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City to expand Veterans Memorial

The City of St. Helens has been awarded a $32,875 grant through the Oregon Parks and Recreation’s Veterans Memorial Grant Program.

The project

The grant will be used to expand the existing McCormick Park Veterans Memorial in St. Helens, funding an approximately 300-square-foot expansion to the Memorial, adding seven illuminated monuments with flags to honor the seven branches of the United States Armed Forces. The expansion will also include an ADA-accessible concrete walkway leading to the new monuments. Construction is anticipated to take approximately three months to complete and should be finished in time for the Memorial to host the 2023 Veterans Day ceremony.

The project includes matching funds of $28,130 through in-kind labor and donations. The in-kind match includes the donation of

flags and hardware from the local VFW Post 1440, labor and equipment use from the St. Helens Public Works Department, engineering and design donated by Lower Columbia Engineering, LLC, and in-kind labor from City staff to manage the grant.

History

The McCormick Park Veterans Memorial Plaza was last expanded in 2018. The current Memorial honors Columbia County veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and current conflicts in the Middle East.

It includes six engraved granite slabs and brick veneer footings. The granite slabs include a short description of each military branch of service with their corresponding service seal.

The existing U.S. flagpole was installed during the 2018 expansion and will remain in its current location, becoming the center of the seven new monuments and flags that are being built for the current project.

St. Helens’ camping ordinance adopted

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The St. Helens City Council has finalized its ordinance to comply with House Bill 3115, which dictates where, how, and when people can rest in public spaces. The law, HB 3115, was passed in 2021 and provides “that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.”

Throughout the process, the issues of time, place, and manner of camping were the aspects that required particular attention to shelter the city from potential litigation.

“The adopted rules regarding time, manner, and place were all revised numerous times over the City Council’s review of proposed ordinance language,” St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King said. “During several

meetings, staff presented the City Council with a menu of options related to each aspect of the ordinance. The City Council began narrowing down preferred options over the course of those meetings.” While time, place, and manner restrictions are critical to providing structure for those who may camp, the ordinance is prefaced with recognition of “the social nature of the problem of homeless individuals camping on public property,” and the law will ensure “the most humane treatment for removal of homeless individuals from camping sites on public property.”

Time

The city ultimately settled on allowing “camping” to be defined as establishing a campsite either through occupation or storage of personal property on any location of city property for more than 24 consecutive hours. The St. Helens Planning Commission recommended 48 hours as the period after which camping would not be permitted. King explained the

council’s decision.

“There is a state law that an individual has at least 72 hours from the time that a notice is posted to move from an area before enforcement can be taken,” King said. “Factoring in an allowed 24-hour sheltering time, law enforcement would then have the option to post a notice to vacate the location, and then the 72-hour period would take effect. This would ultimately give someone a minimum of four days to be in a location before enforcement action could be taken.”

After 24 hours in one location, people will be required to move their camping materials to a different city property, following the other regulations within the ordinance.

Place

The ordinance sparked controversy in St. Helens, causing friction between the City Council and former Planning Commission Chair Steve Toschi.

Toschi felt that by not defining places where people could camp,

the city could open itself up to an influx of houseless people from surrounding areas and leave the city vulnerable to legal action.

Ultimately the city went in a different direction than Toschi had hoped.

One of the main changes throughout the process of finalizing the ordinance was approaching the law by outlining where camping was not allowed, as opposed to having designated areas where people could camp.

The ordinance restricts camping in all public parks, city property within 100 yards of schools or buildings that are residential or businesses, and all residential zoning districts and the Riverfront District zoning district, including sidewalks. The ordinance also restricts camping on “any public rights of way” except for “sidewalks not otherwise specifically regulated.”

In the case of those sidewalks, the ordinance maintains that a campsite “that does not restrict the free movement of pedestrian travel, including those pedestrians that

require the use of a wheelchair” is permitted until it surpasses the 24hour limit imposed by the city.

“An example of one of many adjustments made over the course of the Council’s decision making was related to the distance from a residence that camping would not be allowed,” King said. “One of the Planning Commission’s recommendations to the City Council was that no camping be allowed within 400 feet of a residence. The City Council ultimately decided on 100 yards (the length of a football field).”

See CAMPING Page A8

Chamber director seeking increase in memberships

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has named Jak Massey as Executive Director, the first time someone has taken on the role since 2020.

Massey has been involved with the chamber since October 2021 and served as the member relationship manager.

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that represents Scappoose, St. Helens, Columbia City, and Vernonia.

In her new role, Massey will largely continue the work she has been doing over the last 20 months.

“The type of work that I was doing as the member relationships manager just slowly morphed as [the board] saw that I was able to take on new tasks,” Massey said. “I was probably doing more of the executive director role really for the last six months, but the chamber board wanted to make sure that I was wanting this and that it was the right fit still.”

This slower transition ensured that Massey was ready to step in after there had been high turnover in the position with prior chamber directors.

Massey acts as the face of the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, supporting chamber members, carrying out ribbon cuttings, and networking within the community to grow the chamber. When Massey first started at the chamber in 2021, numbers were low coming out of the pandemic,

and the chamber had about 98 members. Since Massey started, member numbers have increased; she said they have around 140 members.

The benefits

Massey said there are three main benefits for businesses to become a chamber of commerce member. The first is the networking opportunities that membership provides. Massey said it’s critical for businesses to make connections and come to chamber networking events, like Coffee and Commerce, so businesses can interact and cross promote each other.

“I tell my members that they need to participate in that, it’s not that they join the chamber, and the promotion automatically comes to them. They need to put their face out there and talk to other people,” Massey said.

The second draw is the chamber’s newsletter, which Massey said has just under 800 subscribers. When she started, she did two newsletters a month, now she does one at the beginning of each month to distribute all the new information being shared with her.

The third benefit of being a member of the chamber is the use of the South Columbia County

Chamber of Commerce building lo cated at 2194 Columbia Boulevard. Massey said that there are members of the chamber who find the space very valuable. The space is used as a meeting space between chamber members and clients, members use it to teach classes, and hold ing gatherings and functions. The building also acts as a remote office for employees of chamber members who need a physical space to use when they are in town.

For Massey, the appreciation of the businesses in the chamber is

also enjoys making the connections her tagline for this year, “Prosperity

Massey stem from her being the only chamber employee, and driving growth, as well as, retaining

Courtesy photo from the City of St. Helens

The Veterans Memorial is located in McCormick Park at 75 S 18th Street in St. Helens.

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo from the City of St. Helens

The current Memorial honors Columbia County veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and current conflicts in the Middle East.

