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John Gumm turns 100

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Opinions A4 • Obituaries A5 • TV Guide 6 • Classified Ads A7 • Public Notices 8-9 • 9/11 Patriots Day A10-11 • Blotters A12 • Out & About A13 • Sports A14

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Kiwanis hosts speakers on veterans program in remembrance of 9/11 CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

In honor of the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, the St. Helens Kiwanis DayBreakers hosted speakers Doug Walker and Shirley Walker, Chase Team 4 members of Run For the Wall, at their Tuesday September 10 meeting. They presented on their experience with this year’s Run for the Wall, a nonprofit organization which honors veterans, Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA), as well as those Killed in Action (KIA). A Vietnam War Veteran, Doug Walker led the presentation, sharing photos of this year’s Run for the Wall which took place earlier this year. The Run for the Wall, which celebrated its 31st annual run this year, is a month-long event that takes place in May, ending the Friday before Memorial Day. Participants travel by motorcycle from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C., stopping in cities throughout the journey and participating in different activities to honor veterans and POW/MIAs. This year, approximately 1,680 people participated, over half of whom were veterans, according to Walker. The group traveled 8,011 miles and to 14 different states.

They also raised approximately $30,000 throughout the trip, which was donated to organizations or handed back to the group’s Charitable Fund. Walker said the typical day consisted of rising at around 7 a.m., traveling approximately 100 miles between fuel stops, having lunch and then participating in some form of ceremony that honored veterans. Those ceremonies sometimes included parades. “The cities we visited would often move their Memorial Day ceremonies to coincide with Run for the Wall,” Walker said. Other efforts the group would participate in to honor veterans included going to Veterans Memorials. At the Veterans Memorial in Missouri, some participants met a 92-year-old veteran and a 100-year-old veteran who had both served in World War II. Participants also sometimes visited Gold Star families, which are families who have lost a family member in a war. “We let them know their sacrifices are not forgotten,” Walker said. Because the participants travel by motorcycle, they also created the Missing Man Formation, which

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Chase Team 4 members Doug Walker and Shirley Walker presented on Run For The Wall, an organization that works to promote healing among veterans and their families and friends.

Commission hears arguments on Deer Pointe Meadows

Building permit approved for mobile home park

Christine Menges/The Chronicle

Port commissioners approve the lease at their port commission meeting, held at the Clatskanie Cultural Center.

Port approves NEXT Ground Lease CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The Port of Columbia County has approved the ground lease for NEXT. In a vote of three in favor and two opposed, at their Wednesday, Sept. 4 commission meeting, port commissioners approved a ground lease for NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon, LLC, a biofuels plant, to construct a biofuels facility at Port Westward. Port commissioners also ap-

proved a memorandum of agreement with NEXT, mandating the facility will not take advantage of any tax breaks from the Enterprise Zone where the facility is located, meaning they will pay property taxes from the beginning of operations. According to its website, NEXT Renewable Fuels turns recycled organic materials into renewable biofuels. Lou Soumas is the president and director of the company. Commissioners Larry Ericksen, Robert Keyser and Chris Iverson voted for the lease, while Commissioners Nancy Ward and Chip Bubl voted against. “The port has, as I can see, no dollars at risk,” Commissioner Keyser said. He added that if the project with NEXT did not work out, NEXT would still have to pay their rent per the terms of their lease. “If they leave, we will have a pot of money to decide how to move on and market the property to the next [tenant],” Keyser said. Not all port commissioners agreed with Keyser, Iverson and Ericksen. Commissioner Bubl voted against the lease and read out a list of 12 concerns to support his vote. He listed concerns about the financial back-

ing of the project including a lack of knowledge surrounding affiliates of the project, a lack of documentation from private lenders and an absence of a deadline for financial support to be in place. He also said he thought an 80-year lease was too long. Additionally, Bubl mentioned concerns about the construction of the facility resulting in road problems as well as the location of the facility being in an earthquake-prone area. Bubl listed his final concern as being a lack of funds to cover damages in the event of an oil spill. Commissioner Ward supported her vote against the lease by saying she thought the risk was too high. “We have taken risks at Port Westward in the past and they have proven not to be as attractive as we had hoped they would be, and sometimes proven to be a total failure,” Ward said. Ward then referred to Commissioner Keyser’s past comment that he gave the project a 51 percent chance of survival, saying, “When we have a commissioner who wants this project more than any of us on the board

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CODY MANN headlightnews@countrymedia.net

Deer Pointe Meadows was the focus of a hearing held by county officials in late August. The discussion was a continuation of talks held in late July stemming from a construction permit application at the mobile home park. Exparte contacts, fire code The August meeting began with disclosures of exparte communications related to the matter. Columbia County Commissioner Alex Tardif said a discussion with a staff member regarding RV park septic system certifications had led to a mention of Deer Pointe Meadows, at which point he ended the conversation, not knowing how it might be

related to the current matter before the commission. Commissioner Margaret Magruder said she spoke with Chief Steve Sharek, Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District, prior to his writing a letter to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners regarding fire code concerns at the mobile home park. She said the substance of that conversation was captured in the fire chief’s letter, which ended with a recommendation that county planning and permitting processes should meet all standards and codes. In the letter, Sharek requested that a recent Land Development Services staff report be clarified to reflect the lack of knowledge

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Correction: In last Wednesday’s Chronicle, an article about the Columbia County Tourism Initiative incorrectly stated that Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller denied the initiative’s $10,000 request. Heimuller did not deny the request, but rather did not second the motion brought up by Commissioner Alex Tardif, stating he needed to receive more documentation before approving the request. The Chronicle regrets the error.

