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Wednesday, August 23, 2023

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Columbia River Fire & Rescue in crisis

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The financial woes continue to mount for Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR), and district auditors have said that the district’s financial position is unsustainable in its current state and, without immediate action, may be unable to meet payroll in the near future.

In an emergency board meeting Aug. 17, the district’s attorney Akin Blitz and the district’s hired auditors Robert Moody detailed the dire state of the district’s finances.

On the same day as the emergency meeting, Joel Medina, who was terminated by the new board at a meeting on Aug. 8, filed a whistleblower suit for almost $20 million against the fire district, St. Helens Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 3215, board members, and union leaders, among others.

The suit alleges that Medina was the subject of defamation, wrongful termination, retaliation, violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and discrimination.

Financial turmoil

Before Moody gave his report on the district’s finances, Blitz informed the board that U.S. Bank “has effectively canceled” the district’s tax anticipation line of credit, which has been relied upon “year after year” to support district operations from the beginning of the fiscal year until November, when the district receives its property taxes.

A letter the district received

from its bond counsel Gülgün Ugur notified the district that to secure funding through the line, it needed to certify that the district hadn’t undergone changes that would “have a material and adverse effect on the ability of the district” to pay back the loan. The district has to make certified representations to maintain the line of credit and access money to the district, Akin said.

“Without committing a federal crime by misrepresenting to a federally insured bank, concerning events here at the district, you can’t make the certifications to U.S. Bank, so that line of credit is not available,” Blitz said.

facing from former employees Jennifer Motherway and Anika Todd and Medina’s lawsuit constitute an “action, suit, proceeding or investigation,” which means that the district “is not permitted to seek advances under the line,” per Ugar’s letter.

“This is a huge problem,” Blitz said. “Because unless we solve it, we can’t meet payroll at some point.”

Blitz said that he had considered five solutions to the issue of the lost credit line. Of the five solutions, Blitz said he “widdled them down” to one viable solution. Blitz did not feel that approaching a

to secure the funds in the coming months. Blitz said the best option would be to approach the City of St. Helens for a “secured loan” to keep the district afloat until the district could pay the city back in November with tax revenues.

Moody, who is a partner with Merina+Co, said in his presentation that in their projections of district finances, the auditors did not consider the lawsuits against the district filed by Medina or the lawsuit previously filed by former employees. After discussing the processes by which they came to their conclusion, Moody began to

describe the financial picture of the Moody said that on July 1, CRFR had beginning unrestricted cash deposits of $3.1 million. As of Aug. 16, CRFR had $1.3 million, which Moody said made some sense given two months of payroll and other expenses.

“$3.1 million to start the year, the estimated cost of operations, payroll, and materials and services for the first four months is about $4.35 million,” Moody said. “The math isn’t hard to see there. Without significant other revenues or cash coming in, you’re going to run out of money before that four

Moody said there would be some money coming in but not enough to make up the deficit, which is why in past years, the district has borrowed money to make ends meet until November’s property tax revenues.

In addition to the short-term financial need, Moody said there is also a structural deficit for the district. Moody said that estimated revenues for 2023/24 are $11.4 million, but the expenses are about $13 million, leaving a $1.6 million deficit.

“It’s not sustainable,” Moody said. “You’ve budgeted for expenditures to be higher than revenues, so the result is basically a deficit, and you can chew through a fund balance until it’s just not there anymore.”

Moody said the structural deficit had been the case in “several budgets going back.” Moody said the deficit for the year 2023/24 fiscal year is compounded each year

See CRFR Page A11

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici tours Riverfront District

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici visited downtown St. Helens to meet with city officials to observe the progress on the vari ous projects underway in the historic Riverfront District.

On a hot morning Aug. 15, Bon amici surveyed the developing site of the future riverwalk and Columbia View Park and toured the areas under construction as part of the Streets and Utilities Extension Project.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve been here, and it’s wonderful to see the vision but also the progress that’s being made; I look forward to fol lowing the process as it continues to grow,” Bonamici said.

Mayor Rick Scholl, County Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith, City Administrator John Walsh, Public Works Director Mouhamad Zaher, Columbia Economic Team Execu tive Director Paul Vogel, and others accompanied Bonamici and her staff on the tour and answered questions about the projects.

“It meant a lot. St. Helens has a

• The 204-acre former Boise

• The city’s 50-acre wastewater treatment plant property.

The purchase of the mill properties in 2015 set the stage for a large-scale reimagining of what the riverfront could offer to residents and visitors of St. Helens.

“[Creating] two miles of connected active waterfront is by far the most transformative project we have in process. Any community would welcome the opportunities that we have here, with an old mill site that went out and an opportunity to expand their core,” John Walsh said. “We’ve worked for more than a decade pretty active on it.”

The Streets and Utilities Extension Project aims to improve key streets and intersections in the city’s historic Riverfront District and extend utilities onto the city’s 24-acre Riverfront Property.

During the tour, Bonamici got a

See RIVERFRONT Page A2

Columbia Economic Team growing small businesses

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges in many aspects of life around the globe, and

in Columbia County, businesses did not escape the impact of the coronavirus There were many challenges that the pandemic presented small businesses, but people may be surprised to learn there were positives coming out of the pandemic as well.

Paul Vogel, the Executive Director of the Columbia Economic Team (CET), detailed the mixed developments businesses experienced during the past several years.

“No question, the pandemic was too much for some businesses to survive. Between emergency pandemic restrictions, employees afraid or unable to work due to illness or childcare issues, the challenges were myriad, and some businesses couldn’t adapt,” Vogel said. “Positive impacts, however, include changes in many peoples’ work circumstances that motivated them to branch out on their own and start new businesses… businesses of all types. That’s good for our small business economy and diversity of goods and services in our communities.”

Small Business Development Center

One of the initiatives the CET took to support small businesses and

growth in the county is the development of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The CET started the SBDC during the year 2021/2022.

It was borne out of reviewing the business finances of hundreds of small companies and organizations throughout the process of running four grant rounds of emergency relief funds, Vogel said.

