Jordan Center
Sheriff looks ahead to 2nd year in office Page A2
hosts grand re-opening Page A5
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020
The Chief
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VOL. 128, NO. 37
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Valentines for Veterans STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
A special gift will be on its way to local veterans following Monday’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service project. On Jan. 20, more than 30 volunteers met at the Scappoose Senior Center to create over 300 valentines, all hand made with love, to distribute to local veterans during Columbia County Retired Senior & Volunteer Program’s (RSVP) 6th Annual Valentines for Vets. The volunteers created each valentine to show appreciation and respect to veterans for serving the country. During the first two weeks of February, volunteers will distribute the hand-made valentines to as many veterans as possible in Columbia County. Organizers give special thanks to Miss B’s (Carrie Bodenhamer) 4/5 split class at Olympic Elementary in Longview, WA for making an additional 80 valentines to distribute to the veterans.
“All the valentines are sure to bring smiles,” according to a release from Columbia County RSVP. If you know of a group where veterans gather who RSVP could deliver valentines to, or know of a veteran that would appreciate a card, please contact Columbia County RSVP. Columbia County RSVP is located at 270 Columbia Blvd. in St. Helens. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Call 503-3975655, or see RSVP’s Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/co lumbiacountyrsvp. Columbia County Retired Senior & Volunteer Program serves a dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs, and in providing a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of volunteers. Columbia County RSVP promotes the engagement of older persons as community resources in planning for community improvement and in delivery of volunteer services.
Photo courtesy of Columbia County RSVP
Pictured from left to right are volunteers Carla Bodenhamer, Sharon Brown and Mary Ann Shaw displaying the valentines they made for Columbia County veterans.
A Street Improvements challenging, but promising CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Improvements for the A Street Improvement Project are still on schedule and expected to be completed by June of this year as originally expected, according to Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Information Officer, Lou Torres. City residents have reportedly felt the strain of construction, with some residents complaining about not being able to reach the post office. Torres said reaching a public entity like the post office can be difficult during an improvement project because it’s such a frequented public place for many people. “We knew that that was going to be an issue, and we tried to maintain access as best we could,” Torres said, adding residents have to maneuver a little bit more to access the post office. Torres said the contractors have tried to keep as much access as they can to the businesses and to the post office.
Illustration courtesy of ODOT
This is one of the conceptual drawings of the completed A Street Improvements.
“But it is awkward, there’s no question with the construction,” he said. “Really this whole project’s going to change the way people maneuver downtown. In the past, they could cross railroad tracks any way they wanted. The city thought that
wasn’t very safe, and it’s going to change the way people do things.” The $12.2 million improvement project began in June of last year, and since then several aspects of the project have been completed, including:
• “Daylighting” the rail tracks, moving and realigning them to expose the tracks and eliminate the asphalt road covering of the tracks • Upgrading city utilities • Installing curbing to maintain separation between vehicles and rail tracks • Adding new crossing gates at the intersection of the railway and the road There is still work yet to be completed, including installing new curbs, sidewalks and two to three different paving lifts, with striping to be set as the last step, according to Torres. “We’re still on track, despite the weather, and we’re making a lot of progress. Overall, we’re still on schedule to finish by the end of June,” Torres said. The improvement project came with its own set of challenges, including working with three different contractors; one with the city, one for the railway, and one for the roadway, Torres said. “I’ve rarely been involved in a project where we’ve had three different contracts involved. Even despite
the complexity of the project and all the challenges, it’s actually gone pretty well, and that’s good news,” Torres said. The A Street Improvement Project is designed to improve safety along the main street of the City of Rainier, where previously the rail line had bisected the community without any safety barriers, according to an information page on the A Street project on the ODOT website. The project has been in the works for approximately 13 years. In those 13 years, funds have been raised from different sources: ODOT’s Rail and Public Transit Divison, a Connect Oregon grant, the Regional Solutions program passed by the 2014 Oregon Legislature and the City of Rainier itself. When everything is completed, Rainier residents can expect a different, and safer main street, according to Torres “It’s quite a dramatic change from what it was previously,” he said. “A Street was a unique thoroughfare, it had railroad tracks, but cars could pass at any time, it was quite a safety problem. Now we don’t have that.”
Oregon’s record employment From Clatskanie, across Columbia County and throughout the state, more Oregonians are working. In fact, the December unemployment rate released this week at 3.7 percent, is the lowest on comparable records dating back to 1976. The November unemployment rate was 3.9 percent.
Police Blotters.....A2 Poll........................A4 Cartoon................A4 Viewpoints...........A4 Letters..................A5 Obituaries............A5 Market Place........A6 Public Notices......A6 Sports...................A7 Clatskanie Grows A7 Calendar...............A8
“The latest estimates suggest there are fewer unemployed Oregonians now than at any point since 1976, when comparable records begin,” Oregon Employment Department Systems and Economic Analysis manager Nick Beleiciks said. “That’s especially striking considering Oregon’s labor force is twice as large as it was 44 years ago.” In December, many of Oregon’s workforce metrics set records, indicating an increasingly tight labor market. The number of people who were unemployed for less than half a year dropped to the lowest level in at least 18 years. The number of people who were unemployed due to a layoff also dropped to the lowest level in the past two decades. The broadest measure of labor underutilization, called “U-6,” came in at the lowest on records dating back nearly two decades. This measure includes the unemployed, plus those who want a full-time job but who were working part-time due to the economy. Total nonfarm payroll employment grew by 800 jobs in December, following a gain of 3,800 jobs, as revised, in November. December
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Oregon Employment Department reports 2,036,400 employed and 60,847 unemployed in December.
gains were strongest in leisure and hospitality (+2,000 jobs). In addition, several industries added between 300 and 500 jobs. Meanwhile, two industries declined by more than 500 jobs: health care and social assistance (-900 jobs) and professional and business services
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(-1,600 jobs). Oregon’s over-the-year job growth of 1.4 percent equaled the U.S. job growth of 1.4 percent. Most of Oregon’s major industries expanded by between 1 percent and 3 percent since December 2018. The fastest growing industries in
the past 12 months were private educational services (+1,300 jobs, or 3.6%) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+2,100 jobs, or 3.0%). In that time only two industries cut jobs: retail trade (-700 jobs, or -0.3%) and mining and logging (-300 jobs, or -4.2%).
