TCC91

Ensuring success for every student

The new school year is fast approaching, and in prepa ration for kids back in the classroom, the Chief has reached out to the Superintendents of the Rainier and Clatskanie School Districts.

Danielle Hudson is new to the superintendent job at Clatskanie School District (CSD). An early challenge has already been pre sented as Clatskanie Middle/High School’s (CMHS) start date has been pushed back from Sept. 5 and 6 to Sept. 11 for 7th and 9thgraders, and Sept. 12 for all other students due to construction delays.

Rainier School District’s (RSD) first day will be Sept. 6.

Let’s look at of the exciting developments and challenges the districts will face this year.

Clatskanie School District’s

Danielle Hudson

The Chief: In your welcome letter, you addressed four key priorities for the district in your first 90 days. Have you made progress in these areas as of yet? What has that looked like?

Hudson: In my welcome letter, my four priorities were Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Integrated Guidance, Improved Attendance, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). We are beginning to make progress in all of these areas, and I will highlight the progress below.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: All staff have received a Curriculum Exploration Survey, Instructional Resources Inventory, and Needs Assessment. The survey

will focus on 1) inventorying current instructional materials and 2) curating a list of recommended materials. This survey will focus on instructional materials for Social Sciences, Science, Tribal History/ Shared History, Adi’s Act (suicide prevention), and Erin’s Law (sex abuse prevention). By the end of August, we will have a database of

what materials are being used in classrooms and will use that database to determine curricular areas of need, which will direct CSD’s curriculum adoption process this school year.

Integrated Guidance: This fall, CSD will be implement-

maxims were generated from the Integrated Guidance Focus Groups with students, staff, and community members that took place in the spring of 2023. Through the Focus Group feedback, three traits of a Clatskanie graduate were identified, and those traits will become our district maxims for the 2023-24

Improved Attendance: CSD administrators are utilizing the Attendance Works Toolkit to identify research-based strategies that have been shown to improve student attendance. District communications on social media have highlighted

See SCHOOL Page A6

Fairgrounds raising money for roofs

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

Now that the summer months are coming to a close, and the Columbia County Fair has come and gone, fairgrounds officials have focused on addressing some of the much-needed repairs for the aging fairgrounds infrastructure.

Fair Board President Peggy Howell said seven barn roofs need replacing at the fairgrounds. In 2022, it was announced that the fairgrounds would receive grant money to support building a pole barn and repairing the rusting metal roofs.

Howell said that by the time the grant money came through, prices had increased so much on materials that repairing the roofs would not be possible. Howell said the cost of repairing each roof was about $56,000 when the project was initially bid about two years ago.

Howell is a realtor with John L. Scott Real Estate, and she said that the company will host a fundraiser

Oct. 14 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion to try and raise enough funds to replace one of the seven roofs in need.

“John L. Scott is having ‘Back to the West with John L. Scott,’

ell said. “We’re selling tables or individual [tickets], we’re having dinner and an auction, and we’re having a mechanical bull, and just trying to raise money. All the pro-

been “rusting through” and that there are holes in some of them as well. Fair board member Henry Heimuller said that the roofs on the

barn are the original roofs from the fairground’s initial construction.

“The fairgrounds was built in the late ‘60s, and those barns have been there some time since then. They were maybe built in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s, and they’re the original roofs,” Heimuller said.

The metal roofs are at least 50 years old, and Heimuller said they are all very rusted. Though they are still watertight “for the most part,” Heimuller said that the westward-facing sides of the buildings are seeing their nails and fasteners wear out.

One of the challenges for repairing some of the roofs now is that the metal is so old that it is precarious for workers to make repairs from the rooftops, according to Heimuller.

Heimuller said getting the funds for the repairs will require “concerted effort” on a variety of fronts. Heimuller said securing grant funding would be a solution, in addition to smaller individual

See FAIRGROUNDS Page A3

Latest revenue forecast shows taxpayers to see $5.6B in credits

Crossword ................ A2 Sports ........................ A3

Obituaries ................. A3 News and Views ...... A4

Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5

Contact The Chief

Phone: 503-397-0116

Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

A robust state economy should allow Oregonians to see a large tax credit through the Oregon Kicker system, according to the latest state revenue forecast. Currently $5.6 billion will be returned to Oregon taxpayers next filing season. The median, or typical Oregonian is expected to receive a $980 credit.

The kicker tax credit goes into effect when the actual state revenue exceeds the forecasted revenue by at least 2%. An amount is then returned to the taxpayers through a credit on their tax returns.

