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FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021

VOL. 129, NO. 52 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Graduation pandemic requirements JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

School districts in Columbia County are preparing for Graduation 2021 with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and guidelines in mind. Clatskanie School District is planning an outdoor graduation at 2:30 p.m. June 5, at the high school football field. “Our kids have been through 12 years of school and they have had a really tough year,” Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said. “They deserve to have a graduation and a celebration.” The district has established three graduation plans, depending on what the current pandemic-related county risk classifications are. The first plan is based on Columbia County being at High Risk and will allow a maximum or 600 people on the field to attend the ceremony. That plan will be reevaluated on May 29 for a possible increase in attendance numbers or change in venue. “If the county is at Extreme High Risk, as of May 29, Clatskanie will pattern the ceremonies after the 2020 drive-up graduation,” Clatskanie School District Director of Student Service and Innovations Jim Helman said. “Students will be scheduled to graduate throughout the day. It will be a fast turnaround if we have to decide in the last hour, so student speakers will be asked to videotape their speeches and decide if they will want a walking partner.” If Columbia County is at Moderate Risk on June 5, the graduation will allow 1,000 people on the football field. “We are hoping to hold the

Metro Creative Connection / The Chief

Moving back to High Risk means less restrictions for restaurants and gyms in Columbia County.

Columbia County now at High Risk

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

Local residents frustrated with the continued restrictions and limitations imposed by the state to slow the COVID-19 pandemic took their concerns to the Clatskanie City Council meeting Wednesday evening. Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said 50 people “who were very upset and angry over the continued lock downs issued by Governor Brown” attended the meeting to give testimony about Resolution 2021-01. The resolution is a council statement voicing opposition to the restrictions, supporting local businesses and supporting ballot measures limiting the duration and extent of the governor’s emergency powers. Read the full resolution attached to this story at thechiefnews. com. “Their anger was not directed at the council but at Governor Brown,” Hinkelman said. “People are fed up with the lockdowns. A majority of the people were small business owners who are directly affected by these shutdowns.” Hinkelman said so many people attended the Wednesday night meeting, the council had to move outside city hall into the adjacent parking lot to allow everyone to speak on the record. “The mayor took public testimony for about an hour and then we moved the meeting back into the building where the council deliberated for a lengthy time on the resolution and than voted unanimously to accept it,” Hinkelman said. The Clatskanie Council is also writing to Brown encouraging the full opening of the city and the county and asking for a re-categorization to low-population status, or suggesting other means necessary for citizen relief. In an unexpected announcement, Oregon Governor Kate Brown has eased pandemic restrictions for Columbia County, allowing the county to move back to High Risk under the state’s COVID-19 health and safety classifications. Columbia County had been placed at Extreme High Risk on April 30 due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The Extreme High Risk classification increased public and businesses health and safety requirements and limitations, including a ban on indoor dinning. Brown issued her announcement

The 2020 Clatskanie Middle/High School graduation was conducted outside the front of the school with seniors walking down a red carpet to receive their diplomas.

graduation outside to allow families to attend,” Hurowitz said. “We are really trying to maximize the celebration. We want to make sure we celebrate. No matter how we do it, it will be a celebration.” Rainier Jr/Sr High School Rainier Jr/Sr High School Principal Graden Blue said they expect approximately 50 seniors to graduate during the 7 p.m. June 5 event at the school’s football field, rain or shine. Other ceremonies include a senior car parade at 6 p.m.

from the school through Rainier, senior awards at 7 p.m. May 27 and Baccalaureate at 7 p.m. May 23, all with pandemic-related social distancing. Blue said Rainier has never deviated from the idea of having a near normal graduation for the high school seniors. Over the course of the year, the school district administrators’ discussions have been constantly steered in the direction of having as many people as possible attend the event while complying with mandates and guidelines. “With that in mind, we have

chosen to hold our graduation outside this year at the football stadium,” Blue said. “We have asked families to come prepared for whatever the weather presents to us. To assist in that we have also asked families to bring their own chairs so that they can distance as families.” Families and students have prepared and looked forward, for at least 12 years, for their high school graduation, according to Blue. “This is a major accomplishment See GRADUATION Page A3

Heritage Days 2021 canceled JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

After months of review and discussion, the Clatskanie Heritage Planning Committee has decided to cancel Heritage Days 2021. It is the second consecutive year that the popular summertime community celebration has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is with great sadness that due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions situation; we will be unable to hold Heritage Days events this summer,” a release from the Heritage Days Planning Committee states. The community celebration includes a city parade, annual car show, city park gatherings with food and vendors and a fireworks display. The Heritage Days Planning Committee and the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce Board representatives said they had hoped that the pandemic restrictions would be eased enough to proceed with limited events, and began planning early this year. “With Columbia County moving back and forth between Extreme and High COVID-19 Risk categories and the events being only eight weeks away, we must make the tough decision for the safety of our community to not hold Heritage Days,” the committee statement reads. The Heritage Days organizers

Obituaries ................. A3 Blotters ..................... A3 Viewpoints ................ A4 Letters ....................... A4 Classified Ads .......... A5 Legals .................... A5-6 Crossword ................ A6 Clatskanie Grows .... A8

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

A city parade that moves from Clatskanie Elementary School, down Nehalem Street to Clatskanie Park has been part of the Heritage Days tradition. The community celebration and parade has been sidelined this summer due to the pandemic.

also said that bringing people to the community with the COVID-19 variant on the rise and not knowing the level of operations local businesses will be allowed to operate due to state mandates, creates too many variables to be able to hold successful traditional Heritage Days events. “The committee sincerely wants

to provide the best family experience possible for our 4th of July celebration and under the current conditions, it would not be possible,” the statement reads. The Heritage Days fireworks display is set lower in the sky over the Clatskanie River with what organizers described as the best view in the park, and the committee said

the display location would require too many people in the park to maintain social distancing requirements. The committee said it was unable to move the display to be higher in the sky due to fire danger. See CANCELED Page A8

See COVID-19 Page A6

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Guide The 2021 Columbia County Business guide is a full color, glossy magazine that showcases local business and highlights current news events. It is the go-to reference for visitors, newcomers, residents, and potential customers of Columbia County. The Chronicle

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OSHA announces risk-reducing safety measures rule STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Oregon OSHA has adopted a rule to maintain risk-reducing safety measures for workers across the state against the coronavirus. Although the rule includes several changes based on the public comments received since the rule was proposed in late January, the basic requirements are largely consistent with those that have been in place since Oregon OSHA adopted a temporary workplace rule in November of last year. The rule – which will be repealed when it is no longer needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace – takes effect May 4 at the end of a public process that included both stakeholder involvement and more than two months of public comment. As with the temporary rule it replaces, the rule includes such health protection measures as physical distancing; use of face coverings; employee notification and training; formal exposure risk assessment and infection control planning; and optimization and maintenance of existing ventilation systems. One of the most significant areas of public comment concerned the lack of a specific sunset date or other trigger to automatically repeal the rule. As a result, the final rule includes considerably more detail about the process and criteria that will be used to make the decision o repeal the rule. Oregon OSHA determined that the ongoing pandemic required that the rule be extended to ensure workers receive basic protections from the workplace health hazard presented by COVID-19.