Museum bringing attention to human rights

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE) has reopened, and visitors can experience three new exhibitions in the newly expanded space. The museum reopened on June 11 following a four-month closure due to construction as the museum incorporated new space into the existing museum floor plan while also expanding the museum’s footprint for its other galleries and providing new museum lighting on the first floor.

The OJMCHE, located at 724 NW Davis Street in Portland, explores the legacy of the Jewish experience in Oregon, teaches the enduring and universal relevance of the Holocaust, and provides opportunities for intercultural conversations.

To that end, the OJMCHE has a variety of programs, exhibitions, and speakers to help engage visitors, community members, teachers, and students. According to their website, these programs and initiatives “celebrate and explore, in the broadest terms, Jewish contributions to world culture and ideas, issues of identity, and the forces of prejudice.”

In April, the St. Helens Public Library hosted OJMCHE guest speaker Ruth Bollinger, who shared her experience as a child survivor of the Holocaust. The reopening of the museum offers Oregonians an opportunity to connect to Jewish history and themes of human rights in their new exhibitions.

New exhibitions

Executive Director for the museum Judy Margles is excited to present the newlook museum and is thrilled with the new exhibitions the museum has to offer.

One of the temporary exhibitions is called, But a Dream; it is a series of paintings by Salvador Dalí,

commissioned by a publisher in New York City in 1966. The exhibition is at the mu seum until August 13, 2023. The goal of the series was to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Israel becom ing a country.

“Dalí really took to the subject, as you’ll see by these images, he sort of went to the bible, he went into Jewish history, and then he connected each image to a quotation from the bible,” Margles said.

The series explored the journey of Jewish history up to the recognition of Is rael as its own state. Margles said the series is especially interesting, given that Dalí expressed fascist sympathies and was suspected of being an anti-semite. Margles said she wasn’t convinced he was an anti-semite and noted that he was more of a “generic rascist.” Margles said, ultimately, it probably came down to money and that he likely wasn’t antisemitic.

This is sadly, an unfolding story day-by-day.

~ Scott Miller, Guest Curator

The next exhibition is called The Jews of Amsterdam, Rembrandt and Pander, and it will be on display until September 23, 2023.

Curated by Adjunct Curator for Special Exhibitions Bruce Guenther, the exhibit focuses on the 400-year history of Jews of Amsterdam through the eyes of two artists.

The two artists are Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) and Henk Pander (19372023). The exhibit features 22 original etchings from Rembrandt and six canvases from Pander that reflect the lives of Jews in Amsterdam at two very different times of change.

Pander was a Dutch artist, but he spent much of his life

in Portland. His art in the exhibit shows Jewish parts of the city of Amsterdam following the destruction experienced at the hands of Nazi occupation during World War II.

“That’s the contrast; the optimism and the solidity of the Dutch golden age in Rembrandt, who witnesses the pinnacle. And Pander, who was a witness of the end,” Guenther said. “It’s about art. But it’s art as a reflection, as an imaging, of the human experience.”

The new core exhibition is called Human Rights After the Holocaust and was developed by guest curator Scott Miller, who formerly was chief curator at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The exhibition was designed by Bryan Potter Design.

The exhibition will be at the museum indefinitely and focuses on human rights issues that transpired after the Holocaust and that still persist today.

“This is, sadly, an unfolding story day by day. There are headlines, even, about human rights abuses, ships of refugees overturning in the Mediterranean Sea,” Miller said. “Read the newspapers. The history books are very

Reports of racial bias rising in Oregon

JULIA SHUMWAY

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Column

Reports of racial, ethnic and anti-LGBTQ bias increased again in 2022, a new report from Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission showed.

Oregonians in 2022 reported to a confidential state hotline about more than 2,500 incidents of bias crimes or non-criminal incidents that made people from protected classes feel unwelcome. It’s an increase of 178% since the hotline launched in 2020.

The report said Oregonians likely still underreport bias incidents, both to police and to the state-run hotline. A 2021 survey cited in the report found that 18% of people of color in Oregon were victims of race-motivated assaults or witnessed family members being assaulted, and 25% of all Oregonians have experienced or witnessed race-based harassment.

And another 2021 survey cited in the report estimated that more than 1.2 million bias incidents occurred in Oregon in 2019, with nearly 8% of Oregonians being victims of bias incidents each year.

New data comes from the state-run bias response hotline, which since 2020 has logged more than 6,000 reports of hate crimes and non-criminal bias incidents.

They included grocery stores refusing to serve customers, school boards banning LGBTQ Pride flags, people painting swastikas or other hate symbols on structures, schools forcing transgender students to use unwanted names in their yearbooks and even a report of race-based murder.

“Hate is a stain on our state,” Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement. “Our bias response hotline is an essential resource for supporting victims of bias and hate incidents, as well as a critical tool for monitoring trends in bias and hate in Oregon. Everyone should feel like they belong in Oregon.”

The hotline, established by a 2019 state law, is meant to collect quantitative data on hate crimes, which are often undercharged. Advocates who

Metro Creative Connection

Oregonians in 2022 reported to a confidential state hotline about more than 2,500 incidents of bias crimes or non-criminal incidents that made people from protected classes feel unwelcome. It’s an increase of 178% since the hotline launched in 2020.

answer calls can help callers connect with law enforcement to report crimes, but they don’t open investigations on their own.

Bias crimes can be charged as a misdemeanor or class C felony. The latter case, punishable by up to five years in prison, involves causing physical injury or fear of imminent physical injury because of the perpetrator’s perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or nationality.

Race-based incidents made up more than half the reports the hotline received in 2022, with anti-Black incidents responsible for a quarter of the total reports. Anti-Hispanic reports more than tripled in the past three years, reaching 15% of total reports in 2022.

Anti-Asian reports decreased from 2021 to 2022, from making up about 13% of total reports to 6%. Researchers attributed this drop in part to the COVID pandemic, as reports nationwide of antiAsian harassment soared in 2020 and 2021.

Anti-LGBTQ incidents increased over the past few years, with reports about incidents targeting people over their sexual orientation making up 11% of reports in 2020 and 20% in 2022. Incidents targeting people for their gender identity made up 6% of reports in 2020 and 15% in 2022.

Callers are free to share as much or little identifying information with the hotline staff as they choose, mean-

ing hotline staff have some leeway in how they classify incidents. For instance, an anonymous report that a student was flying a Confederate flag from their car in a school parking lot would be classified as anti-Black, even if the race of the person who felt targeted by the flag was unknown.

