SHC96

file for vacant city council position

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The St. Helens City Council will conduct interviews with 10 residents who have applied to fill the council’s vacant position.

The interviews are scheduled during a special city council meeting at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 14 at St. Helens City Hall.

The vacancy is a result of Patrick Birkle’s resignation from council this summer. Birkle submitted a letter of resignation to Mayor Rick Scholl and the City Council Jul. 31, and his resignation was effective as of Aug. 1.

Birkle is a third-grade teacher at Columbia City Elementary School. Birkle said that he did not feel he could balance the duties of the city council with his responsibilities as a teacher.

The chosen candidate will see out the remainder of Birkle’s term, ending Dec. 31, 2024.

The application deadline was Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m. Each applicant will be interviewed during the special meeting Sept. 14.

The applicants are:

• Virginia Carlson

• Jay Echternach

• Nicholas Hellmich

• Russell Hubbard

• Scott Jacobson

• Brady Preheim

• Jared Stram

• Stephen Topaz

• Steve Toschi

• Diana Wiener

All the applicants have been verified as eligible for appointment.

A “qualified elector” is defined in the Oregon Constitution as an applicant who must be 18 years of age or older and registered to vote in Columbia County. All council positions are non-partisan. The Chronicle reached out to members of the City Council for comment on what they feel the ideal candidate would demonstrate.

“I think being a city councilor requires teamwork, the ability to be accountable for decision making and asking questions and being willing to stand up for all of St. Helens’ residents,” Council President Jessica Chilton said. “When looking at candidates, I am personally looking for those qualities and a strong connection to St. Helen’s

community outside of a political agenda because I believe that is where the true passion comes from.”

Following the interviewing process, the council will either make the appointment at the special meeting or they can review and make the appointment at a later date. The City Council may elect to conduct

finalist interviews or can reopen the application process, according to a city press release.

“The Council can make a decision at the Sept. 14 meeting, and they did express a desire to make a decision sooner rather than later at their last Council meeting. However, they do not have to make an immediate decision,” said Communications Officer Crystal King.

The St. Helens City Council

The City of St. Helens operates as a Council-Mayor form of government consisting of a mayor elected to a two-year term and four Council members elected to four-year terms. At each biennial general election, the mayor and two councilors are elected.

The City Council is governed by the City Charter and adopts ordinances known as the St. Helens Municipal Code. They also adopt resolutions that set policy or regulation of matters within the city. City councilors also attend other meetings throughout the community and public hearings as needed.

Council members also have custodial responsibility for all city property, including buildings, equipment, and land. The City Council directs the financing, maintenance, and operation of all City departments and also represents the city on several outside committees involving topics such as economic development and others, per the city’s website.

Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print edition of The Chronicle.

Back to school for St. Helens High School

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

St. Helens School District will be welcoming students back into the classroom this week, and The Chronicle had a chance to hear about the developments families should know about going into the new year. There have been renovations at all the elementary schools, the middle school, and the ongoing construction at St. Helens High School, and Superintendent Scot Stockwell gave insight to what work has been done, and what are developments are to come.

Q&A with Scot Stockwell

The Chronicle: How is the construction at the high school progressing? What have been the major areas of focus during this summer?

Stockwell: The construction project is on track to be completed and ready for students in the fall of 2025. We will begin moving staff and students into the first part of the renovation this spring (2024) and then transition to renovating Building B for final move-in again

in the fall of 2025. The major areas of focus during the summer months are Building C and Building D.

One of the major hurdles we worked on over the summer was regaining access to our gyms. As part of the new construction, electrical, gas, and fire alarm systems are disconnected. Supply chain delays have extended the time it’s taken to get them re-opened, but at this time, the gyms are planned to be opened by the end of September for PE classes and athletic events.

The Chronicle: With the passage of the bond in May, what opportunities did the new funding provide?

Stockwell: School Improvement Projects added back: Updating HVAC throughout rather than just in the newly constructed areas, paving the parking lots, updating CTE programs, covered area outside the commons, updating the auditorium, updating the locker rooms, and completing the second phase of Building B.

Turf baseball and softball fields

See SCHOOL Page A6

Oregon issuing $39M in food benefits to 325,000 children

food, we know that many families are experiencing hardship and are struggling to get enough healthy food for themselves and their children. We encourage anyone who is struggling to meet their basic needs to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”

How students will receive P-EBT food benefits

The P-EBT food benefits will be issued onto the P-EBT cards mailed to students in Spring 2023. Families who lost or threw away their card can contact the P-EBT call center at (844) ORE-PEBT or (844) 6737328 to request a new card.

Newly eligible students will receive two pieces of mail addressed to them:

• A letter notifying them they will receive P-EBT

Who is eligible for P-EBT food benefits

Students are eligible for this PEBT issuance if they received free or reduced-price National School Lunch Program meals at school or attended a Community Eligibility Provision school in May 2023.

More P-EBT food benefits to come for certain children

Oregon has received federal approval to provide additional P-EBT food benefits to children under 6-years-old who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits between July 2022 and August 2023. Details about when and how these children will receive their P-EBT food benefits will be announced as soon as it is available.

What is the P-EBT program?

by

• A separate envelope with their P-EBT card that has $120 of food benefits on it

Since 2020, Oregon has issued

Courtesy photo from Stacey Mendoza

The district hopes that the final renovations will be complete for students and staff in the fall of 2025.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

St. Helens City Hall is located at 265 Strand Street.

Revenue forecast shows taxpayers to receive $5.6B in credits

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

A robust state economy should allow Oregonians to see a large tax credit through the Oregon Kicker system, according to the latest state revenue forecast.

Currently $5.6 billion will be returned to Oregon taxpayers next filing season. The median, or typical Oregonian is expected to receive a $980 credit.

The kicker tax credit goes into effect when the actual state revenue exceeds the forecasted revenue by at least 2%. An amount is then returned to the taxpayers through a credit on their tax returns.

The following is the September 2023 Oregon Revenue Forecast Executive Summary prepared by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis.

The economy continues to be in an inflationary boom. Growth is outpacing expectations.

The good news is inflation has slowed considerably in the past year. The consensus of economic forecasters is now that the economic soft landing is the most likely

scenario. The challenge today is twofold. First, there are emerging signs that the economy is reaccelerating which means inflation could re-heat at some point in the quarters ahead. Second, this leaves the Federal Reserve in a tough position of trying to thread the needle of raising interest rates just enough to cool the economy and bring inflation down, but not too much that chokes off growth. The initial descent appears to have gone as good as can be expected. However, navigating the crosswinds of waiting for the full impact of past interest rate increases to slow growth even as inflation remains above target is challenging.