The following is the September 2023 Oregon Revenue Forecast Executive Summary prepared by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis.

The economy continues to be in an inflationary boom. Growth is outpacing expectations.

The good news is inflation has slowed considerably in the past year. The consensus of economic forecasters is now that the economic soft landing is the most likely scenario.

The challenge today is twofold.

First, there are emerging signs that the economy is reaccelerating which means inflation could reheat at some point in the quarters ahead. Second, this leaves the Federal Reserve in a tough position of trying to thread the needle of raising interest rates just enough

to cool the economy and bring inflation down, but not too much that chokes off growth. The initial descent appears to have gone as good as can be expected. However, navigating the crosswinds of waiting for the full impact of past interest rate increases to slow growth

even as inflation remains above target is challenging.

Oregon’s economic outlook remains effectively unchanged from last quarter. The labor market is tight, albeit less so than during the reopening phase of the cycle. And as inflation slows, income gains are once again outpacing price increases, leading to rising living standards.

With the economy at full employment, future growth will come from labor force gains driven by a return of positive net migration in the years ahead, along with productivity gains driven by capital investment. The combination of the post-pandemic rise in start-up activity, large increase in federal investment, including in semiconductors, and the potential of generative AI should all help to boost productivity in the years ahead. Oregon is well-positioned to benefit.

After several quarters of unexpectedly rapid growth in tax collections, Oregon’s state revenue outlook appears to have stabilized. Collections in recent months have

Middle/High School students will

Oregon’s wildfire season, still on

Over the past few weeks, wildfires have spread across 125,000 acres of forests and grasslands in Oregon, into Washington State, and south into Northern California. Several of the fires continued to burn this week.

By the numbers

As of Aug. 31, approximately 5,000 firefighters are battling the wildfires that included the 1,607 acres Camp Creek Fire northeast of Sandy, the Lookout Fire at 22,317 acres four miles northeast of McKenzie Bridge, the 2,896-acre Tree Ridge Complex Fire 10 miles west of Sutherlin, the 31,579-acre Bedrock Fire 10 miles northeast of Lowell, and the Flat Fire at 34,242 acres two miles southeast of Agnes.

The fire locations, with rugged terrain, extremely dry ground fuels and gusty winds, have challenged firefighters. Larger, complex fires in Northern California triggered power shutoffs in Crescent City and surrounding communities for a time. Evacuations at several of the

fires have forced many from their homes and closed surrounding roads.

Fire agencies continue to urge the public to be aware of the fire dangers, follow fire safety regulations, and be cautious.

Human caused wildfires

In July, The Chief first highlighted an Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) report of a “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state this summer.

“The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said.

“It is important for the public to understand that they need to be part of the solution regarding wildfire concern by keeping human starts down and being better prepared to live with fire this fire year and beyond,” U.S. Forest Service Public information Specialist Virginia Gibbons told The Chief in a published interview earlier

this summer. “This is an area of great concern for the Forest Service as we continue to address the wildfire crisis.”

Gibbons also said that given the significant fire potential outlook for the Pacific Northwest Region from now through October one way local residents and visitors can help firefighters most is by preventing human-caused fires.

“This includes following all fire restrictions that local wildland fire agencies have put in place,” she said.

Current fire restrictions are available on fire agency websites and social media accounts.

Nationally, humancaused wildfires account for about 97% of wildfires that threaten homes.

What’s ahead

Gibbons said the official weather outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continue to suggest that the Pacific Northwest is most likely to experience warmer and drier than typical conditions through October.

“This means late summer and early autumn fire danger is likely to be greater than

usual,” she said. “Our forests and rangelands are likely to be more receptive than usual to fire ignitions and potential growth into large, costly wildfires.”

According to Gibbons, being prepared and taking all possible steps to reduce your home and community’s wildfire risk is critical.

“This includes using wildfire utilizing resistant building and landscape materials, having a family evacuation plan, including a go-kit that includes important personal items such as medications, pet supplies, water and high energy snacks, important papers and any small irreplaceable

items such as family photos, N95 masks if smoke is an issue, and being prepared for health impacts from wildfire smoke,” she said.

For wildfire information in Oregon, see this site for the NW Interagency Coordination Center https://gacc. nifc.gov/nwcc.

August 25, 2023 crossword puzzle

Head-on crash claims local resident

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon State Police (OSP) have released details of a fatal traffic crash along Highway 30 near Clatskanie, that has claimed one life and hospitalized another person.