Swastikas are always classified as an anti-Jewish symbol at the request of the Anti-Defamation League, though a swastika could also be classified as an antiLGBTQ or anti-disability symbol if the person targeted perceives it that way.

If you’ve experienced or witnessed a hate crime or other bias incident, call the state’s bias response hotline at 1-844-924-2427 or make an online report at StandAgainstHate. Oregon.gov.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/ reports-of-racial-ethnic-antilgbtq-bias-continue-rising-inoregon. Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle. com.

important, but it’s absolutely present day.”

The exhibit begins with the Holocaust and touches on the development of the legal definition of human rights, and details why and how human rights abuses, hatred, racial injustice, and genocide continue to happen while also illustrating why hope and action are critical to making positive changes.

While the exhibit delves into some of the darkest parts of human history, the exhibit ends with a note that seeks to motivate museum-goers and asks the question, “How do you turn hope into action?”

People are encouraged to write their responses, and they are put up on the wall in the exhibit. When asked why the hope component was important, Miller said that hope breeds action.

“Hope is what leads to activism. If you don’t have hope, then what’s the point? So it’s hope for hope’s sake, but it’s really the idea hope can lead to activism, which can lead to change,” Miller said.

After the closure and the renovation, Margles is proud to not only present the new space that was incorporated but also hopes these exhibitions give people the oppor-

tunity to learn world history in ways they never thought of before. Ultimately she hopes people who visit the museum will be inspired to make a change. Margles also spoke to the continued crisis of houselessness in Portland.

“We want people to come in here and think, ‘there is hope,’” Margles said. “Empathy is the other piece we’re trying to help our visitors understand. In this neighbor-

hood, it’s a neighborhood where there’s a lot of misery; it’s a humanitarian crisis. If you walk out of here and you see somebody who’s quite manic and a little scary, that your reaction isn’t one of indignity. They are human beings. They had a mother, they had a father, they had siblings, they had a family. They are in deep deep distress, ‘is there something I can do?’”

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The new core exhibition focuses on human rights.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The Jews of Amsterdam, Rembrandt and Pander.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

But a Dream is a series of paintings by Salvador Dalí.

Edwin Hruby, of Scappoose, Oregon, passed away July 5, 2023, at the age of 95. Edwin was born Oct. 10, 1927, in Comstock, Nebraska, to parents Frank and Kamila (Cernik) Hruby. He grew up and attended school in Comstock.

On June 1, 1949, he married Shirley Maxine Holcomb in Arcadia, Nebraska. They were married until her death in May of 2014. In 1961, Edwin and Shirley relocated to Oregon

obituaries

Edwin Hruby

Oct. 10, 1927 ~ July 5, 2023

where they raised their children. Edwin found work at Linnton Plywood and worked as a foreman for 28 years before retiring in 1989. In his free time Edwin enjoyed gardening, fishing and crabbing on the Oregon Coast with Shirley and the kids. He is survived by his children, Dennis Hruby and Rhonda Hascall; sister Evelyn Erickson; brother Frank Hruby; four grandchildren;

and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley; two sisters, Minnie Nystrom and Elma Stone; and brother Robert Hruby. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sat., July 15, 2023 at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hel ens, Oregon. Donations in his name can be made to the American Heart Association. Please sign our online guestbook at www.columbi afh.com.

Ronda Lynn Johnson Dunn

June 9, 1959 ~ June 13, 2023

Ronda was born in Riverside, California to Lauren “Ronald” and Charlotte Foster Johnson on June 9, 1959. She passed away in her home with hospice care on June 13, 2023, at the age of 64. She came to Oregon at the age of 3.5 years old and attended Yankton Grade School, St. Helens High School and graduated from Scappoose High School in 1977. Ronda’s and her former spouse Al Adams had two boys together, Chris and Andy. She married Jim Dunn on Feb. 19, 1993, welcoming his daughter Echo and son Andrew into her family. Her career was in the administrative and bookkeeping field, but when

not working she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved to travel, garden, lounge in a swimming pool, wear flip flops, feel the sand on her

feet at the beach, clam digging, sewing and quilting. But most of all she adored and loved her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities.

She lived in St. Helens, Oregon much of her life but with Jim’s occupation they lived in Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington for a few years until they returned to St. Helens to retire.

Ronda is survived by her husband of 30 years Jim Dunn; sons, Chris Adams and Andy (Daniela) Adams; stepdaughter Echo Willard; stepson Andrew Dunn; six school age grandchildren, Ashlyn and Logan Willard of St. Helens, Oregon, Micah, Jace, Wyatt and Kai Adams

Nov. 7, 1939 ~ July 1, 2023

Sylvia Jane Carr went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2023, at the age of 83.

Sylvia was born Sylvia Jane Sherman on Nov. 7, 1939 in South Bend, Washington and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon in 1957. She married Grant Carr in 1961 and enjoyed almost 55 years of marriage before his death in 2015, living much of that in the St. Helens, Oregon area before retiring to Lakeview, Oregon in 1999.

Sylvia was fiercely committed to her faith in Jesus Christ, and her family. Her life centered around church, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She

Rosemary Ann Sickles was born an only child in St. Helens, Oregon on Nov. 6, 1948, to Edith (Kyle) and Anthony Alesko. She passed away with her family by her side, on June 16, 2023. She graduated from St. Helens High School in 1966. She attended business school and received her medical transcription certification. She worked as a transcrip tionist at the hospital in St. Helens, Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, and for some private physicians. Her desire to become a nurse became a reality when in 1997

will be remembered for her unwavering faith, loving her family, and for her incredible cookies. Sylvia lived a full life,

was relatively healthy to the end, and passed suddenly sitting in her favorite chair with her Bible open on her lap. She was looking forward to the day she would see her beloved daughter and husband as she crosses the threshold into eternity with Jesus.

Sylvia and Grant raised four children, Doug (Katy), Becky (Keith Cernac), Brad (Melissa), and Suzy (Greg Larson), and have 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her daughter Becky; husband Grant; and sister Cynthia. She is survived by her

of Scappoose, Oregon; brother Greg (Regina) Johnson of McComb, Mississippi; sister Floydene (Jim) Calhoon of Scappoose, Oregon; motherin-law Mary Cooper Dunn; sister-in-law Karen (Vince) Dunn Greget; and a large extended family that includes a lot of friends. She was predeceased by her father Ron Johnson; mother Charlotte Wellborn; and stepfather Virgil Wellborn. She will be missed by many people.

