor, and with cooperation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces the availability of a Final Watershed Plan-
Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to improve water quality and enhance fish and wildlife habitat within a portion of the ColumbiaClatskanie River sub-basin in Northwest Oregon. These improvements will be partially funded through the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership
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Program, utilizing the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (PL 83-566) authority. The proposed project will improve and restore the physical, chemical, and biological processes of aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitats through voluntary, localized enhancement and restoration activities. The environmental
assessment of this federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings, the NRCS Oregon State Conservationist has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impacts statement are not needed
for this project. The FONSI has been forwarded to various federal, state and local agencies and interested parties. The FONSI and supporting planning documents are available for public view on the following website: http://bit.ly/ columbiawatershedproject. A hard copy of the FONSI and Watershed Plan are also available at the Columbia
SWCD office located at 35285 Millard Road in St. Helens, Oregon. No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be taken until 30 days after the date of this publication. For questions about this action, contact Leo Preston, NRCS Basin Team Leader, at 503-3767613 or Leo.Preston@usda. gov
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Public Notices CC19-1106
TS No. OR08000140-18-4 APN 11353 TO No 191102148 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BARRY L EVANS as Grantor to TICOR TITLE COMPANY OF OREGON as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for USA DIRECT FUNDING, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 1, 2017 and recorded on August 4, 2017 as Instrument No. 2017-07168 and the beneficial interest was assigned to The Money Source Inc. and recorded October 15, 2018 as Instrument Number 201808781 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 11353 LOT
1, BLOCK 119, CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 496 S 15TH ST, ST HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, The Money Source Inc., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 6 Monthly Payment(s) from 05/01/2019 to 10/01/2019 at $971.54 Monthly Late Charge(s): 09/25/2019 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared
all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $166,236.35 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.37500% per annum from April 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on February 11, 2020 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Courthouse 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest
bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no
default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In
construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 09/25/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300Order Number 64969, Pub Dates: 11/08/2019, 11/15/2019, 11/22/2019, 11/29/2019, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC19-1107
TS No. OR06000034-19-1 APN 10880 TO No 191017545 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, GERAD E. MILLER, A SINGLE MAN as Grantor to CHICAGO TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY OF OREGON as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of December 8, 2018 and recorded on December 18, 2018 as Instrument No. 201810425 and the beneficial interest was assigned to THE MONEY SOURCE INC and recorded August 23, 2019 as Instrument Number 2019-06768 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN:
10880 LOT 18, BLOCK 83, CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 465 SOUTH 9TH STREET, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051-2511 Both the Beneficiary, The Money Source Inc., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 3 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2019 to 05/01/2019 at $1,642.36 4 Monthly Payment(s) from 06/01/2019 to 09/01/2019 at $1,641.86 Monthly Late
CC19-1124
CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE Rainier City Council will Meet Monday November 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at 106 West B Street, Rainier Ore. Agenda Items include: Consider Approval of
•
Employment Agreement By and Between City of Rainier Public Works/ Clerical And Chauffeurs, Teamsters & Helpers, Local 58.
Charge(s): 9/24/2019 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $249,460.03 together with interest thereon at the rate of 5.62500% per annum from February 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on February 11, 2020 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County Courthouse 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal
CC19-1125
November 9 • Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 930 NE 5th St., Clatskanie, OR 97016. • Rainier Veterans to be honored from noon – 4 p.m. at the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum located on the 3rd floor of the Rainier City Hall (use side entrance). Each
veteran will be honored with an 8x10 photo. All pictures have been put on a CD and will be sold for $5. The exhibit includes war memorabilia and uniforms donated and shared by local veterans. If you would like to honor a family member that has lived in the Rainier area, and add them to next year’s exhibit, you can submit their photo and military history to the Rainier Museum any Saturday from noon – 4 p.m. or send to kay-lynn2@hotmail. com November 12 • The Lower Columbia River Watershed Council is holding its Annual Meeting and would like your attendance. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Clatskanie PUD. There will be a presentation from
MONTHLY MEETING NOTICE Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection The Clatskanie Library District board of directors will hold a regular scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the library located at 11 Lillich. Agenda items include, but are not limited
Curtis Loeb, PE a watershed restoration engineer and an expert on beavers as habitat leaders. Please bring a friend or neighbor along to learn more about what we do to improve the health of our watershed. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin A. Cronin, CoCoordinator, 503 984 6489, or kevinadamscronin@gmail.com. November 14 • Lower Columbia Genealogical Society invites you to Beyond Names and Dates; Filling in the Stories of our Female Ancestors at 7 p.m. Pam Vestal is a full-time genealogist and lecturer in Oregon and will be helping us fill in our stories at this meeting. Somerset Retirement Apartments, in the dining room, 2025 Tibbetts Dr., Longview, Washington.
