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CLATSKANIE NATIVES MAKE HEADLINES See page A2

Obituaries-A3 • Opinions-A4 • Police Blotters-A5 • Market Place-A6 • Public Notices-A6 • Sports-A7 • In The County-A7

Friday, December 13, 2019

Lockout at Clatskanie Elementary School

Clatskanie Elementary School.

The Chief

$1 Vol. 128, No. 34 8 Pages

Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Paint to Fight Hunger raises close to $1k

File photo

CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

A lockout that began at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday in the Clatskanie School District and ended on Tuesday at 1:50 p.m. was carried out on the recommendation of the Columbia County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), according to the Clatskanie School District (CSD).

According to information released by CSD, “lockout” means doors to the school are locked and business as usual continues inside the school, while no unauthorized visitors are allowed to enter.

While the lockout involved the entire school district, it was due to a situation that began at Clatskanie Elementary School (CES).

“There was police activity in and around Clatskanie Elementary School today related to a custody issue. We have asked all of our students and staff at both schools to leave the buildings. All events at the middle high school have been cancelled for tonight,” a post dated Dec. 9, at 5:41 p.m. on the CES Facebook page states.

The termination of the lockout was also done after law enforcement and DHS had recommended the school lift it, Tiffany O’Donnell, CES Principal said.

O’Donnell also said the lockout began after school was over and students had been dismissed. Only staff were asked to leave the campus, but not because of immediate danger to their safety, O’Donnell said. Staff were asked to leave around 3 p.m.

“That was just in response to the pursuit of a person by law enforcement in the area, so we just felt that was prudent,” O’Donnell said.

“The whole incident happened after students were out of the building on Monday.”

O’Donnell said that due to after-

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See LOCKOUT Page A7

Photo courtesy: Hope Wirta

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, locals gathered to ‘Paint to Fight Hunger’ in an effort to raise money for HOPE of Rainier’s food pantry. Lead by Hope Wirta, a local artist, speaker, writer and advocate of the food bank, tickets were sold for $45 and included all painting supplies and light appetizers provided by Cornerstone Café. Wirta lead the group in the painting of a silhouetted forest against a starry night sky, and ultimately raised $936 for HOPE of Rainier, which will amount to 2,808 meals provided.

America’s Sweethearts to perform holiday concert at Birkenfeld Theatre JULIE THOMPSON chronicle1@countrymedia.net

This Sunday, Dec. 15, the New York City-based vintage vocal trio “America’s Sweethearts” will bring a holiday show to Clatskanie, featuring toe-tapping, close-harmony musicality and classic hits that span the decades of the twentieth century.

Presented by the Clatskanie Arts Commission, the concert will be held at 3 p.m. in the Birkenfeld Theatre inside the Clatskanie Cultural Center, located at 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie.

According to Clatskanie Arts Commission founding member and treasurer, Elsa Wooley, the commission goes out to look at performances and work with agents to bring acts like America’s Sweethearts to Clatskanie, and when they heard the trio perform, she said they knew the act would be a good fit.

“They’re very high quality and something our audience would like.

They’re in the same genre as the

America’s Sweethearts.

Andrews Sisters, so it’s the kind of music. They’re really good singers and they blend really well,” Wooley said. “We were fortunate they were doing block booking in the area.”

America’s Sweethearts are indeed inspired by the Andrews Sisters, who first hit the airwaves in 1937. According to their website,

Courtesy photo

the group’s founder, Carly Kincannon, actually met the women of America’s Sweethearts singing the music of the Andrew Sisters.

“The moment I met these inspiring girls, it filled a void in my life that I didn’t even know I had,” Kincannon writes on the group’s website. “Singing with these

women has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. There is so much to discover in the evolution of harmony through the decades, and I can think of no group better to explore it with than these girls.”

The Sweethearts also site the Shirelles, Supremes, Bette Middler, the Boswell Sisters, and Ella Fitzgerald as influences. This Sunday, they will perform such classics as, “Sisters,” “Christmas Island,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and other well-known big band numbers.

“They’re going to do the favorites, but they also are going to be performing holiday songs,” Wooley said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to take a breath and enjoy the holiday season.”

Tickets are on sale at $18 for adults, $16 for students and seniors 60-plus, and $14 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at clatskaniearts.org or by reserving them with Elsa at 503-728-3403. If tickets are still available come show time, they can also be purchased at the door.

Toy N Joy Auction a success CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The 37th annual Merchants’ Toy N Joy Auction was a hit, according to Luanne Kreutzer, Merchants’ Toy N Joy Auction President.

The event, which took place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavillion, was themed “A hometown heroes Christmas.”

The Toy N Joy Auction and the Holiday Hope 2019 programs are sponsored by the Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) Volunteer Firefighters Association, HOPE of Rainier, and the St. Helens Kiwanis Club. Proceeds from the auction help the groups distribute toys and holiday food baskets to families throughout CRFR’s district, encompassing Columbia County cities from Rainier to Warren.

This year saw a turnout of just over 300 guests, according to Kreutzer. The funds raised for this year, including donations that began in September and cash donations that came in on Saturday night equaled $48,000, Kreutzer said. Of those funds raised, $7,600 was in the paddle raise for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, according to Kreutzer.

Numbers this year, including guests and funds raised, were on par with previous years, Kreutzer said.

After expenses for the event, pro-

Christine Menges/The Chief

A large crowd of just over 300 guests gathered for the 37th annual Merchants’ Toy N Joy Auction this year.

ceeds from the auction will benefit the CRFR volunteer association Toy N’ Joy project, which will purchase toys for kids through the Holiday HOPE program. Proceeds will also benefit the holiday food baskets which will be distributed with Toy N’ Joy items, Kreutzer said.

Saturday’s event began with a social hour at 4:30 p.m., and then a chicken and macaroni and cheese dinner catered by Sunshine Pizza, a

St. Helens-based restaurant.

The live auction began at 7 p.m. with a greeting from new CRFR Fire Chief Dennis Hoke, who, in keeping with the theme of “A Hometown Heroes Christmas” asked those who were veterans to stand up. He then asked more and more people to stand, including those who volunteered with Toy N Joy, or those who knew a veteran.

At the end, he asked everyone to

stand.

“You’re all heroes,” he said.

The live auction then began, with 29 different items or experiences for sale.

Some items for sale included a pan of cinnamon rolls donated by The Cakehouse, a cord of firewood donated by Isaac Reed, a sevenfoot-tall Grand Fir pre-decorated Christmas tree donated by Northwest Plumbing Services and three designer purses, donated by numerous public and private donors, all of which had Broadway theater tickets inside, with one purse containing an extra-special surprise of extra cash.

Each item was showcased by a volunteer firefighter with CRFR during the auction as they walked the item down the “runway.”

Experiences for sale included a one-hour flying tour of Columbia County donated by Pacific Industrial Service, Inc., park-hopper tickets for four to Disneyland Park as well as a $100 Southwest Airlines gift certificate donated by Northwest Plumbing Services and Disneyland Resort, as well as a six-night cabin getaway at Robert’s Roost in Lincoln City, donated by Cyndi Mimnaugh.

There were two new events within the Toy N Joy Auction that were successful and will likely be

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See AUCTION Page A2

A2

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, December 13, 2019

Clatskanie native awarded Sheriff of the Year

Courtesy photo

Sheriff Tim Svenson.

On Dec. 4, the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association held its annual awards

banquet at the Riverhouse Conference Center in Bend, Oregon. This banquet takes place to recognize individuals throughout the state for outstanding achievements within the past year. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office had three representatives who were privileged to receive awards.

The highlight of the evening was Sheriff Tim Svenson receiving Sheriff of the Year for 2019. The award, which signifies exemplary service above and beyond, recognizes Sheriff Svenson’s participation and contributions toward OSSA’s objectives and efforts in

2019. Sheriff Svenson, who is only the fourth Yamhill County Sheriff to receive this award since its inception in 1971, was presented his award with the following passage: Sheriff Svenson recognizes the vital role OSSA plays in the State of Oregon and has stepped up to serve in several areas. Along with serving as the OSSA Executive Board Secretary, Sheriff Svenson is an active member of several regional, state, and national groups related to public safety, including DPSST’s Telecommunications Policy Committee, Juvenile Issues

Policy Workgroup, Opioid Task Force, and the Oregon APCO/NENA Plain Language Workgroup. In addition, he serves on the Jail Command Council and as OJS lead inspector liaison. Sheriff Svenson is also involved in OSSA’s Awards Committee, LE Responsible Technology Workgroup, and Budget Committee. Sheriff Svenson is always volunteering to assist wherever he can for the OSSA. Sheriff Svenson also directly assisted on the weeklong OSSA Command College, providing exceptional leadership and guidance to our current and

future leaders.

Sheriff Svenson is, at the Federal and as OSSA’s direct representative, a member of the Medicaid Task Force on addressing inmate health care and recidivism.

He is instrumental on the committee to reduce recidivism through continuity of healthcare services for pretrial inmates. Sheriff Svenson is working on the 2020 State Health Improvement Plan as an active committee member on the access to equitable preventive health care priority area. Sheriff Svenson’s work in this area is instrumental in changing how we address inmate

wellbeing and prevent recidivism.