Please join us for a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Sat., July 15, 2023 at the Loyal Order of the Moose, 57317 Old Portland Rd., Warren, OR 97053.

three remaining children; brothers, Richard and Ron Sherman; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank all of those who have touched ours through prayer and support.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life on earth, and her future life in heaven, will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Lakeview, Oregon. If you feel led to give in Sylvia’s memory, donations can be made to First Baptist Mission Fund, 910 N. 2nd Street, Lakeview, OR 97630, a cause that Sylvia enjoyed supporting.

she graduated from Lane Community College with a nursing degree. She worked

at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon. After moving back to St. Helens, she worked for eleven years at Emanuel Hospital in Portland in the Trauma Care

She loved the Oregon State Beavers. She especially loved going to as many football games as possible. She also enjoyed traveling (her favorite destination was Hawaii), jazz festivals, dancing, but her best time was spent with her family. The beach trips and clamming were always a favorite.

She is survived by

her three children, Ron Schwirse, Robert (Alice) Schwirse and Melanie Veach; grandchildren, Caitie (David) Dunnington, Hallie (Logan) Schwirse, and Logan Veach; stepsons, Ben and Sam Sickles; and many close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Steve Sickles; parents, Anthony and Edith Alesko; and granddaughter Amy Schwirse.

A service was held at 1 p.m. on July 8, 2023 at 34801 Smith Road, St. Helens.

be with Phyllis L. Tice on June 20, 2023.

three children, David Tice, Stacey Tice, and Renee Tice; and his brother Keith Tice.

but we are glad that he is back with our mom, the love of his life.

of St. Helens High School. He joined the US Air Force 1958 until 1964.

Sylvia Jane Carr

News and Views

Mostly perfect gardening weather

CHIP BUBL

Garden Plots

Chronicle Guest Column

Summer has started well for gardeners. We have had a few days in the 90s and are due for another one or two this weekend, but they haven’t been sizzling. Peppers love this weather and tomatoes, and corn are growing nicely.

Some of the leafy vegetables (lettuce especially) have matured quickly and aren’t in their best condition but all can still be planted for continuous crops.

This is the right time to harvest garlic. Do not irrigate it anymore. When you harvest, put the plants (bulbs and attached stems/ leaves) in a place with good air circulation but not direct sun. Assuming the weather pattern continues, they should dry fairly quickly.

Drying them in the sun can lead to sunburned bulbs.

The cloves turn soft and yellow/tan in color when you peel the “skins” around the cloves. They are off flavored, not good to eat, and will rot quickly. Garlic can be stored in a dry space for about two to three months at summer temperatures. As we move into fall, and the bulbs experience more uneven temperatures, they start to sprout. Many gardeners have learned to take apart the bulbs and freeze the cloves individually. They are easy to work with in the kitchen and won’t decay once frozen.

As I have mentioned in earlier columns, now is the time to plant vegetables for fall into winter eating. The cabbage family is on top of the list with kale, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, rutabagas (they need to go in quickly to mature), and kohlrabi. Chard and beets are strong winter vegetables. Spinach is great and is best planted in mid-August.

Lettuce can be planted anytime from now until early September. Green beans can be planted for fall eating. And finally, leeks can be planted now and will stand very cold temperatures. As far as insects this summer, it has mainly been flea beetles (different species for different crops) that have caused the most trouble, especially on cabbage family seedlings. The cabbage butterfly is now flying so her very hungry caterpillars can’t be far behind. Yellow jackets, which feed on caterpillars, are not abundant yet but as summer progresses, expect to see more.

Apple and pear and other

tree fruit crops are abundant. High fruit load on branches and main limbs will damage some trees as the fruits mature and get heavier. Thinning fruit now can help.

Are you planning to preserve food from your garden or purchased from a farm this summer? If so, call or visit the OSU Extension Service office before you start canning, freezing, or drying.

ters, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

• The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Have questions?

Finally, don’t stomp on the black beetles you see patrolling your garden. They move fast because they are adept predators. As a group, they feed on cutworms, slugs, caterpillars if they can get to them, soil insects, an slugs! There are several body types. Most, but not all, are shiny black in appearance. They are garden partners that need encouragement.

Blackberries –we love and hate them

For whatever reason,

GOP staged historic walkout, but they didn’t get much for it

RANDY STAPILUS Chronicle Guest Column

The 2023 Oregon legislative session was dominated by a six-week strike, the longest by legislators in the state’s history. Did it matter?

Yes, but not as much as many people would have expected, and we may need a while to figure out exactly how much.

The impact of the walkout and this year’s session fall into three categories.

The simplest is that the 10 Republican senators who exceeded the constitutional limits for unexcused absences cannot serve the next term after this one, disrupting their party’s ability to try to gain control of the chamber. That’s a major price for a political party to pay, since open seats –as theirs will be next time – are easier targets for an opposition party. Because of local political conditions, most probably will remain Republican, but not all.

Yes, there’s a legal action seeking to overturn the limitation, and you can never predict what a court might do. But the rule is now in the Oregon constitution – after voters overwhelmingly endorsed it last year. Since it clearly doesn’t conflict with anything in the federal Constitution, attorneys for the senators will have a hard time finding a lever to overturn it.

The second area of impact involves the Republican demands leading to the walkout. These mainly concerned legislation Democrats had proposed relating to guns, abortion and LGBTQ issues.

The Republican senators held off a proposed law change barring Oregonians under 21 from buying guns, and allowing local governments to ban guns from their buildings. (Expect those subjects to return next year.) But the final version

of House Bill 2005 did include a ban on ghost guns –firearms created through 3D printing, for example, and lacking traceable numbers – and required that nearly all existing guns in the state carry a tracking number by September 2024. It also set up an investigation into the sources of gun violence, which may be useful.

Gun safety advocates didn’t get all they wanted, but they got at least half a loaf, maybe more.

The biggest focus of the Republican walkout, House Bill 2002, passed with most of its major elements intact: liability protections for Oregon abortion providers following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and a requirement that insurance companies cover gender-affirming medical care. The main deletion from the package obtained by Republicans has to do with parental notification of an abortion for a child younger than 15. The bill, which hasn’t been signed by Gov. Tina Kotek yet, still would allow a provider who obtains a second opinion to bypass parental notification in cases of potential abuse. Abortion rights and transgender rights advocates in Oregon can take that result as a win.

The Republicans didn’t get much for the sacrifice their senators made, and neither did they, in the end, stop the flow of legislation.

Kotek appeared to score only one significant loss (and that at the hands of her fellow Democrats), relating to an adjustment of landuse law to expand housing stock. She got almost everything else she sought.