Oregon’s economic outlook remains effectively unchanged from last quarter. The labor market is tight, albeit less so than during the reopening phase of the cycle. And as inflation slows, income gains are once again outpacing price increases, leading to rising living standards.

With the economy at full employment, future growth will come from labor force gains driven by a return of

positive net migration in the years ahead, along with productivity gains driven by capital investment. The combination of the postpandemic rise in start-up activity, large increase in federal investment, including in semiconductors, and the potential of generative AI should all help to boost productivity in the years ahead. Oregon is well-positioned to

unexpectedly rapid growth in tax collections, Oregon’s state revenue outlook appears to have stabilized. Collections in recent months have tracked closely with the May forecast. Even so, Oregon has yet to go through its first personal income tax filing season of the biennium, and as such, everything remains

at risk. This revenue forecast represents the last look at the 2021-23 biennium and reveals the Close of Session (COS) forecast for the current 2023-25 biennium.

The Close of Session forecast sets the bar for Oregon’s constitutionally required balanced budget, as well as its unique kicker law. The COS incorporates any legislative changes enacted during the legislative session that impact General Fund revenues and folds them into the mid-session (May) revenue forecast that covers the next two years, and forms the basis of the legislatively adopted budget.

This session’s legislative changes were relatively modest in scope, totaling a reduction of $48.6 million in expected General Fund revenues relative to the May forecast.

Total General Fund resources in 2023-25 are increased $437 million compared to the Close of Session forecast. Most of the increase can be attributed to collections of corporate income taxes, which continue to outstrip underlying profit earnings.

Additionally, a larger beginning balance increases resources, a direct result of a larger ending balance last biennium as the accountants closed the books this summer. That increase in revenues at the end of 202123 does result in a larger personal income kicker than previously estimated.

Background

The Oregon Economic Forecast provides information to planners and policy makers in state agencies and private organizations for use in their decision making processes.

The Oregon Revenue Forecast opens the revenue forecasting process to public review. It is the basis for much of the budgeting in state government. The forecast reports are issued four times a year: March, June, September, and December.

The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the quarterly forecast Aug. 30.

See the full September 2023 Oregon Revenue Forecast with this story at thechronicleonline.com

An inside look at local wildfire investigations

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

A brush fire at Pittsburgh Road near the Scappoose Vernonia Highway end sparked a response from Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District, Scappoose Rural Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District, and Westport Fire and Rescue on Aug. 24.

Oregon Department of Forestry Wildland Fire Supervisor Kelly Niles said that when fire crews arrived on the scene, the fire had “spread a little bit” due to a steep uphill slope next to an old rock pit.

“Rock pits are usually steep slopes on the sides, and so that’s exactly what we ran into. It wasn’t moving very fast, but still creeping uphill,” Niles said. “Final fire size was about an acre. It burnt through grass, brush, and it did torch out a couple of individual trees that we had a person on a chainsaw take those down for us to remove the hazard.”

Once the fire’s forward progress was stopped, mopup procedures were under-

taken until Aug. 25. While the exact cause of the fire is unknown, Niles did say that it was humancaused, as there was no indication that lightning or natural causes sparked the fire.

“There was no lighting in the area, there’s no power lines in the area, there’s nothing natural that was going to start this fire,” Niles said. “It wasn’t anything natural like spontaneous combustion or anything like that.”

Hearing from the investigator

Kevin Nelson is heading the investigation on the fire, and he gave insight into what the process of investigating a fire looks like for him. The first step is initiating what Nelson called an “origin and determination investigation.”

“The steps in that is first finding the origin of the fire, which is a whole science and magic unto itself. I follow burn indicators on the ground, witness statements, things like that to trace the fire back to its origin point,” Nelson said.

Once Nelson determines what’s called the “spe-

cific origin area” within the “general origin area,” Nelson gathers evidence to try and figure out what caused the fire from that ignition point.

Once the specific origin area is determined, Nelson isolates that suspected area so firefighting efforts do not interfere with, or destroy possible evidence. Once Nelson finishes his physical investigation, he releases the area to be worked with water and tools.

Based on physical evidence, interview statements,

and other determinations

Nelson has deduced, he tries to find the person responsible. Determining a humancaused fire comes down to going through a “checklist” of natural causes like lightning or non-human causes like powerlines.

“As you work your way down through natural or causes other than human, eventually you get to the point where we know that it was specifically caused by human activity,” Nelson said. “Then you, through your in-

vestigation process, attempt to determine the responsible party, and we go from there.”

Nelson could not provide specifics on the investigation because it is an ongoing investigation. The timeline by which investigations are concluded varies depending on the body of evidence.

Nelson initially begins with the evidence that he has gathered and investigates each lead as far as it will take him until he reaches a “dead end.”

“So if I reach a dead end with interviews, witness statements, then I move towards the physical evidence and track that down. Whether that’s things left at the scene, garbage, receipts, specific products, things like that,” Nelson said. “Sometimes we’re able to track down receipts, we’re able to track down license plate numbers, things like that. The investigation goes as far as I can take it.”

The penalty for causing a fire depends on the fire’s impact. Injuries, the amount of fire spread, and how much monetary damage was caused are all factors.

“We do have a section in our department called ‘Cost

Recovery,’ the Cost Recovery folks in Salem are the ones that if we do determine a responsible party, then they pursue that,” Nelson said.

Citations can vary from “uniform citations,” which are akin to tickets that a police officer would give for violations of fire season restrictions, or as serious as a criminal proceeding, which could result in a trial, according to Nelson.

Safety should remain at the forefront of the minds of those who are recreating in the beautiful Oregon forests. Niles cautioned people to be responsible when they are out in nature.

“If people are going to go out in the woods, I understand that, they’re going to go out to recreate. I just ask people to, whatever activity they’re doing, please be careful,” Niles said. We are in very dry conditions. We just had lightning in the area; we’ve already had a couple of lightning fires that have been taken care of in Columbia County. We’ve got a lot of things going on; the better we can do as people to cause less issues, the safer we can be, the less problems we’re going to have.”

Oregon’s wildfire season, still burning

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Over the past few weeks, wildfires have spread across 125,000 acres of forests and grasslands in Oregon, into Washington State, and south into Northern California. Several of the fires continued to burn this week.

By the numbers

As of late August, approximately 5,000 firefighters were battling the wildfires that included the 1,607 acres Camp Creek Fire northeast of Sandy, the Lookout Fire at 22,317 acres four miles northeast of McKenzie Bridge, the 2,896-acre Tree Ridge Complex Fire 10 miles west of Sutherlin, the 31,579acre Bedrock Fire 10 miles northeast of Lowell, and the Flat Fire at 34,242 acres two miles southeast of Agnes.

