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2023 Tax Tips and Financial Planning

Clatskanie Sports 2023 Page A7

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

VOL. 131, NO. 37 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Former Clatskanie residents return to reality TV JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

hey’re back! Two graduates from Clatskanie Middle/High School have returned to a cable television reality show. Christina Manning and her sister Jessica Dunagan first appeared on the TLC Network’s “Meet the World’s Most Extreme Sisters” in the spring of 2021. The series follows a group of sisters during their everyday lives. In a published interview with The Chief as the new series began in 2021, Manning said the show is designed to give viewers a close and personal inside look of relationships between sisters. “This show captures our relationship in its purest and most raw form,” she said. “We are extremely close, and the viewers will learn that even with an unbreakable bond, there are challenges that come with that. It has affected all areas of our life and we get to share the ups and downs with viewers.” The Chief has reconnected the two sisters for an update about their role and the impact of the reality show on their lives. The Chief: How is it that you two are still on the show? Christina Manning: We were asked to come back alongside the Australia twins Anna and Lucy. The Chief: How has this reality show changed your life, what’s been the impact? Manning: It hasn’t really changed our lives. It’s added extra perks as far as still getting to film

Courtesy photo

The two former Clatskanie Middle/High School graduates are now beginning their second season on the TV reality show “Meet the World’s Most Extreme Sisters.”

and be on the journey with the show. We get noticed when we are out and there are perks with the fame. The Chief: What have you learned about yourselves by being involved in a nationally broadcast TV reality show? Manning: We have learned that we have a thick skin because there’s a lot of hate and bad comments and it doesn’t even phase us. And we

also learned our sister bond is super close as we watch back our journey. The Chief: What are the disadvantages of being involved in the show and what are the advantages? Manning: Disadvantages: We do get picked apart like people really know our lives, but they don’t. We film for hours and only a small clip gets used of all the footage. Advantages: We get lots of love and

fans plus more money. In a follow-up interview with The Chief in August 2021, Manning said she is prohibited by contract to reveal what the two earned during the production of the TV series but in the April interview with The Chief, she did say the glitter and glitz of television hasn’t clouded her and her sister’s fond memories of small town life in Clatskanie. “My sister and I moved to

Christina Manning and her sister Jessica Dunagan at a shoot in the Seattle area during the 2021 reality television series production.

Clatskanie when we were 10 years old,” she said. “We went to Mayger Grade School, middle school, and Clatskanie High School. We loved growing up in a small town and we often return home to visit our brother, Justen Brown and our best friend Kayla Spaulding, who still live in Clatskanie.” Manning said the essence of the

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Clatskanie and Rainier welcome new city councilors WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

oth the city councils in Clatskanie and Rainier have begun the new year with new members. Elected in November, new councilors Amanda Owen and Dave True took their oaths of office alongside reelected Councilor Jim Helmen and Mayor Robert “Bob” Brajcich. The oaths took place at the first council meeting of the new year on Wednesday, Jan. 4, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Along with the council members taking their oaths, the council also discussed the city’s agreement with the Parks and Rec District regarding capital projects. “The council discussed reimbursing the district $7500 for a project (they replaced the sand with bark chips in the children’s play area),” said City Manager Greg Hinkelman. “A resolution to

do so will perhaps come before the February meeting.” The council also discussed the need for more funding for the city’s new sewer plant currently under design. The new facility will replace the aging city sewer plant. Last year, the city gained $10 million from the state to design and build the new facility. Hinkelman has said that the cost is rapidly increasing, and they need more money. Hinkelman has been lobbying the state for more resources for the sewer plant project. “I have made contact with our state Rep. Cyrus Javadi and Senator Suzanne Weber with our ask,” Hinkelman said. The Clatskanie Council meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Clatskanie City Hall, located at 75 S Nehalem St. Rainier City Council The Rainier City Council held its first meeting of the new year this month on Jan. 9 at the Rainier