Attorney General Ellen Rosenbaum said in a press release, “I am thrilled that every major bill on my legislative agenda passed! From banning unserialized ‘ghost guns’, to requiring transparency and limits on the use of our personal

data, to moving forward our work preserving access to abortion, and fighting labor trafficking and bias crimes.”

Budgets were approved, as they must be each session, and so were scores of bills on all sorts of topics – including substantive measures on housing and homelessness, boosting support for public defenders and encouraging semiconductor development in the state. That means the walkout had few legislative aftereffects, though we all may discover glitches in the flood of bills passed in a rush at the session’s end.

Consider this quote from Kotek, delivered shortly before the session’s end, about the supersonic speed at the Legislature: “Once the (walkout) deal was reached, everything went into overdrive, and I have not had a chance to look at all the bills. We will make sure we understand what I’m signing and there might be some things I don’t agree with, but right now I don’t know what those are.”

We may see echoes of that for months as critics of many of the rapidly-processed bills examine them carefully for legal or other flaws – and we’ll probably find more than a few.

The Democrats who were mainly responsible for passing them all so quickly will, of course, have to answer for them.

But so will the Republican walkouts.

Randy Stapilus is a columnist for the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

blackberries (the weedy and like Marion berries) seem to be growing with a devilish passion this year. Their thorns even seem sharper! Blackberries can be controlled by repeated cutting to the ground, first by hand and later with a heavy-duty lawn mower for the new shoots. If you are using herbicides for control, you will find ones that don’t work well now are very good in September. Call me and we can discuss options that will give you the best results. Be careful with Crossbow and related herbicides. While they work well now, they are prone to leaving where you sprayed them and wandering to your or your neighbor’s garden if the temperatures are above 75 degrees, even 8 hours after spraying! This has resulted in lawsuits for damage. Again, call me if you have questions.

Food Preservation:

Costly and potentially harmful mistakes can be made by using outdated canning recipes and instructions. You can find free publications and pressure gauge testing at the Columbia County Extension office located at 505 N. Columbia River Highway in St. Helens. If you have questions, phone Jenny Rudolph at the office at 503-397-3462.

You can download for free all our food preservation publications at https:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ mfp/publications. An additional great resource is the National Center for home Food Preservation at http:// www.uga.edu/nchfp.

Important notes

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior cen -

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-3973462 or at chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free newsletter (what a deal!): The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension. oregonstate.edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Resource contact Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462

VoiCes of the Community

Lack of transparency

Again, the City of St. Helens shows a lack of concern for transparency. On June 6th 2023 and June 7th, I suggested the City should give an updated report on the failed 2 MG reservoir. I got replies of no intention and it’s not necessary. The Spotlights, Scott Keith was given the Pittsburg Road 2 MG reservoir statement on June 28th. The newspaper’s request seems to have received an overdue update. This is lack of transparency, and this information should have been shared voluntarily

with The Chronicle. The City has possessed a lot of information that the City failed to utilize when trying to determine the cause of the leaking reservoir, especially when the Rehabilitation repair work caused increased leaking. The reservoir condition was plagued from the beginning with not knowing what was the source of the high volume leak.

The City failed to identify the leaking from 2009--2016, then hired Kennedy/Jenks as Engineer. I haven’t determined what investigation Kennedy/Jenks performed, but provided the Plan for Rehabilitation.

BIC noted water infiltra-

tion, and there was a lack of oversite inspection performed during the Geotextile mat and Carboline reactamine application. The project was to be inspected by the City of St. Helens. The City claims it was workmanship that caused the failure. BIC assessment was that the Geotextile- epoxy liner couldn’t account for leaking 44,000 gallons per day. So Walker Consultants was hired to investigate the failure. This action results in the Walker Report being withheld by the City claiming Client Privilege.

Ron Trommlitz St. Helens

Do you believe the city’s camping ordinance is fair and just?

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Life Line Screening

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Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-655-0972.

Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans!

Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1-866-695-9265 today!

Donating your vehicle? Get more! Free Towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $200 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3-day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today - 1-844533-9173.

Alcoholics Anonymous

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502

Help Wanted

Eagle Star Rock Products

Seeking heavy equipment operator, front end loader experience preferred. Position is full time, Monday- Friday. Full benefit package available, including health, eye, & dental insurance; 401K, and vacation time. Call 503-3977861 for details.

HELP WANTED

Garage Sale Sat-July 15, 9am5pm. A-Z items, Furniture, Auto, Tools, Brand clothes Pendleton, Calvin, Nike-Kids & Adult sz. Many useful Free items. 33416 SW Steady Year Round Work Monday Thru Friday Paid Holidays

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Classified Ads Deadline for The Chronicle. Submit classified ads, garage sales, and help wanted ads to chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net or call 503-397-0116. Please submit by Mondays by Noon.

Community eVents

Lodge Cruise-In with a Vision 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come by for breakfast and lunch, beer garden, live music, raffle, t-shirts, awards and dash plaques.

Rock ‘N’ Roll with The Decades at 350 Belton Rd., St. Helens. This is a benefit for The Elks Children’s Eye Clinic at the Casey Eye Institute.

July 18 Fireside Chat

7 p.m. at Caples House, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City.

Cost is $5. Trish Ovendorf speaks on Why is Caples House called Caples House? For more information call, 503-397-5390.

Ongoing Events

Fridays 2 p.m. to 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 to Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Caples House Museum Tours, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. Cost is $5. Stop by and see what has changed. Call 503397-5390 for more details.

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.

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 compul -

sive 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 714-7689327 or check the Resonate Facebook page.

Columbian Toastmasters

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 503-3690329 for more information.

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.

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.

Watch Spring on Fridays 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Have tea and a sweet in Caples’ Cottage, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. Cost is $5. For more details, call 503-397-5390.

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 jruark@countrymedia. net or chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH23-1384

PUBLIC NOTICE - INVITATION TO BID CRPUD

Frontage Improvements – 33655 E Columbia Ave, Scappoose OR Notice is hereby given that Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD) will receive sealed bids for CRPUD Frontage Improvements – 33655 E Columbia Ave, Scappoose OR. Bids will be received by the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054 until 3:30 p.m., pacific prevailing time, on August 8, 2023, at which time the bids will be publicly opened. The bids will be available for public inspection at the PUD office after the bid opening. The bid documents may be examined at the office of the PUD, 64001 Columbia River Highway, Deer Island, Oregon 97054. Paper or electronic copies of the bid documents may be obtained by sending a written request to Columbia River PUD. P.O. Box 1193, St. Helens, Oregon, 97051, or by visiting the PUD Website at https://www.crpud. net/my-pud/bid-documents/. Columbia River PUD reserves the right to reject any and all bids that are not in compliance with the bid documents and prescribed public bidding procedures and to reject, for good cause, any or all bids upon a finding by the PUD that it is in the public interest to do so. Dated: July 3, 2023 at Columbia River People’s Utility District.