At approximately 4:45 a.m. Aug. 28, OSP responded to the two-vehicle crash on Highway 30, near milepost 59, in Columbia County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gold Toyota Avalon, operated by 22-year-old Alexander Jovani Diaz Hernandez of Longview (WA), was traveling westbound on Highway 30 when, for unknown reasons, the Avalon crossed into the eastbound lanes and

FAIRGROUNDS

From Page A1

fundraisers to “chip away at it, a little at a time.”

Clatskanie Middle/High School Sports Schedule

The following information is submitted by Clatskanie Middle/ High School (CMHS) and is subject to change.

Friday, September 1

• High School Varsity Football at Willamina 7 p.m.

Saturday September 2

• High School Cross Country at Hydrangea State Park, Tillamook 10 a.m.

Tuesday, September 5

• High School JV Football at Warrenton: 5 p.m.

• High School Girls Soccer vs. OES at Clatskanie City Park: 6 p.m.

• High School Volleyball vs. Faith Bible: JV 5 p.m. Varsity 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 6

• 1st Practice for Middle School Football and Middle

School Cross Country at 4 p.m. at CMHS Fields.

Thursday, September 7

• High School Volleyball at Gaston: JV 5 p.m. Varsity 6:30 p.m.

Friday, September 8

• High School Varsity Football vs. North Douglas/ Yoncalla: 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 9

• Middle School Football Jamboree at CMH Field, Astoria, 9:15 a.m.

• High School Cross Country at Teevin Ranch, Jewell: 11:15 a.m.

• High School JV Volleyball Tournament at YamhillCarlton: 9 a.m.

For more information, call CMHS at 503-728-2146.

Heimuller said that while the current board is “relatively new,” he said that they are focused on addressing years’ worth of “deferred maintenance.”

With partners in the community and volunteers like John L. Scott and others, we’ll just do them the best we can,” Heimuller said. “Whatever funds we can make this year for a roof replacement, we’ll pick the worst one, and do it, and then move on to the next one if that’s the way we have to get it done.”

collided head-on with a blue Subaru Impreza, operated by 21-year-old David Reeves of Clatskanie.

The operator of the Subaru, Reeves, was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Toyota, Diaz Hernandez, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

The highway was impacted for six hours during the on-scene investigation. The investigation into the cause of the crash was on-going.

The Clatskanie Fire Department, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Departmemnt of Transportation (ODOT) assisted OSP with the crash investigation.

Emergency utility

While the fairgrounds are home to one of the highlights of the year during the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo, they are also the emergency evacuation site where people can gather. Many will remember that the fairgrounds hosted livestock and people during wildfire evacuations in September of 2020.

Howell said that one of her concerns is that there would not be enough restroom facilities in the case of an emergency use of the fairgrounds. Howell also said they would need generators to support services in case of evacuations as well.

“I’ve been looking online

for grants because we need so much. We need generators and we need more restrooms,” Howell said.

“FEMA, if they came in, if they were to ever consider us doing a covered arena, we need full hook ups for RVs, because that’s what they bring in.”

Heimuller said that the fairgrounds, the county, and the county fair board are often called into service at fairgrounds across the nation during floods, fires, snow emergencies, or even when somebody’s barn collapses at home.

During the fire in 2020, Heimuller said the fairgrounds housed “livestock, personnel, people, campers, and everything else.”

Diana Laraine (Hermo) McKinney

Dec. 20, 1944 ~ Aug. 18, 2023

Because of that emergency need, it is critical to keep the fairgrounds in tip-top shape. “The fairgrounds, I always say, is the living room of the county. It’s where everybody comes for fun, and it’s where everybody comes for emergencies,” Heimuller said. “We do all as citizens have an obligation to do what we can to keep our fairgrounds in really good shape. We’re very fortunate that we have probably the most beautiful and one of the largest, if not the largest, fairgrounds in the state of Oregon. But with all of that said, it takes a lot of money to keep those facilities up. So, anything that anybody can do to help us with that is very important.”

Diana was born as the seventh child to Harney and Irene (Niemi) Hermo in Clatskanie, Oregon. Her early years were spent on the family farm along the Columbia River. She attended the local schools.