Svenson was born and raised in Clatskanie. While a senior at Clatskanie High School, he became a police cadet with the Clatskanie Police Department, according to his parents John and Lynne Svenson. Following his graduation in 1996, Svenson attended Western Oregon University, and upon graduating in 2000, his career began with the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. Svenson was elected to Sheriff of Yamhill County in 2014 and is now completing the first year of his second term.

Clatskanie native publishes third novel CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Brian McBride, a 23-year-old Clatskanie native now residing in Santa Rosa, California, has recently published his third novel, “Sons of Slaughter.”

The book, released Nov. 2 and independently published, is available in both Kindle and paperback versions on https:// www.amazon.com/SonsSlaughter-Brian-McBride/ dp/1076488129.

“Sons of Slaughter” takes place in Clatskanie and follows two friends who are facing their separate struggles; Beck who is from an abusive home, and Dean who struggles with mental health issues and is also dealing with an unplanned pregnancy along with his girlfriend, Emilia.

According to the book summary, Beck, while escaping his dangerous home situation, stumbles across his late grandfather’s cabin, long since abandoned in the woods. With his friend, Dean, the two begin to repair it, and discover a lot about themselves in the process.

McBride, who lived in Clatskanie until he was 16, said inspiration for the story came from his days of growing up in his hometown.

“It was really inspired with the struggles of a small town, struggles I watched people face, but not just the struggles, also the beauties,” McBride said. “Lots of people have skewed perceptions

AUCTION From Page A1 kept for future auctions, according to Kreutzer. Those were the Green Mountain Grill Raffle and Santa’s Wine Bag. Greg and Lynn Pettit of Warren were the winners of the Green Mountain Grill Raffle, which was especially fortuitous for the couple, because they were one of the last ticket purchasers.

Courtesy photo

Clatskanie native Brian McBride stands with his three published works, the foremost book, “Sons of Slaughter” being his most recent one, published this November.

of small towns, the idea is that small towns aren’t the problem, small lives are, that’s what carried this book from beginning to end.”

Themes in the novel center around mental health,

family, home, friendship and the struggles individuals face to fight their personal battles, according to McBride.

“What I hope resonates is this idea that our scars

are nothing to be ashamed of, and how people around us and our situations try to keep us small, and to really step into living grand, no matter what others may think or feel,” McBride said.

That item was sponsored by Oregon Meats, and all of the proceeds from that raffle will benefit the Toy N Joy Association, Kreutzer said.

Santa’s Wine Bag also provided participants the opportunity to bid on bottles of wine and sold out quickly, according to Kreutzer.

“Our night was a great success, thanks to our many donors and guests, as well as volunteers who have been working all year long to make this night a success,” Kreutzer said.

Photo: Deborah Hazen

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mayhem,” McBride said.

Publishing a plethora of novels is part of McBride’s ongoing momentum, which he said took off after he published his first novel last year. “Sons of Slaughter,” his third book, was the fastest writing process he had ever experienced, McBride said.

“My debut novel took about four years to publish.

This one I started in April and finished in May,” McBride said, at which point the publishing process began, making it so the book was released in November.

“I think just because it was my third novel and I had really developed my own disciplines and skills as a writer. It’s a lot more nerve-racking the first time,” McBride said. “By ‘Sons of Slaughter’ I had really discovered a routine that worked for me to stay disciplined and push through until the end.”

McBride has experienced success with his books so far, selling approximately 300 copies of his first two books, and nearly 50 of his current book.

When it comes to publishing, McBride said he prefers independent publishing and will stick with it.

“I’ve watched authors be dropped by publishing houses for weird reasons, so I thought I’d dip my toes in self-publishing. I like to be really on the ground floor of what we try to do, I like to be really hands-on with my stories,” McBride said. “In the foreseeable future, I will continue to pursue independent publishing.”

Brunch with Santa

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Setting the novel in Clatskanie was in keeping with the theme of “home,” McBride said, because the place is personally significant to him.

“I chose Clatskanie because it seems fitting with some of the themes the book deals with. For me Clatskanie is that place of home, for myself,” McBride said.

In the 16 years he lived in Clatskanie, McBride said the town made an impact on him. Readers of “Sons of Slaughter” will come across familiar Clatskanie terms and landmarks, such as “Highway 30” in the book.

Those who read McBride’s other books, not set in Clatskanie, might also come across “Fultano’s Pizza,” McBride’s favorite pizza place.

McBride’s two other books, also independently published, are titled “Love and the Sea and Everything in Between,” published in October of 2018, and “Every Bright and Broken Thing,” published in June of 2019. McBride has additional projects in the works, such as a four-book young adult fantasy series, the first of which, titled “The Wardens and the Wall between Worlds” will be published sometime during the first half of 2020, according to McBride.

“That one is about a couple of best friends who are in kind of a small town in Washington that has been plagued by mysterious animal attacks. They find out that they’re part of a long line of monster hunters. So lots of monsters, magic and

Courtesy photo

Local children, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, gathered at the Clatskanie Cultural Center on Saturday morning, Dec. 7, for a brunch, story time, and private conference with Santa Claus.

Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder assumed the role of “Santa’s Elf” and was one of the volunteers assisting at the brunch sponsored by Wauna Credit Union and the Clatskanie Foundation as a fundraiser for the Clatskanie Senior Center kitchen remodel. A free showing of “Santa Claus: The Movie” followed the brunch.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, December 13, 2019

•

•O bituaries • • Andrea Larson

Bus. She was also an accomplished cook and baker.

She was very active in her communities including the Zenith School of Metaphisical Studies, Quileute Tribe of La Push, Washington and Spirit Guide for Midgaurd’s Borrow Kindred in Longview, Washington.

Among her special interests, she enjoyed her art, her little farm, music, travel, camping and mushroom hunting.

She is survived by her parents Lucinda (Collins) and Randi Bennett of Port Angeles, Washington and

Randy and Tammy Larson of Scotts Mills, Oregon; three children Kyren Bender of Portland, Oregon, Amanie Bender of Portland, Oregon and River Larson of Clatskanie, Oregon; three sisters Charline (Dan) Williams of Silverton, Oregon, Jamie (Patience) Craven of Hillsboro, Oregon and Rikki Graniel of Hillsboro, Oregon; three brothers Brandon (Jacqueline) Craven of North Carolina, Randy Lee Larson of Scotts Mills, Oregon and Joseph Bennett of Port Angeles, Washington; her grandparents Mary June White of Sequim, Washington and James Collins of Ontario, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributed to the Andi Memorial Fund to assist her daughter, River Larson to travel to Washington D.C. (“@riverboatDC1” On the Venmo App) in her memory.

Friends and family gathered to say goodbye in both Clatskanie and Vernonia on November 20, 2019.

Dennis Earl McLeod Jr.

March 16, 1972 ~ Nov. 19, 2019 In loving memory of Dennis McLeod Jr. Dennis passed away of natural causes in his sleep on Nov. 19, 2019 in Vallejo, California. He was 47 years old.

Dennis worked many jobs with his father and brother at Dennis McLeod and Sons Backhoe Service in Vallejo, California. He was a rep for Proplayer and flew all over the states, worked demolition drilling and blasting, and many other jobs.

Dennis grew up in Mist, Oregon and attended school in Mist. He moved to Vallejo and lived there for eight years before moving back to Rainier, Oregon. He graduated from Rainier High School.

He made many friends everywhere he traveled.

All said, he was a force to be reckoned with. He was known for his heavy hands and hard work. He was an amazing father, uncle, brother and son. He had a powerful personality and impacted everyone he met. A

blessed one. They say he was truly loved by many!

He loved riding his Harley, playing his guitar and music. He would say “music always makes everything better.” His family and his children were the joys in his life.

Dennis will be missed by many people from the West Coast to the East Coast, from Whitefish to Billings, Montana and beyond.

His favorite memories of his childhood were riding

•Area Churches••

• CLATSKANIE

April 30, 1976 ~ Nov. 15, 2019 ANDREA “Andi” JUNE LARSON was born April 30, 1976 in Port Angeles, Washington, the daughter of Lucinda (Collins) Bennett and Randy Larson. She was raised and received her education in Ontario, California; Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Port Angeles, Washington; and graduated from Colton High School, Colton, Oregon. She went on to study Industrial Design at The Art Institute of Seattle.

It was at the Art Institute she met and later married Drew Bender on Oct. 1, 1998 in Washington. Following their marriage, they resided in Renton, Washington, and were blessed with two children. They later divorced.

Andi has since made her home in the PNW and has been busy painting the towns with youngest daughter River by her side.

Andi was an artist, having been skilled in painting window scenes during the holiday seasons, wall murals Native Drums, acrylic painting on canvas, tattoos and even a demo car and a VW

A3

with his Uncle Vince on his motorcycle and the many adventures on the Nehalem River in Mist with his brother Daren and the Cutright boys.

He loved Grandma Grau’s fried chicken and Grandma Willie’s biscuits and gravy.

