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Omicron in Oregon

River channel improvements

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 31 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

School investigation

Sen. Johnson resigns JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Betsy Johnson is charting a new path for her public service.

During the Rainier Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday, Dec. 15, Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole presented Sen. Betsy Johnson with a plaque honoring her 20 years of service to the people of Rainier in the Oregon Legislature.

Wednesday, Dec. 15 was Johnson’s last day in office following her resignation to focus on her run for Oregon governor.

“Serving in the Senate has never been a part-time job for me but neither is running for governor. Northwest Oregon deserves a full-time senator and running for governor is a full-time job,” Johnson said in a video release announcing her resignation.

Johnson, 70, announced in October that she is running for Oregon Governor, “as an independent leader unaffiliated with any party and loyal only to the people of Oregon.”

Sen. Johnson served Senate District 16, which includes the cities of Clatskanie, Rainier, St. Helens, Tillamook, Astoria, and Seaside.

In a letter announcing her candidacy to her district in October, Johnson outlined her path.

“The decision to run independent of any party, by law, requires me to give-up my Democratic Party registration by next Spring,” she wrote in the letter. “Rest assured, my bedrock values will not change. I was raised in a moderate Republican family and became a Democrat because the Republican Party had moved too far to the right. For twenty years, I’ve been an independent-minded, pro-choice, pro-jobs Democrat proudly serving the people of Northwest Oregon. This is who I am.”

An investigation is underway following events that occurred during a Clatskanie Middle/High School (CMHS) varsity basketball game.

CMHS Athletic Director Ryan Tompkins has issued the following statement without revealing specific information about what prompted the investigation.

Clatskanie Middle/High School is working in cooperation with De La Salle North Catholic and the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) to investigate the events that occurred during our girls varsity contest on December 14, 2021.

We are deeply troubled as a school community at the severity of the accusations, and we are committed to resolving the issue and promoting the continued causes of equality in our schools.

Following the initial statement release, Tompkins told The Chief the investigation centers on racial comments made by members of each team during the contest at CMHS. “There are accusations about racially-charged comments that were said between team members,” Tompkins said, without specifying what was said.

The sporting event was videotaped, and Tompkins said school

Columbia River Sunrise Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

As the seasons change and we face wintry conditions, The Chief found this quiet early morning glimpse along the Columbia River, with a bit of sun and natural colors stretching across the sky.

­­­­ See SCHOOL Page A4

Toy N Joy spreads spirit of the season ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

State Sen. Betsy Johnson poses with a plaque presented to her by Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole honoring Johnson for her 20 years as a legislator.

The race Several others have also announced to run as a candidate for Oregon Governor in 2022, including Democrats Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek, State Treasurer Tobias Read, former Portland Park Bureau superintendent John Sweeney, Patrick Starnes and former journalist Nicholas Kristof.

Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam, who brought an exploratory effort to St. Helens earlier this year, Baker City Mayor Kerry McQuisten, Bud Pierce, State Rep. Christine Mrazan, Medford businesswoman Jessica Gomez and Bridget Barton, a political consultant are running as Republicans.

See a complete list of the current candidates who have announced with this story at thechiefnews.com.

The filing deadline for the office is March 8.

Under Oregon’s term limits, current Governor Kate Brown cannot seek an additional term.

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Dedicated community members are making sure families in need are able to open gifts this Christmas.

According to a 2019 report from Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization, 13% of Columbia County residents are below the poverty level.

Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) hosts the annual Toy N Joy Program, which is supported by a network of volunteers and the fire agency employees. The mission is to bring Christmas presents to families in need all over Columbia County, through community donations.

Toy N Joy gift bags are packaged and ready for distribution, according to CRFR Public Information Officer Jennifer Motherway.

Using bags provided by Les Schwab, volunteers finished assembling the toy packages for families on Dec. 14 at Lee Broadbent Training Center at 58577 McNulty Way. Organizers reached out to families that qualify as toy drive recipients telling them that the toy bags will be distributed from the training facility on Friday, Dec. 17, and at the Rainier Fire Station, Saturday, Dec. 18.

Recipients were previously asked to register to receive the toy donations.

Motherway explained the process CRFR uses to select items for families.

“For instance, if there’s a family that has three kiddos, they can essentially ask for specific things for their kids,” she said. “We do our best to fulfill those. If their kid asks for something a little bit more high-dollar we can’t always fulfill that, but if they say hey, we need clothes for a size 5T, or we need toys that are Hot Wheels or Legos, we do our best to fulfill the specific requests.”

Funds for Christmas shopping

Courtesy photo from CRFR

Volunteers stand in front of the Toy N Joy community collections, bagged and ready to be delivered to local families.

to supplement the toy donations come from the annual Merchants’ Toy N Joy Auction led by Columbia County small-business owner Susannah Sass and supported by community groups and businesses.

Just knowing that we’re able to do that and have such solid group members who have huge hearts that really push and care to drive this program is fantastic. ~ Jennifer Motherway, CRFR

The auction raised “somewhere in the realm of $41,000” this year, according to Motherway.