In her younger years as she watched her four brothers play baseball, she grew to love the sport, desiring to throw and catch the ball for hours as a time. Thanks to a teacher of hers who took the time to take her to the Special Olympics at the age of 12, she was able to compete in softball throwing and ended up break -

Hollis Craig Gassner passed away at his home in Portland, Oregon, on Thurs., Aug. 10, 2023, at the age of 69. He was born Oct. 28, 1953 in Seaside, Oregon to Patricia (Olson) and Arlen Gassner. Hollis married his longtime partner on June 29, 2023.

Hollis enjoyed spending time with his sister Leslie and her family in Mayger, Oregon, where he eventually moved to for time. Hollis

ing the National Record for softball throwing. At the young age of 15, she started playing with the famous lady team Erv Lind Florists. She married Paul McKinney in her early years, unfortunately this meant the end of her ball playing days. After getting married, they moved to several different areas working on big construction projects. After years of being on the move, Diana and Paul moved back to Clatskanie, Oregon and settled down. For the next several years she worked as an employee of the Na -

tional mail as the delivery person in the Clatskanie area.

Diana was known as a real sports fan at a high level, supporting all sports in the Clatskanie area. One of her brothers was a baseball coach, she was always asking him for info about sports, and her real-life hero was her brother Harry, who was one of the top athletes in the Clatskanie area.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Irene; sister Pat; brothers, Harry, Robert and Dale; as well as her husband Paul in 1993.

Hollis Craig Gassner

Oct. 28, 1953 ~ Aug. 10, 2023

was a talented guitarist and shared his love of playing guitars with his nephew Arlen, who is now also a talented guitarist and singer/ songwriter. He was predeceased by his parents, Patricia Gassner of Portland, Oregon and Arlen Gassner of Seaside, Oregon; and half-brother Shane Gassner of Roseville, California.

He is survived by his wife Patti of Portland, Or-

Diana was active in the following groups: Eastern Star for 27 years, Clatskanie Presbyterian Church for 10 years, CERT for 15 years and Clatskanie Cruisers for 30 years. In lieu of flowers, Diana made the request that donations be made to the Clatskanie Fire District and the Clatskanie Castle Nutrition Program. Diana’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2023 at Alston Corner Assembly. Pastor Ron Jacobson will be officiating. There will be a lunch following the service at the American Legion Hall.

egon; sister Leslie Kallunki (John) of Mayger, Oregon; niece Britta Kallunki of Portland, Oregon; nephew Arlen Kallunki (Amanda) of Portland, Oregon; greatnephews, Damien Elizarr araz, Delano Hollis Kallunki and Leon Kallunki; half siblings, Arlayne Hoff of Seaside Oregon, David Gas sner of Thompson, Iowa and Tracy Gassner of Seaside Oregon; and his beloved cat, PITA.

David Allen Reeves

Jan. 31, 2002 ~ Aug. 28, 2023

David Allen Reeves was born on Jan. 31, 2002. He passed away on Aug. 28, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 5, 2023 at Riverside Community Church, 305 W 3rd St. Rainier, Oregon 97048. A graveside burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Murray Hill, 90 SW Hall Rd., Clatskanie, OR 97016. All are welcome to attend one or both ceremonies.

Susie passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep, with her cat on her lap. She will be missed deeply. We will remember you and smile for your love

The magic of life

MICHELLE PIERSON YOUNG

Chief Guest Column

Everyone knows a magician never tells their secrets.

Middle aged women are the true keepers of the magic of life. Since this is a wellkept secret, I’ll elaborate.

Everyone, upon entering the stage of life, was given a sometimes looser or sometimes very specific role to play. Once women hit middle age and mother nature eases off the accelerator on the estrogen bus, we begin to see life doesn’t exactly work the way we were told it would, so we might begin to consider NOT working the way we were told we should. We start looking around the world and, hopefully, we stop affording toward what we were told, and we realize the cost of things. Not dollars. Energy. ergy. Doing things we don’t want to do, don’t serve us,

or doing things that are in reality other’s to do, is very expensive energy. The fortunate middle-aged woman, and let’s not be sexist here, and man, knows the most important resources we have are our time and our energy. Used unwisely, our outcome is a life of quiet desperation. No thank you. Perhaps it’s heresy to say, but what if our greatest successes come when we use less energy, but that energy, time and thought we do use, is focused, precise and targeted toward our best outcomes?

Not only did I hit the Wall of Middle Age going 60 miles an hour, but I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. I didn’t just have an existential crisis because I likely have more life behind than ahead, but I’d worn myself out by driving in everyone’s lane but my own. I was trying to be and do and

one day I found I couldn’t do anything at all. Since then, I’ve had a proper timeout, considered what I’ve done, and realized the error of my ways. More importantly, I know what I’ll do that’s different than I did before.