The fire locations, with rugged terrain, extremely dry ground fuels and gusty winds, have challenged firefighters. Larger, complex fires in Northern California triggered power shutoffs in Crescent City and surrounding communities for a time. Evacuations at several of the fires have forced many from their homes and closed surrounding roads. Fire agencies continue to urge the public to be aware of the fire dangers, follow fire safety regulations, and be cautious.

Human caused wildfires

In July, The Chronicle

first highlighted an Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) report of a “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state this summer.

“The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said.

“It is important for the public to understand that they need to be part of the solution regarding wildfire concern by keeping human starts down and being better prepared to live with fire this fire year and beyond,” U.S. Forest Service Public information Specialist Virginia Gibbons told The Chief in a published interview earlier this summer. “This is an area of great concern for the Forest Service as we continue to address the wildfire crisis.”

Gibbons also said that given the significant fire potential outlook for the Pacific Northwest Region from now through October one way local residents and visitors can help firefighters most is by preventing human-caused fires.

“This includes following all fire restrictions that local wildland fire agencies have put in place,” she said.

Current fire restrictions are available on fire agency websites and social media accounts. Nationally, humancaused wildfires account for

about 97% of wildfires that threaten homes.

What’s ahead

Gibbons said the official weather outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continue to suggest that the Pacific Northwest is most likely to experience warmer and drier than typical conditions through October.

“This means late summer and early autumn fire danger is likely to be greater than usual,” she said. “Our forests and rangelands are likely to be more receptive than usual to fire ignitions and potential growth into large, costly wildfires.”

According to Gibbons, being prepared and taking all possible steps to reduce your home and community’s wildfire risk is critical.

“This includes using wildfire utilizing resistant building and landscape materials, having a family evacuation plan, including a go-kit that includes important personal items such as medications, pet supplies, water and high energy snacks, important papers and any small irreplaceable items such as family photos, N95 masks if smoke is an issue, and being prepared for health impacts from wildfire smoke,” she said.

For wildfire information in Oregon, see this site for the NW Interagency Coordination Center https:// gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc.

Courtesy photo from Kevin Nelson

Image of the scene where the fire broke out at Pittsburgh Road.

Courtesy photo from the U.S. Forest Service

This map pinpoints the wildfires burning this week across Oregon, into Washington and Northern California.

Volunteers gather together to fight suicide

Country Media, Inc.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Columbia County, Oregon are joining the thousands of people who are gathering in towns across the United States to promote suicide prevention. The annual Columbia County Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Oregon Chapter of the American Foudnation for Suicide Prevention, will be

held on Saturday, September 16 at Heritage Park in Scappoose, Oregon, with check in beginning at 8 a.m. and the event beginning at 9 a.m. Visit https://afsp.org/ columbiacountyor for more information.

This gathering will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and survivor support programs. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walks give those who attend a chance to connect with others and know

they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey.

“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Erin Weldon, Oregon Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide

Prevention.

The Columbia County Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of hundreds of events being held nationwide this year, and eight walks being held across Oregon. Columbia County had 200 people registered and raised $20,909 last year, according to Columbia Funeral Home & Cremation Center Funeral Director and Owner Holly Houston. Since the walk in 2016, Columbia County has raised $92,591 for American Foundation for

Suicide Prevention.

“This year we have Sherriff Pixley, someone from CCMH, and hopefully someone from the veterans speaking plus possibly a few more,” Houston said. “We will also be having our bead ceremony which is part of the event every year.”

This year will be the eighth annual walk held at Heritage Park in Scappoose.

“This year we want people to join us in walking to create a world without suicide,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “By walk-

ing you are helping us make progress through research, advocacy, education and support to those affected by suicide. And you are improving our understanding of mental health, and how to be there for each other when someone is struggling. I’m in awe of our courageous volunteers who are lifting their voices to inform local and national leaders of the support needed to reduce suicide and save lives.” To donate or join this event, visit https://afsp.org/columbiacountyor.

SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Get ready to participate in a time-honored tradition as SOLVE presents the Annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup.

“This eagerly anticipated event brings families and communities together to engage in beach cleanups, river cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and neighborhood litter pickup events throughout Oregon,” according to a release from SOLVE.

SOLVE is hosting over 60 project sites statewide between Sept. 9 through Sept. 17 - with the main events culminating on Saturday, Sept. 16. This extensive reach encompasses locations from the Coast to Portland, as well as the Willamette Valley, Central and Eastern Oregon. Volunteer registration is now live. Visit www.solveoregon. org to learn more about the available projects and to register for this impactful event.

History

From its inception in 1986, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has evolved into a cherished annual event for

countless Oregonian families.

“It stands as a testament to our shared dedication to environmental stewardship, offering a safe and efficient way to make a lasting impact,” SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer Kris Carico said. “Our journey through the years has fostered a deep connection to Oregon’s waterways, from their origin to the sea. We encourage all fellow Oregonians to sign up for this statewide cleanup event.“

Since its start, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has accounted for the removal of more than 2.5 million pounds of litter and marine debris. To put this in perspective, that’s equivalent to the weight of six Boeing 747 airplanes.

“Last year’s impressive effort involved almost 3,000 volunteers across 147 sites in Oregon, resulting in the collection and removal of approximately 50,000 pounds of discarded trash,” the release states.

Sept. 16 is also International Coastal Cleanup Day and SOLVE is proudly joining forces with the Ocean Conservancy Group,

contributing to a global endeavor aimed at preserving our coastlines.

SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup is in partnership with Subaru of Portland, with additional support from OnPoint Community Credit Union, Bamboo Sushi, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, BottleDrop, Knife River, KOIN, Fred Meyer, Chevron, Clean Water Services, Tillamook County Creamery Association, and Tektronix.

About SOLVE SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and build a legacy of stewardship for our state.

Visit solveoregon.orgfor more information.

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

August 21

• Police arrested a 28-year-old male subject near Allendale Drive on a fugitive warrant.

August 23

• Police took a report of possible elder financial exploitation near the 5000 block of South 9th Street.

August 25

• Officers arrested a 45-year-old male subject

on a fugitive warrant at the 200 block of Brayden Street.

• A violation of release agreement was investigated by police in the St. Helens area.

• Police reported to a traffic crash near the 700 block of Columbia River Highway.

• Officers arrested a 49-year-old male subject on a DUII new south 6th Street and Plymouth Street.

August 26

• Police arrested a 39-year-old female near the 100 block of Pine Street. Charges were not listed.

