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Legislators to look at eviction protections

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 30 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

NEXT moving forward

Final Brushstrokes

Holiday fraud warnings

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The public process continues for the development of the $2 billion NEXT renewable diesel production facility at Port Westward. Port of Columbia County representatives have told The Chief that the facility will have capacity to produce approximately 50,000 barrels of renewable diesel fuel daily and boost jobs and the local economy. In the following conversation, NEXT Renewable Fuels President Chris Efird responds to The Chief’s inquiries.

The holiday season is the time for giving, but it is also a time that federal, state and local officials see an upswing in consumer fraud. Statewide scam concerns

The Chief: What is the current status of the state and local permitting process and what must be done to move forward? What are key dates?

“This year, we have the added stress of shipping delays and backordered items, which gives scammers additional ways to take advantage of you - especially by tricking you into thinking they can get that package here sooner or get you that ‘out-ofstock’ or ‘sold out’ gift item,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. Rosenblum issued the following recommendations about how consumers can safely navigate holiday shopping. First, she urges consumers to be especially careful about online ordering. “There are all sorts of sophisticated ways to make you think you’re buying the perfect gift,” Rosenblum said. “Scammers can figure out how to interrupt your searches with bogus offerings and seemingly good prices. You go to the site, put the item in your cart, and click the buy button. However, you don’t get a tracking number; the package never arrives; and the seller disappears with your money.” When this happens, Rosenblum said you’ve fallen victim to a “non-delivery scam.” To avoid being victimized this way, Rosenblum said stick to reputable retailers. “Try to avoid merchants with whom you’re unfamiliar,” she said. “If you’re shopping with a new merchant, check to confirm that the merchant has a physical address, a customer service phone number, and a professional-looking site.” The Oregon Justice Department (DOJ) said warning signs of scammers include poor spelling, odd design, and slow loading. Only buy from secure sites with (a) SSL encryption and (b) a lock symbol at the beginning of the site’s URL. Secure sites will have https in their URL — rather than http. Paying attention to this difference can save you a lot of trouble, according to Rosenblum. Rosenblum’s recommendations also include watching out for messages about an item you never ordered. “In this scam, you get an email or other message telling you there’s an issue with an item you ordered, but you don’t recognize the item and know you never ordered it,” she said. “The message may be a phishing email meant to trick you into clicking a suspect link, providing your bank login credentials, or turning over other private information.” Rosenblum said if you are unsure if a message is legitimate, contact the business directly — through their website, chat, or customer service phone number. Do not respond to the message unless and until you’ve ascertained it’s legitimate.

Chris Efird: NEXT continues to move through the permitting process at the local, state and federal level and demonstrate that we meet Oregon’s high environmental standards. The Oregon Department of State Lands recently completed their public comment period and we are currently within the open public comment period for our Army Corps of Engineers permit. Additionally, we are advancing through the permitting process for our air permit, which is issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and through the permitting process for a local land use permit issued by Columbia County. We hope to receive approvals for all key permits in the first quarter 2022. We remain on track to begin construction in the coming year.

Clatskanie’s new mural

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chief

The city’s latest mural on North Nehalem St. is nearly complete as of Wednesday, Dec. 1. In April, Columbia County artist Jeremy Furnish announced plans for the mural, inspired by the literary works of renowned American author Raymond Carter, who was born in Clatskanie in 1938. Furnish issued a “Call to Artists / Request for Design Proposals,” asking student, emerging, and professional artists living in the Lower Columbia Region for the mural. Seaside resident Dylan Eckland’s submission was selected as first place by a panel of judges for his depiction of the renowned author alongside Beaver Falls and a quote from his poem ‘Where Water Comes Together With Other Water.’ The quote reads, “I’ll take all the time I please this afternoon before leaving my place alongside this river.” The Chief will follow up with Furnish upon the mural’s completion date.

Rainier to expand parks

The Chief: Environmental concerns have been raised over the development of the NEXT plant. How is NEXT working to ensure that the project will not adversely impact the surrounding property during and after construction? Efird: Environmental review is the primary focus of our required permits, and NEXT will be held to Oregon’s high environmental standards. Our facility will operate in an industrial zone and identified impacts will be mitigated. For instance, we will be restoring more than 450 acres of commercial tree property back into vibrant wetlands that benefit the local environment and the community. Wetlands have proven to provide flood control, improve water quality and enhance air quality. They bring enhanced biodiversity to the region and opportunities for local students to get hands-on experiences with natural resources and environmental science, as well as provide opportunities for cross-curricular activities. We have been working with Beaver Drainage Improvement Company representatives to address concerns and we’ve been able to change our design to benefit See NEXT Page A6

About Town .............. A4 Opinions ................... A4 Obituaries ................. A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5

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

Zoe Gottlieb / The Chief

A portion of this property along Rainier’s C Street could become a dog park. ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The Rainier parks system may receive an upgrade in the coming months, following the results of a communitywide survey. Rainier Parks, Recreation and Education Committee members met Tuesday evening, Nov. 30, to discuss feasibility studies for three projects that topped the list. Community consensus Back in September, Rainier city officials mailed out a community survey to residents, asking for their input on how the city could improve Rainier public parks. The survey supplied participants with a range of choices for future park additions, including a dog park, splash pad, exercise stations, hiking and biking trails, a youth bike park, and adult athletic fields. Participants were instructed to submit their responses through a google form or drop off their completed surveys at City Hall by the Oct. 15 deadline. Three proposals were favored

by respondents, including the development of a Fox Creek Park, a dog park at C Street, and a mini-golf putting green at various locations. According to Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen, when it comes to the city developing public parks projects, community feedback is paramount. “What I didn’t want was for the parks committee to go too far in one direction or another with recommendations just to have the citizens say, ‘Why are you doing that?’ You want to make sure that what you’re doing actually meets the demand,” Jorgensen said. Fox Creek Park The suggestion of building Fox Creek Park may come as a surprise to those familiar with the region’s periodic flooding, but according to Jorgensen, the Fox Creek area has plenty of recreational value. “I think the primary draw there is the fact that there’s some trails that are already established and maintained by Friends of Fox Creek,” he said.

