

Due to various construction projects that will disrupt the riverfront district, the St. Helens City Council has unanimously voted to hold the 13 Nights on the River concert series at McCormick Park this year. The council cast their votes at a regular session on Apr. 3. Mayor Rick Scholl said that city staff, including the police department, public works, engineering, and planning, met and agreed that hosting the concerts downtown would not be feasible this year.
“Everybody said, with all these projects going on downtown, that it would not be a safe venue this year,” Scholl said.
The projects include:
• The Streets and Utilities Extension Project, which is currently under construction.
• The Riverwalk Project, which is anticipated to start construction in a few months.
• Undergrounding utilities project at South 1st and St. Helens Street intersection. At the Mar. 6, 2024, City Council meeting, Landis and Landis Construction, LLC was awarded a contract for this work.
• The Columbia County Court
house remodel and elevator project.
• The Olde School (John Gumm) renovation project by Columbia County.
The city’s contracted event coordinator, Tina Curry of E2C Corp, had proposed that the event be held in Plaza Square downtown. At a Mar. 20 council work session, Curry said that holding the series at McCormick Park would present operational challenges, including permitting, fencing, lack of power, vendor control, security, limited parking, stage location, and lack of space for dancing.
During the work session preceding the Apr. 3 regular session, Curry tried to explain potential solutions that would see the series performed at the plaza. Scholl said that while he could “see what she was trying to do,” hosting the event downtown would not be safe.
Council President Jessica Chilton thanked Curry for her creativity in trying to keep the event downtown; she said she didn’t think it would work this year.
“It’s just going to be temporary. One year. Do it one year, then we’ll move it back to the river on a beautiful new riverfront,” Chilton said.
Councilor Mark Gundersen echoed Chilton’s sentiment, saying that while he’s always impressed with what Curry produces, holding
the concert series downtown is not realistic this year.
“I’ve gotten a lot of emails from local businesses that would prefer that it was not here just because of the whole distraction, and they’re supportive of putting it in McCormick Park,” Gundersen said. “As much as I would rather not see it at the park, and remain down here, I just think it’s the safest cleanest way to do it.”
Curry said if the city does opt to move 13 Nights to the park, she would “put forth” that the city cover insurance for the event at McCormick Park.
Scholl interjected, saying, “Hogwash! You’re tourism. You can deal with it. You should be able to do this. That’s B.S.”
Chilton said a “professional way” to say that would be a conversation with City Administrator John Walsh regarding the contract and what it specifies regarding insurance and events.
Curry said some “operational” issues presented by McCormick Park include garbage collection, crowd control, parking, foot traffic from citizens, and the potential permitting of a beer garden.
Chilton thanked Curry for her flexibility and emphasized that both the council and the contractor are on the same side. After more discussion, Curry said that moving the
closures will considerably limit the space available for large events.
Despite these limitations, Walsh said the Riverfront District will remain open for day-to-day business during construction, and the council and the city encourage everyone to support their local St. Helens businesses during this phase of work.
Tourism contract
After discussion of the location of 13 Nights during the work session, tourism was on the agenda of the regular session on Apr. 3 as the council discussed a resolution that would have authorized “emergency procurement of tourism services.” The resolution would see Curry’s contract extended through the end of 2024. Chilton asked Walsh whether this resolution would extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2024, and in that time frame, whether the city would still work on enacting an updated contract and performing and executing an RFP process.
Walsh said the city is waiting for materials on the contract side from the city’s attorney before moving forward. Councilor Russell Hubbard asked why there had been a delay. Walsh emphasized that it has been a frustrating process. In an email to the Chronicle
as part of his promise to visit every county in the state each year.
On Apr. 6, Merkley visited St. Helens to engage with Columbia County, holding a town hall in the Lewis and Clark Elementary School gymnasium. The event had more than 60 people in the audience, including many of Columbia County’s elected officials, including St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl, Scappoose Mayor Joe Backus, each of the Columbia County Commissioners, and even former State Representative Brad Witt. Merkley began the meeting by saying that he and Senator Ron Wyden are the only senators still holding town hall meetings. He said this is because the United States has become “such a divided nation.”
“Here in Oregon, we’ve been trying to sustain the Oregon way. Which means if somebody is speaking that you disagree with and, in fact, makes you really angry, please still be respectful to that individual and let them have their say,” Merkley said.
On that note, Merkley said there is still much work to be done to bridge the divides in America. During the meeting, the crowd asked Merkley about various topics, including education, money in politics, energy, environmental issues, and the opioid epidemic. Merkley said that
See MERKLEY, Page A2
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
he Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce has announced two winners for this year’s 2024 Heritage Days theme art contest, Bayleigh Lopez and Kylee Smith. Chamber Board Director Nikole Young is a member of the Heritage Days Committee, and she explained why two winners were selected this year.
“Since the Heritage Days Committee took over the car show that historically was planned by the Clatskanie Cruisers, we haven’t had a logo to match that specific event,” Young said. “This year, we had two pieces of work that stood out. One happened to be a beautiful illustration of a collectable’s car! So, we decided to select our top choice for Heritage Days and our top choice for the Heritage Days Car Show.”
Lopez is the winner for the
2024 Heritage Days Theme Logo, and Smith supplied the winner of the 2024 Heritage Days Car Show Logo. The artists were honored with cash prizes and art kits during a Clatskanie Chamber mixer on April 4 at the Clatskanie Wauna Credit Union branch.
“The theme this year is ‘Great Times. Good People. Sweet Memories,’ inspired by Bayleigh Lopez’s artwork that includes our town’s welcome sign,” Young said. “Clatskanie is full of good people and great times, promising a lifetime of sweet memories!”