“None of those grants turned a business around, but combined with other relief, certainly kept many going. But the important thing was the clear discovery that investing in solid, credible, accountable basic business advising was the best possible investment,” Vogel said. “Every city invested; the county invested; we recruited the statewide small business network as nearly a 50% investor, and

we set a responsible start-up period to get established.”

Vogel and the CET were told they shouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t have clients within the first 12 months. Vogel said that the SBDC exceeded expectations and that within the first year, they had over 100 contacts and “scores” of registered clients. Vogel expects that it is a number they will “probably double this year.”

SBDC Director Jason Moon said that their clientele base is strong and that they’ve continued to grow in the months since it was founded.

“Following the easing of shutdowns and the implementation of the Columbia County Small Business Development Center and resource center, we’ve witnessed the revitalization of existing businesses and the emergence of new ones. Currently, over 120 SBDC clients and averaging around ten new clients each month,” Moon said.

The SBDC has hired an additional business advisor and administrative support to increase capacity to meet needs and demand and continue to offer the service and recourse to all small businesses across the county, according to Vogel.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Mayor Rick Scholl, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Public Works Director Mouhamad Zaher, and City Administrator John Walsh stand in the construction zone at the intersection of St. Helens Street and S 1st Street.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Molly’s Market is one of the businesses that has closed in St. Helens’ downtown.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The CRFR St. Helens Station is located at 105 S 12th Street.

Billions spent fail to help native Columbia River salmon

ALEX BAUMHARDT

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Article

Decades of data show that despite billions in taxpayer investment, salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and restoration projects in the Columbia River Basin have failed to support or boost native fish populations and in fact are contributing to their decline.

Oregon State University economics professor William Jaeger and Mark Scheuerell, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington, looked at 50 years of native and hatchery salmon and steelhead return data from the Bonneville Dam near Cascade Locks.

The Bonneville Dam is the last of 14 dams on the Columbia River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean, and it is where many salmon and steelhead — both those born in hatcheries and in the wild — return to deposit their eggs after one to seven years in the ocean. The two also reviewed decades of spending on habitat restoration and hatcheries programs in the river basin, meant to save the species from extinction.

Jaeger and Scheuerell found that while the number of salmon and steelhead born

in hatcheries that return as adults has grown slightly, wild populations of salmon and steelhead have not, and in some cases they’re being hurt by the hatchery fish. The growth in hatchery fish populations has in some cases resulted in the spread of disease and increasing competition for food with native fish, Jaeger noted. Scientists have even found that some hatchery fish prey on wild fish. The study was published July 28 in the journal PLOS One.

“The actual impact of all of these efforts has always been poorly understood,” Jaeger said in a news release. There are about 200 salmon hatchery programs in the Columbia River Basin, and 80% of all salmon and steelhead that return to the Columbia River as adults started their lives in hatcheries, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries division.

The cost to taxpayers to maintain these hatcheries during the last 40 years has been about $9 billion when adjusted for inflation, according to Jaeger. This does not include any of the money spent by local governments or nonprofits and nongovernment agencies.

“We found no evidence in the data that the restoration spending is associated with a

net increase in wild fish abun dance,” Jaeger said. David Moskowitz, executive director of the nonprofit Conservation Angler which works to protect wild salmon and steelhead, said $9 billion dollars in the last four decades is probably a low figure.

“That doesn’t even take into account the costs of all the management that goes on,” he said.

‘Failed promise’

Steelhead, chinook, coho and sockeye numbers have been declining in the Columbia River Basin for more than 150 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Overfishing and damming of the river for hydro-

role. Other factors hurting the fish include farming pollution and the loss of water to irrigation, climate change, as well as habitat loss due to logging and mining.

The growth of hatcheries during the last century was a response to the growth of dams. State and federal governments made a promise to Columbia Basin tribes and to the public that any salmon or steelhead lost to dams would be replaced.

“The hatchery promise was made without any idea if it would work. It was a failed promise,” Moskowitz said.

Prior to damming, an estimated 16 million salmon and steelhead returned to the Columbia River in the area

ille Dam each year. But by the 1970s, less than 1 million were returning.

By 1991, 12 runs of Columbia River salmon and steelhead were listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, leading to a boom in restoration and hatchery spending, the researchers found.

An investigation by Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica last year found that several federally-subsidized hatcheries on the Columbia River — responsible for 80% of all the salmon in the Columbia River — spent between $250 to $650 for every hatchery salmon that returned.

Efforts to increase the

salmon and steelhead population in the Columbia to 5 million by 2025 are not on target, Jaeger found. Annual adult returns at the dam averaged about 1.5 million in the previous decade, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“We’ve lost so much,” Moskowitz said. “It is a death by a thousand cuts, but we’re just whacking ourselves in the back of the head, too, by spending so much on hatchery fish.” State officials will look at that. The recently passed Senate Bill 5509, which Gov. Tina Kotek signed on Monday, includes $1 million for a thirdparty assessment of hatchery programs in the state, including analysis of their costs versus benefits.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/08/04/ study-finds-billions-spent-onhatcheries-habitat-failed-tohelp-native-salmon-in-thecolumbia-river/ 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.

Taking Oregon’s opioid prevention nationwide

BEN BOTKIN

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chronicle Guest Article

Oregon’s fentanyl and drug addiction prevention efforts have become a poster child for America and U.S. Health and Human Services

Secretary Xavier Becerra is being urged by state officials to replicate the prevention nationwide.

Becerra met with the officials during a visit to the Portland area Aug. 4.

Among their stops, they visited Tumwater Middle School in Beaverton School District and talked about preventing youth drug abuse and addiction in a roundtable with educators, students, advocates and behavioral and addiction specialists.

Oregon is in the midst of an addiction crisis. The ease of obtaining opioids and other drugs with the decriminalization of low-level drug possession through Measure 110 have created a public health tsunami of overdose deaths and a lack of resources to treat people with addictions.