Jorgensen also acknowledged the difficulties in building on unstable land. “When you have areas like that where there’s flooding, you can’t really do much in the way of permanent structures,” he said. Despite the challenges, Jorgensen sees the potential for the park and how it fits in with what the parks committee is trying to accomplish. “(Fox Creek Park) fits with kind of the overall vision of where we’re going. A series of trails connecting all throughout town that will enhance recreational opportunities, something that multiple people within multiple demographics can enjoy,” Jorgensen said. “A nice picnic table there, maybe a little bit of playground equipment to kind of act as a gateway to the trail system, that came up as something (the community) wants to see more of.”

FBI issues advisory

C Street dog park

During the 2020 holiday shopping season, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the non-delivery of goods, resulting in losses of more than $53 million. The FBI anticipates this number could increase during the 2021 holiday season due to rumors of merchandise shortages and the ongoing pandemic. “Oftentimes when we talk about

Jorgensen said establishing a

See PARKS Page A4

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See FRAUD Page A5

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Friday, December 3, 2021

Injured OSP Trooper still hospitalized

Courtesy from OSP

Trooper John Jeffries ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The path to recovery is still unclear for Trooper John Jeffries, according to Capt. Stephanie Bigman, Oregon State Police (OSP) Public Information Officer. Jeffries remains in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, as of Thursday, Dec. 2. “He is receiving excellent care and we continue to hope for the best possible outcome,” Bigman said. The incident On Nov. 11, Jeffries sustained critical injuries from a collision with a suspect of armed robbery on Highway 30. Longview Police officers attempted to pull over suspect John Thralls, who was alleged to have committed

a robbery in a domestic dispute. Thralls failed to yield to law enforcement, driving so recklessly that the officers terminated the pursuit out of a concern for public safety, according to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the lead investigation agency in the case. Thralls’ vehicle was spotted heading over the bridge from Longview into Rainier and dispatch radioed Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement of the vehicle’s direction. On Highway 30 near St. Helens, Jeffries and a second officer had exited their patrol car to deploy spike strips, when Thralls drove directly towards them at a “high rate of speed,” court records show. Jeffries warned the second trooper of the oncoming vehicle before it plowed into the second trooper’s

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The OSP patrol vehicle sustained heavy damage following a head-on collision with a suspect’s vehicle on Highway 30.

patrol car, the impact of which pushed the car back 20 feet, striking Trooper Jeffries and causing him to be thrown into the air, landing a distance away, resulting in a head injury, according to court records. Jeffries was transported to Emanuel Hospital in critical condition, according to CCSO. After initially refusing to comply with commands from law enforcement officers to exit the vehicle, Thralls was promptly taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Emanuel Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the crash. At the hospital, the defendant informed Beaverton Police Detective Chris Crosslin he intended to take someone “with him” if he were to die in the police chase, the court document states. Thralls has a long

criminal history that includes a previous felony elude case in Columbia County. Thralls was transported to Columbia County Jail Nov. 18, booked, arraigned and indicted on three charges of Attempted Murder, one charge of Assault I, and one charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer(s) in a vehicle. A spokesperson for the jail said he remains in police custody and is being held on $5 million-dollar bail, as of Thursday, Dec. 2. Columbia County District Attorney Jeff Auxier argued for the presumptive bail to be raised from $350,000, citing Thralls’ extensive criminal history and previous failures to appear in court as cause for the increase. A pre-trial hearing was set for 11:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at Columbia County Circuit Court to determine

Thralls’ trial date. New role, same mission According to OSP, Jeffries had spent 20 years working for the FBI before signing onto a position with Oregon State Police in March of 2021. “As a young man, (Jeffries) joined the FBI with a mission to serve his country. As a case agent, pilot, firearms instructor, and SWAT team member, John served with honor. He was an agent’s agent – first in the door and always doing the right thing in the right way. He was a respected leader, and his retirement in 2016 was a loss for the FBI,” the agency stated. “John’s call to service didn’t end there, though. This year, John was driven by a sense of duty and purpose to join OSP as a new trooper,

completing Oregon’s law enforcement academy alongside men and women who were as much as 30 years his junior.” Jeffries was training as a new recruit at the time of the Nov. 11 incident, after graduating from the academy only a week prior to the crash. Trooper Cowen, the OSP trooper on duty with Jeffries, was his field training officer. Cowen told Hillsoboro Police Detective Pat LaMonica that he could have struck and killed by the defendant, if not for Jeffries’ warning, according to the court records. Anyone wishing to send good wishes to Jeffries, is asked to do so via email at ospsocial@osp.oregon.gov or via mail to Oregon State Police, Attention Trooper John Jeffries, 3565 Trelstad Ave SE, Salem, OR. 97317.

Child’s remains ID’ed: 2 arrested for murder STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

The deceased is identified as Haley Mae Coblentz.