Last but not least, the birth of his beloved daughters.

Dennis will be truly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his father Dennis McLeod Sr. on June 24, 2018.

He is survived by his mother Judi (Grau) McLeod; brother Daren McLeod; daughter Ever McLeod; sister Sheri Passmore and her two daughter Stacy and Sandy; daughter Destiny McLeod with his grandson Griffin McLeod from Maine; daughter Stella McLeod; son Mark and daughter Sadie Kassis from New Hampshire who he raised as his own.

Any cards or letters can be sent to Judi and Daren McLeod at P.O. Box 232 Clatskanie, Oregon 97016.

Clatskanie Baptist Church 415 South Nehalem St., 503-728-2304 Senior Pastor Kirk Bennett Clatskanie Presbyterian Church 215 South Nehalem Street Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-2300 Clatskanie Presbyterian Church is a community of Christian faith that expresses a relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit for everyone individually and collectively.

For Sunday Dec. 15, 2019 Pastor: Erik Huget Old Testament reading: Psalm 146: 5-10 New Testament reading: Matthew 11: 2-11 Sermon title: Here, See and Tell Adult Bible study at 9:15 a.m. in Fireside room Mayger-Downing Community Church 80071 Life Lane, 503-728-2305 Pastor John Thomas St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 100 SW High Street 503-556-5641 Great Vow Zen Monastery 79640 Quincy-Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 Sunday Morning Program 10am 503-728-0654 Faith Lutheran Church 1010 5th Street, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016. 503-728-4604 Pastor - Mary Anthony

RAINIER

Alston’s Corner Assembly of God 25272 Alston Rd. 503-556-1961 Pastor Steve Berry Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin 204 C St., E Rainier 503-556-5641 Rainier Assembly of God 74950 Rock Crest St., 503-556-8211 Pastor Jeff McCraken Rainier Community Church of God 321 W C St., Rainier,

503-556-5661 Rainier United Methodist Church Corner of 1st & ‘C’ St., 503-556-3440 Pastor Michele Holloway Riverside Community Church 305 West C Street, Rainier 503-556-1216; Pastor Paul Rice Columbia Bible Church 10:30 a.m. Sunday 407 East Second St. Rainier, OR 97016 Robert Klukas 360-501-4060 Heritage Bible Church, Rainier Senior Center, 48 W 7th St., Rainier, Oregon 97048

ST. HELENS

Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church 1911 Columbia Blvd., 503-312-1072 Pastor Burkhardt Calvary Lutheran Church 58251 Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1739 Pastor: Mark Dennis Columbia River Foursquare Church 555 Commons Drive, St. Helens 503-397-0069 Senior Pastor Mike Cooke Christ Episcopal Church 35350 E. Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1033 Rev. Jaime Sanders Columbia Christian Center 235 S 15th St., 503-366-8028 Pastor Terry Luttrell St. Helens Community Bible Church 35031 Millard Rd., St. Helens Pastor Max Snook www.sthelensbiblechurch.org Christian Church 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens 503-397-2151 Pastor Justin Bruner First Lutheran Church 360 Wyeth St. 503-397-0090 Interim Pastor Randy Sinn First United Methodist Church 560 Columbia Blvd., 503-397-0061

Pastor Jared Maddox Plymouth Presbyterian Church 2615 Sykes Rd., 503-397-0062 Pastor David Hutchinson St. Frederic Catholic Church 175 S. 13th St., 503-397-0148 Father Nicolaus Marandu The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2755 Sykes Road, St. Helens St. Helens 1st Ward Bishop Kent Dery 971-225-8727 St. Helens 2nd Ward Bishop Paul Erickson 971-8134000 Scappoose Ward Bishop Lorin Fielding 503-987-2179 Sunset Park Community Church 174 Sunset Blvd, St Helens Pastor Aaron Hiller St. Helens Church of Christ 295 S. 18th St., St. Helens Pastor Ivan Bissell 503-366-0967

SCAPPOOSE

Grace Lutheran Church 51737 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose 503-543-6555 Joshua Wiley Scappoose Foursquare Church 33404 SW JP West, Scappoose 503-543-5069 Pastor Daniel Schmoll St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 51555 SW Old Port Rd., Scappoose 503-543-2110 Chuck Wood

VERNONIA

Nehalem Valley Bible Church 500 North St., 503-429-5378 Pastor Gary Taylor Vernonia Christian Church 410 North St. 503-429-6522 Pastor Sam Hough St. Mary’s Catholic Church 960 Missouri Ave., 503-429-8841 Father Dale Waddil, Father Luan Tran

Norman “Mannie” Baer Nov. 15, 1931 ~ Dec. 7, 2019

Norman “Mannie” Baer, 88, of Goble died at home on December 7, 2019. He was born November 15, 1931, in Cincinnati, Arkansas to Roy and Alma (Randolph) Baer.

In 1950 he graduated from Siloam Springs High School where he studied agriculture.

He had been a Columbia County resident since moving to Oregon in 1952. Norman worked at Wauna paper mills for 19 years. In his retirement he worked for the St. Helens Chronicle delivering newspapers and kept busy tending the farm and writing his memoir, Riding on the Wind.

He enjoyed square and round dancing and was a longtime member of dance clubs such as the Rough And Ruffles, Stardust Dancers, Ring and Swing, Trojan Twirlers, R Square D, and

Fireballs.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Norman was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Evelyn Rosebeary.

He married Barbara Ade January 11, 1986. She survives him at home. He is also

survived by a daughter Myrna (Charles) Rak of Longview; two sons Gregory (Laurie) Baer of Camas and Douglas (Rachel) Baer of Dallas, Oregon; step-children Carol Wilson of St. Helens, Debra (Randy) Cumberland of Graham, Washington, Wendy Jones of Tacoma, Stephen Ade of St. Helens, and David Ade of Goble; brothers Doyle Baer of St. Helen, and Max Baer of Columbia City; sister Iva Sykes of Kelso; 20+ grandchildren; and 10+ greatgrandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Bayview Cemetery in Warren.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Norman’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Helens Senior Center.

Columbia County schedules public forums, hearing to discuss CC Rider service cuts Columbia County has scheduled a series of public forums to discuss service cuts and possible fare decreases to CC Rider, the county’s transit service. The forums come before a scheduled formal public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 8, 2020. County residents, transit users, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Bus runs need to be cut because fares, grants and other income does not cover operating costs. CC Rider receives about $2,523,313 annually in grants, fares and contributions, while current service levels cost $2,837,256 to maintain. This

causes an annual deficit of $313,000.

The failure of the county’s November 2019 ballot measure to form a service district that would have given CC Rider a stable source of funding for operations has also prompted the cuts. CC Rider has already been running on restricted routes because of the lack of funding and debt obligations.

Lines most likely to be impacted by the new reductions include Line 2 to Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus, and Line 3 Flex (Scappoose, St. Helens and Columbia City), as well as Dial-ARide services.

Little to no impact is expected on Line 1 to Portland, Line 5 to Rainier/Longview and Line 6 to Willow Creek.

The weekly run to Portland medical facilities will also likely not be impacted.

The formal public hearing on Wednesday, January 3 will take place during the board’s weekly meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. in the County Courthouse at 230 Strand St. in St. Helens.

The last scheduled forum will take place on the following date: Saturday, December 14 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Rainier Senior Center 48 W 7th St. Rainier

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Friday, December 13, 2019

Weekly Online Poll Do you hang Christmas lights on your house during the holiday season?

Yes

No

Last Week’s Results Do you cut down your Christmas Tree?

54% Yes

46% No

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• Rural Oregon at risk For the past 75 years Oregon’s electric cooperatives like WOEC have provided our members affordable, reliable electricity. Sometimes that’s not easy.

WOEC has experienced 4 FEMA events in the last 6 years, leaving thousands of consumers without power, causing millions of dollars in damages. FEMA funds bring the lights back on after these major events. However, due to an unintended consequence of federal tax law changes in 2017, electric co-ops that receive FEMA funds are now at risk of losing of their taxexempt status, forcing them to raise rates to pay taxes.

Electric cooperatives remain tax-exempt as long as they receive 85% of their income from their memberowners. But with tax law changes, government grants now count as non-member income, threatening this 85% threshold. Here’s what’s already happening: https://kval. com/news/local/fine-printin-2017-gop-tax-law-couldresult-in-increase-in-electricco-op-rates-in-oregon Thankfully, commonsense legislation in Congress - the RURAL Act - ensures

•V oices

that co-ops do not jeopardize their tax-exempt status when they accept government grants. Passage of this bipartisan legislation means that Oregon’s electric co-ops do not have to choose between their tax status or rebuilding infrastructure. But time is running out.

The bill’s ultimate fate may rest with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden’s unique opportunity to keep rural Oregon in the light in more ways than one. By passing the RURAL Act, Senator Wyden demonstrates bipartisan cooperation that Oregonians expect from their elected leaders. Please write asking him to support the Rural Act: https://www. wyden.senate.gov/contact/ email-ron Thank you.