Oregon officials and Becerra said prevention is key to driving down the overdoses and drug usage.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici plans to introduce a congressional bill in September that would provide funding for school districts nationwide to have curriculum modeled after what’s in place at the Beaverton School District, which was the first in Oregon to launch a fentanyl awareness curriculum after an a.

“This really is about saving lives,” said Bonamici, a

RIVERFRONT

From Page A1

first-hand look at some of the exciting developments. The tour began with city officials showing Bonamici Columbia View Park and explaining the exciting plans for its revitalization through Phase One of the St. Helens Riverwalk Project is anticipated to break ground in the Fall of 2023.

The first phase will include the expansion of Columbia View Park, the construction of approximately 300 feet of riverwalk with a viewing overlook of the Columbia River and pedestrian seating, a new amphitheater stage, and a new playground. Scholl said components of Phase One could be ready to be enjoyed in 2025.

“Phase One is going to be absolutely a gem,” said Scholl. Next, the group surveyed the construction at the intersections of St. Helens Street and Cowlitz Street along S. First Street. Both are components of the Streets and Utilities Project. City officials hope the intersection of St. Helens and S. First Street will feature a gate into the Riverfront District, which is still in the

Democratic congresswoman who represents Oregon’s First Congressional District.

The Beaverton program was created through Jon and Jennifer Epstein’s advocacy after they lost their son Cal to fentanyl poisoning in 2020 when he mistakenly took a fake blue pill while on a break home from college. Their son believed it was oxycontin, but it was fentanyl, which is more than 100 times more powerful than morphine.

They channeled their grief into advocacy and asked Beaverton School District, where their son had attended schools, to use his story to educate youth. As a result, the Beaverton School District became one of the first in the country to mandate yearly fentanyl lessons for all middle and high school students.

‘’These youth deaths are the most preventable deaths,” Jon Epstein said during the discussion. “Solutions like this bill being proposed present a greater opportunity for consensus.”

Jennifer Epstein said they found their son unresponsive in his bed when he was home from college in Hawaii. She found a small bag of blue pills.

Cal was looking for oxycontin and instead received fake pills.

“We had to say our goodbyes,” she said. “Our amazing, beautiful 18-yearold son was gone.”

Epstein said Cal made a poor choice in looking for oxycontin pills and struggled with anxiety issues. But, she said, they believe if he had known about the lethal

design process.

Bonamici pointed to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a potential source of funding for undertakings like the Waterfront Redevelopment Project.

“We’re going to be looking for opportunities to help because when we passed the big infrastructure bill, that’s designed to really build out, not just roads and bridges, but grids, ports, jetties, it’s just a broader definition of infrastructure,” Bonamici said.

When asked what Bonamici is hearing from her constituents in Columbia County, Bonamici said that affordable housing, affordable child care, and getting federal funding to local communities.

Bonamici said visiting the communities she represents means a lot to her.

“I don’t make my decisions just sitting in Washington, D.C. When I connect with the people who are affected by the decisions and hear their ideas, their questions, their stories, their concerns, then I take those, and I go to D.C. with those ideas and thoughts and questions in mind,” Bonamici said. “That’s what representation is about. We can’t do our job without hearing from the people we represent.”

danger of fentanyl and how it can be disguised to look like pills, he would have made a different choice.

The district has not had any fentanyl-related deaths since, but Portland schools have. Two McDaniel High School students died in 2022, and earlier this year a teen at Franklin High died from a suspected fentanyl overdose.

This session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 238, which requires the Oregon Health Authority, Board of Education and Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to develop education materials to teach schoolchildren about the dangers of opioids, as well state laws that protect people who report overdoses or seek treatment.

Students take part

The roundtable, which

included health, medical and school professionals, also heard from students. Alexa Merriwether, a 16-year-old senior at Beaverton School District’s Sunset High School, said the lessons learned from the curriculum help students to bemindful of their choices.

“It does help me make sure I’m aware of my actions,” Merriwether said. “It’s so easy for students to access drugs these days.”

Oregon faces an opioid crisis, with 280 fatalities in 2019, 472 in 2020 and 745 in 2021, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Many of the deaths are attributed to fentanyl, which is so potent that the equivalent of two grains of sand can kill. It is often laced in illicit pills made to resemble prescription oxycodone or tranquilizers such as Xanax.

4.50%

Tackling the issue requires a change in mindset, Becerra said. For example, federal dollars can be used for fentanyl test strips, which test drugs, including street drugs, for fentanyl, he said. That approach could help addicts avoid overdoses.

“We want to go where the evidence takes us,” he said.

Bonamici said she’s drafting the bill and doesn’t know how much funding would go towards the project.

Becerra praised the idea and said it’s needed along with other efforts.

“I hope she asks for lots of money,” he said. “It won’t come a minute too quickly.”

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democratic member who represents the state’s Sixth Congressional District, and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, another Democrat, also met with Becerra.

Salinas said many people purchasing the pills don’t realize what they’re buying and believe they are getting medications for a mental health challenge.

“Instead of getting the help they need, they’re getting a deadly pill,” Salinas said. “It’s going to take an all-hands-on-deck approach.”

Merkley said prevention is key, along with stopping drugs from entering U.S. borders and increasing the distribution of naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses.

“Pills are going to exist,”

he said. “Kids are going to think about trying them. Education is a significant factor in taking on this challenge.”

The roundtable was part of Becerra’s three-stop day in the Portland area on Friday. The first was at Tigard High School, where Becerra participated in a roundtable to talk about Oregon’s challenges in developing the behavioral health workforce, which faces struggles to recruit and retain enough professionals to meet the demands for service.

And at a Rite Aid Pharmacy in Tigard, Becerra touted President Joe Biden’s lower cost prescription drug law, called the Inflation Reduction Act. It caps a month’s supply of Medicare-covered insulin at $35 and makes recommended and preventative vaccines available for free for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/08/04/ oregons-u-s-congressionaldelegation-wants-opioidprevention-efforts-to-gonationwide/ 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.

