$600,000 pool renovation project JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Demolition work could start before the end of the year for a nearly $600,000 renovation of the Clatskanie Pool. Built in 1958, the Clatskanie Pool is 90-feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 125,000 gallons of water. The pool now needs resurfacing, replacement of the old tile gutter system with a stainless steel gutter system which will require less maintenance, according to city officials. Also planned will be replacement of the current boiler and filtration system with updated, more efficient systems.
The origin and why it was built stands alone to its importance to the community. ~ Greg Hinkelman, Clatskanie City Manager
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
A nearly $600,000 renovation project at the Clatskanie Pool could begin before the end of the year.
Crews will also investigate multiple pool piping issues including current failures, potential failures and existing leaks. The wading pool will be replaced with a splash pad. “Wading pools are a thing of the past due to safety” Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said. The city has awarded a contract to a Wilsonville-based company Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
See POOL Page A2
Addison Moeller, left, of Clatskanie, Avery Harrel, of Rainier and Wayne Bosch of Skamania, enjoyed a cool off at the Clatskanie swimming pool during a hot day in August 2016.
Cemetery District making the best with what it has
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
In 2016 The Chief published a story with this photo showing the Clatskanie Synchronized Swimming Team performing a routine at the Clatskanie swimming pool.
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connections
The Oregon Health Authority recommends that all people with new symptoms constant with COVID-19, regardless of the severity, get tested.
COVID-19 cases surge, area health centers offering testing Monique Merrill / The Chief
The fence at Woodbine Cemetery in Rainier has been hit several times by speeding vehicles, said Rainier Cemetery District Board Member Judy Lepin. The sexton cannot keep up with repairs to the fence with all of his other duties. MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Faced with an increasingly tight budget, aging equipment and no support from its voting district, the Rainier Cemetery District is making some cuts to make ends meet. The district owns and maintains 12 cemeteries in Rainier and Clatskanie and is supported in part through property tax funds. Funding challenges The permanent tax rate for the district was set at $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value back in
the 1950s and has not been raised since, despite three recent attempts by the district to do so. When the Columbia County Development Agency formed in 2001 and established an urban renewal adjustment of rates, the district went down to receiving $0.054 per $1,000 of assessed property values. In the past five years the district has proposed three separate measures to increase funding but voters in the district have not approved any of them. The most recent measure failed in the Nov. 3 election. It asked for a $0.05 per $1,000 assessed property value increase. Approximately half of the district’s budget is from property tax funds, around $67,000 a year. The other half is generated from sales and service income. To cut back, the district will be moving their one full time employee, Sexton Kevin Crawford, down to part time beginning in January. While Crawford is working part time he will only be handling burials, record keeping and appointments, not performing maintenance on the sites. They hope by around March he will be able to work full time again. “The question I get a lot is ‘Why does the funding have to come from property taxes?’ Thats a good question, none of us like to see property taxes go up, but when you look at the small amount that property taxes that go to the district compared to other things, it’s not very much,” Crawford said. “It’s really
not a lot for whats got to get done with it. I think that’s where there’s a misconception.” For Rainier Cemetery District Board member Judy Lepin, it’s frustrating that the scope of work involved in maintaining the district properties and keeping up with the administrative work isn’t better understood. “People don’t understand; they think he’s negligent because they see all of the disrepair in our cemeteries,” Lepin said. “It’s going to be really hard for him to come back on a part time basis and have to deal with the mess we’re going to have in catching up with a wet spring.” A lot of ground to cover The cemeteries span across 30 miles in the county, which is a lot of ground for one man to cover, Lepin said. She said Crawford takes pride in his duties as sexton and wants the cemeteries to look good and be cared for, but it’s not always possible with the resources the district has to its avail. The hope is that with the money saved from having Crawford on part time through the winter months they will be able to afford to hire part-time assistant to help him prepare the sites for spring and summer. “This last year was the worst I think it’s been. Memorial Day is the big day, but you also have Mother’s
See CEMETERY Page A6
MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
COVID-19 cases are continuing to surge around the county, state and country. Sunday, Nov. 22, marked the fourth day in a row that the state reported a record-breaking high number of new daily cases, at 1,517. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the state reported a record-high number of new deaths at 21. The statewide total number of cases was 67,333 and the death toll at 847 as of Tuesday, Nov. 24. Case rates in Columbia County largely follow those of the state, reported Michael Paul, county public health director, at a briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The county has reported its own record-breaking high new number of daily cases, with 20 reported on Friday, Nov. 20. On Saturday a third COVID-19-related death was reported. A 75-year-old woman who tested positive on Oct. 23 died on Nov. 19 at Legacy Medical Center, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported on Saturday. The woman had underlying conditions. As of Tuesday, Nov. 24, there were 447 cases of COVID-19 reported in the county since the onset of the pandemic. There are currently 68 people considered currently infectious, Paul said. That number was eight just one month ago. Currently infectious means it has been less than 10 days since the onset of symptoms. “It’s safe to say we have the virus spreading in all parts of Columbia County,” Paul said. Due to the sharp rise in cases, the