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The rule includes such health protection measures as physical distancing; use of face coverings; employee notification and training; formal exposure risk assessment and infection control planning; and optimization and maintenance of existing ventilation systems.

The rule went through the normal process, unlike the greatly abbreviated process allowed for a temporary rule, because Oregon state law does not allow a rule using that temporary process to be in place more than 180 days. “We reviewed all of the comments – including the many comments that opposed the rule – and we gave particular consideration to those comments that explained their reasoning or provided concrete information,” Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood said. “Although we chose to move forward with the rule, the final product includes a number of changes based on that record.” Wood said OSHA is keeping in place key protections for workers as part of Oregon’s larger and ongoing project to defeat COVID-19. “To allow the workplace

COVID-19 protections to simply go away would have left workers far less protected,” Wood said. “And it would have left employers who want to know what is expected of them with a good deal less clarity than the rule provides.” Because Oregon OSHA determined it is not possible to assign a specific time for a decision to repeal the rule, Oregon OSHA has committed to consulting with the Oregon OSHA Partnership Committee, the two Infectious Disease Rulemaking Advisory Committees, the Oregon Health Authority, and other stakeholders to help determine when the rule can be repealed. The first of these discussions will take place no later than July 2021, and will continue every two months until the rule has been repealed. The indicators factoring into

the decision will include infection rates (including the rate of spread of COVID-19 variants), positivity rates, and vaccination rates, as well as hospitalizations and fatalities. While the final rule broadly reflects the temporary rule, it also includes some significant changes, according to OSHA, including: • Reducing the number of industry-specific appendices by six and limiting such requirements specifically to those involving worker protection (which reduced the length of the appendices, and, therefore, of the entire rule, by more than 50 pages) • Dramatically reducing the K-12 schools appendix and removing all references to cohorts and square footage limitations, as well as physical distancing between students. • Requiring employers

to consider alternatives to transporting multiple people in a single vehicle and providing other guidance about reducing risk while sharing vehicles. The rule does not, however, require using multiple vehicles to transport multiple employees. • Requiring employers with more than 10 employees – and that have existing ventilation systems – to state in writing that, to the best of their knowledge, they are running their systems in line with requirements. The final rule does not require the purchase or installation of new ventilation systems. • Reducing required sanitation measures to reflect the most up-to-date Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. • Requiring employers to provide written notification to employees of their rights to return to work when employees must quarantine. • Requiring health care employers to provide respirators to employees working with known or suspected COVID-19-positive patients, unless such respirators are unavailable.

The final rule also makes clear that the risk assessment, infection control plan, and infection control training completed under the temporary rule do not need to be repeated as a result of the adoption of the final rule. The division offers resources to help employers and workers understand and apply the requirements. Those resources include consultation services that provide no-cost assistance with safety and health programs and technical staff, who help employers understand requirements. Meanwhile, the division has also adopted COVID-19 workplace requirements for workers who rely on housing provided by employers, including as part of farming operations. Those requirements were adopted April 30, and will work in tandem with the comprehensive COVID-19 rule by providing specific guidance for situations involving such housing. Learn more about the division’s workplace guidance and resources related to COVID-19: osha.oregon.gov/ Pages/re/covid-19.aspx. Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency

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Contact your Veteran Service Officer • 503-366-6580 Call CAT at (503)397-3511 to find out if you qualify. Rental and energy assistance applications are available at 125 N. 17th St., St. Helens, OR. Also available on our website at www.CAT-TEAM.org

Murder charges filed in fatal stabbing JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

One man faces murder charges and another man is dead, following what investigators are calling a domestic dispute in the Rainier area of Northeast Columbia County. At approximately 8:30 p.m. April 29, Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Rainier area residence for a possible domestic assault involving a weapon. Deputies arriving on scene located a 57-year-old man from Deer Island with a stab wound to his groin area. Deputies and Columbia River Fire & Rescue medics attended to the stabbing victim and called LifeFlight for a medical emergency

Photo courtesy of Columbia County Jail

Deer Island resident Harvey Knight.

helicopter to the area. The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators learned the suspect had fled the scene prior to their arrival but deputies were able to identify him as 60-year-old Deer Island resident Harvey Knight. Investigators issued a multi-county alert to law enforcement agencies to watch for Knight and the vehicle he was believed to be operating. A short time later, Portland Police officers were able to spot the suspect vehicle and they took Knight into custody. Knight was eventually brought to the Columbia County Jail where he was being held as of May 6, pending court dates. The name of the stabbing victim had not been released by investigators at press time.

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Gun safety bill heads to governor STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

The Oregon Senate repassed Senate Bill 554 on a concurrence vote – approving modifications made in the Oregon House to add storage and safety requirements among the bill’s components. The bill passed 17-7. “Gun violence is a public health crisis,” Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) said. “We’ve lost far too many loved ones to shootings and today we took a meaningful step toward preventing these unspeakable tragedies.” What the bill does

“Attempting to influence legislation through veiled and overt threats is wrong,” she said. Safe storage In addition to empowering public education institutions to protect students and staff, Senate Bill 554 requires firearms to be stored safely. The gun can be stored using a cable lock, a storage container or safe, or in a gun room. A storage container or cable lock must also be utilized when transferring a firearm. The bill also includes, the bill includes reporting requirements for an owner of a firearm when the firearm is lost or stolen. According to Burdick, Suicides and gun violence are increasing. “A firearm that is not safely stored is a threat,” she said. “Whether some-

one steals that firearm to do harm to another person, or a child is killed because they mistake a weapon for a toy, or someone in an acute mental health crisis accesses a gun–it’s a tragedy, and we can help prevent these tragedies. By passing Senate Bill 554 today, we help prevent these tragedies.” Burdick said passing a safe storage policy for firearms and improving safety in our public buildings and our State Capitol is overdue. “I’m grateful for the dedication of my partners in both chambers and for their commitment to Oregonians’ lives, health and safety,” Burdick said. Senate Bill 554 is expected to be sent to Governor Kate Brown for her signature and will take effect the 91 days following adjournment sine die.