Save the date October 10th and 11th

Vol. 137, No. 37

Truckload Meat Sale centerplacemarket.com/sthelens.html • 1111 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 • 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

DEQ approves air quality permit CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted Global Partners, LP, which also operates as Cascade Kelly Holdings, LLC, a renewal of its Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit for its Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery (CPBR), at Port Westward in Clatskanie. The permit will allow the facility to construct equipment to produce ethanol from wheat and to recover wheat coproducts after fermentation. The facility had previously been able to produce ethanol from corn, although they have not done so since 2009, according to the DEQ’s hearing officer’s report on the permit renewal. CPBR has also applied for a second permit renewal, which is an air quality permit for transloading of crude oil. That permit has not yet reached the public comment period. During the public comment period for the recently renewed air quality permit, DEQ received 276 written comments, 812 names of people either supporting or opposing the permit and 37 spoken comments at a public hearing that DEQ held in July. Both permits have been sources of controversy since the first air quality permit was

introduced earlier this year. The environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper as well as individual residents from Columbia County have criticized various aspects of the permits. DEQ received many comments regarding fears that this permit allows for circumventing the permitting process for the transloading facility, sharing equipment between the ethanol and transloading facilities, as well as other comments regarding climate change. Liz Tehraar, Communications Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, explained some of the reasoning behind these concerns in a statement released to The Chronicle on July 24. “The permit renewals contain overlapping components. This is both confusing and concerning,” Tehraar, speaking on behalf of Columbia Riverkeeper, said. “Global’s overlapping permit applications for ethanol production and oil train shipments raise the concern that Global could obtain permits to build, buy, and operate additional tanks for one purpose (ethanol) while planning to use them for another (crude oil).” Lauren Wirtis, Public Affairs Specialist for the Northwest Region of DEQ explained some of the overlapping elements in the two

The Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery, at Port Westward in Clatskanie.

permits. “The tanks are separated,” Wirtis said. “The tanks are allocated for ethanol and for transloading crude oil. What is shared is some of the lines through which those materials are transmitted.” DEQ responded directly to comments regarding that the two permits would allow for the circumvention of the permitting process for the transloading facility. “CPBR is required to submit a notice of intent to construct for modifications to the ethanol and transloading facility,” the report states. “Because the facilities are considered separate sources of air pollution the transfer of equipment from one to the

other is considered a modification and is treated like new construction.” Another type of comment DEQ responded to was a comment that items not be shared between the facilities. DEQ responded that air quality permits are issued for source. “The fact that they use some of the same equipment doesn’t change the fact that the tanks are used for two different operations and therefore belong to two different sources and in-turn two separate air contaminant discharge permits,” the DEQ report states. Dan Serres, Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, explained the reasoning behind their con-

Photo: Shari Phiel

cern, which is mainly concern for the potential impact of oil trains through the county. “We’ve been concerned for a long time about oil trains coming through Columbia County,” Serres said. “If one of them were to derail we could have another Mosier type of event.” Serres also explained that Columbia Riverkeeper has concerns about Global itself. The company purchased the bankrupt CPBR at Port Westward in 2013, which had already been an ethanol production plant. Since then, the company has been involved in some controversies. One of the major controversies occurred in 2014 when DEQ fined Global for shipping more oil

than its permits allowed. In December of 2018, the Port of Columbia County also approved a change to Global’s lease to allow the company to move heavy oil in addition to ethanol and lighter crude. “Their long-term plan is to move back to oil, otherwise they wouldn’t have asked the port for permission to handle oil,” Serres said. Catie Kerns, the Vice President of External Communications for Global Partners denied these speculations. “Since 2015 we have shipped only ethanol and currently have no plans to ship oil. If we were to resume export of oils, we would communicate in advance with the local community,” Kerns wrote in an email to The Chronicle. “Neither of these permit renewals change our operations except for allowing ethanol to be manufactured from a locally grown commodity—wheat. There are no modification requests to the transloading permit.” The second permit, a transloading permit for oil, has not been open for public comment yet, but when it does Serres said that Riverkeeper will be engaging the public. “I hope they press the pause button and really think this through,” Serres said about DEQ.