public health employees are having trouble keeping up with contacting each new case and are asking that people who test positive self-quarantine and inform their close contacts themselves, he said. Testing events Paul announced that the county will soon be offering free, weekly testing events. Beginning in December, there will be four-hour drivethru testing events held at St. Helens High School, 2375 Gable Road, on Wednesdays. Anyone can be tested, regardless of whether they are symptomatic, Paul said. A pre-registration link will soon be available on the county public health website. Visit columbiacountyor.gov/departments/PublicHealth for information. Who should be tested The OHA recommends that all people with new symptoms constant with COVID-19, regardless of the severity, get tested. The virus doesn’t always present the same way but the symptoms to watch for include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear between two days to two weeks after exposure to the virus, which is why it is important to self-isolate after coming in contact with a known case,
See COVID-19 Page A3
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Friday, November 27, 2020
COVID ‘Grinch’ on Christmas tree sales JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The COVID-19 impact will affect the estimated multi million Oregon Christmas tree sales and operations, according to Oregon State University Extension Service Christmas tree specialist professor Chal Landgren. “COVID will have an impact on both retail and Ucut sales this year,” Landgren said. “Impacts, like so many issues related to COVID, will really only be known after the season. Fires may impact seedling availability down the road as so many nurseries are growing trees to reforest burned areas.” Landgren said statewide there has been drop in the number of Christmas tree growers. “Those who remain are finding that prices are up and the supply is down,” he said. According to the latest figures from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, In 2015, Oregon Christmas tree growers cut and sold 4.7 million trees, down 26% from 2010. The gross sales for 2015 totaled $84.5 million, and the average price per tree was $17.90. This is the first time this study was repeated since 2011. There were 41,223 acres growing Christmas trees, down 28% from 2010, with nine counties making up the majority of the acres. The
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The sale of Christmas trees, at local lots, and from cut-your-own farms begin in earnest the day after Thanksgiving. But the operations will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
two largest counties growing trees were Clackamas County with 11,512 acres growing trees and Marion County with 10,571 acres. At the Landgren Christmas Tree Farm in Warren, co-owner Sue Landgren said the farm will not be open for u-cut service this holiday due to the pandemic. “We regret that we won’t have the u-cutting available because of COVID,” she said. “We have many u-cut customers and we love them but this is not a safe year for the u-cutting.” Jerry Reinhold owner of Trenholm Tree Farm, at 62313 S. Canaan Road in St.
Helens, said he was undecided about the specifics of his 12-acre noble tree sales, but he said he was considering a plan that would closely follow the state’s pandemic health and safety guidelines. “I likely will sell them pretty cheap,” he said. “One price at $50. The COVID rules have to be strictly followed. It’s not about the money.” Reinhold said the sales would begin the day after Thanksgiving and closely follow social distancing requirements and guidelines. Darlene Marquardt owner of Marquardt Farms, at 53680 McKay Drive in Scap-
poose, said she will be offering both u-cut and lot trees. “But we have changed things up due to COVID,” she said. “We normally offer hot chocolate and cider with the tree sales but this year we are not doing that and we are following social distancing.” Tree customers can pay in person as well as through a self-paid station as well at the Marquardt farm and the gift shop will be open with limited customer access due to social distancing requirements. Marquardt said pre-cut tree prices will range from $25 to $70 depending on the tree and its size. U-cut prices
will be $25 for Douglas firs and $35 for other trees. Oregon Christmas Tree Growers Association President Tom Norby, of Trout Creek Tree Farm in Corbett, said the most popular Christmas tree sought by consumers continues to be the noble fir. “It has great long term keep-ability in a home,” he said, “and it also has very good needle retention.” Growing in popularity is the Nordman fir, or it’s nearly identical cousin the Turkish fir. Both have the same qualities as the noble, according to Norby. “They take about another
year to get to maturity but there are some other positive grower aspects to the species,” he said. “They are starting to do a lot more research on this tree, so look for its presence to grow in the marketplace.” The Douglas fir, while not sustaining the keep-ability, has a very distinctive scent and will be available at a much lower price point, Norby said, adding that Oregon’s grand fir is losing favor with many tree farmers due to particular aspects to growing it and its lower profit margin. Norby said a few growers this year reported having some interior needle issues on some of their noble fir trees. “My guess is it is mostly related to the trees being stressed by a long and mostly dry summer,” Norby said. “At this point it does not look like this will effect supply as there are enough good trees to fill customers orders.” As to why Christmas trees have such appeal, Norby gave The Chief this response. “Christmas trees have their roots in pagan history when they would use greenery in their mid-winter celebrations,” he said. “In modern times, I think it has to do with bringing a little green and life into the home in the depths of winter that makes us feel good. It is a reminder that spring will come again.”
Scouts boost pantry donations STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
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Local Boy Scouts contributed 1,416 pounds of food donations it the groups annual collection campaign.
