Shop Local
Take a hike
ess Saturday Small BusinPage A10-11
Page A8
$1.50
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
Christmas Ships Parade returns to St. Helens JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
The Columbia River will shine bright in early December as the annual Christmas Ships Parade returns to the St. Helens waterfront with a dazzling display of holiday lights Saturday, Dec. 10. The Christmas Ships Parade is operated by Christmas Ships, Inc., a non-profit organization. The parade started in 1954 and is an annual holiday tradition on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. The event draws both first time and past parade participants. Organizers said participants tend to return each year – several have been parading for over 40 years and several have made this a multigenerational tradition, with the children of previous participants returning with their own boats and families to parade. History The Christmas Ships Parade began with one decorated sailboat in 1954 and has since grown to over 70 participating boats. The entirely volunteer operated event runs for 15 nights during December and travels the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in the Portland Metro area providing opportunities for communities to view it from the river front, restaurants, parks, neighborhoods and waysides along the rivers. According to the Oregon Heritage Commission member and former chair Chelsea Rose the designation of the parade as an
See PARADE Page A9
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
The Christmas Ships Parade begins at 6 p.m., Dec. 10 at the St. Helens City docks.
Governor pardons 45,000, forgives $14M in pot possession cases STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
Metro Creative Connection
The pardon applies to electronically available Oregon convictions for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, in pre-2016 cases in which the person was 21 years of age or older, where this was the only charge, and where there were no victims.
Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Community Calendar A4
Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Crossword ............... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Sports ....................... A9 Shop Local ........ A10-11
Contact The Chronicle
Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 Email: chroniclenews@ countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051 Vol. 140, No. 47
Governor Kate Brown has announced a pardon for prior Oregon offenses of simple possession of marijuana. The act that will impact an estimated 45,000 individuals across the state and forgive more than $14,000,000 in associated fines and fees. The pardon will remove 47,144 convictions for possession of a small amount of marijuana from individual records, eliminating barriers for thousands of people seeking employment, housing, and educational opportunities who have otherwise been ineligible, according to a release from Brown’s office. The pardon applies to electronically available Oregon convictions
for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, in pre-2016 cases in which the person was 21 years of age or older, where this was the only charge, and where there were no victims. This pardon does not apply to any other offense related to marijuana or other controlled substances. More information can be found here. “No one deserves to be forever saddled with the impacts of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana — a crime that is no longer on the books in Oregon,” Brown said. “Oregonians should never face housing insecurity, employment barriers, and educational obstacles as a result of doing something that is now completely legal, and has been for years. My pardon will remove these hardships. And while Oregonians use marijuana at
similar rates, Black and Latina/o/x people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates. “We are a state, and a nation, of second chances. Today, I am taking steps to right the wrongs of a flawed, inequitable, and outdated criminal justice system in Oregon when it comes to personal marijuana possession. For the estimated 45,000 individuals who are receiving a pardon for prior state convictions of marijuana possession, this action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.” Following the Governor’s pardon, the Oregon Judicial Department will ensure that all court records associated with these pardoned offenses are sealed, as required by law.
‘Armed and dangerous’ wanted felon captured after tense search JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
Following several days of an intense manhunt, a wanted felon described by law enforcement as ‘armed and dangerous’ is in custody. Deputies captured Kevin James Reynolds without incident around noon Thursday, Nov. 17, according to the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office. Specific details of the arrest were pending at press time. The search began Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Rainier area last week after Cowlitz County notified the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office that Reynolds was possibly in the area of Heath Road and Old Rainier Highway. Reynolds was wanted on multiple criminal charges in Cowlitz County including robbery, assault, vehicle theft and witness intimidation. During the Tuesday manhunt, Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said the Oregon State Police SWAT responded to the location and used distractionary devices, loudspeakers, and drones equipped with Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR). The search included K9’s from St. Helens Police Department and Longview Police Department. “The suspect did fire his gun at a passing car that was hit. The driver was not injured,” Pixley
told The Chronicle. He later told KATU News that the suspect had taken a woman hostage, fired a weapon and fled the scene. Deputies freed the woman and got her medical treatment, KATU reported. As the search intensified Tuesday, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office posted a Facebook alert to residents in the area. “Reynolds is considered to be armed and dangerous. Residents in the area are asked to secure their homes and stay inside. If you spot Reynolds, call 9-1-1,” the Facebook post stated. Pixley issued a statement shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday night, stating that law enforcement had completed a search including buildings, homes, and property west of Rainier in an attempt to locate Reynolds, but he was not found. The search was suspended that night but was resumed Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 16. Search resumed “Someone believed they saw a male subject matching the suspect’s description via a security camera,” Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said. “We covered the area between Apiary Road to Elk Creek Road and from Cannon Road to Highway 30.” The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Washington
Courtesy from the CCSO
Wanted felon Kevin James Reynolds was captured Nov. 17.
County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police Scappoose Police, St. Helens Police Rainier Police, Kelso Police and Vernonia Police were involved in the Wednesday search from approximately 12 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Due to the manhunt, law enforcement advised the Rainier School District to go into a lockin. The district remained closed Thursday. Rainier School District Superintendent Joseph Hattrick posted a message on the district’s
webpage about the incident. “We were contacted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department to go into a lock-in,” the message stated. “A lock-in is where nobody is permitted to enter or leave the building due to a situation outside. Our students and staff were safe and there was no immediate threat to the students.” In his message Hattrick said that at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, the district began to release students to parents/guardians. “The Rainier School District was in continual communication with law enforcement and we were informed at approximately 4 p.m. that the search perimeter had been removed and the suspect was not located,” Hattrick said. “We understand the stress this has placed on our students, staff, families, and community. Additionally, we do not have clear information about the whereabouts of the suspect. As a result of the unknown whereabouts of the suspect and in an effort to keep people in their homes, the Rainier School District will be closed Thursday, November 17, 2022. All activities will also be cancelled.” The Rainier School District was expected to resume normal operations Friday, Nov. 18, but due to a staffing shortage, the schools remained closed.
See CRIME Page A9