“The Toy N Joy Program is through the fire district and that’s essentially done through all of our volunteers,” Motherway said,

and she named local businesses actively supporting the volunteerdriven event, specifically Kiwanis, Richardson’s, Northwest Plumbing, Dutch Brothers, and Walmart. “(Kiwanis) works pretty closely with the merchants’ group and they have help(ed) to collect funds so we can provide meals for the families,” Motherway said. “All of those meals are in the form of a gift voucher through the IGA market here in town. When they pick up their bag of toys on Friday, if they asked for a meal as well, then they’ll get a food voucher to go pick up their food from the market, which will essentially help with their holiday meal.”

A full list of the businesses supporting Toy N Joy can be found on the CRFR website.

Families who have previously benefited from the donation drive often volunteer to help others in need.

“One year a family may not need as much as they do another, and you’ll see that cycle back in,”

she said. “They’ll want to help out in future years because they were told to try the program at one point in time.”

Motherway said the dedication and behind-the-scenes work of volunteers is gratifying.

“They give their weekends, nights with their families so that they can go shopping, organize toys, (and) have meetings to determine what’s going to be the best way to go about these programs,” she said. “Just knowing that we’re able to do that and have such solid group members who have huge hearts that really push and care to drive this program is fantastic.”

Although CRFR has concluded its donation drive collection, the agency is still accepting donations through Friday. The agency is also accepting cash and check contributions.

Visit the CRFR website or the CRFR’s Facebook page for more information.

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

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

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Friday, December 17, 2021

School threats heighten student mental health concerns ZOE GOTTLIEB chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Two separate student threats at schools in Rainier and St. Helens were reported the same week that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued a public health advisory on Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Murthy’s advisory reflects a mounting concern over the mental health of youth and children.

Trends The advisory identifies the trends seen in the U.S. that are contributing to the increase in mental health concerns among youth and in the increasing academic pressure facing students, according to Grace Bullock, PhD, Senior Mental Health Officer at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

“Mental health concerns are becoming more visible,” Bullock said. “Other factors might be a limited access to mental health care in certain parts of the state. Increased alcohol and drug use also (are) one of those contributing factors. And then of course, there are larger social factors.”

Bullock also listed social media as a cause for concern among youth, among societal stressors such as financial struggle, increased racism, gun violence, climate change, and school shootings.

Bullock said she believes the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to what she already views as a changing societal landscape for children.

“I think that increases in things like depression and anxiety in general definitely preceded COVID,” she said.

“But I think that what we’re seeing, particularly (in the) last couple of years since the pandemic, is an unprecedented amount of stress. It’s not just stress that is specific to a person, but we’re seeing it show up in offices (and) in healthcare and education.”

One in five children from birth to age 18 years has a diagnosable mental disorder, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty.

According to Bullock, children, because they are still growing and developing, are more affected by the changes even adults have yet to come to terms with.

The signals

School threat notification

Mental health concerns are becoming more visible. ~ Grace Bullock, ODE

“Younger children just aren’t equipped to handle these real-world scale life problems, and we cannot shield children from the effects of this pandemic because it’s affecting their daily lives,” she said. “We have this convergence of what it is like to be a child or an adolescent, with all of these societal pressures that I think we are being exposed to but never seen.”

Bullock advises parents to be on the lookout for sudden behavioral changes in their children, such as “changes in appetite, changes in diet, sleep patterns, changes in mood,” which could signify underlying mental health challenges.

“The child becomes angry, sad, or withdrawn, anything that seems for a particular child to be in extreme would definitely be a warning sign to pay attention to,” she said.

Persistent changes in behavior may be cause for alarm, but Bullock said dayto-day mood changes are also to be expected in children.

“If a child doesn’t feel like doing something for a few days or they’re in a bad mood, that doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem,” she said.

In a Sept. 24 Chief Guest Column Bullock said the ODE launched the Care and Connection Campaign to encourage schools throughout the state to foster welcoming, inclusive, communities for students and nurture social bonds.

“School districts across the state can promote student mental health by dedicating time each day to activities that build care, connection and community, and allowing staff and students the opportunity to make meaning of their experiences,” she said.

“These types of activities and trust building exercises are particularly important and meaningful now, as many students spent much of last year apart from their peers and trusted adults outside their home.”

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark have announced the introduction of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation that would greatly boost the availability of mental health resources in America’s public schools.

Investigations were launched by school administrators and police following the two Columbia County school threat incidents last week. Read the full background of the threats in the Dec. 10 edition of The Chief and online at thechiefnews. com. As with all behavioral infractions, the next steps

in the Rainier district are determined based on the outcomes of an investigation, according to Hattrick.

Resources for parents The ODE has a wealth of mental-health resources for students, which Bullock said covers a broad range of topics, including information about ODE’s Care Connection Campaign.