Burdick introduced the Senate Bill, which changes Oregon’s firearm laws in a variety of ways. As previously approved by the Senate, the bill allows school districts and public higher education institutions to prohibit the carrying of a firearm even if the individual possesses a Concealed Handgun License Well then... (CHL). “Guns should not influHelp us paint a board for the “Art Fence” ence the functioning of project brought to you by Clatskanie Bloom. democracy,” Burdick said. Everything needed will be supplied at no “When armed insurrectionists cost to the first 20 applicant requests. forced their way into the State Capitol late last year, we were We will start accepting applicants via emails Weds. May 12th all threatened. When armed clatskaniebloom@gmail.com individuals in paramilitary garb have hovered over the Senate Floor or the desks of our staff while spouting hate, it’s threatening.” Burdick said it is also incredibly traumatic for those who have experienced gun This project is funded through a Columbia Cultural Coalition grant violence. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

Location: Columbia County Fairgrounds located at 58892 Saulser Road St. Helens, OR Dates: Wednesdays Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sign up: www.ohsu.edu/COVIDVans

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•

•B lotter • •

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Rainier Police

April 14 • An officer responded to a reported disturbance amongst several juveniles at the skate park. Peace was restored. • An officer took a report of a possible telephonic harassment. The report was forwarded to the DA’s Office. April 21 • Officers responded to a harassment that occurred during an argument. The case was forwarded to the DA’s Office for review.

April 8 • A vehicle parked on East D Street was reported stolen.

April 24 • A 22-year-old individual from Longview was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.

April 13 • A wallet was turned in as found property. It was returned to the owner.

April 26 • A resident reported that a truck had crashed into their garage and fled the scene. The

•

driver was located and subsequently taken into custody for DUII and hit and run. The driver was also cited for operating a vehicle without driving privileges and driving uninsured. Several hours later, the same driver was involved in a single vehicle, roll-over crash. The driver was transported with non life-threatening injuries. Additional charges are pending. April 27 • A verbal argument was reported at the city park. April 30 • A possible restraining order violation was reported. The incident was forwarded to the DA’s Office. The Columbia County Sheriff’s reports were not immediately available.

Rainier to close RV park citing houseless residents AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net

City Administrator Scott Jorgensen wants the city to close down its RV parking lot. Jorgensen took his proposal to the regular public session of the Rainier City Council May 3, following citizen complaints and frequent police calls to the lot adjacent to the Rainier wastewater treatment plant on West A Street. “It’s been turning into a homeless camp, and we’ve been getting a lot of complaints,” Jorgensen told The Chief. Jorgensen said the RV park is basically a gravel lot and does not offer any real amenities. It was established by the city in 2013 as a possible revenue generating effort. The city typically charges a fee of $15 per night for RV owners to use the lot, but according to Jorgensen a portion of the current residents have been living on the property for two months without paying.

“I spent a bunch of time on it, and it is such a headache,” Jorgensen said. “In the meantime, the complaints from citizens were just piling up. I think public works and the police department can make better use of this property.” Currently, Jorgensen said Rainier doesn’t have any plans for helping the RV Park’s residents with relocation. “Towns don’t really offer much in the way of services for homeless people,” said Jorgensen. “They tend to migrate and gravitate towards cities.” During the May 3 meeting, the council voted unanimously to close the RV park. According to the meeting minutes, Mayor Jerry Cole said the original intention of the RV park isn’t being met and described the park as an “eyesore.” RV park staff also recommended that the city close it. Councilor Budge first motioned to close the park, and Councilor Kreger seconded the motion. In the next meeting in

June, Jorgensen will ask the council to repeal the ordinance that created the RV Park. Read the full ordinance attached to this story at thechiefnews.com. Once the park is dissolved, Jorgensen said he hopes that the property will be used as new parking for the city’s police officers and can be developed to create better accessibility to the wastewater plant. Some of the city’s police officers park their vehicles at the plant, Jorgensen said, where they have to deal with occasional flooding. The RV park’s gravel lot would offer an alternative to the officers. Since the park abuts the sewage plant, Jorgensen said he thinks the city can better utilize the lot for access to the wastewater plant. “The city gets a decent amount of revenue, like $300,000 a year from people that dump their sewage [at the plant]. We can probably take and make that more easily accessible. So we can improve access,” Jorgensen said.

•O bituaries • • John Blankenship

Aug. 25, 1946 ~ Feb. 13, 2021 On Feb. 13, 2021, John Blankenship passed away at St. John’s Hospital in Longview, Washington. John Steven Blankenship was born Aug. 25, 1946 in Princeton, West Virginia, the oldest son of John and Bertha Blankenship. John attended Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, California. He then enlisted into the Navy and served three tours in the Vietnam War. He was a Gunners Mate Second Class on the USS Farragut until his service ended after six years in 1970. He started out as a young entrepreneur in Southern California where he had a Hauling and Clean-up business. In 1973, he moved his wife and five daughters to Rainier Oregon. He started buying and selling vehicles and turned it into a full-

time thriving business from which he retired. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, camping and wood working. He loved good movies, great food, and laughing with his family and friends. John was a loving husband, father and grandfather with a great sense of humor and was known for his honesty

and fairness in the community. He has left an indelible mark on all who knew him, especially his family, who will deeply miss him. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Barbara Blankenship; their children, Suzi Moore (Randy), Deborah Blankenship, Sandra Blankenship, Dawn Naye (John), Brenda Richard (Jason), and Beth Sealy his oldest daughter who he was able to meet later in life. His grandchildren include Kati Moore, Jessy Moore, Caley Rivera, Sarah Schroeder, Cameron Naye and Alexis Richard. He is survived by his two younger siblings, Rick Blankenship and Pamela Cooper. He is preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life will be held sometime this summer.

James Ronald Hansen James Ronald Hansen passed away on Dec. 2, 2020 at the age of 80. A graveside memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on June 19, 2021 at Green Mountain Cemetery in Rainier, Oregon. A reception will follow at Hudson Park Pavilion.

Joshua Watson

July 7, 1976 ~ April 27, 2021 Joshua Watson 44, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away April 27, 2021 in Longview, Washington.

Kenneth Brown

Oct. 5, 1939 ~ April 30, 2021 Kenneth Brown 81, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away April 30, 2021 in Rainier, Oregon.

Larry Garlock

Feb. 25, 1940 ~ May 4, 2021 Larry Garlock 81, of Clatskanie, Oregon, passed away at home in Clatskanie, Oregon.