Whatever your age or sex, here’s the magic of understanding life isn’t joking around: You will best serve the world, your relationships and yourself when you stop doing the things that take so much energy from you, and start doing those that fill your tank up.

And watch then, the world just might respond with, “Thanks, we’ve been waiting for you.” While this may not be a secret, it does feel like magic. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself and see what happens.

Michelle Pierson Young is a Lincoln City life coach.

Commission sets musical performances

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

The Clatskanie Arts Commission (CAC) launches its 34th annual Performing Arts Series with a free Big Band Concert in the Park, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Labor Day, September 4, in the Clatskanie City Park. The concert is sponsored by Donna Garlock. Listen to the great music of the North Coast Big Band. Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, ice cream and beverages will be on sale as a fundraiser for CAC. In celebration of our new season, free coffee and cake will be available at intermission. Bring your chair and enjoy a fun afternoon. Bleacher seating will be available.

Clatskanie Arts

Commission Performances

• Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre

Dixieland group, Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, with

• Sunday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. at Clatskanie Middle/High School (CMHS)

In honor of Veterans, the Oregon Symphonic Band will perform a Salute to Veterans at the Donavon Wooley PAC at Clatskanie Middle/High School. All veterans, band students and children are free.

• Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre

Welcoming the holiday season will be the Fireside Social Orchestra performing old-fashioned Christmas favorites.

• Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre

Enjoy a little modern chamber music, tango, klezmer, Latin or world music with 3 Leg Torso.

• Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre The Skamokawa Swamp

September 4 Big Band in the Park

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Free concert held at Clatskanie City Park by Clatskanie Arts Commission and sponsored by Donna Garlock.

September 5 Rainier Head Start, Preschool & Hudson Park Elementary Back to School “Meet & Greet”

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Meet the teacher and bring school supplies. Stop by anytime during the two-hour block.

• Friday, April 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre

Singer Will Martin, the voice you have to hear to believe! Martin, from New Zealand, is an acclaimed recording artist and live performer renowned for his engaging performance style, alluring personality an expressive voice across multiple music genre.

Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org, by calling Elsa at 503-728-3403 or at the Big Band concert on Labor Day. Take advantage of the special purchase of 6 tickets by Oct. 22 and save 15%. If available, tickets will be on sale at the door 30 minutes before the beginning of the performances.

The Birkenfeld Theatre is located at 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. Clatskanie Middle/High School is located at 471 W. Bel Air Drive in Clatskanie.

The Chief

Editorial policy

Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

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

September 8 Comedian

Jeff Richards

7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem St. in Clatskanie. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.

September 11 9/11

Remembrance

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Hometown Heroes of Columbia County is hosting “Reading of the Names” of those who perished on 9/11/2001. Event is free and will be held in front of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 901 Port Ave. in St. Helens.

September 16 Poetry

Reading and Broadside

Launch with Poet Laureate Emeritus Paulann Petersen

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. An open house at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry in Clatskanie will be held prior to the reading. This event is free and registration is required. To register, visit metaltype.org.

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Clatskanie Cultural Center. This event is put on by C.C. Stern Foundry, a non-profit arts organization, focused on preserving the heritage

of the metal type casting industry. This event is free. Please register at www.metaltype.org/ events/poetry-readingand-broadside-launchwith-paulann-petersen.

Sept. 22-24 Wings Over Willapa Festival

The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5th annual Wings Over Willapa. This multi-day bird and art festival will be held at 7112 67th Place in Long Beach. For more details, call 360-642-3860.

October 14 & 15 Arts & Crafts Sale

Noon - 4 p.m. This event will be held upstairs at the Birkenfeld Theatre at 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie. Locally produced, handmade arts and crafts. Stop by for holiday gifts and to support local artists. For questions, please contact Roni at roni@ quackedglass.com.

Ongoing

Clatskanie Senior Center lunches

Clatskanie Senior Center Lunches now served Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon at the Castle Cafe, 620 SW Tichenor. Call 503-7283608 for reservations. Use ground floor entrance to the left of front stairs. Good parking in back off of SW Bryant Street. Castle Tours available by appointment, includes Clatskanie Historical Society museum. Call Debbie at 503-338-8268.

Caples Evening Programs

The cost for this evening and all our Fireside Chats

will be only $5. Caples will be offering a different program the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-397-5390.

