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The Chief

The Chronicle & The Chief

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

$1.50

VOL. 129, NO. 17

Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Heat’s on! Fire, health dangers rise not only humans that face danger in such conditions. Pets and livestock should also be monitored during such weather.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Brace yourself. Summer is not over yet. National Weather Service meteorologist David Bishop in Portland describes the weather pattern this way. “We have an upper level high pressure that is also causing a thermally induced low at the surface,” he said. “It is an inverted low, which means it is going to be dryer and warmer.” Bishop said temperatures in our region are expected to be into the mid-90s during the days with the chance of temperatures in some areas reaching the low 100s. “Winds could be our saving grace,” Bishop said. “They are expected to remain relatively calm across the board from the Cascades all the way out to the coast.” Bishop added that the forecast models are showing a slight chance of relief. “But the overall pattern will remain somewhat stable going into late next week,” Bishop said. “Anything beyond day five or six of a forecast is likely to change. Either way, we suggest you be prepared for the conditions.”

Explosive wildfire danger

Your health

Local fire agencies are urging everyone to be aware of the heightened wildfire danger. “With the extreme and prolonged dry summer, very little rain and all the vegetation that has been growing up, and someone tosses a cigarette butt or there is spark on the road, a wildfire could take off,” Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District Division Chief Craig Granger said. State, county and city fire agency officials have said most of the wildfires in Oregon are human-caused. “That’s why there is no outdoor burning and we have posted warnings,” Granger said. If the current conditions continue, Granger said it is possible even limited and controlled recreation burning will be banned as a protection measure against wildfires. “It could happen anywhere,” Granger said. “The sides of roads and business landscape areas. Bark dust fires can be picked up by winds and scattered.” Granger urges campers and those working in the woods to be prepared with a bucket of water, shovel and other tools to put out cold any warming or job fires before leaving the area.

The National Weather Service says the heat wave is expected to continue into late next week.

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Health officials urge everyone, especially the elderly and small children, to limit their time outdoors during the extreme heat. Hot temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It’s

See HEAT Page A2

Boating fatalities, accidents rising overboard,” he said “In nearly all these cases, a life jacket would have prevented the tragedy.” Henry said Oregon has recorded 22 boating fatalities as of Tuesday, Sept. 1. The most fatalities since 1993. “We are concerned also that we’re headed into a hot holiday weekend and yet we’re seeing some reckless behavior out there and a lot of people not wearing PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices). Henry said in only three of those cases a worn or correctly fitted and sized life jacket would probably not have made a difference. “In other words, maybe 19 of those could have been saved by a life jacket,” he said.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

This summer, Oregon has seen a disturbing trend along the popular rivers and lakes. A high number of increasing fatalities, accidents and boating violations. The Oregon Marine Board’s Randy Henry calls the rise in waterway fatalities and accidents concerning. “I am very concerned with the number and types of incidents and fatalities we’ve seen this summer on Oregon’s waterways,” Henry said. “Part of that is explained by COVID-19 closures and that outdoor recreation is at record levels all over. Nationwide I’m told there is about a 30% increase in boating fatalities and we’re seeing that same level of increase in Oregon. More boating, more accidents.” Henry said his biggest concern is the number of very preventable fatalities. “We’re seeing - people not surviving capsizings and falls-

Cause and effect

a life jacket on, they swim it back to shore, get in and try it again. “We never hear about it,” he said. “If someone doesn’t have a life jacket, they struggle, they panic, they suffer cold water shock, rescue is more difficult, and it’s a fatality. Henry said the danger is especially present for small non-motorized boats. “You should assume you’re going for a swim and dress accordingly,” he said. For motorboaters, it’s all about being prepared for the unexpected and knowing your waterway, Henry said. “Don’t travel at a high speed until you know what’s under the water – we had a lot of groundings and broken boats this year when people hit rocks, logs and gravel bars,” Henry said. “But even with motorboats, the number one thing to do to prevent a fatality is wear a life jacket. It’s like a seat belt –

The number one cause of boating fatalities is people ending up in the water unprepared, according to Henry. According to Henry, if someone tips their kayak over and they have

See BOATING Page A6

Christine Menges / The Chief

The Clatskanie Public Library District building was damaged on Wednesday evening, Sept. 2, when a hit-and-run intoxicated driver crashed into the building.

Library damaged struck the building at approximately 7:04 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to Interim Library Director Becky White, who said she saw the crash recorded on the library’s surveillance cameras.

CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

Front portions of the Clatskanie Public Library District building at 11 Lillich Street were boarded up on Thursday, Sept. 3 following damage caused when a vehicle

See LIBRARY Page A3

Local soldiers return from Middle East were greeted by family and friends. Emotions were high as the soldiers received hugs, kisses and handshakes from loved ones and community members. The troops were stationed in the Middle East for the past year serving as a security force element in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. They were mobilized during a community ceremony in October last year at St. Helens High School. In the following conversation, Company Commander Capt. Jake Allbright gives us insight into the troops’ assignments in Kuwait.

JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Members of Bravo Company, 741 Brigade Engineer Battalion, are home in Oregon, safe and sound. The troops from Rainier, St. Helens, Scappoose, and surrounding areas arrived Thurs., Aug. 27, at the Portland International Airport and

Obituaries............A3 Viewpoints.........A4 Clatskanie Grows A4 Market Place........A5 Public Notices......A5

The Chief: Specifically, where were the local troops stationed and what was their duty assignments? Jake Allbright: The soldiers of Bravo Company, 741 Brigade Engineer Battalion served as a security force element in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. They were responsible for base defense operations and convoy security while integrated with the mobile artillery assets within the Central Command Area of Responsibility to assist in providing stability to the region.