POOL
The Clatskanie City Pool is a popular open-air facility, attracting thousands of children, adults and families From Page A1 each summer. The pool has also been a gathering spot for according to Hinkelman, the ETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC synchronized swim teams. specific renovation designs “Whether it is kids being AA tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss must be approved by the taught to swim, gathering Oregon Health Authority. with their family and friends (503) 556-4120 (503) “We are hoping that the 556-4120 for recreation swim or hiring work can begin in earnest in approximately 20 high school Accidents •Personal Injury Injury •Wrongful •Wrongful Death Death Accidents December,” he said.•Personal and college age kids for sumThe Chief first reported mer employment; we believe in June that the cost ofFee No Fee Until Until Recovery No Recovery that the Clatskanie Swimming renovations are to be paid Pool is our little ‘jewel’ of this for through the city’s Scout gonn && W Waash shin ingto gtonn OOrreego community,” Clatskanie Park Lake Funds, a special timber and Recreation board member FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION FREE CONSULTATION revenue collection setINITIAL aside Cyndi Warren told The Chief by the city. in June during an interview Following a limited sumabout the renovation project. mer season due to the COHinkelman said the pool VID-19 pandemic, the pool has a long standing positive closed in September.
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Local Boy Scouts teamed up with Clatskanie residents in the groups annual Scout for Food Drive to bring in a record 1,416 pounds of food for the Turning Point food pantry. “The food that was given will help so many of our community members be able to enjoy the perfect holiday meal as well as help Turning Point get a head start on next year’s shelf stocking,” Turning Point Community Center Director Kelly Miller said. Miller said along with the record setting number of pounds of food donated, roughly $500 in cash was also donated, which was used to purchase more food. The Turning Point Community Center is located at 220 E Columbia River Highway in Clatskanie. The center can be reached at 503-728-3126. reputation in the community. “It is a safe place for people to go and swim,” he said. “The origin and why it was built stands alone to its importance to the community.” The Clatskanie Pool is located at 346 NE 5th Street in Clatskanie. Pool Attendance 2016 - 11,262 2017 - 12,035 2018 - 11,542 2019 - 9,190 For more information, call 503-728-2757.
Photo courtesy of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
There are an average of more than 950,000 automobile crashes each year due to wet pavement which results in approximately 4,700 deaths and 384,000 injuries, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Rainy season alert With the return of the Oregon rainy season, law enforcement and other first responders are urging drivers to be aware of the increasing dangers on the roadways. For some people, driving in the rain, especially in the dark, is anxiety-producing, according to a release from Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers, who shares details of a U.S. Department of Transportation study, which shows there are an average of more than 950,000 automobile crashes each year due to wet pavement which results in approximately 4,700 deaths and 384,000 injuries. But being behind the wheel and a rain-covered windshield doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking experience, according to Landers. Here are some tips for driving in a downpour: Think We are all guilty of driving out of habit. So as a reminder, when it rains, we often need to adjust our thinking. When conditions
are less than ideal, drivers need to stay alert and focused on what’s going on around them.
If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly and steer straight until you regain control.
Turn on those headlights
Turn off cruise control
It’s the law in all states to turn on headlights when visibility is low and many states also require having the headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. Note: Oregon does not require motorists to turn on headlights when wipers are used. Well-working wipers and relatively new (not threadbare) tires are also must-haves when driving in rain. Beware of hydroplaning That’s what occurs when your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water on the road than on the road itself—the result is that your car begins to slide uncontrollably. It’s easy enough to hydroplane: All you need is one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hour.
Ironically, on rain- or snow- slick surfaces, cruise control may cause you to lose control. You might think it’ll help you stay at one steady speed, but if you hydroplane while you’re in cruise control, your car will actually go faster. Slow down Speed limit signs are designed for ideal conditions. That means driving when you have little traffic and good visibility. That’s hardly the environment you’re driving in when it’s raining, so let up on the accelerator and allow more time to get to your destination. For more information and tips, www.lincolncountysheriff.net and follow the latest weather and travel advisories online at thechiefnews.com.
Friday, November 27, 2020
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CC20-1333
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING The Clatskanie City Council meeting; a presentation by Executive Session per ORS OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF will meet on Wed., Dec 2nd, Russell Spaulding regarding 192.660(h); To consult with 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Erickson Dike Rd. and a counsel concerning the legal COLUMBIA PROBATE DEPARTMENT ballroom of the Clatskanie discussion on portable radar rights and duties of a public In the Matter of the Estate of RANDOLPH RAY BERGMAN, Deceased. No. 20PB08003 Notice to Interested Persons NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months
from this date at the office of VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the
personal representative. Dated and first published: November 20, 2020. Date of final publication: December 4, 2020. Personal Representative: Lorna Prestwich, PO Box 522, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Attorneys: VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Telephone: (503) 397-4091.
