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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
VOL. 131, NO. 31 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Oregon Supreme Court issues ruling on Ballot 114 JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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he Oregon Supreme Court has rejected a request from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to “immediately” review a temporary restraining order by Harney County Judge Robert Raschio, which prevents enforcement of Measure 114. The high court’s action late Dec., 7, means that Measure 114 is still in limbo and would not take effect Dec. 8. Judge Raschio ruling Tuesday, Dec. 6, came just hours after Federal Judge Karin Immergut in Portland allowed the measure to continue, though she put a hold on the provision in the measure that would require a permit to purchase a firearm. According to court documents, Judge Raschio placed a temporary restraining order on the measure until December 13, when the courts will decide whether a further injunction is necessary. As the basis for his ruling, Judge Raschio ruled that the measure does not enable Oregonians to exercise their Second Amendment rights to purchase a firearm or bear a magazine capable of holding ten or more rounds. “Deprivation of fundamental
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constitutional rights for any period constitutes irreparable harm,” The judge ruled. Background Measure 114, which seeks to make sweeping gun control regulations, narrowly passed in Oregon by
a 50.7% majority. The measure would require a permitting process to purchase a weapon; ban the sale, manufacturing, and transfer of magazines holding more than ten rounds; and background checks that must be completed before a gun may be sold or transferred. Part of the permit process
would require safety training and a demonstration in the presence of a police chief or sheriff. OSP Statement Oregon State Police released the following details late Wednesday, Dec. 7.
“An injunction has delayed the implementation of Ballot Measure 114. With that new information, we wanted to give you an update on what it means here at the Oregon State Police. The OSP’s Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) unit will continue to work to process and resolve the pended/delayed FICS transactions. This delay of implementation will allow firearm sales to continue being processed under the current law. OSP continues to work with our partners to set up the Oregon Permit to Purchase program with our partners at the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). OSSA and OACP are still working through the training requirement portion of the application process. At this time, Permit Agents are not able to accept or start processing Permit to Purchase applications. On December 8, 2022, OSP will be launching a “Permit to Purchase” webpage with preliminary information such as the Permit to Purchase Application, a description of the steps for acquiring a permit, as well as other information including answers to questions that we are anticipating.” Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
ODOT to partially reopen Highway 30 at massive landslide
Courtesy photo from ODOT
The massive landslide occurred Nov. 29 and sent at least 1,800 cubic yards of mostly rock onto the highway. JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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he Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will reopen Highway 30 between Astoria and Clatskanie at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 to one lane during daylight hours. The highway has been open to a single flagged lane from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly since Sunday, Dec. 4.
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Because the hazardous rock scaling work must be done in daylight, ODOT had been closing the highway 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. all this week. “After we reopen one flagged lane at 4 p.m. Sunday, the highway will remain open 24/7,” ODOT states in a release. “Monday will be the first day the highway stays open in daylight in the landslide area.” ODOT urges drivers to watch for flaggers and expect delays. “We will flag traffic in alternating
directions and occasionally stop traffic for crews and equipment during work,” ODOT states. “There is no estimated date when we can reopen additional lanes due to the amount of material that needs to be removed. This week we are continuing to scale large sections of loose rock that are on the verge of falling, as well as the debris from the original landslide.” The slide occurred Tuesday night, Nov. 29, and ODOT crews have been working on repairs since, including
weekends so that the highway can reopen as soon as it is safe for travelers and the crews. The slide started about 10:30-11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, about 100 feet above the roadway, likely due to rain and strong winds on trees with roots deep in rocky hillside, according to ODOT. The slide is about 110 feet wide and sent at least 1,800 cubic yards of mostly rock onto the highway. “This section of US Highway 30
crosses an area where landslides have long been part of the geology, often triggered by heavy rainfall,” ODOT stated earlier. “So, this part of the road has long had landslide warning signs.” This week, crews were working down the cliff side to remove large sections of loose rock left by
See LANDSLIDE Page A2
Starmites take the stage at CMHS LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article
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fter a two-year absence, the Clatskanie Middle High School (CMHS) Performing Arts Department is once again putting on a theatre production.
Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd.,
The kids are having a blast. My heart is happy. ~ Jamie Erwin, CMHS instructor
St. Helens, OR 97051 The production is Starmites, written by Barry Keating and Stuart Ross. The Guide to Musical Theatre states that Starmites ran for 60 performances when it was on Broadway in 1989. It was nominated for several Tony awards. The guide describes the plot as revolving around a very shy teenager who creates a fantasy world
Courtesy from Jamie Erwin
CMHS students raise their arms during a rehearsal of the play.
involving science fiction characters in her comic book collection. She escapes into her fantasy world where the Starmites are the guardian angels of inner space. CMHS senior Sommer Burnard said she is thrilled to be able to perform again. “I have never had a lead role before so I am super excited about it,” she said. “I haven’t had the chance to
perform live here since I was a freshman, and this year I graduate, so it’s exciting!” Jadyn Horn echoes Burnard’s sentiment. “It’s really fun to be in a play again and be able to dress up and act for everyone in person,” Horn said. CMHS music and drama instructor Jamie Erwin said she is “thrilled to be doing live theatre again.”
“The kids are having a blast,” Erwin said. “They have been working super hard, and well together. They support each other and encourage each other and have bonded in a way that only live theatre can do. My heart is happy.” Performances for the school play
See STARMITES Page A6