Update: Cornelius Pass Improvement Project

Crews are excavating rock for the S curve realignment during the Cornelius Pass Improvement Project. JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

NW Cornelius Pass Road continues to be closed for a major improvement project. The busy roadway closed for construction in late July for approximately 11 weeks to through traffic between Highway 30 and Germantown Road in Washington County. This will detour about 13,000 vehicle trips each weekday onto other roads. In a continuing series of special reports, The Chronicle is closely following how this project will impact traffic and commerce throughout the region and in Columbia County. See the related stories attached. Significant work is occurring along NW Cornelius Pass Road as the improvement project moves toward completion, according to Multnomah County Communications Officer Mike Pullen.

Traffic Enforcement The Chronicle and other local news media reported on last week’s incident in which a Wal-Mart semi-truck got stuck on the curves on NW Old Cornelius Pass Road, blocking the project’s detour route for several hours. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office cited the driver for disobeying the restriction on trucks on that road. There are no legal truck routes between Skyline and

S Curves Removal of the rock slope above the curves has begun. The contractor is drilling instead of blasting the rock. Flaggers will stop local traffic at times during this work. Conduit for new flashing warning beacons is being installed. Signs Crews are expected to install permanent safety signs south of Skyline Blvd. this week. Guardrail Installation of guardrail above and below the S-curves will be a major work item this week. NW 8th Ave. The creek has been diverted and fish removed in preparation for removing the old culvert next week. The new culvert will be made of pre-cast concrete which will be brought onsite. The road base in the realigned curve has been completed. Paving will occur after the new culvert is installed.

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Highway 30 until Cornelius Pass reopens. To report an illegal truck trip, call the non-emergency number for Multnomah County’s Sheriff Office (503823-3333, Dial 5). Provide the location, date/time, license plate (if known) and vehicle description. Skyline Elementary School Please drive with caution and obey the school speed limit when driving by Skyline

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Elementary School on NW Skyline Blvd. The school is on the main detour route. The school is busier than usual, since it is serving as a bus stop for middle and high school students during the road closure. For more information visit: www.multco.us/cornpass. Read a special series of reports about the Cornelius Pass Improvement Project here online and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.

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Crews are removing the the rock slope along the curves at NW Cornelius Pass Road.

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Merkley, Wyden announce more than $7.8 million for opioid treatment programs

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John Gumm turns 100 BRANDON SUNDEEN Columbia County Historical Society and Museum Association

One of the oldest St. Helens residents is turning 100 this fall. You won’t find the centenarian in an assisted living center, but rather in a prominent location overlooking the historic downtown. The John Gumm school building will mark its 100th anniversary on Sunday, September 15 – the day that it first opened its doors to students a century ago, even though it wasn’t quite yet finished and required some additional exterior work. The property has been home to a schoolhouse since 1866 when the first building erected solely for school purposes was constructed in the form of a little log building. It was replaced in 1881 with a 30x60 ft. frame structure that sat where the current school sits today. The first school bearing the name John Gumm was built in 1902, with a major addition and remodel in 1911. This school stood until a devastating fire swept through the building in September 1918. The current building was mostly complete when the school year started in September 1919. The St. Helens Mist reported, “The new building, which will provide ideal working conditions, should prove an incentive for the scholar and the very best effort is expected.” A short time later a marble slab was affixed near the entryway, engraved with the name of the school and the school board members, architects and contractors. Local citizens caused an uproar and demanded the slab be removed, stating that it should be a memorial to the benefactor only and not free advertising. Apparently, their cries went largely unheard because the

slab remains today. The school was named for John Gum, an early and wellliked resident of St. Helens and Columbia City. When he died in January 1883 in his early 50’s without children of his own, he left his estate to the school children of St. Helens and Columbia City. Each school district received over $1,000 and was able to eventually build a school due to Mr. Gum’s generosity. When a headstone was erected in his honor high on the hill overlooking St. Helens, it mistakenly bore the spelling “Gumm.” The name stuck like the gum under the school’s desks and even though the building no longer bears the name, there are still references to John Gumm, including John Gumm Way on the site of what was once the school’s athletic field. When he was 87 years old, William Colt recalled: “I attended John Gumm School from 1920-1927. I remember the first day of school when the present John Gumm school building first opened its doors. I was in the 1st grade… The grade school was downstairs, and the high school was upstairs. There was no library, no gym, and no cafeteria. Most of the students went home for lunch. As I remember, there were around 25 to 30 students in each class.” The school eventually served thousands of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in the 80 years that it served local children. It closed its doors in December 1999 and its students were shifted to temporary arrangements at the Junior High School until Lewis and Clark Elementary opened. Before closing it was featured in Disney’s Halloweentown. Former student Flora Carter Holston summed up her feelings, and likely those

