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Chronicle & Chief THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | Columbia County, Oregon
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Catching up with Columbia County WILL LOHRE
Country Media, Inc.
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olumbia County saw its fair share of changes in 2023, and though we are a month into 2024, let’s take a look back at some of the accomplishments and challenges the county faced last year. The Chronicle & Chief reached out to Columbia County Public Information Officer Mark Pacheco for the county’s insight into the triumphs and tribulations of the past year. Pacheco worked with the county’s commissioners, Kellie Jo Smith, Margaret Magruder, and Casey Garret, to provide input about what the county’s departments were and continue to work on. Pacheco noted that Columbia County has had “significant success and positive developments.” “We strengthened our leadership team by welcoming Kellie Jo Smith as a new county commissioner, Joshua Pond as a new District Attorney, and three new department directors: Pam Smith in Finance, Larry Evenson in Community Justice, and Corey Padron in Emergency Management,” Pacheco said. “Each of these individuals brings a wealth of unique perspectives, experiences, and knowledge to our county operations.” Across Columbia County One of the hot-button issues in the county last year was public safety. Pacheco referenced the levy that voters passed last May that enabled the hiring of six new patrol deputies by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). At the same time,
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Columbia County has had “significant success and positive developments” in 2023.
CCSO continued to hire Corrections Deputies for the Columbia County Jail. The result is that for the first time in over 20 years, Columbia County resumed providing 24/7 law enforcement coverage in 2023. Though providing 24-hour coverage is an accomplishment for the county, there have been challenges for the county jail. These issues stem from significant financial setbacks when the U.S. Marshal’s Office (USM) bed rentals dropped due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2020. The jail’s largest problems, like other departments in the county arise due to lack of funding.
“CCSO had to deplete its reserve funds to cover the jail’s operating costs. Simultaneously, the costs of medical and food service contracts nearly doubled,” Pacheco said. “In the face of inflation, the jail, like every family in the community, experiences financial pressure.” There has been significant turnover at the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, involving the departure of the elected DA, trial court administrator, Chief Deputy District Attorney, and Deputy District Attorney. Two temporary interim DAs were assigned, a new DA was appointed, and Ballot Measure
110 was implemented. “Despite these challenges, the DA Office achieved remarkable success, bringing more cases to trial in 2023 than almost any other year in our court’s history,” Pacheco said. “Collaborating with law enforcement, they ensured justice for some of the county’s worst offenders. Our specialty courts have also worked extensively with the DA’s Office to rehabilitate and reform those eligible to participate. Our specialty courts received several significant grants due to these efforts.” Regarding the Community Justice Department, the county filled
five open positions this year and welcomed a new director. Though there have been organizational changes, Pacheco said there are plans to recruit a parole and probation officer for the Adult Division. The county both completed and initiated “several development projects” in 2023. Pacheco said that the completion of renovation work on the first floor of the Annex Building in January successfully established a newly modernized space dedicated to the provision of the county’s public health services. The county also began “renovation and enhancement” projects at the John Gumm Civic Offices. The projects are scheduled to be completed this year. “Upon completion, this facility will serve as the new headquarters for the county’s administrative offices, the Columbia County Museum, and the County Small Business and Economic Development Resource Center, offering ample space for future growth,” Pacheco said. In addition to these projects, plans for improving the Historic Courthouse are underway. These improvements include the installation of a new elevator, structural and restorative work on the clock tower, and rehabilitating the main floor lobby. Columbia County Public Works Departments addressed long-standing storm-related issues from 2015 by completing two slide repairs and two culvert/bridge repairs. “These projects effectively resolved concerns at three locations, specifically two on Apiary Road and See CATCHING Page A3
Clatskanie’s U.S. Bank branch to close
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Police taped off the parking lot for the McCormick Park Apartments as they made contact with the subject.
St. Helens stabbing victim stable, suspect in custody STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
Law enforcement responded to a reported stabbing at the McCormick Park Apartments complex located at 1691 Old Portland Road in St. Helens on Feb. 9. The suspect was apprehended, and the victim was transported to an area hospital. According to a City of St. Helens news release, the victim currently remains in the hospital in stable condition. St. Helens Police Department and officers from other agencies, including Scappoose Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the scene where they discovered a victim with life-threatening injuries. The suspect had retreated to her apart-
ment following the incident. “Officers evacuated residents from the location. Officers attempted to communicate with the suspect, while other officers applied for a search warrant for the location. Once a search warrant was successfully obtained, officers made entry to the residence,” the release stated. Officers located 39-year-old St. Helens resident Michelle GarciaValseca inside, and she was taken into custody. After being interviewed, Garcia-Valseca was lodged at the Columbia County Jail on charges of attempted murder II, assault I, and unlawful use of a weapon. This is an ongoing investigation. If you have additional information about this case, please contact St. Helens Sergeant Matthew Smith by calling 503-397-1521.
IN THIS ISSUE Police Reports .............. A3 Opinion .......................... A4 Obituaries ...................... A5 Market ......................... A6 Public Notices ............. A6-8 Games & Puzzles .......... A8 Sports ............................ A9 Senior Living ................ A9
COURTESY PHOTO FROM LAUREY WHITE
Clatskanie’s U.S. Baank branch will close after more than 50 years serving the community. WILL LOHRE
Country Media, Inc.
After being in the community for more than 50 years, the U.S. Bank branch in Clatskanie, located at 401 Columbia River Highway, will close on April 30, 2024. According to a report from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Bank will close seven locations across Oregon over the next several months. The Clatskanie branch was originally opened in 1968. Regional Communications Manager for U.S. Bank Jake Holtrop said the closure comes as in part a result of changes in “preferences and behaviors” from clients, including a “rapid migration toward digital and mobile banking platforms.” “As we evolve along with our clients, we are reevaluating our
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physical footprint, and in some instances, consolidating branch locations in select markets,” Holtrop said. “Although we are closing some branches, we continue to open and enhance others, as well as rapidly enhancing our digital capabilities.” Holtrop said that U.S. Bank’s Clatskanie clients received notice of the closure in late January. He also said that the closure of the branch would not affect client accounts and that “there will be no interruption of service.” “We understand that the closure of any branch is a disruption for our clients and our employees, and we are working to make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved,” Holtrop said. When asked how many employees the branch has and whether the closure would affect their con-
tinued employment, Holtrop said that employees “are encouraged to pursue other opportunities that may be available.” Holtrop did not give specifics on staffing numbers or what other positions might be available, but he said opportunities could include roles in nearby communities as well as remote positions. While U.S. Bank offers mobile and online banking, if customers want to go to a physical location, they may need to travel to Longview, St. Helens, or Scappoose. “We are proud to have served our clients at the Clatskanie branch and hope that we can continue to serve the community at our other locations, including the Longview branch (1452 Hudson Street) and through our award-winning digital and voice offerings,” Holtrop said.
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