Cultural Center, 75 South Nehalem St. (2nd floor). Agenda items include, but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the Nov.4th, 2020 regular
smartphones, is already being tested or used in many other states, including California, Colorado, Washington and Virginia. Use of the system is completely optional and users can turn it off or deactivate the app at any time. The system does not collect, track or store users’ location information or personal information. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Oregon Health Authority to test this system at Oregon State. It is another important tool in our efforts to protect one another and to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” OSU Vice Pres-
ident for University Relations and Marketing Steve Clark said. “Our students, faculty and staff have demonstrated their commitment to public health efforts throughout the pandemic and their participating in this pilot program is another way they can make a positive impact.” The exposure notifications system quickly alerts users when they may have been in close proximity, through day-to-day interactions, to someone who might have exposed them to COVID-19. The system does not replace traditional contact tracing efforts. System users will receive
confidential alerts if they were in contact for a sustained period of time with another participant who has tested positive for COVID-19. Participants also can quickly and anonymously alert other users if they test positive. The Exposure Notifications system is embedded in Apple devices using iOS 13.7 or higher and requires an app for Android-based phones. The technology was designed to protect user privacy and no personal information is exchanged between users’ devices. If a user receives an alert about potential expo-
sure, they also will receive information about important health steps to take next. Participants in the Oregon State pilot program who receive an exposure notification will be invited to get a free follow-up COVID-19 test through TRACE-OSU, the university’s COVID-19 testing program. Since the exposure notifications system became available to OSU students, faculty and staff earlier this month, nearly 5,000 people have installed it; about 3,800 using Apple iOS systems and about 1,000 using Android devices The pilot program is
expected to last four to six weeks. It is intended to help officials understand how the exposure notifications system can best support the health of Oregonians. If the system is found to be helpful for public health efforts, continued work toward statewide implementation is planned. For more information about the pilot program, visit: beav.es/enx.
ment with a nurse will be scheduled and the patient will be assessed, at which point a curbside test will be scheduled. When the patient arrives at the clinic they are instructed to remain in their vehicle and call the center to have a team member come out to the car to collect the swab test. Rapid tests get results back in about 15 minutes and results are provided on site, Ford said. Non-rapid tests (PCRs) are sent to Quest labs and results are delivered in two to five days, she said. The tests are sent to labs in the Portland-metro area and delays can occur when there is a high testing demand in the state, at which point it has taken up to 14 days to get results back, Ford said. Insurance covers COVID19-related visits and testing, and Ford said the clinic is reimbursed through a federal program if a patient is uninsured. The clinic also offers a resource phone line that residents can call or text for information. It can set up home food deliveries for people who are quarantined, provide parenting resources, answer questions about testing and other queries. The phone number is 800-244-4870.
Legacy Health
Rite Aid
Though there is a Legacy Medical Group center in St. Helens, testing for those patients is centralized at North West Portland locations, said director of Public Relations Brian Terrett. This is to conserve personal protective equipment and to minimize potential exposure of staff and patients, he said. “Currently we have testing capacity to manage established patients with symptoms, as well as asymptomatic patients who meet OHA criteria for testing as supplies allow,” he said. “Patients with symptoms are prioritized over asymptomatic patients.” Patients can call their doctors to set up a telehealth visit, and the doctor will decide if they are a candidate for testing and place an order, Terrett said. The drive-thru testing center will then call the patient to schedule an appointment and inform the patient the next steps from there. Results are delivered in approximately two to three days, he said. Most insurances cover the cost, and uninsured patients may qualify to apply to Legacy’s charity care, Terrett said.
In partnership with Project Baseline, a testing program developed in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health’s testing program and expanded to other states, select Rite Aids offer COVID-19 tests. Select Rite Aid locations also offer testing through certain drive-thru pharmacies. There are two locations in Portland, and one location in Beaverton offering the tests. To schedule a test, visit riteaid. com/pharmacy/services/covid19-testing.
testing according to federal or state guidelines are unlikely to pay any out-of-pocket costs for the tests, according to Walgreens. Insurance providers should be contacted to confirm the tests will be covered. A short online screening survey is required to schedule a testing appointment, and tests are available to most people above the age of 3. If uninsured or ineligible for no-cost testing, the cost for both the diagnostic lab test and the rapid diagnostic test is $129, and the cost for a rapid antigen test is $49.
the contact was outside or with masks on. They are asked to contact these people and inform them to stay home and away from other for 14 days from the date the contact occurred. It is recommended that employers are informed about positive test results so they may notify other employees who may have been exposed. Employers are required to keep identities confidential in these cases.
sign options. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by Nov. 25th, 2020. Following the regular meeting, the Clatskanie City Council will meet for:
body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. The council will then return to regular session following the Executive Session.