Erika Paleck Vernonia

“And here, right matters” These words were uttered

by Lt Col. Vindman recently during his public testimony during the House Impeachment inquiry when he was asked about why he felt he would be alright in coming forward and testifying. To me

of

T he C ommunity • •

those simple words capture why President Trump should in fact be impeached and removed from office.

Let me back up a little bit. Not long ago, I spent a couple of days with a beloved relative who is typical of several of my friends and relatives. He is a Trump supporter, he had his MAGA hat proudly hanging on a rack, his bookshelves were full of books by Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs, and similar rightwing spokes people. He told me he couldn’t watch the “fake news” anymore. My observations have been he only watches Fox news. He and I couldn’t be any farther apart in our political beliefs. He is educated, responsible, intelligent and truly a nice person.

What I am saying is I do not hate those that do not share my political positions and find many Trump supporters to be very nice people.

How can we possibly be so far apart in our political beliefs? Part of the problem I know, is we live in different realities. During the recent impeachment inquiry hearing, I watched all of it; most on MSNBC or CNN, but I also watched some of it and the commentary on Fox. The difference between the two coverages was astounding. It is no wonder that our popula-

tion is so divided. They truly portrayed two completely different realities. However, only one of those realities is true.

The other is a false alternative reality. In other words, one is the “right” reality, and being right and true does matter.

Having watched the entire inquiry, the testimony given by virtually all the witnesses was damning for the President. Even Gordon Sondland, the Portland Hotelier who was appointed by Trump to become the Ambassador to the European Union after donating a million dollars to the Trump inaugural event, flatly stated there was a quid pro quo. The Republicans during the inquiry made no real attempt to dispute the facts of what happened, but simple reiterated a few untrue and/ or irrelevant speaking points over and over with the hopes they would confuse and become realities in the minds of some of those watching.

Quoting Neal Katyal former Acting Solicitor General of the United States (the government’s top courtroom lawyer); President Trump has “Abused the public trust by soliciting foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election; abused the public trust by engaging in bribery – repeatedly- through his quid pro quo exchanges with Presi-

dent Zelensky of Ukraine; abused the public trust by obstructing justice into the investigations of his conduct, adopting an unconstitutional view of executive power; and worst of all he has promised to do it again . Unless we stop him.”

One could make a much longer and more complicated case on why impeachment and conviction are warranted.

But the truth of the simple statement above is enough.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

50. Charged particles 52. *”____ must I be a teenager in love?”

53. Sound of pain or pleasure 55. Us, in Mexico 57. *Levittown, e.g.

60. *Like one born in ‘50s 63. Like a private circle 64. Highest card in “War” 66. Sea near Australia 68. “The ____ Runner,” pl.

69. *Cuban syllable 70. Musician’s exercise 71. Heroic poem 72. Boy toy 73. Sterilize

THEME: THE 1950s

ACROSS 1. Bottomless pit 6. Banned insecticide 9. Exclamation of contempt 13. Start with a clean one?

14. Lennon’s lady 15. Editing command 16. Feudal lord’s property 17. Dunce 18. *Ayn Rand’s “____ Shrugged” 19. *Record-breaking Oscarwinner 21. *TV’s Jim Anderson 23. Immeasurable period 24. Editor’s oversight 25. Fugitive’s get-away 28. Vegas cube 30. Even smaller 35. “Rock of ____” 37. Cleopatra’s necklace 39. Saddam Hussein’s Islam 40. Surrender 41. Young Atlantic cod 43. Eastern ____ 44. Work the dough 46. Diamond Head island 47. Quarterback’s downfall 48. Pollen producer

Greg Pettit, Warren

Trump not impeachable Forty six years ago, July 1973, while lying in a hospital bed in the old wooden Portland VA Medical Center all the television channels broadcast were of the Nixon impeachment hearings in Congress. Luckily I had head injuries from Vietnam having surgery on my right ear and had bandages to where I heard very little from my left ear or wear my eyeglasses thus could only see the foot of my bed.

Did President Nixon have prior knowledge of the Wa-

DOWN 1. Cigar residue 2. Blister 3. New Haven Ivy 4. Kidney problem 5. Modus operandi 6. Point of entry 7. *Crick/Watson/Franklin discovery 8. Toffee, alt. sp.

9. Trodden track 10. “Cast Away” setting 11. *”A ____ Is Born” with Judy Garland 12. “For ____ a jolly ...”

15. Jamaican vernacular 20. Yards and miles, e.g.

tergate break-in? Maybe. Did President Nixon aid and abet the purported coverup? Yes. Was this a serious impeachable offense? Yes. Once again Congress is pursuing an impeachment of a president, and for what? As per Rep. Adam Schiff ‘Quid Pro Quo,’ really? Since the United States has become active in world politics around 1873, Quid Pro Quo has been the standard operandi on how it conducts its foreign policies. Africa wants 100 tons of grain so Congress requires them to implement birth control, get the picture? America sends billions in aid around the world; food, weaponry, technology, and financial aid and does it expect things in return, you betcha.

If Quid Pro Quo is a crime then every official in Washington D.C. is a criminal, even Senators Wyden, Merkley and Representative Bonamici. Does President Trump suffer from severe Stage 4 Narcissism? Yes. Is President Trump a crude rude dude? Yes. Are these attributes impeachable offenses?

No, not according to my copy of the constitution. Show me some facts.

Joe Turner Columbia City 22. Address abbreviation 24. T in ATV 25. *Source of immortal Hela cells 26. *Occupation of Ian Fleming’s protagonist 27. Mythological princess of Colchis 29. *Fashion designer who made a comeback in 1954 31. Small pieces 32. *Rose to Jackie 33. Methuselah’s father 34. *Tenant of Fred Mertz 36. Clothing line 38. Type of salmon 42. “Beats me!”

45. Formal objections, in court 49. And not 51. Like Santa after coming down the chimney 54. Taken follower 56. Inflict a blow 57. Barber shop sound 58. To, in the olden days 59. Swarm members 60. Pinto or black 61. Outback birds 62. Was a passenger 63. *”We’ll take ____ to Washington” 65. *Guevara’s nickname 67. Tyrannosaurus follower

Answers to crossword on A5

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Friday, December 13, 2019

• The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

Rainier Police Department December 1 • An officer checked on a reportedly suspicious vehicle. The

vehicle checked out fine, but the plates that were on it had been previously reported as stolen, unbeknownst to the new owner.

• A business was found to be secure when officers went to check on an alarm call.

December 2 • An officer assisted a motorist who inadvertently locked herself out of her vehicle.

• Loud music was reportedly disrupting the neighborhood on Fern Hill Road.

December 3 • A vehicle not known to a neighborhood was repeatedly

A5

•B lotters • •

driving through and a resident believed it to be suspicious. The vehicle had left the area prior to officer arrival.

• A residential alarm kept going off for unknown reasons.

• A caller was concerned about the welfare of a person that was slumped over the steering wheel of their vehicle. The occupant came out of their slumber as the officer was rapping on their window and decided to leave the area.

December 5 • An officer responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle.

The vehicle had been reported

as stolen from San Jose CA and was subsequently towed to a secured lot.

• A local business reported that a man stole an envelope with approximately $150 cash in it.

The suspect was on surveillance video. Later that evening, an officer located the suspect who confirmed he had taken the money. The money was recovered and returned to the business and the suspect was issued a criminal citation for theft.

• A wallet was turned in as found property. The owner was located and the property was returned.

• An employee at a business was concerned about a suspicious vehicle that was in their parking lot. The vehicle was a recovered stolen and the owner was coming to retrieve it later.

• Officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance and the caller described it as a ‘bad fight’. It was determined not to be a domestic, but rather a neighborhood argument that became loud in nature. Peace was restored.

December 6 • An officer went to check on the welfare of a dog after receiving a complaint. The dog

was okay.

• Officers responded to a domestic disturbance. Both parties appeared to be intoxicated and they had separated. Peace was restored.

December 7 • An officer assisted a citizen that was locked out of their vehicle.

• An employee called to report found needles in a restroom.

The needles were disposed of.

Officers had contact with a person who appeared to be having some mental health issues. The person was given a courtesy transport to the hospital.

PCC obtains land in Columbia County, set to begin construction on facility

Photo: FBI – Oregon

Some tips for holiday shopping

Tech Tuesday: Online shopping Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment.

Today: Building a digital defense as you race to finish your holiday shopping.

Today, we have a red alert straight from the big guy at the North Pole – we are just two weeks away from Christmas. Are you ready?

Online shopping makes it easier and easier for procrastinators to push those deadlines into the danger zone – but we have 12 days of tips to keep you shopping safely, and get you done early.

Day 1 – Don’t go online until you make sure that your computer and your phone are fully up to date. Santa says you should make sure you aren’t susceptible to viruses and malware.

Day 2 – Put the cold freeze on using public WiFi. If you do log on to unsecured wireless networks, you can put your private info out there for any grinch to steal.

Day 3 – Find the perfect whatnot, but the seller requires that you pay using a gift card or wire transfer?

Watch out – those are telltale signs of a possible fraud.