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council

Lower Columbia Watershed Council meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Clatskanie PUD building. Zoom links are also available. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www. lowercolumbiariver.org/ events-page.

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-751-7039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays. Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/ Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070.

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

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.

Guest commentary

We welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the newspaper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. Or you might just have interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at (503) 397-0116 or chiefnews@

countrymedia.net. All columns are subject to editing for style, grammar and clarity. However, views expressed in guest columns are independent and do not represent those of The Chief, its staff or Country Media, Inc.

Obituaries

Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

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floor at 75 S. Nehalem St.

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312 Events

Dog & Cat Vaccination Clinic

PippinDoc, Clatskanie’s Hometown Veterinarian, will host its next Dog & Cat Vaccination Clinic on Tuesday, September 5th from 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:30- 3:30 PM at the Johnson Feed Store. 905 NE Van St. in Clatskanie. See www.pippindoc. com for more details.

Corrections Deputy - Entry Columbia County, OR. EOE. Open Until Filled. Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov.

Corrections

Deputy - Lateral Columbia County, OR. EOE. Open Until Filled. Apply at ColumbiaCounty OR.gov.

Support Service Clerk Columbia County, OR. EOE. Deadline 9/24/2023. Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov.

Special Ed Paraeducators

HAY FOR SALE

Purina Lick tubs+minerals. Columbia River Ranch located in Clatskanie OR. Has 3x4x8 Barley hay 1200lbs $175ea. 3x4x8 Grass hay from Birkenfeld $145ea. Premium dry hay in round bales $75ea. Haylage $65ea. Purina Rangeland 24-12 Availa 4 hi fat tub+- minerals 225lb $205ea. Delivery available. Text or call Gary 503-369-1907.

esd112.org/ takeroot

6, 2023

Subject: Community Block Development Grant Project Closeout. The City of Clatskanie is completing a Wastewater Treatment Plant Redesign project funded with Community Development Block Grant funds from the Oregon Business Development Department. The location of the project is: 100 NW 4th St, Clatskanie, OR 97016. It is estimated that the project will benefit at least 1,795 persons of whom 56.34 are low or moderate income.

A public hearing will be held by the City Council at 7:00 pm, Wednesday September 6th, 2023 at the Clatskanie Cultural Center Council Chambers located on the 2nd

CC23-1840

The purpose of the hearing is for the City of Clatskanie to obtain citizens’ views about the project and to take comments about the local government’s performance. Written comments are also welcome and must be received by September 5, 2023, at 75. S. Nehalem, Suite D; or P.O. Box 9, Clatskanie OR 97016. Both oral and written comments will be reviewed by the city council. Please contact Greg Hinkelman, City Manager at (503) 728-2622 if you will need any special accommodations to attend or participate in the meeting. More information about Oregon Community Development Block Grants, the proposed project,

and records about the City of Clatskanie’s past use of Community Development Block Grant funds is available for public review at City Hall, 75. S. Nehalem St. during regular office hours. Advance notice is requested. If special accommodations are needed, please notify Greg Hinkelman, City Manager at (503) 728-2622 so that appropriate assistance can be provided. Aviso Público y Noticia de Audiencia Pública Este es el segundo Noticia de Audiencia Pública. El proposito de esta segunda audiencia pública es por el receptor puede examiner los resultos del proyecto con los ciudadanos y para tomar comentario de la ejecución del gobierno municipal en parte del proceso

FOR PROPOSALS: PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY MOWING SERVICES”

The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for Mowing and Yard Services at various Port facilities. Interested contractors may obtain the RFP

CC23-1837

the Matter

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 e-mail

at house@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00 on Friday, September 22, 2023. For questions, please call 503-928-3259.

de cerrar la subvención. Cada audiencia tiene que tener suficiente tiempo de estar segura de que suficiente oportunidad por ciudadanos y grupos interesados pueden participar. La ciudad de Clatskanie está completando un proyecto de diseño patrocinado con Community Development Block Grant del Oregon Business Development Department. La locación del proyecto es la ciudad de Clatskanie - 100 NW 4th St, Clatskanie, OR. Está estimado que el proyecto propuesto beneficiará a por lo menos 1795 personas, de los cuales 56.34% serán de ingresos moderados o bajos. El Ayuntamiento celebrará una audiencia pública a las 7:00 pm el 6 de septiembre de 2023