City Hall. The meeting began with City Administrator Scott Jorgensen swearing in the reelected Mayor Jerry Cole. After taking his oath, Cole swore in city councilors Connie Budge, Scott Cooper, Robert duPlessis, and Jeremy Howell. City Councilor Mike Kreger indicated that he would be willing to remain president of the council, and the motion was adopted unanimously. Kreger appointed members from the council to the Rainier Economic Development Council. Scott Jorgensen was also appointed by the council as the city budget manager. The council discussed other civic matters at hand for the City of Rainier. • Managing fees for storage of recreational vehicles and vessels on city property • The Senior Center is hoping to install higher toilets with the city’s help and is looking at making changes to its outdoor patio.

Directory Jan Rich has received a $50,000 estimate for the work. There is a grant to fund it. Cole also suggested the city look into expanding the building. • Director of Public Works Sue Lawrence said their smoke test report has concluded. Inflow and infiltration were discovered at 102 locations, including five catch basins, seven manholes, 29 cleanouts, 19 houses with roof drains, and 42 lines and/or laterals. She has notified the school district that some inflow and infiltration are coming from its property. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has a grant for cities of 10,000 population or less to help with stormwater treatment. She will meet with DEQ representatives soon to learn more about that grant and how the city can apply. • Planning Commission and Housing Committee will make code updates to encourage more housing development. The land in the urban growth boundary on the west side of town is zoned light in-

dustrial. Lack of services is a barrier for development. Some mobile home park units can’t be occupied due to a lack of services. The council has resolved to collaborate with the county on this issue. • The council discussed raising the utility deposit from $50 to $100, with customers having the option to make two payments on the fee. The council will discuss the matter more at the February meeting. • Library Director Allen Snider gave an update on the city’s library. Snider placed an order for 130 books and revealed that the library is planning a young adult section as part of reorganizing the library by genre. • The council approved $2,700 additional funds to purchase a 2023 model truck for administrative staff use. The Rainier City Council meets the first Monday of each month at the Rainier City Hall located at 106 W B St.

Dead whales wash ashore near Astoria Obituaries ................. A4 Community Events .. A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Crossword ................ A5 Sports.........................A7 Tax Tips 2023 .......... A8

Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

Courtesy from the Seaside Aquarium

This 40-foot sperm whale was found beached along the North Oregon Coast at Astoria. In the background is the Peter Iredale shipwreck. JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

wo large whales have washed ashore along the North Oregon Coast near Astoria. A 40-foor sperm whale was discovered on the beach near the shipwreck Peter Iredale Saturday, Jan. 14. Biologists said that whale died after being stuck by a ship at sea, according to the Associated Press. The Seaside Aquarium report-

ed that the whale had been dead for a while before washing ashore and that there were a few large gashes on the whale. Crews from the Seaside Aquarium and state parks removed the whale’s lower jaw. The jaw was removed so that the teeth remained intact for scientific purposes, the Aquarium post said. The whale is believed to be a juvenile male. Male sperm whales can reach nearly 60 feet and weigh well over 40 tons. They have been

Courtesy from the Seaside Aquarium

This baby Gray whale, about 12-feet in length, washed ashore near Astoria Wednesday, Jan. 18.

known to live up to 60 years, with males maturing around the age of 50 at a length of approximately 52 feet. They feed on deep water species, such as squid, sharks, skates, and fish, according to the Seaside Aquarium. While their population is recovering, sperm whales are still considered endangered. A second whale washed ashore Jan. 18 approximately 100 yards north of the sperm whale that washed up on shore Jan. 14. The Seaside Aquarium reports

the whale is a baby Gray whale about 12-feet in length. “Like the sperm whale, it had been dead for a while before washing in,” the Aquarium said in a Facebook post. “There are no indications that this whale was struck by a ship or died from human interaction. Most likely, this is a case of failure to thrive.” A necropsy was to be conducted, according to the Aquarium. Gray whales are currently migrating south to their birthing and breeding grounds near Baja.