Day 4 – Mrs. Claus is a big believer in giving “experiences” over “things”… but if you are thinking of buying tickets to a concert or sporting event for that special someone, make sure you stick with a reputable seller.

You might find websites or online marketplaces where people are offering good tickets cheaply, but know that plenty of counterfeiters are ready to cash in on Christmas at your expense.

Day 5 – Hot toy or blingy bauble sold out everywhere you look? You think you hit the jackpot when you find it on a never-heard-ofbefore website, and, bonus, it’s cheaper than expected.

Sounds great, but be warned – if you stumbled upon a scammer trying to take advantage of your desperation, the only thing that is likely to show up in the mail is a bill.

Day 6 – Pay with a credit card when possible. You will likely have more protections than paying with your debit card or cash.

Day 7 – Time to put your jingle jangle on and buy some gift cards. They are popular options, but watch out for sellers who say they can get you cards belowmarket 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.

Day 8 – Stay off youknow-who’s naughty list by changing your passwords.

Yes, they can be difficult to remember, but, no, they shouldn’t all be the same.

Make sure you use long and unique passwords for the most important sites – like your email and bank account – and update the others to stronger options frequently.

Day 9 – Tis the season for giving, and it is prime time for charities to ask for money as we get close to the end of the year. Make sure that your donations are going to legitimate non-profits by do-

ing some basic research. Also keep an eye on how much of your donation goes directly to services – and how much it is gobbled up by admin and overhead costs.

Day 10 – It’s candy cane crunch time, with only a few days left. Don’t let stress drive you to making poor choices. Fraudsters love using social engineering techniques to trick you into making quick decisions you wouldn’t otherwise make. As the saying goes, if the deal sounds too good to be real, it likely is.

Day 11 – Almost there, and scammers are going down to the wire to make their pitch sound perfect.

Beware of unsolicited emails, texts, or social media posts that promise you the chance to purchase that final needed gift. Don’t click on links or attachments no matter how much you want to be done with shopping madness.

Day 12 – You made it with just a few days to spare.

We have just one final tip for you before you try to wrap that pile of presents. Spend a few minutes checking your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. If there’s anything suspicious – make sure you report it right away.

As always, if you have been victimized by a cyber fraud, be sure to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.

IC3.gov or call your local FBI office.

Have a great holiday everyone and remember to shop safely.

Crossword Answers

This week, Portland Community College received the green light to take possession of property in Columbia County on which it will build a workforce training center. The parcel of land – just over 17 acres – is located north of Wagner Court and east of West Lane Road, in Scappoose.

The land acquisition is the culmination of a lengthy process. “We’re thrilled to share that PCC now has land in Scappoose, and even happier that construction will soon begin,” said Sylvia Kelley, PCC’s executive vice president.

“Many thanks to our constituents in Columbia County, who have patiently waited as the college worked diligently to make this project a reality.”

The property offers easy access to students and the community because of its adjacency to Highway 30. Also appealing is its proximity to OMIC R&D, the Research & Development partner in the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center initiative. The regional OMIC project seeks to combine applied research and development and workforce training, serving the region’s advanced manufacturers and creating economic mobility for area residents to access living wage careers in the metals manufacturing industry.

PCC’s training center will initially focus on advanced manufacturing, offering such programs as Machining, Computer Numerically Controlled Operation, Welding and Mechatronics, all of which complement OMIC’s R&D work. Programming will be based on an apprenticeship model, a career pathway that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction in order to develop the industry-aligned skills necessary for a re-

•

warding career with an employer that trains and hires them. PCC is also committed to providing additional Career Technical Education and other courses as needed by the community.

“PCC’s partnership in Scappoose was something we’ve supported wholeheartedly from the very beginning,” said Scappoose Mayor Scott Burge.

“There have been bumps and bruises along the way, trying to figure it out and how to do it, but all day long, the city of Scappoose has been there with PCC. It’s very important for the city. It’s very important for economic development.

And, it’s very important for the whole OMIC process that’s happening out there.

“Having sticks in the ground for a community college is huge for our community. So, we’re all onboard and looking very forward to the groundbreaking on that site,” he said.

PCC will begin construction soon, with an anticipated facility opening date of spring 2021. Meanwhile, plans are underway for a celebratory groundbreaking, open to the community, to take place in late winter or early spring 2020.

“I’ve got a construction and project management team ready to go on the build, and they couldn’t be more excited to start work,” said Linda Degman, director of PCC’s Planning and Capital Construction office.

“Our 2020 groundbreaking truly will be a celebration about the facility to be built, and the asset it will be for the community,” said Degman.

PCC has had a longtime presence in Columbia County, offering both credit and non-credit courses throughout the region.

Welding classes continue to be taught in the evenings at St. Helens High School as

they have for the past six years. Beginning this fall, Scappoose High School offered machining coursework to their students to meet curriculum needs using PCC’s OMIC equipment located at the high school. Meanwhile, OMIC machining apprentices began taking classes in the evenings at Scappoose High School. However, the desire for a permanent PCC presence and facility has been long standing.

“PCC is incredibly grateful to our community partners in Columbia County, who have granted access to the college over the years to use their facilities for classes,” said Kelley.

“Their generosity hasn’t mitigated our desire for a permanent facility in the region, however. As such, we are delighted about the phase we’re now in.

“Advanced manufacturing has a bright future in our state, with the OMIC project being transformational for Columbia County and northwest Oregon.

PCC’s training center will provide students with both the classroom and on-thejob learning they need to fill high-demand, living wage jobs available,” said Kelley.

Added Scappoose City Manager Michael Sykes, “While volunteering at the city’s September Sauerkraut Festival, attended by 8,000 community members, the number one question I was asked was about when PCC would be coming to town. And this was quickly followed by comments that they hoped PCC was still headed our way.

“Scappoose has the largest vacant industrial area in the region, and all of it is pretty much shovel-ready.

PCC will complement the workforce opportunities here and is really going to be a game changer for our community,” he said.

•C ommunity C alendar • •

Mondays: • Oregon Hunters Association Columbia County Chapter membership meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the Kozy Korner Restaurant in St. Helens.

Meetings start at 7 p.m. or come early at 6:30 p.m. for some good food and visiting.

• Community Action Team Board of Directors meetings take place on the fourth Monday of every month unless the meeting would fall on a holiday, from 2 – 4 p.m. in the CAT boardroom, 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens.

• The American Legion Post 68 meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St., Clatskanie.

Tuesdays: • The VFW meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 960 SW 5th St., Clatskanie.

• The Columbia County Law Library will be holding Court Forms Clinics every Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (weather permitting). Get help filling our court forms commonly used in the Columbia County courthouse. The forms are free and the clinic is free. Sign up is required and is available at the courthouse Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or at the Law Library Tuesdays

and Thursdays from 11 a.m.

– 3 p.m. 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Questions: 503-3965344 or ccll@columbiacll.org or davis12000@aol.com.

Wednesdays: • Rotary Club of Columbia County – St. Helens meeting is held at the Warren Country Inn at 12 p.m. For more information, call 503-397-2341.

• Columbia SWCD meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., 35285 Millard Rd., St. Helens. December’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

• Lawyer in the Law Library is a series of talks about common legal problems. Meeting are on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A lawyer will provide basic information and answer your questions about the topic of the evening. Columbia County Law Library, 270 S. First St., St. Helens. Call 503396-5344 with questions.

• Port of Columbia County Board of Commissioners hold meetings at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Port of Columbia County office, 100 E St., Columbia City.

Thursdays: • The Veterans breakfast is held the first Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at the

Legion Hall, 930 SE 5th St., Clatskanie.

• The regular monthly Rainier Chamber of Commerce meeting is held on the second Thursday of every month at 12 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Lunch is provided for a suggested $6 donation.

Fridays: • Veteran’s Breakfast at the Village Inn in the Banquet Room the first Friday of every month. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the meeting starts at 8 a.m. Guest speakers will discuss topics that are important to local Veterans and their families. All veterans are welcome to attend.

Saturdays: • NAMI Columbia County Support Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness, meets on the second Saturday of every month from 12 p.m.

– 2 p.m. at the Elks Veterans Bunker, 125 S. 13th St., St Helens, Oregon. For more information, contact Judy Thompson 503-397-6056 or contact NAMI Oregon at 503230-8009.

• The Rainier Historical Museum is open every Saturday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

It is located inside Rainier City Hall. Please enter the side entrance and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.

Columbia County’s trusted local news source

A6

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Friday, December 13, 2019

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The Columbia SWCD Board will hold an executive session to consider employment of a public officer, employee or staff member under ORS 192.660(2)(a). This session will be held during the regular Board Meeting on Wednesday, December 18.

The regular Board meeting will begin at 7pm.

Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, RAYMOND W. GRAU AND BETTY KAY GRAU, HUSBAND AND WIFE as Grantor to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY OF OREGON as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for GMAC MORTGAGE CORPORATION DBA DITECH.COM, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of November 11, 2004 and recorded on December 13, 2004 as Instrument No. 2004015330 and the beneficial interest was assigned to LOANCARE, LLC and recorded August 21, 2019 as Instrument Number 201906699 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 8646 A TRACT OF LAND IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER, OF SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THAT TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED

CC19-1150

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Columbia SWCD Public Meeting Notice for our Personnel Committee Meeting on Tuesday, December 17th at 10 am.