ODE’s Mental Health Toolkit is designed for district leaders, school administrators, and school-based mental health professionals (i.e. school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses) interested in promoting the health and well-being of school communities while creating a culture of safety, care and belonging, according to the ODE website.

See oregon.gov/ode for more information or call your local school for more information about student mental health resources.

To reach Northwest Connections, a 24 hour mental health crisis hotline in Columbia County, call 1-888552-6642.

Push for youth mental health services

Metro Creative Connection

The bicameral legislation will put additional mental health providers in elementary and secondary schools across America.

STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark have announced the introduction of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation that would greatly boost the availability of mental health resources in America’s public schools.

Merkley said in a release that mental illness affects one in five­­—20 percent—of American youth, and just this week, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued a new Surgeon General’s Advisory stressing the urgent and critical need to address the country’s youth mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In schools

hire additional school counselors.

“Students’ unmet mental health needs can be a significant obstacle to student academic, career and social/ emotional development and even compromise school safety. We know the current staffing ratios are simply too high - all students deserve access to a school counselor – and this legislation is a step towards that goal,” American School Counselor Association Executive Director Jill Cook said.

“Increasing schools’ capacity to provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health services for all students is predicated on access to school employed mental health professionals, like school psychologists,” National Association of School Psychologists’ President Laurie Klose said. “Unfortunately, we are experiencing a critical shortage which leaves schools and communities without access to care, which is especially critical as we address increased mental health needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act would help high needs districts work toward recommended staffing ratios so that every student has access to the mental care and support they need in school so they can focus on what is most important: learning and achieving their potential.”

“Supporting the mental health needs of our children is essential to ensure they can thrive and grow, and it’s of particular importance as students and families continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic,” National Association of Secondary School Principals’ CEO Ronn Nozoe said. “We applaud Senator Merkley and Representative Clark for introducing the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act because every school should have the resources necessary to recruit, train, and employ school-based, mental health professionals.”

“The American Psychological Association strongly supports the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, which would help address the nationwide shortages of school-based mental health professionals, including school psychologists. This need existed

The bicameral legislation will put additional mental health providers in elementary and secondary schools across America, according to Merkley.

“Mental health care is essential health care, now more than ever,” Merkley said. “Our country has neglected this fact for far too long, and our children are paying the price. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic still greatly impacting the growth and experience of our school-aged kids, it’s time to do a lot more to ensure mental health programs are available to every child in every school.”

“We know that our students’ success in school is about more than just test scores – they need the social and emotional support of mental health professionals in order to thrive,” Clark said. “As kids return to school in new and unfamiliar ways coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important that we invest directly in school nurses, social workers, and counselors. The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act will help public schools meet the counselor-to-student ratios necessary to foster safe schools and promote the long-term health and welfare of our nation’s youth.”

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act would establish five-year renewable grant programs for elementary and secondary schools to Columbia County’s trusted local news source

even prior to COVID-19,” American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans said. “Schools are often vital to providing health care to many children, particularly as they can be essential to both early detection and intervention efforts.

School-based mental health providers are not only critical to students’ behavioral well-being, but also play a key role in their learning and academic achievement, as well as helping to foster positive and healthy school climates.”

Unmet need Prior to the pandemic, there was already a huge unmet need for greater access to mental health services in schools, according to Merkley. The recommended student-to-counselor ratio is 250 students per counselor, but the national average is 455 students per counselor and continues to rise.

For school psychologists the recommended ratio is 500 students per provider and 250 to 1 for school social workers.

The need for youth mental health programs remains, and this need has only become more urgent as the COVID-19 pandemic has brought massive disruption and uncertainty to children’s lives, according to Merkley.

He added that the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act would help ensure that students receive the mental care and support they need in school so that they can focus on what is most important – learning and achieving their potential.

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, American School Counselor Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, School Social Work Association of America and the National Education Association.

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Friday, December 17, 2021

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COVID-19 Omicron now in Oregon JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

The COVID-19 Omicron variant is now in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The OHA reports that a Multnomah County resident who was fully vaccinated tested positive for the variant Dec. 7. The individual traveled internationally to Canada prior to symptom onset. Additional details about the condition of the individual were not immediately available.

According to the OHA, two Washington County residents tested on Dec. 9, who were fully vaccinated, also have contracted the Omicron variant.

Health officials have expressed concern about the new variant because it is highly transmissible.

“On Dec. 1, when the first case was reported in the United States, we shared that it was a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if,’ the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would be detected in Oregon,” OHA health officer and state epidemiologist Dean E. Sidelinger said.

“We recognize this news is concerning to many people.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Health officials say the most effective way to slow the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants is for people to be vaccinated, to receive booster shots, and to wear masks in public indoor settings. This drive-through vaccination clinic conducted at Clatskanie Park in June is one of several held across the county this year.

However, if history is our guide, we do know that even if a vaccine doesn’t target a specific variant, the strong immune response you get from being fully vaccinated can still be highly protective against severe disease from all COVID-19 variants,” he said.