The Chief: What were the personal and duty challenges the local troops encountered and how did they See RETURN Page A5

Welcome Home! Photo courtesy of John Hughel, Oregon Military Department

A joyful reunion during the welcome home celebration at the Portland International Airport Aug. 27. See more photos on A5

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Friday, September 4, 2020

COVID-19 cases continue to slow CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net

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Pictured back to front; left to right are Ernesto Rojas-Bautista, Jordyn Ward, Grace Tallman, Evan Bergman, Reilly Norgren, Emmalia Lever, Kayli Boehler, Jeffrey Kratka, Kaitlyn Sizemore, Dylan Blackwood, Ethan Baker, Nelson Warren, Andrea Rodas, Anya Hamilton, Danielle Hewitt, Summer Crape, Meagan McClure, Ashley Lankard, Trinity Sweeden, Cecilia Padilla Contreras, Annabelle Martin, Mary Hagen, Nadi Stripling. Lilly Boothe, Natalie Gray, and Kalani Ausmus.

Student Council recognized JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Clatskanie High School is one of 25 middle and high schools receiving recognition as having a high-achieving student council. The award, sponsored by the Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC), sets high standards for councils and recognizes their accomplishment when standards are met. The OASC serves middle and high school student councils around the state and is a department within the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA). Councils begin by setting goals in the fall and work hard all year to achieve them, according to the OASC. In order to receive the award, councils must be involved in community service, activities that promote school spirit and pride, sportsmanship, unity, recognition, and involvement in leadership training. “Student leaders have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the culture and climate of their school and the academic success of their student body by the activities they sponsor,” OASC Executive Director Sara Nilles said. The OASC usually recognize the schools who are awarded during its Spring Conference in April, however, due to the pandemic, this year the schools are being honored virtually. “We look forward to finding a variety of new ways to honor our schools this fall too,” Nilles said. “We are incredibly proud of our schools and student’s resiliency and efforts to think outside the box during times of COVID while continuing to provide

HEAT From Page A1

Turbocharge effect The return of high temperatures, low humidity and east winds can turbocharge even the smallest fire start, according to a release from the Oregon Forestry Department. A smoldering campfire or an errant spark from a vehicle can become a raging blaze in minutes. And this at a time when firefighting resources are already strained in Oregon and nationally. The Oregon Forestry Department said the last three weeks have been extremely challenging for wildland and structural firefighters. They have been working long hours in the heat for weeks at a time in an effort to contain the spread of the state’s current wildfires and keep communities safe. Many people across the state have had to evacuate or feared they might have to. And the threat isn’t over. While the threat from dry lightning in Oregon lessens after August, human

opportunities for their students to connect virtually.” To find out more about the Clatskanie Middle/High School Student Council, The Chief contacted the council’s advisor Nina Brewer. The Chief: What projects have the students conducted that you are most proud of? Nina Brewer: They work very hard all year on a variety of activities all aimed at inclusivity and creating a sense of community, but I am most proud of how they were able to come together and still deliver a virtual “Oscars/Talent Show.” Traditionally, it is one of the biggest productions they put on, outside of Homecoming, and it is one they get really excited to work on. It is also a great opportunity to recognize almost 1/3 of the student body. They were able to overcome the grief of losing a tradition they really look forward to, in order to stay together and figure out a new way to deliver. The Chief: What do you hope the students take away from this recognition and award? Brewer: I think a lot of times the work they do is overlooked or taken for granted, and they are under constant scrutiny from their peers, so I hope this affirms that all the time and dedication that they commit to their school is not wasted and that it really is an amazing achievement.

what they can accomplish over the next few months as student council members? Brewer: The student leaders are already in full swing planning new ways to provide engaging activities and they have really seized this time as an opportunity to look at new, and in some cases better, ways of doing things. They are focusing on what they can do, as opposed to what they cannot; maintaining and projecting positive attitudes will be key. Their vision, that they have developed to help guide their planning for the year, is to “... provide the student body with the resources and motivation they need to stay involved and be excited about school. Our mission is to support each student and insure that everyone has a safe space where their voices can be heard.”

Also at the county commissioners’ meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to finalize the legalization of Price Road. The road will be legalized where it currently stands, not as it appears in county records. The decision follows a public hearing process concerning the Rainier area roadway. Read more about the Price Road issue at thechiefnews. com.

Governor extends foreclosures relief STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Governor Kate Brown has extended protections from foreclosure for Oregon homeowners and business owners through executive action, until December 31. Executive Order 20-37 will extend House Bill 4204’s current moratorium on foreclosures, as allowed by that legislation. The deadline for extending the foreclosure moratorium had been set to expire today. HB 4204 required the Governor to announce an extension of the moratorium 30 days before the moratorium expired on September 30. “Every Oregonian deserves a warm, dry, safe, affordable, and accessible place to call home,” Brown said. “That’s especially true during a pandemic, when physical distancing and limit-

ing trips away from home are critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Extending the moratorium on foreclosures will ensure that more Oregonians do not lose their homes this year, and that businesses can continue to provide vital goods and services to our communities.” While EO 20-37 will provide homeowners and business owners certainty through the end of the year, it is not a long-term solution, according to Brown, who said her office will be working with landlords, lenders, and other stakeholders in the coming weeks to craft a solution for the Legislature to consider. Brown is also continuing to have conversations with community leaders and stakeholders to look at options surrounding a moratorium for evictions for renters, which does not expire until

September 30. “I’d like to thank legislators for taking action with me this summer to help Oregon renters, as well as homeowners, and business owners,” Brown said. “As this crisis continues, I am confident that lawmakers will again take action to help Oregonians struggling to pay rent and mortgage payments.” The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board allocated $55 million for rent assistance through December, and $20 million for affordable housing operating support for OHCS partners. In April, the Emergency Board also allocated $12 million in emergency funding for safe shelter and rental assistance. Congress has also passed about $82 million in housing supports and other housingrelated services for Oregonians, including funds for rental and utility assistance.