of many others, when she wrote, “As I think back on my childhood, I know that John Gumm Elementary School became my guardian each day. The lessons taught in this school have guided me for sixty years. Here was a place to learn, set goals, work hard, play, and be a part of a child’s community… Friendships were made on the way to and from school. No one rode in a car. We all just walked, in good or bad weather. The lessons taught in this school have guided me for most of my life. I found the joy of learning, understand the value of friendship, and know that hard work has rewards. It is an honor to have attended this school, and a pleasure to know that it continues to be a centerpiece of St. Helens.” It would be a chore to attend any community function and to not run into someone that attended John Gumm, and if they didn’t, it’s likely that a parent or grandparent did. It remains a familiar and welcome site to all who visit downtown St. Helens. The Columbia County Museum Association will host a tour of the building from 4-5 p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19. That evening, cake will be served at the Columbia Learning Center in the hallway outside the St. Helens Public Library and at 7 p.m. a “Show and Tell” presentation will be hosted in the auditorium. Museum volunteers will share stories and photographs of the school’s history and invite community members to do the same. If you have memorabilia or photographs of the school, including class pictures, you are encouraged to bring them. Former students, teachers and staff are especially encouraged to attend and share their memories.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced more than $7.8 million in federal grants that will support efforts to treat and prevent opioid addiction— one of Oregon’s most pressing issues as communities across the state face an increase in opioid-related deaths. “I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction,” Merkley said. “The opioid crisis will require a multipronged approach, and that’s why in addition to introducing the Opioid Treatment Surge Act—which would require the drug companies that flooded the market with improperly marketed opioid drugs to pay for a dramatic increase in

treatment—I’ve used my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for these grant resources. This funding will support programs that are critical to helping our communities respond to this crisis and save lives.” “Oregon communities battling the opioid abuse that’s devastating families across our state can use these resources to make real gains in substance use treatment and prevention,” Wyden said. “These federal grants complement the bipartisan opioids legislation I worked as the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee to pass last year in response to what I heard from Oregonians in town halls, grocery store lines and ballgames. All these steps are needed urgently to reverse the

human cost of opioid abuse that surfaces far too often in Oregon homes and neighborhoods.” Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die from an opioid overdose. In 2017, the last full year of available opioid data, 1.7 million Americans experienced a substance use disorder stemming from opioid prescription drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 21 to 29 percent of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. The $7.8 million U.S. Health and Human Services State Opioid Response grants will support prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Oregon, part of $1.8 billion distributed nationwide to address the opioid epidemic.

River City Children’s Choir set to begin new season The River City Children’s Choir will begin its 2019-2020 season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 at the St. Helens Methodist Church, located at 560 Columbia Blvd in St. Helens. The group will have a new director, Dr. Lynnda Fuller, a retired Scappoose music educator who hopes to build a strong youth choir in the community. Columbia County students in grades 3-9 who enjoy singing are encouraged to attend this first

rehearsal. Choir members will develop their musical skills, learn a wide variety of music, perform in different venues, build new friendships, and have fun. Choir members need not have previous choral experience. The River City Children’s Choir is a non-audition choir open to students in grades 3-9 and meets weekly from 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Parents need to attend the first rehearsal to register their children and receive

pertinent information. River City Children’s Choir is supported by River City Singers Columbia Chorale of Oregon, a nonprofit 501C3 organization and is not affiliated with the Methodist Church which is used as the rehearsal venue. The River City Singers mission: “We are dedicated to fine choral performance, promotion of the arts, and arts education in and around Columbia County” guides the program for the children’s choir.

Deputy catches speeding motorcyclist CODY MANN headlightnews@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie City Council members had a bit of a chuckle during the monthly law enforcement update. It seems a speeding motorcyclist wasn’t as slick as he thought. Chief Deputy Ryan Murphy, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, told the council that a deputy spotted the alleged speeder blazing a trail down Highway 30 in the Clatskanie area around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop but terminated pursuit

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Douglas Matthew Moyer.

due to reckless riding by the motorcyclist. Despite cutting off the pursuit, the deputy was able

to track the motorcyclist, who eventually turned down Kallunki Road and was caught. The motorcyclist did not resist arrest and had no weapons, and no force was used in the arrest, according to Sheriff Brian Pixley. The suspect, who was later identified as 23-yearold Douglas Matthew Moyer of Longview, Washington was taken to the Columbia County Jail and charged with attempt to elude law enforcement, reckless driving and two counts of reckless endangering as well as second-degree criminal trespass for entering Port Westward’s property.

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Opinion The Chronicle

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Joe Heller

Weekly Online Poll When the state of Oregon offers sports betting on pro games will you participate? Yes

Last Week’s Results Are bonds the best way to finance and support schools?

39% Yes

61% No

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Rainier proudly open for business as construction continues JERRY COLE Mayor, City of Rainier

The people and businesses of Rainier pride themselves as “The Spirited City on the Mighty Columbia.”