“It was only a matter of time before we identified the first case of the Omicron variant in Oregon,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said. “As we continue to learn more about this new variant, we know the measures that are most effective in helping to keep ourselves and our families

safe from Omicron, Delta, and other COVID-19 variants: get vaccinated, get your booster, and wear a mask.

That’s the key to saving lives and keeping our businesses, schools, and communities open. If you aren’t yet vaccinated or need a booster dose, get an appointment or find a

walk-in vaccine clinic in your area today.”

Sidelinger said OHA and its laboratory partners will continue to monitor the spread of Omicron in Oregon with robust individual-level and community-level variant surveillance.

“As part of Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) ongoing testing efforts, OHSU genomic sequencing has confirmed Oregon’s first three cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. OHSU analysis initially flagged three samples as potential cases late last week after the analysis showed they had a feature known as the S-gene dropout,” OHSU Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Chair Donna Hansel said.

OHSU detected the three Oregon Omicron variant cases.

“While not specific for the variant, the S-gene dropout is a potential indicator,” Hansel said. “Full genomic sequencing was completed this afternoon and confirmed the cases involve the Omicron variant.”

Oregon ranks 11th nationwide in the proportion

of all specimens sequenced during the pandemic. Those efforts include sequencing of positive COVID-19 specimens at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, through academic laboratories, including those at OHSU and the University of Oregon, and at several commercial laboratories statewide; and sequencing of wastewater samples in more than 40 communities statewide through a collaboration with Oregon State University’s TRACE program.

“It can’t be emphasized enough that vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including most circulating variants,” along with other protective measures, including wearing masks indoors and in crowded outdoor settings, physically distancing from others, washing hands regularly and staying home when sick,” Sidelinger said.

Learn more about the COVID-19 variants at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, CDC.gov.

Federal funding for river, port support STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon’s congressional delegation is pushing for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for Oregon’s port infrastructure as the agency implements the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04), the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, along with Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Cliff Bentz (OR-02), have sent a letter to the Army Corps and the Office of Management and Budget, requesting allocated funds be set aside to ensure federally authorized waterways and navigation infrastructure in the State of Oregon are properly maintained, which is especially critical to Oregon’s small

ports.

Oregon is home to export gateways, inland barging terminals, and small commercial and recreational fishing ports, all 23 of which play a significant role in Oregon’s economy. The IIJA is a landmark piece of legislation that will invest in land and water infrastructure, the labor force, broadband infrastructure, and the economy. It’s critical that as this legislation is implemented, Oregon’s small ports—many of which have years of deferred maintenance needs—are able to access and benefit from the funding made available by IIJA, the Oregon congressional delegation states in a release.

The letter includes funding requests for elements, such dredging, maintenance of jetties and canal locks, fish passages, and other infrastructure needed to maintain navigation via Oregon’s rivers and ports.

Merkley and DeFazio said that every lock and dam on

•

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The Oregon Congressional delegation is asking for more funding to improve the Columbia River Channel.

the Columbia River have long-overdue additional maintenance needs.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit rural communities and small, commercial ports with multiple economic losses from higher safety and sanitation costs, shelter-in-place orders, tenants seeking lease deferral, a severe downturn

of the commercial fishing markets, and ports were not eligible to receive much of the relief funds,” the lawmakers wrote. “These ports are a source of jobs, recreation, and tax benefit to the state and local community and additional operations and maintenance funding is critical for the federal channels and structures that

serve these communities.”

The push includes funding for improvements in the Columbia River Channel.

• $37.525 million – For fish mitigation on the Columbia River and in the Willamette Valley. This account previously received much more funding on an annual basis and the

Columbia River InterTribal Fish Commission has priorities to potentially explore above and beyond what is currently identified.

• $1 million – Columbia River Channel Improvements for preparation of a new dredge material disposal site.

• $200,000 – Columbia River Turning Basin Navigation Improvements Feasibility Study.

• $36.561 million – Mouth of the Columbia River (MCR) to complete additional dredging, secure a pump ashore dredging contract, and repair the pile system.

• $51.807 million – Columbia and Lower Willamette below Vancouver and Portland (C&LW), OR/WA for additional dredging, pile dike repairs, ensuring safe ferry operations, maintain U.S. Coast Guard designated anchorages, and promoting economic development for several rural communities and marine industries.

•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: WINTER FUN ACROSS 1. Rope fiber 5. Mai ____ 8. Russia’s Terrible one, e.g.

12. “What ____ Happened to Baby Jane?”

13. Tattled 14. Actress Reed 15. Internet share-able 16. Inwardly 17. Black tropical hardwood 18. *Winged impression in winter 20. Home of the Hawkeyes 21. Investigative report 22. Chicken or this?

