A local veterinary hospital is warning pet owners to keep their animals out of the Columbia River following the death of a dog which may have been caused by a toxic algae bloom.
Midway Veterinary Hospital in Warren, between St. Helens and Scappoose, released their warning in a Facebook post on Aug. 9. saying that they had been “made aware of one canine death so far.” Sadly, that dog was named “Jax,” and he belonged to Tanya Bachman and her family.
Tanya and her family experienced a tragic loss when Jax passed away following a day trip to Sand Island in the Columbia River near St. Helens. Bachman and her family believe the cause of death was toxic algae.
“He swam on the north point for approximately 15 minutes then returned to our boat for a rest. We went back out for another 15 minutes and he began to display signs of being sick,” Bachman said. “His tail was tucked, and he pooped in the water, then had diarrhea on the sand. He walked a few more steps then threw up. Within moments, he went into shock, his eyes dilated, and he was rigid (paralysis).”
Bachman said the deterioration of Jax’s health set on rapidly, and the symptoms all arose within the span of about ten minutes. Though they rushed to get Jax back to the shore and to veterinary care, he suffered a “seizure and became unconscious.” He never regained consciousness, and Jax passed away in the back of the Bachman’s car en route to emergency care. From when Jax began showing symptoms to when he passed away, only about an hour had passed.
About algae blooms
Oregon Health Authority Lead
Communications Officer Jonathan Modie said the agency is investigating a dog death that occurred Aug. 4 and explained more about algae blooms and the risks they present.
“People commonly refer to cyanobacteria as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally occurring, single-celled bacteria found in both fresh and marine waters
around the globe,” Modie said. “Colonies we call blooms can occur in any water body under conditions
City, chamber complete paving project
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
Folks may have noticed things are smoother as they travel through City Park in Clatskanie, and the improvements result from the city and other community partners’ commitment to making some positive changes around downtown.
The project was completed in early August, including paving and American with Disabilities (ADA) compliance measures at Clatskanie City Park. The work is part of the Clatskanie Downtown Accessibility Project, supported by the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Clatskanie. Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman said the city repaved a portion of Park Street from the bridge to 5th Street.
“It turned out really good,” Hinkelman said.
Clatskanie Chamber President Sarah Johnson said the paving project was part of the Travel Oregon Grant Funds obtained by the Chamber and community volunteers to improve Clatskanie’s navigability and safety for those with mobility and health challenges.
“This project is in partnership with the City of Clatskanie to improve the ADA compliance in our downtown area. The gravel around the city park restrooms made it very difficult for those in wheelchairs or other mobility restrictions to cross from the parking area into the restrooms. The paving was the perfect solution to create a handicap parking spot and pave over the gravel obstructions,” Johnson
said. “Having better ADA compliance and improving our downtown public restroom accessibility was a priority for ease of use for our community and for tourism to the City of Clatskanie.”
Johnson said that the City Park is “the main event venue in our area” and must be accessible to all citizens. Along with the paving around the restrooms, the road was widened through the park to improve safety for pedestrians and those with mobility challenges.
The project was in part funded by $24,000 in Travel Oregon grant funds that the chamber secured, as well as funds from the city’s capital improvement project fund. Hinkelman said the project cost about $93,000 in total.
“We put a significant amount of money into it. And it was needed,” Hinkelman said. “That small stretch of road has been in not the greatest shape for quite some time. It was about time that patch of road got redone.”
In addition to the paving done to increase accessibility to both the bridge and restrooms, Hinkelman also said the city has put in speed bumps because sometimes people “run through that park at a good clip.”
Hinkelman said the coordination with the chamber fell in line with the grant that the chamber and local partners secured, so they designated city funds to ensure that “if we’re were going to do it, let’s do it right.”
The Clatskanie Chamber thanked the city for its involve-
ment in a Facebook post Aug. 1 and thanked the agencies and companies that made it possible.
“The city went above and beyond to add more to this project — including extending the pavement portion to around the pool, painting, and added ramps to the backside of the bridge nearest to bathroom. Thank you City Manager Greg Hinkleman, Mayor Bob, the council, the Parks & Rec committee, Dave Minor, and the city public works crew for your investment and partnership. Additionally, thank you Mike George Paving for the beautiful work done,” the post stated.
Future projects
The grant from Tourism Oregon comes following efforts by the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Economic Team, and local business leaders. The $24,000 is part of the $81,610 the chamber received in November 2023.
There may be some projects coming soon to downtown, which include beautification projects along North Nehalem Street, according to Hinkelman.
“There’s a possibility of planting some trees in front of a parking
See CITY, Page A8
Abuse allegations surface at Vault Elite
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
Abuse allegations have surfaced against a coach at the Vault Elite Competitive Cheer, Tumbling, and Ninjas studio, prompting the business to cancel classes and camps and sparking an investigation by law enforcement.
The allegations were made known publicly via a post on the Vault Elite Facebook page.
“It has been brought to our attention that there have been abuse allegations made against one of our former coaches. Vault Elite has terminated this coach’s contract, and we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement to ensure our athletes are safe. He will no longer be allowed in our gym and our athlete’s safety remains our top priority. Classes and camps have been canceled until further notice. Please join us for a parent meeting, Thursday 8/15/24 at 4:15 p.m. so that we can address your questions and concerns,” the post stated.
The post also said that if anyone had any information in regards to the abuse allegations, to directly contact the local police department. Located at 1904 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens, Vault Elite has been in its current location since 2015.
St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King confirmed that the St. Helens Police Department is investigating the two reports of alleged sexual misconduct.
“The St. Helens Police Department has received two reports of alleged sexual misconduct by an adult involving minors at Vault Elite. We take reports of sexual abuse seriously and are currently actively investigating these allegations. Due to the active nature of the investigation, we are not releasing additional details at this time.
Attempts to reach ownership for comment on the situation or the meeting with parents on Aug. 15 were successful at time of press. If people have information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521. Follow this developing story at thechroncileonline.com, thechiefnews.com and in the Wednesday print editions of the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief.
Amani Center, local agencies seek to tackle trafficking
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
To best pursue its goal of protecting children from abuse and supporting survivors, the Amani Center is pleased to announce the formation of a Child Sex Trafficking Task Force, the result of partnerships between the Columbia County District Attorney’s office and collaboration with community
See CENTER, Page A8
Courtesy photo from Tanya Bachman
A local family lost their dog Jax after he swam in the Columbia River near Sand Island in St. Helens.
Courtesy photo
The new pavement around the bathroom in City Park.
Clatskanie Arts Commission’s 35th annual Performing Arts Series
SUBMITTED
The Clatskanie Arts Commission (CAC) is kicking off its 35th annual Performing Arts Series with a free Big Band Concert in the Park.
Thanks to the generosity of Donna Garlock, the show will happen on Labor Day, September 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Clatskanie City Park. Listen to the great music of the North Coast Big Band. Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, ice cream, beverages, and raffle tickets, as well as raffle tickets, will be on sale as a fundraiser for CAC.
In celebration of our new season, free coffee and cake will be available at intermission. Bring your chair and enjoy a fun afternoon. Bleacher seating will be available. Vintage cars are welcome.
Upcoming shows
The Clatskanie Arts Commission has a great lineup of performances for you to enjoy this year:
• Sunday, September 29, at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre
Cellist Gideon Freudmann providing the background music for the silent film, Buster Keaton in Sherlock Jr.
• Sunday, October 13, at 3 p.m. at Clatskanie Middle / High School
A fan favorite, the Oregon Symphonic Band,
will perform at the Donavon Wooley PAC at Clatskanie Middle/High School. All veterans, band students, and children are free.
• Saturday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre Back by popular demand is a Celtic Christmas with the Men of Worth and friends.
• Saturday, January 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre Piano Heist combines piano and humor for an enjoyable evening. You won’t want to miss it.
• Sunday, February 23, at 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre
Who doesn’t love a combination of magic and comedy with Louie Foxx’s One-Man Side Show
• Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre Award-winning country star Trevor Panczak and his band are traveling all the way from Canada to entertain us.
Ticket information
Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org, by calling Elsa at 503.728.3403 or at the Big Band concert on Labor Day. Take advantage of the special purchase of 6 tickets by September 29 and save 15%. If available, tickets will be on sale at the door 30 minutes before the beginning of the performances. The Birkenfeld Theatre is located at 75 S.
in Clatskanie, and Clatskanie Middle/High School is located at 471 W.
Drive.