A mystery in Oregon that kept law enforcement officials seeking information over nearly the past two years is solved. On December 10, 2020, detectives from the Oregon State Police (OSP) Major Crimes section responded to the H.B. Van Duzer Scenic Corridor in Lincoln County, for the report of human re-

mains discovered just outside the rest area. An individual walking in the area discovered the remains of a female child, concealed inside a duffel bag, then hidden in the forest. Based on the level of decomposition, it appeared she had been deceased between 30-60 days before her discovery. Investigators and experts at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office collected samples from the child’s

remains for DNA testing by a specialty DNA laboratory. Parabon Nano Labs extracted DNA from the samples submitted, and on October 4, 2021, notified OSP investigators they identified the deceased child. The deceased was identified as Haley Mae Coblentz. She was nine years old at the time of her death. Haley was born in Colorado. She was living with her biological mother and mother’s

CCSO investigating shooting STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

One person was hospitalized following a shooting in the Rainier area. At approximately 12:41 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputies were dispatched to a shooting in the Rainier area. When deputies arrived on scene one person had already been transported to St. John Medical Center and was later transported to a Portland area hospital, according to a release from CCSO.

The Columbia County Major Crimes Team was activated to investigate and was assisted by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab. All involved parties have been identified and located, however names have been withheld at this time, according to the CCSO release, which states that the incident is still under investigation and no arrests have been made. The specific location of the shooting and the events leading up to the incident had not been released by investigators as of Dec. 2.

girlfriend in multiple places served a search warrant on in Oregon and the Pacific their vehicle and hotel room. Northwest since 2015. She Browning and Harrison was not reported as a misswere arrested on a Lincoln ing person at the time of her County, Oregon warrant and death. charged with: On November 30, 2021, with the assistance of the • Aggravated Murder Detroit FBI, OSP InvestigaORS 163.095 tors located Haley’s mother, 29-year-old Shawna BrownBrowning and Harrison ing, and 34-year-old Lauren were lodged in detention ETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC Harrison in Detroit, Michifacilities in Wayne County, gan. Investigators arrested Michigan, and are being held AA tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss Browning and Harrison and without bail.

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Friday, December 3, 2021

Health center shutters detox program ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The St. Helens-based Columbia County Mental Health Center (CCMH) is shutting down its only detox program for the foreseeable future. Columbia County Mental Health Services (CCMH) Executive Director Todd Jacobson said CCMH had to shut down its Bridges to Pathways Detox Center due to nursing staff shortages. “We are, and have been, actively recruiting for skilled nursing, but without success. Until we are able to hire enough skilled nursing to cover the detox program 24/7, we cannot reopen,” he said. While CCMH, which specializes in mental health and substance abuse care, has since reopened its other counseling services to the public, Jacobson said the future of the detox program remains to be seen. Future uncertain “Sadly, we are not certain of what the future holds for re-opening it,” he said. “People may not be aware of the staffing requirements, but due to the inherent risks for people who stop the ingestion of a drug, detox programs are required to have skilled nursing on shift 24/7.” CCMH Director of Clinical Operations Miriam Parker, who oversees peer outreach services for substance abuse patients, said the clinic is forced to refer patients to rehabilitation centers outside Columbia County. “Right now, because our detox facility is closed because of the staffing shortage, we are referring people to other detox programs. We’ve had I think three or four people in the last couple of weeks that we’ve taken to Portland to a program called Fora Health,” Parker said. Fora Health Treatment &

Recovery in Portland is an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program relying on a “trauma-informed, evidencebased approach” to treat those with substance abuse disorders. According to Jacobson, the transportation of detox-seeking patients to the Portland metro area is routine, because a vast majority of detox centers are concentrated there. The typical detox stay is one to five days, Jacobson said, and patients are not required to follow up with outpatient treatment. Detoxification (detox) is the process of clearing one’s body of consumed drugs or alcohol while safely managing withdrawal symptoms, according to addictioncenter.com, and is one of several strategies used to eliminate drug dependence. According to Jacobson, mental health and substance abuse treatment in general is incredibly underfunded at a federal level. “(There’s) a lot of talk about it, but no one wants to pay,” he said. The lack of support for mental health workers is compounded by Oregon’s recent spike in overdose deaths. In the first six months of 2020, Oregon saw a nearly 40 percent increase in overdose deaths, compared to the same period in 2019, according to Oregon Health Authority. Media reports indicate a strain on healthcare systems all over the nation, resulting in a mass exodus of healthcare workers. Parker described how the changes are currently affecting local health service providers, particularly those who specialize in substance abuse treatment. “The hospitals pay a lot more than community-based programs like CCMH, or even primary care clinics like Oregon Health & Science Uni-

versity (OHSU) and Legacy. This is just my take on it, but as people left the hospital jobs, that created a vacuum,” Columbia County Health Promotion Specialist Suzanne Beaupre said. “People from the clinic jobs in the community then moved into some of those higher paying jobs, which creates a void in community-based jobs.” According to Parker, CCMH staff are doing everything they can to ensure substance abuse patients receive proper care. “Every person that we interact with is unique in terms of what they are wanting or needing in the moment,” she said. “We focus on trying to get them what they need. If somebody is really wanting to detox right now, then we’re going to work with them to try to find events somewhere else outside of our county. If we can’t do that, or if they’re not necessarily looking to detox right now, then we might focus on other safer use techniques.” Alternative to detox Columbia County health officials say harm reduction, an alternative to detox, is being tested all over Columbia County. The implementation of a harm reduction program was met with success in Clatsop County, according to Columbia Pacific CCO, a coordinated care organization serving Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook Counties. Off the heels of Clatsop’s success, Columbia Pacific CCO announced it is investing in a $120,000 Northwest Harm Reduction Grant for the three counties to expand upon their existing harm reduction programs. “Our grant funding for Columbia County’s fledgling harm reduction program is intended to help the program buy supplies, including sterile