The Chief: What are the qualifications to be a member of the student council?

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Brewer: Encouragement from parents and community for students to become involved and participate in school events is a great support.

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family members, use face coverings, and congregate in small groups,” Paul said. The county public health department is also fielding a lot of calls asking about learning pods. Paul said his guidance for learning pods is to follow basic guidelines, keep pods small, practice basic hygiene of avoiding touching one’s face, washing hands, and staying home if feeling ill. County commissioners did not have any questions for Paul at the end of his report.

The Chief: How can parents and the community be engaged to support these students.

Brewer: All elected/appointed student officers are required to be in the Leadership Class and, as long as students agree to fulfill the time commitment and the code of anyone is eligible ETERSENconduct, LARKE LLC ETERSEN LARKE LLC The Chief: Given the pan- and welcome. A tt tt oo rr nn ee yy ss demic restrictions and A Distance Learning to start off the For more information, con(503) 556-4120 (503) new school year, what is your556-4120 tact Clatskanie Middle/High message to the students about School at 503-728-2146.

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Columbia County is showing promising signs of slowing the spread of COVID-19, according to Columbia County Public Health Director Michael Paul in his weekly report to Columbia County Commissioners on Wed., Sept. 2. While cases have increased slightly, to 129 confirmed cases, currently only five individuals are infectious and in isolation, Paul said. So far, there has been one death reported and nine hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Paul. Other public health indicators are also showing promising signs, Paul said. One is that active cases are down to eight, and the county is tracing most of the cases to known sources. They are also following up with 100% of cases within 24 hours. Only 0.4% of Emergency department visits were for COVID-like illness within the last week. The county is also below the 5% test positivity rate mark which

is used for reopening schools. Other numbers are not so promising, however, Paul said that the case count for last week was 15 cases per 100,000. “We have to have that below 10 per 100,000 for three weeks in a row,” in order to open schools, Paul said. Statewide numbers are showing similar trends. “We’re definitely seeing a slight decline in places,” Paul said. Oregon has the fifth lowest infection rate in the U.S., according to Paul, with 26,946 cases and 465 deaths as of Wed., Sept. 2. Of Oregon’s 36 counties, 17 of them have a case count of less than 30 per 100,000, Paul said. Paul reiterated his advice from the prior week, in that people aged 20-30 were the group with the highest infection rates right now. He also said that people need to be cautious about their Labor Day celebration plans, because the OHA often seeks spikes in cases after the holidays. “We’re asking particularly young people to protect their

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Adult: 18 & older $25 Teen: 13-17 $20 Youth: 12 and under $10 Food and drink will be available for purchase from some of our local vendors. Bring a chair or blanket if you want to sit outside your vehicles, social distance will be practiced. $5 extra per person, for marked areas closer to the stage (no vehicles)

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Friday, September 4, 2020

State of Emergency extended STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Courtesy photo

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $300 weekly payments for Oregon’s unemployed.

FEMA relief: $300 weekly payment to jobless people STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

People who have become jobless in Columbia County and across Oregon due to the pandemic may now qualify for additional weekly unemployment benefits. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the Oregon Employment Department’s application for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. The temporary emergency measure gives an additional $300 per week to people who are out of work due to COVID-19 and who and are receiving unemployment benefits. “We know this has been a very stressful period for many Oregonians,” Oregon Employment Department. Director David Gersenfeld said. “While we continue to hope for more robust, longer-term support for those in need, we are excited to be able to provide additional financial relief at this time. We are working quickly to get this program up and running, and get funds out the door as soon as possible.” The LWA program, which can use up to a total of $44 million in disaster relief funding, may run for three to five weeks, or potentially longer. The exact duration is uncertain, and depends on the number of participating states and the number of payments that go out. It may also be depleted in the event of a natural disaster. Oregon has been approved to provide three weeks of payments, and benefits will be dispersed to Oregonians who received unemployment benefits from July 26 through Aug. 15. The department will seek additional weeks of LWA benefits as soon as they become available. Oregonians automatically qualify for this program if they: • Have received unem-

LIBRARY From Page A1 “This driver came around the corner, hit the building, and just drove away,” White said. White said there were some witnesses, including people who were at nearby Cope’s Park and people who were at a doctor’s office across the street from the library who reported the incident immediately, which White said allowed law enforcement to respond promptly. “We’re grateful to the Columbia County Sheriff’s department, which responded immediately, and we’re grateful to the city manager and his public works guys who came out and secured the building,” White said. “So a lot of people came together instantly, and that’s really helpful.” According to White, the driver has been charged and was arrested at his home the evening of Sept. 2. Right now, White said she is waiting for insurance