The

CH23-1385

NOTICE OF MEETING

The CC Rider Transit Advisory Committee will be holding a hybrid meeting on July 18, 2023, at 4:00PM at 1155 Deer Island Rd, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smart-

CH23-1387

phone. https://meet.goto. com/270239805 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 270-239-805 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (571) 317-3116. The public is welcome.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC LIEN SALE

Public Lien Sale Ron’s Self Mini Storage LLC, 401 W. B St., Rainier, OR. Units # 103 Erin Richardson, 151 Joshua Kanal -

CH23-1386

lakan, 163 Jenny Barrick. 1 pm 7-29-23 at Ron’s Self Mini Storage LLC onsite public auction. Cash in hand bid.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC LIEN SALE

Public Lien Sale Rainier Mini Storage LLC, 323 W. B St., Rainier, OR. Units #19 Sharon Gilmore, 20 Austin Young, 30,31,32 Scott Snyder, 58 Marc Lina, 62 Nancy

CH23-1383

Cordova, 63,67,69 Barbara Bowen, 68 Efren Arias, 76 Scott Stump. 1 pm 7-29-23 at Rainier Mini Storage LLC on-site public auction. Cash in hand bid.

PUBLIC NOTICE COLUMBIA RIVER PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT

Regular Meeting Date Change

The date of the July 18th, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD has been changed. The Board of Directors for Columbia River PUD will now hold their Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for further accommodations should be made at least 48 hours in

CH23-1381

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of RICHARD ALLAN FRENCH, Deceased. Case No. 23PB03510 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS Proceedings for this estate have been commenced. Claims against the estate may be presented to the personal representative listed below. Any person who has a claim against the estate must present the claim to the personal representative not later than four months after the date

CH23-1380

of the first publication of this notice at the following address: 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056. Any claim not presented within this time period may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the estate proceeding 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 July 5, 2023. Christopher A.

French, Personal Representative, 32400 Stone Road, Warren, OR 97053, Phone: (503) 841-9531. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, Nicholas O. Herman, OSB No. 143360, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC. 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056, Phone: (503) 5434800, Fax: (888) 543-4806 Email: aaron@lowercolumbialaw.com, nick@lowercolumbialaw.com.

PUBLIC LIEN SALE U-STORE SELF STORAGE

Auction to be held online at Storageauctions. com. Auction will run from 7/10/2023 10:00 am & end on 7/21/2023 10:00 am. Unclaimed storage lockers

CH23-1382

advance by contacting the Administrative Assistant at 503-397-1844. Columbia River PUD Board meetings are conducted pursuant to the public meeting laws of the State of Oregon and anyone wishing to attend is welcome. Please visit our website at https://www. crpud.net/my-pud/board-ofdirectors/board-meetings/ for more information on attending this meeting elec

to be sold by competitive bidding. 1st Location: St. Helens, 445 Port Ave, Suite D. Christine & Doug Fenter G-047, O-022, Shannon Lopez O-062, R-103. 2nd

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

tronically.

By: Michael J. Sykes, General Manager

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of SHIRLEY ANN McCARTNEY, Deceased. Case No. 23PB03632 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS Proceedings for this estate have been commenced. Claims against the estate may be presented to the co-personal representatives listed below. Any person who has a claim against the estate must present the claim to the co-personal representatives not later than four months after the date of the first publication of this notice at the

Crossword Puzzle

following address: 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, OR 97056. Any claim not presented within this time period may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the estate proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the co-personal representatives, or the attorneys for the copersonal representatives. Dated and first published on: July 5, 2023. Anna McCartney, Co-Personal Representative 154 N. 7th Street St. Helens, OR 97051

Phone: (503) 396-1814. Tony McCartney, Co-Personal Representative 485 S 10th Street St. Helens, OR 97051 Phone: (503) 4380349. Attorneys for CoPersonal Representatives: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, Nicholas O. Herman, OSB No. 143360, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC, 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056, Phone: (503) 5434800, Fax: (888) 543-4806 Email: aaron@lowercolumbialaw.com, nick@lowercolumbialaw.com.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: IDIOMS

53. Modeling material

55. Robinson in “The Graduate”

57. *Resting on these stops one from trying

61. *No use crying over this milk

65. Money in the bank, e.g.

66. Certain frat house letters

68. Little dear 69. Like a disreputable neighborhood 70. College assessment test, acr.

71. Fairy-tale oil lamp dweller

72. Hawaiian tuber

73. “Oui” in English

74. The Three Musketeers’ swords

DOWN

1. Ear-related

2. Skirt length

3. Gulf V.I.P.

4. Moonshine

5. Cloth armband

6. Kaa’s warning

7. *Break it to start a conversation

8. Synchronizes, for short

9. Pillow filler

10. “Green Gables” character

11. Suggestive look

12. Blunders

15. Full of tribulations

20. Derive 22. Dinghy propeller 24. Bear witness 25. *Read between these for real meaning 26. Writer Asimov 27. Likewise 29. *Don’t beat around it 31. Claudius’ successor 32. Breadth 33. Oil holder 34. *Cut one some of this and don’t be critical 36. Dirt on Santa’s suit?

38. Gallup’s inquiry

42. Like Raphael’s cherubs

45. Polite social behavior

49. How many of the President’s men?

51. *Cross it when you get to it

54. Investigative report 56. Count sheep

57. Bringing up the rear, adj.

58. Between ports 59. Consumer 60. Overhaul 61. Tennis scoring term, pl. 62. Pool path 63. Great Lake 64. Henna and such 67. *One up your sleeve gives advantage

Solution to crossword in next week’s issue of The Chronicle.

Fourth of July fireworks and fire season

Rescue (CRFR) responded to a total of 21 of all types of incidents during the 24-hour period on the Fourth of July, according to CRFR Deputy Chief Eric Smythe. Of the 21 incidents, seven were fire related.

“CRFR responded to a total of 7 fire incidents, 6 were caused by fireworks and 1 by a cigarette,” Smythe said.

None of the incidents resulted in injury. However, misuse of fireworks can lead to additional work for firefighters and emergency responders.

Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates. Last year, at least nine people died, and an estimated 11,500 were injured in incidents involving fireworks.