It will be held at our office 35285 Millard Rd. St. Helens.

CC19-1152

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING The Rainier School Board is having a Special Board Meeting to discuss district budget on Monday, December 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rainier School District Board Room, 28168 Old Rainier Rd.

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TS No. OR05000079-19-1 APN 8646 TO No 190930132 -OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE FROM JOSEPH M. LYNCH AND ESTHER LYNCH TO C.J. LARSON RECORDED MARCH 16, 1912 IN BOOK 17, PAGE 338, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE NORTH 61° 45` WEST 548 FEET TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE BETHANY CHURCH CEMETERY PROPERTY AS DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED FEBRUARY 8, 1909 IN BOOK 12, PAGE 210, DEED RECORDS; THENCE NORTH 28° 15` EAST ALONG SAID CEMETERY PROPERTY 313.50 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTH 60° 37` EAST 525.17 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WEST BOUNDARY LINE OF THE S.P. & S. RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID WEST BOUNDARY OF THE S.P. & S. RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY 320 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION THEREOF LYING WITHIN THE COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY; ALSO EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THAT DEED TO WALTER WIDMER ET UX RECORDED IN BOOK 94, PAGE 199, DEED RECORDS AND ALSO EXCEPTING

CC19-1139

(Archie Rolin Brown) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of ARCHIE ROLIN BROWN, Deceased. No. 19PB05239 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate.

All persons having claims

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CC19-1149

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 December 6, 2019. Nola J. Russell, Personal Representative.

STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

CC19-1142

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE For Sale by public auction at 10:00 am on Monday, December 23, 2019: Abandoned Mobile Home formerly belonging to Sandra Elmore. The mobile home is located at Westport Villas II Mobile Home Park, 91155 Old Mill Town Road, Space

950

Storage

No. 4. The home is a 1970 Singlewide, X-Plate No. 181280. Interested buyers may contact Ansara Sayers, Manager of the Park, at 503-455-9911 prior to the sale to inspect the home.

The sale will be held at the home’s location. Sealed bids will not be accepted.

The home may remain in the park as long as it is owner-occupied by a person approved for tenancy by Westport Villas II Mobile Home Park. Purchaser must be approved as a tenant prior to occupying the home and/or must sign a storage agreement.

The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon.

Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

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THEREFROM THAT PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THAT DEED TO L.C. HERSGARD ET UX RECORDED IN BOOK 193, PAGE 207, DEED RECORDS. Commonly known as: 56921 COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY, WARREN, OR 97053 Both the Beneficiary, LoanCare, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq. OSB #120112, OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 01/01/2019 to 01/01/2019 at $1,108.35 9 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2019 to 10/04/2019 at $1,120.52 Monthly Late Charge(s): 1 Monthly Late Charge(s) 10/10/2019 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $108,183.07 together with interest thereon at the rate of 5.75000% per annum from December 1, 2018 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s

fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed.

Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on February 21, 2020 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s

fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic.

Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 10/10/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq. OSB #120112, OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Order Number 65474, Pub Dates: 11/22/2019, 11/29/2019, 12/06/2019, 12/13/2019, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

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CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT MEETING NOTICE The Clatskanie People’s Utility District Board of Directors has scheduled the next regular Board meeting for Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the community room of the District’s administration building located at 495 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie. A Board Workshop will be held at 5:30 pm. An executive session may be called at the workshop and/or meeting, pursuant to: ORS 192.660 (2) (f) information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection; and ORS 192.660 (2) (h) to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties

of a public body regarding current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. AGENDA CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT BOARD WORKSHOP on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 5:30 P.M. I. GUEST SPEAKER: Scott Corwin, NWPPA Executive Director II. POLICY REVIEW: EH 702 III. STAFF REPORTS CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. I. PUBLIC COMMENTS II. CONSENT AGENDA · Minutes of Board Workshop, November 20, 2019 ·

Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, November 20, 2019 · Review payment of bills for November 2019 III. ACTION ITEMS · Policy Review: #211 Quorum, #212 Meeting Notices, #213 Board Meeting Minutes, #214 Public Input at the Board Meetings, #215 New Business at Board Meetings, #305 Contract Law, #308 Power and Financial Risk Management, #309 Portfolio Planning, and #310 Resource Acquisition · OPUDA Voting Delegate & Alternate IV. DISCUSSION / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS · Board Comments & Calendar V. EXECUTIVE SESSION VI. ADJOURNMENT

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CITY OF CLATSKANIE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOTICE The Clatskanie Planning Commission will meet for a regular meeting on Wednesday, December, 18h, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. in the Clatskanie City Council

Chambers, 75 South Nehalem St. (Clatskanie Cultural Center, 2nd floor). Agenda items include, but are not limited to the following: Approval of the minutes of the November

20th, 2019 regular meeting; a lot line adjustment for the property located at 1140 NE 5th St. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by December 16, 2019.

www.thechiefnews.com

Friday, December 13, 2019

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DNA test reunites family after 54-year search JULIE THOMPSON chronicle1@countrymedia.net

When St. Helens local Janice Tauscher was 23, she was pregnant with her third child.

She had two daughters from a previous marriage and was now pregnant with her third child, but the child’s biological father had just left her six months pregnant. She was a struggling single parent now, and she had a difficult decision ahead.

“I just thought, you know, I’m not providing a good home for my daughters. I felt that it was better for me to give him up for adoption so that he would have a better life,” Tauscher said.

So, when her son was born, she wasn’t allowed to hold him because of the choice she’d made. Tauscher said her goodbyes.

However, four days after the adoption, the boy’s father returned. He and Tauscher got back together, and he asked her if she could “get the baby back.” But Tauscher had been given a time frame to change her mind, and that time had passed, so she reached out to the caseworker who handled the adoption.

“The case worker had told me it takes a very unselfish mother to give her baby up to have a better life, and the case worker shared that with the adoptive parents,” Tauscher said. “And so, Craig knew that always, all of his life.”

Until recently, Tauscher had been searching for her son for 54 years. She’d gone onto the internet, put in his birthday and where he was born, but never got any results back. Most recently, her friend got her a DNA kit for Christmas, just in case the adopted son had tried the same thing. They wanted

to find him, too. Tauscher said she never gave up, even though she’d heard that boys don’t usually look for their biological parents as much as girls do. She wondered if he even wanted to find her.

Then, on Sept. 17, 2019, after a lifelong search, a message came via Facebook.

“Hello, my name is Craig Blair,” the message read. “I recently had my DNA analyzed on AncestryDNA and just got my results back. You were listed at the top as a match for a parent.”

Blair went on to explain when he was born, and that he’d reached out through the Ancestry website but was afraid Tauscher didn’t check it often. So, he’d tracked her Facebook down using a matching picture and hoped she didn’t mind him contacting her there.

“I have been waiting to find my birth mother for a long time. I never expected it would happen as easily as this. I wonder if you have been hoping I would look for you and contact you some day,” the message from Blair read, adding that he still lived in Montana near where he was born. “Please write back if you would be interested in connecting.”

Tauscher said when she read the message, she was “on a cloud.” In tears, she responded. “I’ve wanted to contact you for so long. I’m so excited, you have three sisters and a brother.”

A family reunion Blair had known he was adopted since he was very young. He said his parents told him what little they knew about his birth mother, and that she had given him away

Onlookers spotted the sign and gathered around, many of them recording the reunion on the phone, which The Chief will share in the online version of this article at thechiefnews. com.

Tauscher, who had not been allowed to hold Blair as an infant, only wanted to know one thing: “Do I get to hold you?”

Making up for lost time Tauscher said she is grateful to her son’s adoptive parents for giving him a good life, and grateful that he’s always known why she had to give him up.

While they were in Montana, Blair shared his life with her and Tauscher pointed out places she’d known when she was still living there. Blair now worked for YWAM inside the building that used to function as an air force base where his adoptive father worked. As it turned out, Blair’s birthmother had always had a fascination with the very house in which Tauscher was born. It was up for sale, so Blair called the realtor and they took a tour.

“Then also discovering that within a block of my house is the home where my great aunt and uncle used to live,” Blair said. “Just having shared the roots of location, to know the same places … I never dreamed that would be the case.”

After that vacation, Blair came to St. Helens for Thanksgiving, where Tauscher and three of his siblings still live. His fourth sibling lives in Scappoose. They had 22 family members gathered, and they had not seen a group that large gathered in years.

“They hadn’t all gathered together in such a long time, but they gathered together

Photo: Janice Tauscher

Craig Blair stands with his birth mother, Janice Tauscher of St. Helens, on the day they finally came face to face.

because she’d wanted him to have a better chance at a life that she couldn’t provide.