ployment benefits from July 26, 2020, through August 15, 2020; and • Self-certify they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. This will require a new step for claimants currently receiving regular unemployment benefits, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Extended Benefits (EB). • Individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will not need to certify because they already did so when they first applied for benefits. The Employment Department has already been working to implement this program in an effort to get benefits to people as soon as possible, according to the state agency. That work is not yet complete, but as soon as the Oregon Employment Department has an estimated time when payments will be released, or next steps for people to seek these benefits, that information will be shared publicly, including on the Employment Department’s website at unemployment.oregon.gov. LWA is retroactive to eligible claimants beginning with the week ending Aug. 1. However, if individuals become unemployed after the week ending Aug. 1, they only can receive LWA for weeks where they qualify for unemployment benefits and meet LWA eligibility requirements. LWA payments are taxable under federal law, just like regular unemployment insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. If taxes are withheld from other benefits, they will also be withheld from the LWA benefits. The LWA program only provides federal funding for $300 weekly benefit payments. Official guidance from the Department of Labor prohibits states from using Unemployment Insur-

ance Trust Fund money to provide the additional $100. Providing the additional $100 per week would require the Oregon Legislature to appropriate money to pay for those benefits. For more information about filing for unemployment insurance benefits, visit unemployment.oregon.gov. To submit a question related to unemployment insurance, please use the Contact Us form. The following is a release from FEMA. FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Oregon for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Oregon to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to implement a system to make this funding available to Oregon residents. On Aug. 8, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Oregon agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans. To see a list of states previously approved for lost wages assistance, go to: https://www.fema.gov/factsheet/lost-wages-assistanceapproved-states.

adjusters to give the library an idea of what damage costs will be. There is structural damage to the building; the dry wall where the car struck is broken from floor to ceiling. There may be damage to the materials inside the building, and there are sprinkler heads outside the building that will need to be replaced as well as a shrub that was ripped out by the driver, according to White. Inside the building, White said the impact was enough to send two bookshelves full of reference books, the heaviest books inside the library, across the room. “They’re all over the place,” White said. Because the library is part of a special district, White said the building is insured through the Special Districts Association of Oregon, which will pay for the damages. “We’ll be getting some contractors to give us quotes on the repairs, and then we rebuild,” White said. Even though the building is damaged, and has now set back reopening, White said

she is counting her blessings. No one was injured in the accident, which White said is lucky, because there are often teenagers sitting or leaning against the now-boarded up wall in order to access WiFi, and the area is heavily trafficked in general because of the children’s park close by. In the surveillance video White watched, she said about 30 seconds before the crash, there was a woman walking on the sidewalk in front of the library. “It could have been worse. I just keep telling myself at the end of the day, it could have been worse,” White said. “Every time I think 2020 has shown us everything, it’s like one more thing, but we will go through this too.” White said she wanted to deliver one more message to the community. “There’s so many precious things here, not the least of all is children. We really need people to slow down coming around this corner, drunk or not. There’s nowhere that anybody is going that is important enough to take a life,” White said.

Cities such as Clatskanie, Rainier, St. Helens and Scappoose, and Columbia County, have extended their State of Emergencies over the past several weeks due to the current pandemic. The government agencies said the declaration allows the cities and the county to best serve the public in the health crisis and to also qualify for state and federal funding and resources. On Tues., Sept. 1, Governor Kate Brown extended her declaration of a State of Emergency for Oregon regarding COVID-19 for an additional 60 days, until Nov. 3, 2020 for Oregon. The declaration is the legal underpinning for the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders and the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance. The Governor reviews and reevaluates her emergency orders every 60 days. Brown issued the following statement on Tuesday, Sept. 1: “When I last extended the COVID-19 State of Emergency in June, I told Oregonians that we were at a crossroads: we could work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, or

•

we could watch infections and hospitalizations spike. “Now, six months after this crisis began, we have made progress. Together, we have slowed the spread of this disease. Oregon has one of the lowest mortality rates in the country. But, as students across Oregon begin a school year far different than any other before, it is clear that, at current COVID-19 levels, it will not be safe in much of the state for children to return to in-classroom instruction for months to come. “This Labor Day weekend is another critical moment in this crisis. “We can work together to stay safe and put Oregon on the path to return more students to classrooms. Or, we could see Labor Day celebrations unknowingly sow the seeds of COVID-19 outbreaks that could set us back for months. Until there is an effective vaccine for COVID-19, this disease can spread like wildfire if we let our guard down. “Small social get-togethers like barbecues and family celebrations have fueled wider community outbreaks in counties across Oregon. This weekend, you have a choice. Please, stay local this Labor Day, and practice safe COVID-19 habits. Wear a face covering, watch your physical distance, and

wash your hands. “We know this can work. We have seen it work in rural and urban communities that have experienced significant outbreaks. Last week, Multnomah and Hood River counties came off the Watch List. All we need now is the will to follow this through to the end. “We have come this far together. And that’s the only way we’ll get through this––working together, day by day, to keep each other healthy and safe until we reach the day that there is an effective vaccine or treatment for this disease.” The State of Emergency declaration is the legal underpinning for the executive orders the Governor has issued to keep Oregonians healthy and safe throughout this crisis, including her orders on reopening Oregon while maintaining essential health and safety protections, as well as orders around childcare, schools, and higher education operations, according to a release from Brown’s office. Extending the State of Emergency declaration allows those orders to stay in effect, the release states. Brown reviews and reevaluates each of her emergency orders every 60 days, to determine whether those orders should be continued, modified, or rescinded.

•O bituaries • • Donna Lubbe

June 13, 1951 ~ Aug. 24, 2020 Donna Lubbe 69, of Clatskanie, passed away Aug. 24, 2020 in Clatskanie, Oregon.

To learn more about FEMA’s lost wages supplemental payment assistance, visit: https://www.fema.gov/ fact-sheet/fema-lost-wagessupplemental-paymentassistance.