Fire season heating up

Smythe said Columbia County is experiencing a dry, warm month of July, and NOAA/NWS longrange forecast models do not show any significant rain till October.

“We would ask the public to refrain from fireworks or other devices that can cause a fire to rapidly develop,” Smythe said. “During the next several weeks, the vegetation throughout the County will continue to dry out, this only increase the likelihood of any fire spreading rapidly.”

Smythe and CRFR advised that owners and occupants should clear plant material and debris from around their homes. Keeping a 5-10-foot buffer between dry debris and dry vegetation is critical to minimizing the risk of a fire spreading to the structure.

“Creating a defensible space will help not only the occupant but aid the fire department in protecting their building,” Smythe said.

All Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are now in fire season.

The declaration means that fire restrictions and danger levels may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan on recreating to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

ODF protects over 16 million acres of private,

county, state, and federal land from wildfire. Most districts start their fire season around May or June, and the season ends around the end of October. This year, the Southwest Oregon district was the first to declare on June 1, and the North Cascade District was the last to declare on July 1.

“We are experiencing some active fire behavior for this early in the season,” Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Protection Division Chief Mike Shaw said. “Heading into late summer, which historically has higher fire activity, ODF is ready to protect Oregon lands. However, prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss and firefighting costs. We need the cooperation of Oregonians to do that so we don’t strain our resources on fires that could have been avoided.”

Shaw said the agency is especially concerned about travelers throughout the state looking to recreate in Oregon’s forests.

“We want to remind people to not park their car

over dried grass, don’t drag your tow chains and make sure your car is recently serviced,” Shaw said.

“Ground fuels on the side of a road will catch fire easily and then burn and spread quickly. By actively practicing wildfire prevention, you could prevent a roadside or large wildfire.”

Other wildfire prevention tips include:

• Make sure your campfire is cool to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your site. Don’t forget to Drown, Stir, Repeat.

• Go back and check on your debris burn site to make sure nothing reignites due to the heat.

• Don’t flick a cigarette onto the ground. It may be just enough to start a grass fire.

• Check local restrictions and fire danger levels. For more information on how you can help prevent wildfires, visit keeporegongreen.org. Find more information at: https://www.oregon. gov/osfm/wildfire/pages/ oregon-defensible-space.

Congressional Town Hall July 15 in St. Helens

Oregon U.S. Senator

Jeff Merkley has scheduled a town hall in St. Helens for July 15 as part of his “community conversations” in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Lane Counties. “I hold a town hall for every Oregon county, every year because there is simply no substitute to hearing directly from folks about the ideas and priorities that matter most to them and their communities,” Merkley said. “Oregonians’ thoughts help shape my work in Congress, including positions on policies, ideas for bills, and strategies for securing resources for every corner of our state. Over the course of the

more than 500 town halls Merkley has held since becoming a U.S. Senate, he said he’s seen how these events provide respectful,

express their unique points of view during these oftendivisive times.

“We all benefit signifi-

comfort zone and open ourselves up to new ways of looking at issues—myself included,” he said.

“It’s been great to get back on the road again to meet Oregonians from all walks of life.”

Since taking office in 2009, Merkley said he has has kept his promise to hold an open town hall for each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year. In recent years, many of the events have been virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Merkley Town Hall Schedule

Saturday, July 15

Multnomah County Town Hall

10 a.m., Centennial High School—Gym, 3505 SE 182nd Ave. Gresham

Washington County Town Hall 1 p.m., Century High School—Gym, 2000 SE Century Blvd. Hillsboro Columbia County Town Hall 4 p.m., Location: Lewis and Clark Elementary School—Gym, 111 S 9th St. St. Helens

Sunday, July 16 Lane County Town Hall 3 p.m., Location: Lane County Community College—Building 19, Konnie Conference Room 103, 1st Floor, 4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene

2023 Columbia County 12th Annual

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Sen. Merkley will meet with community

Courtesy photo from Melody Killins

The 2023 Independence Day firework display over the Columbia River in St. Helens.

2023 My Fair Lady and Gentleman Pageant

SUBMITTED BY UNITED WAY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY

The 2023 Annual My Fair Lady and Gentleman Pageant is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. July 19 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens.

The My Fair Lady and Gentleman Pageant is held during the Columbia County Fair each year to recognize seniors (55+) for their outstanding community service.

Introducing the 2023 Court

• Pat Turpin, Scappoose

• Dena Chesney, St.

Helens

• Clint Kelley, Rainier

• Virginia Leloff, Clats-

kanie

• Paula Hanson, Vernonia

The 2023 My Fair Lady

and Gentlemen Court was welcomed during the tea at Caples House on May 23. The five senior volunteers have embraced this opportunity through participation in the St. Helens Kiwanis Parade, Clatskanie 4th of July Parade and Heritage Days Parade. They will continue to serve their community throughout the year at public events and in their own communities.

The public is welcome to celebrate these volunteers’ accomplishments during the 2023 Pageant at 1 p.m. July 19. The Columbia County Fair is free for seniors and veterans on opening day, with a free lunch served to seniors and veterans at 11 a.m. Lunch is first-come, first serve.

Thank you to Columbia County Commissioners, Amamere-St. Helens, InRoads Credit Union and

Teevin Bros for sponsoring this year’s lunch, prepared by the St. Helens Senior Center.

About United Way

United Way of Columbia County works to leverage the caring power of the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. The United Way of Columbia County Senior Volunteer Program supports seniors (55+) in giving back to Columbia County. These volunteers work at local schools, food pantries, senior centers, and more! Senior Volunteers logged more than 10,000 hours of service to Columbia County over the past 12-months.

For more information about the Senior Volunteer Program, visit https://www. unitedwayofcolumbiacounty. com/senior-volunteers.

Human occupancy in Oregon 18,000 years ago

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon archaeologists have found evidence suggesting humans occupied the Rimrock Draw Rockshelter outside of Riley, Oregon more than 18,000 years ago.

University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History Archaeological Field School, led by archaeologist Patrick O’Grady, has been excavating at the Rimrock Draw Rockshelter.

Excavation has been occurring since 2011 under an official partnership agreement with the Bureau of Land Management. Discoveries at the site have included stone tools and extinctmammal tooth fragments from the Pleistocene era. The pieces of tooth enamel are identified as bison (Bison sp.) and camel (Camelops sp.).

CAMPING

In 2012, O’Grady’s team found camel teeth fragments under a layer of volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount St. Helens that was dated over 15,000 years ago.