Addressing eviction protections STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Governor Kate Brown has called the Oregon Legislature into special session on December 13 to address eviction protections for renters. “As we enter our coldest months, it is absolutely essential that we take action to ensure no additional Oregon families are evicted when rental assistance is on the way,” Brown said. “I have spoken directly with Oregon renters in recent weeks about the pain and hardship their families have faced due to the economic impacts of the pandemic. We must take legislative action now to approve additional state funding for rental assistance, and to extend eviction protections for Oregonians who have applied for assistance. “Our federal funds for rental assistance will be nearly spent on December 1. I am continuing to work with federal officials at the U.S. Treasury and the White House to secure additional federal emergency rental assistance funding for Oregon, but it is clear that a state solution is needed to address the urgent and immedi-

ate needs of Oregon renters. And, we must begin laying the groundwork now for the transition to local eviction prevention services after federal pandemic emergency programs draw to an end.” Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) received $289 million in federal rental assistance funds to help Oregon renters impacted by COVID-19. As of last week, OHCS and their local partners had paid out close to $150 million in federal emergency rental assistance to over 22,000 households - with Oregon ranking eighth in the nation for federal funds paid or obligated. OHCS and its partners have received more than 25,000 additional applications and continue to review and approve thousands of those applications each week. Nearly $20 million was paid to renters over the previous two weeks. OHCS has calculated that all remaining federal rental assistance funds will have been requested by Dec. 1. After conversations with legislative leaders, stakeholders, landlord associations, and

syringes, sharps containers (to ensure that used syringes are stored appropriately and returned to the program, thus reducing the number of used syringes out in the community) and substance-use equipment that helps prevent the spread of deadly diseases through the sharing of supplies,” Columbia Pacific CCO Medical Director Dr. Safina Koreishi said. According to the agency, Columbia County will receive $25,000 from the grant to bolster its own harm reduction program, which was implemented back in April. “At its heart, harm reduction is really about trying to help people be safe, which may include literally staying alive or avoiding the contraction of a communicable disease like Hep C or HIV, while they are active in their addiction,” Parker said. Parker also said harm

reduction has the potential to curb withdrawal through the facilitation of medicationassisted treatment (MAT). “One of the other really important pieces in the spectrum of harm reduction services is what’s known as MAT,” Parker said. “That is when a licensed provider prescribes medicine to a person with a substance use disorder, which helps them avoid going into withdrawals, and it’s prescribed legally and safely.” Parker said CCMH refers patients to OHSU for MAT treatment and referenced more informal methods of substance abuse management which appear to be effective in the community. “We have a really active Alano Club in St. Helens, and many of the peers that work at CCMH are active in the Alano or in the recovery community in general,” Parker said. “Some people are able

to get the help they need or the additional help for their substance use disorder through that more informal network of the recovery community.” CCMH peer support specialists have a van stationed in front of the CC Rider parking lot on 1155 Deer Island Road in St. Helens to operate their support services from 1 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday. If a person is using substances alone, the Never Use Alone Hotline (800-484-3731) can be a nonjudgmental and lifesaving point of contact for emergency services. Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life and Oregon Health Authority recently launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it — not only those experiencing a mental health crisis.

A Candlelight Service of Remembrance

Due to COVID-19 Columbia Funeral Home will not be able to hold its annual candle lighting ceremony. Please know that our thoughts are still with you all during this holiday season. Best wishes from Holly Houston, Carynn Cozad, Trinyty Howard, Emma Takaha Russ Crawford, and Bryan Nabors

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housing advocates, the Governor is proposing the following framework to prevent further evictions: • Extend eviction safe harbor protections for each individual who has applied for rental assistance. • Ensure landlords are paid in full for the rent they are owed. • Provide up to $90 million in additional rental assistance to ensure low-income tenants access through the winter. • Provide $100 million to transition from large-scale pandemic-related emergency rental assistance to long-term, locally-delivered eviction prevention services. The package would address the immediate needs of Oregon renters through the winter months. Legislators may also be asked to take on additional time-sensitive issues during the special session that require action before February 2022. Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

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Friday, December 3, 2021

•V iewpoints • •

Talking with family, friends about misinformation OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY Chief Guest Column

The season of family and friend gatherings is upon us and we encourage everyone to safely enjoy time with friends and family after a rough two years. At some point, you may find yourself talking with kin about the pandemic and they begin sharing information that you know to be false. Talking with someone who is sharing misinformation about COVID-19 can be frustrating and worrisome. Unfortunately, stopping the spread of that information is a tricky task that can cause hurt feelings, damage relationships and end friendships. But there are ways to go about it that may be more fruitful and hopefully less divisive. The U.S. Surgeon General has created a guide to do just that called “A Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation.” Here, we take a look at some of the toolkit points that may help you combat untruths. 1. Listen Let them tell you why they believe what they do and

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be sure to let them know you understand their fears. Instead of focusing on the false claim, focus on the “wider issue” and how they feel about it. Fact checking may seem like a smart way to prove someone wrong, but it may also push them away, ending the conversation.

Admit that you also have had times when it was difficult to know what was true and false. If possible, share a time when you have been misled by misinformation and explain why.

2. Lead them to credible sources

Try to keep the conversation between the two of you, either face-to-face or through direct messages on social media sites. Remember, no one likes to appear to be wrong. Posting conversations in comments on social media could backfire, and means exposing more people to the misinformation. Using a caring tone of voice; listening and showing empathy may help the person open up to your ideas.

Let them know that you know finding accurate information can be hard, especially in times like this when the information about COVID-19 is constantly changing. Underscore the need for them to find credible sources who are not in a position to profit in any way from the spread of misinformation. Remind them that an expert on one topic is not necessarily an expert on another. 3. Empathize When talking to a friend or family member, ensure them that you understand there are reasons they might find it hard to trust some sources for information. Ask questions to understand why they believe what they do.