Young said that the committee was impressed with all of the submissions that they received this year. With two winners, no honorable mentions were recognized, but Young said it “feels good” to recognize two “talented artists and pay them for their work.”
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While time machines have not been invented yet, the 12th annual Rainier Revisited historical reenactment is the perfect destination for those who want a hands-on slice of history. Rainier Revisited presents Rainier in the year 1853. The event will be on Saturday, April 20, from about 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As usual, it will be located at Beaver Homes Grange, at 31105 Beaver Homes Road.
Hosted by the Rainier Jr./Sr. High School History Club, the annual event, collects canned goods and other donations for H.O.P.E. of Rainier, a food bank and community outreach program. Admission is one can of food or a donation to H.O.P.E. of Rainier. Rainier Revisited organizer Andrew Demko teaches history and advises the history club at Rainier Jr./Sr. High School. Demko gave some insight into what
visitors should expect. “Rainier Revisited is a living history event that shows what life was like in 1853 Rainier, Pacific Northwest, and the U.S.,” Demko said. During the event, Beaver Homes Grange will feature the town and citizens of Rainier, soldiers, and the Hudson Bay Company, which operated at the time, and much more. There will be ongoing living history and special events throughout the day.
Part of the preparation for the students is researching people of the time so they can better inhabit their roles. “Students are to pick a character that they will portray in 1853 and research their person for background information,” Demko said. “Then, what type of clothing of forts, with students filling the roles of his soldiers. Townsfolk were comprised of students and adult volunteers, portraying settlers, merchants and farmers. Many of the participants have collected vintage pieces and recreations of costuming, props, etc. to dress out their
Washington Inn, Specialty Construction 1 LLC, Garcia Family, Rainier Eagles #4022 and Jack and Cynthia Basye, Rainier Grocery Outlet, Cochran-Moore Family, Rainier Oregon Historical Museum, Elliott-Bach Family, Old Barracks Museum in New Jersey and El Tapatio in
If you hear some guitar rifts or kick drums as you roll down Columbia River Highway in the coming weeks, it might be because you’re driving by St. Helens’ newest music store. Music Emporium LLC will be opening its doors on April 14 and is located at 315 S. Columbia River Highway. Owner Steven Allen has spent much of his career in the music industry, and with a variety of equipment in his possession, he said it’s time to “put it to good use.”
“I had a music video company, and two record-
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the most significant issues he sees facing Oregon right now are housing, mental health, and creating living wage jobs.
Interview with Merkley
Before speaking to the audience, the Chronicle & Chief had the opportunity to interview Merkley one-on-one to discuss some of the issues that Columbia County and Oregon face today.
Merkley’s town hall tour goes around the state each year. Before visiting Columbia County on Apr. 6, he had meetings in Tillamook County and Clatsop County. During his visits, Merkley said he’s seeing some consistent issues being raised. “Housing is the number one issue. Mental health is number two. The Southern border. It’s unusual to have people raise an international issue, but Gaza is coming up,” Merkley said. “People have been generally, kind of feeling good about the fact that we’ve had these 36-months of employment increases across America. There are kind of historic lows for unemployment, but there’s not a sense of confidence, like what does the future hold?” Merkley said that, given the price of housing and healthcare, middle-class families seem to struggle “more than they were.”
“It’s kind of this complex mix of, thank goodness we’re having the best possible soft landing for the economy after this inflationary period and after Covid, but at the same time, a lot of nervousness about what is to come,” Merkley said.
When asked whether the upcoming presidential election has been a hot-button topic, Merkley said that town halls are more of a chance for people to share their thoughts and listen to different per-
ing studios. Half the stuff in here is stuff I already had,” Allen said. Allen said there aren’t many places near St. Helens where people can “buy drum heads, strings, guitars, or harmonicas, or anything.” He wanted to fill a need he saw in the community. The shop is stocked with a variety of guitars, electric and acoustic. There are speakers, drums, sound systems, DJ lighting, and mixers. The Music Emporium also has mandolins, dobros, and ukuleles. “People can come in and play the drums and jam,” Allen said. “There’s a little stage right there for open mic.”
spectives. They are less of a political event and more of a community event. Recently, Merkley and Wyden announced over $90 million in funding coming to Oregon for drinking water and wastewater advancements. When asked whether Columbia County will benefit from this funding, Merkley said there will be money to support infrastructure within the county. “There is federal funds that are coming to Columbia County,” Merkley said. “In fiscal year 2023, it was the stormwater retrofit projects, that was $4 million funding for the Columbia River restoration program. In 2024, for the bills we just passed, it’s $3 million to the City of Clatskanie, specifically toward that wastewater treatment plant.” Merkley said that many of the projects people are asking for across the state relate to clean water supply and wastewater treatment. The infrastructure is old, the populations are larger, and the projects are expensive to fund through “user fees.” With those challenges in mind, securing funding for those needs was necessary.
In light of the recent announcement that Hyperion Solar would not go forward with a solar panel manufacturing plant in St. Helens due to a lack of electrical power regionally, The Chronicle & Chief asked Merkley whether he is focusing on supporting similar industries moving to rural Oregon communities. Merkley said he was surprised the project moved “as far as it did” before it was decided that there was insufficient power to support it. However, he did say that in order to support manufacturing, there needs to be sufficient power.
“Normally, that comes up in Oregon in the context of real power-hungry centers, like data centers,” Merkley said.
Merkley said that if facilities make solar panels from the ground up, it is much more power-consuming than assembling components from received from China. Merkley
Some of the guitars are “rockstar guitars.” While checking out the store, Allen had to grab a doubleneck Gibson electric guitar bearing the name of legendary rockstar Jimmy Page. The store will be having a guitar giveaway on Sunday, April 21.