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en el salón de baile del Centro Cultural Clatskanie ubicado en el segundo piso en 75S. Ne halem St. El propósito de esta audiencia es que la ciudad de Clatskanie obtenga opiniones de los ciudadanos y responda a preguntas y comentarios sobre el proyecto. Los comentarios escritos también son bienvenidos y deben recibirse antes del 5 de septiembre de 2023 en 75. S. Nehalem, Suite D; o P.O. Box 9, Clatskanie OR 97016. El ayuntamiento considerará tanto los comentarios orales como los escritos para decidir si se aplicará. La ubicación de la audiencia es accesible para personas con discapacidades. Comuníquese con Greg Hinkelman, administrador de la ciudad al (503)

NOTICE OF COUNCIL MEETING

The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 6th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 South Nehalem St. (2nd floor). Agenda items include but are not limited

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to: approval of the minutes of the August 2nd, 2023 Council meeting, a Resolution supporting assisted housing programs such as the Fair Housing Act, a Public Hearing on use of CBDG funding, and a discussion on loan financing options

for new Sewer Treatment Plant costs. Access to the meeting on ZOOM will be posted on the city website, www.cityofclatskanie.com. Please call City Hall (503) 728-2622 at least 48 hours in advance if you need assistance.

NOTICE OF INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID: Abandoned property of The Estate of William Grabow, Jr. and All Others. For Sale, a 2009 CHEV IMP, Plate #661JLH. The personal property is currently being stored

at: 25228 Alderbark Street #31, Rainier, OR 97048, in Deer View Cooperative. This will be a private sale with a minimum bid of $1,000.00.

Bids accepted until September 8, 2023. Send/submit

bids to 18150 SW Boones Ferry Road, Portland, OR 97224, Attn: Sarah. Please call the Deer View Cooperative Board at: 503-556-3337 for an appointment to see property.

Notices The

ways to improve student attendance and the impact of chronic absenteeism.

AVID: In June, six CMHS teachers, Principal Laurie Maughan, and I attended the AVID National Conference. During the conference, each participant had the chance to learn more about AVID instructional strategies, how those strategies can be implemented in every classroom, and the process for growing AVID within our school district.

This fall, CMHS will offer an eighth-grade AVID elective, and a ninth/tenth-grade combined AVID elective.

The Chief: What are the biggest challenges the district faces, in your opinion?

Hudson: Clatskanie School District, just like many Oregon school districts, continues to experience difficulties with hiring licensed staff, bus drivers, and substitutes. In order to better support our newly hired licensed staff, we implemented a New Staff Academy in August and are connecting these new individuals with a mentor to support them through the school year.

Chronic absenteeism continues to be an issue for many of our students. We believe that if we continue to build a welcoming and supportive school environment with high-quality instructional strategies and curricular materials, we will see an increase in student

REVENUE

From Page A1

tracked closely with the May forecast. Even so, Oregon has yet to go through its first personal income tax filing season of the biennium, and as such, everything remains at risk. This revenue forecast represents the last look at the 2021-23 biennium and

attendance every day. One other area of concern will be the ending of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

The Chief: What drew you to the position, and what are the rewards of the job?

Hudson: For the previous eleven years of my career, I worked for a large urban school district, and during the last four years, I had the tremendous opportunity to grow exponentially as an instructional leader and crisis manager as a lead member of the district’s COVID-19 response team.

As the 2021-22 school year was coming to a close, it was the first time in my career I thought I might want to be a Superintendent. So, during the 2022-23 school year, I enrolled in two Aspiring Superintendent programs, one through the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators and one through AASA, the School Superintendents Association. Throughout my coursework, I had the opportunity to learn from veteran and new superintendents, and I realized that I wanted to become a Superintendent.

Throughout my life and my educational career, I have found that the right opportunities come about at the exact right moment, so I was excited when the Clatskanie Superintendent position was posted and became available at a time when I realized that I wanted to pursue being a Superintendent and I was the most prepared to become one.

As the daughter of a

reveals the Close of Session (COS) forecast for the current 2023-25 biennium. The Close of Session forecast sets the bar for Oregon’s constitutionally required balanced budget, as well as its unique kicker law. The COS incorporates any legislative changes enacted during the legislative session that impact General Fund revenues and folds them into the mid-session (May) revenue forecast that covers the

military father who moved every two to three years, and as I have grown in my educational career, I have had the great benefit of attending and working in both large urban schools and small rural schools.