• A 38-year-old male was arrested by police on a fugitive warrant in the 1700 block of Old Portland Road.

• Police arrested a 45-year-old male near Pittsburg Rod and North Columbia River Highway on DUII-alcohol, harass-

ment-offensive physical, and assault IV.

August 27

• Police arrested a 31-yearold male on a fugitive warrant in the 700 block of Columbia River Highway.

• Officers arrested two individuals, 19-years-old and 20-years-old, on criminal mischief near north 18th Street and Columbia Boulevard.

August 28

• Police investigated a probation violation near the 2000 block of Gable Road.

August 29

• Police took an informational report on unlawfully accessing multiple digital accounts and attempt to transfer funds near 150 south 13th Street.

August 30

• Police responded to a probation violation at the 2000 block of Columbia Boulevard.

Columbia County Oregon Walk

Courtesy photo from SOLVE

SOLVE is hosting over 60 project sites statewide between Sept. 9 through Sept. 17 - with the main events culminating on Saturday, Sept. 16.

News and Views Garden Plots: Summer winding down?

CHIP BUBL Garden Plots Chronicle

As this is being written, it is raining. I am a life-long western Oregonian and rain is a blessing. The current showers aren’t likely to solve our persistent dry soil issues but plant stress, for the moment, has been reduced. Vegetables and other plants that you have been watering will continue to need the water unless this actually is the start of our persistent fall rainy weather.

Slugs will crawl out of crevices in any damp cycle.

Whether you bait (protect the bait from rain and anything but slugs), chop the ones huddled under boards that you put out, or bring in the ducks, slugs need to be stopped. Their appetite for soft-leafed vegetables like lettuce is tremendous (they have 10,000 very tiny “teeth”) and they are also thinking of breeding. Both behaviors are not good for your garden. The two species that do 99% of the damage are non-native and got to North America in the same boats that European

September 9 Work Party with Friends of Nob Hill Nature Park

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Come help pull ivy, blackberry, and other weeds and help put in native sedges and rushes along the Fifth Street Right of Way trail. Pre-registration is required. Call the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council at 503-397-7904 or email info@ scappoosebay-wc.org.

September 11 9/11 Remem-

brance

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Hometown Heroes of Columbia County is hosting “Reading of the Names” of those who perished on 9/11/2001. Event is free and will be held in front of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 901 Port Ave. in St. Helens.

settlers (carrying lettuce and other crop seed) did. Before soils get too wet, this is a good time to prepare a place to plant garlic. If the soil tends to heavy clay, adding 2 to 3 inches of well-composted organic matter will help improve aeration and drainage. You also can make raised beds (with or without supporting sides) to improve drainage. Add lime at the rate of about 10-15 pounds per 100 square feet, before making the raised beds if that is your plan. Work in a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium about 4 inches deep, several days before planting. Plant the cloves in rows 12 or more inches apart and 4 inches apart within the rows. Bigger cloves tend to make bigger garlic bulbs. Cover with a light mulch of sawdust or something similar. Then, sit back and relax. Garlic will start producing roots quickly but rarely emerges above ground until mid-January. Weed the bed as needed. Watch for a late January garlic update.

tie up the canes that will produce fruit next year.

For the raspberries that fruit twice, first on the new canes soon, leave those canes because they will fruit a second time next July and then die. That is when those now dead canes are removed.

Metro Creative Connection

elements, and make lots of organic matter when turned in. Seed at 5-10 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Hairy vetch is also worth a try at 5-7 pounds per 1,000.

Sept. 7 Columbia County Beekeepers

Monthly meeting

The group will discuss important things to do for the apiary as honey collection trends downward.

Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. meeting at the Saint Helens OSU Extension Office or by Zoom. Please email for the zoom link. All are welcome. Columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@gmail.com.

Sept. 9 Friends of Nob Hill Cleanup from 1-3 p.m.

food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

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

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

For July-bearing raspberries and blackberries like Boysen and Marion berries, this is the time to prune out the canes that bore fruit and

September 19 2nd Annual Columbia County Senior Health Fair

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Columbia River Four Square Church, 555 Commons Dr., St. Helens. Come by and check out the 70+ vendors. This event is free. For more information visit www.understandingmymedicare.com or contact Beth Moffett at 503-987-1113.

October 7 The Big Halloween Parade 6:30 p.m. Parade starts at Columbia Blvd. at the Chamber office and will end at the intersection of 1st St. and Saint Helens St. To apply to be in the parade email www. thebighalloweenparade.com. Applications due by July 31, 2023.

This is also a good time to plant cover crops on beds or parts of gardens that you won’t be planting until next spring. Cover crops help soils be capturing nitrogen so it doesn’t leak away in the winter. Their roots improve soil texture and when turned back into the soil next spring, add the nutrients and organic matter to the soil. My favorite legume cover crop is crimson clover (which is an annual) not red or other clovers which are perennials. Seed at the rate of 3-5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. It gets tougher as the beautiful flowers form, so it is generally a good plan to cut and work it in before bloom or shortly after it starts.

Another legume crop is Austrian winter peas. They can be fairly large if they stay un-incorporated until

Both crimson clover, hairy vetch, and Austrian winter peas can be weed whacked and let to decompose a little before working them in next spring. The closest source for cover crop seed is Linnton Feed and Seed on Highway 30 just before you get to the St. John’s bridge in Portland.

The September Country Living newsletter I write is out. Download it for free following the instructions and link below.

Gardening events

community eVents

Ongoing events

Fridays 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 - Sunday 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. Fopr more information, call 503-3975390.

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council Lower Columbia Watershed

Voices of the community

Happy anniversary to me!

One year ago today, my life was saved by the Angels of St. Helens Walmart; Paramedics/EMTs, and ER Staff at Legacy Emmanuel Hospi-

tal and rehabilitation specialists at Vibra in Portland.

I couldn’t be more thankful to all of you!

Eternally thankful to my family and friends for your love and support through my recuperation-without you all, I can’t honestly say I would be doing near as well as I am. I’m very appreciative for

every one of you!

I continue to improve, and some days are better than others but there isn’t a morning I don’t wake up and thank Father God and Mother Goddess for all of my blessings. Life is good!

Julie McChesney St. Helens

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, Christ-centered spiritual recovery meeting for those struggling with addictions and compulsive behavior at 220 S. 1st Street in St. Helens. Everyone is loved and welcomed. For more information call Debbie at 503-560-0521, Daniel Grant at 714-768-9327 or check the Resonate Facebook page.