In addition to selling instruments and equipment, the store will offer music lessons, a women’s drum circle” on Wednesday and Sunday of the month,” and a children’s percussion jam. Allen said he wants to get the business going but that he hopes to “have fun, play a lot of music, do a lot of jammin’!”
said that the need for solar panels is mounting as the United States moves from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
“To meet the President’s goal of 2035 all electricity coming from renewables, if half of that comes from solar, we have to deploy 3 billion solar panels; we’re nowhere close to that, and we’d like to make as many of them in America as possible,” Merkley said. “It’s a big disappointment if there’s an infrastructure need that hasn’t been met, and I hope we can find some other site for them to work in Oregon.”
Merkley said he wants to learn more about the issue of insufficient power infrastructure because of the history of manufacturing and industry in Columbia County.
When asked what his message to Columbia County would be, Merkley said “the big story” is between the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
“There’s a tremendous opportunity for infrastructure development and manufacturing. I want as much of that to come to Oregon as possible,” Merkley said. “So my team is immersed in partnering with every part of the state to say, ‘What can we help deliver?’ This is the biggest investment in infrastructure since Eisenhower’s highway project.”
Merkley said that with that investment, he hopes to make use of every grant and program to help Oregon communities succeed. Lastly, Merkley outlined some of the main issues he sees facing Oregonians today, which include “healthcare, housing, education, and good paying jobs.”
“Those four things?
Those are the foundations for families to thrive. We can do a lot better on the cost of drugs; we can do a lot better on the cost of housing. Several of the bills I’ve introduced are designed to address these things,” Merkley said.
“Education is now scary for families; the idea that their children may have massive college debt that hangs over them like a millstone. So, there’s a lot of work to do on the fundamentals.”
SUBMITTED
The Columbia County Cultural Coalition (CCCC) board of directors has announced the recipients of its fiscal year 2024 grant awards. Those grant awards were given to organizations throughout Columbia County to support projects that promote art, culture and community events. They are as follows:
• C.C. Stern Type Foundry—Artist Residency Pilot Project $1500
• City of Scappoose— Summer Outdoor Palooza $500
• Clatskanie Farmers’ Market—Food Hub Classroom and Venue $1,000
• Columbia Chorale of Oregon—Score Revision, Wisdom of CC $750
• Friends of Columbia City Library—Library Sign with Lights $1,000
• Columbia County Museum Association—Extension Office Reports $2000
• Grant Watts Parent Organization—Community Garden Mural $1,000
• Rainier Oregon Histori-
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cal Museum—Catalogue and Data Entry $2,000
• Oregon American Legion Foundation—Restoration Phase 2 of Roof Repair $2,000
“In its deliberations, the board made every effort to ensure that it was funding projects in every city of Columbia County,” Board Secretary Scott Jorgensen said. “We were pleased to have awarded grants to the vast majority of projects that requested funding and look forward to continuing this work in the future.” Established in 2006, the CCCC enhances the artistic and cultural life of Columbia County residents. CCCC supports local heritage, arts,
process so a contractor can be selected with enough time to begin planning efforts for 2025 events. After discussing the delays that have plagued the tourism contract issue, the council directed Walsh to redouble his efforts to move forward with both the contract and RFP issue. The councilors unanimously opted not to extend the contract. Walsh explained what the next steps will be before the next regular meeting on May 1. “City Council directed staff to work on two items for the council to review at their next meeting:
1. An updated contract with new parameters for the City Council and E2C to consider that would extend E2C’s event services for the
and humanities and awards annual grants to non-profit organizations in Columbia County.
The CCCC started as a committee appointed by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. In 2018, the CCCC left the jurisdiction of the county and formed its own 501C3, allowing it to additionally award grants to artists not affiliated with a non-profit.
The CCCC receives funding from the Oregon Cultural Trust (OCT). Created in 2003, THE OCT provides structure and funding for Oregon’s Trust for Cultural Development, a long-term public/private funding initiative designed to preserve and strengthen culture for all Oregonians.
Funds raised through the Oregon Cultural Trust are distributed to counties and tribes to support local non-profit cultural projects through competitive grants. Donors to OCT receive a tax credit when the contribution is matched by equal or greater charitable gifts to other Oregon cultural nonprofits.
City of St. Helens through the end of 2024.
2. A RFP for event services beginning in 2025. The goal would be to open the RFP process as soon as possible in order to review applications and select a qualified applicant for 2025 event season this year. This would allow whoever is selected enough lead time to plan for 2025 events.”
Scholl said the issue of tourism will be back on the agenda when they have the materials in hand, and that they will not rush the decision.
Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline. com, thechiefnews.com, and in the Wednesday print editions of the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief.
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. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Rainier Police Department
March 27
• A caller reported a suspicious vehicle on Riverview Drive. The vehicle left the area prior to officer arrival.
• A bike and trailer were
turned in as abandoned property.
March 28
• A resident was concerned about a parking issue in their neighborhood.
• An RV was tagged after a citizen reported it had been parked in the neighborhood and it appeared that someone was living in it. The vehicle left the vicinity.
• A resident called in reporting an unwanted subject at their house. The reporting party then decided they did not want an officer to take action, but said they may call back in the future.
March 29
• Parking complaint on
West 3rd Street.
• Responded to an alarm activation. Building was found to be secure.
March 30
• Officers responded to a family disturbance. Peace was restored.
• Barking dog reported on Old Rainier Road.
• Officer responded to report of suspicious persons. Peace was restored.
April 1
• Barking dog complaint on Sandy Lane.
• An officer responded to a two-vehicle accident on Highway 30 near Veterans Way. No citations were issued.
SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF ST. HELENS
The spring burn period for residential open burning in the city limits of St. Helens will begin on the first Saturday in May, running from May 4-19, 2024. Burn periods are established for residents to burn yard debris. Burn periods do not apply to activities such as using a charcoal barbeque or recreational outdoor fire pit.