Throughout the years, his adoptive mother continued to encourage him to one day look for his birth mother. At first, Blair said it felt like a “really difficult task” because the records were sealed. He knew he needed a lawyer and a valid reason to get the documents opened, and he was overwhelmed with the process and didn’t know where to begin.

“I kept saying to myself time is running out. If she’s still out there – maybe she’s passed away,” Blair said.

Finally, Blair’s adoptive sister gifted him a DNA kit.

“I never thought that when I got the results back that I would have her listed right at the top,” Blair said, before explaining how he tracked down his birth mother’s Facebook page. “I noticed that the friend request had been accepted, and then the message started coming through. You know, the little dots going by … she’s writing to me. She’s writing to me now!”

As fun as it was, Blair said it was also overwhelming at

first. The same day he found Tauscher, he started getting messages from his sisters, and Tauscher had warned him: “Okay the news is out, they’re going to be contacting you.

I hope you’re ready because we’ve been looking for you for such a long time.”

The first phone call came, and they shared their histories with each other. Blair let Tauscher know that his life had turned out well, he had a family and he was a man of faith. He worked for Youth with a Mission (YWAM) now, a Christian missionary and outreach group, and lived in the next town over from where he was born.

Tauscher told him about his siblings – two half-sisters, and two full siblings she’d had with Blair’s father. The two of them had continued on with their relationship for 12 years before it ended, and Blair’s birth father had since passed.

Finally, Tauscher’s children arranged for her to go and spend a week with Blair in Montana. He stood waiting for her at the airport with a sign that read, “Mom, I’ve been waiting 54 years to meet you!”

because I came, and I just felt like, you know, wow. Because of me … ” Blair said. “I got emotional about it in the evening just thinking about it. This is really an amazing and historical time for our family to gather together and to welcome me so openly and lovingly.”

Tauscher agreed. She said she is proud of what her son has become and the life he’s had and feels blessed that they’ve found each other. They talk regularly now, via text, phone calls and video chats on Tauscher’s iPad, which The Chief used to catch up with Blair while Tauscher asked for a tissue to dab away the happy tears lifted at the retelling of their story.

They laugh over how much Blair looks like his siblings, and her, and how obvious it is that they all inherited the same sense of humor.

At the end of our time together, this reporter asked Blair and Tauscher if there was anything else they wanted to talk about … anything they wanted our readers to know about their story that we hadn’t discussed?

“I don’t know how much you readers are …” Blair said, before pausing to regather his thoughts. “In terms of their faith in God, but this is really a God story for me and a testimony of God’s goodness. I think the timing was in God’s perfect timing for me to meet my family, even though it took so many years to find them, and I’m just very thankful for that. I’m thankful that God gave me a family that I can be a blessing to, and that this reunion has in turn been a blessing to all of my mom’s family. That, to me, is really the most important thing about this story.”

alum celebrates 95th birthday Athletically Speaking: 12/9-12/21 Clatskanie Visiting and picture taking Coming up this week in Athletics:

Warrenton Grade School: 4 p.m.

Tuesday December 17th • JV2 Boys Basketball vs.

Yamhill-Carlton: 3 p.m.

[Main Gym] • JV Girls Basketball vs.

Yamhill-Carlton: 4:30 p.m.

[Upper Gym] • JV Boys Basketball vs.

Yamhill-Carlton: 4:30 p.m.

[Main Gym] • V Girls Basketball vs.

Yamhill-Carlton: 6 p.m.

• V Boys Basketball vs.

Yamhill-Carlton: 7:30 p.m.

Tourney: 4:30 p.m.

• V Girls Basketball vs.

Western Christian @Dayton Tourney: 3 p.m.

• Boys Basketball @Astoria: 4:30 p.m. JV2: 6 p.m.

highlighted the day when approximately 65 relatives and friends gathered in the Friday December 13 fellowship hall at Clatskanie • Girls HS Wrestling @ Baptist Church on Sat., Nov. Warrenton: 5 p.m.

• JV2 Boys Basketball vs. Am30, to help Ruth Soderstrom ity: 3 p.m. [Main Gym] celebrate her 95th birthday.

Friday December 20 • JV Girls Basketball vs. AmBorn in Aurora, Oregon • V Girls Basketball vs. ity: 4:30 p.m. [Upper Gym] on Dec. 2, 1924, Ruth came Pleasant Hill @Dayton Tour• JV Boys Basketball vs. Amto Clatskanie in March of ney: 3 p.m. ity: 4:30 p.m. [Main Gym] Meet your friends and relax 1925 with her parents Jack • V Boys Basketball vs.

• V Girls Basketball vs. Amity: at this classic neighborhood and Lillian LaFountaine. She Pleasant Hill @Dayton Tour6 p.m. watering hole!

• V Boys Basketball vs. Amity: graduated from Clatskanie ney: 4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

High School in 1942 and Saturday December 21 lived there until moving to Saturday December 14 • HS Wrestling @WahkiaManzanita around 1988 with • HS Wrestling @Warrenton: Wednesday kum: 10 a.m. her husband Clarence Sod9:30 a.m.

December 18 • V Girls Basketball vs. erstrom, another long-time • MS Boys Basketball vs.

Santiam Christian @Dayton resident of Clatskanie. He Coming up next week in Knappa: 4 p.m.

Tourney: 1:30 p.m. passed away in 1999. Ruth Athletics: Thursday December 19th • V Boys Basketball vs. moved back to Clatskanie in • V Boys Basketball vs.

Santiam Christian @Dayton 11 Beers on Tap • Cocktails & Wine Monday December 16 July 2006.

Western Christian @Dayton Tourney: 3 p.m.

OREGON LOTTERY • Shuffleboard • Pool • MS Boys Basketball @ Attending the party were Good times Meet your friends and relax Ruth’s children and their the at this classic neighborhood spouses ROLL Ron andat Barbie the school gym, according watering “I would like to clarify for hole!

Svenson of Scappoose; to another Facebook post on our community and families John and Lynné Svenson of the CES Facebook page. The that there was no threat to Clatskanie; Gary and Sandy From Page A1 lockout was then lifted at our school yesterday, and Soderstrom of Clatskanie; around 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, no weapons. It was simply a Greenwalt of Hillsschool events being held on Good times Dec. 10, when O’DonnellMeet your police friends matter thatand involved relax Marie 25196 Alston Road • Rainier, OR boro; Susan Shaw ofthe Albuthe Clatskanie Middle/High ROLL ather sent out an automated phone as police were atat thiscustody, classic neighborhood Open daily at 11AM • 503-556-9753 querque, Arizona; sisterSchool (CMHS) campus, Su- call to parents. At that time, tempting to make an arrest. watering hole! in-law Delores LaFountaine perintendent Cathy Hurowitz school was being dismissed.11 Beers CES was just taking on Tap • Cocktails & Wine every of Dallas, Oregon; and many decided to call a lockout for A CES Facebook post byOREGON precaution keep our• Pool staff, LOTTERY • to Shuffleboard grandchilboth schools in the district. a school official, dated Dec. students and community safe, nieces, nephews, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT dren, great-grandchildren The lockout continued 10 at 9:09 a.m. explained the so we evacuated staff and Courtesy photo Music & Magic • Fridays & Saturdays and friends from the Pacific into the next day, and recess situation in more detail to canceled events after school Ruth Sonderstrom celebrates her 95th birthday.

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Friday, December 13, 2019

Port approves fourth amendment for NEXT CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The Port of Columbia County has approved a fourth amendment to the site development and option agreement for NEXT Renewable fuels.

The amendment, approved at a Dec. 11 port meeting, is to extend the use agreement deadline until June 30, 2020. These use agreements will have to be made before the project breaks ground in April 2021.

NEXT Renewable Fuels, LLC, which is slated to develop a biofuels plant at Port Westward in Clatskanie, first signed its site development and option agreement for 92 acres at the industrial park

in September of 2018. Since then, three other amendments have been added to the option agreement. The NEXT ground lease was approved on Sept. 4 of this year in a vote of 3 to 2 by the port commission.

Sean Clark, North County Operations and Terminal Manager for the port, presented on the different use agreements at the port commission meeting. According to Clark, there are six use agreements that NEXT, Global Partners and PGE must negotiate.

Those six use agreements are regarding the dock, water discharge, water use, rail, pipeline and Hermo Road at the Port Westward Industrial Park.

“As you can guess,

File photo

Port Westward, where the NEXT biofuels facility is set to be located.

there’s a lot of questions.

There’s a lot of holes we need to fill in some of this.

So that’s why we’re trying to be realistic,” Clark said. “In principle, everybody agrees to adding NEXT to these use agreements, it’s the details that we have to consider.”

As Clark explained to the port commissioners,

the delay in the use agreement deadline will not delay the ground-breaking of the project and will also likely not preclude NEXT from using any of the facilities.

Clark explained that different parties, like Global, have concerns regarding specific details about some of the facilities.

Commissioners Nancy Ward and Chip Bubl, who both voted against the lease, expressed concern about the current discussion of use agreements.

“I don’t understand why these weren’t in place before we signed the ground lease, as I said in my testimony at that point in time,” Bubl said at the Dec. 11 meeting, “So I’m very puzzled by this.”