23. Not dense 26. Early-day supercontinent 30. Afternoon shut-eye 31. Even though 34. Picture on a coat 35. Anti-seniors sentiment 37. Jean of Dadaism 38. Crewneck alternative 39. Half-man, half-goat 40. Arm cover 42. Victoria Beckham ____ Adams 43. Lacking sense of moral standards

45. Flying high 47. Often part of disguise 48. Queen-like 50. Wood file 52. *____ ____ Plunge 56. Secret stash 57. Damien’s prediction 58. Not at work 59. Opposite of cation 60. Abbreviated seconds 61. Precedes stated rank 62. Moon pull 63. *Like toddy or cocoa 64. Trans-Siberian Railroad city

22. Nibble

DOWN

40. Actors’ grp.

1. Shortens pants 2. Like fair share 3. Short for memorandum 4. Antebellum 5. Polynesian kingdom 6. Ten-pin establishment 7. Bucolic poem 8. *Ride on runners 9. *Winter building material 10. Tolstoy’s Karenina 11. R&B Charles 13. *Glittery decor 14. Condescend 19. Indian black tea

23. Big mess 24. Like a Druid, e.g.

25. Celery, technically 26. *Snowman’s corn cob accessory 27. Are not 28. Wedding singer, e.g.

29. Questioned 32. *Snow____, ammunition 33. *”But I heard him exclaim, ____ he drove out of sight...”

36. *Winter walking aid 38. Type of consonant 41. a.k.a. strict vegetarians 44. Mature, as in fruit 46. Like Silas of “The Da Vinci Code” 48. Young Montague 49. Decide at the polls 50. Jasmine of “Aladdin” 51. Turns blue litmus red 52. #42 Across, once 53. Cheese from Netherlands 54. Contributions to the poor 55. Stink to high heaven 56. *Arctic ____, snowmobile brand

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief.

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Friday, December 17, 2021

•V iewpoints • •

The pathway we have traveled $100 million to help Oregonians impacted by this summer’s extreme heat and drought conditions.

• Illegal cannabis suppression: Provide $25 million for a comprehensive, statewide plan to address the proliferation of illegal cannabis around the state and ease the associated humanitarian impacts.

• Afghan refugee resettlement: $18 million to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oregon.

BRAD WITT Chief Guest Column

This week we held a one-day Special Session to consider a package of bills that are critically important to a very diverse segment of Oregonians across the state.

From renters to refugees to ranchers, we voted to provide a hand up to many of our fellow citizens who are experiencing great need.

Legislation that we approved on Monday will provide the following: • Housing: $215 million to prevent winter evictions and transition to long-term, locally-delivered eviction prevention services, as well as an extension of safe harbor protections for renters who have applied for rental assistance.

• Drought relief: Provide

•

While I am enthusiastic about these humanitarian efforts, I am less so about the pathway we have traveled getting here. After two years and several legislative sessions, we have found it difficult, once again, for our state to be able to perform at what I think reasonable people would consider an adequate level of functioning.

What I am talking about is getting the check out the door for the rent money that we have tried so hard as a legislative body to get out to renters, so they are not put out on the streets, particularly in this very cold and rainy weather.

As well as support for landlords, many of whom have gone without income from their rental units, now going on two years. Many landlords in my district, could not afford the home they live in if it were not for the extra room that they rent to someone to be able to meet their mortgage payment. These are not wealthy people. They are also in dire need of support. And yet we have only been able to get checks out the door that total half of the money we allocated for this effort.

One of two things has happened. Either the infor-

•O bituaries • • Jean Runyan

April 19, 1949 ~ Dec. 7, 2021 Jean “Jeanne” Runyan was born April 19, 1949, in San Bernardino, California to Marshall and Thelma Kent. She died Dec. 7, 2021 in Rainier, Oregon from cancer.

She married Edward Mendenhall in 1967 in Bloomington, California.

They had two daughters.

Jeanne drove school busses in Rialto, California, where they lived.

In 1981, they moved to Clatskanie, Oregon. Jeanne worked for several years at the Plympton Creek Inn in Westport, Oregon. She was most known as co-owner of the Alston Corner Feed Store in Rainier, Oregon

with her sister, Joan Holm.

She enjoyed reading, leading a 4-H group, rockhounding, gardening, and square dancing.

Her husband, Edward,

passed in 2000. She married Bart Runyan in February, 2005. She died peacefully in their home in the woods.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Thelma Kent; her husband, Edward Mendenhall; her brother, Edward Kent; and her sisters, Diana Foster and Joan Holm. She is survived by her husband, Bart Runyan; her brother, Dana Kent; her daughters, Carrie Long and Heather Gulickson, her 10 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Yankton Cemetery in Oregon at a later date, according to her wishes.

mation we were given as a legislative body was faulty and we made a judgement, voted on a bill and allocated these funds on the basis of faulty information, or we made a miscalculation and assigned vastly too much work to a group of community housing agencies that found the work too difficult and extensive to complete.

In either event, this begs us, the legislative body to do an internal investigation of why it is we pass good legislation but as a state we fail to perform.

We have tried everything we can do to balance the equation between tenants and landlords and yet, we’ve fallen short. I think there are very few Oregon legislators who believe that if we were performing at this level in the private sector that we could even hope to retain a job. I don’t believe any pri-

•

vate employer would tolerate a fifty percent performance level as an acceptable standard.