Before burning anything in your yard, a burn permit must be obtained through Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRF&R). Residential burn permits are available through CRF&R’s website at www.crfr.com/burn-information.
• Place yard debris in an open area away from structures, trees, and power lines.
• Create small piles (4’ x 4’) to better manage the burn.
• Cover portions of piles with polyethylene plastic (landscape material) to keep a portion dry for lighting later (preferably in late fall or winter).
• When conditions improve, check with your local fire agency for any regulations in place.
• Never burn under windy conditions.
• To maintain containment, create a perimeter around the pile at a minimum of 3 feet, scraped clear to bare mineral soil.
• Keep a shovel and charged hose nearby to manage the burn.
Due to the increasing threat of brush fires in recent years, it is extremely important to be aware of burn bans and exercise caution when creating an outdoor fire. Burn bans may still be in effect even if you have obtained a burn permit. Always check the burn line at 503-3974800 to find out if it is an open burn day. Columbia River Fire & Rescue urges you to take the following safety precautions when conducting an outdoor burn:
• Make sure the pile is dead out before leaving.
• Return periodically over several weeks to make sure the pile is still out: No heat, no smoke.
Burn permits last for one year from the date of issue. However, there are only two authorized burn periods within St. Helens city limits, on the first Saturday in May for 16 consecutive days and the third Saturday in October for 16 consecutive days. Burning household garbage, plastics, petroleum products, and rubber products is not allowed. Burning may only be conducted during daylight hours. The use of burn barrels is not permitted.
For further information regarding the St. Helens spring burn period, please search for Outdoor Burning (SHMC 8.36) at www. codepublishing.com/OR/ sthelens/ or contact the Columbia River Fire and Rescue’s Administrative Office at 503-397-2990.
poose High School. Look for signs – go east on SE High School Way and turn into the parking lot between the high school and the school ball field areas. This is their semi-annual event to get you ready for spring and summer planting. They have lots of new plants at great prices –all native to our area. Staff and volunteers are available to help chose plants, suggest gardening ideas, and provide information on establishing and maintaining native vegetation. For more information, see https://www. scappoosebay-wc.org/nativeplant-nursery.
April 27 The Columbia County Master Gardeners™ Spring Fair will be held Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be 3,000+ tomato plants, 700+ pepper plants, and gardenrelated items from other vendors, including Means Nursery. It will be at the Fairgrounds again this year.
When will we have the last frost?
No one can tell you when the last (or first) frost will be but there are predictions based on weather data. For the St. Helens/Scappoose area, the historic last frost has been much less likely (but not impossible) after April 20. New predictions push that back to April 12 based on the last 40 years of weather data which showed 16 more days between last spring frost and first fall frost.
But where you live in the Scappoose-Warren -St. Helens area also makes a difference. Cool air tends to pool in lower spots. So up to a certain level above the Columbia River, it may be warmer say, up to ~400 feet, that where the towns are, until you get a lot higher, which is usually much colder than down below.
Clatskanie gets some marine influence and, historically, has its “frost is increasingly less likely” date around April 3. However, Clatskanie is really a bowl of higher elevation areas surrounding the bottom lands along the Columbia River. My personal sense of the Clatskanie area is the frost projections are less reliable than they are in south county.
Clearly, we shouldn’t be planting tomatoes and pep-
pers outside yet, but they can be started in cold frames or mini-greenhouses or cloches. Cabbage family plants (including radishes) are somewhat frost tolerant as are peas and onions. Lettuce, chard, and spinach transplants grow well in cooler weather but will need light frost protection. So have a plan ready if near 32-degree temperatures are possible. Same with potatoes. Hold off on the warm weather vegetables we grow from seed including squash (summer and winter), corn, and green beans.
Other Garden Topics
Over-seeding lawns has been a hot topic this spring. Weather forecasts look promising for over-seeding from now into mid-June. For overseeding to work, grass seed needs to get to the soil. Seed that sits up on moss or grass rarely establishes. You can remove dead moss and grass with a thatching machine (which you can rent) or with vigorous hand raking. You will need to water the lawn if we get hot days and/or little rain in the weeks after you re-seeded. Perennial ryegrass is the fastest grass species to germinate and establish itself. Fertilize about a month after over-seeding. Painting young tree trunks white: New (or fairly new trees) need a lot of attention to get them off to a good start. Good initial planting should spread the roots out in a hole that is much wider than deep. Attention to watering is also very important for two years after planting. Painting the trunks with exterior white latex paint mixed 50:50 with water will prevent bark sunburn. This practice is more important where trees have full exposure to the sun. If they are shaded in the late afternoon, painting probably isn’t necessary. Native trees for wet areas: We have quite a mix of soil and drainage types in Columbia County, often on the same property. In addition, successive cycles of Douglas fir harvests and replantings have left some root disease pockets that can kill both young and older D. fir. So, tree planting choices are a bit complicated sometimes. One alternative tree for root disease pockets is western red cedar. If there are no landscape considerations,
plant the species type. If you want an outstanding land scape variety with a more compact, denser canopy than the standard type, look for a variety called Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens.’ Other native trees that do reasonably well in dampish sites include Oregon ash, red alder, willows, big-leaf maple, the native crab apples, grand fir, and Sitka spruce (especially in the Clatskanie area). Coastal redwoods are doing quite well in semi-damp locations. Trees will need protection from deer until the “leader” is higher than deer can reach. That can take 3-5 years depending on location. Plastic tubes that fit over the “leaders” are usually enough if you put them back on when the playful deer or elk take them off! That means that you should look at your new trees fairly often until they are “free to grow.”