Candidates filed for Scappoose, St. Helens elections
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
The field is set, as the candidates seeking election in the Scappoose and St. Helens mayoral and city council elections have filed, and the deadline to enter the race has passed. Both Scappoose and St. Helens shared a deadline for election filing, and at 4 p.m. on Aug. 16, the period to submit paperwork closed. The candidates will all be on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election.
All told, there are three candidates filed for the office of mayor for St. Helens, and four people seeking council spots. For Scappoose, only Joe Backus has filed to try and retain his seat as mayor on the council, while four candidates vie for three spots on the council. Scappoose
There are three spots up for grabs on the Scappoose City Council in the upcoming elec-
FROM Page A1
that support an increase in the number of cells present. Cyanobacteria are not always harmful. However, when toxigenic cyanobacteria are present and the cells multiply into bloom, they can produce toxins that can be harmful to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife.”
Modie said microcystis species are the most common bloom-forming genera worldwide and almost always produce cyanotoxins called microcystins. Microcystis blooms look:
• Green
• Thick
• Paint-like
• Sometimes form green
glob
Modie said dogs have died after drinking affected water from shorelines, bedrock pools, and shallow, calm areas of rivers like coves, wetlands, and docks. Extremely low levels of cyanotoxins can be deadly to pets due to their size and level of activity. Exposures occur through drinking affected water, eating scum, and licking dried cells from rocks and their fur even after they are out of the water. Dogs should not be allowed to eat cyanobacteria cells from a suspected bloom, lick cells off rocks near a bloom, or lick their fur if they come into contact with a bloom. If contact with a bloom occurs, the affected area should be washed with clean water from a separate source as soon as possible. Modie
tion. Ty Bailey has decided not to run again this year, but both Tyler Miller and Marisa Jacobs will seek reelection.
Joel Haugen and Marty Marquis are the newcomers in the election, and with Bailey out of the race, the council will need to welcome a fresh face in January 2025. Jacobs joined the council in 2023, and will look to extend her tenure. Miller is council president for Scappoose and was elected in 2020. Councilors serve four-year terms, while the mayor serves for two.
St. Helens
Looking at neighboring St. Hel ens, the mayoral election promises to offer citizens options as three candidates have filed for the role. Current St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl is running to maintain the seat he has held since 2016. St. Helens residents Jennifer Massey and Steven Toschi will oppose Scholl on the ballot.
also encouraged people to contact a veterinarian immediately if a dog eats, drinks, swallows, or enters affected waters and shows any of these signs:
• Drooling
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Staggering
• Convulsions
“If a pet is suspected of being exposed and shows any abnormal activity or symptoms, the owner should get their pet to a veterinarian immediately and then notify the OHA Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Bloom (CHAB) Program,” Modie said. “There is currently no antidote for cyanotoxin exposure.”
According to Modie, a person should contact the OHA CHAB Program if they show symptoms and suspect they or their pet have been exposed to a cyanobacterial bloom or cyanotoxins. Symptoms of cyanotoxin exposure in people are self-limiting and should go away within 72 hours. However, if symptoms persist, they should seek medical attention.
Describing the water conditions on the day Jax suddenly died, Bachman said, “the water was low and warm (low tide) with areas of a brownish-green murky look.” Given her own family’s shocking experience, she said people need to be aware of how the water looks and its temperature to make sure they and their pets are safe.
The other spots on the ticket are currently held by Council President Jessica Chilton and Councilor Russell Hubbard. Chilton was elected in 2020, while Hubbard has served on the council since September of 2023. Looking to oppose them are familiar faces to the Riverfront District. Ginny Carlson is seeking to return to the council after being unseated by Chilton in 2020. Though she is running for the first time for office, Molly Matchak is no stranger to downtown. Matchak owned Molly’s Market for four years, located at 290 S. 1st Street, before its closure in the summer of 2023.
Like Scappoose, St. Helens has the same term limits: a twoyear term for the mayor and fouryear terms for councilors.
Upcoming deadlines for other city elections
Other cities are still accepting candidates for the upcoming election cycle. Both Clatskanie and
Under investigation
Though Bachman’s experience with Jax lines up with many of the symptoms Modie described of cyanobacteria exposure, OHA and other agencies are conducting testing in the area to see whether there is an algae bloom in the waters of the Columbia.
“Representatives of the agency’s Environmental Public Health Section met with counterparts at DEQ, WA Department of Health, WA Department of Ecology, EPA, and USGS Oregon Water Resource Center on Aug. 15 to discuss the situation on the Columbia River near the northern tip of Sauvie Island across from St. Helens,” Modie said. “A water sample was collected in that area on Monday – unrelated to the reported dog death, but rather as part of a routine monitoring effort – and the agencies are awaiting laboratory results.”
Depending on those results, Modie said additional samples may be taken by OHA’s Oregon partners or by our Washington counterparts, who would work with their local (county) agency partners to do sample collection. If toxin results come back with detections, we will work with interstate and interagency partners to develop a sampling plan to identify where the cyanotoxins are coming from.
Modie said that OHA issues health advisory warnings when people need
to stay out of affected waters to avoid illnesses.
“OHA does so when a cyanobacteria bloom is found, and lab results show cyanotoxin levels are higher than OHA recreational use values,” Modie said. “When a recreational use advisory is issued or lifted, OHA issues a press release and distributes this information to the public via email and text to anyone signed up to receive alerts.”
People concerned with the safety of their local watering holes are encouraged to monitor OHA and local public health authority’s websites, social media, press releases, and FlashAlerts for up-to-date and urgent safety notices. Bachman said that based on her conversations with OHA, she has been told toxic algae blooms are becoming more frequent
with warmer summers and warmer water temperatures due to climate change. Having been through it with her family, Bachman wants to make sure the same tragedy isn’t experienced by others.
“Dog owners should be aware of water temperatures and any signs of cloudy, greenish blue or brown water and should probably keep dogs out of local waters from JuneSeptember,” Bachman said.
Celebrating 40 Years of Public Power
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! We look forward to another 40 years of providing you with safe, reliable, affordable electricity.
BLOOM,
Nehalem
Bel Air
Country Media, Inc.
The Big Band Concert in the Park is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Labor Day, September 4, at Clatskanie City Park.
Rainier are seeking candidates for city council and mayor. In Clatskanie, there are three
positions up for election. They are
Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.
St. Helens City Hall is located at 265 Strand Street.
SEE, FILED Page A3
Drive-by shooting suspects charged with murder
JEREMY C. RUARK County Media, Inc.
Two men arrested for allegedly committing a driveby shooting in Kelso have been charged with murder after the victim died from the sustained injuries.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies are being credited with catching the two drive-by shooting suspects who were found hiding in a portable toilet.
The case unfolded at approximately 6:50 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, as Kelso Police responded to a shooting in West Kelso.
Kelso Police arrived on the scene and found 31-year-old Cody Tamayo suffering from
a gunshot wound, according to Kelso Police Department Capt. Rich Fletcher. Tamayo was transported to a trauma center, where he later died. Area law enforcement, including CCSO deputies, were advised of the incident.
“Within one hour of the incident, CCSO deputies located the suspect’s vehicle unoccupied in Rainier, Oregon and began searching for the offenders,” Fletcher said. At 11:35 p.m. the CCSO received information the suspects were hiding in a portable toilet in proximity to where the suspect vehicle was abandoned.
“Officers contained the area and successfully
POLICE REPORTS
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.
St. Helens Police Department
August 1
• Police arrested a 54-yearold female subject for reckless driving and reckless endangering of another person near Shore Drive and Bradley Street.
• Law enforcement arrested a 35-year-old male subject on a fugitive warrant at the 400 block of 2nd Street.
August 2
• Officers responded to a violation of a release agreement at the 200 block of 4th Street.
• Law enforcement arrested a 55-year-old male subject on a fugitive warrant at the 200 block of St. Helens Street.
• Police arrested a 50-year-
old male subject for DUII, reckless driving, failure to perform duties of a driver, and reckless endangering of another at the 500 block of River Highway.
• Law enforcement arrested a 47-year-old female subject for DUII, reckless driving, and reckless endangering of another near Pittsburg Road and Hankey Road.
August 4
• Officers arrested a 54-yearold female subject for attempting to elude while driving a motor vehicle and interfering with a police officer near Columbia Boulevard and South Vernonia Road.
• Police responded to a violation of a release agreement at the 400 block of 18th Street.
• Law enforcement arrested a 47-year-old male subject for Violation of a release agreement at the 200 block of 4th Street.
August 5
• Police responded to a cold burglary at the 1300 block of Kaster Road.
• Officers arrested a 48-yearold male subject on a detainer, failure to report as
extracted 19-year-old Connor Santos Aguayo and 18-yearold Eligha Christian Buckner Lopez, from the portable toilet and took them into custody,” Fletcher said.