Columbian Toastmasters

Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Friends of Nob Hill Nature Park are inviting citizens to help remove invasive ivy and blackberry bushes along the Fifth Street Right of Way Trail. Don’t forget to bring tools, gloves, water and rain gear if it is a rainy day. Meet at 1 p.m. at the kiosk located across from the water treatment plant, 451 Plymouth Street in St. Helens. This is a great group and have made great strides in removing the invasive plants so native plants (and the animals, birds, and insects that love them) can thrive.

Pre-registration is requested by Friday, Sept. 8, by calling Scappoose Bay Watershed Council at 503397-7904 or emailing info@ scappoosebay-wc.org. For the day of the event, call 503-349-8586.

Important notes

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the

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 503-369-0329 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 971757-6389.

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

Weather Time with kids More daylight Recreation time and outdoor activities

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 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter

The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503-397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http://extension.oregonstate. edu/columbia/ and click on newsletters.

64.2%

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. 503-3975390.

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 chronicleclassifiedscountry media.net, or call 503-3970116.

online at thechronicleonline.com

Editorial policy: Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chronicle views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Write to us: We want to hear from you and encourage you to write letters to the editor. Because of space limitations, shorter letters have a better chance of being printed. We may edit your letter for style, grammar and clarity, although we do as little editing as possible. If you don’t want your letter printed under those conditions, just let us know. Thank-you letters are limited to a general thanks and summary of

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 David Thornberry Publisher Jeremy C. Ruark Regional Executive Editor Will Lohre Associate Editor Jon Campbell Advertising Sales Kelli Nicholson Office Manager James Yang Creative Director Jon Lowrance Driver

an issue or action. We reserve the right to exclude lists of people, organizations and businesses. Letters received after noon on Friday may not be in time for the following Wednesday’s paper.

Multi-state court action

Prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded schools

Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded schools, requires that schools act to prevent discrimination and harassment on campus.

A coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia, led by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, announced Aug. 29, that the states have filed an amicus (also known as a friend of the court) brief with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a class-action case entitled Hunter v US Department of Education.

The brief supports arguments that a 2020 rule adopted during the tail end of the Trump administration is invalid. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of students opposing the Department of Education’s implementation of a new regulation governing Title IX’s religious exemption from anti-discrimination laws. The new regulation significantly weakened protections from discrimination on religious grounds, according to a release from Rosenblum.

“When Congress enacted Title IX, it included a narrow exemption for schools controlled by religious institutions that have tenets incompatible with Title IX,” the release stats. “However, during the Trump administration, the Department of Education used administrative rulemaking to vastly expand this narrow religious exemption.”

One such rule, adopted in August 2020, makes it more difficult for prospective students to tell which schools are claiming a religious exception,” According to Rosenblum. The DOE eliminated the requirement that educational institutions advise the Office for Civil Rights in writing if they wanted to invoke a religious exemption. As a result, schools could invoke the exemption, without notice, in response to a student’s complaint.

“During the Trump administration his Department of Education gutted protections for women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other classes of students

that had been in place for four decades,” Rosenblum said. “Title IX needs to be strengthened, not systematically weakened. Students ought to know before they get to campuses whether their academic institutions will protect their rights or undermine them.”

As the brief states, students “… should not have to wait until after they become a victim of discrimination to learn that their school considers itself exempt from Title IX’s anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation rules. Nor should schools be allowed to wait to assert their exemption from Title IX until after a complainant comes forward with an allegation.”

The amicus brief was led by Rosenblum, and joined by the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

July

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the deaths of Shuri (age 38), Nevayeh (age 9) and Zerych (age 6). Shuri and her two youngest children died tragically in a house fire on Aug. 6, 2023, in Scappoose, Oregon. Shuri’s love for her children was evident by all who knew her. Her littles never left her side.

Shuri was born to Robert and Kathie Hahmeyer on Aug. 16, 1984, in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in Scappoose, Oregon with her parents, two older brothers (Shayn and Kaileb), younger brother (Kellyn), as well as many different pets. While in Scappoose, Shuri attended school, was active in athletics, worked diligently, and developed relationships with many wonderful friends. She graduated from Scappoose High School in 2002.

OSP investigators said a 21-year-old Clatskanie resident has died in the head-on crash.

Courtesy photo from OSP

Head-on crash claims life of county resident

Oregon State Police (OSP) have released details of a fatal traffic crash along Highway 30 near Clatskanie, that has claimed one life and hospitalized another person.

At approximately 4:45 a.m. Aug. 28, OSP responded to the two-vehicle crash on Highway 30, near milepost 59, in Columbia County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gold Toyota Avalon, operated by 22-year-old Alexander

Jovani Diaz Hernandez of Longview (WA), was traveling westbound on Highway 30 when, for unknown reasons, the Avalon crossed into the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a blue Subaru Impreza, operated by 21-year-old David Reeves of Clatskanie.

The operator of the Subaru, Reeves, was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Toyota, Diaz Hernandez, sustained serious injuries

April 28, 2017 ~

and was transported to a local hospital. The highway was impacted for six hours during the on-scene investigation. The investigation into the cause of the crash was ongoing. The Clatskanie Fire Department, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) assisted OSU with the crash investigation.

Shuri was incredibly beautiful and creative. She perfected her skills as she studied Cosmetology at NW School of Hair Design. She later went on to study Cosmetic Tattooing at Trillium Ink Academy. She finished her procedures and hours in preparation for certification the day before she passed. In addition to studying cosmetology, Shuri ran an in-home childcare for many years, where she loved and cared for dozens of children. Her hardworking nature also paid off as she worked alongside her dad, mom and brother; where she cut and processed firewood, ran equipment better than most guys, and kept the port organized and running smoothly. She was her dad’s best work partner and pride and joy.

In July of 2009, Shuri’s

dream of becoming a mother came true when she gave birth to her first daughter. Her daughter was the light of her life and one of her very best friends. Shuri absolutely loved being a mom and wanted to have a big family.

Nevayeh Moore was born in July of 2014. Nevy loved having a big sister and endlessly followed her and her mom around, learning the ropes. Her infectious giggle and creative cards, homemade bracelets, and artwork brought joy to many friends and family members. Nevy attended kindergarten through 3rd grade at Grant Watts Elementary School.

In April of 2017, Zerych

Lealand was born. The family was ecstatic to have a boy to add to the bunch. His wild energy was balanced out by his sweet snuggles. Z

Susan Lea Walker Myers

Jan. 17, 1940 ~ Aug. 10, 2023

It is with profound sorrow and much love that the family of Susan Lea Walker Myers announce her passing on Aug. 10, 2023 at the age of 83. Susan was an only child born Jan. 17, 1940 to Clarence and Alice Walker of Nuevo, California.