Many Extension publications are available online
Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting kiwis? 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.
Got food safety or food preservation questions?
Food Preservation recipes and fact sheets can be accessed online at: https:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ food/preservation.
Important notes
• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.
• The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people.
• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Resource information
Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County
505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462
April 13 Spring Craft & Arts Fair
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Plymouth Presbyterian Church, 2615 Sykes Road in St. Helens. This is a family friendly event. Come shop for some arts and crafts with local vendors. All proceeds support Plymouth’s mission projects. If interested in being a vendor, please call 503-3970062 or email plymouthchurchsh@gmail.com.
April 13 Spring Native Plant Sale
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at nursery behind Scappoose High School, 33700 High School Way in Scappoose. Presented by Scappoose Bay Watershed Council. For more information contact the Project Manager at projectmanager@ scappoosebay-wc.org or 503308-8605.
April 13 & 14 Craft Bazaar
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the St. Helens Senior Center, 375 S. 15th St. in St. Helens. Shop for beautiful handmade good from 20+ vendors to help fund home delivered meals. For more information call 503-397-3377.
April 14 Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters 3 p.m. - Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters featuring a 6-piece band. Tickets available at clatskaniearts.org. Presented by The Clatskanie Arts Commission, Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie. For questions, call Elsa at 503728-3403.
April 16 Poetry Open Mic Night
6 p.m. As part of April’s National Poetry Month, the Longview Public Library is hosting a poetry open mic night. Anyone can perform a poem you’ve written, read open-source poems provided by the library and more. Sign up starts at 5:30 p.m. For more information go to longviewlibrary.org or call 360442-5300.
April 18 Northwest Voices Workshop “Poetry + Zines”
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Presentation by poet and writer Dayle Olson at Lower Columbia College. You will learn how short poems can combine with images to convey big feelings. No artistic talent required, just a willingness to be creative and have fun. Materials provided. For more information go to longviewlibrary.org or call 360-442-5300.
April 20 Dia Children’s Day/ Book Day Celebration
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Longview Public Library. Dia is a celebration of children, families, and reading. Stop by for fun crafts, book giveaways and readalouds. This event is free and open to the public. Fore more information, call 360-442-5300.
April 20 Spring Clean Up
8 a.m. – noon at McBride Elementary School, 2774 Columbia Blvd. in St. Helens, Scappoose High School, 33700 SE High School Way in Scappoose, or Columbia City School, 2000 2nd St. in Columbia City. You can bring old appliances, scrap metal, yard debris, car batteries, old furniture, tires, unwanted items, and more.
April 23 Commissioner Candidate Forum The Rainier Chamber of Commerce will host a Commissioner Candidate Forum for the spring election this year. This will be an opportunity to hear from the candidates and their views and plans for the commission. Candidates are running for positions 1 and 3 within the Columbia County Board of Commissioners.
April 26 Updated Event - Spencer Day tribute to Frank Sinatra 7:30 p.m. - Due to visa problems, Will Martin performance has been canceled and will be replaced by Spencer Day and his tribute to Frank Sinatra. Will Martin tickets will be honored for this performance. Presented by The Clatskanie Arts Commission, Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie.
April 27 3rd Annual Spring into Art Show 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the St. Helens Community Center, 2625 Gable Road in St. Helens. This event is presented by The Columbia Arts Guild and is open to Columbia County artists over the age of 15, showing original art with a limit of 15 original pieces. Entry fee for CAG members is $3 each, no-CAG members is $5 each. Entires accepted on April 27 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the community center. For details go to columbiaartsguild.com or contact Joan at 503-369-1081.
April 27 Spring Garden Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion. This event is presented by the Columbia County Master Gardener Association. The fair will feature tomato plants and hot and mild pepper plants, raffle tickets with prize drawings every 30 minutes and local vendors. Free admission and parking. all proceeds support local Master Gardener programs. For more information, call Kathy at 503347-3007.
Mondays
Storytime on Mondays
11 a.m. at the Columbia City Library, 2000 Second St. in Columbia City. For questions call, 503-366-8020.
Celebrate Recovery
For anyone struggling with addiction, hurts, habits, and hangups. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. The first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. the doors open for a free dinner. Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Road in St. Helens. 503-396-7091. Childcare is available. www.yanktoncommunityfellowship.com.
Tuesdays
Community Meals serves free community dinner 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 360 Wyeth St., St. Helens. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Thursdays
Columbian Toastmasters Noon – 1 p.m. Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Hwy, Warren, OR 97053 from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503369-0329 for more information.
Fridays
Caples House Tea and Sweets 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Caples House offers Tea and Sweets: a bottomless cup of tea with a homemade dessert. Cost is $5. In The Cottage, 1925 First Street in Columbia City. Call 503-397-5390 for more details.
Fridays – Sundays
Saturdays Overcomers Outreach Meetings are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose. Call Fred 971-757-6389.
22nd Annual Scappoose Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. next to Heritage Park in Scappoose, Oregon. Come by for nursery plants, herbs, flowers, food, handmade products by local craftsmen and more. For more information call 503-730-7429 or www.scappoosefarmermarket.com.
Weekly Events Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday - Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christ-centered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st Street in St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521, Daniel Grant at 714-768-9327 or check the Resonate Facebook page.
Clatskanie Senior Center Lunches Clatskanie Senior Center lunches Clatskanie Senior Center Lunches now served Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon at the Castle Cafe, 620 SW
Caples House Museum Tours 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Caples House Museum Tours, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. Cost is $5. Stop by and see what has changed. Caples House Museum Tours are closed except by reservation until Friday March 1. If you’d like a tour, please call 503-397-3590.