Aguayo and Buckner Lopez were charged with Drive-by-Shooting and 1st Degree Assault. Though Aguayo and Buckner Lopez were initially housed in Columbia County Jail, they have now been transferred to Cowlitz County Jail, and their charges now include murder.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about it is being asked to contact Kelso Police Detective Craig Christianson at 360-423-1270.
a sex offender, and reckless burning at the 2200 block of Gable Road.
August 6
• Law enforcement arrested a 35-year-old female subject on a detainer at the 200 block of Strand Street.
August 7
• Police arrested a 38-yearold male subject for criminal trespass II at the 200 block of South Columbia River Highway.
Rainier Police Department
August 3
• A caller reported that there were two people in his vehicle. Officers arrived to investigate and found the car was unoccupied.
• Officers responded to a complaint of several people camping in vehicles near the water plant.
• A business has an accidental alarm activation.
August 4
• A concerned citizen reported a road-struck deer on Old Rainier Road.
Temporary power outage at Old Courthouse and Annex to affect county services
SUBMITTED BY COLUMBIA COUNTY
On Saturday, August 24, through Sunday, August 25, power to the Old Courthouse and Courthouse Annex will be temporarily shut down to allow for electrical utility work. The outage is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM on Saturday and last through late Sunday afternoon.
Due to the extended nature of the outage, several county services will be shut down,
FILED FROM Page A2
currently held by Council President Bruce Jolma and Councilors Jeff Horness and Gary Jones. Each of their terms expires Dec. 31, 2024. The election will also include the position of mayor, currently held by Bob Brajcich.
To qualify, a candidate for this position must be a registered voter, a Clatskanie city resident for one year prior to election, and be able to attend one or two evening council meetings per month.
To apply for the volunteer position of Clatskanie
including phones, voicemail, and certain public-facing web applications such as the county maps site, online marriage license applications, and the online tax and property query system. The main county, Sheriff, and Fairgrounds sites will remain operational. Monday morning, August 26, may present challenges as services come back online. Your patience and understanding, as we address these issues, are greatly appreciated.
City Mayor or Clatskanie City Councilor, interested parties are encouraged to pick up an election packet at City Hall or go to the city’s website, www.cityofclatskanie.com to find information. The filing deadline is 5:00 pm Aug. 27, 2024. Rainier will also likely see a shift in its government, as the city also has three city council positions and the office of mayor are on the ballot.
Council positions 2, 6 and 7 are for four-year terms that begin January 2025 and expire January 2029. The mayor’sposition is a two-year term that begins January 2025 and
expires January 2027.
The council positions that will be vacated belong to Denise Watson, Paul Langner, and Mike Kreger, while the long-time Mayor Jerry Cole’s position also stands to be on the ballot.
Any candidate must be a qualified elector with 12 months of residency within Rainier city limits prior to the general election. The deadline to file for any of these positions is Aug. 27. Candidates wishing to file a statement for inclusion in the voter pamphlet must do so by Aug. 29. Those statements are done through the Columbia County Clerk’s office.
• A caller requested a welfare check on a person near the bridge. No one was in the area.
August 5
• An unknown person vandalized the wooden structures at the boat ramp.
• An unruly rooster was called in as a disturbance.
• A caller reported seeing a tent on the Fox Creek Trail.
• A pillow in the highway was reported as causing a hazard. The hazard was remedied.
August 6
• A cell phone and identification were turned in as found property. The owner was located, and the property was returned.
• A resident called about a neighborhood dog that is
frequently at large.
• Officers responded to a twovehicle motor vehicle accident on the Lewis & Clark Bridge. No citations were issued.
• A caller reported that a person known to them was brake-checking them on the bridge.
August 7
• A subject was taken into custody for DUII.
August 8
• A stolen vehicle was recovered.
• A report of a hit and run occurred in the parking lot of the liquor store.
• A caller reported their cat had been abused.
• An employee caller report -
ing an unwanted individual at their establishment.
• An officer assisted parties involved in a motor vehicle accident exchange information.
• An officer responded to a domestic disturbance. It was verbal only, and peace was restored.
August 9
• A caller was concerned about the welfare of a person sleeping in a car. The person was fine.
August 10
• Call received about a crowing rooster.
• A caller requested a welfare check on a relative.
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
The two suspects were caught by Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Community Events
August 23 Movie by Moonlight in Heritage Park
6 p.m. pre-movie events begin at Heritage Park, 52469 SE 2nd Street in Scappoose. Gran Turismo starts at dusk. Bring a blanket and chair. Sweetwater will perform. Dollar hot dogs and hamburgers grilled up by the Scappoose Police Department.
August 24 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Columbia County Transfer Station 1601 Railroad Ave, St. Helens. For questions, call Jake Anderson at 503-397-7259.
August 24 Vernonia Community Wide Garage Sale
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Maps on Facebook. The Vernonia community is coming together Saturday August 24, 9 a.m.
- 5 p.m., for a communitywide garage sale. Mark your calendar and come find some great stuff!
August 24 Vernonia Ballet
Registration
1 p.m. 375 North St, Vernonia. Join us for a parentstudent meeting at 1 p.m. on August 24 to learn more about Vernonia Ballet, this year’s program, and register for classes. We offer ballet and drama classes for ages three and older. Classes will be held on Monday’s & Wednesday’s this year at the grange. This will be our 18th season!
August 24 Clatskanie Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Copes Park. Known as the coolest little market in Oregon, the Clatskanie Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, pantry staples, art & crafts, body products, plants & starts, and culinary delights!
August 26 Veterans Park Cleanup
9 a.m. at Veterans Park, Columbia City. Bring gloves and tools for weeding.
August 27 Meeting to discuss Lignetics
6 p.m. at Community Hall, Columbia City. This is an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and explore actions to be taken.
August 28 Hazard Mitigation
Meeting
6 p.m. at City Hall. 1840 Second St, Columbia City.
August 29 Open House for Columbia River PUD Celebration of 40 years
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 64001 Columbia River Hwy, Deer Island, OR 97054. Come celebrate 40 years of Columbia River PUD providing years of providing public power, Hots to be provided, fun activities for kids and giveaways for all. There will also be a slideshow displaying historic images of the PUD throughout the afternoon.
August 30 Movie by Moonlight in Heritage Park
6 p.m. pre-movie events begin at Heritage Park, 52469 SE 2nd Street in Scappoose. ET starts at dusk. Bring a blanket and chair. Alien Costume Contest and free cake from Fred Meyers. Dollar hot dogs and hamburgers grilled up by the Scappoose Police Department.
August 31 Clatskanie Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Copes Park. Known as the coolest little market in Oregon, the Clatskanie Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, pantry staples, art & crafts, body products, plants & starts, and culinary
delights!
September 2 Big Band in the Park 1 p.m. Clatskanie City Park 300 Park St, Clatskanie. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with the North Coast Big Band in the Park, Monday September 2 at 1 p.m. in the Clatskanie City Park (300 Park St., Clatskanie, OR 97016). Sponsored by Donna Garlock, this free concert is a fundraiser for the Clatskanie Arts Commission, promising lively music and community spirit. Bring your friends and family, enjoy the fantastic tunes, and support a great cause! Bring your own chair, bleachers will be available.
September 7 1st Saturday
Breakfast
8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. St Helens Masonic Lodge #32, 315 N 18th St, St. Helens. There is a public breakfast on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Columbia County Shrine Club. Follow the St. Helens Masonic Lodge #32 on Facebook for updates.
September 7 – September 8 Traveling Golf Tournament: Vernonia VS Killarney West
8 a.m. Vernonia Golf Course 15961 Timber Rd E, Vernonia. Join us for our 2nd annual Traveling Tournament! Vernonia vs. Killarney West. This is a 2-day event. 18-Holes Saturday at Vernonia Golf Course and 18-Holes Sunday at Killarney West Golf Course. Will Killarney West keep to trophy another year or will Vernonia take it home? Register at Killarneywestgc.com
September 7 Clatskanie Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Copes Park. Known as the coolest little market in Oregon, the Clatskanie Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, pantry staples, art & crafts, body products, plants & starts, and culinary delights!
September 7 Wrapping Up Summer Block Party
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Helens Senior Center, 375 S 15th St, St. Helens. Raffles, games, food, live music and vendors. All are welcome, no charge but donations accepted.
September 7 Santosh Summer Send-off
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Glacier Northwest, 34885 N Honeyman Rd, Scappoose, OR. Join us for food, music, rock painting, prizes, and more.