Susan is survived by her six children, Renee M. Baer, Cheryl L. Waters, Ronnie H. Bainbridge Jr., George E. Bainbridge, Alice M. Bainbridge, and Robert (Gene) Bainbridge; eight grandchil dren; and 12 great-grandchil dren. Their lives are forever shaped by her fierce love and unwavering support. Her family was the centerpiece of her life, she found her greatest joy in the presence of her many grandchildren

together.

Susan moved to St. Helens in 1965, she had a strong work ethic which gained her success in various jobs

over the years. She worked as a medical assistant after receiving her degree from the Bryman School of Medicine and, went on to run the office of a local dentist in St. Helens, then worked many years for PGE and eventually retired from Good Samaritan Hospital where she worked in the cancer research group.

She had a love for cooking. Her kitchen was her sanctuary where she mastered and created many dishes for family gatherings. She enjoyed many different genres of music and loved to dance. Susan also found tranquility in tending her flower garden and watching it flourish and, she was a voracious reader of books from a young

was a force to be reckoned with, and an absolute perfect addition to the family. He attended kindergarten at Grant Watts Elementary School where he also made many friends.

The world was a brighter place with Shuri, Nevy and Z in it. But we know that one day we will meet them again at the gates of heaven.

The trio is survived by Shuri’s oldest daughter; parents, Robb and Kathie Hahmeyer; brothers, Shayn Hahmeyer (Jessica), Kaileb Hahmeyer (Kim), and Kellyn Hahmeyer (Rachel); grandmother Pat Lucore; one niece; four nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2023 at Warren Community Fellowship.

age. Susan had a witty sense of humor and loved to laugh and tell stories during visits with family and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2023 at the Grace Baptist Church located at 58690 Ross Rd., Warren, OR 97053.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any remembrances be directed to Columbia Pacific Food Bank (Columbia Pacific Food Bank - Columbia Pacific Food Bank (cpfoodbank.org) or St. Helens Senior Center Meals on Wheels program (St. Helens Senior Center, Inc. (shseniorcenter.org).

Shuri Nicole Hahmeyer Aug. 16, 1984 ~ Aug. 6, 2023

Nevayeh Moore Callaway (Hahmeyer)

13, 2014 ~ Aug. 6, 2023

Zerych Lealand Callaway (Hahmeyer)

Aug. 6, 2023

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SCHOOL

From Page A1

have been a priority for the district. The passing of the bond allows us to begin construction sooner rather than wait for the entire project to be completed to determine how much additional money we would need to complete them. We attempted to schedule construction this summer after the May election, but turf contractors were not available. Turf field construction is scheduled for next summer.

The big opportunity that the bond passage provided the district was that it secured us an additional $4 million matching grant from the state.

The Chronicle: What other projects have been un-

dertaken around the district during the summer?

Stockwell: All three elementary schools (Columbia City Elementary, Lewis & Clark Elementary, and McBride Elementary) are having their classrooms upgraded. We are installing Flat Panel Displays and Juno voice amplification systems. Columbia City Elementary is getting air conditioning installed on the classroom wing.

July 18 - July 21, 2023, St. Helens Middle School will get new wainscot in the gyms. McBride’s HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is getting a new DDC system (direct digital controls) on a section of it. (This isn’t happening till Dec now.)

The Chronicle: What should the people of St. Helens School District know about the exciting work that has been going on?

Stockwell: Supply chain issues and staffing continue to create challenges with our facility improvement projects. As an example, the district intends and has budgeted to improve all three elementary school playground structures and equipment, yet scheduling the work has proven challenging. The School District’s students and staff are so appreciative of the ongoing support of our community, and we can’t thank them enough.

Follow stories about St. Helens school at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of the Chronicle.

Apply at Columbia CountyOR.gov.

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Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH23-1414

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

Probate Department

In the Matter of the Estate of KENNETH JAY TICE, Deceased. Case No. 23PB06541 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

CH23-1418

after the date 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 August 23, 2023. Stacey Tice, Personal Representative, 1908 223rd Place, Ocean Park, WA 98640, Phone: (503) 7501015. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, 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.

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

In the Matter of the Estate of CLAYTON

GODFREY DUHAIME, Deceased. No: 23PB07124

NOTICE TO INTERESTED

PERSONS 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 their claim(s) within four months of the first publica-

CH23-1424

tion of this notice to the Personal Representative at the office of VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051; and if not so presented, they 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 attorneys for the personal representative.

First published: August 23, 2023. Michelle E. Fitzgerald, Personal Representative. Personal Representative: Michelle E. Fitzgerald, c/o VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051. Attorney for Personal Representative: Mary Anne Anderson, VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 397-4091.

“REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY MOWING SERVICES”

The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for Mowing and Yard Services at various Port facilities. Interested contractors may obtain the RFP

documents from the Port’s website, www.portofcolumbiacounty.org; from the Port Office located at 100 E. Street, Columbia City, from 8:00 to 5:00pm; or via e-mail

at house@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 5:00 on Friday, September 22, 2023. For questions, please call 503-928-3259.

CH23-1411

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of RUBY MARIE CARTER, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05580 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

CH23-1416

after the date 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: August 23, 2023. Mark Carter, Personal Representative, 9161 NW Germantown Road, Portland, OR 97231, Phone: (503) 860-1402. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618 LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC, 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056, Phone: (503) 543-4800, Fax: (888) 543-4806, Email: aaron@ lowercolumbialaw.com.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of MERLE M. NICHOLSON, Deceased. Case No. 23PB07092 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

CH23-1419

date 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:

August 23, 2023. Curtis C. Nicholson, Personal Representative, 78630 Blitz Creek Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016, Phone: (360) 703-7312. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC, 52490 Southeast Second Street, Suite 100, Scappoose, Oregon 97056, Phone: (503) 543-4800, Fax: (888) 543-4806, Email: aaron@lowercolumbialaw. com.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of HELEN BERNICE SMITH, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05949 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 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: August 30, 2023. Theresa M. Smith, Personal Representative, 374 North 8th, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 3961535. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, 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.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME:

wonder what you ____”

57. *Bed on the tree top

60. *____ John, or FrËre

Jacques

64. Formerly known as

Pleasant Island

65. Commotion or fuss

67. One of journalism’s

Ws

68. Vinyl collectible

69. *”Tom, Tom, the Piper’s ____”

70. Israel’s neighbor

71. Big Bang’s original matter

72. Deviled one

73. One deserving of respect?

DOWN

1. Hand grenade

2. Pick-up expression

3. On top of

4. Website visitors

5. Wrigley’s Big ____

6. Bone-dry

7. Elf on the Shelf, e.g.

8. Cuban dance

9. *Old MacDonald’s farm sound

10. Traveled on

11. Proofreader’s mark

12. Sail alternative

15. Boot that reaches halfway or more to knee

20. Unsuitable

22. Pitcher’s pride

24. Bishop’s jurisdiction

25. *Life is but this

26. Marcello Mastroian-

ni’s “La ____ Vita”

27. Some Romanovs

29. SI unit of mass

31. *”Here goes my ____ a trot, a trot...”