Rainier City Council member sought Applications are currently being sought to fill a vacancy on the Rainier City Council for a term that expires in January 2023. Applicants for the volunteer position must currently reside, and have been a resident for at least one year, within the city limits. Councilors are expected to attend one regular meeting per month, which typically takes place on the first Monday at 6 p.m. Other meetings may also be scheduled, as needed. The city councilors receive $20 a meeting as a stipend. The application deadline is May 28. Council will appoint the new member at its

GRADUATION

From Page A1

for students and their hard work deserves to be recognized with this culminating event,” Blue said. “Students and families have worked closely with the school this year to support these students. This is a celebration of everyone’s hard work and commitment to getting through this unusual and difficult year. We have made it! Let’s celebrate that achievement!” St. Helens High School St. Helens High School (SHHS) graduation organizers are preparing for a drivethrough ceremony similar to what was conducted in 2020 due to the pandemic. The 2021 SHHS graduation is set for noon Friday, June 11, at the Columbia County Courthouse Square in St. Helens. The graduation organiz-

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ers are encouraging graduthe high school Facebook ates and their families to page reads: decorate their home’s front “We are currently workdoors and their cars to honor ing on graduation plans. ETERSEN LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC and showcase the seniors Our hope is to be back to as time and activities at SHHS. normal a ceremony as posAA tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss A senior class and comsible (although we may have munity cruise added(503) to the 556-4120 to issue tickets depending on (503) 556-4120 ceremonies in 2020 is again state guidelines). What we scheduled for the 2021 know right now is the GraduAccidents •Personal •Personal Injury Injury •Wrongful Death Death Accidents •Wrongful graduation. ation Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 5 No Fee Until Until Scappoose High School at Recovery 1Recovery p.m. Specific details to No Fee follow.” go shin ingto gtonn rreego The Chief reachedOOout tonn && WWaash Scappoose School District Follow update details as FREE INITIAL INITIAL CONSULTATION CONSULTATION FREE officials for details about they become available about the Scappoose High School the high school graduations graduation. We had not reat thechiefnews.com and in ceived responses to our ques- the Friday print editions of tion by press time. A post on The Chief.

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•V iewpoints • •

A collective step toward healing our nation AURORA BIGGERS Chief Guest Article

Over the last year, I have experienced unbelievable stress in my job as a journalist because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, like so many others, this stress was also in my home, in my relationships with my family and friends, and even in my simple trips to the grocery store. I spent New Year’s in Portugal and by the time I returned home in January, my mother, who is a nurse, was talking about wearing masks at work and preparing for an overflow of patients in her hospital’s ICU. I recall her telling me, “This won’t be good. This isn’t just a flu.” By late March, she was already telling me about a shortage of protective gear. Her and my dad were sleeping in separate beds and living in separate parts of the house, unless unavoidable because she worked on a COVID-19 unit in her hospital. On a family Zoom call, my dad sat in his office, my mother in the bedroom. They both said they couldn’t wait for this to be over. Moving morgues We heard reports of

moving morgues in New York City because the body count was so high, there was nowhere for them to go. One of my relatives lives in Brooklyn and took a parttime job cycling around the city delivering supplies to hospitals. He told me he saw a garbage truck, but there wasn’t garbage inside, there were bodies. The news said the moving morgues were coming to Oregon soon. My grandparents, who live in the midwest, contracted COVID-19 in the summer. They each have comorbidities, which heightened my family’s fear. While a big illness in the family would usually warrant a trip, we all had to stay home and wait for phone calls and texts to give us updates. They ended up recovering from COVID-19, but during their illness it was hard not thinking about how we likely wouldn’t be able to fly out, even if they were hospitalized. If they had died, there wouldn’t have been a funeral, per state and CDC restrictions. My other grandparents, who live in Oregon, housed me during college, and when COVID-19 hit and universities shut down in March, 2020, I had to make a decision. Would I stay and risk infecting my grandparents who are part of the higher

risk demographic or would I seek new housing in the middle of a housing crisis? Then my job at the time called and told me I was furloughed. With my school online and no job to physically show up to, I decided it was best to move back in with my parents, who live in Washington. Social life deteriorates After a month, my job called and said they were reopening, so I moved back in with my grandparents. Slowly, I saw my social life deteriorate. Friends would text and ask if I was available for dinner or drinks, and I had to decline, saying I was concerned about our safety and the safety of my grandparents, who I would be tracking whatever germs I collected back to. I was so afraid of infecting myself or others with COVID-19 that I kept my distance from family and friends for over a year. I even quarantined myself in my room on a few occasions, and often avoided being in shared spaces with my grandparents, since I regularly saw the public for my job. I self-isolated and fell into a strict new routine: work, home, grocery store. In late August, my university reopened for in-

person classes, but we were all wearing face masks, sitting six feet a part, and as a commuter, I wasn’t allowed to hang out on campus after my classes. It was difficult seeing many of my friends’ faces, but only being able to wave or nod at them. I did my first non-Zoom, inperson, reporting in January, 2021. I wasn’t vaccinated, but I began to feel hope for a return to ‘normal.’ Finally, in March, 2021, I became eligible for the vaccine. A couple weeks prior, I was sitting in Governor Brown’s virtual press conference, when OHA officials announced that all Oregonians age 16 and up would be eligible for the vaccine in the coming weeks, and President Biden announced that all states would have eligibility opened up by April 19. At first, I didn’t rush to sign up for a vaccine. I knew I would likely have to wait until summer to actually get an appointment. Then one of my editors messaged me. There was a vaccine clinic not too far from me that had a surplus of vaccines, and I qualified because I was a member of the press. Getting vaccinated When the first dose of my vaccine (Pfizer) finally

entered my arm, I finally felt a little less afraid, even hopeful. I felt relief. Not only was I protecting myself, I was protecting my family, my friends, my classmates, my professors, my employers, coworkers, and doing my part to protect the nation. With each vaccine, we all take a collective step toward healing our nation, toward living with less fear and more hope. Many communities are skeptical about the vaccine, especially people of color and women—due to historical record and discriminatory health care practices. The public discourse surrounding symptoms has created fear. While symptoms can take place with any vaccine, and we know that there are rare cases of severe symptoms from any of the current vaccines available, the important thing to remember is that these reactions are extremely rare. With my first dose, I didn’t experience any symptoms. With my second, I felt a ‘flash flu,’ as I’ve dubbed it. I was sore and tired, but the symptoms passed quickly within 24 hours. Ultimately, the vaccine was worth it. I feel safe around my family again. I look forward to returning to an in-person work environment, and I feel

prepared to see my coworkers, engage the public, and do my job with hope, not fear. My recommendation, if you have the chance to get vaccinated, don’t wait. Vaccination information In Oregon, everyone over 16 is currently eligible. If you live in Columbia County, you can seek vaccination at most WalMart, Walgreens, Safeway, and other such retail locations as well as selected medical outlets, including the expanded mass vaccination site at the OHSU Clinic in Scappoose. Drive-through clinics are also established in the Portland metro area. Appointments are necessary. To learn about appointment details and find a location near you, visit the Oregon Health Authority website. For Columbia County residents that cannot seek vaccinations, the county is operating an in-home vaccination program. For more information, call Columbia County Public Health, at 503-397-7247. The county is also providing free transportation to clinics, if needed. Aurora Biggers is a general assignment reporter for The Chief. She may be reached at chronicle2@ countrymedia.net.