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Friday, September 4, 2020

Clatskanie Grows: Carrots and potatoes CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column

Storing carrots and potatoes Carrots do store well in the ground except for two issues, field mice (voles) and carrot root maggot. If you don’t have mice (or rats) and have seen no sign of carrot rust fly maggot damage (surface tunneling on roots that turns dark) then it is ok to leave them there until late January. After that, you need to bring them in to avoid them turning bitter in response renewed growth that leads ultimately to flowering. Also never store potatoes and carrots with either apples or onions. The ethylene gas given off by apples or onions will cause the carrots to get bitter and the potatoes to sprout. Squash and cucumber comments

Most gardeners have lots of winter squash. Varieties such as Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, and Hubbard (to name a few) will store well for at least four months. Harvesting the oldest squash can start now. Clip the squash from the vine leaving a couple inches of stem except with Hubbard squash which store best with the stems removed. Wash squash with a mix of one part bleach to nine parts water, dry it off, and leave it in a room that is very dry for about two weeks. This will form a hard shell on the squash that will make it more resistant to storage diseases. Then put it in a dry garage or basement for long-term storage, Check the squash periodically to remove those showing any signs of rot. Keep the mice away. You can hold off harvesting the remaining squash while we have nice weather. But if we head toward an extended rainy cycle, harvest the squash before the rain starts so they won’t rot on the vine. Temperatures consistently below 50 degrees also reduce storage time. Freezing temperatures injure squash and cause decay. The towns along the Columbia from Scappoose to Clatskanie usually get the first fall frost around the last week in October but it can come sooner. Higher elevations may frost as early as the end of September. Finally, if the squash vines are consumed with powdery mildew, the squash aren’t going to grow well anyway, so get them out of the garden and into storage. Powdery mildew is a

fungus favored by warm, humid weather and early morning dew. I get a lot of calls about powdery mildew on squash and cucumbers.

several varieties of garlic. Get the names and label them in bags. Separate out the cloves from the bulbs and plant the biggest cloves from each variety. Mark your rows so you know what did well. Eat the cloves you didn’t plant. Space the rows about 12” apart and the garlic about 3” apart within the row and the cloves about 2” below the soil surface. Cover with one inch or so of compost or some other organic matClatskanie ter to keep rain from Grows crusting the soil. Sit back and wait. You may not see tops until January but rest assured that the plants are doing just fine. What gardeners Weed often. Fertilize discovered this year is after February and again in that some squash got it late April. Water as needed. and other varieties didn’t. If it is a “hard neck” garlic, Varieties have been bred pull the flowering shoots to be mildew resistant but off when they show up in are not always sought out May or early June. Harvest by gardeners or growers in July. That’s it. of transplants. Next year, examine the seed catalogs Pressure Gauge Testing for versions of your favorite squash and cucumbers Free at the Extension ofthat have powdery mildew fice in St. Helens. Contact resistance. Sulfur dusts and for questions and requests sprays can be used effecfor accessibility-related tively if applied before the accommodations: by phone disease is really rolling. (leave a message for Jenny Some recent research inRudolph) 503 397-3462 or dicated that milk sprays (1 by email at Jenny.Rupart milk to 9 parts water) dolph@oregonstate.edu. may help with the disease, COVID restrictions are again with a spray program still in place at our office started before the disease which is located at 505 N. shows up, usually near the Columbia River Highway, end of June at the latest. St. Helens, OR 97051. Another squash disease, angular leaf spot, can also Free newsletter be somewhat managed with resistant varieties. The Oregon State UniI have had a number of versity Extension office in calls about bitter cucumColumbia County publishes bers. There are several faca monthly newsletter on tors that influence whether gardening and farming topa cucumber will be bitter. ics (called County Living) First is breeding. The pickwritten/edited by yours ling lines are generally bittruly. All you need to do terer if eaten fresh than the is ask for it and it will be slicing varieties. The bitter flavor disappears when they mailed or emailed to you. Call 503 397-3462 to be are pickled. put on the list. AlternaStress accounts for the tively, you can find it on bulk of bitter complaints. the web at http://extension. For a cucumber, stress oregonstate.edu/columbia can be low temperatures, moisture stress when it gets and click on newsletters. really hot, or an attack of Many Extension powdery mildew. Cucumpublications available bers from the same plant online can be bitter one week and ones that ripen the followAre you putting up saling week or so may be fine. sa, saving seeds, or thinkThe bitter flavor is concening about planting grapes? trated on the stem end and OSU has a large number of in or just under the peel. its publications available for free download. Just go Plant garlic next month to https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. If you like garlic, get out there and plant some late this month or in October. Find a sunny, well-drained space, lime it with about 10#s per 100 square feet, add some compost and fertilizer and you are ready to plant. Go to a Farmer’s Market soon (they are about to end) and buy

Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503 397-3462 Email: chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu

Davie to head OSP STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net

Gov. Kate Brown has announced the appointment of Terri Davie as Superintendent of Oregon State Police (OSP), effective Nov.1 and subject to Oregon Senate confirmation. In this role, Davie will lead the state’s largest law enforcement agency—a multi-disciplined organization charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources of Oregon. “Terri brings a wealth of law enforcement experience to this role and a strong record of leading by example,” Brown said. “She brings a focus on inclusivity and is dedicated to listening to community voices—including Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Tribal communities—as we work towards a more fair and just law enforcement system in Oregon. I look forward to her leadership as we do the hard work of

Terri Davie

transforming law enforcement standards and training and putting the state on a path toward racial justice.” Davie steps into this role with nearly 24 years of law enforcement experience in Oregon. She began her career with the Oregon Department of Corrections, where she worked her way up from a Correctional Officer to a Lieutenant at the Oregon

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State Penitentiary. In 2001, Terri began her career with the OSP as a patrol trooper assigned to the OSP Albany Area Command. Over the years, Terri has served in many different assignments, including a technical collision investigator, a major crimes detective, a crisis negotiator on the agency’s SWAT Team, and as a station commander at the Capitol Mall Area Command. She has served as OSP Deputy Superintendent since July 2016. She holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification and is an active member of the FBI National Executive Institute and both the International and Oregon Association Chiefs of Police. Davie fills this role following the announcement of Superintendent Travis Hampton’s retirement. Governor Brown thanked Superintendent Hampton for his long and distinguished career with the Oregon State Police.