But a summer of construction that will result in a much needed and improved A Street has tried that spirit. Through the construction disruption, the locally owned businesses and residents of A Street have been good natured and stoic with the confidence of the promise of a new and improved neighborhood. But that has come at a cost. The multimillion-dollar A Street improvement project, overseen by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), will eventually bring a new vibrancy to A Street. Getting to that point has meant noise, dust and dirt, detours, and other hardships to residents and

businesses located along the heart of historic Rainier. They have struggled to maintain access to their homes and establishments, suffered through loss of water service, had tranquil summer days pummeled by the noise and vibration of large pieces of equipment, and battled contractors who appear wholly focused on the project while seeming to not realize the discomfort and disruption that emanates from their work, disrupting the lives of the community. The elected leaders of the city and city staff have vigilantly stood in support of Rainier and its residents and businesses, forewarning of weekend construction,

detours, and other interruptions to life in our peaceful community. The city council has demanded and gotten the presence of ODOT officials at city council meetings to give first-hand updates on the project and to answer the concerns of citizens and council members. The ongoing construction and the attendant hardship have had an impact on almost everyone along A Street, but merchants and hospitality businesses and their employees have borne the brunt of the pain, with customer traffic precipitously dropping during the construction. That has meant more than lost busi-

ness revenue, it has meant decreased hours and tips for the hourly employees, the working men and women who we depend on to serve us food and beverage, help with everyday purchases, and provide professional services. The wages that pay their rent, feed their families, and shoe their children, have often been smaller than expected this summer, a time when good weather and the beauty of Rainier usually means an increase in traffic, customers and by extension, earnings. Through it all, Rainier has remained open and will continue to do so as the construction moves to the final phase, the construction of a

new street surface and new sidewalks, making A Street an even more attractive place for recreation, relaxation, and patronizing true locally owned businesses. Between that new day on A Street and today, despite the ongoing construction, as mayor of Rainier, I am encouraging everyone to come to our town, particularly A Street. Have lunch or dinner, shop our local merchants, stroll the river front, enjoy our family friendly park. Support businesses that are truly local. Meet our friendly residents. Enjoy a day in our small but vibrant town and experience firsthand “The Spirited City on the Mighty Columbia.”

Honest and tough conversations can save lives PATTI AKINS Communications Consultant for Columbia Pacific CCO

One of the top 10 causes of death for Oregonians is suicide. Oregon has more deaths each year from suicide than motor vehicle accidents. There are more than 600 deaths by suicide and more than 1,800 hospitalizations due to suicide in Oregon each year. i The friends and family members (suicide loss survivors) left behind are forced to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, suicide loss survivors are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly. Suicidal thoughts, much like other mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of pain from

an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. Crisis resources • If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. • If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide hotline/ Lines for Life (Oregon) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). • If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can text 273TALK to 839863 at Lines for Life in Oregon. They also have veteran’s and teen peer support available. Know the warning signs Any person exhibiting these behaviors should get help immediately: • Threats or comments

about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous • Increased alcohol or drug use • Aggressive behavior • Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community • Dramatic mood swings • Talking, thinking or writing about death • Impulsive or reckless behavior • Putting their affairs in order and giving away their possessions • Saying goodbye to friends and family • Mood shifts from despair to calm • Planning, possibly by looking to buy, steal or borrow the tools they need to commit suicide, such as a gun or prescription medication

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional or your primary care provider can help assess risk. These services are a covered benefit with many insurance plans, including Columbia Pacific CCO and Oregon Health Plan. Risk factors for suicide Research has found that about 90 percent of individuals who die by suicide are experiencing mental illness. A variety of things may put a person at risk of suicide, including: • A family history of suicide. • Substance abuse -drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts. • Intoxication – more than one in three people who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence. • Access to guns.

• A serious or chronic illness. • Gender – although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide. • A history of trauma or abuse. • Prolonged stress. • Isolation. • Age – people under age 24 or above age 65 are at a higher risk for suicide. • A recent tragedy or loss. • Agitation and sleep deprivation. Can thoughts of suicide be prevented? Mental health professionals are trained to help a person understand their feelings and can improve mental wellness and resiliency. Depending on their training, they may be able to provide additional ways to help including: • Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy

and dialectical behavior therapy, can help person with thoughts of suicide by recognizing unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, validate troubled feelings and learn coping skills. • Medication may also be used if necessary to treat underlying depression and anxiety and can lower a person’s risk of hurting themselves. Depending on the person’s mental health diagnosis, other medications may be used to alleviate symptoms. One difficult conversation can save a life Have this crucial conversation with someone you love, you can talk with passion and strength around suicide prevention. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can save a life.

Voices of the Community Climate change caused by many things There is regular reporting in the media concerning “climate change.” And that topic is typically bound to the idea that human activity is the cause. Well, that is as far as it ever goes. There is never mention of the idea that as long as the number of people on the planet increases by the current rate of a billion souls every twelve-and-a-half years, that human activity

will present a bigger, more expanded footprint. Furthermore, those who promote these media hypotheses blot-out any mention of the Divine Providence that is invoked in our Declaration of Independence. There simply is no debating whether it is true or not that God exists, and that our weather -- as it was in the Garden of Eden -- is a product of our distance in our relationship with God. Bottom line: Safeguarding our planet, with its present climate destruction must involve seeking and trusting in God. And we ought well to knock the rust off of the

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seldom mentioned theological concept of Divine Revelation -- an important part of Thomas Aquinas’ theological construction. David Doerr Rainier

Green New Deal not a good deal Recently in a letter to the editor of this publication Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s