Strong schools, strong community KATHY ENGEL Chief Guest Article

Some of the improvements planned for these funds are:

Measure 5-284 is a general obligation bond being presented to the voters on behalf of the Clatskanie School District (CSD). I am a member of the local PAC (Political Action Committee) that has been created to support the VOTE YES campaign for this measure. One of the main points for a yes vote on the bond is not only that our schools need it badly, but that its passage will not increase the current property tax rate. The reason for this is that the bond passed in 2000 for $10M cost the property taxpayer $0.91/$1,000 of assessed value. That bond will be paid off in June and the new $10M bond will also be $0.91/$1,000 of assessed value – no increase over what has been shown on your tax statement for the past 20 years. The State of Oregon has approved the CSD for a matching grant of $4M if the bond passes. CSD has also been told by the architects that because CMHS is an approved community gathering place during an earthquake event we are likely to qualify for a seismic upgrade grant of $2$2.5M. Passing this bond is an excellent opportunity to obtain $16M-$16.5M worth of purchasing power for the cost of $10M.

• HVAC - our HVAC systems in both school buildings are in grave need of upgrading. CMHS has experienced two major breaks in the system this past year resulting in flooding of the offices and/ or classrooms beneath the breaks. While the clean-up is interruptive and time consuming, the biggest issue is that replacement parts for the archaic system are no longer obtainable. • Security - the entries at both schools need to be renovated to create secure entries and safety for our students and staff. As most of you know, persons entering CMHS through the main doors cannot be observed by office staff and there is a similar situation at CES. These areas will be redesigned so that anyone entering the buildings will be observed. An alarmed security system will also be put in place. • Roofs - both roofs need replacing, and the timing is right with HVAC equipment also being installed on the roofs. • Auditorium - lighting in the auditorium is also so archaic that it is impossible to get replacement parts. It will be brought up to modern standards for the use of the school as well as the community. • Divide CMHS CMHS will be renovated

to give a definite separation between the middle school and the high school providing distinct identities and appropriate learning environments for each. There will be collaborative meetings with the architects for staff, parents, students, and interested community members giving everyone an opportunity to weigh in on the design and what is most important to all stakeholders. A big thank you to the local businesses that have contributed to and are supporting our PAC and the passage of this bond. They are Fultano’s, Evenson Logging, NEXT Energy, Global, Fins, Flowers & Fluff, Farmhouse Coffee and Colvin’s. We so appreciate you. For more details, please read the mailer you received this past week and go to our PAC Facebook page, support Clatskanie schools and view the student produced video showing a visual of the numerous needs for our buildings and grounds. Help us provide the students of Clatskanie and our community safe, secure, and appropriate school buildings and grounds and remember that strong schools equal a strong community. I encourage you to join me in voting yes on Measure 5-284. Kathy Engel is a Support Our Schools PAC member. She may be reached at kathy.r.engel@gmail.com

Weekly Online Poll What are your plans for Memorial Day holiday ?

Staycation Camping Go to the beach/mountains Shopping

Last Week’s Results Do you believe the COVID-19 pandemic will end by this summer?

16% Yes

Vote online at thechiefnews.com •

•C rossword S olutions • •

Solution for the April 30, 2021 crossword puzzle

•

•V oices

Rainier/ Clatskanie Cemetery Levy The Rainier/Clatskanie Cemetery District is again requesting additional funding for the 12 cemeteries in Columbia County covering 39 acres with 13,000 current and future grave sites. The situation and need are dire, to say the least. There is no sexton on the staff anymore, some, if any mowing, is often done by volunteers, the fence

of the

C ommunity • •

on Doan Road is trashed, there is an unfilled vacancy on the Board, the grass is about 6-7 inches at Woodbine (April 30), and finding an employee to manage the cemetery’s work load has not been successful. Expenses continue unabated and some equipment is long overdue for replacement. The request for an additional nickle per thousand for the owner of a home assessed at $300,000 would be $15 per year for five years. It’s certainly a reasonable request and sorely needed.

Do we want the local cemeteries to be well managed, grass mowed, headstones trimmed, fences mended, unsightly garbage managed, patron’s requests accepted, phone answered, bills paid on time, equipment maintained, burials professionally managed, and the list goes on and on? Most of us would agree. Please support the small levy for the health of our community. Vote yes and support a good cause. Paul and Judy Nys Rainier

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Letters policy This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

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Friday, May 7, 2021

CC21-1448

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J will hold a Board meeting, Monday, May 10, 2021, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please see our website at www.csd. k12.or.us on the main page for directions to join the

zoom meeting. The agenda includes but is not limited to: Superintendent and Principal’s reports, financial report, and the consent agenda. Please see our website for an official agenda. The public is encouraged to attend.

CC21-1447

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Clatskanie School District 6J invites all Native American, Aleut, Eskimo, secondary Native American Students, and interested persons to an open public meeting regarding the 20212022 school year Title VI

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Indian Education Project. The meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, May 10, 2021 at Clatskanie Middle High School, 471 SW Bel Air Dr. in the Commons. Masks and social distancing rules apply.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BUDGET MEETING CC21-1429

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Clatskanie School District 6J, Columbia County, Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held at the Clatskanie School District CMS Gym,

located at 660 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR. The meeting will take place on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public

meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the proposed budget document may be inspected or obtained

on or after May 10, 2021 at the Clatskanie School District Office, 660 SW Bryant St., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. A copy of this notice is also posted on the Clatskanie School District website at www.csd. k12.or.us.

CC21-1430

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Rainier Cemetery District, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held

at Rainier Cemetery Office, 24952 Alston Rd, Rainier, OR. The meeting will take place on May 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive com-

ment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the

Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 14, 2021 at 24952 Alston Rd., Rainier between the hours of 9:002 a.m. and 12 p.m.