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

What should be done to lower Oregon’s rising boating fatalities and accidents?

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic left you sleepless?

More enforcement More education

41% Yes

59% No

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

•

•V iewpoints • •

Respond to the 2020 Census Now MONICA STEELE Chief Guest Column

As the 2020 Census draws to a close, I urge each one of you reading this to respond before it’s too late. This is the final month to be counted and to help guarantee Columbia, Clatsop and other Oregon counties will receive funding for essential services that will shape the future of our community for the next 10 years. Whether you live alone, with family, or others, I’m asking you to do your part and count everyone who lives in your home if you haven’t already. And while you’re at it, remind other family, friends, and neighbors to be counted, too. Text them. Call them. Share a note on your social media. While many people know the census is what determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress, it is also used by lawmakers in Washington and Salem, Oregon to allocate funds for programs and services that impact Clatsop County – including the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, and the hospitals and healthcare clinics we visit when we are sick. An undercount in Clatsop County could mean our community loses out on important fed-

eral funds that will leave us behind as others progress into the future. The deadline to respond is September 30. But don’t wait—you can respond now online at 2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish, or by mail if you received a paper questionnaire. You can respond in English, Spanish, and 11 other languages online or by phone. If you don’t respond on your own, you will be visited by a locally hired census taker to make sure you are counted. If a census taker comes to your home, please cooperate. They have been trained on CDC and local health guidelines, will maintain at least a six-foot distance, and will be wearing masks and carrying other personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep everyone safe. A census taker may also call you at home, so please answer the call. The census asks only 10 questions about you and who lives in your home with you and will only take a few minutes to complete. And remember: Your answers are confidential and can never be shared with federal or local law enforcement agencies. Census takers will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Depart-

ment of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. They may also carry Census Bureau bags and equipment with the Census Bureau logo. They will never ask for Social Security numbers, banking info, citizenship status, or political affiliation. If you still have questions about their identity, you can contact the Los Angeles Regional Census Center at 213-314-6500 to speak with a Census Bureau representative. The 2020 Census is so important. If we want our voices to be heard at the local and federal level, we all need to do our civic duty and respond. If we want to continue receiving support for critical programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, school lunches and education programs like Head Start, historic preservation and wildlife conservation grants, bridges, bike paths, and other infrastructure, we should respond. Time is running out. If you haven’t already, you are about to miss this once in a decade chance to shape our future and better our community for the next 10 years. Monica Steele is the Assistant County Manager for Clatsop County. She may be reached at 503-325-1000 Ext. 1314.

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Contact Us • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 • Website: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial Email: chiefnews@countrymedia.net • Advertising Email: atrull@countrymedia.net Send Letters To: The Chief Attn: News Editor PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051 Email Letters To: chiefnews@countrymedia.net Letters Policy The Chief welcomes letters of 250 words or fewer. Letters are subject to editing for length, clarity or grammar. They should be concise, to the point and original. Letters dealing with disputes or containing criticism of private individuals or businesses will not be published. All letters must be signed (unless emailed) and include the author’s full name, address and daytime telephone number (for verification purposes only). Letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Letters also may be published on our website. Editorial Policy Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

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Friday, September 4, 2020

Marketplace

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Just call 503.397.0116

Listings are updated daily at www.thechiefnews.com 109

502

702

Construction Services

Help Wanted

Garage Sales

NORTHWEST CUSTOM TILE Showers, floors, walls, fireplace, exterior. Up to 20% off if you preorder by Nov. 1st, 2020. CCB# 228991 503396-6714

COUNTER PERSON WANTED LG ISAACSON CO/LONGVIEW F/T, M-FRI 8-5 PM FULL BENEFITS 401K DUTIES INCLUDE: PHONE/ COUNTER SALES, WAREHOUSE, DELIVERIES, COMPUTER. DRUG FREE & SELF MOTIVATED. SEND RESUME TO OFFICE@ LGISAACSONCOM OR BRING IN: 1331 INDUSTRIAL WAY LV.LGICO EST 1911

Room and board along with negotiable monthly salary depending on experience. Please mail in references along with your resume to Karen Nelson, PO Box 1032, Clatskanie OR 97016 or send them to knelson@my frontiermail.com. Resumes will be accepted through September 15th, 2020. Work to start affective October 1, 2020.