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The article Controlling Columbia County’s Mosquitoes published on Jan. 17 mistakenly stated that the district conducts on land herbicide spraying. The district does not use herbicides it uses pesticide spraying. The Chief website was immediately corrected upon notification of fact. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.
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Friday, January 24, 2020
Sheriff looks ahead to 2nd year in office JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley has completed his first year in office and is looking ahead to year two. In the following conversation, Pixley gives us insight into his first year, and what he is hoping for in year two. The Chief: What has been the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as Columbia County Sheriff during your first year? Sheriff Brian Pixley: I think the biggest challenges my first year were personnel and culture change. Anytime there is a change of leadership, there is a change in culture that inevitably occurs. Some people are able to adapt more quickly than others. The Chief: What has been the most rewarding part of your first year as Columbia County Sheriff? Pixley: The most rewarding part of my first year is the community and employee support. I have received numerous emails, phone calls and letters telling me how proud people are of the positive changes the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been making. Employee commendations from the public have increased and we are attracting great people to work here at CCSO. The Chief: Across the nation, law enforcement continues to face the increasing challenge of dealing with offenders that are suffering mental health issues. How are you working to make sure Columbia County
Sheriff’s Office deputies are trained for such challenges in order to make sure offenders and the public are safe during law enforcement incidents? Pixley: The majority of our staff are trained in crisis intervention. Crisis intervention is used to offer immediate, short term help to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This training gives deputies additional tools and teaches them how to effectively communicate with those suffering a mental health crisis. We hope to have key employees attend advanced training in crisis intervention, so they can bring further education back and share it with their coworkers. CCSO continues to partner with CCMH and other community partners to ensure we are providing services for individuals with mental health needs. In addition, we are partnering with the DA’s office to identify individuals that need to be evaluated and treated at state facilities as opposed to being in jail. The Chief: We understand you are preparing to ask voters to renew the 2016 Columbia County Jail operations levy. Why is that necessary now, how much will you be asking for and what specifically would that money find? Pixley: The jail levy is up for renewal every four years, and we will be asking voters to again renew the levy in May. There will be no changes to the tax amount, simply a renewal of the current levy so CCSO can continue to have the resources necessary to keep the jail operational.
CLATSKANIE ARTS COMMISSION PRESENTS
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•B lotters • •
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.
delivered to their residence. The owner of the package was contacted and the package went to the intended recipient. January 17 • An abandoned bicycle was turned in as found property. January 18 • Byanca Lezama, 22, of Rainier, was taken into custody on an outstanding Multnomah County warrant.
STAGEWORKS NORTHWEST LISA TYACK TRIO Rainier Police Department
January 11 • A vehicle parked on West 3rd Street was tagged as abandoned.
January 19 • A female juvenile was reported as a runaway. • An officer responded to a vehicle accident on the BIRKENFELDsingle THEATRE January 16 Lewis and Clark Bridge. No • A citizen brought packinjuries were reported and no 75 inS aNEHALEM, CLATSKANIE age that had been mistakenly citations were issued.
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The Chief: In the interview with The Chief in late December, you said calls for service had dramatically increased in Clatskanie. Overall across the county is that also the case, and if so, how are you as the top administrator dealing with that? Pixley: Calls for service are increasing across the county. As administrators, we have worked to address the increased workload with our current funding levels. We are trying to identify additional funding sources to allow us to hire more deputies. Despite our best efforts, we do not have sufficient staff
to respond as quickly as we would like to all situations. There are also times that I have to respond to calls to assist in the call load. The Chief: What are your top three priorities for 2020 and how are you working to accomplish those priorities? Pixley: My top three priorities for 2020 are to renew the jail levy, hire additional corrections deputies, and get our cell extraction team up and running. All of these priorities are in progress and we are working with community partners to accomplish these goals.
Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley.
Chief photo
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Friday, January 24, 2020
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Saving SNAP: Oregon sues Trump Administration Oregon has joined fifteen states and New York City in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans. According to a release from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the lawsuit challenges a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend food stamp benefits in places where jobs are scarce. The coalition of state attorneys general is urging the court to declare the rule unlawful and issue an injunction to prevent it from going into effect on April 1, 2020. “The food stamp program (known as “SNAP”) has helped vulnerable Oregonians for over 40 years,” Rosenblum said. “It is hard to fathom why the federal government wants to punish thousands of adults in some of the most employmentimpacted areas of our state— people who may not be able to find jobs—by taking away their access to food.” More than 21,000 Oregonians who currently receive benefits could lose them beginning April 1, under the Trump Administration’s plan. While the federal govern-
signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, USDA issued a proposed rule announcing these changes. The USDA received more than 100,000 comments—the majority expressing strong opposition from a broad range of stakeholders. Regardless, USDA issued the final rule. In the lawsuit, the states argue that the new rule:
ment pays the full cost of SNAP benefits, it shares the costs of administering the program on a 50/50 basis with the states, which operate the program. Congress amended SNAP in 1996 to introduce a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed individuals aged 18 to 49 who are not disabled or raising children. Congress
believed that states were best positioned to assess whether local economic conditions and labor markets provided reasonable employment opportunities. The law allows a waiver of the three-month limit for areas where data is presented by the state demonstrating that the area lacks sufficient jobs. In a declaration filed with
the lawsuit, the Director of the Self Sufficiency Program for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Daniel Haun, explained that as of November 2019, Oregon had 347,941 households, for a total of 586,781 Oregonians, who receive SNAP benefits statewide. Of these individuals, 21,886 Oregonians are potentially affected if this
rule goes into effect. Their average food benefit ranges from $166-$186 per month. Over the last 24 years, Congress has maintained the criteria for states to obtain waivers, and allowed states to carry over unused exemptions. It has reauthorized the statute four times without limiting states’ discretion. Shortly after President Trump
• Contradicts statutory language and Congress’s intent for the food-stamp program • Raises healthcare and homelessness costs while lowering economic activity in the states • Amends the law for arbitrary and capricious reasons • Violates federal rulemaking process In addition to Oregon, New York (lead) and Washington D.C. (lead), the participating states include California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, along with the City of New York. The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
2 fires in 2 days
Fire crews on the scene of the house fire in Rainier. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
A fire at a trailer on Olson Road sent Clatskanie Fire crews to the scene early Thursday morning, Jan. 23. No further details of the incident were available at press time. One person was taken to a local hospital with injuries following a fire in a residence on East C Street in Rainier.
