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Salute to the U.S. Coast Guard
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Chronicle & Chief THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
Chronicle & Chief THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | Columbia County, Oregon
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OSP releases details about fatal Highway 30 crash STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
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regon State Police (OSP) identified Scappoose residents Bridget Connell and Nyx Connell as the two people killed in the collision on July 26, about 2 miles west of Rainer. According to information provided by OSP, the accident involved three vehicles, and six people. In the wake of the accident, many on social media from within the county have expressed dismay over the lack of action taken by the Oregon Department of Transportation to make the intersection safer, saying there have been many incidents at the turn-off to Valley Veterinary Clinic. Law enforcement arrived on the scene at about 8:08 a.m. on July 26, responding to the accident near milepost 51 west of Rainier. Police said the preliminary investigation indicated a westbound gray Kia Soul, operated by Bridget Connell, 54, was attempting to make a left-hand turn into Valley
Veterinary Clinic when the car was rear-ended by a westbound white GMC Sierra, operated by Rainier resident William Howard, 56. OSP said the collision pushed the Kia into the eastbound lane, where it was struck head-on by an eastbound black Dodge Journey operated by Westport resident Jennifer Huff,33. Bridget Connell and her passenger, Nyx Connell, were declared dead at the scene by first responders. Howard, who was driving the GMC, suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Huff was driving the Dodge. She and the passengers of the car, a six-year-old male and a ten-year-old female, suffered reported minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital. Highway 30 was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, and ODOT.
COURTESY PHOTO FROM COLUMBIA RIVER FIRE & RESCUE
An image taken by first responders at the site of the crash on Highway 30 between Rainier and Clatskanie.
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show returns WILL LOHRE
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A photo from last year’s logging show.
he longest-running logging show on the West Coast will return this week, as the Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show will have chainsaws revving and crowds cheering. The event will happen in Vernonia and span three days, from Aug. 2 to Aug. 4. Jamboree Board President Roby Brewer said he and organizers are hoping to see around 8-10 thousand people attending the festivities over the course of the jamboree. Though he said the festival has been around since 1956, attendees should expect some fun new additions, and welcome returning components. “In addition to what we’ve done in previous years, this year we have a Friday night concert starting at 5 p.m. in Spencer Park. We have two opening acts that are then headlined by STEEN,” Brewer said. “Saturday, there will be mutton busting in the ridge riders arena.” STEEN is the band of Vernonia
hometowner Sara McMahon, and they will take the stage at Spencer Park from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Acoustic soloist Jeff Lucas will open for STEEN, at about 6 p.m. Nearby Anderson Park will also be abuzz with activity, as people will have the option to ride a mechanical bull and watch a mini version of the rodeo as kids take on sheep during “mutton busting” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be a beer garden on Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to the Friday festivities, Aug. 3 will feature the Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show Parade. Fun will continue at Spencer Park, with the Log Jam Car Show starting at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Friendship Jamboree Motorcycle Show at 12 p.m., with the beer garden starting service at 9 a.m. through the end of the day at 10 p.m. There will also be live music and The Decades Band will be See VERNONIA, Page A7
Fundraiser to help feed Columbia County families WILL LOHRE
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o try and raise funds to support HOPE of Rainier and Turning Point Community Service Center in Clatskanie, the two organizations are hosting a “Picnic in the Park” fundraiser this weekend at Clatskanie City Park. Turning Point and HOPE of Rainier are both organizations that aim to battle food scarcity in Rainier and Clatskanie and provide other services to people who struggle to meet everyday needs. Kelly Miller, the Executive Director for both organizations, explained what the funds raised during the event will go to. “This money will mainly be used for food to supplement our pantries, such as backpack program, holiday food boxes, homeless bags, as well as, our regular food boxes for clients,” Miller said. “We will also use some of the funding for the very much-needed housing crisis we see in our communities - help with paying rent/mortgage for eviction prevention and also for deposits moving into new housing.” The fundraiser will be on Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in Clatskanie City Park and will feature live music, food, and “exciting auction items.” Brian Fawcett is the President of the HOPE of Rainier board and co-
chair of the committee organizing the event. He said this is the second time the organizations have held the event, and they plan to hold it every other year. It is not free entry, and Fawcett said it is a “ticketed event via sponsor tables or direct ticket sales.” There are still some tickets for sale and they are $50 each. Fawcett gave a taste of what will be on the docket for entertainment, and on the menu for attendees. “The event will feature live music from Evergreen Chill, a raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction,” Fawcett said. “Dinner and drinks are provided by Big Guy and include smoked brisket, chicken, and pork, along with typical picnic and BBQ sides.” “The fundraiser “is a substantial part” of HOPE of Rainier’s annual operating revenue and that costs continue to rise, along with the need for the organization’s services, according to Fawcett. Miller echoed Fawcett’s sentiments. “The importance of an event this size is paramount to our survival as an organization and gives us the ability to continue supporting those in need within our communities,” Miller said. “Without the wonderful donors such as those who have supported this event, there would be no us.” While the food and drink will
IN THIS ISSUE Opinion .......................... A4 Obituaries ...................... A5 Market ............................ A6 Public Notices .............. A7 Crossword .................... A9 Sports .......................... A10
keep folks happy during the night, the real meat of the festivities will be the auctions and the raffle. Folks will have the chance to bid on a variety of items, and Fawcett said that between the raffle and the silent and live auctions, there are nearly 80 items up for grabs. “A few of the big items up for grabs include a Traeger package (provided by Clatskanie Builder Supply), courtside Blazer tickets (provided by Rightline), a stainless steel fish cleaning station (provided by Pacific Stainless), a fishing trip provided by local fishing guide Dustin Stansbury, dinners with each Mayor (Rainier and Clatskanie), a stay at the Cannery Pier Hotel, a custom made wood table provided by John Dibble and Clatskanie PUD, and several other stays and experiences,” Fawcett said. With so many different items available, organizers are hoping the event will live up to its billing as the biggest fundraiser for the two organizations. One thing Fawcett and Miller emphasized was the importance of the event’s sponsors. The sponsors include Clatskanie PUD, Wauna Credit Union, Teevin Bros, Global Partners, Rightline, NEXT Clean Fuels, PGE, Kynsi Construction, Remax Power Pros, The HOPE-Fuls, Clatskanie Builder Supply, Reeves Construction, Grocery Outlet, ACT Development,
7 DAY FORECAST
A photo from the prior Picnic in the Park.
Rainier Masonic Lodge, Rainier Eagles, Lydia Arthur, Flowers N Fluff, Margaret Magruder for County Commissioner, Cindy Warren, the Rainier Chamber, Hagan Hamil-
COURTESY PHOTO FROM BRIAN FAWCETT
ton, Vilardi, Reeves Trucking, and Stimson Lumber. “The event would not be possible without our generous sponsors,” Fawcett said.
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