September 14 Clatskanie Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Copes Park. Known as the coolest little market in Oregon, the Clatskanie Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, pantry staples, art & crafts, body products, plants & starts, and culinary delights!
September 14 Hullabaloo Car Show Amani Center Fundraiser
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Grabhorn Farms and Airport, 32821 Wikstrom Rd, Scappoose, OR Join us eof a Hullabaloo Car Show, $20 entry fee per vehicles.
September 17 Columbia County Senior Health Fair
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Columbia River Foursquare church, 555 Commons Dr, St. Helens. Join us in the 3rd Annual Columbia County Senior Health & Resource Fair. This year is going to be even bigger! It’s a great day to meet and talk to all the local resources for our seniors. We will have over 70+ vendors to talk to, including lasses and informational
speakers all day long. Come prepared to see and learn lots!
September 18 History Connections Talk 7 p.m. Presented by the Scappoose Historical Society at the Historic Red Barn at 53760 West Lane Road in Scappoose (intersection of West Lane and Honeyman Rd. Tricia Oberndorf will speak on the Pisgah Mountain Home in Scappoose.
September 21 Clatskanie Farmer’s Market
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Copes Park. Known as the coolest little market in Oregon, the Clatskanie Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, pantry staples, art & crafts, body products, plants & starts, and culinary delights!
September 28 Clatskanie Farmers Market-Harvest Festival
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Copes Park, Clatskanie. Abundance of apples! Apple pressing with bring your own apples! You are also welcomed to press pears. This is the last market of the season and perfect time to stock up on lots of goodies for the wintertime. We will have many vendors that highlight fall produce, etched pumpkins, and goods that will be perfect gifts for the holiday season that is around the corner. More information to come!
September 28 Rainier Senior Center Silent Auction Dinner
5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 48 W 7th St, Rainier. Please join the Rainier Senior Center on September 28th, 5-7:30pm, in this fundraiser for the Senior Nutrition Program. Everyone is invited to attend! Dinner only $28. Dinner will be New York Cut Steak with sides. Beer and wine will be available. Dinner and 1 drink $30. Tickets are also available for one additional glass of beer or wine for $5. Two drink max. Per person There will be an array of interesting items to bid on just in time to do a little early Christmas shopping! Check our Facebook page as things progress. Contact the Senior Center to reserve your tickets. (503) 556-3889 / rainierseniorc@gmail.com.
October 5 22nd Annual Salmon Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hawkins Park, Vernonia. Come one, come all to the 22nd annual Salmon Festival in Vernonia Oregon! Food, music, vendors, art auction, and familyfriendly activities can be found at Hawkins Park on Saturday, October 5 starting at 10 a.m. Some activities include: Pumpkin carving, Build-aScarecrow, Junior Trout Pond fishing, Create your own salmon lifecycle bracelet, Scavenger hunt. Find the next art piece for your home in the hand carved wooden salmon artistically decorated in numerous styles by local artists during the live Salmon Auction! Enjoy music in the park as you peruse the arts and crafts vendors and watch wild salmon run return to the adjacent Rock Creek! Explore the 14’ tall, 29’ long educational wonder that is Claudia the Chinook! Event admission is free. Some activities charge a fee, some are free.
To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to chronicleclassifieds@country media.net, or call 503-3970116.
The importance of Social Security
BY STACY LARSEN Communications Director AARP Oregon
In today’s world, few things are as deeply woven into the fabric of our nation as Social Security. For over eight decades, this bedrock program has offered economic security and dignity to millions of retirees, people with disabilities, and surviving spouses and children. It is a sacred promise between the government and the American people who pay in and earn their Social Security over a lifetime of hard work.
A pillar of retirement security
At its core, Social Security is a vital pillar of retirement security. Over the past years, as traditional employer-paid pensions have declined and retirement savings have shrunk, Social Security still provides guaranteed income Americans can count on throughout their lifetime. Today, 67 million people benefit from Social Security. Forty percent of older Americans rely on Social Security for more than 50 percent of their family income. Fourteen percent relies on Social
Security for 90 percent or more of their family income.
Importance of Social Security
To demonstrate why Social Security is such a vital source of retirement income, about half of the workforce has no employer-provided retirement plan. More than one in three working households age 21 to 64 has no individual savings set aside for retirement and 44% of people who are closer to retirement -- ages 55-64 -- have no retirement savings accounts. Even those households age 50 to 59 with retirement savings do not have enough; over 60 percent have less than $100,000.
Promoting economic stability
Social Security plays a pivotal role in promoting economic stability for individuals and communities by providing a steady stream of income to retirees, who spend it on the necessities of daily life, contributing $1.4 trillion a year to the US economy. Additionally, it reduces poverty among vulnerable populations and lessens the burden on other government programs.
The future of Social Security
Social Security is paid for by dedicated payroll taxes and the interest those taxes have built up in the Security Trust Funds. Before 2021, Social Security collected more in taxes and interest than it paid out, so it built up a surplus to support the retirement of the “Baby Boomer” generation. Today that surplus is being used to supplement incoming payroll tax income, but eventually the Trust Funds will face a shortfall in 2034 according to current estimates. The shortfall is caused by a growing population of retirees and lower birth rates. When that happens, Social Security will still be able to pay 80% of benefits, but a cut of 20% -- an average of over $4,000 a year -- would hurt both individuals and communities. However, if our leaders in Washington take action, America’s most reliable foundation of income security will keep delivering on its promise.
Stacy Larsen is the Communications Director for AARP Oregon.
this
Editorial policy
Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Columbia County Chronicle & Chief, its staff, and Country Media, Inc. Views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.
Letters policy
This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter
per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.
Guest commentary We welcome all variety of community viewpoints in the newspaper. These longer, guest opinions might be columns written by newsmakers, public officials or organization representatives. Or you might just have
interesting thoughts to share and a penchant for writing. If you’d like to submit a guest column for publication, contact us at 503-3970116 or chroniclenews@countrymedia. net.
Obituaries Obituaries received after noon on Mondays may not be in time for that Wednesday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.
Lou Warner 1934-2024
Betty passed away in her sleep on August 1st. Born in Wadena, Iowa in 1937 to Ivan and Marvel (Crawford) Kinart, Betty was the second of three daughters. She moved to Oregon with her family at the age of five.
Betty lived the rest of her life in the Deer Island/St. Helens area. She graduated from St. Helens High School in 1955. That September she married her high school sweetheart Max Warner, the one man she loved all her life. They happily shared being one another’s best friend through 63 years of marriage.
Shortly after high school Betty worked at the Welfare
William “Bill” Pengra, 94, of St Helens passed away on Aug. 1, 2024 in Woodburn, Oregon, where he resided the past 2 ½ years in memory care at Heartwood Place.
Bill was born in St. Helens, OR to Arthur and Ina Pengra in 1930. He grew up on a farm along with two brothers (Lu and Jack) and three sisters (Hazel, Betty Jean, and Cleo). He attended school through eighth grade. He met and later married Beverly Brown in 1951. Bill’s daughters, Marlene and Rhonda, were born in 1954 and 1958 respectively.
Bill and Beverly were married almost 38 years when Beverly passed away in 1990. A couple of years later Bill became reacquainted with Ruby, a former school friend, and they began a new
Ione Rollins of Clatskanie Oregon passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Sandy, Oregon surrounded by all of her daughters. Ione was born Jan. 4, 1935 in Flasher, North Dakota as the second child of Florence and Morris Anderson. Ione was born at home five miles outside of town in the old stone home owned by her Grandmother Anderson. Ione lived on the farm until the family moved to Forsythe, Montana where she attended school thru the eighth grade. The family moved to Terry, Montana where Ione was
journey together until she died in 2010.
Bill worked as a logger the first few years in the 1950s and then was drafted into the Army, where he was trained as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1957. When he returned home, Bill began a career as a mechanic at Boise Cascade
In her free time, Betty enjoyed ceramics classes, learned to play the organ, and became quite talented creating colored pencil drawings. Betty could often be found with yarn and needles in her lap creating an afghan blanket or a doily.
Betty and Max retired in 1993 and enjoyed quality time with one another and their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. They traveled the nation’s backroads in their motorcoach while spending time with family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and best friend Max; parents; and sister MaryAnn Ellingson.
paper mill in St. Helens, where he worked until retirement in 1992.