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to the following; approval of the October 8, 2019 minutes, approval of the financial report and payment of the bills, technology proposal reviews and any other business brought before the board.
•
District MEETING NOTICE
The regular meeting of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:00pm at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR,
Larry Allen Willson
June 25, 1949 ~ Nov. 1, 2019 Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2019 is a fitting day for the celebration of life for Larry Allen Willson at 2 p.m. at Longview Memorial Park, 5050 Mt. Solo Road, Longview, Washington. He passed away during a brief stay at Longview Hospice Care Center on November 1, 2019 with his loving family at his side. Larry was born in Longview, Washington on June 25, 1949 to Clyde and Vernie (Agnes Richard) Willson. Except for two years in Randle, Washington, the Willsons lived in the Clatskanie area. After graduating from Clatskanie High School in 1967, Larry was drafted by lottery into the U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division. His unit fought in the Vietnam War where he was seriously wounded in combat. In 1969 he was awarded the Purple
Heart and other commendations. On October 19, 1973, he married Mandy Rice, and they observed their 46th wedding anniversary last month at their home in Longview. Larry worked at Beaver Lumber Company in Clatskanie and the Trojan power plant in Rainier before retir-
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Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School). Items on the agenda, but not limited to: Updates on daily Fire and EMS operations. Board President, Robert Keyser
•O bituaries • •
LONGVIEW, CLATSKANIE, & RAINIER’S ONLY INDEPENDENT & LOCALLY OWNED FACILITIES
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construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 09/24/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300Order Number 64971, Pub Dates: 11/08/2019, 11/15/2019, 11/22/2019, 11/29/2019, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC19-1119
•C ommunity E vents • •
November 8 • Beaver Valley Grange Fall Sale & Bazaar from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proceeds support hall, donations to Hospice, Dictionary Project, Dogs for Better Living. Come shop for Handcrafts, Baked Goods, Clothing, Housewares, have lunch. 75942 Larson Rd, Rainier. From Hwy 30 two miles West of L&C Bridge, turn toward schools, first building on left.
as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In
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ing in 2002. Friends and family will remember his self-effacing sense of humor and his goodnatured acceptance of his lengthy disability. Despite it, he took his children camping and agate hunting. He especially enjoyed fishing and hunting and visits to the museums at Fort Lewis, Washington. Larry is survived by his wife Mandy; daughters Lisa (Donnie) White and Joy Rice; son Larry (Kristi) Willson, Jr; brothers Curt (Susanne) Willson and Verne Willson; sister Shirley (Darrell) Veltcamp; granddaughters Brittney, McKatelyn and Destinee Dozier, Summer, Sierra and Kaylee Willson; three great-grandchildren; two nieces; and a nephew. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister Rita Johnson.
Darlene Slotte Jan. 8, 1947 ~ Nov. 3, 2019
Darlene Slotte passed away on Nov. 3, 2019.
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Friday, November 8, 2019
CRFR Volunteer Association Toy N Joy applications now available Columbia River Fire & Rescue Volunteer Association Toy N Joy program is currently accepting applications for the 2019 holiday season. Toy N Joy along with the Kiwanis Holiday Hope program assists families in need during the Christmas season by providing a holiday meal and gifts. The deadline for applications is Monday, December 9, 2019 at 5 p.m. Please drop applications off at the Columbia River Fire and Rescue Administrative office located at 270 Colum-
bia Blvd, St. Helens or at the Rainier Fire Station at 211 W. 2nd Street, Rainier. The Toy N Joy Program is sponsored by the Columbia River Fire and Rescue Volunteer Association and has supplied toys and gifts to families for over 30 years. Proud donors include: Merchants Toy N Joy Auction, Kiwanis Holiday Hope, Columbia Pacific Food Bank, HOPE of Rainier along with private donors. The Kiwanis Holiday Hope Program is sponsored by Kiwanis Club
of St. Helens and has supplied meals to families for 80 years. In 2018, the combined programs provided food, toys, books, and clothing to over 300 families. Applicants must reside in the Columbia River Fire and Rescue District, which includes St. Helens, Columbia City, Deer Island, Warren, Yankton, Goble and Rainier areas. Applications must be submitted and signed by a parent or legal guardian of the recipient family. No applications or referrals from non-
family members are accepted. Grandparents may apply for assistance for grandchildren who they have legal custody of unless the grandparent’s permanent residence is with the family. Applicants are encouraged to make their requests as early as possible to ensure each request is considered. Applications can be picked up at the following locations: • Columbia River Fire &
Rescue Administration Office • Rainier Fire Station • State of Oregon Department of Human Services • Columbia Pacific Food Bank • HOPE of Rainier • Community Action Team • The Public Health Foundation of Columbia County • Columbia Community Mental Health The annual Merchant’s Toy & Joy Auction will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion
building. Tickets are $30 each, available to purchase at the CRF&R Administrative office or online. The Columbia River Fire and Rescue Volunteer Association looks forward to doing their part to bring holiday cheer to the community through the Toy N Joy program. For more information about donating or how you or your organization can help, please contact Jennifer Motherway, CRF&R Toy and Joy coordinator at 503-396-1841.
