Waterfront development adjustments
SHHS sports
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Wednesday, March 29, 2023
thechronicleonline.com
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Governor listens, gives hope during state tour JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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regon Gov. Tina Kotek has returned to her state capitol building office with what St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl hopes is a better understanding of the needs of his city. During a tour in Columbia County March 22, Kotek met with Scholl.
We love this state and know things can be better, no matter what the challenges. We signed up for this. We are here to solve problems. ~ Tina Kotek, Oregon Governor
“I thanked the Governor for her work to support our community,” Scholl told The Chronicle following the meeting. “We discussed our 2019 Housing Needs Analysis results and the infrastructure projects that we have identified that are needed to support housing. St. Helens is growing. We have available, buildable land, but we need state partnerships to build sufficient infrastructure to support growth.” Scholl also discussed with Kotek, the St. Helens Waterfront Redevelopment Project and economic development, including the Streets and Utilities Extension Project, Riverwalk Project, Central Waterfront, and activation of the St. Helens Industrial
Courtesy photo from Gov. Kotek’s Office
St. Helens Major Rick Scholl points out to Gov. Kotek, the city’s planned waterfront development along the Columbia River.
Business Park. “Waterfront redevelopment is a key focus of the city to support future economic growth, provide cohesive connection between city districts, improve the environment, and create overall sustainability for St. Helens,” Scholl said. The meeting was critical in helping the governor better understand the needs of St. Helens, according to Scholl.
“Yes, we had an open and honest conversation with the governor about our needs as a community,” he said. “The governor’s recommended budget is in line with our community’s priorities. The governor’s visit created a connection and better understanding of St. Helens and our county. We appreciate that she reached out to us to learn about St. Helens and listen to our needs apart from any political differences.”
Columbia County tour The Columbia County tour is part of Kotek’s One Oregon Listening Tour in which she participated in three community conversations about education, mental health and recovery, and housing and homelessness. “I heard from some of our youngest Oregonians who care about each other and their future,” Kotek said.
“It puts a fine point on the need to invest in our children’s education, so they have the chance to thrive. I was also impressed by the community service providers working hard to help their neighbors despite resource challenges and a large service area. They make up for those challenges through strong relationships across the community and their incredible ingenuity.” The day started at Vernonia Elementary School where Kotek met with first graders, read the picture book “Be Kind,” and discussed the importance of reading and kindness with the students. She also met with and took questions from a fourth-grade class about the work the governor does, ways she can help, and more. Kotek then led a roundtable discussion with school administrators and teachers. The discussion centered on efforts she is making to fund summer education and enrichment programs, with a focus on improving childhood literacy, and the increased mental health challenges facing students. In St. Helens, Kotek toured Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH), including a crisis stabilization center being developed on the organization’s campus. CCMH offers holistic wraparound services from crisis intervention to residential and community services. In a subsequent behavioral health discussion, area providers noted the positive impact of the Measure 110 funding they received to expand service capacity, the successful work their outreach teams are doing, and the workforce challenges in a rural
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Broadleaf Arbor moving in first round of tenants WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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Courtesy photo from Jena Green.
Walk-up style apartment buildings, townhomes, a senior housing building, and a central community and resident services building make up the 11-building complex.
he new housing community Broadleaf Arbor is moving in its first wave of tenants this month and expects to see new residents each month until the project’s completion in October. Construction began in August 2021. More than a year and a half later, the first tenants are moving into Building E as part of Broadleaf Arbor’s plan to move in people in phases as each building is finished, according to the Communications Manager for Broadleaf Arbor, Jena Green. Building E is the first building for residential use; however, the Community Building and Resident Services/Management offices have been open since February.
The overall housing development is made up of 16 acres and 239 one, two, and three-bedroom homes available to individuals and families. Located at 2250 Gable Road at the intersection of Gable Road and Columbia River Highway, the housing community seeks to serve residents of all ages and backgrounds. “Broadleaf Arbor is a Community for All Ages (CFAA), meaning we put people first by creating spaces and programming that connects residents across generations,” their website states. The 11-building complex provides homes for households making up to 60% of the area’s median income (AMI) levels ($63,900 for a family of four), according to its website. While developers expected the first building to be finished in
Fall of 2022, delays complicated the process. “The primary cause for delay has been supply chain, specifically a backlog on electrical equipment,” Green said. “The final building, Building A, expects to be completed by the end of October.” Over the next ten months, new residents will move in as each of the 11 buildings becomes inhabitable. In a market where affordable housing is scarce, applications for the community are already through the roof. There is already a waitlist to get a household. “[There are] 269 one-bedroom applicants, 149 two-bedroom applicants, and 106 three-bedroom applicants,” Green said. “If folks
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Oregon distributes $170M in food benefits STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
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he Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) was to begin issuing $170 million in Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits to 434,000 students and young children in Oregon beginning this week. A P-EBT card containing $391 in food benefits, which is different
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from a regular electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, will be sent by mail to each eligible child. Cards are being sent in batches from late March to the end of May 2023. “We are grateful to be able to provide these food benefits to eligible students and families with young children in Oregon,” ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs Interim Director Claire Seguin said. “As communities continue to be affected by COVID-19 and the rising cost of food, we know that many families are experiencing hardship and are struggling to get enough healthy food for themselves and their children. We encourage anyone who is struggling to meet their basic needs to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.” Who is eligible for P-EBT food benefits
Children are eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT if they:
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• Were eligible to receive free or reduced-price National School Lunch Program meals during school year 2021-2022 or attended a Community Eligibility Provision school. • Were under the age of 6 and enrolled in SNAP during the summer 2022 months. Between March and May 2023, each eligible child will receive two
munities. • P-EBT food benefits are issued in addition to regular SNAP benefits. P-EBT benefits are not considered in a public charge test. Resources to help meet basic needs
Courtesy photo
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT is money for children whose access to adequate and quality food may have been impacted by COVID-19.
pieces of mail addressed to them: • A letter notifying them they are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. • A separate envelope with their P-EBT card that has $391 of food benefits on it. Households with multiple eligible children will receive individual letters and cards for each eligible child. Households will start receiving notification letters at the end of March and P-EBT cards will begin arriving in April. These additional food benefits are part of the P-EBT program, a temporary COVID-19 response program meant to provide additional food support for children whose access to adequate and quality food re-
ceived through school programs may have been impacted by COVID-19. Visit pebt.oregon.gov for more information about the P-EBT program. Families with specific questions about their child’s eligibility or P-EBT card can contact the P-EBT Call Center at (844) ORE-PEBT or (844) 673-7328. The P-EBT Call Center is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somalian, Mandarin and Cantonese. Callers may also request a translator for additional languages. • P-EBT does not replace any child nutrition program already offered and families are encouraged to continue to participate in meal programs in their schools and com-
• Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov • Find a food pantry: foodfinder. oregonfoodbank.org • Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org • Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org • Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www. caporegon.org/find-services/ • Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center About P-EBT P-EBT is part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT is money for children whose access to adequate and quality food may have been impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about P-EBT from our FAQ for Families flyer. P-EBT is a program in partnership with the ODHS and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).