Tracking COVID-19 by smartphone MICHELLE KLAMPE Chief Guest Article
Oregon State University (OSU) is teaming up with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to test a smartphonebased system that notifies users about possible exposure to COVID-19. OSU faculty, staff and students can participate exclusively in the Oregon Exposure Notifications pilot program before it is available to cellphone users throughout Oregon. The system, which was developed by Google and Apple and uses the Bluetooth capability of
COVID-19 From Page A1
according to the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Most tests administered are diagnostic PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. These are often self-swabbed tests targeting the nasal passage and test for active coronavirus infection. Wait time for results can vary. Columbia Health Services Columbia Health Services offers the closest sites to be tested for COVID-19. The company has four health centers in Columbia County: the Sacagawea Health Center in St. Helens, the Clatskanie Health Center, the Rainier Health Center and the Spencer Health & Wellness Center in Vernonia. Sherrie Ford, director of Columbia Health Service, said the center has the capacity to to test those who are symptomatic or fit the CDC definition of a close contact. In order to schedule a test, patients must call and explain their symptoms or need for a test. A telehealth appoint-
Walgreens There are four Walgreens locations in Oregon offering COVID-19 tests in partnership with the PWNHealth provider network. The closest Walgreens location to Columbia County offering tests is at 115 N 20th Ave. in Cornelius. There are three types of tests offered: a diagnostic lab test (results in 72 hours); a rapid diagnostic test (results in 24 hours); and a rapid antigen test (results in as little as one hour). People with insurance or who are eligible for no-cost
If you test positive The Columbia County Public Health Department asks that people who test positive stay home for at least 10 days and one full day after the fever is gone and symptoms go away. Asymptomatic positive testers are also asked to stay home for 10 days. It is also asked that people whp test positive make a list of people who they have spent time with, starting two days before they started to feel sick (or before they got tested if they do not feel sick). Anyone who was within 6-feet of them for more than 15 minutes is considered exposed, even if
Michelle Klampe is a writer-news researcher at Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. She may be reached at michelle. klampe@oregonstate.edu or at 541-737-0784.
Other resources For information about COVID-19, including food support and financial assistance, residents can call 211 or 1-866698-6155. People can also test their ZIP codes to 898211 or email help@211info.org. On Monday, Nov. 23, Columbia County issued a statement concerning the third pandemic-related death, including guidance for residents who test positive for COVID-19 or are in close contact with a positive case. Read that statement online at thechiefnews.com Follow daily pandemic updates at thechiefnews.com with in-depth reports in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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Friday, November 27, 2020
Clatskanie Grows: Late November thoughts CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column
Slugs They persist in being amorous, which only means more slugs next year. Fall slug control can significantly lower the numbers you have to deal with next spring. Conifer needle drop
We got quite a few calls this year on what appeared to gardeners as excessive needle drop. Pines were commonly noted but so were redwoods, sequoia, western red cedar, Leyland cypress, and Douglas fir. From some visits and a number of phone calls, I don’t think most of the plants were at risk. Evergreens tend to lose their interior needles three or more years after they first came out. If a tree grew a lot of foliage three to five years ago, they will lose those needles 3-5 years later. There was an odd situation with Douglas fir this year. Last year’s growth turned yellow and died but this year’s growth was fine. This isn’t normal. We saw it on some of our large Douglas fir and several Columbia County residents called about it. Some research indicated that it was probably “yellowgreen mottle.” It might be genetic though the reason it is seen some years and not others isn’t clear. In any case, it doesn’t seem to affect the trees in any significant way. Western red cedars did continue to die. This is serious. It is thought to be due to soil water deficits that have persisted in this region for a number of years in succession. There is no cure. These trees start to brown at the top and then brown down the tree as the roots supporting the tree die. Cedar flagging (scattered patches of dying foliage) is routine and not a symptom of the western red cedar die-off. Finally, our wet spring did increase a fungal disease for Deodora cedar. Small branches were affected but this isn’t a life threatening disease for the tree. They just look a little worse for wear. Mushrooms in lawns and children and pets This has been an abundant mushroom year so far. Lawn mushrooms are there for one of two reason: first, there may be some dead organic matter (an old tree stump, wood from construction, etc.) buried in the soil. The fungal spores grow mycelium that feed on at organic residue. A second fungal way of life is to hook up with a living tree
as a partner. The “mycorrhizal” fungi mycelium attach to tree roots. The tree gives it carbohydrates and the fungus gives the tree phosphorus and better access to soil moisture. It is a symbiotic relationship, i.e. both partners benefit. Anyway, when well fed and the weather is just right, the big mass of mycelium produces mushrooms that emerge and release spores. It is important to remember that the mushroom is to the fungus like the apple is to the tree. You can’t eliminate the mycelium and the mushrooms. Besides, the fungi are generally good for the trees, surrounding vegetation, and lawn. It is possible to get poisonous mushrooms in your lawn. If children and/or pets might be tempted to eat them,
Winter weather
A La Nina oceanic temperature pattern seems strongly entrenched. This generally leads to warmer and wetter winters. There is a consensus that, if there is going to be snowfall, it is most likely to be in January and February. Seasonal snowfall over the last thirteen decades: www. koin.com/weather/pacificnorthwest-2020-2021-winterforecast shows that total snowfall has dropped from about 9 inches per year in the 1940’s to average about 4 inches a year in the decade just finished. That said, with just the right mix of rain and an arctic air mass that collides over Portland, you could get the 24 inches plus of snow that we had in December 2008. That was a La Nina year as well. So nothing is sure. Clatskanie Stock up for the weather Grows or the virus or both, but stock up. Have questions?
you should consider tight mowing, if that is possible, to decimate the mushrooms. The pieces will decay fast. But more mushrooms can pop back up the next day, so it will require some attention until the fall flush stops. Cool compost There is a lot of chatter about hot compost piles. Gardeners sometimes feel that if they can’t get their compost steaming, they must be failures. No way. Composting is simply the process of turning organic materials into humus. The finer the materials are chopped, the more the pile is turned, and/or the more nitrogen materials are added to the pile, the faster and hotter it will compost. Does that mean if you don’t turn the pile, it will just sit there? Not really. The pile will be cooler but there will be decomposition. It will take longer to turn in to nice, rich humus, but gardeners are patient (aren’t they?). Around here, rain slows compost piles the most. If you cover the pile with clear or black plastic, the pile doesn’t fill with water. That keeps the decomposing organisms happy and productive. Periodically, check to see if the pile is too dry. If so, let rain moisten it for a few days. And, as noted above, the more you can chop the material, the speedier the compost. Same with a nitrogen source. Grass clippings, vegetables, and manures (horse, cattle, sheep, goat, chicken, llama, or rabbit) will also give compost organisms a boost. Happy rotting.