Columbia County property tax statements mailed, payments due Nov. 15 The Columbia County Finance and Taxation Department recently sent taxpayers their annual property tax statement. Payments are due by November 15. Property taxes pay for a number of critical services. These include public safety (law enforcement, fire and emergency services), parks, schools, refuse disposal, recycling, public transportation, public defense, elections, community justice and a host of other important municipal services. Columbia County will collect $78,991,571 in taxes from both businesses and private landowners this year. But the majority of that amount doesn’t stay in county coffers – only 9.37 percent, or roughly $7.4 million goes into the county’s general fund. An additional 4.00 percent, or $3.1 million, goes to the Jail Operation Fund from the local option levy approved by county voters. General fund dollars
largely pay for county law enforcement and public safety, including Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, jail operations and the district attorney’s office. The remainder pays for general county administration, including the assessor’s office, land development services, juvenile services and the county commission. More than 85 percent of property tax funds collected are distributed to local schools, cities and special districts, such as those that manage 911 services or soil and water conservation, to name a few. Here’s the breakdown: Schools $35,787,164 - 45 percent Fire districts $13,704,221 - 17 percent Columbia County government $10,562,885 - 13 percent City governments $7,750,131 - 10 percent Special districts
$5,987,451 – 8 percent Urban renewal $3,803,976 - 5 percent Drainage/Special Assessments $1,395,743 - 2 percent TOTAL - $78,991,571 Columbia County has 99 tax code areas that are comprised of various combinations of taxing districts that serve that area. Therefore, where your property is located dictates the rate and type of taxes you pay. City dwellers can often pay more than rural property owners because of local taxes that go to parks, libraries or local voter-approved bonds, among other benefits. On the top left of your property tax statement is your code number. To see the exact charges for your specific code, go to the county Assessor’s webpage at columbiacountyor.gov and open the 2019-20 Summary of Assessment & Tax Roll. The document contains a list of all agencies in the county
that receive the taxes. The vast majority of taxes – more than 45 percent – goes towards education, including five school districts, one educational service district and Portland Community College. Fire districts receive more than 17 percent of the total. These districts cover
the entire county, from Vernonia to Clatskanie to Scappoose. The county tax assessor, an elected official, regulates property taxes and bases them on the most recent property value assessment for homes, businesses and land. The assessor determines how often assess-
ments are performed, and what percentage of property value is taxed. For more information about your Columbia County tax statement, or if you believe your property tax assessment was unfair, contact the county Assessor’s office at 503-397-2240.
Offbeat Oregon History: Skill, stout shipbuilding kept U.S.S. Peacock shipwreck fatality-free
The U.S.S. Peacock in 1840, during a cruise to Antarctica, stuck in the ice.