Courtesy photo from the Bureau of Land Management

A male coho salmon.

Ben Botkin / Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra visits with U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon in a roundtable discussion in Portland about preventing youth overdoses from fentanyl.

St. Helens accepting council applications

Country Media, Inc.

The City of St. Helens is currently taking applications for appointment to the City Council from interested eligible residents who live within the city limits of St. Helens. To be eligible, a resident must have resided within the city limits for at least 12 months prior to appointment. Additionally, they must be a “qualified elector” as defined in the Oregon Constitution, which means an applicant must be 18 years of age or older and reg-

istered to vote in Columbia County. All council positions are non-partisan. Due to a recent resignation, there is one vacancy on the council. Former councilor Patrick Birkle submitted a letter of resignation to Mayor Rick Scholl and the City Council July 31, and his resignation was effective as of August 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 successful candidate who is appointed will serve out the remainder of the term, which expires December 31, 2024.

The City Council is St. Helens’ governing body and meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month. They meet each of those Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. for a Work Session and at 7:00 p.m. for a Regular Session. There are also public hearings or special sessions that are held throughout the year.

As the governing body, the City Council holds legislative and administra-

tive powers. They set policy for city staff and advisory boards and commissions. Each year, the mayor assigns each council member to a board or commission in addition to a specific city department(s). As a council member, there are also opportunities to be appointed as the city council representative to local and regional agencies and organizations.

The opportunity to serve on the council comes at a pivotal time in St. Helens as the city oversees the Waterfront Redevelopment Project, the construction of a new

police station, and several key infrastructure projects with a goal of meeting the current needs of the city and planning for future growth.

To learn more about the city council and the City of St. Helens, please visit the city’s website at www.sthelensoregon.gov. Fillable and printable applications are available online at https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/citycouncil.

If you would like a paper application mailed/emailed to you, please contact Kathy Payne, City Recorder at kpayne@sthelensoregon.gov

or (503) 366-8217. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The council will meet in a Special Session on Thursday, September 14, 2023, where they will interview all of the applicants via Zoom. This will be a public meeting.

For further information regarding the City Council appointment process, please contact City Recorder Kathy Payne at kpayne@sthelensoregon.gov.

Marine Board issues low water advisory

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

The dog days of summer are in full effect, with water levels lowering on many reservoirs and rivers in Oregon. And with low water levels, boaters need to alter how they launch and retrieve, along with taking the time to research where they plan on recreating, according to an advisory from the Oregon State Marine Board.

When water levels drop, river and lake banks become very unstable and the material supporting the toe of boat ramps becomes more susceptible to damage from power loading. Power loading is a term to describe moving a boat from the water with the engine revved and the force pushes the boat onto the trailer. This creates a “prop wash” from the propeller (or jet) that creates a hole at the base or under the toe of the ramp and displaces the material into a potentially dangerous, shallow hump

Hood

to

before the hole. When the toe of the ramp is undermined, the concrete or asphalt can crack or dislodge, leading to very costly repairs. In the worst cases, ramps cannot be rebuilt due to funding, permitting, and other natural dynamics. Consequently, the Marine Board is asking boaters to kill their motors and use a bow line assist or winch strap to guide the boat onto the trailer. This method has no impact on the ramp. Boaters also need to be courteous to one another during retrieving with any added time it may take with manual loading.

Be sure to back the trailer into the water far enough where the tow vehicle’s rear wheels are partially submerged to the water line and the boat begins to float, making launching and retrieving much easier.

To help aid boaters with planning their August excursions, the Oregon State Marine Board also has several online resources and encour-

ages boaters to do a little homework before venturing out to area waterways.

Check out the Opportunities and Access Report and subscribe if you’d like to receive the report in your email inbox. The report is updated as situations change, often weekly, during the summer months.

Bookmark the Boat Oregon Obstructions Map on your smartphone to learn where there are reported navigation obstructions. If boaters come across an obstruction not on the map, there’s a public interface and instructions on reporting using a mobile phone application tool Boating Obstruction Reporting Tool (BORT). Check out the Water Levels and Coastal Bar resource page with links to tide tables, regional water basin diagrams and the NOAA River Level Forecast.

To learn more about recreational boating and safety, visit Boat.Oregon.gov.

Coast Relay this weekend

Country Media, Inc

The Hood to Coast route brings racers and walkers through portions of Columbia County, including St. Helens.

Watch for runners along highway 30 into and out of St. Helens Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25 and 26 for the annual Providence Hood and Portland to Coast Relay. The Providence Hood

and Portland To Coast Relay is the most popular and largest running and walking relay race in the world, annually drawing participants from over 40 countries and all 50 states, according to the relay’s website.

Known as the Mother of All Relays, the event takes 8 to 12 member relay teams 198 miles or 128 miles from Portland from the iconic top of Mount Hood to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean at Seaside.

Unemployment rate ties record low

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.4% in July,

jobs); government (+1,600); professional and business services (+1,000); and construction (+900). Declines were largest in financial ac

jobs, or 5.7%, since July 2022. The industry remains slightly below its peak employment, reached in early 2020. Similarly, hospitals

Courtesy photo from the Oregon State Marine Board

The Oregon State Marine Board is urging boaters to be prepared for low water areas during heat waves.

Regular picking of vegetable “fruits” improves harvest

CHIP BUBL Garden Plots Chronicle Guest Column

Harvesting fruiting vegetable crops keeps fruit coming. Leaving enormous zucchinis or cucumbers on the plant triggers the “I am done” stage and the plant stops flowering and putting on new fruits. This is true of all the summer squash, green beans, cucumbers, and to a lesser extent, tomatoes.

Broccoli will continue to produce smaller heads once the main head is removed.

Snap green beans are best harvested when they are showing early signs slightly bulging seeds. Once in full production, pick every two days. Peppers are less prone to stop since their “done” stage is when the fruits turn red or orange. Consistent watering will help to provide longer crop production (see below).