REPORT
Media, Inc. Glory Beaudoin (4th grade) won first place of the 2024 If I Were Mayor Student Contest and received $150 cash for her poster submission. The St. Helens City Council announced the winners at the council’s regular session meeting Apr. 3. The If I Were Mayor Student Contest is an annual contest held in partnership with the Oregon Mayors Association (OMA). The city received three poster submittals for grades 4-5. There were no essay submittals for grades 6-8, and no digital presentations for grades 9-12.
Darliss was born in Beverly Hills, California and moved to the Rainier area in 1932 with her parents, Jacques and Antoinette Kawall, who were known as the town photographer and owner of an antique store.
Darliss Kawall Clay
Jan. 23, 1931 ~ April 2, 2024
awarded Realtor Emeritus by the National Association of Realtors and was an active Member of Downtown Portland Women of Rotary / Inner Wheel as well as the Home Builder’s Association of Portland.
She graduatied from Rainier High School and was also crowned Miss Rainier in 1948. In November 1948 she married Roger C. Fox and they had four children.
In 1972, Darliss married Donald Clay. They both enjoyed boating in the San Juan Islands, becoming active members of Columbia River Yacht Club in 1973. Darliss maintained membership in CRYC until her passing.
In 1966, Darliss ventured into
Karen Bernadette Adenau, age 63, passed away on Fri., March 29, 2024 at her home in St. Helens, Oregon.
Karen was born on Feb. 10, 1961 in St. Helens, Oregon to Ronald Adenau and Jean Ann Zielaskowski Adenau. She attended St. Frederic’s Grade School and St. Helens High School. Karen loved riding her
John Clifford George passed away in Olympia, Washington on April 4, 2024 at the age of 65. He was born to Paul and Sonja George in Bremerton Washington on Jan. 16, 1959.
Darliss is survived by two children, Lori (Loralie) Fox Lane and Gregory Fox (Adriana); daughter-in-law Linda Fox; granddaughter Rozlyn Fox (Brian Overstake); grandson Stephan Fox; great-grandson, Donovan Overstake; and brother-in-law Bill (William) Murphy.
Two children predeceased Darliss, baby Jimmy Fox and John R. Fox; aunt Marcella Kawall; sister Jacqueline Murphy; and high school sweetheart who was also her last love later in life, John Marek. Darliss loved her two elkhounds, Karma and Ouija. She had an infectious smile, an enthusiasm for life, a reputation for fairness and was known as a tough cookie throughout the real estate industry. Mother, grandmother, wife, sister, niece, companion and friend, Darliss will be missed by many. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on April 18, 2024 at Groulx Family Mortuary. Private burial. A celebration of life to be held at 1 p.m. on May 19, 2024 at Columbia River Yacht Club.
Karen Bernadette Adenau
Feb. 10, 1961 ~ March 29, 2024
“corvette yellow” Goldwing Trike. She was an avid sewer and loved the Boston Red Sox.
Karen is survived by her daughter Jennifer; son Kevin; granddaughters, Olivia, Emmaley and Madeline; dog Buttercup; mother Jean Ann; sisters, Mary and Peggy; brother Mike; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Ron; sister Sandy; and brotherin-law Kevin. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m on April 20, 2024 at St. Frederic’s Buccini Hall, 165 S. 14th St. in St. Helens, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Eden Hospice and given to the family, or venmo @Jennifer-Miller-2166.
John Clifford George
Jan. 16, 1959 ~ April 4, 2024
Living most of his life in Clatskanie, Oregon, John also moved around the Pacific Northwest, spending many years in Portland and most recently in Raymond, Washington. John was an Army veteran and had vari ous jobs including selling boats and painting houses. Much of his life has been troubled with health issues
which allowed him to “retire early” as he would put it.
Despite his rheumatoid arthritis, John’s favorite activity was to craft and collect jewelry. John was always so friendly and outgoing. He always made friends and talked to everyone everywhere he went. You could often see John driving his wheelchair around town enjoying nature, always with his dog “MyT Mouse” in his lap, who also unfortunately passed recently. John is preceded in death by his father Paul and his
Douglas C. Young
brother Keith. He is survived by his mother Sonja; son Zachary (Sara) George; granddaughters, Dahlia and Lillian; siblings, Paula (Alen) Hilman, Mark (Peggy) George, Teresa Sargent, Laura (Casey) Conover and Kevin (Lyza) George; as well as many nieces and nephews. A service will be held at noon on April 17, 2024 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Clatskanie, with a burial to follow. Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. until noon.
July 29, 1934 ~ April 2, 2024
Douglas C. Young was born
29, 1934
A service will be held at noon on April 20, 2024 at Nehalem Street Meeting Place in Clatskanie, Oregon with a reception to follow.
Kathy Keudell
Nov. 20, 1952 ~ Oct. 20, 2023
Glenn Keudell
May 27, 1944 ~ Dec. 14, 2020
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that Hyperion Solar would not be going forward with buying the property at 1300 Kaster Road?”
what the city’s plan is going forward, the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief reached out to the city via email. Below is a Q&A between the Chronicle & Chief and St. Helens City Administrator
Walsh. Q&A with John Walsh The Chronicle & Chief: “When was the city informed
John Walsh: “The city received notice from Project Sprint representatives on Friday, March 29 that they are unable to make a decision on siting the project in St. Helens. This project would have brought significant employment opportunities and investment in our community, and it is unfortunate they cannot move forward at this time. “A Project Sprint team member expressed appreciation of the city and our community partners working diligently to bring Project Sprint to our community.”
The Chronicle & Chief: “What was the reason the project ultimately did not go through?”
Walsh: “The primary challenge with siting the project in St. Helens has been the inadequate electrical infrastructure to the Mill Site and uncertain timing of the significant upgrades
that are needed. Other than the electrical requirements for the project, the city has ample water, wastewater, and acreage to accommodate the project.