Unfortunately, after the same problems experienced with unemployment benefits and the pandemic unemployment aid, our inability to perform the most basic functions of processing applications and getting checks out the door seems to be the norm. It is upsetting, and as the Oregon Legislative body, we can, we need, and we must do better.

I’m hoping that we can finish this year on a positive note, and everyone will enjoy the holiday season. Best wishes to you and yours, as you celebrate this joyous season, but please remember to be careful. Wintry weather can mean dangerous driving conditions, so be safe as you enjoy the holidays and celebrate the year to come.

Be engaged

Even when I am not in Salem, I’m still working with constituents, community leaders and other elected officials on matters that impact our lives. We check our messages daily, so if you have a concern, comment or need help regarding a state issue or agency, please contact my office. I am honored to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives, and look forward to hearing from you.

Rep. Brad Witt serves House District 31. He may be reached at: • Email: Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov • Telephone: 503-9861431 • 900 Court St. NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301 • Website: www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt

•H oliday C alendar • •

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 free picture with Santa.

Dec. 18 and 19 • Small Business and Craft Fair from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens.

Region

Dec. 18 • 5 p.m. Spirit of Christmas Parade in Scappoose.

Dec. 17 and 18 • Holiday Gift Bazaar from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, 2194 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens.

Dec. 20 • Polar Express Party from 4:306:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Santa pictures, Polar

Express movie and popcorn. $5 per person.

Dec. 21 • Elf Movie Night at 6 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens.

The following are area events submitted to The Chief. If you have a bazaar or other community holiday event, send details and contact information to jruark@ countrymedia.net

Joseph Henry Mustola June 2, 1945 ~ Dec. 2, 2021

Joseph Henry Mustola passed away at PeaceHealth Hospital in Longview, Washington on Dec. 2, 2021. He was born June 2, 1945 to Saima and Charles Mustola.

He retired from Wauna Paper Mill in 2007. After

retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and working on his property in Mayger with his excavator.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Saima and Charles Mustola; stepfather Al Thompson; sister Joanne Becton; and brother

Wallace Mustola.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2022 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Clatskanie, Oregon.

Johanne Culbertson

Jan. 22, 1941 ~ Dec. 9, 2021 Johanne Culbertson passed away on Dec. 9, 2021. A private family graveside service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery.

From Page A1

authorities are reviewing the game tape.

“We are going through everything to get to the bottom of this,” he said. “We are gathering information at this point.”

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Are you ready for snow this winter?

How are you de-stressing this holiday season?

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25% Taking frequent naps

33% Taking frequent walks 25% Reading a book 17% Eating more

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

The Chief

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051 Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Administrators have launched an investigation at Clatskanie Middle/High School following accusations of racially-charged comments made during a school basketball game.

SCHOOL

Weekly Online Poll

Tompkins said of Thursday afternoon, Dec. 16, the investigation centered on students.

“We can’t say at this point if parents were involved,” he said.

Tompkins said police were not called to the school during or after the game, but it is unclear if law enforcement would be involved in the investigation.

The results of the school investigation could lead to sanctions against the students found to be involved, Tompkins said.

“There is always that possibility, we do have a process,” he said.

Follow this developing story here online and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

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

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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 Editorial policy Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Correction In the story, The hunt: Finding the perfect Christmas tree, in the Dec. 10 edition of The Chief, we incorrectly identified Tom Norby as Tom Nordy. We are happy to set the record straight.

Friday, December 17, 2021

www.thechiefnews.com

A5

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

502

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

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 TRAINING & CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD) is conducting a hiring process for a Training & Certification Coordinator. Apply online at www.columbia911. com/careers. Additional information can be found on our website or by calling 503-3666978.

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Clatskanie People’s Utility District

To help extend the life of Clatskanie PUD power poles, Davey Resource Group has been contracted to conduct ourispole test and treatproposals program for 2021.

They for will be requesting (RFP) working on our poles on the following roads and the a five-year contract for Vegetation surrounding areas: Swedetown Rd, Olson Rd, Alder Management Services.

Proposals Grove Rd, Lindberg Rd, Cedarby Grove Rd, & LostPST, Creek. must be received 2:00 pm ForJanuary questions or12, concerns, call 503-728-2163.

2022please at the District

Early Deadlines Christmas and New Year’s Day The Chief has early advertising deadlines because of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

office - 495 E. Columbia River Hwy, Clatskanie, OR, 97016. The full RFP can be viewed at clatskaniepud.com.

The office will be closed on Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31 Deadlines for classifieds, legals, obituaries, and display advertising: Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Noon for Dec. 24 edition Tuesday, Dec. 28 at Noon for Jan. 31 edition

Interested parties may also contact: Tom Brittain: 503-308-4595 or tbrittain@clatskaniepud.com.