Green New Deal was described as an “economic stimulus package”. That it is a “disgusting”, “blatant falsehood” to claim it will end air travel and eliminate beef. Just Google ‘AOC’ and ‘green new deal’ together for a whole slew of examples of AOC’s defense of her GND ‘eliminating cow farts’ and her claim that her high speed bullet trains will ‘eliminate the need for air travel’. From NPR: “Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Releases Green New Deal Outline”: “...overhauling transportation systems

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to reduce emissions...and expanding high-speed rail to a scale where air travel stops becoming necessary”. From Drovers: “Democrats Green New Deal Wants to Eliminate ‘Farting Cows’.” Quoting, again, from AOC’s own FAQ sheet, “We set a goal to net-zero, rather than zero emissions, in 10 years because we aren’t sure that we’ll be able to fully get rid of farting cows and airplanes that fast...”. Or the New York Post: “AOC explains why ‘farting cows’ were considered in Green New Deal” wherein it is explained that “...the language POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle: PO Box 1153 St. Helens, OR 97051-8153

was later changed to ‘emissions from cows’.” Also, again quoting that NPR article, “On top of all that, implementing all of these policies could cost trillions upon trillions of dollars”. NPR’s words. This, “economic stimulus package”, if enacted would drain the American Taxpayers of “Trillions upon trillions of dollars”. You have NPR’s word on it. Before you demand to be given something, make very sure what you are getting. Kathleen Fisher Scappoose SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One Year in County: $52 One Year Out of County: $72 $3 senior discount for yearly sub

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Obituaries Harold Gene Lowry

Jacquelyn “Jaci” Davis Harrington

Feb. 14, 1926 ~ Aug. 5, 2019

Much loved husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, Harold Gene Lowry, also affectionately known as “Babe” or “Hal,” passed away the evening of Aug. 5, 2019, surrounded by his wife, Margaret Agnes, and many other family members. He was 93 years old. Harold was born on the family homestead in Mollala, Ore., Feb. 14, 1926 to Bessie Alvera [Bracken] and Clyde Donald Lowry, Sr. Hal was a younger brother to Clyde Donald Lowry, Jr. who died during WWII at the Battle of the Bulge. He was the older brother to Clydie Jean, Kenneth Ray and Ronald “Pete” Lowry, who have all predeceased him. During WWII Hal served as a PFC in the Fourth Ma-

rine Division, serving in the Marshall Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Marianas Islands in Saipan, Tinian, Hawaii and Iwo Jima. While in Iwo Jima he was shot pulling a wounded man to safety during enemy fire. For his heroism, among other things he received 5 Bronze Star Medals, The Purple Heart, the WWII Victory Medal and a Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon. Hal attended the University of Oregon for two years and in the 1950’s Hal played baseball for Portland’s AAA team until moving to California. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and talking about his war stories. He was instrumental in starting a Marine Corps League and a VFW in Yucca Valley, Calif., and was a lifelong

Sept. 29, 1927 ~ Aug. 28, 2019

member of the Elks Lodge in Oregon and California. Hal lived in Oregon most of his life – specifically Tillamook, Portland and Salem/Keizer - but work took him to California where he also lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Palm Desert area. Besides his wife, Hal leaves his children, Gayle, James, Barbara, Bradley, Michael and Mark; and longtime stepchildren, Robin and Ron. His daughter, Constance predeceased him. Hal also leaves behind several grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Desiree, Chad, Shelby, Melissa and Taylor. He also leaves several greatgrandchildren, Macayla, Dustin, Adriana, Keaton, Khamari, Elle, Kylenna, Amery, Isa and Charlotte. Additionally, Hal had many nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends whom he loved. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Willamette National Cemetery. Following the ceremony, friends and family are invited to gather at the St. Helen’s Elks Lodge. In lieu of flowers, Margaret asks that you make a donation to the Dementia or Alzheimer’s Association on Hal’s behalf. Thank you.

Christine Singleton

March 6, 1936 ~ Sept. 4, 2019 Christine Singleton was born on March 6, 1936, which she said made her 40 years old but in reality, she was 83 when she passed away on September 4, 2019. She was born in Bogata, Texas and moved to St. Helens, Oregon at age 10 with her parents Paul and Edith Fleming. She graduated from St. Helens High School in 1954 and married Mansuel “Bud” Singleton the same year. Chris worked at the Columbia County Assessor’s office in St. Helens and then Popper’s Supply Company from where she retired. After she retired she moved to Pacific City, Oregon in 1989, where she lived with her longtime partner who preceded her in death. Christine led a very active life. In her younger years,

she water skied the Columbia River and played tennis. She remained an avid tennis fan her entire life. She was also an avid walker and did many walking tours across the county with her long-time friend, Sharon. She attended the fitness center in Pacific City with her many friends

most days and drank coffee with friends at the Stimulus which was really two ounces of coffee and the rest was whipped cream and chocolate. She remained in contact with her girlfriends from high school and they had regular get-togethers. She had a great sense of humor and she laughed all the time. Chris is survived by their two children Lori J. Olson and Michael R. Singleton; and two grandchildren Aaron Nicole Singleton and Austin G. Olson. Chris had many friends and loved them all and she deeply loved her children and grandchildren. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and friend and she will be missed by all her knew her. The family will be having a private service for Chris.