“The electric capacity issue is a regional shortfall and largely outside the city’s control; however, city staff and councilors initiated stakeholder meetings with PGE, Columbia River PUD, and state officials to begin addressing this issue. The City was successful in securing $2.3 million from the state to advance the construction of a new substation to accommodate industrial loads.”
The Chronicle & Chief: “Has this process been informative of things the city can change to attract future buyers for the properties?”
Walsh: “Yes. Expanding electrical capacity to support large development for our region has not been a focus of concern until now. Until the past few years, our service providers at PGE and CRPUD have had sufficient capacity to meet our growing
demands.
“The recent onset of largescale data farms and semiconductor and battery projects in the Pacific Northwest have consumed electrical capacity at an alarming rate and drastically impacted the electric infrastructure of Oregon and Washington. This is a new issue.
“Project Sprint’s proposal would have stretched our region’s capacity to the point of requiring significant upgrades. Learning this information has elevated the need to prioritize electrical infrastructure in order to meet our economic development interests. This has brought all the significant partners to the same table to begin addressing this issue. A large-scale company expressing interest in the site has also brought our area to the attention of state and federal partners, which increases our competitive advantage for grants and other funding sources to make the site shovel ready. “City of St. Helens staff and City Councilors are committed to continuing this effort so that St. Helens and our
region can be competitive in attracting large-scale industry. We are situated in an area that offers sufficient land, water, and sewer capacity. Solving the electrical capacity issue would make our industrial land very marketable to new industry.”
The Chronicle & Chief: “What is the city’s message to the community regarding this development?”
Walsh: “The City of St. Helens is fortunate to own some of the largest developable industrial land in our region. City staff and the St. Helens City Council are continuing to pursue electrical infrastructure upgrades that are needed to attract largescale industry to St. Helens. “Solving this hurdle will open regional opportunities not only for St. Helens but for all of Columbia County.
Zoom details will be available on the agenda which will be posted on the City’s website by April 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The Council Chambers facility is handicap accessible. If you need special accommodation, please contact City Hall at (503) 397-6272, at least 48 hours before the meeting.
GIVEN that a public meeting
Budget Committee
the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This meeting will be held at the Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, 58611 McNulty Way, St. Helens, Oregon. The meeting will take place on the 25th of April 2024 at 3:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberations of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed budget with the Budget Committee. For instructions and information about joining the meeting
virtually, visit the District’s website or contact the District’s administrative staff at 503-366-6975. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after the April 25th meeting at the District office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This notice is also published on the District’s website at www. Columbia911.com. Michael J. Fletcher, Budget Officer
Please visit our website at https://www.crpud.net/ my-pud/board-of-directors/ board-meetings/ for more information on attending this meeting electronically. If you wish to submit a written public comment for the Board to review during the meeting, please submit it to comments@crpud.org prior to 5:00pm on
and according to the Special Olympics Oregon website, Lindahl was one of the “Top 100 Fundraisers Across the State.” Lindahl raised $2,146, which ranked 45 in the state.
Dan Lindahl, Jordan’s dad, explained how Jordan has built the Columbia County Polar Plunge team. Here is Jordan’s story,
through the words of his father: “Jordan began as a one man team (not really a “team”) about 15 years ago. He entered the Plunge because he was recruited by a woman who was coaching his Dragon Boats team.
“Each year his team grew. One participant at a time. And fueled by his mother, Tammy Lindahl, who is a force of nature.
“Soon the team had 8 members. Then 10. Then 20.
“Then his Team Hollywood began appearing among the top fundraising teams. “More people joined.
Each year the team has a theme for the outfits. This year is was African Safari.
And they were voted best costume.
“This year, his Team Hollywood finished second in
fundraising among all teams in the Portland Polar Plunge, ahead of all the other corporate teams. The cops. The firefighters. Just this little team from Scappoose supporting Jordan Lindahl. “Special Olympics has noticed. He was asked to lead the Special Olympics pledge at this year’s plunge. And he was asked to be the spokesman for commercials aired on KGW and KOIN.
“He’s just a guy. He doesn’t have any connections. We aren’t a family with any connections. He has built a fundraising powerhouse because of his friends and family. It’s truly a grassroots program where people join to enjoy Tammy’s pre-plunge spread of food and drinks and an enjoyable day together to support Jordan. “That’s Jordan’s story.”
SUBMITTED BY COLUMBIA COUNTY
Columbia County is excited to announce the launch of its revamped online volunteer application process,
making it quicker and easier for community members to apply for volunteer positions within the county. The updated process simplifies the application procedure, cutting out unnecessary steps
for a smoother experience. Now, individuals interested in volunteering their time and talents to support Columbia County initiatives can easily navigate the application process from start
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to finish.
“We are happy to introduce this improved online application system,” said Carrie Garcia, Columbia County’s Director of Human Resources. “Our goal is to make it as convenient as possible for residents to get involved and contribute to our community.” Columbia County offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, allowing individuals to find roles that align with their interests and expertise. Whether it’s working with animals, advising on transportation matters, or contributing to various committees, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
“We encourage residents to explore the diverse volunteer opportunities available within Columbia County,” added Margaret Magruder, County Commissioner. “Each board and commission has its own unique mission, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.”
Some boards and commissions may have specific requirements for candidates, but the county encourages
individuals to apply for any position that interests them. With each volunteer bringing their own perspective and expertise to the table, Columbia County benefits from the collective contributions of its residents.
In a further demonstration of commitment to community engagement, the Board of Commissioners has declared April as Volunteer Month in Columbia County, urging all county residents to participate in the observance. Current volunteer opportunities within Columbia County include:
• Animal Control Volunteer
• Citizen Transportation
Springtime always brings the prospect of the spring season along the base paths, and both St. Helens and Clatskanie’s high school softball teams are lighting it up during the early season. Let’s see how the teams have been doing so far, and what the coaches are expecting from their squads this season.