Bill was an avid Trailblazers fan, loved country music, square danced for several years, helped friends and family with car maintenance, and remodeled his home. In his 32 years of retirement, Bill enjoyed splitting his time between his home and coast property, traveling, and finding a deal at garage sales. He was very adept at collecting such items as chain saws, hats, tools and assorted antique equipment. If you needed a tool or obscure part, chances were that Bill had at least one. He was community minded and had many friends with whom he kept in touch. In fact, he ate most meals with a group of friends at the Kozy Korner
Ione Rollins Jan. 4, 1935 ~ July 21, 2024
active in rainbow for girls, grand assembly, choir and drama. Ione graduated from Terry High School in 1954. Ione went to Seattle to attend Dental School then moved back to Miles City, Montana to work with Dr. Bundy. Ione married Elmer Rollins on Nov. 28, 1954 in the Presbyterian Church in Terry, Montana where they had three children. The family moved around for Elmer’s electrical work. They made their forever home in Clatskanie, Oregon. In 1980 the family hosted a foreign exchange student Elvy Ljungberg of Sweden who
became part of the family and to this day we call her our bonus sister.
Ione loved working at Fultano’s pizza parlor where she was known as the pizza lady until she retired. Traveling and being with family was one of her greatest joys. She always made a point of truly enjoying attending her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sporting events. Ione was a long-time member of the Clatskanie Presbyterian Church where she spread her loving energy.
Ione is survived by her two brothers, Lorain and
James “Jim” Robert Prpich Dec. 2, 1944 ~ Aug. 2, 2024
She is survived by her sister Jean Marie CarterHardman; children, Russell Warner and Denise Hearing; four granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters.
She will re-join Max forever in their niche in a private service at Columbia Memorial Gardens on what would have been their 69th wedding anniversary, September 16th, 2024. Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Funeral Home 503-397-1154. Memories and condolences can be expressed on our website. www.columbiafh.com
or Yankton Store restaurants.
Bill knew how to enjoy life. Bill is survived by his daughter Marlene (Ron) Richards; son-in-law Dean Watanabe; grandchildren, Tieryn (Kevin) Olson, Jayson (Stephanie) Derowitsch, and Madison Pengra-Watanabe; and great-grandchildren Cyrus Derowitsch and Ezra Olson.
He is predeceased by his wife Beverly Pengra; his companion Ruby Burgess; daughter Rhonda PengraWatanabe; granddaughter Caroline Arditi; all his siblings; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thur., Aug. 29, 2024 at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please consider sharing a story or card with Bill’s family.
Arthur Anderson; three daughters, Gay Tim Wunische; Teresa Rick Bermel and Tracy Jeff Hill; as well as six grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Ione was preceded in death by her husband Elmer; two brothers; and two great grandchildren. A service to celebrating Ione’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2024 at Clatskanie Presbyterian Church at 215 S Nehalem Street. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Mt. Hood Hospice in Sandy Oregon.
James “Jim” Prpich passed away Aug. 2, 2024 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and cancer. He was 79 years old.
Son of George and Genevieve Prpich, Jim grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan before enlisting in the Marines. After serving as a language interpreter in Vietnam, Jim left the Marines and returned to U. of Michigan, completing his master’s degree in accounting. After graduating, he relocated to Forest Grove, Oregon spending the rest of his life in the Pacific NW.
Jim was well known for his long beard and ponytail, as he refused to shave or get a haircut after leaving the military (an oath he kept until his death). Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t a market for motorcycle riding CPAs with long hair/beards in the 1970s, so instead of accounting, he began working for Adair Homes, building spec houses. Thus began his lifelong passion of building homes. He went on to found Prpich Construction, where he took great pride in creating custom homes in Columbia County for several decades.
While living in Forest Grove, Jim was often a patron at the Coffee Grinder, where he met his wife, Barb, who waitressed there. Together, they purchased 70 acres outside of Vernonia, Oregon and transformed it into a family homestead. They put countless hours into the small farm, gardening, tending an orchard, and raising pigs and chickens. It is also where they raised their three children, the youngest of whom, Tim, has since taken over the property to maintain the family’s legacy. Jim spent most of his life working long hours building houses and farming, yet he still managed to be deeply involved in the Vernonia community. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club and offered his carpentry skills towards service projects like the Booster Club snack
shack and the Hawkin’s Park gazebo. When not working, he could be found hiking the wooded property, attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, or playing a round of golf with his close friends.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barb of Vernonia; children, Tim Prpich (Katie Prpich) of Vernonia, Ellie Prpich (Josh Ward) of Portland, and Katie Busch (Jared Busch); grandchildren, Kelan and Kinley Busch of Mist; and his brother John Prpich of Wayne, Michigan. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024 at the Vernonia Scout Cabin/Hawkin’s Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s honor to the Vernonia Lion’s Club or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
Office and a local bank. Soon Max and his brothers formed Warner Bros. Custom Builders with Betty managing the office for the next thirty years.
William ‘Bill’ Pengra
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TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF SALE
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Reference is made to that certain trust deed made by William Walker as grantor,
to-wit:
highest bidder for cash the interest in said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by grantor of said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or grantor's 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 ORS 86.753 has the right, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for the sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, and in addition to paying said sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and trust deed, together with trustee's and attorney's fees not exceed the amounts provided by said ORS 86.753.
In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word "grantor" includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said trust deed, and the words "trustee" and "beneficiary" include their respective successors in interest, if any.
DATED August 7 , 2024
S/Stephen D. Petersen
Stephen D. Petersen Successor Trustee
Heritage for the Blind
Get a break on your taxes! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, nocost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-844-533-9173 today!
BCI Bath & Shower
The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-8479778.
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#27 2 bed Row House @ McCormick Park. 2 story home located in a woodsy setting. Big kitchen w/dishwasher, all new stainless steel appliances/flooring/ paint/blinds, tub/ shower, 3 closets, BBQ deck, washer/ dryer hookup modern/secure, laundry facility/garages avail. 1691 Old Portland Rd, St. Helens. No move fees. $1699/mo. 503-369-1553.
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Generac Home Standby Generator
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-557-1912 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
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LeafFilter
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior &
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hour/DOQ,
PERS membership, and pro-rated leave and insurance benefits. For a complete job announcement and employment application, visit www.columbiacity.org, send an email to colcity@columbia-city.org, or visit City Hall at 1840 Second Street, Columbia City. Call 503-397-4010 for information. Position open until filled. EOE.
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CC24-3036
Garage Sale 33313 Bonneville Dr, Scappoose, Saturday Aug 24 9 a.m - 5 p.m, Mostly new items, tons of clothes, men and womens, shoes, purses and all types of household, garage and sporting goods. Low prices.
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OFFICIAL NOTICE
CC24-3010
The Clatskanie City Council has three (3) councilor positions and one (1) Mayor Position that are up for re-election/election. The City Council is comprised of a Mayor and six (6) Councilors, who serve as volunteers and are appointed or elected at-large. To qualify, a candidate for this position must be a registered voter, a Clatskanie city resident for one year prior to election, and be able to attend one (1) or two (2) evening council meetings per month. To apply for the volunteer position of Clatskanie City Mayor or Clatskanie City Councilor, please pick up an election packet at City Hall or go to the City’s website, www.cityofclatskanie.com to find information. The filing deadline is 5:00 pm August 27th, 2024. The qualified candidates will be on the November 5th, 2024 ballot.
In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). That law required inspection of all schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade, to identify any asbestos-containing building materials. The law further required the development of a Management Plan, based upon the findings of the inspection, which outlines our intent in controlling the potential for exposure to asbestos fiber in our schools.
The inspection in our schools was completed, and a Management Plan was compiled in 1989 as required, and some asbestos-containing materials were identified in our buildings. The materials are distributed in various locations and include floor tile, pipe insulation and mechanical areas not readily accessible to building occupants or students.
The Management Plan outlines in detail the methods used to maintain the materials in a safe manner. It also includes records of six month periodic surveillance inspections, three year re-inspections and records of all abatement projects that have been completed. The six month periodic surveillance inspections are conducted by district personnel in April and October of each year. The three year reinspection is conducted by a certified inspector. The next three year reinspection will take place in April 2027 The St. Helens High School had sections that were abated during the 2023-2024 school year We anticipate abatement projects at Columbia City Elementary and the St. Helens High School for the 2024-2025 school year. Columbia City Elementary will have the cafeteria floor abated summer of 2024. The St. Helens High School is having most of the asbestos containing building material abated in Building B.
A copy of the Management Plan is on file for your review at the school district maintenance office at 301 Saint Helens Street. Copies of individual building inspection reports are on file in each school’s administrative office.
CC24-3035
1.
CC24-3027 Scheduled Storage Auction Please take notice ORS 87.685 et. seq. K & B Storage, 970 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Or. 97051 Intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the Unit by the occupant at the facility as listed below. This auction sale by unit will occur at the facility listed above on the 14th day of September 2024 at 10:00 am. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms & conditions apply. Call 971 203-4616. Nathan Gotcher Unit #104 10 x 10. Cash Only.