Ward noted her agreement with Bubl.

According to Doug Hayes, executive director for the port, it did not make sense to spend time on working out the details for use agreements until the lease was voted for approval.

“Otherwise I’d be spending my staff time on something that could be potential-

ly voted down anyway with the lease,” Hayes said.

Hayes noted the pipeline as an example, and how it was going to work with the other parties as something that could only be discussed after the lease was approved.

“I don’t want to speak for them, but the presumption is a lot of them aren’t going to give us that very specific detail until we knew that someone was already on board,” Hayes said.

Hayes told the port commissioners they would receive a document in the future with a summary of all the changes.

The resolution to approve the deadline extension for use agreements was passed unanimously.

Offbeat Oregon History: Neighbor’s theft of widow and orphans’ home was too much for jury Chief guest column by FINN J.D. JOHN

Especially in the late 1800s, the Oregon frontier was no stranger to acts of judicial lynching – where the local legal system was corrupted to provide cover for murder.

What’s more unusual, though, was an 1852 event that amounted to judicial cattle rustling.

Interestingly, it happened in the Marysville (Corvallis) area – the same community that, shortly before, had tried its hand at “judicial claim-jumping,” supporting a local swain in his quest to steal away half of Nimrod O’Kelly’s land claim and subsequently convicting him of murder when he shot the “claim jumper” in an argument over it. Early Benton County seems to have been a somewhat clannish, lawless place.

The cattle that the Benton County courts rustled belonged to a woman named Letitia Carson, and she was the widow of a recently naturalized Irishman named David Carson — or, rather, she would have been David’s widow, if the two of them had been allowed to marry. But they weren’t, because Letitia Carson was black, and a former slave — born in Kentucky in the late 1810s.

The other factor that makes this episode of judicial rustling unusual is that Letitia took the thieves to court — and won.

Twice.

There’s no documentation of Letitia Carson’s transition from slave to free woman, but it seems most likely that David Carson bought or leased her, freed her, and married her the old-school common-law way, it having been at the time illegal for a white person to marry a black person.

Perhaps hoping things would be different in the Oregon Territory, where rugged mountain men often had Native American wives, the two of them then set out on the Oregon Trail, arriving in Soap Creek Valley (about two miles due west of today’s Adair Village) in 1845. There, they staked a 640-acre claim, and started building a ranch on it.

Things went well for them.

Letitia’s herd of cattle, which she had started on the trail to Oregon, grew and prospered.

Their first child, Martha, born on the trail, was joined by a son, Adam, in 1849.

In 1850, the new territorial government took away half their land; because they weren’t, and couldn’t be, legally married, the Carsons were only entitled to 320 acres. There wasn’t much they could do about that, so they just had to grin and bear it, and carry on with half of their land.

After all, 320 acres of free land was still free land.

But it was in 1852 that the real trouble happened. That’s when David, following a short illness, died. And although he’d made promises to the

Photo: Oregon State Bar Bulletin

Photo: Oregon State Bar Bulletin

This family portrait shows Martha Carson Lavadour, David and Letitia’s daughter, with her husband Narcisse and son Nelson, circa 1875.

A portrait of Greenberry Smith, the Snidely Whiplash of our story, as he appeared circa 1885.

woman he thought of as his wife, he hadn’t put anything in writing.

Neighbor Greenberry Smith now pounced. He got the county courts to appoint him executor of David Carson’s estate; then he proclaimed that Letitia and the children would be handled as property, not as heirs. They were, he said, David’s slaves, and they should consider themselves fortunate (as, in fact, they were, given Smith’s attitude toward them) that slavery was illegal in Oregon, because if it weren’t, the three of them would have been appraised and auctioned off like livestock.

On Jan. 4, 1853, Smith held a public auction and literally sold everything but the land and the “slaves.” Onto the block and out the door went everything else — including, according to historian Bob Zybach’s article in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “halfacres of potatoes, David’s underwear, the family’s Bible, bedding, dishes and tableware, jars, farm tools and equipment, two yokes of oxen, a wagon, a velvet vest, a watch, a clock, a gun, a thermometer, 35 cattle, 26 hogs, and a 14-year-old horse.”

The sale raised $1,538.80 — including $104.87 from Letitia, who actually had to buy back her own bed, bedding, and kitchen supplies from Greenberry Smith. Apparently she had managed to sequester a few dollars somewhere; in fact, it would have been surprising and out of character for Letitia Carson if she had not.

Two months later, Letitia and the kids left Soap Creek Valley, traveled south, and settled in Cow Creek Valley down in Douglas County.

There, Letitia found and hired

into slavery, not seizing the money with which she bought back her things), was resisting his pseudo-legal theft of her property.

Through his attorney, prominent local pro-slavery lawyer John Kelsay, Greenberry retorted that Letitia had been a slave up to the time of her death, as had her children, and that as such she was entitled to no compensation, and even if she were, her freedom was compensation enough. He then undermined that argument by quibbling about the dollar amounts she put on the various things she was claiming in the suit.

That may have had something to do with the verdict — or maybe Smith’s Snidely Whiplash-style coldness and intransigence rubbed his neighbors the wrong way. In any case, when it was handed down on May 7, 1855, by a jury of Smith’s white male property-owning neighbors, it was a win for Letitia — sort of. They awarded Letitia just $300, which Smith, representing the estate, paid — reluctantly and only after the Oregon Territory’s chief justice, George H. Williams, ordered them to accept and pay it.

As Zybach notes, not much of that $300 made it back to

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an attorney, and sued her late husband’s estate.

(Historian Zybach, who is currently working on a full biography of Letitia Carson, says her attorney likely was part of a Corvallis backlash against Greenberry Smith and his pro-slavery cronies. If you think about it, anyone who believed in the humanity of black people would have been outraged by this play — if not by the treatment of Letitia, certainly by the theft of David Carson’s children’s inheritance.)

Her suit was basically a claim for back wages. Because she was legally prevented from marrying David, she couldn’t represent herself as his heir; but she could, and did, claim they’d had an agreement that she would inherit his things when he died, an agreement that he hadn’t been able to put in writing before his death.

Subpoenas went out to various witnesses who could testify to something like this, and the case was placed on the docket for trial.

Greenberry Smith’s response to this seems to have been outrage at the temerity of this “uppity” black woman, who, instead of being grateful for the gentle treatment he had given her (not selling her back

Letitia after the sheriff’s expenses and witness fees were deducted from it – likely much less than she’d had to pay to redeem her things from that illegal auction.

But it was a moral victory, and a foot in the door, and she followed it up with a suit for compensation for the theft of her cattle.

This time, Letitia’s attorney was able to get in touch with a key witness, a neighbor who had had a conversation with David Carson about the cattle just before he died. David, complimented on the size and health of his herd, had replied, “Most of those are Letitia’s.”

He then pointed to one particular dowager cow and told the witness that 27 of the cattle in the herd were the offspring of that one cow, which she had bought on the plains in 1845 while en route to Oregon.

This was good enough for the jury and for Judge Williams, who issued a judgment for $1,200 to compensate Letitia for her rustled cattle.

As Zybach notes, one of the most interesting aspects of this whole story is the paucity of newspaper coverage.

Many of the most prominent members of the community were attending the hearings and watching the outcome, and

Greenberry Smith was one of the richest men in the county; but the story barely touches the newspapers. It’s as if they were deliberately suppressing the story to keep it from sparking hope in the hearts of other swindled black people, who might, if they learned about Letitia’s success, lawyer up and sue instead of quietly going away.

And perhaps that’s what it was all about — or maybe they were just trying to avoid a subject that had become uncomfortable for everyone involved. After all, most of the ancient Romans who stuck their knives in Julius Caesar were ashamed of themselves afterward, weren’t they? And some of the most prominent members of the Benton County community had attended Smith’s auction and bought Letitia’s stolen property. Chances are, by the time the court had ruled that she’d been done dirty, they weren’t super proud of the part they’d played in it.

As for Letita Carson, in 1863 she filed a Homestead Act claim on 154 acres near Myrtle Creek; this was, of course, something she’d been unable to do prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, especially after the Supreme Court’s 1857 Dred Scott decision proclaimed black people to be non-citizens.

She proved her claim up, of course. Finally laboring for herself and her children, with legal protection from marauders like Greenberry Smith, she seriously overdid it. The improvements on her property included an 18x22-foot oneand-a-half-story log home, a barn, a granary, a smokehouse, an orchard with 100 fruit trees in it and — of course — a big herd of cattle.

Hers was one of the first several dozen homestead claims certified, and was quite likely the first Homestead Act claim proven up by an African American in U.S. history.

(Sources: “Strangely Absent from History: Carson vs.

Smith, 1852-1857,” an article published in the October 2016 issue of Oregon State Bar Bulletin) Finn J.D. John teaches at Oregon State University and writes about odd tidbits of Oregon history. His book, Heroes and Rascals of Old Oregon, was recently published by Ouragan House Publishers. To contact him or suggest a topic: finn@offbeatoregon.com or 541-357-2222.