Watering vegetables in hot weather

The past month of 90+ temperatures gave us a lot of opportunity to test our watering skills. If you were seeding vegetables for fall harvest, it was a challenge to keep the soil surface evenly moist to support germination. Surface mulches helped, as did the use of soaker hoses or drip systems turned on frequently.

ago, fruit trees are loaded. It isn’t too late to thin some of the later varieties. But watering is especially important. There is virtually no moisture in upper 12-16 inches of soil unless you have been providing it.

I have already heard from people that have lost fruit and other trees from lack of water.

community colleges drive $9.6B economic impact

nests can be very nasty as they respond to all signs of large animals (that includes us) with passion. The ability to sting repeatedly is their secret sauce. That said, they do play an important role in keeping garden caterpillars and other pesky crop gobbling insects in check.

employment data meticulously collated from authoritative bodies such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau.

“A core mission of Oregon community colleges is to empower individuals with the skills imperative for constructing the foundation of our state’s economy,” said Karen Smith, Interim Executive Director of OCCA.

investment of 21%, and students gain a return of $5.20 in higher future earnings for every dollar they invest in their community college education.

• Oregon community colleges’ operations spending added $769.8 million to the state’s economy, supporting 9,894 jobs. That’s comparable to the ability to purchase 16,352 new cars.

Overhead irrigated fall crop seeds on unmulched clay soils have a hard time pushing through the soil crusts. Crusts can develop from the physical impact of water droplets combined with sun baking the clay. Moles often make their tunnels right where you are watering, complicating your ability to provide even moisture to your crops. Mole trapping is important though not always easy.

In the vegetable garden, many crops are in crucial production stages. All vegetables that produce bulbs, flowers, fruit, or seed as the edible part (i.e. beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers, corn, broccoli, onions etc.) experience their highest demand as that edible portion is maturing. Even and ample water is a must.

The evapotranspiration rate of a crop is the amount of soil moisture evaporating through plant leaves (which is most of the water as the crop canopy matures) and directly from the soil.

Normal evapotranspiration averages for vegetables in July/August are about 1.50 inches per week (or about .22”/day). But we had some days where the rates exceeded .30”/day or about 2.25 inches per week. The chart below shows the water demand for winter squash (butternuts, acorns, Hubbard, etc.) and summer squash (zucchini, patty pans, etc.) Note the different planting dates projected. The difference between the rainfall received and the crop demand at any point in time is what you have to provide.

Water fruit trees and fairly new woody landscape plants

As noted several weeks

At high risk are trees and shrubs planted in the last few years. They have yet to develop more extensive root systems. One complication in Columbia County is that most of us live on claybased soils. In the winter they become water saturated which tends to force trees to have rather shallow root systems. So when the soils dry out in the summer and we have hot weather, the roots can’t draw enough moisture from deeper soil levels because their roots aren’t there. So it’s up to you to keep them happy.

September 7 Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting.

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

Important notes

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The 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.

The comprehensive analysis, conducted by independent labor market analytics firm Lightcast and commissioned by OCCA and the state’s 17 community colleges, highlights the substantial contributions of Oregon’s community colleges, which collectively generate an impressive $9.6 billion annual economic impact while supporting 1 out of every 22 jobs in the state.

The focus of the report, spanning Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022, demonstrates that this impact corresponded to 3.3% of Oregon’s gross state product, reinforcing the colleges’ pivotal role in driving the economic engine of the region. This influence radiates across the state, sustaining an impressive 117,970 jobs.

“The robust dataset presented in this report unequivocally attests to the colleges’ relentless pursuit of excellence in fulfilling this mission and demonstrates the impact community colleges have on their local communities.

The findings of this analysis undeniably demonstrate that Oregon’s community colleges are a compelling investment for the triad of major stakeholders — students, taxpayers, and society at large.”

Students are poised to reap a 21% return on their educational investment in an Oregon community college. Simultaneously, taxpayers’ funding allocations not only exhibit a positive balance when juxtaposed with budgetary spending, but they also reverberate in the form of diverse societal benefits that resonate throughout Oregon.

• Their construction spending provided $28.4 million in added income for Oregon, while student spending added $177.5 million. That’s enough to buy 14,341 families a years’ worth of groceries.

Over the years, students have studied at Oregon’s community colleges and entered or re-entered the workforce with newly-acquired knowledge and skills. Today, hundreds of thousands of these former students are employed in Oregon. The net impact of the colleges’ former students currently employed in the state workforce amounted to $8.6 billion in added income in FY 2021-22. That’s an economic boost similar to hosting the Super Bowl 24 times.

Bumblebees frisky, yellow jackets and hornets slowly getting pesty

This has been a great bumblebee year. They are numerous and you couldn’t find a nicer bee in your garden. They love the open-faced dahlias my wife grows, sunflowers, catnip gone to flower, lavender, and so many other flowering plants. Each colony starts anew every year from new queens that left last year’s nests in the fall (the colony dies when they leave) and hide out until winter is over. They then start their own colonies for the current year.

Yellow jackets and baldfaced hornets have the same life cycle as bumblebees. Last year’s colonies die as the queens take off. The spring of 2022 was very cold and wet which led to a low crop of yellow jacket colonies last year and thus fewer queens for this year.

This year was much better for colony establishment (as far as yellow jackets are concerned) but, with fewer queens to start with, seems still lower than normal. But watch out for fall if the weather remains yellow jacket positive. Ground

Have questions?

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 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

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

Notably, the financial support extended to Oregon’s community colleges in FY 2021-22 totaled $834.3 million, a strategic investment by taxpayers. This investment is poised to yield substantial returns, including heightened tax revenue stemming from students’ augmented lifetime earnings and increased business output, a cumulative effect amounting to an estimated $1 billion. Moreover, the substantial decrease in the public’s reliance on government-funded services within Oregon is anticipated to confer an additional $89 million in benefits to taxpayers.

The comprehensive report was crafted by Lightcast, drawing from a myriad of sources including academic and financial reports from state community colleges, as well as pertinent industry and

Other key points from the report include:

• Reduced demand for government-funded services in Oregon because of public sector savings from community colleges’ impact increases the annual benefit to taxpayers to $89 million.

