Rainier Days
Human occupancy
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FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023
VOL. 132, NO. 10 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Bridge closure to bring commuting delays WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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he Lewis and Clark Bridge will close at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 16, for up to eight days. The closure will disrupt everyday traffic on the bridge. It will create substantial delays as commuters are asked to find alternative routes to cross the river through Portland, Astoria, and on the Wahkiakum County Ferry between Westport and Cathlamet. “The people who use the bridge every day need to plan ahead,” Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Don Hamilton said. “There aren’t a lot of good alternatives for the people in Rainier to use as a detour. You can go to Portland and use the interstate bridge across the Columbia River or all the way up to Astoria. These are not good options, and these are long, long detours. So, anyone who has important appointments to make on the Washington side of the river needs to make plans!” During the closure, crews from Combined Construction, Inc. will replace two of the bridge’s three expansion joints and a fractured floor beam. The repairs are necessary to ensure the long-term life of the bridge. Hamilton said the bridge closure has been in the works for a while. While massively inconvenient, the bridge closure was the best solution among the options considered by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and ODOT. Hamilton said the closure equates to “ripping a band aid off.” Pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles will be able to cross the bridge except for 10-hours while replacing the fractured floor beam when no traffic will be allowed. The floor beam replacement is expected to occur during the closure’s first days.
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The Lewis and Clark Bridge closes for eight days on July 16.
Emergency services While the 10-hour full closure will not allow anyone, including emergency responders, to cross, Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) was concerned about efficient emergency response during the rest of the closure. While ambulances could use the bridge during transport to hospitals in Portland, WSDOT wanted emergency vehicles to return via the ferry in Cathlamet or drive down and around through Portland on Highway 30. After meeting with WSDOT and transportation officials, CRFR EMS Division Chief Jerry Cole and CRFR have secured an agreement that could allow emergency transports to return over the bridge when they are shortstaffed. “Plan as far as emergency transports will be ambulances are allowed to transport to St John and return based on staffing levels left in the district,” Cole said. “They will be able to return with Battalion Chief authorization if our resources are depleted. If resources are ok, then it is asked that we go around using the ferry or through Portland. It should also be
noted that ambulances have priority access to cross back via the ferry. Battalion Chiefs will have direct contact with the bridge contractor.” The CRFR also sought funding from the state to increase its emergency response capacity by three ambulances in each bridge closureaffected district, but its request was unsuccessful. In addition to the impact the closure could have on emergency services, commuters and those who use the bridge every day will bear the brunt of the delays. “People that use the bridge regularly need to plan ahead,” Hamilton said. “If they use the bridge to get back and forth to work every day, they should think about making alternative plans; they should work from home, they should figure an alternate route to get to where they’re going.” City Manager Scott Jorgensen is one such affected Rainier worker who uses the bridge to commute. Jorgensen, who lives in Longview, said this closure be disruptive to many in Rainier and Washington. “This is going to be a very big deal. I live on the other side of the river. Our Public Works Director lives
A map of alternative routes suggested during the bridge closure.
on the other side of the river. I’m just going to have to take the week off, work from home as I can,” Jorgensen said. Jorgensen said that people should utilize the bridge while they can and make plans for the normally short commute to take much longer than usual. One solution Jorgensen wished WSDOT had given more consideration was contracting a ferry to accommodate people. Ferry frustration While the Wahkiakum County Ferry between Cathlamet and Westport, Oregon, will run twice an hour, 24 hours a day, while the bridge is closed. This ferry has extremely limited capacity, and the priority for passage will be returning emergency service transports and those who have medical appointments. WSDOT’s Kelly Hanahan said there will be a “priority lane set up and enforced” that will accommodate travelers with non-emergency medical needs, as well as first responders and healthcare workers. All other travelers for the ferry should expect “hours of lengthy wait times and long
Courtesy from WSDOT
lines.” Hanahan said that contracting a larger ferry was one of the first solutions that was considered, but it was ultimately not feasible. “A larger ferry was one of the first options we explored, but unfortunately, there are no WSDOT ferries to be borrowed from other parts of the state,” Hanahan said. “The Wahkiakum County Ferry has traditionally been used during Lewis and Clark Bridge closures, and all fares will be paid for by WSDOT during the closure.” With the bridge closure looming this weekend, the people who rely on the bridge for convenient transport should make the necessary plans to minimize the impact on their lives. “It’s going to be very disruptive, and I think business owners and employers have had a while to plan for it, but it’s less than ideal; I think people are going to realize how much that bridge means to them very soon when they can’t get across it,” Jorgensen said. Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print version of The Chief.