CC24-3028 In the Matter of the Estate of: Ross Alan Williams, Deceased. Case No. 24PB02133 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Susan Wellington has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to Susan Wellington, 255 MacArthur Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, 971-757-0973, personal representative of the estate of Ross Alan Williams, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose
rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the lawyer for the personal representative, Aaron Martin, 272 South 1st Street, Saint Helens, Oregon 97051. Dated and first published on August 14, 2024.
CC24-3032
Found one Remington Woodsman hunting rifle chambered in 30-06 and one Stihl 300 series chainsaw on public land near the crossroads of Janshaw Rd and Meissner Rd. Items can be claimed by the owner at the Columbia County Sherriffs
ST. HELENS SCHOOL DISTRICT 2024-25 LEGAL NOTICES
Notice Regarding Student Records
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to parents/guardians of students in St. Helens School District No. 502 that the directory information provided may be published in accordance to School Board policy and shall be effective for the 2024-25 school year. Directory Information is designated as: student name, address, telephone listing, electronic address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance; weight and height of athletic team members; degrees, honors or awards received; and the most recent previous school or program attended. Exclusion from any or all directory categories named as Directory Information or release of information must be submitted in writing to the school principal by the parent/guardian, student 18 years of age or emancipated student within 15 days of this annual public notice. This announcement is in keeping with the guidelines established for the protection of student records and for the legitimate release thereof. The confidentiality of academic and behavior records of students shall continue to be upheld as a matter of District concern for student records and personal rights of individuals.
2. Equal Education Assurance
In conformance to Federal Title 6, Title 9 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, St. Helens School District 502 has established the following policy regarding Equal Educational Opportunities: The St. Helens School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, marital or parental status, linguistic background, culture, capability or geographic location in providing education or access to benefits of educational services, activities and programs in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Acts. Pete Moshinsky, Director of Human Services is designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements and may be contacted at the District Office located at 474 N. 16th Street, St. Helens, OR for additional information and/or compliance issues.
3. School District Seeks Youth With Disabilities
St. Helens School District and the Northwest Regional Education Service District would like assistance in locating children from birth to age 21 with a disability who have not graduated from high school and are currently not attending or receiving other special services from public schools. Oregon and federal laws mandate educational services for children with disabilities. The Northwest Regional ESD provides educational services for eligible children from birth to kindergarten. Local school districts offer educational programs and services for eligible children from kindergarten through high school. Services provided are appropriate to each child’s disability. Parents/guardians or others who know a child age five through 21 with a disability who is currently not receiving educational services can contact Lori Thompson, Director of Student Services, at the St. Helens School District Office at (503) 397-3085. For children from birth to age five with disabilities, contact the Northwest Regional ESD at (503) 614-1446.
El Distrito Escolar Busca a Menores con Discapacidades
Al Distrito Escolar St. Helens y al Distrito de Servicio de Educación Regional del Noroeste (Northwest Regional Education Service District) les gustaría recibir ayuda pars encontrar a menores desde el nacimiento hasta la edad de 21 años que tienen una discapacidad, que no se han graduado de la escuela preparatoria (high school) y que actualmente no están asistiendo ni recibiendo otros servicios especiales de parte de las escuelas públicas. Las leyes de Oregon y federates ordenan servicios educativos pars menores con discapacidades. El Distrito de Servicio de Educación Regional del Noroeste presta servicios educativos para niños que reúnen los requisitos desde el nacimiento hasta el kindergarten. Los distritos escolares locales ofrecen programas y servicios educativos pars menores que reúnen los requisitos desde el kindergarten hasta la escuela preparatoria. Los servicios prestados son adecuados para la discapacidad de cads menor. Los padres, tutores u otras personas que conocen a un menor entre las edades de cinco a 21 años con una discapacidad que actualmente no está recibiendo servicios educativos pueden comunicarse con Lori Thompson, Directora de Servicios Estudiantiles, en la Oficina del Distrito Escolar St. Helens al (503) 397-3085. Para niños desde el nacimiento a la edad de cinco años con discapacidades comuníquese con el Distrito de Servicio de Educación Regional del Noroeste al (503) 614-1446.
4. Access to Student Information by Military or College Recruiters St. Helens School District receives funds from the federal government under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. These funds are used in a variety of ways to provide additional help to students in greatest academic need. The law also requires that districts receiving these funds must, upon request, provide military recruiters, colleges and universities access to the names, addresses and telephone listings of secondary students. It is important for you to know that a secondary school student or his/her parent or guardian may request that the student’s name, address, and telephone number not be released by the district without prior written parental consent. If you would like to make such a request, please contact your child’s guidance counselor.
5.
Education Rights of Homeless Children and Youth
St. Helens School District is actively seeking to enroll children and youth who are homeless.
• Who is considered “homeless”? Homeless children and youth are minors who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who:
• are sharing housing with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;
• are living in motels, hotels, camping grounds or trailer parks due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• are living in emergency or transitional shelters, cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
• are abandoned in hospitals;
• are awaiting foster care placement;
• have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• are migrant children and youth (as defined under NCLB Title IC-Migrant Education) who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.
• What are the education rights of homeless children and youth? St. Helens School District provides equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. Homeless children and youth have specific rights that include:
• Immediate public-school enrollment and, when desired or feasible, at the student’s “school of origin” provided it is in the best interest of the student.
• Transportation services and meal programs.
• Education services and programs for which the student is eligible such as Title I, special education, programs for students with limited English proficiency, professional technical programs, and talented and gifted programs.
If you are homeless or know of a child or youth that is homeless and not attending school, please contact St. Helens School District’s Family Resource Center, for information and enrollment assistance:
Telephone: 503-366-7238
Address: 474 North 16th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
6.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Annual Notice of Student Education Record Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive federal funds.
FERPA gives parents/guardians certain rights with respect to their child’s education records. When a student reaches the age of 18 or attends a post-secondary school or college, the parent/guardian rights transfer to the student and the student is then an “eligible student” under the law. Under FERPA, parents/guardians and eligible students have the following rights:
1) To inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school within 45 days of the school’s receipt of a written request. The request should identify the record(s) being inspected. The school is not required to provide copies of records and may charge a fee if copies are requested.
2) To request that a school correct records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. The request must be in writing and clearly specify:
(a) the part of the record requesting to be changed, and
(b) why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent/guardian or eligible student has the right to a hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement in the record about the contested information. The school is not required to consider requests for grade or disciplinary decisions, opinions of school officials in the education record, or the student’s special education determination.
3) To control the disclosure of student personally identifiable information from their education record, parents/guardians may request that the school, with certain exceptions, obtain parent/guardian written consent prior to the disclosure of student information. Exceptions which permit disclosure without parent/guardian consent include disclosure to school/district staff with legitimate educational interest; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (i.e. attorney, auditor, therapist); a person serving on the
and/or
professional responsibility.
If you have questions concerning student records, please call your school principal.
Office. The finder is Cody Cline at 57 Salmon St, St Helens, OR. The last day the owner can claim His/Her property is November 12th, 2024.
CC24-3034 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of: VIRGINIA C. THOMPSON, Deceased. Case No.: 24PB02811 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PARTIES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Corey Thompson has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative in care of the undersigned attorney at 2177 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings in this estate may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published on August
21, 2024. Corey Thompson, Personal Representative. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Corey Thompson, 79640 Wirkalla Rd., Clatskanie, OR 97016, (360) 430-7661. ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRE-
SENTATIVE: Michael E. Haglund, OSB No. 772030, Haglund Kelley LLP, 2177 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201, (503) 225-0777, (503) 225-1257 (fax), mhaglund@ hk-law.com
CC24-3038 Notice to Interested Persons In the Matter of the Estate of WILMA DeVRIES, Deceased. No. 24PB02825 INFORMATION TO HEIRS & DEVISES Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from this date at the office of VanNatta & Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the personal representative. Dated and first published: August 21,
partner organizations across Columbia County.
This new initiative aims to strengthen efforts in the fight against child sex trafficking, raise awareness, and provide comprehensive support to victims and their families.
Executive Director of the Amani Center Amelia Kercher explained the motivation for establishing a child sex trafficking task force in a rural community like Columbia County.
“The challenge with that is it looks really different in the rural community than it does in larger cities,” Kercher said. “It’s things that happen in homes and behind closed doors. There’s definitely movement through Columbia County that happens with traffickers that are moving up and down the coast, but most of what we see is not that.”