CC21-1415

TS No. OR05000005-20-1 APN 18943 TO No 200016779-OR-MSO TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, DANA M. MACDONALD, AN ESTATE IN FEE SIMPLE as Grantor to PACIFIC NORTHWEST COMPANY OF OREGON, INC. as Trustee, in favor of ONE REVERSE MORTGAGE, LLC as Beneficiary dated as of May 21, 2009 and recorded on June 26, 2009 as Instrument No. 2009-006195 and the beneficial interest was assigned to CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY and recorded November 27, 2012 as Instrument Number 2012-009117 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 18943 THE LAND REFERRED TO IN THIS GUARANTEE IS SITUATED IN THE CITY OF RAINIER,COUNTY OF COLUMBIA, STATE OF OREGON, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:PARCEL 1: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST, OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY. OREGON, THAT IS NORTH 89°37’ EAST 365.42 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLOMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, SAID

POINT BEING ON THE WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF RAINIERAPIARY ROAD; THENCE NORTH 89°37’ EAST ALONGSAID SECTION LINE 950.83 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 3’02’52” EAST 536.04 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89°52’33” WEST 339.09 FEET; THENCE NORTH 3’03’01” WEST 133.04 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89°37’ WEST 654.55 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF RAINIERAPIARY ROAD; THENCE NORTH 13°10’31” EAST ALONG SAID WEST LINE 178.47 FEET; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A 336 FOOT CURVE LEFT (THE CHORD OF WHICH BEARS NORTH 4°52’16” WEST 226.76 FEET) A DISTANCE OF 230.56 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION THAT LIES IN THE COUNTY ROADS. PARCEL 2: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, SAID POINT BEING NORTH 89°37’ EAST 1,316.25 FEET FROM THENORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 35; THENCE NORTH 89°37’ EAST ALONG SAID

SECTION LINE 278.67 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 3°03’41” EAST 538.52 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89°52’33” WEST 278.92 FEET TO A POINT WHICH BEARS SOUTH 3°02’52’ EAST FROM THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE NORTH 03°02’52’’-WEST, 536.04 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAVE AND EXCEPT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, SAID POINT BEING NORTH 89°37’ EAST 1,534.92 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 35; THENCE NORTH 89°37’ EAST 60 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 3”03’41” EAST 538.52 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89°52’33” WEST 60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 3°03’41” WEST 538 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION THAT LIES IN THE COUNTY ROADS. SECTION 35; THENCE NORTH 89°37’ EAST 60 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 3”03’41” EAST 538.52 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89°52’33” WEST 60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 3°03’41” WEST 538 FEET,

MORE OR LESS, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION THAT LIES IN THE COUNTY ROADS. Commonly known as: 26116 PELLHAM HILL RD, RAINER, OR 97048 Both the Beneficiary, Nationstar Mortgage LLC DBA Champion Mortgage Company, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay the principal balance which became all due and payable based upon the failure to pay taxes and/ or insurance, pursuant to paragraph 7 B (III) under the Note, and pursuant to paragraph 9 B (III) of the Deed of Trust. By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $0.00 together with interest thereon from June 1, 2019 until paid; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the

undersigned Trustee will on August 17, 2021 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior

to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: March 31, 2021 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Order Number 74440, Pub Dates: 4/23/2021, 4/30/2021, 5/7/2021, 5/14/2021, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

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Public Notices

Bark dust raises $3,000 for Heritage Days JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

A fundraiser using bark dust brought in $3,000 for the annual Clatskanie Heritage Days celebration. The bark dust is donated from Stimson Lumber Company, Swanson Bark, Groat Brothers, and RSG Forest Products and sold by the Heritage Days Committee as a fundraiser. The bark dust sells for $30 for one and a half yards, approximately one scoop by a large construction front loader. The material is also delivered free to the purchaser’s property.

COVID-19 From Page A1

May 4, updating county risk levels under the state’s public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. With the statewide seven-day average increase for hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients dropping below 15 percent, Oregon no longer meets the statewide metrics for the Extreme Risk level. Restrictions easing Effective Friday, May 7, 15 counties, including Columbia County, will return to High Risk. In total, 24 counties will be at High Risk, four at Moderate Risk, and eight at Lower Risk. “Let me be clear: across the state, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still high, and Oregon is not out of the woods yet,” Brown said. “However, we have met the hospitalization metric established by our health experts for counties to return to High Risk.” Brown said that with the statewide hospitalization rate stabilizing, hospitals should have the capacity to continue treating patients with severe cases of COVID-19 and other serious medical conditions in the coming weeks. “With Oregonians continuing to get vaccinated each week, my expectation is that we will not return to Extreme Risk again for the duration of this pandemic,” Brown said. Concerns and criticism Brown’s announcement follows increasing concern and criticism from elected officials, the hospitality industry, gym owners and others frustrated

Organizers said the successful event, held Saturday, May 1, connects the community and helps to beautify Clatskanie. “This is an event that follows our April Bulky Waste clean-up efforts, Heritage Days Committee member and Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce President Monica Seidle said. “We want to encourage residents in April to clean-out their garages and yards, then a month later purchase bark dust to beautify their yards.” “This fundraiser would not be able to be conducted if it was not for the generosity of the companies, Stimson Lumber Company, Swan-

son Bark, Groat Brothers, and RSG Forest Products,” Smiley said. “We would also like to thank the Clatskanie Park and Recreation District for allowing us to use their parking lot area to hold the event.” Volunteers that took part in the park duct fundraiser include Kynsi ConstructionMark Kynsi on the loader, Bob Olson, Jake Pinard, Chris Martin, delivery, and Nikole Young who handled advertising for the event. Heritage Day organizers said any money they collected for the year for the community celebration will now be moved forward for the next Heritage Days.

with the restrictions and limitations of the state’s county risk classifications. Eighteen elected officials in Columbia County, including Clatskanie Mayor Bob Brajcich and Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole, sent a letter to Brown April 30, expressing their concerns about what they said are the pending closures of businesses impacted by the state’s pandemic health and safety county classifications. “Our neighbors share our frustrations with us,” the letter states. “Our business owners come to us with questions about how they will be able to operate under continued restrictions.” The elected officials letter states that many citizens and businesses initially understood the COVID-19 health crisis as it spread across the state last year. “They were willing to do what they could to help minimize risks to their families and customers,” the letter reads. “Their struggles were evident in the emptiness we saw in our commercial corridors for months on end.” The letter said the community job creators have patiently followed the health and safety guidelines and eager to phasein their operations over time and they invested in their businesses when they were finally allowed to re-open. Staff was brought back and new employees hired to fill vacancies. “We would ask that instead of emphasizing shutdowns that the state focus its priorities on ensuring the widespread distribution of available vaccines, especially to the rural parts of Oregon,” the letter states. The elected officials letter follows a letter sent last week by the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and also signed the Columbia County Board of Commissioners and 78 other elected officials, ask-

ing Gov. Brown to reconsider the risk classifications. In response, Brown said during a media briefing April 30 and through a letter to Oregon county officials, that she needed to move forward with the risk classifications in the state’s efforts to slow the pandemic. “I chose to save lives,” Brown said, adding that based on the information at that time concerning virus variants, COVID-19 case increases and hospitalizations, moving Columbia and 14 other counties to Extreme High risk classification was best for the health and safety of Oregonians.