My Fair Lady and Gentleman 2023 Pageant Columbia County Fair and Rodeo
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The Columbia County Fair and Rodeo will be returning to the Columbia County Fairgrounds at 58892 Saulser Road, in Saint Helens, from Wednesday, July 19, through Sunday, July 23. The Columbia County Fair has been going annually for more than 100 years. The theme this year is “Spurring Up Summer Fun.” The four-day event will feature the hugely popular rodeo, food, live music, and carnival rides.
he 2023 Annual My Fair Lady and Gentleman Pageant is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. July 19 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens. The My Fair Lady and Gentleman Pageant is held during the Columbia County Fair each year to recognize seniors (55+) for their outstanding community service. Introducing the 2023 Court • Pat Turpin, Scappoose • Dena Nelson, St. Helens • Clint Kelley, Rainier • Virginia Leloff, Clatskanie • Paula Hanson, Vernonia The 2023 My Fair Lady and Gentlemen Court was welcomed during the tea at Caples House on May 23. The five senior volunteers have embraced this opportunity through participation in the St. Helens Kiwanis Parade, Clatskanie 4th of July Parade and Heritage Days Parade. They will continue to
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Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
The 2023 Court, from left to right is Virginia Leloff, Dena Nelson, Clint Kelley, Pat Turpin, and Paula Hanson.
serve their community throughout the year at public events and in their own communities. The public is welcome to celebrate these volunteers’ accomplishments during the 2023 Pageant at 1 p.m. July 19. The Columbia County Fair is free for seniors and veterans on opening day, with a free lunch served to seniors and veterans at 11 a.m. Lunch is first-come, first serve. Thank you to Columbia County
Commissioners, Amamere-St. Helens, InRoads Credit Union and Teevin Bros for sponsoring this year’s lunch, prepared by the St. Helens Senior Center.
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chery and spent nine months decorating and renovating the building to get up to code and open Cherry Bomb’s Cafe. Perkins said they had to open before they were ready to counter the construction project’s mounting financial burden. “I didn’t even get to finish my vision. I wasn’t all the way done with construction. I had a lot more dreams for the place. I am an artist, first and foremost. I’m not of the traditional business mindset,” Perkins said. “I know that was a tough gamble to take starting out, but I truly believed that the community would support us and the underdogs would come out on top. Sadly it just didn’t happen.” The brightly colored interior of the store and the variety of sweets and creative drinks were part of what Perkins wanted to be an “interactive piece of art” that would touch all five senses. Sadly, Perkins said they did not get the business they needed
About United Way United Way of Columbia County works to leverage the caring power of the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. The United Way of Columbia County
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Senior Volunteer Program supports seniors (55+) in giving back to Columbia County. These volunteers work at local schools, food pantries, senior centers, and more. Senior Volunteers logged more than 10,000 hours of service to Columbia County over the past 12-months. For more information about the Senior Volunteer Program, visit https://www.unitedwayofcolumbiacounty.com/senior-volunteers.
Hours: Wednesday, July 19: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Thursday, July 20: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, July 21: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. Saturday, July 22: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sunday, July 23: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Find more information at https://www.columbiacountyfairgrounds.com.
Cherry Bomb’s Cafe to close too soon A
fter less than two months since opening, the operator of Cherry Bomb’s Café in Rainier says he must vacate the building that houses the café by the end of the month. Opened May 26 by artist and entrepreneur Jessie Perkins, Cherry Bomb’s Cafe located at 102 E B St. was the fulfillment of Perkins’ dream to bring a fun, family-friendly business to Rainier. “I wanted to create a magical place where everyone could feel safe “and at home in a fun, loving, fantastical environment,” Perkins said. I wanted to open a place for artistic expression, and create a hub for our budding artists in our community, especially our children. I truly wanted to show Columbia County that we, too, can have culture being brave with something new and exciting.” The project began about a year ago, and Perkins began renting the space that was once Triple X Ar-
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Cherry Bomb’s Cafe store front located at 102 E B St.
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