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Public Notices

CC21-1549

TS No. OR08000140-18-7S APN 11353 TO No OR08000140-18-8 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BARRY L EVANS as Grantor to TICOR TITLE COMPANY OF OREGON as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for USA DIRECT FUNDING, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 1, 2017 and recorded on August 4, 2017 as Instrument No. 2017-07168 and the beneficial interest was assigned to The Money Source Inc. and recorded October 15, 2018 as Instrument Number 201808781 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 11353 LOT 1, BLOCK 119, CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON.

Commonly known as: 496 S 15TH ST, ST HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, The Money Source Inc., and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 9 Monthly Payment(s) from 05/01/2019 to 01/30/2020 at $971.54 1 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2020 to 02/28/2020 at $957.59 14 Monthly Payment(s) from 03/01/2020 to 04/30/2021 at $948.94 7 Monthly Payment(s) from 05/01/2021 to 11/30/2021 at $970.86

Total Late Charge(s): 333.85 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $166,236.35 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.37500% per annum from April 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on April 6, 2022 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

CC21-1555

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of PAULINE MARIE REDISKE, Deceased. No. 21PB08494 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 December 17, 2021. Geraldine Booth, Personal Representative.

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

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: 11/19/2021 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Order Number 78848, Pub Dates: 12/17/2021, 12/24/2021, 12/31/2021, 1/7/2022, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

CC21-1554

NOTICE OF MEETING The Clatskanie Planning Commission will meet for a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, upstairs in the Clatskanie Cultural Center. Agenda items include, but are not limited to the following: Approval of the minutes of the November 17th, 2021 regular meeting; a Public Hearing will be held

to review a request for a rezone on Canyon Road Tax lot 7417-BB-00200; a subdivision of 20 S Conyers St.; a variance of lot setbacks, size and lot coverage of 20 SE Conyers St.; a lot line adjustment for 1350 S Conyers Creek Rd.; and a lot line adjustment on 929 NE Sunset Ct. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by December 17th, 2021.

2022 CHRONICLE

Holiday season public notice deadline: Please submit public notices for the Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 papers by

by Tuesdays at Noon.

Late submissions will not make it into the paper

Saturday

April 23 10am - 5pm

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April 24

VENDORS WA N T E D 3-397-0116 Contact Katherine at 50 media.net or chronicleads@country

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At The Columbia County Fairgrounds 58892 Saulser Rd. St. Helens, OR 97051 Dates subject to change or cancelation in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions

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A6

Friday, December 17, 2021

Workers ability to speak English

Metro Creative Connection

In Oregon, workers that speak another language and speak English “very well” are concentrated in occupations that have high and low education requirements.

SARAH CUNNINGHAM Chief Guest Article

In Oregon, about 126,000 workers speak English less than “very well” according to American Community Survey responses collected from 2015 to 2019.

This represents 6% of all Oregon workers. This group, otherwise known as workers with limited English speaking proficiency, includes workers who don’t speak English, speak English “not well,” and speak English “well.” About 200,000 workers (10%) speak another language and speak English “very well,” while about 1.7 million workers (84%) speak only English.

The ability to speak English influences a worker’s ability to succeed. It affects the industries, and the occupations the workers are in as well as their earnings.

It influences the ability to participate in civic life and interact with government and private-sector service providers, businesses, schools, and emergency personnel.

For most immigrants in the U.S. and Oregon, English is not their native language. Many immigrants speak English when they arrive in the U.S., in particular if they come from countries where English is an official language, such as Canada, the U.K., India, the Philippines, or Kenya. Others learn the language through years of study prior to their arrival or while they reside in the U.S. Industries The share of workers by ability to speak English varies a lot by industry. The industry with the highest share of workers who speak English less than “very well” is in the natural resources and mining industry with 25% (15,213 workers) of all workers having limited English speaking proficiency. This industry includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining.

Other industries with a high share of workers that speak English less than “very well” are leisure and

hospitality (11%, 21,106 workers) and manufacturing (10%, 22,704). Government and the information industry have the lowest shares of workers (2%) that speak English less than “very well.” Other industries with a relatively low share are financial activities and education and health services. Just 3% of workers in each of these industries speak English less than “very well.”

Government and the information industry have the highest shares of only-English speakers, with 90% of their workforces consisting of those who speak English alone. Natural resources and mining (64%) has the lowest share of only-English speakers.

Occupations, education, earnings The importance of English skills varies across occupations. For example, proficiency in English is more important for teachers or lawyers than for carpenters or agricultural workers. Therefore, the level of English proficiency is one contributing factor of the occupational choice of a foreign-born worker. Workers with higher levels of English speaking proficiency are more likely to be selected by employers for jobs that require more intensive or precise use of English.

Another contributing factor is educational attainment. 43% of workers age 25 and older that speak English less than “very well” in Oregon have less than a high school diploma or equivalent compared with 9% of workers that speak English “very well” and 3% of those that speak only English.

Twenty-seven percent of workers that speak English less than “very well” have at least some college, compared with 66% of those that speak English “very well” and 68% of those that speak only English.