•

More vaccines In her May 4 announcement about removing the counties from the Extreme High risk classification, Brown also announced that the BidenHarris administration will be reallocating unused vaccines to the states that need them. “Oregon will ask for the maximum allowed, which will help us to get shots in arms faster,” Brown said. “Vaccinations are still our best path to protecting our loved ones, and staying on track to fully reopen our economy by the end of June.” More walk-in vaccination opportunities are opening up in Columbia County. For more information about vaccinations, contact Columbia County Public Health at 503397-7247. Columbia County expanded its mass vaccinations on April 23, at the OHSU Scappoose Clinic, at 51377 Southwest Old Portland Road Crossroads Plaza, Unit C, in Scappoose. To reach the clinic, call 503-494-5455. Follow daily pandemic updates at thechiefnews.com with in-depth reports in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

Friday, May 7, 2021

CC21-1431

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Clatskanie RFPD, Columbia County State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held at Shop at Main Station, 280 SW Third St., Clatskanie, OR. The meet-

ing will take place on May 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may

appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 7, 2021 at 280 SW Third St., Clatskanie Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

CC21-1441

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF The Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the Landowners and Board Members of the Woodson Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia County, Oregon, will be held Tuesday, May

11th, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Poplar Tree Nursery Office at 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed by the owner. The meeting is to elect

a director, adopt a budget, and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 27th day of April 2021. Andrew Warnock, President Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc.

CC21-1442

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF The Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Inc. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the Landowners and Board Members of the Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia County, Oregon, will be held Tuesday, May 11,

2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Poplar Tree Nursery Office 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed by the owner. The meeting is to elect a director,

adopt a budget, and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 27th day of May 2021. Gerald Carver, President Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Inc. Board of Directors

CC21-1444

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINE PARK DUMP STATION INSTALLATION The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for Installation of a Dump Station at the Scappoose Bay Marine Park. Interested contractors may obtain the

RFP documents from the Port’s website, www.portofcolumbiacounty.org; from the Port Office located at 100 E. Street, Columbia City, from 8:00 to 5:00pm; or via email

at jensen@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00pm on Tuesday May 11, 2021. For questions, please call 503-397-2888.

$850,000 recommended to the arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is recommending an award of $803,500 to the Oregon Arts Commission (OAC) in the first distribution of funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The emergency rescue funding is designed to support the arts sector as it recovers from the devastating impact of COVID-19. It is part of the $135 million allocated to the Arts Endowment which represents a significant commitment to the arts and a recognition of the value of the arts and culture sector to the nation’s economy and recovery. “We are excited and extremely grateful to receive these American Rescue Plan funds to help Oregon’s arts organizations recover from

the pandemic and plan for reopening,” OAC Executive Director Brian Rogers said. “Over the next several weeks, arts Commission staff and commissioners will review federal guidance to develop a statewide distribution plan for the funds.” Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said she has advocated for robust funding that will help arts and culture organizations survive the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. “Arts and culture bring our communities together, sustain our economy, spark our imagination and bring us comfort - especially during difficult times,” Bonamici said. “The release of these American Rescue Plan funds marks an important step in

the economic recovery of the creative sector,” NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers said. “The knowledge of the Oregon Arts Commission about the arts and culture landscape in Oregon makes it an ideal steward of federal dollars.” The remaining 60% of the ARP money will be awarded by the Arts Endowment directly to non-profit organizations to help support jobs in the arts sector, keep the doors open to arts organizations nationwide, and assist the field in its response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the OAC. Guidelines and application materials for a second phase of American Rescue Plan funding from the Arts Endowment are expected to be available in June, pending review.

•C rossword P uzzle • • STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: FICTIONAL FATHERS ACROSS

1. Like Annapolis Academy 6. Pine juice 9. One in a manger 13. Like a good athlete 14. Modern address 15. Printer cartridge contents 16. Cate Blanchett’s movie “____ on a Scandal” 17. 2nd largest living bird in world 18. U in UV 19. *HonorÈ de Balzac’s “Le PËre ____” 21. *Nemo’s dad, named after a sport fish 23. “____ of the morning!” 24. Seaside bird 25. Tax accounting specialist, acr. 28. Back of the neck 30. Chew the fat 35. Country dance formation 37. Greek goddess of fertility 39. Waterwheel 40. *Drunk and, incidentally, Huck Finn’s Pap 41. Metallic sounding 43. Quite a stretch 44. Place to dry out 46. Like the White Rabbit 47. Dr. Robert Bruce Banner’s green alter ego 48. Sun-____ 50. Toothy wheel 52. Bad-mouth

53. Made a rug 55. Low-____ image 57. *Simba’s father in “The Lion King” 60. *Luke’s and Leia’s father 63. Golfer’s sun protection 64. Romanian monetary unit 66. Introverted one 68. Follow as a consequence 69. Pooh’s wise friend 70. Territory in China known as Las Vegas of Asia 71. Young woman 72. *”That ‘70s Show” dad 73. One-room school house “notebook”

DOWN

1. A Bobbsey twin 2. Awestruck 3. *The Godfather’s given name 4. Heads-up 5. Wound 6. Cooking grease 7. Hammer holder? 8. D’Artagnan’s hat decoration 9. Weevil’s target 10. Not in favor of 11. Capital of Switzerland 12. Chapter in history 15. As opposed to turn-off 20. 1960s abstractionism 22. Rainbow shape 24. Like ones between 13 and 19 years old

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chief. Columbia County’s trusted local news source

25. *Griswold family patriarch 26. Mushroom caps 27. Egyptian symbol of life, pl. 29. *Jay is to Claire as ____ is to Haley 31. Flood survivor 32. Father of psychoanalysis Sigmund 33. Garlicky mayonnaise 34. *Both father in “Mary Poppins” and father in “Father of the Bride” 36. Unfledged hawk 38. Casino chip 42. Pine 45. ____ of dog! 49. “I ____” at the altar 51. Middle Earth and Kingdom of the North, e.g. 54. Courage in the face of danger 56. Smokeless tobacco brand 57. Short skirt 58. It was Brezhnev’s domain 59. Unplayable baseball 60. Old in Scottish 61. Cuzco valley empire 62. Straight pour from the bottle 63. Chill in front of TV, with ‘out’ 65. Ovine mom 67. Beluga yield

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Friday, May 7, 2021

The Chief

The Chronicle

10th Annual 2021 Columbia County

Business Guide PUBLICATION DATE: CHRONICLE: JUNE 23, CHIEF: JUNE 25 AD DEADLINE: JUNE 9 The 2021 Columbia County Business guide is a full color, glossy magazine that showcases local business and highlights current news events. It is the go-to reference for visitors, newcomers, residents, and potential customers of Columbia County. For space reservation, contact Amy: 503-397-0116 or atrull@countrymedia.net Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Friday, May 7, 2021

Clatskanie Grows: Hot garden topics CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Article

Disease pressure is relatively low at this point. Trees and shrubs that would already be showing signs of scab (apples), black spot (roses), anthracnose (dogwoods) and many others are looking quite nice. The reason, of course, is that we haven’t had much rain recently. That may well turn out to be a problem and we will get to that later, but for now, no spraying necessary. However, watch the extended weather forecast and if you see a series of moist days heading our way, do some preemptive spraying before the rain sets in, especially on roses. Yes, I know Colombia (the country) isn’t spelled like Columbia (the county). But in my last column, some readers didn’t. My readers clearly are sharp and attentive, and for that, I appreciate you. Aphids started to show up early on roses. I thought we were in for a bit of a battle with them on all sorts of plants this summer. But then they disappeared. That was probably due to some good resident biocontrol. But aphids can return in waves. And when they find your plants, they reproduce at a fevered pitch, with or without aphid sex. Aphids can be removed with a strong water spray, but a few will be left on plants to return to making more aphids while they are

sucking nutrients from your plant. Sticky leaf surfaces created by the “honeydew” they secrete is a tell-tale sign. Aphids come in many colors and can be winged or nonwinged.

