St. Helens Kiwanis Community Parade JUNE 15, 2024: REGISTRATION: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
JUDGING: 10:30 AM
PARADE STARTS: 12:00 PM
A PUBLICATION OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY Chronicle & Chief
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Graduation photos PAGE A9
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Chronicle & Chief THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | Columbia County, Oregon
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Scappoose baseball seizes second straight championship WILL LOHRE
Country Media, Inc.
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or the second time in as many years, the Scappoose Indians are the champions of the 4A OSAA/ OnPoint Community Credit Union Baseball State Championship, defeating Marist Catholic 5-4 in the final on June 1. Though it was the sixth time that Scappoose captured the state title, it was the first time in program history that they had defended their title and won back-to-back. Looking back on the season, Head Coach Cameron Webb said the achievement was “super exciting,” and a reflection of the team’s selflessness, dedication, and commitment to the team. While many programs would have been happy with one state championship, Webb said the team that returned after last year still had ambitions to repeat. “We had a few seniors last year that were important pieces, but a lot of our core was coming back, and we knew that we would have a chance to do it again if we played well,” Webb said. “We started summer baseball three days after the championship game last year, and we talked about it right then.” The question became, “How are we going to get there?” For Webb and his team, “getting there” meant focusing on the process rather than the outcome. The Indians were trying to balance the pressure of wanting to repeat while “staying loose, keeping it light, and playing baseball to have fun.” Webb said he and the team committed to that mindset and let the results take care of themselves.
COURTESY PHOTO FROM JOSI WELTER
Eli Harrah preparing for a dive onto the dog pile after Scappoose clenched its second consecutive state championship.
“We have such a mature group of kids on this team. They know the stakes, they’re very goal-oriented, they come out super competitive every day at practice, but they’re also able to keep it light and have fun along the way,” Webb said. “I was really proud of how they handled it.” Still hungry After last season’s triumphant trouncing of Pendleton in the championship game, people were asking Webb all off-season if he was worried that his team would get complacent after winning the title. Webb wasn’t concerned for a second.
“I never had an ounce of worry about that. That’s not who these kids are,” Webb said. “They’re such a competitive, motivated, driven group. I never thought that would be an issue, and it never was.” One of the turning points in the season came when they lost both games of an away doubleheader against Hidden Valley in April. After losing both games, the team only lost one more game for the rest of the season, which was a non-league preparation game for the state against 6A Ida B. Wells. The Indians finished the season on a 15-1 run, with eight of those wins beingby more than a five-run margin.
Starting strong One of the team’s focuses this year was trying to take control of games earlier rather than relying on coming from behind, which was a staple of the team’s identity last season. “Being the defending state champs, if we come out and put the pressure on the other team right from the start, that might really change the tenor of the game,” Webb said. “We trailed in the La Grande game in round one, but other than that, we never trailed in any of our playoff games.” While the team did a great job of starting early, they still kept their flair
for the dramatic, winning three games during the season on walk-off hits. In the state championship, the game started as a pitcher’s duel before Scappoose got its first hit in the bottom of the 3rd inning. A “hit parade” started off by Brandon Neilson. Four hits in the 3rd inning netted the Indians 3 runs. After getting the early lead, Scappoose was up 5-1. A three-run rally in the sixth saw Marist pull within a run, but junior pitcher Joe Fagan, who starred in last year’s championship game as well, came through to close the game out down the stretch. “We had Grayson Grover ready to come in for relief. He’s been in big moments; he won the championship game last year, but I still thought that Joe looked good,” Webb said. “I went and asked him how he felt, and if he wanted to finish it, and he said he did.” Fagan did, in fact, finish it out. Closing out the last inning with three up, three down to seal the championship. “It was cool seeing Colton Sprenger grab that last out in left field, and you didn’t want to exhale until it was in the glove and he squeezed it, and it was official, but it was pretty cool to see it pulled off,” Webb said. Colton Sprenger was named player of the game, an accolade he added to being co-Athlete of the Year for Scappoose (which he split with Eli Harrah) and a scholarship he received from the Cowapa League as a three-sport athlete. Players who received recognition for Cowapa League and All-State were: See BASEBALL, Page A2
Scappoose close to hiring city manager WILL LOHRE
Country Media, Inc.
COURTESY PHOTO FROM THE CITY OF BANKS
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a 21-mile paved rail-to-trail route connecting the towns of Banks and Vernonia.
Banks-Vernonia State Trail receives national designation WILL LOHRE
Country Media, Inc.
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail has received a national designation, an announcement that was made by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on June 5. While the senators made the designation, the recognition comes after years of work by a Vernonia local. Michael Calhoun said that he initially came across the certification on a coastal trail several years ago and wanted to learn more. “I saw the plaque, saw the sign, and then I went to look online to see what exactly it was,” Calhoun said. “I thought it would be great to bring to our area in Columbia County.” Calhoun initially worked on getting the designation for the Crown Zellerbach Trail, or “CZ Trail,” as it’s known. Getting the certification as a national recreation trail took about a year from when Calhoun started the process. “The CZ did take along time, but after that trail was certified, it allowed the Banks-Vernonia [trail certification] to roll a lot faster, because we already knew what we were working with and what the requirements were,” Calhoun said.
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a 21-mile paved rail-totrail route connecting the towns of Banks and Vernonia through the foothills of Oregon’s lush coastal See STATE TRAIL, Page A6
More than three months after Alexandra Rains left the position of Scappoose City Manager, Mayor Joe Backus and the Scappoose City Council have selected four candidates to interview for the position of city manager. The four candidates are Jake Boone, Peter Boyce, Benjamin Burgener, and Scott Jorgensen. Backus said the city manager will be in charge of running the city and overseeing many vital operations that keep the city safe and running smoothly. “I believe we narrowed it down to these four based on city manager or administrator experience,” Backus said. “We felt these four could be a good fit for a city the size and demographics of Scappoose.” Backus, the city council, and residents met with the candidates at Scappoose High School on June 11 to better get to know them. The social event was a way for the city
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Scappoose City Hall is located at 33568 E Columbia Avenue.
to keep the process “as transparent as possible” and to allow Scappoose residents to be heard and part of the process as the city tries to pick the best possible leader for the city, Backus said. Tonight, Backus and the council will conduct interviews with each candidate. Other panels that will evaluate the candidates and advise
the mayor and council on June 12 will include the city’s department heads, senior staff, and members of the community. Backus discussed what the meeting on June 12 could look like. “My understanding is after our meetings Wednesday night See SCAPPOOSE, Page A4
Historic Flag Ceremony
St. Helens
Special salute to our veterans & first responders.
St. Helens Elks Lodge Annual
COMMUNITY FLAG DAY CELEBRATION
FREE Ice Cream, Cookies & Soda FREE mini US Flags for all in attendance Flag Retirement Ceremony (bring your old worn flags). ENJOY LIVE MUSIC Door prizes & fun for all
St. Helens Elks Lodge — 350 Belton Rd. St. Helens, OR - Friday, June 14th, 2024 - 2 pm - 3:30 pm
IN THIS ISSUE Police Reports .............. A3 Opinion .......................... A4 Market ............................ A6 Public Notices .............. A7 Crossword .................... A7 Games & Puzzles .......... A8 Graduation .................... A9 Sports .......................... A10
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