Clatskanie Library District Board, Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library, and others in and outside the library to ensure that the library continually evolves to meet community needs. The Clatskanie Library District Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To Apply: A complete job description and application can be accessed through the Library Board Chair at jim@ gibson-us.com All applicants must provide a cover letter, current resume and a completed Clatskanie Library employment application. Incomplete application packets will not be considered. Mail, email, or fax your application, cover letter, and resume to: Clatskanie Public Library, CED Application, c/o Jim Gibson, Board Chair, PO Box 577, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Email:

jim@gibson-us. com. Fax: 1-888313-0650. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10th, 2020

Clatskanie Park & Recreation District, PO Box 737, Clatskanie, OR 97016. You can also email your resume to cyndi@dconnercpa.com or drop off at 365 S Nehalem Street, Clatskanie. If you have any questions, please contact Cyndi at 503-7282038. Resumes will be accepted until 5:00pm on Wednesday September 16, 2020

Large Yard Sale on Sept 5th & 6th in Clatskanie from 9 am - 3 pm. Cash only please. Wear your mask and no early sales. Large aquarium w/ accessories, glass table w/ 4 chairs, metal rack, quart canning jars, DVDs galore, Ranger canopy, wedding dress, purple sequins evening gown. Sheet sets, smoker, charbroil grill, baking equipment. Follow signs

from Hwy 30 at Johnsons Feed Store.

150

Misc Services

Paul’s Tree Service Inc. No bush too small, no tree to tall- Call Paul! Specialized in danger trees, take downs, storm clean-up. Time to prune- pruning Lace Leafed Maples & ornamental shrubberies, chipping, senior or veterans discount, free estimates. CCB# 217173 Lic., Bonded & Insured. 503-440-0723 or 503-543-8274

CALL

The Chief at 503-397-0116 to place a class ad

Eagle Star Rock Products is seeking, full time dump truck delivery driver. Current Class A CDL needed. Overtime Pay and benefit package. Contact us at 503-3977861. Help Wanted Seeking full time in home caregiver for an elderly parent with dementia.

Job Posting: The Clatskanie Library District Board is seeking a Library Executive Director. The Library Executive Director performs responsible and varied administrative and professional work related to planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of library services for the Clatskanie Public Library. They work extensively with staff, volunteers, the

Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District MEETING NOTICE DISTANCING RULESIN PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING WILL BE APPLIED DURING THIS MEETING. Items on the agenda, but not limited to: Updates on daily Fire and EMS operations. Board President, Robert Keyser. A workshop of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 6:00pm (before the

regular monthly meeting) via GoToMeeting unless the Stay At Home Order restrictions have been lifted, then the meeting will be held at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR, Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School); the purpose of this workshop will be to discuss updates on the District’s stations. No public comment and no action will be taken at this workshop.

CC20-1296

NOTICE OF SALE Rainier Storage Place, LLC will hold a sale at 29098 Dike Rd., Rainier OR 97048 of the contents of the following

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Need a job? check the classifieds online at www.thechiefnews.com to find your perfect job offer

Public Notices

CC20-1298

The regular meeting of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 7:00 via GoToMeeting unless the Stay At Home Order restrictions have been lifted, then the meeting will be held at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR, Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School). ANY AND ALL SOCIAL

Park Landscape and Maintenance: The Clatskanie Park & Recreation District is looking for a landscape and maintenance crew member. Must be at least 18 years of age and able to pass a background check. Duties are, but not limited to; mowing, landscape maintenance, trimming and general park maintenance and upkeep. The full job description is available upon request. The position is available immediately. September to March: 15-20 hours per week (approximate) March to September: 2530 hours per week (approximate). Please send your resume to:

860

Storage

storage units: 8x40 storage container, CY1 – Abandoned; 10x28 A1 – Abandoned; 7x10 A16 – Abandoned at 11:00

a.m. on Saturday, September 12th, 2020. Published Aug. 28, 2020, Sept. 4, 2020 and Sept. 11, 2020.

CC20-1299

Clatskanie Park & Recreation District NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING The regular meeting of the Clatskanie Park & Recreation District will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 6:00 at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR,

Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School). Items on the agenda include, but are not limited to: General park maintenance and pool operations. Board

Chair, Andrew Mustola. ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING WILL BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED.

CC20-1294

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of PHILIP CALVIN WHITE, Deceased. No. 20PB04462 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims

against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published August 21, 2020. Kelly Suzanne White, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

The Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon. Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper. Photos courtesy of John Hughel, Oregon Military Department

Emotions were high as families greeted the soldiers during the reunion at the Portland International Airport.

RETURN From Page A1 resolve those challenges? Allbright: Bravo Company is comprised of citizensoldiers from all civilian professions and military expertise. Through our diversity and skill sets we were able to adapt our training and proficiency to meet the requirements placed upon us while deployed. Our team is made up of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which provided a lot of experience and assistance to support our soldiers who were mobilized for the first time. This helped us to be successful not only

A soldier wipes tears away as she is greeted by family and friends at the homecoming celebration at the Portland International Airport.

forward, but also with maintaining good communication and connection with families back home as time allowed. We were in a forward operating environment during a dynamic time in history, in addition to the ever-changing dynamic that COVID-19 not only presented us in theater, but also directly affected our families back home. The Chief: What type of danger did these troops face and why? Allbright: There are always inherent dangers with any mobilization, but overall we had a successful deployment to the Middle East and are happy to be coming back home to Oregon.

The Chief: How many of the troops were mobilized and from what cities in Columbia County? Allbright: The deployment of Bravo Company, 741 Brigade Engineer Battalion was a part of a larger deployment set seen across the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat team that has brought a significant amount of soldiers to multiple continents and countries to support a variety of mission sets. For the soldiers of Bravo, we have Oregonians from many areas, including soldiers from Rainier, St. Helens, and Scappoose. There is also a large contingent from across the Willamette Valley and Portland area, with some from as far south as Eugene or as far east as La Grande.

A soldier receives a loving hug during welcome home celebration.