Aphid management starts with a landscape that supports aphid predators. Good plants to grow and attract natural predators include yarrow buckwheat, white sweet clover, fennel and any of the carrot family in flower, hairy vetch, sweet alyssum, spearmint, phacelia, and others. Letting last year’s parsley go to flower right now is a good, short term boost to predators. As noted above, a blast of water knocks many aphids off the plant to provide meals for ground roaming predators. And if you are going to use an insecticide, insecticidal soap is good on softbodied insects like aphids but isn’t harmful to the predators that might be present. Aphids on trees are often protected by ants (especially carpenter ants) that collect their honeydew. Sticky tape around the trunk will to stop the ants will allow predators like yellow jackets (yes, I know) and others to work the aphid flock.

Yellowjackets

In fact, bald-faced hornet nests seem to die about 124 days after they are started by a pregnant queen. Nests started several weeks ago will check out on their own by mid-August.

Speaking of yellow jackets, a dry spring tends to predict a higher yellow jacket population over summer and into fall. There isn’t much you can do to alter this patDry soils tern around your property. But as summer progresses, be We now have quite dry alert for ground nests. They soils for this time of year. are the most likely to cause We are entering a time when problems and are fairly easy we nor-mally get very little to control. If you see yellow rainfall (less than 4 inches total jackets flying about in sort from June through August). of a pattern, just stand and watch. Often you will find the But gar-den plants may use up to 8 inches a month at the peak ground nest. Aerosol sprays of their growth. So we used in the evening start the “irrigagenerally work tion” season well unless with a marthere is ginal soil a bend moisin the ture tunnel bank. that Plan leads your to irthe rigacavtion ity holdClatskanie where ing Grows it is the needed paper most and nest. In with the most that situaeffective delivery tion, sprays are systems. I watered y far less effective. garlic bed already, something And generally avoid treating that usually starts in mid-May nests of bald-faced hornets. or not at all. Recently planted They are excellent caterpiltrees and shrubs need special lar predators and their nests attention. Vegetables and berare usually quite high so ries are heavy users. So are your risk in trying to treat tree fruit, especially those on outweighs the benefit. Both the hornets and yellow jacket “dwarf” or growth controlling root systems. nests only live for one year.

Make every effort to control moles, especially in the vegetable and berry garden areas if you are using soaker hoses. Mole tunnels create air spaces around roots so it is harder to keep plants evenly watered. Moles don’t eat plants, they mainly eat earthworms. They also allow those pesky voles (meadow mice) easier access to your vegetables. Vole numbers are very high so consider starting to trap them as well. Shallow 6-inch deep trenches that can be covered with a board or plywood can be a good place to trap them. Put some apples pieces out to see if they are there. If yes, bait traps with peanut butter and remove dead voles daily. They aren’t very smart, unlike rats. Voles make up for that with a prodigious reproductive rate. We don’t have gophers which is a major blessing. Mole drawing from University of British Columbia

Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at extension.oregonstate. edu/columbia and click on newsletters. Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Contact information for the Extension office

Have questions? If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 or at chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu.

Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County • Address: 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 • Phone: 503-397-3462 • Email: chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu

Happy Mother’s Day! Here are a few things to think about this May LAKEN GORTLER Sponsored content

Here’s the check!

Courtesy photo

The Rainier Masonic Lodge No. 24 has donated $1,000 to HOPE of Rainier. “This donation is on behalf of the members of Rainier Lodge 24, Lodge Worshipful Master Jerry Cole said. “The need to feed the people of Rainier does not stop. That’s why it’s so important to make this donation.” HOPE of Rainier (Help Our People Eat) is a local nonprofit organization and food bank. From left to right, Lodge member Jerry Cole, HOPE Executive Director Kelly Miller, and Lodge member Mike Kreger.

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“This year has already been dry with fire danger starting early, so it would not be prudent to tempt fate once again after the back to back years that started fires in other location,” the committee stated. The Heritage Days Planning Committee and Clatskanie Chamber Board said it will dedicate the time and energy that would have

been spent on Heritage Days to developing and executing a promotion to encourage shopping, eating, and using services in Clatskanie. “The promotion will include a drawing for fantastic prizes and we also plan to have a Facebook event page to share photos and comments as family and friends gather to celebrate the 4th of July,” the groups said in the release, encouraging people to watch the Clatskanie Chamber Facebook page for upcoming information on how to participate.

The two groups said plans made and funds raised for 2021 will be used for “even bigger and better events in 2022.” “As we plan to have a full range of activities and vendors in the park once again, and even more family fun events during the week leading up to the big parade and fireworks on the 4th of July in 2022,” the Heritage Days Committee and Chamber stated. “Thank you for your understanding and support of this important community event.”

Can you believe it’s already May? Happy Mother’s Day to all the momma’s out there from all of us at the store - including those with fur-children! I don’t think my horses are getting me anything this year, but we can get all kinds of feeders if your fur-kids need an upgrade. We can get hay feeders for round bales and mineral feeders. We usually only stock the round feeders, but we can special order anything you find on tarterusa.com. They’ve got a pretty good variety of everything. Speak of Tarter, I just got a truckload of Tarter gates in! We carry anywhere from four-foot to 16-foot gates in galvanized green. You can get them in wire mesh or tube gates, and we’ve also got corral panels. There’s also a variety of water tanks we can get - anywhere from 2x2x3 to an eight-foot round. They come with all the hardware you need to install them. And we know it’s plant-

ing time, so we’ve got some really cute metal planters in. In terms of size, we’ve got them in eight-foot ovals, six-foot ovals, or three-foot rounds. They don’t have a bottom, so you don’t have to worry about getting water trapped in there and grounding your plants. I’ve had a lot of people tell me they really like them.

That’s about it for this week. Keep checking our Facebook page for up-todate announcements on our products and a few tips and tricks we hope you’ll find helpful. As always, we’d love to see you, so stop in anytime. We’re located at 58351 Columbia River Highway. Or give us a call at 503-397-0086.