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If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu.
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Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) writ-ten/ edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia and click on newsletters. Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to catalog. extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Contact information for the Extension office • Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County • 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 • 503-397-3462 • chip.bubl@oregonstate. edu
Locally
•V oices
Thank you Turning Point would like to thank Boy Scouts Pack #241 along with Pack Master Charles Johnson, Committee Chair Teresa Johnson and helpers Brent Jones along with Audrey, William, Cooper, Ethan, Jessica and an unnamed grandmother bring in 1,416 lbs. of food for the annual Scout for Food food drive benefiting Turning
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Point Community Service Center. We are so grateful to each and every one of you who took time out of your Saturday afternoon to put this event on. We would also like to mention a huge shout out to the members of Clatskanie who graciously donated, purchased and delivered food to the Boy Scout event. Along with the record-setting number of pounds of food
donated, there was also roughly $500 in cash donated which was used to purchase more food. The food that was given will help so many of our community members be able to enjoy the perfect holiday meal as well as help Turning Point get a head start on next year’s shelf stocking. Thank you, Kelly Miller Clatskanie
•O bituaries • • Joan Delores Pellham
Sept. 5, 1936 ~ Nov. 20, 2020 Our precious mother, Joan Delores Pellham, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020. She devoted her life to her family, while also working part time in sales and cake decorating. As many know she
had been struggling with dementia but was able to be kept safe during the Covid outbreak. She is survived by her two sons, Tony Pellham and Brian Pellham and their spouses Clara and Chris; and her grandchildren
Andrew, Samantha and Michael. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, her services will be very modest. Friends and extended family who wish to pay their respects are asked to please contact Brian or Tony on Facebook.
George Sigler
Oct. 23, 1934 ~ Nov. 19, 2020 George Sigler 86, of Longview, Washington passed away Nov. 19, 2020 in Longview, Washington.
Norma J. Nelson
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Oct. 15, 1928 ~ Nov. 21, 2020 Norma Nelson 92, of Rainier, Oregon passed away on Nov. 21, 2020 at St. John’s Medical Center.
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Friday, November 27, 2020
A5
Local artist joins national virtual project
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Oregon Employment Department said 246,300 Oregonians will receive a combined total of $176 million in benefits in initial payment run. Courtesy photo
This is an example of Columbia County artists Bonnie Wagoner’s work.
State to pay $176 million in jobless claims STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
In this artwork, artist Bonnie Wagoner illustrates Portland’s bridges. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Artists across the nation are banding together to offer holiday shoppers what organizers call something special, unique and handcrafted this holiday season. The Artists Sunday project goes virtual Nov. 29 and is designed to help artists survive and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic by using virtual awareness. Columbia City artist Bonny Wagoner has joined the movement with her drawings and paintings featuring the Pacific Northwest. She shares her insight about the project in the following conversation. The Chief: How did you become involved with this project? Bonny Wagoner: I became involved in this project because like every artist worldwide, when the pandemic began every art venue first postponed their planned events and then eventually cancelled. Some venues managed to pivot and
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Artists Bonnier Wagoner said this card illustrates the tactile effect from the letterpress print process on heavy textured cardstock. This card is printed in elegant copper ink.
hold their events on-line but since this pandemic environment is new to everyone, some were awkward productions and others were really very interesting presentations. Regardless, I look at it as we are doing our best to stay engaged through this nightmare.
We are doing our best to stay engaged through this nightmare. ~ Bonnie Wagoner, Columbia County artist
The Chief: Why is this project important to you and other local artists in our community? Wagoner: Normally I design for the travel and tourism industry. As soon as the pandemic hit, the tourism industry was shuttered. Even now it is operating at only a fraction of its normal capacity so I had to find alternatives to stay afloat. Artists Sunday is one of them. This event is gives me an opportunity to get my work out there in a consortium of other artists for the holidays to offer something that didn’t come off an assembly line overseas. When I first signed up for this event there was just over 800 artists signed up from all over the country. At the time I thought wow, that was a lot. It’s now over 3200 artists participating in this movement. Artist Sunday is important to me this year because, like everyone else this year, opportunities are few and far between and I am grateful to be a part of it. Consider it this way: Black Friday is focused on
retail, usually big, national retailers. Small Business Saturday is focused on small businesses. Cyber Monday is focused on online sales. Artists Sunday highlights artists. It is different in that it is an art-focused shopping day the first Sunday after Thanksgiving on the largest shopping weekend of the year. It follows Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, the day before Cyber Monday, the largest shopping weekend of the year. This is a free national marketing campaign encouraging shoppers to purchase from individual artists, and to give unique, original items as gifts for the holiday season. This is artists coming together across the United States to offer our work together. This is helping the individual artist thrive in these challenging times. The Chief: Briefly, how will this project engage the artists and the public? Wagoner: Artists Sunday is an art shopping movement with currently more than 3,200 artists, local arts agencies, cities, counties, state agencies, chambers of commerce, and organizations coming together to encourage consumers to shop with their favorite local artists and craftsmen during the holiday season. This is a grassroots effort where we are working together to get the word out. Collectively we are using the power of social media by posting the announcement on our websites, our blogs and places like Facebook. We are sending out press releases to engage our local media. I hope you will join us. See more of Wagoner’s artwork with this story at thechiefnews.com.