Chief guest column by FINN J.D. JOHN
With all the ships that have come to grief there over the years, and all the sailors who have drowned as a result, it’s a little ironic that the shipwreck that gave Peacock Spit its name was as uneventful as it was. But then, the only reason the U.S.S. Peacock didn’t break into pieces and drown all hands within hours of slamming into the sand was that it was a United States Navy ship. That meant it was crewed by some of the besttrained sailors in the world, and built solidly enough for iron shot to bounce off its sides. Peacock spit isn’t actually a spit, in the common sense of the word. Rather, it’s a spitshaped sandbar running about half a dozen miles out into the sea on the north side of the mouth of the Columbia River. It’s essentially invisible; the ocean waves crossing it look just like they do everywhere else in the sea; but instead of the ocean being 30 or 40 fathoms deep there, it’s 10 or 15 feet. This is, of course, a big problem if you’re in a ship that draws 16 feet of water. Also, that water depth may not be of much use to your ship, but it’s plenty deep enough for you to drown in. On the day that the U.S.S. Peacock slammed into the spit, the spit as yet had no name. In fact, it wasn’t even a known threat to navigation. It was July 17, 1841, mariners had as yet very little experience with the dangers of the Columbia River Bar. The U.S.S. Peacock was a three-masted sloop of war, 117 feet long, built in 1813 in New York. This was, of
course, in the middle of the War of 1812, so the Peacock was stocked with a total of 22 guns, outfitted with a crew of 140 men, and sent to sea to carry the fight to the enemy. After the war was over, the Peacock patrolled the seas battling with pirate ships and interdicting the slave ships that continued furtively crossing the Atlantic in defiance of the 1807 law outlawing the trade. She was hauled into dry dock and completely rebuilt in 1828 — according to one source, the hull was literally replaced with brand-new wood. At the same time, she was reduced to 10 guns and refitted as an exploring ship. Then, the Navy sent the little warship out on less colorful, but arguably more interesting missions — mapping the world’s trade routes and exploring distant islands. This was the early Victorian period, the 1820s and 1830s, and it was the great age of Naval exploration — Napoleon was defeated, the world was mostly at peace, and Navy ships, in lieu of fighting wars, fanned out across the globe mapping and surveying and exploring, staffed with both warriors and scientists. The H.M.S. Beagle, the 10-gun brig on which Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands, was one of these. The U.S.S. Enterprise, on the 1966 television show Star Trek, was clearly inspired by this era, with Science Officer Spock standing in for Darwin and deep interstellar space for the unknown waters of the South Seas. It was on one of these exploratory-and-scientific missions that the U.S.S. Peacock stood out from Oahu, in what was then known to American and British sailors as the Sandwich Islands, bound for Fort George — the
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Photo: U.S. Navy
port city we know today as Astoria. The Peacock’s captain, Lieutenant William L. Hudson, had been given specific instructions for crossing the bar by another skipper in Oahu. As he approached the shore, he made out the cliffs of Cape Disappointment, and set about following the directions he’d received. And all seemed to be going smoothly, until he saw what looked like breakers just ahead of the ship. Assuming he’d gotten something wrong, Hudson dropped off the wind and sailed northward until the sea was no longer breaking. Then he brought the ship back landward and resumed following his directions.
Photo: U.S. Navy
The U.S.S. Peacock attacking the H.M.S. Nautilus just after the War of 1812, which the Peacock’s skipper was unaware had ended, in 1815.
Hudson ordered his first mate to launch the cutter and take soundings around the ship. While he was doing that, the wind picked up; a summer squall was developing, with gusting winds and even some hail. The tide was still ebbing, and suddenly those “breakers” were picking up the Peacock and slamming her against the sandy bottom as the cutter crew scrambled to get back aboard the ship before their little boat swamped and sank. What followed was a desperate scramble to keep the ship pointing into the seas as they pounded down onto the pinned and doomed ship, slamming her again and again onto the sandy bottom. At one point, an anchor chain broke, causing the Peacock to swing
A little later, the inevitable happened: The Peacock struck bottom, about four miles west of shore. Only, of course, now he wasn’t heading toward the mouth of the river at all. The breakers Hudson saw were most likely combers breaking across the sides of the channel just offshore from the bar, caused by the tide ebbing out into the teeth of the incoming sea. By sailing north until they stopped, Hudson had taken the Peacock out of the channel and into the innocuous-looking waters over Peacock Spit. A little later, the inevitable happened: The Peacock struck bottom, about four miles west of shore. The crew scrambled to try to get the ship turned around before she stuck fast. But it was not to be — the ship struck again, and again, and the wind and sea started pushing her broadside to the swells.