Kercher said they “typically are seeing” online predators, commercial sexual exploitation through images, or “trafficking kids in terms of bartering them for meeting their needs.” Examples that Kercher gave are trafficking a child in exchange for rent or drugs.
CITY, FROM Page A1
lot area, and there was discussion of what they call bulbouts, we have two already, in downtown, and they were thinking about putting a third or fourth one in,” Hinkelman said.
Though the funds have
2024. Personal Representative: Willis J. DeVries. Attorneys: VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Telephone: (503) 397-4091.
CC24-3039
The statement of procedures for Columbia County are available for review at the Columbia County Courthouse and https.//www. columbiacountyor. gov/ departments/Finance/Expenditures.
CC24-3040
City of St. Helens Notice of City Council Public Hearing: Sale of City-Owned Property. In compliance with ORS 221.725, the St. Helens City Council will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive written and public comments on the sale of City-owned property, described as the following: An approximate 35-acre portion of Parcel 1 of Partition Plat No. 2020-03 (the Property). The Property is the majority of the white paper mill and associated improvements at 1300 Kaster Road. The Property is located east of the eastern terminus of the Kaster Road right-of-way, south of the
Kercher said that though it may not be like the “international crime rings” people see on TV, it is “out here, and it is happening.”
Part of the initiative is shining a light on this insidious issue.
“Part of this project is around raising that awareness and helping folks understand that this is trafficking, and you don’t have to be in those situations alone. There are people that can help and help get you out of it,” Kercher said.
“Also, a lot of it is about training for our investigators and service providers in the community.”
Something that has helped lay the groundwork for this project is the Amani Center’s involvement with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. Kercher said that is when investigators like the Department of Human Services (DHS) or law enforcement come together around investigations to make sure information is being shared and coordinated.
The district attorney in Columbia County appointed the Amani Center to manage the MDT during the pandemic to enhance the unit and better support victims and families. The project has been helped by a $75,000 grant the nonprofit secured in January of 2024. The bulk of the funds will be used to provide community
been awarded for that project, Hinkelman said there still needs to be some “input needed,” from people who are not in favor of that project. Another component of the project that will require feedback is the potential replacement of large cement planter boxes, according to Chamber
Wastewater Treatment Plant lagoon, north of Parcel 2 of Partition Plat No. 2020-03, and west of the Portland & Western railroad right of way situated between the mill and the Multnomah Channel. The property is within the following as identified by the Columbia County Assessor records: · Tax Account No. 13249, Map No. 4N1W-900101 · Tax Account No. 13215, Map No. 4N1W-900101. The property is zoned Heavy Industrial and developed with a paper mill and related improvements. The proposed use of the property is to operate a paper manufacturing facility. The reason why the City Council considers it necessary or convenient to sell the property is to promote economic development, private investment, and job creation opportunities in the city of St. Helens. If you wish to submit written comments, please address them as follows: John Walsh, City Administrator City of St. Helens, 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Written comments may be submitted in advance or at the hearing. If submitted by 4:00 p.m., Monday, August 26, 2024, copies of the comments will be provided to the Council in advance of the hearing. The Public Hearing will be held via Zoom and
training through organizations like the National Criminal Justice Training Center.
“That’s what is exciting to me; this isn’t program funding for the Amani Center, this is our opportunity to bring this knowledge into the community and help make a difference across all areas of the county,” Kercher said.
The Child Sex Trafficking Task Force will bring together first responders, educational institutions, healthcare providers, social services, and advocacy organizations to create a coordinated response to this critical issue. The task force will focus on prevention, education, victim support, and the prosecution of offenders to ensure a multifaceted approach to combating child sex trafficking in our community.
Someone who Kercher said has been instrumental in connecting agencies across the county is Carissa Chism, who is a school counselor with the St. Helens School District.
“She has this incredibly unique perspective on the youth in our community who are impacted by trafficking and a wealth of knowledge outside of that as well,” Kercher said. “It seemed like a really great fit to bring her on the Amani Center team and
Board member and grant project lead Sierra Trass.
The boxes constrict the sidewalk to less than five feet in many places. Wheelchairs need at least five feet of space to safely turn around, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials. The plan
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
On Going Events
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 hang-ups. 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.
in person at the St. Helens City Council Chambers, 265 Strand Street, Plaza Entrance, St. Helens, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.
CC24-3041
CC24-3042
Wednesdays
Friends of St. Helens Public Library
Fourth Wednesday of each month 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium, St. Helens Library, 375 S 18th in St. Helens, The Friends organization supports library programs and services through book sales and encouragement of book and monetary donations.
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
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 503397-3590.
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 971-7576389.
Notice is hereby given that the Columbia County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hybrid meeting on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at or after 10:00 a.m. at the Columbia County Court House 230 Strand St. St. Helens OR. https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679. Access Code: 357054-141. The purpose of this notice is to notify interested parties that the Board of County Commissioner may consider a Supplemental Budget Reallocating Appropriations between Categories In the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget. This is a public meeting. Interested parties may attend and may be heard. Columbia County does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request accommodations or to review the Countys ADA Policy, please contact the Board of Commissioners Office at 503-397-4322. Dated this 19th day of August 2024. FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON By: /S/ Jacyn Normine Board Office Administrator
help coordinate this.” Key objectives of the Child Sex Trafficking Task Force include:
• Enhanced Collaboration: Building strong partnerships between first responders, social services, and community groups to improve information sharing and joint efforts in identifying and rescuing victims.
• Education and Awareness: Developing and delivering educational programs for parents, educators, and community members to recognize the signs of trafficking and understand how to take action.
• Victim Support Services: Providing comprehensive support for survivors, including counseling, medical care, legal assistance, and reintegration services to help them rebuild their lives.
• Advocacy and Policy Change: Working to influence local and state policies to strengthen protections for children and enhance resources for combating trafficking.
“I am very grateful for the work the Amani Center and agency partners have put into establishing this task force. As part of the Portland Metro in the south and rural Oregon in the north, Columbia County faces
is to upgrade the planters with newer, more attractive boxes. Additionally, the current boxes are a “death box” because cement holds heat, which makes it difficult for plants to survive. Trass said business owners who have been maintaining the boxes will be asked if they’d like 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.
St. Helens Public Library
Ukulele Orchestra
10 a.m. St. Helens Library, 375 S 18th in St. Helens
St. Helens Writers Guild
Second Saturday of the month noon – 2p.m.St Helens Library, 375 S 18th in St. Helens
Weekly Events
Resonate Recovery Meets at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday - Sundays. This is a Bible based, Christcentered 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
The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School District 6J will hold their monthly Board meeting, Tuesday, September 3, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Clatskanie Elementary School Library, 815 Nehalem Drive or via Zoom. In addition there will be an executive session following the regular board meeting, under ORS 192.660 (2d) To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations. Please see our website at www.csd. k12.or.us for a zoom link. The agenda includes but is not limited to: Superintendent and Principal’s reports, financial report, policy updates and the consent agenda. The public is encouraged to attend.
unique challenges that require a response tailored for our diverse communities,” Scappoose Police Officer Gabe Johnson said. “We owe it to the children we serve to be the best we can be. Through this partnership, Scappoose Police Department hopes to help spread awareness, and bring increased justice and safety for our most vulnerable”.
When asked whether she had numbers on trafficking in the county, Kercher said it’s difficult to pin down real numbers, but that will also be a goal of the task force.
“It’s pretty hard. That’s another piece of the task force, is to look at this problem holistically, and identify what those numbers truly are for the county,” Kercher said. “Because once we start looking at it in this way, we’re going to notice that it’s much larger than we initially expected.”
The task force held its inaugural meeting on August 14th. 2024 at the Amani Center, where stakeholders discussed initial strategies and action plans. For more information about the Child Sex Trafficking Task Force or to get involved, please contact Carissa Chismat, cchism@amanicenter.org
keep their planter at another site. The remaining boxes will be rehomed by the chamber.
“This is long haul work.
But, the chamber and its partners are committed to it. Clatskanie has a rich history of making things happen with determination. The Skatepark, Flippin Castle, Birkenfeld
Theatre, and many other projects are a testament to that. So, while people will start seeing more nice things pop up around town, the true beauty of this project is seeing the community come together to make things happen,” Trass said.
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 Tichenor. Call 503-728-3608 for reservations. Use ground floor entrance to the left of front stairs. Good parking in back off of SW Bryant Street. Castle Tours available by appointment, includes Clatskanie Historical Society museum. Call Debbie at 503338-8268.
The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.