• For every dollar of public money invested in Oregon’s community colleges, tax¬payers will receive $1.30 in return, over the course of students’ working lives. The average annual rate of return for taxpayers is 1.9%.

• An Oregon community college graduate earns $9,100 more annually than someone with just a high school diploma.

• Oregon community college students earn an average return on their educational

For an in-depth look at the economic impact of Oregon’s community colleges, visit https://www.occa17.com/ economic-impact/. Contact individual colleges for their local economic impact.

About the OCCA

The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) represents the 17 publicly chartered community colleges and their locally elected board members in Oregon. Founded in 1962, OCCA’s purpose is to support the colleges before policymakers and partners whose actions affect the well-being of community colleges across the state.

The Oregon Community College Association is located in Salem and may be reached at 503-502-5642.

Oregon

August 23 McCormick Park Cleanup and Education

10 a.m. - noon. This is an educational and hands-on pollution prevention event. This family friendly event is hosted by the City of St. Helens with assistance from the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, Scappoose Bay Watershed Council, Columbia County OSU Extension Office and Hudson Garbage.

August 24 Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Directors Regular Meeting

9 a.m. Meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. For instructions on how to join the meeting via Zoom, please contact our Administrative staff at 503-366-6973.

August 24 13 Nights on the River

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Soul What is playing at Columbia View Park.

August 25 Movies in the Park

7 p.m. activities start. Super Mario Bros. starts at dusk at Columbia View Park in St. Helens.

August 26 Overdose Awareness

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at McCormick Park, 475 S 18th St., St. Helens. This event is to honor the ones who have lost their lives to an overdose, support families and friends affected by overdose, raise awareness and provide resources to families and individuals still in active addiction.

August 27 NAMI Columbia County Support Group Meeting

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - NAMI

(National Alliance on Mental Illness) meeting will be held at 185 S. 4th Street in St. Helens. This is a support group for folks who have a loved one with mental illness with focus on self care, support, education and advocacy. This will be an outdoor casual patio gathering with light refreshments.

August 31 13 Nights on the River

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Macey Gard Band is playing at Columbia View Park.

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 19 2nd Annual Columbia County Senior Health Fair

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Columbia River Four Square Church, 555 Commons Dr., Scappoose. 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.

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 503-3975390 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 503397-5390.

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 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 714-7689327 or check the Resonate

April 27, 1957 ~ Aug. 10, 2023

Judy Karen Hamlin was born on April 27, 1957, in Denison, Texas. She grew up in a family of five, the youngest of her siblings by ten years. Judy married James Jeffery Hamlin, a friend from childhood, after a chance reuniting later in life at a house party. Together, they raised two daughters.

It was a job offer for James that brought Judy and her daughters to the Pacific Northwest. In 2000, the family fully relocated to Hillsboro, Oregon. They spent a few short years in the suburbs before desiring a smaller town feel. They found the perfect setting in

St. Helens.

St. Helens brought with it an exciting new opportunity for Judy. In the early 2000’s, she entered a career

List of Leagues

Sunday Nighters (Mixed-2) Sunday at 5:30pm

Seniors (Mixed-drop in) Monday at 11:00am

Covered Wagon (Mixed-5) Monday at 6:30pm

Bakers Dozen (Women’s-3) Tuesday at 9:30am

Hits & Misses (Mixed-4) Tuesday at 1:00pm

Merri Mixers (MIxed-4) Tuesday at 6:30pm

Maverick (Mixed-3) Tuesday at 7:00pm

Golddiggers (Women’s-4) Wednesday at 6:30pm

Rivertowne (Mixed-4) Thursday at 6:30pm

Columbian (mixed) Friday at 6:30pm

Juniors (mixed-4) Saturday at 9:30am

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

as a school bus driver. For more than a decade, she drove children, kids, adolescents, and teens to and from the local area schools. She was extremely passionate for the job, enjoying seeing kids grow up throughout her years of service. When Judy retired in 2019, she took with her a two-finger whistle that no one would soon forget!

Judy liked to surround herself with things that made her happy- specifically countless house plants, numerous salt lamps, and as many sparkly and shiny rocks as possible. It is this collection of things that will always bring vivid memories to the

minds of her family.

Judy is survived by her husband James Jeffery Hamlin; two daughters, Stacey and Ashley; and her granddaughter, Julia Davis (with whom Judy was so proud to share her given birth name). She is preceded in death by her mother Ruth Lurla Price; father Ben Floyd Corbett; and her siblings, David and Janice.

The family welcomes those who would like to share memories of Judy’s life to an informal gathering at 2 p.m. on Sept. 9 at a family home. Details are available online at http://columbiafh. com.

Judy Karen Hamlin

502

ATTENTION

LAND OWNERS!

Wanted cedar boughs and noble fir. Willing to pay for branches only. Do not damage trees. Call Cesar 360-241-6889 or 360-425-0738 Kelso.

105 Cleaning Services

House Cleaning Services

Standard cleaning, deep cleaning, windows and more.

Please call 503327-1805 or email abbyware21@ gmail.com.

110 Hauling

We haul scrap and that’s no crap! Dump runs $75 and up. Senior discount. Scrap metal hauled free, including appliances. Call 503-550-3184.

150 Misc Services

DIVORCE $130

Complete preparation. Includes children, custody, support, property and bills division. No court appearances. Divorced in 1-5 weeks possible. 503-772-5295. www.paralegalalternatives.com legalalt@msn.com

FREE high speed internet for those that qualify Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service.

Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling.

Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-877390-0458.

Choose EarthLink Fiber Internet for speeds up to 5 Gigs, no data caps, no throttling. Prices starting at $54.95. Plus, a $100 gift card when you make the switch. Call 1-866-2663817.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-536-8838. Call LeafGuard and say goodbye to gutter cleaning for good No cleaning. No leaking. No water damage. No more ladder accidents. Get LeafGuard today and be protected for life. FREE estimate. Financing available. 20% off total purchase (Restrictions may apply.) Call 1-844345-1537. Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote – Call now before the next power outage: 1-877-557-1912.