broadside to the combing seas, and most of the crew likely figured they were done for. But the United States Navy has never much gone in for delicate ships, and the Peacock was no exception. She held together as the crew put out a new anchor and dumped weight off the stern, so that the wave action would swing that end around and head the ship into the seas again. Then ebb tide was over, and night fell. In the early morning hours the next day, ebb tide came again, and even bigger combers started thundering down on the pinned ship, great walls of green water that carried all before them. The larboard bulwarks were breached, and the spar deck flooded. It seemed inconceivable that the ship could survive the pounding
it was taking — surely the Peacock was about to break apart, four miles from land, and drown all hands in this raging sea. But it didn’t happen. The Peacock toughed it out, and when dawn came, and with it the end of the heavy ebb, they lost no time in starting the process of launching lifeboats. They got the first group of three boats off relatively easily. But by the time they returned for more survivors, the seas and currents had picked up again — probably the next ebb was starting — and they couldn’t reach the ship. They tried several times, until Hudson, worried they’d lose one or more of the boats in the attempt, ran the ensign up the mizzen mast as a signal to break it off. Then came the full ebbdriven pounding once again. Hudson ordered the masts cut away — by now he surely knew well the ship would never sail again — to reduce the pounding. He knew if the ship could just get through this one more round of ebb tide, he and the rest of the crew would likely make it. Luck — along with fantastic ship construction — was with them. The end of the ebb found the Peacock still wallowing in the sea, battered and full of water, but still intact. And now, well after sunset, the lifeboats were finally able to get to the stricken ship and rescue the remaining crew members, along with Hudson, her captain. For the exhausted, shivering mariners, the four-mile rowboat run ended with a reunion with their shipmates around roaring fires that the sailors had lit on shore to warm themselves. The sailors had also built several brush huts to sleep in, and two Methodist missionaries and a
Hudson’s Bay Company agent from Fort George had arrived with food and drink and other supplies. It’s a good bet most of them had never seen such a welcome sight in their lives. Hudson and his shipmates barely got off the ship in time. When they rowed back out to the scene of the shipwreck, hoping to salvage some other things from the Peacock, they found that that last round of ebb-driven combers had finally broken the ship apart. All that was left, sticking up out of the sea, was the cap of her bowsprit. Over the next few days, this, too, sank into the sand of the spit — where the keel and timbers of the Peacock remain to this day, rotting quietly away, having become a part of the invisible peninsula that today bears the Peacock’s name. As for the crew, they were evacuated to Fort George, and the Navy purchased the brig Thomas Perkins as a replacement. On this ship (which they renamed the U.S.S. Oregon) the crew continued their mission. (Sources: Howerton, Norman A. “Untold Story of the Peacock, Wrecked in 1841,” an article by Norman A. Howerton published in the June 1942 issue of Oregon Historical Quarterly; “U.S.S. Peacock,” an article by Haley Best published on 07 Mar 2019 in The Oregon Encyclopedia) Finn J.D. John teaches at Oregon State University and writes about odd tidbits of Oregon history. His book, Heroes and Rascals of Old Oregon, was recently published by Ouragan House Publishers. To contact him or suggest a topic: finn@offbeatoregon. com or 541-357-2222.
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Friday, November 8, 2019
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Honoring our heroes
Rainier Veterans to be honored On Saturday, November 9, from noon until 4 p.m. at the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum located on the 3rd floor of the Rainier City Hall (use side entrance). This is the third year that the Rainier museum has honored their Veterans. In the last three years our exhibit has grown from 65 to 198 veteran photos and snapshots from World War II, the Vietnam and Korean War. Each Rainier veteran will be honored with an 8x10 photo. All
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Land of the free, courtesy of the brave. Thank you Veterans
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We honor those who gave their lives.
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Honoring all who served
these pictures have been put on a CD and will be sold for $5.00. The exhibit also includes war memorabilia and uniforms donated and shared by local veterans. If you would like to honor a family member that has lived in the Rainier area, and add them to next year’s exhibit, you can submit their photo and military history to the Rainier museum any Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. or send to kay-lynn2@ hotmail.com.
Thank you Veterans for your service
298 S. 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon • 503-396-5108
Located where the St Helens Cafe used to be.
Columbia Funeral Home & Cremation Center Columbia Memorial Gardens 681 Columbia Blvd. St Helens, OR • 503.397.1154 • www.columbiafh.com
D.R. Garrison, CPA, PC
Phone: 503.366.0994 • Fax: 503.366.2632 • Email: dan@drgtax.com Office Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fri: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Closed Sat & Sun
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Friday, November 8, 2019
Veterans Memorial Plaza dedicated Dedication ceremony recognizes hard work and collaboration between groups CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
The new Veterans Memorial Plaza at McCormick Park in St. Helens, which honors veterans across Columbia County lost in wars, is now open after an official dedication ceremony on Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. The dedication ceremony had two goals: to celebrate the completion of the project, and to recognize the partnerships between VFW Post 1440, businesses, government entities and community members who helped support the new plaza. Names of more than 150 men are listed on the memorial, which has been improved and expanded from the original. The former memorial, dedicated in 1958 and originally located along Highway 30 at Columbia Boulevard, had wooden plaques with hand-carved named of veterans engraved on top. Some plaques on the former memorial were lost during the widening of the highway and had to be replaced. The new memorial includes all the names that were missing, as well as additional ones discovered through research. It also has a bigger footprint, a new covered area to provide additional seating options during inclement weather, and additional names of servicemen who died in World War I, World War II and Korea. There is also now an additional plaque to honor those lost in more recent conflicts, like Vietnam and the Middle East.
Christine Menges/The Chief
Christine Menges/The Chief
Sen. Betsy Johnson and other dignitaries gather around right after the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the Veterans Memorial Plaza.