32. Sag

33. Portray emotion

34. *Jack and Jill’s quest

36. Black tropical cuckoos

38. *Sheep’s bagfull

42. Curse

45. Lollipop brand 49. Bud or chum

51. Snooze 54. ____ and desist

56. C2H5

57. Pay a visit

58. Bumpkin

59. Famous boxing promoter Bob

60. Smoker’s water pipe

61. Group of cows

62. Great Lake

63. Back seat, e.g.

64. Negative vote

66. *Mother Hubbard’s pet

Games and Puzzles Games and Puzzles

Former Athletic Director reprises role

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

A familiar face is taking the reigns of St. Helens High School athletics after Michael Lady resigned from the position of Athletic Director in August.

Ted Hirning served as the Athletic Director for St. Helens High School (SHHS) from 2018 to 2021, and he assumed the role upon Lady’s resignation with the intention of being a “temporary fill.” However, Hirning has elected to take on the role permanently.

“I am excited to get back into athletics here at SHHS,” Hirning said. “I feel we have a very supportive community, one of the strongest Booster Clubs in the state, amazing coaches and athletes, and I am very honored and happy to be leading the program once again.”

Lady was in the position for only a short time, having taken the job in July of 2022. Hirning said that Lady’s resignation was a decision he made because it was “time to move on to

something else.” Now in charge, Hirning hopes to provide stability in a role that has changed hands frequently in recent years.

“I hope to bring stability and consistency to a program that has been through some turnover in the past couple of years,” Hirning said. “I have been teaching in this community for 25 years, and I really want to continually develop and improve a trust that we are doing the right thing for our students and athletes here at SHHS.”

Hirning is excited to see the athletes compete this year and feels that all of their programs have the potential to be very competitive. Hirning said that he looks forward to watching all the athletes showcase the result of all the hard work they have been putting in.

While there is plenty to look forward to, one of the biggest challenges for programs at SHHS is the ongoing construction at the high school, according to Hirning.

“It has been tough on our athletes and parents, not

having the access to buildings and areas that we were so used to having,” Hirning said. “It is tough now, but I am excited for the finished product that will be absolutely amazing for our students and community. We are planning on having access to our HS gyms in the next month, which is a positive step forward to getting back a little normalcy.”

Though Hirning is excited about the success that SHHS athletics can have this year, he ultimately hopes that the experiences students have in the programs will have positive impacts that last for years to come.

“I hope the kids have experiences that they can look back on with positive memories in regards to the satisfaction of the hard work it takes to succeed, the teamwork that it takes to reach goals, and the strong relationships and comradery that was built with each of their teammates,” Hirning said. “These are things that all athletes should be able to look back on in 20+ years and smile.”

State report shows book challenges set new record high

Libraries and schools in Oregon reported challenges to more books and other materials in 2022-23 than at any point since the State Library of Oregon began collecting data. Read the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) report with this story at thechronicleonline.com

The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse was established in 1987 to collect and compile information from libraries and schools concerning intellectual freedom, the right of anyone to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution. OIFC particularly tracks challenges, i.e., any attempt to remove or restrict access to a library material, service, or program based on the objection of a person or group.

The OIFC 2023 Report

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approximately $1 billion in P-EBT food benefits to help children in Oregon get enough quality and nutritious food.

These additional food benefits are part of the P-EBT program, a temporary COVID-19 response program meant to provide additional food support for children whose access to adequate and quality food

shows that 45 challenge incidents were reported from July 2022 to June 2023. 85 titles were challenged in those incidents, as well as various services and programs, setting a record for the most titles challenged in Oregon in one year. The previous record was set in 1992-93 with 70 titles. This Oregon milestone comes amidst a similarly record-breaking national climate of challenges. Earlier this year, the American Library Association (ALA) reported that 2022 saw the most attempts to restrict library resources since they began collecting statistics. Per ALA, “The prevalent use of lists of books compiled by organized censorship groups contributed significantly to the skyrocketing number of challenges and the frequency with which each title was challenged.” OIFC data is reported to the ALA and compiled in their national

impacted by COVID-19. Visit pebt.oregon.gov for more information about the P-EBT program.

Families with specific questions about their child’s eligibility or P-EBT card can contact the P-EBT Call Center at (844) ORE-PEBT or (844) 673-7328. The PEBT Call Center is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific in seven language options (English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somalian, Mandarin and Cantonese). Callers may also request

statistics.

Objections to library materials and services in Oregon varied widely. Stated reasons for the challenges often centered around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and related topics; claims of materials being sexually explicit or pornographic; or materials and services by, for, or

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P-EBT food benefits are issued in addition to regular SNAP benefits. P-EBT benefits are not considered in a public charge test. Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find food resources in your community: needfood. oregon.gov.

about Black, Indigenous, and people of color. In addition to materials challenges, in seven incidents people objected to libraries’ Pride Month displays. In another incident, an individual challenged the library’s materials and services in Spanish. This year’s report included new causes for concern. In 15 incidents, libraries

org.

• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.

• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org.

• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon. org/find-services.

reported that objectors bypassed established challenge processes by taking objections directly to a library board, school administrator, or governing board, or even hiding, stealing, or trashing materials. In some cases, library staff were intimidated and harassed, called groomers and pedophiles, and/or received death threats.

“In the face of unusual vitriol, libraries and library staff in Oregon once again have proven to be fierce defenders of intellectual freedom” says Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian.

“Strong libraries ensure that everyone in the community sees themselves and the experiences of others unlike themselves in library collections and services. The State Library of Oregon is committed to strengthening libraries and supporting their staff during this exceptional and challenging time.”

Libraries experiencing in-

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Learn more at https:// govstatus.egov.com/or-dhsbenefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1

tellectual freedom challenges in Oregon are supported by the Oregon Library Association (OLA) and the ALA. Volunteers on OLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee respond and advise libraries during challenges, often serving as points of first contact for libraries seeking assistance. ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom provides resources and consulting to help libraries prepare for and manage attempts at censorship. The State Library of Oregon relies on the expertise of both groups in its OIFC work.