The Chief: Are there plans for additional troop mobilization from our area, if so, when, where would the troops be stationed and what would their duty assignments be? Allbright: Not that I am aware of at this time. However, there is always the potential for future mobilizations. The Chief: During such mobilizations, what should local citizens remember about how important the assignments of these troops are in maintaining our freedom? Allbright: As Guardsmen, we are given the opportunity to not only serve our communities in their time of need,

but also provide on invaluable skill set and experience level to support our federal mission in support of the Department of Defense and the US Army when called upon. For many of our soldiers, this is not the first time they have been called to support the pledge they took to support and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and with that they have volunteered to serve their nation when called upon. Our soldiers are your friends, your family, neighbors, and coworkers. We will return and reintegrate with all of you as such having completed our job and will be ready to continue to serve our local communities to help maintain their safety while

A soldier is embraced during the welcome home celebration at the Portland International Airport.

striving to assist in the building of stronger communities of which we are a part of and have a vested interest in. Troop’s history The local St. Helens unit is part of the second largest mobilization of Oregon National Guard members since World War II, according to the Oregon Military Department, which said the local soldiers are part of the historic 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team who draws its lineage from the historic 41st Infantry “Sunset” Division, of which the Sunset Highway is named in honor. For more information, contact the Oregon Military Department at 503-990-9508.

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Friday, September 4, 2020

Photo courtesy of the US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard rescued three people from this boat that capsized June 27 at the Chetco River Bar near Brookings.

BOATING

From Page A1

you don’t think, ‘Gosh, I’m about to hit a tree in my car, I better put on a seatbelt.’ It’s too late then. Just wear it.” The Marine Board’s public information officer, Ashley Massey said the water temperature at most popular rivers, streams and lakes can be deceiving. Massey said this year, especially early on, the common denominators involved boaters operating paddlecraft who fell overboard or capsized and were not wearing life jackets. “This is particularly risky because our waterways are very cold nearly yearround,” she said. “Oregon is considered a cold water state where most waterways are 65 degrees or below year-round. This increases the risk of cold water shock from sudden immersion initiating a gasp reflex and if a person’s head isn’t above the water, the chances of taking in water to the lungs increases the chance of drowning.”

Local issues Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley illustrated a most recent dangerous boating issue along the Columbia River at Sand Island near St. Helens. At approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office marine patrol deputies assisted in off loading passengers on a vessel that was taking on water. “We helped offload 11 people from the boat,” Pixley said. “There were six adults and five kids. We then towed the boat into the docks. The operator of the boat was cited for overloading and unsafe operation. The capacity plate on the boat stated it was only rated for six passengers.” Simple advice Henry said his advice is simple to anyone about safety on the waterway into this upcoming holiday and the rest of the summer-fall recreation season. “Number one is to wear your life jacket, no matter what type of boat you’re in,” he said. “Life jackets don’t prevent accidents, but like a

seat belt, they’ll turn a painful or fatal accident into a minor annoyance.” Henry said second advice is to make sure your skills are up to the task. “If you’ve never crossed a coastal bar before, learn about tides, wind, bar restrictions, ocean swells and wind waves,” he said. “If you’re new to kayaking, don’t go down the big rapids without some training or experience. If you’re new to stand-up paddleboarding, don’t get far from shore. In all those cases, wear your life jacket.” Henry said If people would wear a life jacket, always boat sober, and had some basic knowledge for the type of boating they’re doing, there could be maybe three fatalities this year instead of 22. “My number one concern for this weekend is people being too casual about boating, and people partying and boating,” Henry said. “Take it seriously and put on the personal protective gear.” For more safety information and other waterway details, visit the Oregon Marine Board at https://www.oregon. gov/osmb/Pages/index.aspx

Let’s talk about supply and demand LAKEN GORTLER Sponsored content

A few customers may have noticed we’re having some supply issues. If you’re coming in with a big order, I’d suggest you make sure you have everything you need on that list because I may not be able to get it. Right now, the demand for everything is so high, the supply chain cannot keep up. And it’s not just the shipping. They can’t make this stuff fast enough to ship. What is that attributed to? Well, for a while there, lumber prices dropped really low. It wasn’t even worth it to cut any timber ground because you weren’t making any money. Then Covid hit, and all the sudden people started buying lumber. They started working on all those DIY projects they’d been putting off ... people needed something to do while they were stuck at home, right? So, lumber became worth something again. Now they’ve got to cut it and they’ve got to get it out. A few mills changed what they were doing, so OSB is at a ridiculous price right now. Usually, if you want something cheaper than plywood, you go to OSB, but it’s priced right up there with plywood, if not more expensive. People are still buying it like crazy anyway, so it’s still hard to get. Some decking and outdoor woods are nearly impossible to stock. Cedar decking supplies have been a little easier to get our hands on lately and Douglas Fir has been a little

tricky to get at some points, but not terrible. The 12-footers have been oddly popular in the 2x6’s. As for feed, they’re only a week or so behind, but I haven’t run completely out of anything, yet. If you’re a feed buyer, I wouldn’t wait until your barrel is empty to come see me, but I wouldn’t panic if your barrel’s empty. I most likely have it. There’s just been a few items that they’ve been a little slow getting into their warehouse which makes it slow getting into mine.

Cattle panels are still a pretty hot commodity. We’re about two months out on another truck from them. Tartar products are still two to four weeks out. So, if you’ve got several DIY projects on your to-do list right now, go for the fencing project or siding project first. I’ve got what you need. If you’re doing any wire fencing, I’ve got most of that in, too. We’re steady on piping stock, and concrete has been really popular but I have not run out yet.