The newly dedicated Veterans Memorial Plaza at McCormick Park. The memorial has more names of Columbia County veterans who died in combat, or from injuries after returning home, among other improvements.
Approximately 50 people attended the dedication ceremony. They heard from six people from various groups who collaborated on the project either financially or through other contributions about the work that took place to make it happen. Jenny Dimsho, City of St. Helens Associate Planner, spoke about the two major design shifts that happened mid-way through the designing and planning phase. Dimsho secured the $46,770 grant from the Oregon Parks & Recreation Veterans & War Memorials Grant Program that made the project possible. The project was also offered an additional $48,000 grant by the VFW
our project partners to make that happen.” One of the project partners was Lower Columbia Engineering. Andrew Niemi, Principal Engineer, spoke about the top priority the project made of restoring the wooden slabs of engraved names on the monument. 10 years ago, Niemi said, someone had pointed out to him that several of the original wood slabs on the first monument had gone missing after the widening of Highway 30. “She showed me pictures of some of the men who built the slabs to honor their fallen comrades,” Niemi said. “We had to somehow give that
Post 1440, which sparked one of the design shifts. Another shift happened when site preparation led the city to more than double the size of the memorial, enabling the wall to incorporate existing monuments of names of soldiers. Projects funded by state grants must be done on a certain timeline, which made the design changes more challenging to incorporate, Dimsho explained. “We had a deadline and I was really worried that these changes were going to get in the way of meeting our requirements,” Dimsho said. “Fortunately, I was able to rely on the flexibility of our project team at the city and
back to those guys and honor those individuals who have served so diligently.” Not wanting to make any mistakes in researching the names, Niemi outsourced that part of the project to Brandon Sundeen, a local historian and member of the Columbia County Museum Association (CCMA) board of directors. Sundeen said he started researching names two years ago. “My goal was to make sure that everybody that has earned the right to be memorialized here, that their name would be found here,” Sundeen said. “I’ve spent many hours scouring archives and visiting cemeteries and going through old newspaper pages. It’s been worth every minute.” Six missing names from World War I have been added, as well as 36 for World War II, 12 for Vietnam, and four for the conflicts in the Middle East. There are blank spaces still on the memorial, room for any other fallen soldiers who are later discovered. Sundeen said he is not sure that he has found all names of Columbia County soldiers who were lost in wars. Gene Hester, judge advocate for VFW Post 1440 also spoke, saying at the begin-
ning of the project, he knew names needed to be updated on the memorial to include people from Vietnam and Middle Eastern conflicts. He spoke about the collaboration that was necessary between VFW Post 1440, Lower Columbia Engineering and the city to update the memorial. “It has been a lot of meetings and a lot of work. We could not have had a better team of people and I am honored that I had an opportunity to be on this team,” Hester said. Hester said the monument is a work in progress, and spoke about additional changes in store, one in particular that will honor military families. He himself has lost a son in a war and has another son about to be deployed. “I know what the stresses are and what families and their children go through,” Hester said. Seven podiums will be installed at the monument at a later date, with one of the podiums honoring what service personnel families endure, Hester said. The other six podiums will represent one of the six branches of service: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Merchant Marines. Each plaque will have a flag of the service branch and will include information describing the branch and their mission and history. The podiums will be located in the area between the shelter and the new wall, Hester explained, and will require between $10,000 to $15,000 to complete. “Just like the development of this new Veterans Memorial, we are somehow going to make this happen,” Hester said. The new Veterans Memorial Plaza will be used for larger veterans’ ceremonies in the future. One of its first events will be a Veterans Day recognition ceremony on Nov. 11. Overall, project leaders seemed pleased with their work. Niemi said about the finished project, “If you ever have the opportunity to come down here at nighttime and see it when it’s lit up, it’s just spectacular.”