At 3:07 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, Columbia River Fire & Rescue firefighters responded to the report of a house fire in the 400 block of East C Street in Rainier. A single occupant woke up to fire in the bedroom and escaped through a bathroom window. The occupant then drove to Chevron to call 911 then returned to the scene. The patient was transported
Photo courtesy of CRFR
to the hospital with serious injuries by Clatskanie Fire District medics.The name of the patient and the extent of injuries was not released. The fire was contained to the single room thanks to the quick actions of Firefighters. Responding agencies included CRFR, Clatskanie and Longview. Our fire investigation team is working to determine a cause.
Chief photo
The City of Rainer City Council conducts its regular public sessions at Rainier City Hall, 106 W B Street in Rainier.
Rainier 2020: Mayor Cole’s vision JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole says it is all about livability in the community. Cole took time to chat with The Chief about his vision for Rainier into 2020. The Chief: As Rainier’s Mayor, what do you see as the top three to five challenges facing the City into 2020? Mayor Jerry Cole: 1. Continued improvement of our infrastructure. 2. Continued fiscal stability without tax increases to our residents. 3. Improving the quality of life for Rainier residents and businesses The Chief: How is the City moving to develop solutions to those challenges? Cole: For 2020, Rainier is focused on the completion of the A Street project and improvements on some associated streets. This can create economic opportunities and will markedly improve Rainier infrastructure and quality of life.
Development of the 2020 budget is just beginning, but the city is closely examining all expenditures. We have recently concluded our labor agreement, locking in our personnel costs for the next three years. The city is examining possible parks upgrades and modernizations. Also, we are working with several businesses who are looking at locating operations in Rainier. The Chief: How important are expanding business opportunities at the Port of Columbia County to your City, and what specific Port projects are you tracking that will help boost Rainier’s economy? Cole: Rainier always welcomes partnerships with other governmental agencies to foster mutual growth and improvement in the prosperity of our community. Currently, we have no active efforts with the Port of Columbia County. The Chief: Beyond the Port, what specific City projects are you, with the
Rainier City Council’s direction, developing now and into the New Year to ensure City sustainability and economic growth? Cole: Currently, we are working with several businesses who are looking at locating operations in Rainier. The Chief: What are the challenges and the factors you are keeping a close eye on that Rainier faces into 2020, which could impact the City’s economic growth? Cole: As is the situation with most cities, we are watching the local, national, and world economy for possible impact on our city both as a government and a community. The Rainier City Council meets on the first and third Mondays each month unless a holiday conflicts with that schedule. The next Rainier City Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 3. The meetings take place at Rainier City Hall, 106 W B Street. For agenda details, call 503-556-7301, or visit www. cityofrainier.com.
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Friday, January 24, 2020
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•V iewpoints • •
Cap and Trade: Clever Accounting, Creative PR NIKOLE YOUNG Chief Guest Column
“The real danger is when politicians and CEOs are making it look like real action is happening when in fact almost nothing is being done apart from clever accounting and creative PR.” –Greta Thunberg Thunberg’s right when it comes to Oregon cap-andtrade. Here’s why: the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s board vacancies in industries most vulnerable under today’s cap-and-trade plan reveals intended peril; today’s plan makes records on implementation and outcome confidential; the segmentation and distribution of funds to impacted communities is, at best, tokenism. The Oregon Global Warming Commission is a governor-appointed board of industry leaders
who recommend tactics to reverse climate change (Oregon Global Warming Commission, 2020), like cap-and-trade, without sacrificing their industries’ futures. Sector positions for transportation, forestry, and agriculture remain vacant (Oregon Global Warming Commission, 2020). Governor Brown, allowing these vacancies, snuffs social equity. The result: favoritism, lip-service, and profit. The energy sector’s voting board member, Maria Pope (CEO of PGE), and her interests within the Commission is a fine example. With today’s plan, carbon credits from Oregon are guaranteed to electric companies for the exact amount of emissions they produce, for free (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 21). Not only is this counter-productive to publicized intent, but electric companies can
sell their free carbon credits for profit (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 68). While revenue from what’s sold should benefit customers (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 68), where is accountability if records are inaccessible? Oregon fails on transparency. Pressure on Ginger McCall to represent Governor Brown’s interests and not that of Oregonians led to her resignation as Public Records Advocate (Sabatier, 2019). Over $1 billion is owed to rural counties because Oregon clandestinely reinterpreted the Forest Acquisition Act (Sickinger, 2019). Now, the most impactful piece of legislation in our lifetime is exempt from public records policy (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 51). Citizen welfare isn’t a priority because Oregonians are denied equitable access to these future records. Concessions made in
today’s plan do little to avert poverty. Today’s plan states, “…shall endeavor to distribute the majority of the moneys [from the Climate Investment Fund] …for uses that benefit impacted communities” (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 60-61). This is after 100% of the Climate Investment Fund is promised to other beneficiaries (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 60-61). Funds designated for impacted communities won’t go to its recipients. State agencies already injuring Oregonians with PERS debt, archaic administrative systems, and failing welfare programs will receive these funds. What’s worse is that deposits into the Climate Investment Fund make up an insignificant portion of forecasted revenue. Moneys will also deposit into the Transportation Decarbonization In-
vestments Account (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 54), Common School Fund (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 65), PUC Trust (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 69), Traded Sector Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program Fund (LC 0019, 2020, pp. 75), and others. Today’s cap-and-trade plan does little to impact climate change. It does, however, advance socioeconomic disparities throughout Oregon. This is done through clever accounting and creative PR. The culprits? Politicians and CEOs. References: LC 0019, LC 0019 (2020). Retrieved from https:// olis.oregonlegislature.gov/ liz/2019I1/Downloads/ CommitteeMeetingDocument/208874 Oregon Global Warming Commission. (2020). About Us. Retrieved from https://
www.keeporegoncool.org/ about-the-commission Oregon Global Warming Commission. (2020). Commission Members. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.keeporegoncool. org/commission-members Sabatier, J. (2019, September 10). Oregon Public Records Advocate On Why She’s Resigning. Retrieved January 1, 2020, from https:// www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/ ginger-mccall-oregon-publicrecords-advocate-resigning/ Sickinger, T. (2019, November 20). Oregon loses $1 billion timber lawsuit to rural counties. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.oregonlive.com/ politics/2019/11/state-loses1-billion-timber-lawsuit-torural-counties.html Nikole Young is a Clatskanie resident.