The level of educational attainment and English skills workers have effect the occupational choices workers can make as well as the likelihood that they will be selected by employers for jobs that require certain levels of educational

attainment or proficiency in English. Because of this, workers with higher levels of educational attainment that speak English less than “very well” may face challenges obtaining work that aligns with their skillsets.

Workers that speak English less than “very well” tend to be in occupations with lower education requirements. In the farming, fishing, and forestry occupational group, four out of 10 workers in Oregon (42% or 14,042 workers) speak English less than “very well.”

This occupational group includes agricultural workers; fishing and hunting workers; and forest, conservation, and logging workers.

Other occupations with high concentrations of workers that speak English less than “very well” are in: • Building, grounds cleaning and maintenance (21%, 14,537), which includes landscapers, janitors and maids.

• Production (16%, 18,420), which includes butchers, bakers, assemblers, and welders among others.

• Food preparation and serving (13%, 15,567), such as wait staff, cooks, bartenders, and dishwashers.

• Construction and extraction (12%, 10,625), such as carpenters, electricians, general laborers, and roofers.

In Oregon, workers that speak another language and speak English “very well” are concentrated in occupations that have high and low education requirements.

Occupations in architecture and engineering; computer and math; healthcare support; farming, fishing and forestry; and life, physical, and social science have high concentrations of workers that speak a foreign language and speak English “very well.”

Architecture and engineering has 15% of workers (6,955) that speak another language and speak English “very well” compared with 10% across all occupations. Computer and math (8,954); farming, fishing, and forestry (4,634); and life, physical, and social

science occupations (2,970) each employ 14% of workers who speak English very well in addition to another language.

Workers that speak only English have the highest share of employment in legal occupations at 93%, followed by protective service (91%) and business and financial operations (89%).

Protective service occupations include law enforcement workers and firefighting and prevention workers.

The occupations workers are concentrated in reflect their earnings, as occupations that require higher levels of education also tend to pay more. Oregon workers that speak English less than “very well” have lower median earnings than their counterparts.

From 2015 to 2019, the median wage for Oregon’s full-time, year-round workers who speak English less than “very well” was $31,300. For those that speak another language and speak English “very well”, the median wage was $45,000. Those that speak only English had a median wage of $50,900 during the same period.

Additional info for English language learners, employers English communication skills are critical to a worker’s success. For foreign-born workers in Oregon, the ability to speak English enables continuing education and occupational mobility, which can lead to higher earnings. Occupations that require a high level of English skills have a small share of workers that speak English less than “very well.” Those that speak English less than “very well” have lower earnings than only-English speakers and those that speak another language and speak English “very well.”

For those looking to improve their English language skills, many of Oregon’s 17 community colleges offer low cost English language courses to community members during the morning or evening. These courses help prepare speakers of other languages for using English in the workplace and as well as continuing their educations from the GED program through college.

Employers looking to support workers with lower levels of English proficiency can employ strategies such as providing training materials and other vital information in multiple languages, including pictures along with workplace notices and signs, and hiring multilingual staff who can act as interpreters or translators where appropriate.

Employers that sponsor employer-led English Language Learning programs or schedule workers learning English around their school schedules may see increased hiring, retention, or promotion among these groups.

Sarah Cunningham is an economist with the Oregon Employment Department.

She may be reached at 503871-0046.

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Unemployment rate drops STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in November, down from 4.4% in October.

The unemployment rate has declined rapidly over the past six months, according to the Oregon Employment Department. It was close to 6% throughout the first half of the year. Now the rate is close to the state’s historically low unemployment rates, which averaged 3.9% during 2017 through 2019, the three calendar years at the end of the prior economic expansion.

Nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon rose by 10,000 in November, following a revised gain of 6,400 jobs in October. In November, gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+4,100 jobs), construction (+1,800), professional and business services (+1,600), and retail trade (+1,100). These gains were partially offset by a loss of 1,100 jobs in health care and social assistance.

Several industries added enough jobs to reach all-time highs. Construction employed 113,800 in November, which was 500 jobs above its prior record reached in February

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2020 during the peak of Oregon’s prior economic expansion. Similarly, wholesale trade, which added 400 jobs in November, reached 77,400, enough to boost it to a record high for the first time since February 2020. Professional and business services rose to 257,500 jobs in November, which was 100 jobs above its pre-COVID record.

Leisure and hospitality added 4,100 jobs in November, following a gain of 3,600 in October. Despite these gains, leisure and hospitality still accounts for a large share of Oregon’s jobs not recovered since early 2020, with 25,400 jobs left to recover to reach the prior peak month of February 2020. The industry has regained 77% of jobs lost early in the pandemic.

Education and health services was 16,000 jobs — or 5% — below its pre-recession peak. Within this broad industry, nursing and residential care facilities was 6,900 jobs below its pre-recession peak, and private educational services was down 3,900.

Employment in hospitals was down 2,700 jobs, and ambulatory health care services was down 1,200.

The U.S. unemployment rate was also 4.2% in November.