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The Oregon Employment Department has begun paying the ‘waiting week’ for eligible Oregonians who received regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes one week ahead of the Employment Department’s end of November goal to begin paying the waiting week. “We are very pleased to announce that many Oregonians will now start seeing the waiting week benefits they have been waiting for,” Oregon Employment Department Acting Director David Gerstenfeld said. “Our IT and Unemployment Insurance teams have worked incredibly hard to implement programming changes that allow us to issue payments at this scale. Oregonians have been patient with us, and we thank them.” The waiting week is the first week of a regular UI claim when a person meets all eligibility requirements. Traditionally, claimants do not receive benefits that week. The waiting week has been waived for regular UI initial claims filed March 8, 2020 through Jan. 2, 2021. Eligible initial claims for regular UI filed by Jan. 2, 2021 will receive a waiting week payment. Oregonians who received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will not receive a waiting week payment, as those
programs pay claimants’ first eligible week. The Department estimates 246,300 Oregonians have been issued payments totaling $176 million. Most claimants can expect to receive their waiting week benefit by their typical method of payment within three business days. “We know some claimants still have to wait to receive their payments, and we want them to know that we’re working hard to get them their funds as quickly as possible,” Gerstenfeld said. Not so quick Payments for an estimated 170,000 people will be delayed because they have to be manually processed. The Department estimates that while most will people will receive their waiting week benefit by the end of December, it may take until the end of January for claimants receiving Pandemic Unemployment Emergency Compensation (PEUC), Extended Benefits (EB), or benefits through Workshare to receive their waiting week payment. Eligible claimants will receive the same weekly amount as their regular unemployment benefit amount. However, state law restricts claimants from receiving more than the maximum benefit amount for their claim. For most claims, the maximum benefit amount is 26 times the weekly benefit amount or 26 weeks of benefits. The waiting week does not add any more benefits to a claim balance or the maxi-
mum benefit amount. Eligible claimants whose waiting week falls between March 29, 2020 and July 25, 2020 also will receive the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payment in addition to their weekly benefit amount. Eligible claimants whose waiting week falls between July 26, 2020 and Sept. 5, 2020 and who have certified that they are COVID impacted will receive the $300 LWA payment in addition to their weekly benefit amount. Waiting week tax The waiting week is taxable under federal and state law like other unemployment benefits. If a claimant has taxes withheld from their benefits, they also will be withheld from the waiting week. Child support will be withheld from the waiting week and $600 FPUC payment. It will not be withheld from LWA. Claimants can review the weeks they have claimed and those that have been paid in the Online Claim System to see if they have served a waiting week. Claimants can log in to the Online Claims System and select ‘Where is my check?’ Claimants, including those whose waiting week payment will be manually processed, do not need to contact the Employment Department to receive their payment. More information about the waiting week can be found at: unemployment. oregon.gov/frequently-askedquestions#faqTopic-115683
SNAP hot, prepared meals extended Oregon has received approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster SNAP recipients in 23 counties to purchase hot or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers until Dec. 31, 2020. The approved counties include, Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill. Normally, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase “hot food products prepared for immediate consumption.” This restriction is being waived following the severe winds and wildfires that
led to the displacement of many residents and left them without access to a kitchen to prepare meals. Examples of allowable Prepared Foods include hot deli foods, fountain drinks, including but not limited to coffee and tea, a slice of hot/ prepared pizza, hot soup, salad bars, and sandwiches. This waiver will last through Dec. 31, 2020, and allows SNAP and DSNAP recipients to use their benefits to buy prepared food at any participating retailer that accepts SNAP EBT cards. Restaurant purchases are still prohibited.