Preparing for Oregon’s February Legislative Session BRAD WITT House District 31 Representative
Hello Friends Last week was an incredibly busy week at the Capitol during Legislative Days, the last we’ll hold before next month’s short Legislative session. Legislative Days are typically held every couple of months during the interim for committee meetings, agency updates, task and work group reports, and information on legislation implementation. This week in committee we focused on legislation we plan to consider at the February short session. On Tuesday in the House interim Committee on Economic Development, we discussed Opportunity Zones. The Opportunity Zone program was passed as part of the 2017 federal tax overhaul and purported to bring investment and economic benefit in low income communities. This
is done with capital gains tax deferral, reduction and elimination for investment within designated Opportunity Zones. If the investment is held for at least five years, the taxes on the capital gains are discounted by 10 to 15 percent. But if they keep the new investment for at least 10 years, the taxes are waived. In our Economic Development Committee discussions, we heard the program described as “a giveaway to wealthy investors” with no requirement that these investments benefit the low-income residents of these arbitrarily designated Opportunity Zones. In essence, Oregon taxpayers are subsidizing luxury developments in the metro area. The entire Portland downtown area has been designated as an Opportunity Zone, and currently federal and state tax breaks will go to wealthy investors for high-end projects in Portland, an area where investment would
happen without these tax incentives. So, we are going to look more closely at this tax scheme. House Bill 4010 is being introduced as a House Revenue Committee bill and will direct the Legislative Revenue Officer to study this program and make recommendations, if appropriate, for legislation to put side boards on these tax breaks. Oregon is the only west coast state that is connected to these federal tax breaks, both Washington and California are not. As Chairman of the House Interim Committee on Natural Resources, we discussed three issues that will become committee bills. The first is LC (Legislative Concept) 129, which will amend residency requirements for wildlife license, tag, and permit application. LC 129 defines “resident” as a person who has resided in Oregon for at least 6 months prior to applying for license, tags or permits. Residency
The Chief
does not include a person who merely owns property or pays property taxes in the state, or who claims resident privileges in another state or country for any purpose. If adopted, this measure would provide a tool for the Oregon State Police and prosecutors to deal with individuals who have been arrested for wildlife poaching who claimed out-of-state residency. We have had a history of some rather heinous examples of poaching in Oregon, with out-of-state guides engaging in illegal trophy hunting, and we need to provide whatever is necessary for law enforcement to successfully deal with this negative behavior. LC 139 would remove the prohibition of issuing a dog license or tag without proof of rabies vaccination. This was requested by Multnomah County because when pet owners have tried to license their animals via the internet, uploading the rabies vaccination verifi-
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cation has been a barrier, causing some owners to abandon the licensing procedure. In Multnomah County, when a pet receives the rabies vaccine, the vet is required to send a certificate of rabies vaccination to the Multnomah County Animal Shelter. The pet owner is contacted if they need to renew the pet license, or if a license has not been issued. If LC 139 is adopted, any Oregon county would still be able to keep their current system. Or to move to the Multnomah County model, where veterinarians are required to report dog vaccinations for rabies to the county. Finally, the committee approved LC 169, to deal with wildfire notification by landowners. The concepts have not been fully determined, this bill will be a placeholder, giving us the opportunity for legislation dealing with wildfires in the coming short session. I am expecting the Febru-
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ary session to include robust discussion and legislation covering a variety of issues important to Oregonians. In order to best represent the people of House District 31, I need to hear from you as measures are introduced and taken up for consideration. It is my privilege to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives, so if you do have an issue or concern regarding a state agency, please contact my office. If you are planning to visit the Capitol during the February session, please call in advance to see if we can arrange an appointment, I always enjoy seeing constituents from the district when they visit Salem. Brad Witt serves as State Representative for House District 31. He may be reached at 503-986-1431, and at Rep.BradWitt@ oregonlegislature.gov. Rep. Witt’s website is http://www. oregonlegislature.gov/witt.
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Friday, January 24, 2020
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•V oices
Nice to hear facts with data rather than fiction and propaganda
Courtesy photo
Participants at Saturday’s event put their hand prints on a banner to commemorate The Jordan Center’s re-opening.
Jordan Center hosts grand re-opening CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) recently re-opened a peersupport center for members of the community who need it. On Saturday, Jan. 18, The Jordan Center, located at 297 S. 1st Street in St. Helens, celebrated the completion of its renovation in a grand-reopening ceremony. Opened in 2012, the center was made in honor and memory of Nick Jordan, a wellliked patient of CCMH who passed away from cancer. According to CCMH Public Relations and Director of Development, Hope Wirta, the center would have been a place for Jordan to go had he survived to take part in it. Jordan’s mother, Peggy Jordan Hammond, was the impetus to get the center going after first giving funds, according to Wirta. The center draws a crowd of approximately 30 regular participants, Wirta estimates. Since opening in 2012, however, the center has been badly in need of upgrades and refurbishment. The Chief sat down with Wirta to talk about the grand reopening, what it took to get there, and where the center is heading now.
it. Also, along with the center itself, we’ve changed a little how it’s being run. Originally it was run by peer, run by the people who went there. It was a great idea, it just didn’t work the way it was intended to. It just needed a little more management. CCMH just started overseeing the center in 2018. We have a supervisor and her name is Samantha Looney. She’ll run the activities, take donations, screen it, so we don’t run into the same problems again. She’ll make connections that need to be made. She’ll be there every Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chief: What was added that wasn’t there before?