4. Don’t shame or embarrass

5. Use inclusive language When possible, use inclusive language making it clear that you see yourself being impacted in the same way. Share how you also struggle to know who or what to trust. For more information call the Oregon Health Authority at 971-673-1222 or visit https://covidblog.oregon.gov/

•A bout T own • •

Men of Worth return to Birkenfeld Theatre

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The Clatskanie Arts Commission presents A Celtic Christmas with the Men of Worth and Friends at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 12 at the Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem Steet in Clatskanie. The Men of Worth are returning to Clatskanie to present a Celtic Christmas with selections including The Little Drummer Boy, Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night), Lord of the Dance, Angels We Have Heard On High/The Kesh Jig, The Sound Of Iona, Up Mayo/ Christmas Eve, Christmas In The Trenches, The Rising Of The Moon, Only From Day To Day/The Blarney Pilgrim and much more. They will be joined by friends:

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• Kevin Carr, (fiddle, uilleann pipes, pennywhistle), a musical triple-threat, renowned in the U.S. and Canada as a dance fiddler, a pennywhistler, and Irish piper par excellence. • Maureen Brennan, (Celtic harp), equally accomplished in early classical and folk harp, has toured throughout the U.S. and Canada in a variety of ensembles, and has entertained on cruise ships from Alaska to Tahiti for the past 14 years. • Kelsey Wilson whose dance journey has led her to various styles, such as ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and African. Throughout the journey, she’s enjoyed the delight of dancing with a variety of players, such as Dervish,

Courtesy photo

Men of Worth, Kevin Carr, Na Rósaí, and more. For over 30 years, the Men of Worth have blended their voices with harmony and support their collection of songs with their varied selection of instruments. They have a very simple approach to their presentation, and in keeping with tradition, remain true to the music and story. Their show is a unique combination of humor, exciting tunes, and soulful, heartfelt ballads. Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org or by reserving them from Elsa at 503-728-3403. Adults: $20; Seniors/Students: $18; Children 12 and under: $16. Due to Oregon State mandate, masks are required.

•O bituaries • • Sally Marie (Scott) Weller Nov. 19, 1934 ~ Nov. 25, 2021

Sally Marie (Scott) Weller, 87, of Ocean Park, Washington, passed away on Nov. 25, 2021 in Rainier, Oregon.

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•H oliday E vents • •

Dec. 4 • Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Legion Hall, 930 NE 5th St. in Clatskanie. Come shop over 25 vendors and take a sleigh ride and see Santa. Dec. 4 and 5 • Christmas Open House at The Berry Patch Restaurant, 49289 Highway 30, Westport, Oregon from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Door prizes, gift baskets, samples and much more. Take a photo with Santa from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Dec. 5 • Rainier Masons present Rainier’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting by Santa at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 106 W B Street, Rainier. Bring your camera for free pictures with Santa.

The Men of Worth are returning to Clatskanie to present a Celtic Christmas.

uled for 6 p.m. at the Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 Second St. in Columbia City. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at Columbia City Hall, 1840 Second St. in Columbia City. Seating is limited. Masks must will be required at all times. All proceeds will benefit the Columbia City Community Library. For more details, call 503-397-4010. Dec. 10 • Christmas Market Place at 290 S Nehalem St. from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Dec. 6 • A holiday concert featuring Michael Allen Harrison is sched-

Dec. 11 • Christmas Market Place at 290 S Nehalem St. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Vernonia Grange. Vendors from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Chili cook off from 10 a.m.–11 a.m., ugly sweater contest at 2 p.m. and character photos from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

PARKS

there, the park is still walking distance but not adjacent to residential properties.

From Page A1

dog park would meet the needs of a small town. “According to parks rules, you’re supposed to have your dogs on leashes, but some folks take the dogs off leash and let them run around. It’s a constant source of conflict in small towns,” he said. “What a dog park enables you to do is have an area just set aside, folks can go and let their dogs run loose, but within a confined space.” The dog park would need to be strategically placed in order to please all parties involved, according to Jorgensen. “If you put (the park) where you want people to be able to walk with their dog from a residential area, but if it’s too close to a bunch of houses, the neighbors don’t like it,” he said. “Because there’s a bunch of dogs barking all the time.” The area under the C Street Bridge is being considered by the committee as a possible location for the dog park because placed

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 9705

Putting green Of all the ideas suggested by locals, Jorgensen said he wouldn’t have imagined a putting green for the city. “That kind of took me by surprise,” he said. “There had been some talk around town and when the survey results came in, that was highlighted as one of those things that people would really like to see. And I think if you do it right, it could be fairly low-maintenance. You don’t want to go out and build a full on mini-golf facility the way a private company would do. Maybe just put a little putting area out there for folks.” The vision Rainier Riverfront Park, nestled along the Columbia River, is a central gathering point for locals and visitors and has a reputation for providing vast recreational opportunities. “The whole idea here is that we already have a city park. And it’s actually a really nice city park. It’s

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051

Dec. 12 • Clatskanie Arts Commission presents a Celtic Christmas with the Men of Worth and Friends at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org or by reserving them from Elsa at 503-728-3403. Adults: $20; Seniors/Students: $18; Children 12 and under: $16. Due to Oregon State mandate, masks are required. Dec. 19 • Pizza and Pictures with Santa at Hometown Pizza, 109 A St., Rainier from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Bring your camera for a free picture with Santa. These area events have been submitted to The Chief. If you have a bazaar or other community holiday event, send details and contact information to jruark@countrymedia.net. well maintained, it’s pretty big. There’s a lot of different amenities,” Jorgensen said. “The idea was to try to utilize some of those other city owned-properties around town.” Jorgensen identified how the addition of “pocket parks” can be an asset to a small community. “There’s a little pocket park in downtown Lake Oswego. It’s pretty basic. There’s a basketball hoop (and) a little gym thing with a slide. There’s not much to it,” he said. “But if you live in that neighborhood, you just walk over there and use it whenever you want.” In the long term, Jorgensen said he envisions an interconnected park system in Rainier. “There’s times especially when there’s softball games going on, where there’s just a lot of people at the main park at the same time. And so ideally, what I envision is to have that park continue to be, and have some other smaller parks around town, (which) eventually gets to the point where you have trails leading to and from all of them to where you could ride your bike or walk from one to the other.”