For more information about the hot food waiver, visit www.oregon.gov/dhs/ ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/DSNAP-HotFoods-Waiver.aspx. Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance, and Medicaid. Learn more at govstatus. egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-OREADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
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A6
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Friday, November 27, 2020
Oregon’s Dungeness crab season delayed The Dec. 1 commercial Dungeness crab season is delayed until at least Dec. 16 for the entire Oregon Coast, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The latest ODFW testing shows crabs are too low in meat yield. The ocean commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon, targeted to open Dec. 1, can be delayed to ensure a high-quality product for consumers and to avoid wasting the resource. Crab quality testing in early November showed a number of the test areas did not meet the criteria for a Dec. 1 opening. The delayed opening will allow crabs to fill with more meat A second round of crab quality testing will occur after Thanksgiving and results will be used to determine if the season should open Dec. 16,
be further delayed, or be split into areas with different opening dates. In partnership with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission and the commercial Dungeness crab industry, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) tests crabs out of Oregon’s six major crabbing ports. Weekly season opening updates are posted online until the decision to open the season is made. Crabs were also tested for domoic acid along the entire coast, and all samples were found to be safe for human consumption. However, due to elevated levels of domoic acid detected in razor clams in some areas, testing in Dungeness crabs will continue regularly north of Cape Perpetua. In conjunction with the delayed ocean commercial
season, commercial harvest of Dungeness crab in Oregon bays that are currently open will close at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1 but may reopen if the ocean commercial fishery opens in December. Recreational Dungeness crab harvest in the ocean off Oregon opens Dec. 1 as scheduled in all areas. Recreational crab harvesting is currently open coastwide in bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers, and jetties. Recreational crabbers should always call the Shellfish Hotline (800-448-2474) or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage before crabbing. Commercial Dungeness crab is Oregon’s most valuable fishery. The 2019 season opening was delayed to Dec. 31 and still brought in the second highest ex-vessel value ever ($72.7 million) with
just under 20 million pounds landed, about 12 percent above the 10-year average. Oregon, California and Washington coordinate Dungeness crab quality testing and the commercial season opening dates. California and Washington also are delaying their commercial seasons to at least Dec. 16. Fast Fact Commercial Dungeness crab is Oregon’s most valuable fishery. The 2019 season opening was delayed to Dec. 31 and still brought in the second highest ex-vessel value ever, $72.7 million, with just under 20 million pounds landed, about 12 percent above the 10-year average.
CEMETERY
hard to schedule on top of his burial and administrative duties when he’s reduced to working three days a week. It also doesn’t help that only one out of the district’s three lawn mowers is currently working, so even with extra hands there are limits on how much can be done. “There’s definitely a time and place for that, but what’s really going to help us is paying the bills,” Crawford said.
From Page A1 Day and Easter that people expect the cemeteries to look good for … Those they didn’t look good for, so we had a lot of complaints,” Crawford said. “We were just running frantic. I didn’t hire any help this last year. It would look very similar this year, except I wouldn’t have anything else caught up.” Crawford said it takes between six to eight days for two people to mow all of the properties, which totals to roughly 39 acres. With just one person, and maybe some volunteers, he estimates it takes between 10 to 12 days. “So that’s just mowing, that’s not trimming,” Crawford said. The process usually begins in February when Crawford begins to clear fallen limbs and brush from the cemeteries, which he doesn’t anticipate having enough time to do this upcoming year when he’s only working part time and keeping up with his administrative and burial duties. “That’s going to have a noticeable impact,” he said.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
These empty crab pots sit idle at an Oregon Coast port until the commercial crabbing season begins.
The budget
Monique Merrill / The Chief
Sexton Kevin Crawford maintains 12 cemetery sites covering 30 miles of ground between Clatskanie and Rainier. He is the only employee of the Rainier Cemetery District.
Maintaining the cemeteries is only one part of his job. He is also responsible for recording each burial, handling public inquiries, selling gravesites, and preparing graves for burial. When he schedules a burial he prioritizes work at that cemetery
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to make sure it looks nice for the service, and with all of the work that goes into getting a cemetery ready, said sometimes even a week isn’t enough time for one person to do all of the work required. With the help of an assistant, Crawford could
divide the tasks up so he could handle the administrative work of a burial while the other worker prepares the site. While the district has had help from volunteers, work parties require Crawford’s supervision, training and equipment, which is
The district was hoping to replace some of the aging, heavily used equipment if the measure was approved, but now doesn’t have room in the budget. As a result, plot prices will increase “substantially,” Crawford said. The district board voted on Monday, Nov. 23, to approve a $150 price increase to the cost of gravesites for both caskets and urns which take effect on Jan. 1. They will also offer 25% off the price of an additional gravesite with each purchase beginning in the new year, Lepin said. The increased costs will hopefully allow the district to repair or replace some of the
equipment, Crawford said. Most of the tools he uses to maintain the sites or dig graves was purchased in the last 15 years, but heavy usage has caused the items to incur problems quicker. “We can’t make up the difference that we need by just raising prices, but it’s going to help,” Crawford said. “We’re a little behind with that, with prices, in the area.” Of the approximately 13,000 plots between all the cemeteries, about half of them are full and Crawford estimates there are around 70 burials per year. Lepin estimated there are only about 20 gravesite sales each year, and said many of the burials are in pre-bought sites. Even as spreading ashes and forgoing traditional burials has become more popular, both Crawford and the district Lepin hope the community realizes the value of preserving and maintaining the graveyards. It’s about respecting the dead and caring for the community, Lepin said. “We want to keep the cemeteries alive,” Lepin said. For more information, visit rainiercemeterydistrict. com.