The Chief: The Center has been open since 2012. Why the decision to re-vamp it?
Wirta: There wasn’t a lot added. It was really just a cleaning up, a freshening up. There was electrical work, floor was redone, new kitchen floor put in, new washer and dryer put in. A fresh coat of paint from top to bottom. We put some new furniture in there. Really was just a re-vamp. A lot of stuff was taken out. And just being really purposeful about it. There’s a group room for groups that come in there to meet. Warmline, a hotline for counseling, comes in and operates there one day a week. There’s a crafting area, and crafts are in the shelves and not just on the floor, so it’s really just little things like that that we did.
Hope Wirta: It had just gotten really run down, and needed some work put into
The Chief: How long did the revamp take, and how was it funded?
•
Wirta: The entire process, from raising funds to the grand re-opening, was about six months. This was almost all completely funded by grants and donations. A lot of donated work, a lot of it was because our maintenance crew went in and did all of the work. A lot of it was just elbow grease and paint. The Chief: Who is welcome to use the Jordan Center?
On 1/14/2020, the Republican Party of Columbia County put on a Climate Summit with two very brilliant scientists, Chuck Weise and Dr. Gordon Fulks. They agreed to come educate the county on the truth about Anthropogenic Climate Change. There was a great turnout with approximately 95 showing up to learn. There were even a few Democrats including their chair who showed up, rumor has it to educate the scientists. By the time Chuck and Gordon were finished with their presentation, it was wholly evident to me that what my research had already taught me was true; man-made global warming, or climate change, or whatever they call it next, is pure fallacy and a religion, not science. Chuck and Gordon debunked the propaganda in several different ways. In science, someone comes up with a hypothesis, and others try to disprove it to find the truth; with the global warming propagandists, a hypothesis came out and anyone who questioned it is labeled and attacked as if it is heresy. Global warming caused by man is a redistribution of wealth fraud and a religion.
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The math used by the alarmists is wrong to begin with; their “facts” don’t align with the data, carbon doesn’t cause the earth to warm, water droplets do and they are controlled by the sun. The earth has only warmed less than a degree in a hundred years, the earth’s temperature goes in cycles, and we are still nowhere near the temperatures that we had in the past. During the question and answer phase, the radical leftist chair finally showed his ignorance by bloviating left-wing propaganda talking points as if he didn’t listen to the presentation, or didn’t care. He proved once again that with some people, you can give them all of the information in the world, and their minds will not stray from their indoctrination. Facts don’t have feelings. I challenge everyone to watch the video when it is ready and is put up on the Republican Party’s FB page. The majority party in Salem is going to try and ram cap-n-trade down our throats again in an effort to make Kate Brown the darling of the political environmental movement, so that she can get huge speaking fees for her pursuit of a national office in the future. They don’t care that cap-n-trade will destroy Oregon and its citizens, they are hell bent on our destruction for their own profit. Brad Witt will no doubt be a yes vote for our destruction as he is a yes man for Kate. Tell the governor no on cap-n-trade and let’s
fire Brad Witt in November and elect Brian Stout as our new State Representative. It’s time to have a Representative that doesn’t only represent himself.
Chris Brumbles, Deer Island
We need and deserve affordable medication I’m Pat Rubino, and at one point, I almost lost my home due to the cost of my heart medication following the surgery. At the last minute, a program agreed to cover what I needed, but no one should ever face such a stressful situation while also battling illness. Recent polling shows that it isn’t just me. About one in four Americans can’t afford a prescription. It’s plain wrong. While we all wait on the federal government to act, there is good news. The Oregon legislature has taken up a bill that would allow me to get cheaper prescription drugs from Canada if necessary while we await change that will relieve us all. I am compelled to speak out because, if more of us ask for meaningful action on this issue, our elected leaders will begin to listen. Yes, we need and deserve affordable medications. And yes, we vote. We need relief now.
Pat Rubino, St. Helens
Wirta: The Jordan Center is a peer drop-in center for people that are in recovery, people coping with mental health issues. It’s a center for people to receive social support and peer counseling if they’re recovering from mental health and substance abuse issues. It’s a place where they can just be themselves. It’s a center modeled on peer support, which recent research shows is the best way to support people in recovery. The Chief: How do you feel about having a place like the Jordan Center in the community? Wirta: I think it’s amazing. The people that had been going there, even though it was run down, they used it consistently. It was their home away from home, it’s where they’re comfortable, and where they’re happy. It will get good continued use and we’ll hope to build on it more and more. Eventually we’d love to have it open full time. It’s a place to go. It’s a home.
•O bituaries • • Marlene Louise Adams (Grey) Nov. 7, 1935 ~ Oct. 13, 2019
Marlene Louise Adams (Grey) passed away on Oct. 13, 2019.