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 month in county: $8 1 month out of county: $10 One year in county: $60 One year out of county: $80

CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 • Website: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial: chiefnews@countrymedia.net ADVERTISE WITH US: Advertising Email: chronicleads@countrymedia.net • Classified email: chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net

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Friday, December 3, 2021

Marketplace

It’s easy to place a classified ad in The Chief.

Just call 503.397.0116

Listings are updated daily at www.thechiefnews.com 502

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Help Wanted

Estate Sales

Clatskanie School District is hiring a district substitute teacher to provide ongoing support to teachers during the school day. For a complete job summary, list of qualifications, and duties, please go to our website at www. csd.k12.or.us You may apply online or in person. For more information contact Shannon Emerson at Clatskanie School District, semerson@ csd.k12.or.us (503) 728-0587 x 2003, AA/EOE

PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY Facilities Maintenance Specialist Clatskanie The Port is hiring a full time Facilities Maintenance Specialist in Clatskanie. Excellent salary and benefits. To learn more and apply, please visit our website. www.PortofColum biaCounty.org/jobs EOE

The City of Rainier (OR) is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Applicants must meet DPSST standards for certification. A qualified candidate for this position is someone who is community minded with a strong team work ethic. Rainier is an equal opportunity employer. Job Requirements: No felony convictions, GED or High School Diploma, Be able to pass a thorough back-

ground investigation to include Credit History, Criminal History, Driving Records and Psychological Examination, Be able to pass a medical screening, and drug screening. Entry level officers will be required to pass both a written and physical test. Rainier Police counts on on-call capability for off-duty officers, mainly in the early morning hours. Officers are required to be within a 15-minute response time. Applications are avail-

able at the Rainier Police Department located at: 106 W B Street, Rainier, Oregon or call (503) 556-3644.

elry, prints and paintings, beautiful books, Christmas, and all around fun sale. No list or early sales. Opens at 10 am. Cash only. Follow signs from Hwy 30 and JP West Rd. in Scappoose.

Legal Secretary Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline: 12/28/2021 Apply at ColumbiaCoun tyOR.gov

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Estate Sale Dec. 4 & 5, Sat. & Sun. from 10 am - 4 pm. This is a great sale full of vintage! Civil War to current. Tons of ephemera, photos, postcards, quilts and sewing, vintage kitchen, Civil War sword, Civil War tin types, jew-

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Public Notices

CC21-1541

CC21-1536

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CLATSOP COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CLATSOP COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE NORTHEAST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE CLATSOP PLAINS PLANNING AREA CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLANNING AREA CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan Update Northeast Planning Area Citizen Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting at 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 9, 2021, via GoTo Meeting. The committee will be discussing the Northeast Community Plan. Topics of discussion may include other Goals and policies related to the Northeast planning area. To join the meeting: Please join from your computer,

tablet or smartphone. https:// global.gotomeeting.com/ join/241020789 You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 United States: +1 (571) 317-3129 Access Code: 241-020-789 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ calendar An agenda will be posted seven days prior to the hearing at: https://www. co.clatsop.or.us/calendar. All documents are available

for inspection at the Clatsop County Planning Division at 800 Exchange St, Suite 100, during normal business hours (M-F 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) at no cost. Paper copies may also be obtained at reasonable cost. The full agenda packet is posted at: https://www.co.clatsop. or.us/calendar. If you have questions about this matter or need more information, please contact the Planning Division at (503) 325-8611 or at comdev@co.clatsop. or.us.

CC21-1539

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CLATSOP COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE ELSIE-JEWELL / SEASIDE RURAL PLANNING AREA CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan Update Elsie-Jewell / Seaside Rural Planning Area Citizen Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting at 10:00AM on Friday, December 10, 2021, via GoTo Meeting. The Committee will discuss the Elsie-Jewell and Seaside Rural community plans. Other Goals and policies related to the Elsie-Jewell and Seaside Rural planning areas may

also be discussed. To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/552752757 You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 United States: +1 (646) 7493129 Access Code: 552752-757 An agenda will be posted seven days prior to the hearing at: https://www. co.clatsop.or.us/calendar. All documents are available for inspection at the Clatsop

County Planning Division at 800 Exchange St, Suite 100, during normal business hours (M-F 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) at no cost. Paper copies may also be obtained at reasonable cost. The full agenda packet is posted at: https://www.co.clatsop. or.us/calendar. If you have questions about this matter or need more information, please contact the Planning Division at (503) 325-8611 or at comdev@co.clatsop. or.us.

The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

FRAUD From Page A1

cybercrimes, we are referring to massive intrusions into financial institutions or ransomware attacks against large providers,” FBI Oregon Special Agent in Charge Kieran L. Ramsey said. “Smaller cyber scams run by individuals or groups can be just as frustrating and difficult for families this time of year when all you want to do is provide the perfect gift for your family. The best thing you can do to be a savvy shopper is to know what scams are out there and take some basic precautions.” The following is a look at some of the more common scams: Online shopping scams Scammers often offer too-good-to-be-true deals via phishing e-mails, through social media posts, or through ads. Perhaps you were trying to buy tickets to the next big concert or sporting event and found just what you were looking for – at a good deal – in an online marketplace? Those tickets could end up being bogus.