As I began to think about the type of school district I wanted to serve as Superintendent, I immediately thought of my small town high school experience in Northern California and my experience working in a small Oregon school district. Both school districts provided me with the opportunity to get to know students, staff, and families. I had the opportunity in those districts to watch the growth of students and educators. That was when I realized that after working for so many years in a large district, all I wanted was to work again for a small school district where I believed I could learn and grow, I could share my experience, and I would be able to develop meaningful relationships to support the learning of students. Clatskanie School District is the perfect place for this type of experience.

The Chief: What is your general budget for the upcoming year?

Hudson: There is

$11,643,148 in general fund reserves budgeted for the 2324 school year.

The Chief: You discussed trying to increase attendance in your letter; what is the projected student population?

Hudson: As of Aug. 14, our projected enrollment is

next two years, and forms

the basis of the legislatively adopted budget.

This session’s legislative changes were relatively modest in scope, totaling a reduction of $48.6 million in expected General Fund revenues relative to the May forecast.

Total General Fund resources in 2023-25 are increased $437 million compared to the Close of Session forecast. Most of the

691 students.

The Chief: Has the district needed to make cutbacks or layoffs this summer?

Hudson: We have not experienced any layoffs this summer.

Rainier School District’s Joseph Hattrick

The Chief: What are you most excited about with the coming of the new year?

Hattrick: The district is excited for students to return to school beginning on Sept. 6 for what will be an exceptional school year.

Last spring, the district completed an Integrated Guidance Grant Application that aligns multiple federal grants with academic targets. This process enabled us to strategically plan improvement strategies that will have a positive impact on all students. In recent previous years, summers were spent learning the newest requirements from the state regarding pandemic preparedness.

While the district will continue to strive to keep all students healthy and safe, we have a renewed focus to ensure success for every child. It is our hope that every year, as we continue to learn and grow together, Rainier School District will be known for its remarkable improvement and caring learning community.

The Chief: What are the biggest challenges the district faces, in your opinion?

Hattrick: Aging facilities is one of the great-

increase can be attributed to collections of corporate income taxes, which continue to outstrip underlying profit earnings.

Additionally, a larger beginning balance increases resources, a direct result of a larger ending balance last biennium as the accountants closed the books this summer. That increase in revenues at the end of 202123 does result in a larger personal income kicker than

est challenges the Rainier School District faces. There is a great deal that happens behind the scenes that keeps the district operating, but due to the size and age of the campus, those challenges compound from year to year.

School Districts in Oregon receive funds that can be used to operate the district, but the state does not fund capital improvements. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our facility department for using any means necessary, including working around the clock to ensure heating, water, and utilities are properly functioning.

The Chief: Have there been any big changes in the district since last year?

Hattrick: This summer, the facilities team has worked at improving the safety of our schools. Some of the suggestions that were implemented came from our safety committee.

The improvements include limiting access points. This has been accomplished by adding some fencing through the inside of the campus, which has been accessed in the past by unapproved visitors. Additionally, both schools now have camera monitoring at the front door, and visitors will have to be granted access by the front office. These improvements will have a positive impact on student safety while at school.

The Chief: What is your general budget for the upcoming year?

Hattrick: The Rainier School District is operating

previously estimated.

Background

The Oregon Economic Forecast provides information to planners and policy makers in state agencies and private organizations for use in their decision making processes.

The Oregon Revenue Forecast opens the revenue forecasting process to public review. It is the basis for

with a $12,945,163 general fund budget.

The Chief: What is the projected student population?

Hattrick: We estimate the district enrollment to be around 850 students this school year.

The Chief: Has the district needed to make cutbacks or layoffs this summer?

Hattrick: The Rainier School District has made no layoffs or budget cuts. We have also taken steps to mitigate staff interruptions caused by illness or other emergencies by continuing to employ one permanent substitute teacher at each school so there is familiarity when students have a substitute teacher covering their class. Back to school

Both superintendents have already welcomed staff back to campus. Clatskanie School District had an all-staff preservice event on Monday, Aug. 28. Hudson addressed the staff and welcomed them to the start of the 2023-24 school year. The School Board was in attendance at mid-day to serve the staff lunch. Rainier School District welcomed Rainier staff back to campus on Monday, Aug. 28 as well. On Thursday, Aug. 31, Hattrick gave all staff a state of the school address.

Follow Clatskanie and Rainier school districts developments at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of Chief.

much of the budgeting in state government. The forecast reports are issued four times a year: March, June, September, and December. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the quarterly forecast Aug. 30.

See the full September 2023 Oregon Revenue Forecast with this story at thechiefnews.com.