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Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Large American flag presentation made in St. Helens
Kelli Nicholson / Country Media, Inc.
The flag was presented by Betsy Johnson, in the vest, by the flag pole and conducted on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in St. Helens.
Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 140 Dec. 14, 2022 STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
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ormer State Sen. Betsy Johnson has donated a United States flag to Columbia County.
“This is a giant flag, so it was important to me to find a size-appropriate flagpole where it can be properly flown and honored,” Johnson said during the presentation Wednesday, Dec. 7, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, at the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens. The flag measures 15 feet by 25 feet. Johnson presented the
flag to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners during a public, outdoor ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the unfurling and hoisting of the flag to the top of the flagpole, which stands behind the Courthouse Annex Building. A multiorganizational group of volunteers raised the flag during the ceremony. Personnel from the Columbia
County Sheriff’s Office, the Saint Helens Police Department, Columbia River Fire and Rescue, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Columbia County’s Emergency Management Department were present. “We are overwhelmed by Betsy’s generosity,” Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller said. “We
accept this flag as a symbol of Betsy’s commitment to the people of Columbia County and all of Oregon. It will warm a special place in our hearts each time we see it.” The flag was raised to half-staff in accordance with Gov. Kate Brown’s order for all flags at public intuitions be lowered for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Dec. 7.
Johnson was born in Bend, raised in Redmond, and served in the Oregon House and Senate for over 20 years. She most recently mounted a campaign for Oregon Governor as an Independent candidate against Republican Christine Drazan and Democrat Tina Kotek. Johnson said the flag was the backdrop at her election night watch party last month.
Clatskanie, Rainier to receive affordable housing funds Originally published in The Chief Vol. 131 Dec. 16, 2022 STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
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ommunity and Shelter Assistance (CASA) in Oregon will receive $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide ongoing management of long-term affordable housing in communities all over the state, including Clatskanie and Rainier. Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced funding Wednesday, Dec. 14. “As we enter the coldest months of the year, I’m gratified to see federal dollars go to keeping roofs overhead for Oregonians in communities throughout the state,” Wyden said. “While building more long-term affordable housing remains an ongoing challenge, CASA is providing crucial services to maintain and expand the long-term affordable hous-
ing we already have. I will continue to fight so that in the wealthiest, strongest nation on earth, all Oregon families have a warm, safe, affordable and stable place to call home.” “Everyone should be able to afford a safe place to call home, and as we are faced with a housing affordability crisis, it is crucial that we support efforts expanding access to housing options,” Merkley said. “This funding, going to CASA of Oregon to support housing cooperatives across the state, will ensure Oregonians have greater access to affordable and reliable housing options.” CASA, located in Sherwood, will use the Rural Development grant dollars from USDA along with $96,500 it raised to provide assistance to the following communities as they develop long-term, affordable housing options. • Clatskanie • Rainier • Warrenton • Gold Beach
• Leaburg • Boardman • McMinnville • Idleyld • Dexter • Cottage Grove • Redmond • Winston • Estacada • Madras • Welches • Newport CASA provides ongoing technical assistance to housing cooperatives to ensure long term viability as affordable housing options. “We are grateful for these much-needed resources that will allow us to find long-term solutions to the housing crisis that too many Oregonians—especially those living in rural areas face,” CASA’s Manufactured Housing and Cooperative Development Center Director Rose Ojeda said. “We look forward to working with our local partners to develop programs tailored to their unique needs that create more sustainable, healthy, and just communities.”
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Clatskanie and Rainier will receive a share of the $200,000 in federal affordable housing funds.
Below is a list of WHERE to pick up a FREE copy of the print edition of the News-Advertiser. Also available every week at: thechronicleonline.com and at thechiefnews.com CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE SAFEWAY • HI SCHOOL PHARMACY IN CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE MARKET SCAPPOOSE • ROAD RUNNER GAS & GROCERY • JACKPOT 76 • ENGSTROM CHEVRON
• B&B MARKET • FRED MEYER • SMOKE SHOP • NELSON NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET • ACE • GROCERY OUTLET ST. HELENS • CHUBB’S CHEVRON • SHERLOCK’S • YANKTON STORE
• ZATTERBURG’S • MARKET FRESH • WALGREENS • BEST WESTERN • MOLLY’S MARKET • WALMART • ACE • DON’S RENTAL DEER ISLAND • DEER ISLAND STORE
COLUMBIA CITY • COLUMBIA CITY GROCERY & GAS RAINIER • ALSTON STORE • DOLLAR GENERAL • GROCERY OUTLET WESTPORT • THE BERRY BATCH RESTAURANT • WEST MART STORE
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