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Friday, November 8, 2019
The veteran of tomorrow: No longer white and male
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Honoring Native American veterans Native Americans have a long history of serving in our military. Since the Civil War, they’ve taken part in armed conflicts as U.S. soldiers. In fact, the terms of surrender between the North and South were written by Ely S. Parker, one of two American Indians to reach the rank of brigadier general during the Civil War. Earlier this year, the United States Government announced the construction of a $15 million memorial celebrating Native American service members and veterans in Washington, D.C. In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, here are some of their achievements. WORLD WAR II
As the U.S. military undergoes significant demographic shifts, so too does the veteran population. In honor of Veterans Day, celebrated every year on November 11, here are some facts about the future of American veterans. MORE VETERANS ARE WOMEN According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the proportion of female veterans will almost double by 2043, from nine percent to 17 percent. In the wake of increased enrollment following the events of 9/11, women are actually the fastest growing group of veterans. They face particular challenges when trying to adjust to civilian life, many of which aren’t addressed by existing resources. THE AVERAGE AGE OF VETERANS IS CHANGING Currently, people aged 50 to 69 make up 42 percent of the veteran population. By 2043, however, the proportion of veterans under the age of 50 will increase considerably, as will the number of those over the age of 70. This means that the services offered to veterans will need to accommodate the needs of a more diverse population in terms of age. VETERANS ARE BECOMING MORE ETHNICALLY DIVERSE As the U.S. military becomes more diverse, it’s expected that the veteran population will exhibit the same trend. The proportion of non-Hispanic white veterans is likely to fall to 64 percent in 2043 from 78 percent in 2013. Since non-White veterans are disproportionately affected by issues such as homelessness and lack of access to resources, it’ll be important for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to work with community leaders to help ensure their well-being. Veterans of all genders, ages and ethnicity have sacrificed a lot to keep our country safe. On November 11, take a moment to thank them for their service.
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As many as 44,000 Native Americans joined
native languages to craft coded messages. In fact, the United States asked soldiers from a variety of tribes to develop secret combat communication systems. Their codes were never broken. TODAY
the military during World War II. They saw their first engagement in the Pacific Theater and were involved in many critical battles. Notably, they fought at Iwo Jima, where the iconic picture of native soldier, Ira Hayes, raising
the American flag with four of his fellow soldiers, was taken. In addition, Native American code talkers played a crucial role in the war effort. Native soldiers formed telephone squads and together they used their
Over 31,000 Native Americans serve in the Armed Forces today. They continue to be active in the military, serving all around the world. After 9/11, a large number of newly enrolled soldiers were Native Americans. Approximately 140,000 veterans alive today are Native American. This Veterans Day, take a moment to remember the long-standing involvement of Native Americans in our nation’s military history.
Five things you can do to support veterans If you’re looking for a meaningful way to mark Veterans Day this year, consider these five ways to support veterans in your community and around the country. 1. Give a veteran a ride to a doctor’s appointment. Many veterans who are disabled or infirm struggle with mobility issues and may not be able to drive themselves around. Consider volunteering for the Department of Veteran Affairs Transportation Network to drive veterans to their medical appointments. 2. Raise a service dog. Volunteer to help train a service dog to become a companion for a veteran. Organizations like Patriot Paws raise service dogs to help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical disabilities. 3. Send a thank-you letter or care package. Write letters expressing your thanks to the vets in your life. If you don’t have
any veterans in your family, the organization Operation Gratitude can help you send letters and care packages to veterans. 4. Participate in a Stand Down event. Stand Downs are events in which services are offered to homeless veterans, including food, clothing, shelter, health screenings, substance abuse treatment and veteran benefits counseling. These events typically last for one to three days. Volunteer to help facilitate a Stand Down event in your community. 5. Donate to charities that help veterans. Your donations don’t have to be financial contributions. Organizations like AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America will pick up your used clothes and household items to donate or sell at discounted prices to veterans and their families. You can even donate frequent flyer miles to the families of injured veterans so that their loved ones can travel to be with them in military hospitals across the country.
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Thank you Vets Columbia County Republicans celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice.
Celebrating our heroes, celebrating our country
On November 11th we ask you to join us to pay our respects to those who have served.