Things could not have started better for the Lions this year. No, seriously. St. Helens has a perfect record on the season at the time of press. The result of the Apr. 9 game against Astoria is not known.
In March, the Chronicle & Chief reached out to Head Coach Miranda Little for her perspective on this year’s team, and what they hope to accomplish.
“When talking with the athletes and hearing their individual and team goals for the season, a common theme was happening. They want to win league again,” Little said. “They are hungry, and they want that victory again.”
It is safe to say that hunger has translated to strong early-season results for the program. After going 10-0 in their non-league games, the Lions have started 2-0 in the 4A-1 Cowapa league, beating Scappoose and Tillamook. Little said, the program has about 25 athletes involved this year, which is in line with the participation from previous years.
The captains of the squad are senior Ava Eib and junior Andie Brooks. Little said the team has a deep group of pitchers this year and that she is expecting contributions at the plate from her captains.
“Right now, we have multiple strong pitchers in the program,” Little said. “Senior Ava Eib, and Junior Andie Brooks also pack a punch on the offensive side.”
Junior Michaela Dueck on second base showcased her playmaking this season with what Little described as an “ESPN worthy” play during the team’s season opener against Molalla. Little said that the team is also eager to see Sophomore Addy Ellis in her second high school season. After a stand-out freshman season, Little said she is excited to see if Ellis can “top her .500+ BA from last season.”
Through 12 games, the unbeaten Lions are ranked 3rd of all 4A OSAA programs, trailing only firstplace Dalles / Dufur, and second-ranked Scappoose. Though both teams are ranked ahead of St. Helens, each has lost games already. The Lions kicked off league play with a 4-2 win against Scappoose in the “7Mile War.” While the wins are important, Little emphasized that the takeaways she hopes her players come away with go beyond the mound, plate, or outfield. “We love when athletes take away softball skills from a program, but it is even more rewarding when we find the growth that happens in them as people as well,” Little said. “We hope that they take away a sense of pride in themselves, their team, and the school itself.”
Tiger time
Clatskanie Middle/High School is also enjoying a solid start to the season. The Tigers are coached by Teauna Hughes and have started the season 4-2. “We are very excited to get the season going,” Hughes said. “We have a talented group, and we are excited to see what we can do.”
Though two non-league games were canceled due to
From Page A1
weather, the Tigers jumped out of the gate in league play, beating Nestucca in all three games played. Competing in the 2A/1ASD1 Special District 1, Clatskanie will play each of its league opponents three times. Other schools in the league include Willamina, Perrydale, St. Paul, Knappa, Nestucca, Vernonia / Jewell, and Gaston. Hughes didn’t define her expectations by outcomerelated goals and instead focused on what the team can bring and what they come away with.
Similar to her expectations of the players this season, Hughes said she wants her players to “learn lessons in softball that they can apply in life.”
“High school athletics are so much more than just the sport,” Hughes said. “It’s about competing, attention to detail, getting out of your comfort zone, knowing how to react to failure, time management, accountability, and learning work ethic.”
The Tigers will be back in action on Apr. 9 against Willamina; the score is not known at the time of press.
“My expectations are for the girls to give 100% attitude and effort every single day, to strive to get better, to come together and play as a team, and to make memories that will last a lifetime,” Hughes said. Hughes said this year’s team has a total of 16 student-athletes. The team is made up of three seniors, one junior, six sophomores, and six freshmen. Though they are a young team, Hughes said they have “a great amount of talent.”
is an old-school car with fireworks in the background, and she explained how she came up with the design.
“I love to draw older vehicles, so I thought that for the competition, I could do a classic car with a beautiful red glow and a firework show in the background,” Smith said. Smith said that she loves the annual car show that’s part of the Heritage Days each year and that she “wanted to draw a car that signifies how beautiful and original cars were back then.”
Being selected for the honor was exciting for Smith, and though it came as a surprise, she was happy to get the recognition!
“I was so ecstatic that at first, I couldn’t even believe that I had won the art competition,” Smith said. Lopez was similarly affected upon hearing the news. Lopez joined the competition because of her love of drawing and she thought it would be fun, and ended up with a winning submission.
“I was really surprised. I didn’t actually think I would win,” Lopez said. “I just love to draw and thought it would be something fun to do. But winning was a really cool surprise. It made me feel really good.”
Lopez’s design inspired the Heritage Days theme, and she drew the “Welcome to Clatskanie” sign because it is a symbol that all in the community can identify with.
“I knew it was supposed to be something that represented Clatskanie,” Lopez
Follow St. Helens and Clatskanie High School sports at osaa.org.
said. “The sign by the hotel is something everybody sees when they drive through town so I thought that would be the perfect thing to try drawing.”
Lopez said her favorite part of Heritage Days is the activities going on downtown during the event. She enjoys the parade and other activities, along with walking through the park with her family to see the booths and vendors who have set up for the event.
Lopez loves the Clatskanie community, and she said the tight-knit community makes it feel like home to her. “I love our small town because everybody knows everybody, and everybody looks out for each other. It feels safe,” Lopez said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, so this will always be my home and I love it.”
History of the Heritage Days celebration
The Heritage Days celebration originated in 1959 in an effort to raise funds for the Clatskanie pool. There had been multiple drownings, including drownings of children, in the Columbia River, so bringing a pool into town was a top priority for all citizens. The result was barbeque and baseball fundraiser. Originally named the Clatskanie Scramble, the celebrations have evolved into a multi-day celebration over the years, and it now includes games, races, fireworks, logging demonstrations, and more.