Or, perhaps, you think you just scored a hard-to-find item like a new gaming system? Or a designer bag at an extremely low price? If you actually get a delivery, which is unlikely, the box may not contain the item you ordered in the condition you thought it would arrive. In the meantime, if you clicked on a link to access the deal, you likely gave the fraudster access to download malware onto your device, and you gave him personal financial information and debit/ credit card details. Social media shopping scams Consumers should beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer special deals, vouchers, or gift cards. Some may appear as holiday promotions or contests. Others may appear to be from known friends who have shared the link. Often, these scams lead consumers to participate in an online survey that is designed to steal personal information. If you click an ad through a social media platform, do your due diligence to check the legitimacy of the website before providing credit card or personal information.

Gift card scams Gift cards are popular and a great time saver, but you need to watch for sellers who say they can get you cards below-market value. Also, be wary of buying any card in a store if it looks like the security PIN on the back has been uncovered and recovered. Your best bet is to buy digital gift cards directly from the merchant online. Another twist on this scam involves a person who receives a request to purchase gift cards in bulk. Here’s how it works: the victim receives a spoofed email, a phone call, or a text from a person who they believe is in authority (such as an executive at the company). The fraudster tells the victim to purchase multiple gift cards as gifts. The victim does so and then passes the card numbers and PINs to the “executive” who cashes out the value. Charity scams Charity fraud rises during the holiday season when people want to make end-ofyear tax deductible gifts or just wish to contribute to a

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan Update Clatsop Plains Planning Area Citizen Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 9, 2021, via GoTo Meeting. The committee will be discussing the Clatsop Plains Community Plan. Topics of discussion may include other Goals and policies related to the Clatsop Plains planning area. To join

the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/789458365 You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (669) 224-3319 Access Code: 789-458-365 An agenda will be posted seven days prior to the hearing at: https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ calendar. All documents are available for inspection at the Clatsop County Planning

Division at 800 Exchange St, Suite 100, during normal business hours (M-F 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) at no cost. Paper copies may also be obtained at reasonable cost. The full agenda packet is posted at: https://www.co.clatsop. or.us/calendar. If you have questions about this matter or need more information, please contact the Planning Division at (503) 325-8611 or at comdev@co.clatsop. or.us.

CC21-1545

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of MICHAEL HILLARD BALLARD, Deceased. No. 21PB08931 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims

against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published November 19, 2021. Margaret Louise Martin, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC21-1547

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING The regular meeting of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 7:00pm at the Port of Columbia County offices, 555 SW Bryant Street, Clatskanie and via GoToMeeting; check our website for access. ANY AND ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING

RULES IN PLACE FOR IN PERSON PUBLIC MEETINGS AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING WILL BE FOLLOWED. Items on the agenda, but not limited to: Updates on daily Fire and EMS operations Board President, Robert Keyser. A workshop of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors

will be held on, Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 6:00pm (before the regular monthly meeting) at the Port of Columbia County offices, 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR; the purpose of this workshop will be to discuss updates on the District’s stations. No public comment and no action will be taken at this workshop.

good cause. These seasonal scams can be more difficult to stop because of their widespread reach, limited duration and, when done online, minimal oversight. Bad actors target victims through cold calls, email campaigns, crowdfunding platforms, or fake social media accounts and websites. Fraudsters make it easy for victims to give money and to feel like they’re making a difference. The scammer will divert some or all the funds for personal use, and those most in need will never see the donations.

searches for the name of the vendor and the words “scam” or “fraud.” • Check the contact details listed on the website to ensure the vendor is real and reachable by phone or email. • Confirm return and refund policies. • Be wary of online retailers who use a free email service instead of a company email address. • Don’t judge a company by its website. Flashy websites can be set up and taken down quickly. • Do not click on links or provide personal or financial information to an unsolicited email or social media post. • Secure credit card accounts, even rewards accounts, with strong passwords or passphrases. Change passwords or passphrases regularly. • Make charitable contributions directly, rather than through an intermediary, and pay via credit card or check. Avoid cash donations, if possible. • Only purchase gift cards directly from a trusted merchant. • Make sure anti-virus/ malware software is up to date and blocks pop-up windows.

What to do if you are a victim

Tips to avoid being victimized Pay for items using a credit card dedicated for online purchases, checking the card statement frequently, and never saving payment information in online accounts. • Never make purchases using public Wi-Fi. • Beware of vendors that require payment with a gift card, wire transfer, cash, or cryptocurrency. • Research the seller to ensure legitimacy. Check reviews and do online

If you are a victim of an online scam, the FBI recommends taking the following actions: • Report the activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov, regardless of dollar loss. Provide all relevant information in the complaint. • Contact your financial institution immediately upon discovering any fraudulent or suspicious activity and direct them to stop or reverse the transactions. • Ask your financial institution to contact the corresponding financial institution where the fraudulent or suspicious transfer was sent. For additional information and consumer alerts, and to report scams to the FBI, visit IC3.gov. For more information and tips about investing, visit dfr.oregon. gov/financial/investments. Consumers can also contact state advocates at 888877-4894 (toll-free) to ask questions, file complaints, or check the license of a company or advisor.

www.thechiefnews.com

From Page A1 adjacent landowners. It’s been great engaging adjacent landowners who are excited for the benefits that NEXT brings to the community and we appreciate their support. The Chief: We have reported that the NEXT plant would boost jobs and the county’s economy. Could you give us specific numbers? How many jobs are projected, what types of jobs, and what does NEXT estimate as the overall economic value of this plant and what it will produce? Efird: The NEXT renewable diesel facility will create more than 3,500 jobs during construction and more than 240 permanent jobs during operation. We have committed to using skilled union labor to build the facility and anticipate that the vast majority of those jobs will be filled by local Oregonians, including union members here in Columbia County. The permanent positions are also available for the local talent pool. We will need engineers, electricians, office administrators, IT teams and other roles that locals are qualified for - and we will provide training! The NEXT project is a $2 billion investment and once

operating, we will generate more than $45 million annually in taxes. Studies show that roughly $16 million will go toward local county taxing districts annually, which helps underpin important services like public safety, education, healthcare and other social services. We will also pay roughly $5.5 million annually in port fees, as well as fees to the Beaver Drainage Improvement Company that are associated with our wetland restoration program.