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Public Notices PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
CC19-1147
TS No. OR07000146-19-1 APN 12389 TO No 8759521 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, ALFRED F GARTZKE AND FRANCES D GARTZKE, AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY AND MELISSA C. MACDONALD, NOT AS TENANTS IN COMMON BUT WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP as Grantor to TICOR TITLE as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for CMG MORTGAGE, INC DBA CMG FINANCIAL, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of October 19, 2017 and recorded on October 23, 2017 as Instrument No. 2017-09882 and the beneficial interest was assigned to Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC and recorded October 21, 2019 as Instrument Number 2019-
08722 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 12389 PARCEL 1 OF PARTITION PLAT 2017-16, RECORDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2017, AS FEE NUMBER 2017008837, IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 2554 COLUMBIA BLVD, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): 6
Monthly Payment(s) from 06/01/2019 to 12/01/2019 at $1,573.47 Monthly Late Charge(s): By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $250,306.40 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.50000% per annum from May 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on April 7, 2020 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance, Columbia County
Courthouse 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due
(other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property
at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 12/02/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300Order Number 67210, Pub Dates: 01/10/2020, 01/17/2020, 01/24/2020, 01/31/2020, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC19-1154
TS No. OR08000014-17-8 APN 12959 | 4N1W06-DD-08900 TO No 8760431 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE
Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BRADLEY S. LAWRENCE AND VALERIE C. LAWRENCE, AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF VALERIE C. LAWRENCE as Grantor to TICOR TITLE as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for SUNSET MORTGAGE CO., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of December 22, 2010 and recorded on December 28, 2010 as Instrument No. 2010-010650 and the beneficial interest was assigned to Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC and recorded February 21, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-001567 of official
records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 12959 | 4N1W06-DD-08900 LOT 110, RIDGECREST PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NO. 2, IN THE CITY OF ST. HELENS, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 58934 TIMBERLINE AVENUE, SAINT HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly
Payment(s): 6 Monthly Payment(s) from 07/01/2019 to 12/01/2019 at $1,165.26 Monthly Late Charge(s): 1 Monthly Late Charge(s) By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $145,686.00 together with interest thereon at the rate of 4.75000% per annum from June 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on April 21, 2020 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west
entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire
amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property
at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 12/5/2019 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-2528300 Order Number 67402, Pub Dates: 01/17/2020, 01/24/2020, 01/31/2020, 02/07/2020, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
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Clatskanie Grows: Bees, apples and parsnips Chief Guest Column by CHIP BUBL
Oregon State University Extension Service - Columbia County
Master Gardener™ class signups being taken for 2020 class in St. Helens The OSU Extension office in Columbia County will be offering the Master Gardener™ training again this spring. This year, we are trying a new schedule that allows people that work to attend. The classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and on alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for about 10 weeks starting on February 5, 2020 at the Extension office in St. Helens. Cost of the program is $100.00 which includes a large resource book. Some scholarships are available. Master Gardeners are responsible for providing volunteer gardening education to the community as partial payback for the training. If interested in the program, call the Extension office at 503 3973462 for an information packet. Online registration is now available at https://tinyurl. com/ColumbiaMG2020. We can also send you an application and/or you can come into our office to sign up. Garden talk: The Columbia County Master Gardener Association is hosting a talk on Growing Orchids on January 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension office in ST. Helens. The event is free and open to all.
Columbia County Beekeepers Association Full-Day Intensive Beekeeper training: Saturday, February 8 starting at 8:30 a.m. and going to late afternoon. Cost: $40. Registration desired by February 1. Soggy winter gardening: With the exception of higher elevations, we dodged the extreme snow. I would hate to be a winter weather forecaster here. Deep cold Arctic high pressure domes wander and drop south but their direction is flexible and the point of collision with the warmer, moisture laden lows causes snow somewhere, but this time north of Seattle and in the Cascades in both states. Since I am not fond of snow (the winter of 2008 with 20 inches at our house cured me of any lingering snow infatuation) the weather so far is fine.
Bee talks: Columbia County Beekeepers Association regular meeting: Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia River P.U.D. building in Deer Island on Highway 30 just south of Deer Island Store. Open to beginning and more advanced beekeepers. Always interesting hive topics.
It is soggy. There isn’t much you can do with water saturated ground. It makes no sense to dig to transplant out of place landscape material or plant seeds directly in the soil. Even walking on soggy, bare ground isn’t really good. The best project for now is pruning both fruit trees and berries as needed.
Our normal winter weeds are slower this year, though a few warmer, drier days will get them excited. Gardeners that covered bare garden ground with either a cover crop, mulch, or a tarp will have fewer weeds later. It isn’t too late to mulch or tarp but somewhat late for cover crops except winter grains. If you plant peach trees (brave gardener that you are) you might want to spray copper to control
since potassium is “clogging” the root uptake portals. So here is what I think can be used safely per 100 square feet (a 10’ x10’ area): 1-2 gallons of not “super-packed” wood ashes. This would translate to 10-20 gallons per 1000 square feet. They can be used in the vegetable garden, the lawn, around roses, and around established trees. Spread as evenly as possible. There would be no need to use fertilizer with
early apple (early September maturity) and Liberty, a fine all-purpose mid-late fall storage apple. There are other varieties being brought into the commercial trade that also look promising. For more information go to the OSU link on scab: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/hostdisease/apple-malus-spp-scab Also look through the catalog selections being offered by Raintree Nursery in Morten, Washington (http://www. raintreenursery.com/ ) and One Green World near Oregon City. (http://www. onegreenworld.com/). Parsnips can surprise you
Clatskanie