Monthly Events Laundry Day provided by St. Wenceslaus’ Laundromat
Ministry 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Scappoose Laundromat, 52494 SW 1st Street #3531 in Scappoose. This event is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Winter weather conditions may cause cancellation. Bring your laundry and the rest is supplied (laundry detergent, dryer sheets and quarters). For questions call 503-543-2110.
Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Lower Columbia Watershed Council meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Clatskanie PUD building. Zoom links are also available. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver.org/events-page. To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published for anyone that might have questions, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.
CENTER, FROM Page A1
GAMES & PUZZLES
St. Helens local named TOPS Oregon King
WILL
LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
For many, losing weight may seem like a daunting task, but it might be a little easier if you don’t have to go through it alone.
St. Helens local Kenneth Law can attest that losing weight can be easier with help along the way. Law lost more than 42 pounds since first joining the non-profit TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non–commercial weight loss, education, and support organization in January 2020.
Law said his motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle came in part from the passing of his father, who died from a “massive heart attack” when he was just 51. Law said that seeing his father’s lifestyle made him want to ensure his own health. At age 54, Law quit smoking after 40 years in 2015 but was having trouble losing weight despite changing his diet to include more fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken, rather than the
“meat and potatoes” diet he was raised on. It was around then that Law discovered TOPS through his significant other, who was a leader in the local chapter. “She invited me to attend TOPS, and I started going. I found out there was good support, good fellowship, good motivation strategies,” Law said. “The thing is, it’s not a diet; it’s learning how to eat sensibly, learning portion control. When I joined at the end of 2019, my first weigh-in at that time, I weighed 222.6 pounds. Through the support and motivational strategies, I had an original goal of 190, and I reached that by the summertime; within a few months, I got down to 190.” Law said he hadn’t weighed “that little” since he was in his 20s. Unfortunately, the pandemic shut everything down, and Law couldn’t attend meetings. Though he maintained his goal weight for a while, Law said he added more weight during the shutdown and
weighed about 213 pounds when he rejoined TOPS. Law rejoined TOPS in April 2023, and considering he achieved his 190-pound goal weight so quickly the first time around, he set his new goal weight at 185 pounds.
“I managed to get to my 185 goal weight in August 2023,” Law said.
After achieving his 185-pound goal weight, he
changed his goal weight to 180. In November 2023, Law said he turned in his new goal weight and “has not looked back since.” At the end of December 2023, he had weighed as low as 173.
“If you go by when I quit smoking at 243 pounds, to getting down to 173, it’s really close to 70 pounds that I lost, but the last 42 were thanks to TOPS, or I would
never have made it,” Law said.
Recognized Losing weight isn’t the only achievement Law has accomplished in 2023; thanks to his dedication to reaching his weight goal, Law was recognized by TOPS as the 2023 TOPS Oregon King at the organization’s recognition event, which was held at the Pendleton Convention Center in May.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected that,” Law said of the recognition he received. “Our TOPS advocate showed up one day, presented me with a certificate, and told me I was the King of Oregon. I didn’t even know that was possible, and it was a little overwhelming.”
Going to the ceremony, Law said he had to get a new suit because his old ones didn’t fit anymore. That’s not the only suit that needs adjusting. Law dresses up as Santa around the holidays.
The only downside of
his losing weight? He said that he might no longer be the most convincing Santa around the holidays, though he noted he’s already working on getting a prosthesis so he can project St. Nick’s substantial gut. In 2023, Oregon TOPS members lost a total of 9,631 pounds. Law said that the most helpful step in his journey was the support that he got from his weekly TOPS meetings.
“The encouragement, motivational challenges; there’s so much to it. Learning to eat sensibly, drink more water, exercise, portion control, accountability are all part of the support,” Law said.
The group meets every Monday at the Methodist church at 6th and Columbia. Law said there are about 18 members in the group, and the connections he’s made have been a huge piece of his personal success.
“It’s like one big family. Everybody is so friendly and so nice and so encouraging,” Law said. “I feel like it’s a family.”
3A and 4A Volleyball championships moving to North Bend
SUBMITTED
OSAA state championship volleyball at the 4A and 3A levels is a moving experience.
That’s especially true in 2024, as the OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union Girls Volleyball 4A/3A State Championships will be moving from Springfield High, where they have been held
since 2022; to North Bend and Marshfield High Schools. North Bend will host the 4A championships and Marshfield will be the 3A site. The tournaments, slated for Nov. 8-9, will run as single-court events, like basketball. Historically, the volleyball championships have played two matches side-by-side for all but the state finals.
OSAA Assistant Executive
Director Missy Smith said that there were no college venues available for the tournament, as schools were reluctant to give up control of their gyms for two days during a part of the calendar when they are needed for the end of the collegiate volleyball season coupled with the start of men’s and women’s basketball.
The 3A basketball tournament at Marshfield in Coos Bay has been such a success as a destination experience, Smith said, that when Athletic Director Greg Mulkey pitched Marshfield and North Bend for volleyball as well, the choice became clear.
OSAA will use this year to experiment with the site and format, but given the success of 3A
basketball in Coos Bay, the volleyball championships in that part of the state could easily become a fixture.
“They want to make it a great event like they do basketball,” Smith explained. “We wanted to put a first-class event where someone really wanted us also. We are excited about the opportunity.”
Oregon sees job growth, continued employment challenges
STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 8,500 jobs in July, following a revised decline of 700 jobs in June, according to the Oregon Employment Department.
Gains, loses July’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+2,300 jobs); health care and social assistance (+2,000); government (+1,800); and construction (+1,400).
Declines in July were largest in leisure and hospitality (-700 jobs) and retail trade (-500).
Professional and business services added 2,300 jobs in July, following a drop of 1,700
in June. The July gain was led by the addition of 2,000 jobs in the component industry administrative and waste services.
Despite the one-month increase, professional and business services cut 2,900 jobs, or -1.1%, in the past 12 months, with each of its three component industries also declining by close to 1% since July 2023.
Health care and social assistance expanded rapidly, adding 2,000 jobs in July and 16,300 jobs over the past 12 months. Social assistance grew by 7,500 jobs, or 10.3%, in 12 months. Meanwhile, the health-care component industries each added more than 2,000 jobs since July 2023: nursing and residential care facilities (+3,500 jobs, or 6.6%); ambulatory health care
services (+3,700 jobs, or 3.7%); and hospitals (+2,300 jobs, or 3.9%).
Despite gains in health care and a few other industries, several industries cut jobs over the past year.
Four major industries declined by at least 1,000 jobs since July 2023: retail trade (-6,600 jobs, or -3.2%); financial activities (-1,300 jobs, or -1.3%); professional and business services (-2,900 jobs, or -1.1%); and manufacturing (-1,900 jobs, or -1.0%).
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in both June and July and has been in a tight range between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate rose from 4.1% in June to 4.3% in July.
ACROSS
1. Meat chunks
6. Calendar square
9. *____ signature, or notation that describes #34 Down
13. Hiya or howdy
14. Down Under runner
15. West Point student
16. At full speed
17. Big Apple
18. Flounder’s domain
19. *Complementary notes sung simultaneously
21. *Not sonata
23. Debate position
24. Painter Chagall
25. Munchhausen’s story
28. Casino chip
30. *R in R&B
35. Spanish earthen pot
37. Lobed organs
39. Nest for an eagle
40. Bona fide
41. *Adagio or moderato, e.g.
43. What a willow did?
44. *Type of piano technician
46. Flock member description
47. Fill beyond full
48. Masters of ceremonies, colloquially speaking
50. Jon Krakauer’s book “____ the Wild”
52. High craggy hill
53. Church congregation
55. Hole punching tool
57. *A ____, or without accompaniment
61. *Fast
65. Not asleep
66. 2000 lbs.
68. Acquisition through marriage
69. Rubber tree product
70. Director’s cry
71. *Five lines
72. Potassium hydroxide solution, pl.
73. 168 in 1 week
74. Housed
DOWN
1. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s title
2. Dharma teacher
3. Resembling wings
4. Good Year balloon, e.g.
5. Mexico City state
6. Say it isn’t so
Winehouse or Schumer
New Mexico’s state
Diplomat’s asset
It comes to mind
Not in Impossible
European erupter
Shell-like anatomical
20. *Nine instruments, e.g. 22. Bobby of hockey
Halle Bailey’s 2023 role
*Loud or strong
Part of small intestine
Sometimes follows sauvignon
1.3 ounces, in Asia
Coniferous trees
October 31 option
On top of trends (2 words)
Courtesy photo Kenneth Law before his weight loss.
Courtesy photo
A recent photo of Law after achieving his weight goal.