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Rainier Oregon Historical Museum shares local war story 32 Bomb Squadron, 301st Bomb Group in World War II
Final missions of the 32nd Bomb Squadron, 301st Bomb Group in World War II S/SGT. HAROLD B. WHITBECK Chief guest column
Photo courtesy:Pat Valpiana (Hedlock)
This photo is of the B-17 Miss BeHaven, aircraft number 44-6407, taken on location where it belly-landed in the summer of 1945. You can see the aircraft was being canniblaized by the locals at the time, as the damage from the landing and flak is visible. Also note the pilot had feathered two propellers prior to their bailout. S/SGT. HAROLD B. WHITBECK Chief guest column
This is the story of B-17 aircraft numbers 44-6407, 44-6737 and 44-6347 lost on the last two missions of the 32nd Bomb Squadron, 301st Bomb Group in World War II. On the mission of 14 March 1945, the Fifteenth Air Force dispatched 848 bombers against targets in Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. The 301st and 97th Bomb Groups used visual aiming to drop 193 tons of bombs on the marshaling yards in Komaron, Hungary, 20 miles from German lines. The 32nd Bomb Squadron was assigned this mission and I was the tail gunner on “Miss BeHaven” plane number 44-6407. Early that morning, after a light breakfast and briefing we departed Italy on our bombing mission to Komaron, Hungary. We encountered heavy flak before reaching the target and were forced to
drop our bombs prematurely due to our loss of power. With one engine out and two others with reduced power we were forced to attempt reaching Russian held territory in Poland. Keeping altitude was our immediate concern in reaching the front lines between the German and Russian ground forces. Somewhere near Myslenice, south of Cracow our situation became serious and at an altitude of approximately 1500 feet Lieutenant Walter Podasek, the pilot, put our plane on auto pilot and we bailed out. Due to ground fire, believed to be from the Russians, we were forced to ocillate in our chutes to avoid ground fire. Luckily, no one was hit, however the oscillating made the landings difficult. Knees were dislocated and some landing were in trees, steeples and rooftops. Russian forces believing we were paratroopers captured and jailed us even though I had an 18-inch square American Flag with me and called out that we
were “Amerikanza.” Jailing lasted a couple of days, however our Pilot, Lieutenant Walter Podasek spoke Polish and helped to arrange our release. We were then on our own, using bicycles, truck or on foot to Odessa Russia. Odessa was a collection point for downed Air Personnel. We arrived back at the 32nd Squadron’s base in Lucera, north of Foggia Italy by ocean freighter via the straits of Bosphorus, Crete to fly another day. It was the crew’s belief that Miss BeHaven had been destroyed in the crash. Fifty-two years later in 1997, information was received from Michal Mucha and Szymon Serwatka of Poland that our plane had continued to fly crewless for 300 kilometers. It had belly-landed in a field in a manner a real pilot could not have handled better. The landing location was between Krotoszyn and Ostrow south east of Poznan. (Michal and Szymon are conduction a WWII Aircraft MIA project in Poland).
On April 20, 1945, the Fifteenth dispatched 783 bombers, including a formation of 132 B-17s that dropped 388 tons of the Vipetino Marshaling Yard. The 301st and 2nd Groups put 91 percent of their bombs within 1,000 feet of the aiming point. Eight B-17s were listed as missing, including two from the 32nd. The unit encountered very accurate flak that hit 1st Lt. Howard Bower’s aircraft, number 446737, in the number 4 engine just prior to bomb release. The crew bailed out and became prisoners. Meanwhile, 1st Lt. Robert Adams, flying the “Princess O’Rourke,” number 44-6347, of the 32nd, fell back from the formation after the target. Apparently hit by flak, Adams flew towards France, but was intercepted by Swiss aircraft and was instructed to land. “Princess O’Rourke” became the only bomber of the 32nd Squadron and the 301st Group to be interned during the war. SSGT. Harold B. Whitbeck, a crew member on both of the missions, describes his recollections of the event narrated above: “Following our bailout of 44-6407 over Poland and capture by the Russians a few weeks earlier, with our regular crew piloted by Lt. Podasek, we were returned to our base at Lucera, Italy, just north of Foggia. Preceding the mission to Vipetino we had a “milk run,” where we bombed the “front lines” in Northern Italy. We fired our guns at ground level at anything that moved. On
Photo courtesy: Pat Valpiana (Hedlock)
“Princess O’Rourke” became the only bomber of the 32nd Bomb Squadron and the 301st group to be interned during the war.
our second mission after our bailout, we were scheduled to bomb the Vipetino Italy Marshaling Yards in the Brenner Pass. Stories were told that the ground gunners could fire downhill at you from the mountain sides. We left with the full compliment of enlisted men, but with a different officer crew. Our ship was piloted by 1st Lt. Robert Adams, whom we did not know previously and from whom we’ve never heard since. The enlisted crew consisted of Guns Burnham, right waist gunner, Fred Rasmussen, left waist gunner and radio, Vince Gamel, nose gunner and Joe Orman, ball turret. At the target we were hit by heavy flak, verifying stories of accurate fire from the ground and the mountainsides. We lost one engine on the right side of the “Princess,” plus losing power on a left-side engine. After dropping our bombs we
lagged behind, and unable to stay with the formation, the Pilot radioed the Command and we headed for France. We were then intercepted by Swiss fighters and forced to land at Dubendorf, where we took out two or three fences before we stopped. We were photographed, fingerprinted, interrogated and taken to Adelboden and the “Nevada Palace.” Our treatment was fair, allowing us freedom during the daylight hours, but off the streets at dark. We were not required to be at the hotel at night. Their food was generally less than desired, bland and often cold. Regimentation was lacking, but generally Swiss treatment was good. This was the last mission flown by the 32nd against an enemy in World War II. The war ended three weeks later, May 8, 1945, and I returned with the crew to the United States for further assignment.
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