Grows peach much leaf potascurl. sium in It isn’t it, espe100% effeccially in the tive and needs vegetable garden to be repeated on dry if you used near the upper days through February. Best end of the recommendation. answer for curl, which really does weaken and kill peach Scab resistant apples trees, is to purchase curl resistant varieties like Frost and I have had several calls others. Check tree catalogs about apple scab and whether (see below) for choices. the dormant copper or lime Homes that have primary sulfur sprays would help or back-up wood heat can much with that disease. The generate a lot of ashes. There answer, sadly, is no. Raking is a sense that wood ashes leaves will help some and the can be valuable in a garden weather conditions in April or landscape but not much and May dramatically affect knowledge about how much how much scab infection and where they are best used occurs. If those months are (and where they shouldn’t be moist, like last April was, used). So here is the scoop: the more scab you will see. Wood ashes are mostly calWe didn’t see much scab last cium, potassium, and silica. year because pollination was Ashes should not be used so poor we didn’t have many around acid-loving plants apples to see scab on. like blueberries and rhodoHowever, there are several dendrons. Ashes around a apple varieties that are very blue-flowered hydrangea can scab resistant. Even in the turn next-year’s flowers redworst scab-weather condipink. And too much wood tions, they come through ashes in a vegetable garden relatively unscathed. The or landscape bed can cause two most widely planted some nutrient deficiencies are Akane, a great tasting
As you know, parsnips have a reputation for being something of a challenge to grow. They are slow to germinate, need well-dug soil to produce nice roots, and usually need to be harvested before the carrot rust fly larva or field mice finish them. Yet early harvest does doesn’t allow them the cold exposure that can greatly enhance the flavor and sweetness of parsnips. But recently, I just got an email from a local gardener who had started some parsnips in 4-inch pots. Then he sort of forgot about them though he watered enough that they were still alive but horribly root bound. He finally planted them in mid-August and then pulled a couple several months later and found they were small and twisted. He mentally filed them in the mistake category. But we have had an interesting fall. Our parsnip gardener noticed the plants had continued to grow. He dug
a couple plants and found exceptionally nice roots. When cooked, he described the resulting dinner dish as “absolutely melt-inyour-mouth delicious and creamy”. That parsnip flavor improved after cold exposure wasn’t a surprise. What is a surprise to both of us is the amount of growing they did in November and December. But this is why we garden. Donate to the Food Bank this year. Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503 397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters. Many Extension publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https://catalog.extension. oregonstate.edu/. Click on publications and start exploring. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Contact information for the Extension office Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County, 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051. 503 397-3462 Email: chip. bubl@oregonstate.edu
Athletically Speaking Graduation Rates: Columbia County sees gains Friday January 24 • 4:30 p.m. JV Girls Basketball vs. Vernonia at the CMHS Upper Gym • 4:30 p.m. JV Boys Basketball vs. Warrenton • 6 p.m. V Boys Basketball vs. Warrenton • 7:30 p.m. V Girls Basketball vs. Warrenton
• 7:30 p.m. V Girls Basketball @Taft • 4 p.m. MS Wrestling @ Ilwaco
Saturday January 25 • 10 a.m. HS Boys Wrestling @RA Long
Friday January 31 • 4:30 p.m. JV Girls Basketball @Rainier • 4:30 p.m. JV Boys Basketball @Rainier • 6 p.m. V Girls Basketball @Rainier • 7:30 p.m. V Boys Basketball @Rainier
Monday January 27 • 4 p.m. MS Girls Basketball @Jewell Tuesday January 28 • 3 p.m. JV Boys Basketball @Taft • 4:30 p.m. JV Girls Basketball @Taft • 6 p.m. V Boys Basketball @Taft
Wednesday January 29 • 3 p.m. HS Boys Wrestling @Willamina • 4 p.m. MS Girls Basketball @Knappa
Saturday February 1 • 10 a.m. HS Boys Wrestling @Ilwaco Beach Brawl
Building Bridges to Self Sufficiency
STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The statewide graduation rate for the class of 2018-19 is 80 percent, up 1.3 percentage points over the previous year and the highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon, according to data released by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). The four-year graduation rate has increased eight percentage points over five years. Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook and Washington Counties report gains and above average graduation rates in the latest statewide assessment by the Oregon Department of Education. At 80%, Oregon’s fouryear graduation rate has never been higher. Even so, the school districts in the four counties making up the Northwest Regional Education Service District (ESD) collectively outperformed the state graduation rate in 201819 by 6 points, according to a release from the ESD. “The educators in our region work so hard to support each student’s success,” Northwest Regional ESD Superintendent Dan Goldman
said. “It really is an exciting opportunity to celebrate their dedication and conviction. When we dig into these results a little deeper, we can see the most significant growth is occurring in the school systems that protect time for teacher teams to collaborate, that regularly monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly, and in those that are highly intentional about building culturally sustaining and welcoming school climates where children and families from all backgrounds feel they belong.” High school success highlights from the four-county region include: • The four-year graduation rate for Astoria School District jumped to 85.8% from 77.7%. • Even after an 8-point leap from last year, graduation rate gains continued to grow for Tillamook School District where the four-year graduation rate grew to 86.6% from 84.1%. • Rainier School District helped an additional 8% of its students from the class of 2018 cross the finish line by the end of their fifth year. Through the Northwest
Regional ESD’s “9th Grade Success Professional Learning Network,” teams from 31 area high schools convene regularly to dig into research, share successful practices, and collaboratively solve challenges, ultimately multiplying positive student outcomes. Over the four years of the network’s existence, participating high schools have shown growth across nearly all student groups in the number of ninth graders on track to graduate. At 82%, 84%, 88% and 87%, respectively, Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties outperformed the state average of 80%. “We’re particularly grateful for the many school district leaders and role models in our region who are unwavering in their commitment to disrupting racial inequities in our school systems and communities,” says Sarah Pope, deputy superintendent at Northwest Regional ESD. Several districts across the region saw significant gains for specific student populations over the last six years: Beaverton School District saw an increase of 16 points
in Latinx students graduating on time. Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander students in Beaverton increased to 79.4% from 52.4% in 2013-14. Astoria, Knappa and Warrenton-Hammond school districts all saw increases in excess of 27 points for economically disadvantaged students. “Incoming investments made possible by the Oregon Legislature’s Student Success Act will provide unprecedented opportunities to achieve educational equity,” Goldman said. “Districts in the region are well-positioned to capitalize on the progress they’re making in accelerating important outcomes, especially for students of color and those from historically marginalized backgrounds.” The gap in high school graduation rates between historically underserved student groups and the state average is smaller than in previous years. The year-to-year increase in graduation rates was greater for every underserved student group than the increase in the state average, bringing underserved student groups closer to the statewide average than ever before.
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•C ommunity C alendar • •
January 24 • Squatch Fest: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Cowlitz County Convention Center. Activities and speakers include Mountain Monsters Huckleberry, Jeff and Wild Bill on stage, squatch talk – tell your squatch stories, craft and food vendors, axe throwing, cornhole tournament and beer garden sponsored by Antidote Tap House and Avid Cider. Something for the whole family.