We remain on track to begin construction in the coming year. ~ Chris Efird, NEXT Renewable Fuels President

The Chief: What are the next steps in the process to get the NEXT Plant built and when is an estimated start of the plant construction? Efird: We are moving through the various permitting processes and anticipate permit decisions in the first quarter of 2022. After receiving our approvals, we hope to start construction mid-2022 and begin operations in 2024. It has been wonderful hearing from community members and seeing their

Friday, December 3, 2021

participation in the public permitting process. We are thankful for support from leaders like the City of Clatskanie, our local Chambers of Commerce, the Clatskanie School Board and so many others. Together, we know that NEXT can be a tremendous benefit to the County and be a cornerstone piece of a cleaner, greener future. Public concerns The Clatskanie City Council was to hear a presentation during its regular public session Wednesday evening, Dec. 1, by Brandon Schilling, who describes himself as a concerned citizen and someone representing a broad network of other concerned community members, opposing the NEXT plant. Schilling told The Chief that landowners and farmers neighboring the proposed site are strongly against the project and feel their concerns have been disregarded as plans push forward. “NEXT and local governments have failed to sufficiently inform the public throughout this planning process including deadlines and opportunities for community involvement and feedback,” Schilling said. “Permit applications move forward with insufficient information, planning, and community input.” Schilling said of concern is NEXT’s management history (Christopher Efird and

Courtesy photo

This is a conceptual drawing of the NEXT Renewable Fuels biofuels plant at Port Westward in Clatskanie.

Lou Soumas), involvement with Transmessis Columbia Plateau, a company, Schilling said is responsible for the abandoned failed facility in Odessa, Washington. Schilling said site suitability is also of concern. “The proposed site consists of ‘liquefiable’ soils, prone to flooding and slides,” he said. “These soils are the basis for the dikes and all roads in the district. Historically, development has caused extensive damage. NEXT curtailed its due diligence to determine more appropriate sites in Oregon and has not proven this project is dependent on water.” According to Schilling, the proposed wetland “mitigation” is invasive and has received sharp criticism from the Beaver Drainage District, neighboring residents, farm-

ers, and landowners. “Once established, the mitigation would be permanent. Furthermore, proposed pollution from this facility is well above DEQ limits,” Schilling said. “This facility will drastically degrade our air quality, and risk contamination and destruction of our tidally influenced waters and surrounding critical habitats home to threatened and endangered species such as salmon, white-tailed deer, and bald eagles to name only a few.” Efird responded to the concerns. “We have heard their concerns in various forums,” Efird said. “The majority of their concerns are based on false assumptions, or information that is not yet available, such as the DEQ’s air permit.”

Efird said further concerns were “well outside the scope of the project and include the impacts of farming on a global scale.” “While we disagree with many of the assumptions, we do share his (Schillings) passion for finding solutions to reducing our carbon footprint,” Efrid said. “When a lifecycle analysis is performed, low-carbon transportation fuels, such as renewable diesel, are proven to be a net benefit to air quality. We are interested to learn what alternatives Brandon proposes that can accomplish the same.” Read more of the concerns outlined by Schilling with this story and follow developments at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: HAPPY HOLIDAYS ACROSS

1. Pilgrim’s destination 6. Make a scene 9. Rubik’s puzzle 13. Hawaii environs 14. Toothy fish 15. Cone-shaped dwelling 16. White Swan in “Swan Lake” ballerina 17. ____-Wan Kenobi 18. *Decorate with wreaths and holly, e.g. 19. *Either dessert or source of heat (2 words) 21. *____ Day, or second day of Christmastide 23. Land parcel 24. Strauss of denim fame 25. Broadband access overseer, acr. 28. Clarified butter 30. Acute one and obtuse one 35. Southeastern Asian country 37. Jouster’s breastplate 39. Shrewdness 40. Caspian basin river 41. *Pasadena’s Tournament of ____ 43. Tel ____, Israel 44. Native American emblem 46. “Why not?” 47. Hitchhiker’s quest 48. Omits when speaking

50. Hard to find 52. Bear’s winter quarters 53. Hoodwink 55. Scepter’s partner 57. *Number of days in Christmastide 60. *”Ugly” holiday party garb? 64. Prepare a letter 65. “Bingo!” 67. Hunger for 68. Pass-the-baton race 69. *Cranberry sauce sometimes comes from it 70. Same as tori 71. Raise the roof 72. German river 73. Stall sound

DOWN

1. Whiny and miserable 2. Shade of beige 3. Finish a ceiling, to a plasterer 4. Marlboro alternative 5. Not digital 6. Bug-eyed 7. Not Uber 8. Social group 9. Ghana monetary unit 10. Second word of many fairytales 11. Cause of Titanic’s demise 12. Poetic “even” 15. Burdensome

20. Not this or that 22. Lab eggs 24. Time off 25. *Champagne holder 26. *Wassailing composition 27. Raccoon’s South American cousin 29. Feeling of superiority, pl. 31. ____ gum, food additive 32. Furiously angry 33. Exclude or omit 34. *Number of candles in kinara, Kwanzaa 36. *Troika vehicle 38. “Will be,” according to Doris 42. Asian goat antelope 45. Potpourri 49. Chevy Suburban, e.g. 51. Builds 54. *Popular holiday wish 56. Munchausen’s title 57. *Bedecked arbor 58. Shakespeare, to his friends? 59. And others, for short 60. Minus 61. Tropical edible root 62. Anon’s partner 63. Take a load off 64. Like some humor 66. *Traditional main holiday dish

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