Harold Richard Scudder April 12, 1933 ~ Aug. 27, 2019

Harold was born on April 12, 1933 in Prescott, Iowa. He passed away on Aug. 27, 2019. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2019 at Plymouth Presbyterian Church, 2615 Sykes Rd., St. Helens, Oregon 97051.

Mom left us 33 days before her 92nd birthday. She knew she was well loved and at peace when she passed. This is a summary of her life. A native Oregonian she spent the early years of her life in the Columbia City/St. Helens area. Graduating in 1945, from St. Helens High School, she married her grade school sweetheart Lyle in May of the same year. They made their life in Columbia City until moving to California in 1957 for a brief stay. Returning to Oregon in 1962, we settled in the Beaverton area. Mom joined West Coast Telephone in the mid 1960’s, it later became GTE. Her career spanned 30+ years with positions including Operator, Accounts payable, Secretary, Engineering to finally Joint Pole Administrator for the Northwest Region. She retired in the mid 1990’s to begin the next chapter of her life. Mom had the travel bug, having previously visiting Hawaii and Rio de Janeiro while still working. So, she joined tours to England, Scotland and Ireland. She visited

Mexico, Spain and took a cruise to Alaska. She did well taking video’s, with her then 5 pound video camera but continued to cut off people’s heads with her 35mm still camera. She knew this problem existed, so she took 3 still photo’s each time to compensate. She used lots of film. Mom then moved into the Beaverton house, she used as a rental, since the early 1970’s. Renovations began. The interior and exterior got new paint, the ceiling’s were textured, and new landscaping, which included a dry creek bed. She had always wanted white tile counters

Area Churches ST. HELENS

Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church 1911 Columbia Blvd., 503-312-1072 Pastor Burkhardt Calvary Lutheran Church 58251 Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1739 Pastor: Mark Dennis Columbia River Foursquare Church 555 Commons Drive, St. Helens 503-397-0069 Senior Pastor Mike Cooke Christ Episcopal Church 35350 E. Division Rd., St. Helens 503-397-1033 Rev. Jaime Sanders Columbia Christian Center 235 S 15th St., 503-366-8028 Pastor Terry Luttrell St. Helens Community Bible Church 35031 Millard Rd., St. Helens Pastor Max Snook www.sthelensbiblechurch.org Christian Church 185 S. 12th St., St. Helens 503-397-2151 Pastor Justin Bruner First Lutheran Church 360 Wyeth St., 503-397-0090 Interim Pastor Randy Sinn First United Methodist Church 560 Columbia Blvd., 503-397-0061 Pastor Jared Maddox Plymouth Presbyterian Church 2615 Sykes Rd., 503-397-0062 Pastor David Hutchinson St. Frederic Catholic Church 175 S. 13th St., 503-397-0148

Father Nicolaus Marandu The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2755 Sykes Road, St. Helens St. Helens 1st Ward Bishop Kent Dery 971-225-8727 St. Helens 2nd Ward Bishop Paul Erickson 971-8134000 Scappoose Ward Bishop Lorin Fielding 503-987-2179 Sunset Park Community Church 174 Sunset Blvd, St Helens Pastor Aaron Hiller St. Helens Church of Christ 295 S. 18th St., St. Helens Pastor Ivan Bissell 503-366-0967

Grace Baptist Church 58690 Ross Rd., Warren 503-397-0405 Pastor Dean Christensen Warren Baptist Church 56799 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-1005 Pastor Randy Thomas Warren Community Fellowship 56523 Columbia River Highway, 503-397-4387 Pastor Cary Wacker

SCAPPOOSE

Clatskanie Presbyterian Church 215 South Nehalem Street Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-2300 Clatskanie Presbyterian Church is a community of Christian faith that expresses a relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit for everyone individually and collectively. Clatskanie Presbyterian Church Sunday 9/15/19 Old Testament: Jeremiah 4: 1112, 4: 22-28 New Testament: 1st Timothy 1: 12-17 Sermon title: Mercy Received Pastor: Erik Huget Adult bible study on Sunday’s at 9:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room

Grace Lutheran Church 51737 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose 503-543-6555 Joshua Wiley Scappoose Foursquare Church 33404 SW JP West, Scappoose 503-543-5069 Pastor Daniel Schmoll St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 51555 SW Old Port Rd., Scappoose 503-543-2110 Chuck Wood

WARREN

Bethany Lutheran Church 34721 Church Rd., Warren 503-397-2050 Pastor Scott

Portland 832 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503 783-3393

GOBLE

Cornerstone Baptist Church 70024 Goble Rd. 360-562-6201 Pastor Fred Mathews

CLATSKANIE

WARREN GRANGE BREAKFAST DELUXE

REGULAR

DELIGHT

3 pancakes, 4 sasuage links, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy

2 pancakes, 3 sasuage links, scrambled eggs

3 sasuage links, scrambled eggs, 2 biscuit half w/ sasuage gravy

$9.00

Simple Direct Cremation $595 Simple Direct Burial $895 Traditional Funeral $2,965

and wall to wall white carpet, in every room. She made it happen. We all had to remove our shoes when we visited. Then she used her great passion for baking to fill her time. Tualatin Valley Fire Department #64 were her most ardent consumers. On a weekly basis. She also took goodies to her hairdresser’s clients. A group of retirees, in the early 2000’s, started having monthly home luncheons that she greatly enjoyed. We traveled to Tigard, McMinnville and Gales Creek for the 5 hour feasts. Mom lived a busy full life. We are honored that she was so well loved and appreciated by so many that knew her. She is survived by her daughters, Barbra and Shari Harrington of Beaverton and her sister Jeri Johnson of St. Helens. Mom did not want a funeral or a memorial. If you wish to make a donation in her name the family has chosen the Oregon Humane Society @oregonhumane.org. Arrangements by Springer and Son Aloha Funeral Home.

$7.00

Fairgrounds 4-H Building

$7.00

7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. • Saturday, September 14, 2019 This space donated by Columbia Funeral Home • Serving Columbia County since the early 1900’s • 503-397-1154

Discounted price, caskets, urns & other memorial items.

Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families Offering online arrangements - CrownCremationBurial.com

SEPTEMBER 13 - SEPTEMBER 19

G State of the Art Digital Cinema G Stadium Seating

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN PG

G Highback Rocker Seats

IT: CHAPTER 2 R

G$6 before 6pm

es of Ladies the Lake Quilt Guild Longview Presents of the Lake Quilt Guild ofof Longview presents G$6 All Day For Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild of Longview Presents

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Featuring Featuring “Giving Back to the “Giving the Community”Back QuilttoDisplay

Seniors 65+ Kids 11 and under, Military with ID

October 4 -45,- 5, 2019 October 2019 October 4 - 5, 2019G $8 After 6pm Youth & Family Link Building Youth & Family Link Building Youth & Family Link Building 907 Douglas Avenue 907 Douglas Avenue G $8 Before 6pm Longview, WA 907 Douglas Longview, WA Avenue for 3D Friday 10 a.m. – 5- p.m. Friday 10 am 5 pm WA Longview, Saturday 10 a.m. – 4-p.m. Saturday 10 am 4 pm G $10 After 6pm Friday 10 am - 5 pm for 3D Admission $5$5 Admission

HUSTLERS R MAIDEN PG THE FAREWELL PG THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON PG-13 ANGEL HAS FALLEN R

150quilts Quilts *Demonstration 10 am - 4 pm **Over OverSaturday 150 * Demonstration 33520 SW EDWARD LN. OVERCOMER PG *Door*Prizes HWY 30, BEHIND Vendors*Vendors * Raffle quilt Featuring Community” Quilt Display * Door prizes $5 Admission Store MCDONALD’S **Raffle CountryQuilt store * *Country Bed turning Proceeds Support Gift Cards available iving Back to the *Bed Turning 503-543-3530 in any amount Local Veterans, *Over 150 Quilts *Demonstration Proceeds support local Like us on Facebook: Ladies Like us on Facebook: Ladies of unity” Quilt Display Children’s Justice & Advocacy veterans, Children’s Justice *Door the LakePrizes Quilt Guild*Vendors

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WEDNESDAY EVENING KATU ^ KOIN & DISC _ KGW ( KOPB * KPTV , ESPN C DISN I KPDX Q TBS W

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Good Morning America (N) In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley (N) Raising Wild A storm front moves in. KGW News at Sunrise (N) Peg & Cat (EI) Splash and Bubbles Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Miraculous: Ladybug Miraculous: Ladybug Good Day Oregon Sunday (N) Everybody Raymond Everybody Raymond

SUNDAY AFTERNOON KATU ^ KOIN & DISC _ KGW ( KOPB * KPTV , ESPN C DISN I KPDX Q TBS W

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Special Edition of KATU News (N) Jeopardy! (N) Wheel of Fortune (N) 20/20 Young Sheldon (:31) Young Sheldon Big Brother A houseguest is evicted. FBI A search for an abducted chemist. Naked and Afraid “Honduran Hell” Naked and Afraid “Surviving the Elements” A deadly spider bite. (N) Superstore Superstore Love Them First: Lessons From Lucy Laney Elementary Inside Woodlawn John Denver: Country Boy Life and legacy of singer John Denver. Alone in the Wilderness Living in nature. (DVS) 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) 10 O’Clock News (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (N) SportsCenter (N) (Live) Raven’s Home Just Roll With It Bunk’d Bunk’d Coop & Cami To Be Announced 8 O’Clock News (N) 9 O’Clock News (N) The Big Bang Theory Family Guy The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Chasing the Cure “Chasing the Cure 106” The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

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