January 25 • Meet the Mayor: 9-11 a.m. at Columbia City Hall, 1840 Second St. Columbia City. An informal public meeting with discussion of any concerns or ideas for improving our city. For more details, call 503-397-4010. • Squatch Fest: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Cowlitz County Convention Center. Activities and speakers include Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Olympic Project Derek Randles and Shane Corson, Finding Bigfoot – Cliff Barackman, Missing 411 – David Paulldes, Ground Zero – Clyde Lewis, kids cave including Emmie Blue and The Squatchie, Cowlitz County Museum Story Time, craft and food vendors, axe throwing, scavenger hunt by Guse’s Coffee, cornhole tournament and Brew Mountain Beer Festival. Something for the whole family.
January 30 • RJSHS History Club Fundraiser: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30
p.m. at Panda Express, 500 Triangle Shopping Center, Longview, Washington. Contact Mr. Demko, advisor at RJSHS for more details, Andrew_ demko@rsd.k12.or.us.
in the program, call the Extension office at 503 3973462 for an information packet. Online registration is now available at https://tinyurl.com/ ColumbiaMG2020.
January 31 • Roy Orbison Tribute Band: 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre at the Clatskanie Cultural Canter, 75 S. Nehalem, Clatskanie. Tickets: Adults-$20, Senior/Student-$18, Child-$16
February 8 • Valentines for Vets - Elks Veterans Bunker: 5 p.m. Doors open, 6 p.m. Flag Ceremony with dinner to follow. Silent auction followed by LIVE auction starting at 7:30 p.m. This is the 5th annual Gala Fundraiser dinner and auction at Buccini Hall, St. Frederic Church, 165 S. 14th St., St. Helens. Go to ElksVeteransBunker.org to purchase tickets. Call 503410-5225 or 503-369-7635 for sponsorship or to donate auction items. • Columbia County Oregon Beekeepers and OSU Extension Service presents: 2020 Bee School 101: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at OSU Columbia County Extension, 505 N Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens. $40 if registered by Feb. 1, $45 if registered after Feb. 1, $20 scholarship available for students and those in need. Please call Linda Zahl at 503-799-7073 for information. Refreshments provided. Bring a sack lunch. Topics include: honeybee biology, tools and woodworking, acquiring bees, disease and pathogens, hive manipulations for honey protection, gardening for pollinators and more.
February 1 • The Greater Portland Regional History Bee and Bowl: 8 a.m. – 5:20 p.m. at RJSHS in Rainier, Oregon. Doors open at 8 a.m. and you must arrive by 8:30 a.m. If there is an adult who would like to volunteer as a reader or timer contact Marshall Mullins at the National History Bowl or Mr. Demko at Andrew_ demko@rsd.k12.or.us. February 5 • Master Gardener™ Training: The OSU Extension office in Columbia County will be offering the Master Gardener™ training again this spring. This year, we are trying a new schedule that allows people that work to attend. The classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and on alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for about 10 weeks starting on February 5, at the Extension office in St. Helens. Cost of the program is $100. If interested
Friday, January 24, 2020
Roy Orbison tribute band to perform
Courtesy photo
THE LONELY.
The Clatskanie Arts Commission presents THE LONELY, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Birkenfeld Theatre, in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem in Clatskanie. In a release, THE LONELY is describes as delivering a sensitive and dynamic tribute to the one and only Roy Orbison, plus the hits of The Traveling Wilburys and The Everly Brothers.
Veteran Mike Demers delivers a spot-on performance of Orbison’s signature sound as he leads this group of musical journeymen in their mutual and deep appreciation of the timeless music of an era, according to the release. THE LONELY approaches the music with a humble spirit and sincere desire to recreate the sounds and feel of the original recordings. The band has been selling out
shows right from their debut. For more about THE LONELY, visit www.the lonely.ca. Tickets for the Clatskanie performance are $20 for adults. $18 for seniors (60+) and students and $16 for children 12 and under. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org, by calling Elsa at 503.782.3403 or at the door (if available).
Grants for historic cemeteries The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is offering grants for qualified historic cemeteries. The annual grants fund projects that preserve historic cemeteries. Projects funded in the past include marker repair workshops, fencing, signs, interpretive panels and brochures, security lighting, access improvements, records management, and more. Awards typically range between $1,000 and $8,000, but have been higher. Anyone may apply for a grant. Projects must be related to historic cemeteries listed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries. Recent projects include marker repair and work-
shops in several cemeteries, installations of signs and informational kiosks, a preservation plan and a fence replacement. “Our goal is to preserve Oregon’s historic cemeteries and offer support throughout the application process,” historic cemeteries program coordinator Kuri Gill said. Past awards include projects in in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Multnomah Sherman, Columbia, Union and Umatilla Counties. Organizers said the online grant application is simple to use and includes plenty of support. A free workshop specific to this grant and how to use the online grant application system will be
offered from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24. It will be available in person or as a webinar. Recorded trainings and tips are also online. State law established the seven-member historic cemeteries commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. To learn more about the grants or workshops visit www.oregonheritage.org, or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri. Gill@oregon.gov, or 503986-0685.
Photo courtesy of PCC
This is the site in Scappoose for the Portland Community College workforce training center.
OMIC Training Center Groundbreaking Portland Community College has set a groundbreaking for its workforce training center in Scappoose from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. PCC is constructing the center as part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) campus at Scappoose. According to a release from PCC, the OMIC
Training Center is slated to open in early 2021 and will prepare the next generation of skilled workers through an innovative apprenticeship model and will expand on existing educational opportunities in Columbia County. The community ground breaking ceremony will be conducted at OMIC, 33701 Charles T. Parker Way in
Scappoose. Learn more about PCC’s OMIC Training Center at pcc.edu/omic For information about programs and partnerships available through the OMIC Training Center, contact Andrew Lattanner, OMIC Training Center director, at andrew.lattanner@pcc.edu or 971-205-0849.
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At The Columbia County Fairgrounds: 58892 Saulser Rd, St Helens, OR 97051 The Home & Garden Show special tabloid section will be distributed in The Chronicle, and the News/Advertiser April 15 and The Chief on April 17. Ad deadline is April 8, 2020. Show presented by The Chronicle and sponsored by InRoads and Don’s Rental.
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