The team also uncovered two finely crafted orange

Manner

agate scrapers, one in 2012 with preserved bison blood residue and another in 2015, buried deeper in the ash. Natural layering of the rockshelter sediments suggests the scrapers are older than both the volcanic ash and

camel teeth.

Radiocarbon-dating analysis on the tooth enamel – first in 2018 and then again in 2023 – by Dr. Thomas W. Stafford, Jr of Stafford Research and Dr. John Southon of University of California, Irvine, yielded exciting results: a date of 18,250 years before present (14,900 radiocarbon years).

That date, in association with stone tools, suggests that Rimrock Draw Rockshelter is one of the oldest human-occupation sites in North America.

Additional testing of other camel and bison teeth fragments is currently underway, and archaeo-botanists are studying plant remains from cooking fires as well.

“The identification of 15,000-years-old volcanic ash was a shock, then Tom’s 18,000-years old dates on the enamel, with stone tools and

flakes below were even more startling,” O’Grady said.

Presently, Cooper’s Ferry, another archaeological site on BLM-managed public lands in western Idaho, is thought to be the oldest known site in western North America. Evidence there suggests human occupation dating back more than 16,000 years.

“This is a very exciting development for the archaeological community,” said Heather Ulrich, BLM Oregon/Washington Archaeology lead. “Thanks to the partnership with Dr. O’Grady and the University these new dates push our archaeological knowledge of human occupation in North America even farther, perhaps the oldest yet!”

These discoveries highlight the importance of good stewardship of our public lands. Damage, destruction,

or removal at an archaeological site is a federal crime. Leave what you find and do not collect artifacts or otherwise harm archaeological sites on public lands.

This summer, Dr. O’Grady plans to complete the final archaeology field school at Rimrock Draw. The team will be working on several units where more Ice Age animal remains and artifacts are providing supporting evidence for the 2012 discoveries.

Fast Fact

These discoveries highlight the importance of good stewardship of our public lands. Damage, destruction, or removal at an archaeological site is a federal crime.

According to Councilor Patrick Birkle, the city never considered creating “encampments” like many posited online.

“There was never any consideration or dialogue about making St. Helens a destination place for people coming from out of the area and finding a place here,” Birkle said. “The important message is that it was never on the table, ever talked about, to establish camps.”

CHAMBER

From Page A1

From Page A1 members and bringing back past members.

“There’s only one of me, and a lot of members to get to know,” Massey said.

“Probably one of the biggest challenges is in some cases, getting members to come back and trust us again.”

Massey said that the turnover in chamber directors could be part of the reason businesses are hesitant to return. As Massey is getting the chamber revamped, she’s seeing more members return.

As to the manner in which people will camp, the city has put limitations in place to limit the impact those who are camping will have.

Camps must be within a 12-foot x 12-foot area and cannot obstruct any passageways, such as streets, roadways, sidewalks, pedestrian ways, bikeways, and trails. Clearing of vegetation and ground disturbance are not allowed at campsites, and those occupying the area are also responsible for

“That’s one of the biggest rewards for me, is when a member actually comes back,” Massey said. “New members are great, don’t get me wrong, but when a member was a member and they left for any particular reason and now they’re coming back? That is a win-win for me.”

Massey said misconceptions the chamber deals with are that the chamber is aware of all the goings on with new businesses and events without prior notification. She said the chamber is working to make connections with local partners so they can best answer questions that people

maintaining an “orderly” campsite and must not litter or spread rubbish. People must also maintain the campsite in a clean, sanitary, and nonpolluting condition during use of and upon vacating the campsite.

For those found noncompliant with the ordinance, law enforcement personnel and/or public services personnel will refer such a person to services that best address their needs. Should people be found in violation of the city’s ordinance, they could face up to a $50 fine.

“The biggest thing I want

direct to the chamber about non-chamber functions.

One of the focuses for Massey and the chamber has been strengthening their online presence on social media. The chamber promotes many of their events, members, and ribbon cuttings on their Facebook accounts. One of the challenges they’ve faced on this front is rebuilding their social media following after their Facebook page was hacked last fall.

At the time of the hacking, the Facebook page at around 1,500 followers, according to Massey. The new Facebook page they created is only up to 320 followers.

the community to understand about this complex issue is, we are not alone,” Council President Jessica Chilton said. “Cities all over the state of Oregon have been tasked with the same challenge so there will be a learning curve state wide. We have advocated for our city, like other rural communities at the state level to ensure we are getting help with the tasks we are being required to navigate.”

An evolving ordinance

One important thing to

Massey said that this has been a big challenge because they’ve needed to restart growing their presence on social media from scratch.

Moving forward

In her new position, one of the goals Massey wants to accomplish is getting back on the radio. The chamber used to have a radio show on KOHI, and Massey wants to reestablish the chambers presence on the air ways. She is working on a jingle for the show and has already started working with Mayor Rick Scholl on the tune.

In addition, Massey hopes

understand about the ordinance, according to the city, is that it can be changed to reflect the city’s needs.

“The ordinance can be changed,” King said. “If the rules need to be revised due to unanticipated issues that occur or because of developing case law and changes that occur at the state level, St. Helens can modify its ordinance accordingly.”

Regarding the issue of houselessness, Birkle noted that while this ordinance pertains to those who will be publicly camping, it is important to remember that

to continue to grow membership, and something she is pushing for is the creation of a part-time assistant position to take some of the pressure of her as the sole employee for the chamber.

“The idea would be that we share the hours here. When I’m here, they wouldn’t be, and vice versa. So, then the chamber would actually be open more hours of the day, five days a week,” Massey said. “We’d be more available to the public as well, and it would allow me to be out and about to do more networking, outreach, and bring in more membership, knowing that I had

there are people experiencing homelessness in Columbia County that may be less visible.

“There is a problem of houselessness, homelessness, in St. Helens, in our community, but it’s not people living necessarily on the streets,” Birkle said.

The city council adopted the ordinance on June 21 to meet the July deadline.

Join the conversation. Take The Chronicle’s online poll. Do you believe the city’s camping ordinance is fair and just?

some support here doing some of the day-to-day tasks.”

While the staffing support is not guaranteed, Massey is committed to putting all her energy into growing the chamber’s member base and bringing attention to the milestones and events that their members have in works. Massey was announced as Executive Director at a chamber banquet on May 5.

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce office is located at 2194 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens and may be reached at 503-397-0685.

Courtesy photo from the BLM

Discoveries at the site have included stone tools and extinct-mammal tooth fragments from the Pleistocene era.

Courtesy photo 2023 Court from left to right: Virginia Leloff, Dena Chesney, Clint Kelley, Pat Turpin, and Paula Hanson.