To learn more about the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse and challenges in Oregon libraries, visit the OIFC website at https:// libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc or contact Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support, at buzzy. nielsen@slo.oregon.gov or 971-375-3486.

source Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

About P-EBT Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT is money for children whose access to adequate and quality food may have been impacted by COVID-19.

P-EBT is a program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the

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Hirning hopes that his taking on the role will address the turnrover in the position in recent years.

Metro Creative Connection

The OIFC 2023 Report shows that 45 challenge incidents were reported from July 2022 to June 2023. 85 titles were challenged in those incidents, as well as various services and programs, setting a record for the most titles challenged in Oregon in one year.

SHHS Football back on the gridiron

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The St. Helens High School football team is back and took a tough loss in Head Coach Nic Shular’s first game at the helm of the program.

In a non-league game against La Salle Prep on Sept. 1, the Lions were beaten 20-0 in their first official game of the season. While the non-league

games contribute to a team’s overall record, the league portion of the season holds more weight for teams hoping for a shot at the state playoffs.

“There is always excitement surrounding the begin

ning of something new, Shular said. “We lost our first game on Friday, so now we get to find out our true mentality as a team moving forward for this season.”

As the season has kicked

into gear, Shular’s focus at their practices leading up to the game against La Salle was developing the correct habits and character traits “that are going to drive our process.” They have also been focusing on building team cohesion.

For Shular and the Lions, the non-league games are about finding a team identity, and working through issues as they push into the critical league portion of

their schedule.

“Our goal for non-league is to learn who we are going to be as a team this season, to have our character tested, and see how we respond,” Shular said. “And to get more comfortable with new schemes and new style of play before league games start.”

Though the team lost 20-0, Shular was proud of the effort that his team displayed from start to

finish. Defensively, Shular felt good about the team’s game but said that there is definitely room to grow offensively.

“Played aggressive on defense and did a good job most of the night on that side of the ball,” Shular said. “[The] offense really struggled as we are still figuring some things out on that side of the ball.”

Going forward, St. Helens will play three more

non-league games. St. Helens will play Centennial in its first home game Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. The Lions will then play Parkrose at home Sept. 15, and Gladstone / Riverdale away Sept. 22 to close out their non-league competitions.

“[We are] looking forward to our three remaining non-league games in order to continue to learn and grow before we get to league play,” Shular said.

Scappoose Football sets sights high

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Following a narrow defeat to Estacada in the semifinals of the 4A State Championships in 2022, Scappoose High School Football season is back, and they have high expectations going into this year.

Head Coach Sean McNabb said the team is hungry for this season after coming so close to the biggest stage last season.

“They’re excited. You know, when you get really close the year before, we’ve been in this situation before, where we came really close, and it seemed to be a real motivator for our kids. You know, to get to that next level the next year and put in that extra work, I feel they’ve done a really good job of that,” McNabb said.

In the new year

McNabb said that the program lost some key contributors from last season but that there are kids who have “put that time in,” and are stepping into bigger roles. McNabb said he’s really

proud of the work his team has put in.

One of the big pieces that will be returning this year is junior quarterback Max Nowlin. Nowlin took the reigns as starting quarterback last season, and McNabb said that his return is important for continuity.

“Anytime you have your starting quarterback back, that really helps; that’s always a huge plus,” McNabb said. “He was a sophomore last year, first-year starter, he’s put on 30 pounds, and he’s grown a couple of inches.”

McNabb also mentioned Warren Haatia, Eli Harrah, Quinton Olson, Zach McKedy, Landon BoardmanCarlascio, and Cayden Baker as players to watch for this season. However, McNabb said he could have shouted out even more players who he expects to have great seasons.

This year, McNabb wants to take the season week by week; he said it’s important not to think too far ahead and take the season a game at a time. While McNabb doesn’t want to get too far ahead of themselves, the team has

lofty expectations. “Our ultimate goal is to be Cowapa League champi ons and then put ourselves in a position to make a run at the state champion ship game,” McNabb said.

“These kids have bought into those goals, and I know that they’re excited about trying to attain them.”

Style of play

McNabb said that of fensively, Scappoose is a fastbreak offense, and they play at various tempos. The coaching staff wants to put as much pressure on the opposing team’s defensive coordinator as possible and make the defense feel uncomfortable the entire game.

“To do that, you have to play at a speed that makes it really hard for the defensive coordinator to get the call in or for them to even get substitutes in. We’ll play at various tempos, we’ll play out of various formations,” McNabb said. “We keep it really simple, in terms of we don’t run a whole lot of plays, but if you were to watch us, you might think that we do because we get

into a lot of different formations.”

On defense, McNabb said he and his staff coach an aggressive style of defense. McNabb said the defense is “relentless trying to get the ball back for the offense.”

Drilling the team to play that style is a critical component of getting the results they want on the field.

McNabb said that the team is constantly working on prac-

ticing how they want to play.

McNabb and his team practice every day during the week. Throughout the week, the team will hold film sessions, walk-throughs, and offensive and defensivefocused practices to ensure that when game time comes around, the team is prepared for the coming opponent.

McNabb has been with Scappoose Football for 31 seasons and is helped in coaching by Joe Nowlin, who has been with McNabb for a long time and was appointed Co-Head Coach last year.

Brad McKedy and Kevin Loncosky are two assistant coaches who are also important members of the coaching staff, among others.

“I’m really excited about our staff, and I feel like one of the plusses that help us be successful is the fact that a lot of the coaches that I have are staff; they’re in the building,” McNabb said. “We’re in the building with the kids; we have that connection with the kids; we’re around them throughout the year.”

After more than 30 years of coaching, McNabb said what keeps him coming back is that he really enjoys

the structure of coaching and doesn’t view it as work.

McNabb said he’s “loved every minute of it. McNabb wants his players to take more away from the experience than just football skills.

“I just feel like there’s so much more than just the football piece. We feel like if we can be really good at the academic part, the strength part, and the character piece, we can be really good on the field and really good off the field as well,” McNabb said.

First game win

In its first non-league game, Scappoose Football trounced Gladstone / Riverdale 41-0 on Sept. 1. The authoritative win marks Scappoose Football’s intent to come into the season and build off a successful year in 2022.

Scappoose will take the field next week in a revenge match against reigning State Champions Estacada Sept. 7. Getting a big win against the team who knocked them out last season would be an excellent momentum boost in the early weeks of the season.

Courtesy photo from Dale French Head Coach Sean McNabb has been with Scappoose High School’s football program for more than 30 years now.