The Generac PWRcell a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote

today. Call 1-844989-2328.

Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data

No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-877916-0803. Switch to DISH and get up to a $300 gift card! Plus get the Multisport pack included for a limited time! Hurry, call for details: 1-866-3739175.

DIRECTV OVER INTERNET

Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84.99/ mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855602-2009.

Earthlink

Connect to the best wireless home internet with EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G and 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 866-857-2897.

Are you a pet owner?

Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-833-975-1626 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/onac.

Safe Step North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Com-

prehensive lifetime warranty. Top-ofthe-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833-3951433.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-839-0752.

The bathroom of your dreams for as little as $149/month!

BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-844-8479778.

Wesley Financial Group, LLC. Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844-487-0221.

Life Line Screening Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American 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 1-866695-9265 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 - 1-844-5339173.

301 Health & Nutrition

Alcoholics Anonymous Info-line, (503) 366-0667 www.pdxaa.org

502

Help Wanted

Immediate Opening Sewing, taping, etc. Part-time 6-Noon,

The City of Columbia City

In Columbia County

Columbia City - part-time (30 hours per week). Performs a variety of routine and semi-skilled bookkeeping and accounting tasks and serves as municipal court clerk. Tasks include a variety of bookkeeping tasks involved in water and sewer utility accounts, including billing, receipts, reports and other account activities. Performs secretarial and clerical services, reconciliations and bank deposits. May perform accounts payable, payroll and related reports and maintain files. Does related work as required. Minimum high school graduate or equivalent education; preference given to Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in related field. Requires minimum of two years experience with computer applications for finance activities; preference given to experience in governmental accounting work and experience with Springbrook Software. Combination of equivalent experience and education may substitute. Salary range $20.10 to $26.94 per hour/DOQ, PERS membership, and pro-rated leave and insurance benefits. For a complete job announcement and employment application, visit www.columbia-city.org, send an email to colcity@columbia-city.org, or visit City Hall at 1840 Second Street, Columbia City.

Call 503-397-4010

Public Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

with those

procedures found in the City Development Code (SHMC Title 17) Chapter 17.24 and any rules of procedure adopted by the City Council. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve, deny, or approve this application with conditions, based on the following criteria: SHMC 17.108.050(1)(a)–(e) – Criteria for granting a variance. SHMC 17.140.050 – Special provisions for parcels created through the partition process. SHMC 17.140.060(1) – Lot Line Adjustment approval

standards Failure to raise an issue, including constitutional or other issues relating to any proposed conditions of approval, in this hearing, in person, or by letter, or failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the approving authority an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the applicable appellate jurisdiction (e.g., the Land Use Board of Appeals, LUBA) on that issue, and precludes an action for damages in

circuit court. The applica tion file is located at City Hall (265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR) and all documents in the file are available for inspection. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing. There is no cost to inspect the file or staff report; copies are available at a reasonable cost. The report for this application will also be available on the City’s website at https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/meetings.

6272, e-mail: jgraichen@ sthelensoregon.gov, mail: 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, or in person at City Hall. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.

CH23-1416

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

CH23-1418

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) 7037312. 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 INTER -

ESTED PERSONS NO -

TICE 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 publication of

CH23-1397

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.

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of KATHERINE ANN PAINTER, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05249 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ALAN R. PAINTER has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the personal representative at: c/o Guyer Law, Attorneys; 5895 Jean Road; Lake Os-

CH23-1405

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of GARY GENE DUNCAN, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05616 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

CH23-1411

wego, Oregon 97035 within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative, Guyer Law, Attorneys; 5895 Jean Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035. Dated and first published: AUGUST 9, 2023. George H. Guyer,

OSB NO. 972765 of Attoney for Personal Representative.

PERSONAL REPRESEN-

TATIVE: Alan R. Painter 56538 Hazen Road, Warren, Oregon 97053, (503) 8332887. ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESEN-

TATIVE: George H. Guyer, OSB No. 972765, Theodore R. Naemura, OSB 953649, Guyer Law, Attorneys 5895 Jean Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035, (503) 6971035 phone, (503) 697-1045 fax, george@guyer.law ted@guyer.law.

CH23-1412

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the City of St. Helens Planning Commission on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at or after 6:30 PM and before the City Council on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at or after 6:45 PM in the City Council Chambers, located in the City Hall building at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. Access into City Hall for these hearings will be from the plaza side entrance. Zoom will also be available to participate. Virtual access information to join the hearing will be available on the applicable agenda. Agendas can be found on the City’s website: https://www. sthelensoregon.gov/meetings. The purpose of these hearings is to consider an application as follows: File No: Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendment CPZA.1.23 Applicant: Columbia Community Mental Health Request: Comprehensive Plan Map Change from Light Industrial (LI) to General Commercial (GC) and a Zoning Map Amendment from Light Industrial

CH23-1403

(LI) to General Commercial (GC). Location: 58646 Mc Nulty Way Map No: 4N1W9BB-300 & 4N1W-8AD-200

Testimony from the public in either oral or written form is invited. The hearings will be conducted in accordance with those procedures found in the City Development Code (SHMC Title 17) Chapter 17.20 and any rules of procedure adopted by the City Council. The Planning Commission is authorized to make a recommendation to the City Council who is authorized to approve, deny, or approve this application with conditions, based on the following criteria: SHMC 17.20.120(1) and (2)

– Standards for Legislative

Decision Failure to raise an issue, including constitutional or other issues relating to any proposed conditions of approval, at a hearing, in person, or by letter, or failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the approving authority an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the applicable appellate jurisdiction (e.g., the Land Use

an action for damages in circuit court. The application file is located at City Hall (265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR) and all documents in the file are available for inspection. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to each hearing. There is no cost to inspect the file or staff report; copies are available at a reasonable cost. The report for this application will also be available on the City’s website at https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/meetings. Questions should be directed to the City Planning Department by phone: 503-3976272, e-mail: jgraichen@ sthelensoregon.gov, mail: 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, or in person at City Hall. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.

FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of DEBRA LEE WITT, Deceased. Case No. 23PB05520 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

CH23-1406

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 16, 2023. Wendy L. Etienne, Personal Representative, 33392 Wikstrom Road, Scappoose, OR 97056, Phone: (218) 324-0477. 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.

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 9, 2023. Franklin Witt, Personal Representative, 31917 Brooks Road, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 396-3071. 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 BETTY J. LANEY, Deceased. No. 20PB08574 Notice to Interested Persons Notice is hereby given that TERRY LANEY has been appointed personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from this date at the office

CH23-1408

of VanNatta & Petersen & Anderson, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon; and if not so presented, they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorneys for the personal representative. Dated and first published: August

16, 2023. Date of second published: August 23, 2023. Date of final publication: August 30, 2023. TERRY LANEY c/o VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Attorneys: VanNatta, Petersen & Anderson, Attorneys at Law, P.O. Box 748, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, Telephone: (503) 397-4091.

SCHEDULED STORAGE AUCTION

Please take notice ORS 87.685 et. seq. K & B Storage, 970 Oregon Street, St. Helens, Or. 97051. Intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the Unit by the occupant at the facility

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA CH23-1409

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

CH23-1414

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 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

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

Email: aaron@lowercolumbialaw.com.

as listed below. This auction sale by unit will occur at the facility listed above on the 2nd day of September 2023 at 10:00 am. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain

terms & conditions apply. Call 971 203-4616. Jeremy Garza Unit #31 10 x 15, Chounlie Tep Hester Unit #45 5 x 10, Crystal Temple Unit # 56 5 x 10. Cash Only.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the City of St. Helens Planning Commission on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at or after 7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, located in the City Hall building at 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. Access into City Hall for this hearing will be from the plaza side entrance. Zoom will also be available to participate. Virtual access information to join the hearing will be available on the applicable agenda. Agendas can be found on the City’s website: https:// www.sthelensoregon.gov/ meetings. The purpose of this hearing is to consider an application as follows: File No: Conditional Use Permit CUP.4.23 Sensitive Lands Permits SL.4.23 (floodplain) and SL.5.23 (wetlands) Sign Permit S.14.23 Applicant:

written form is invited. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with those procedures found in the City Development Code (SHMC Title 17) Chapter 17.24 and any rules of procedure adopted by the City Council. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve, deny, or approve this application with conditions, based on the following criteria: CUP.4.23

à Chapter 17.100 SHMC; SHMC 17.100.140 in particular, SL.4.23 (floodplain)

à Chapter 17.46 SHMC; SHMC 17.46.050(6) in particular, SL.5.23 (wetlands)

à Chapter 17.40 SHMC; SHMC 17.40.040 in particular, S.14.23 à Chapter 17.88 SHMC; SHMC 17.88.060 in particular. Failure to raise an issue, including constitutional or other issues relating to any proposed conditions of approval, in this hearing, in person, or by letter, or failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the approving authority an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the applicable appellate jurisdiction (e.g., the Land Use

Board of Appeals, LUBA) on that issue, and precludes an action for damages in circuit court. The application file is located at City Hall (265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR) and all documents in the file are available for inspection. A copy of the staff report will be available for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing. There is no cost to inspect the file or staff report; copies are available at a reasonable cost. The report for this application will also be available on the City’s website at https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/meetings. Questions should be directed to the City Planning Department by phone: 503-3976272, e-mail: jgraichen@ sthelensoregon.gov, mail: 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, or in person at City Hall. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to City Hall at 503-397-6272.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

NOTICE

2023 FORECLOSURE LIST ISSUED BY COLUMBIA COUNTY

The Tax Collector of Columbia County, Oregon, has prepared the following list of all properties now subject to foreclosure, embracing foreclosure list numbers 23-001 to 22-031 inclusive, hereto attached. This 2023 Foreclosure List contains the names of those appearing in the latest tax rolls as the respective owners of tax delinquent properties, a description of each such property as the same appears in the latest tax rolls, the year or years for which taxes, special assessments, fees, or other charges are delinquent on each property, together with the principal of the delinquent amount for each year and the amount of accrued and accruing interest thereon through August 23, 2023.

2023 FORECLOSURE LIST issued by Columbia County, State of Oregon:

2023 FORECLOSURE LIST issued by Columbia County, State of Oregon:

Public Notices

2023 Foreclosure List Issued By Columbia County

State of Oregon:

2023 Foreclosure List Issued By Columbia County

Please take note that complete and accurate legal descriptions of the properties designated by the Tax Map ID Numbers in this notice are available at the office of the Columbia County Assessor.

TO ALL PERSONS OR PARTIES ABOVE-NAMED, and to all persons owning or claiming to own, or having or claiming to have, any interest in any property included in the foreclosure list above set forth, being the Columbia County 2022 Foreclosure List:

YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED TO TAKE NOTICE that Columbia County, Oregon, has filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Columbia County, an Application for General Judgment to foreclose the lien of all taxes shown on the 2022 Columbia County Foreclosure List above set forth, and that Columbia County, as plaintiff, will submit to the court a form of a General Judgment foreclosing such tax liens not less than thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication of this notice.

And any and all persons interested in any of the real property included in this foreclosure list are required to file an answer and defense, if any there be, to such Application for a General Judgment within thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication of this notice, which date is August 23, 2023. Notice of this foreclosure proceeding is given under ORS 312.040(1) by one (1) publication of the foregoing foreclosure list in The Chronicle, newspaper of general circulation published weekly in Columbia County, Oregon. The date of the publication of this 2023 Foreclosure List is the 23rd of August 2023.

you manage cash flow challenges, just to name a few.”

Challenges for small businesses

tial new tools in place – at no charge to business owners.”

Vogel and Moon noted that while they have supported numerous businesses, there are also small businesses and start-ups outside of their network, so the actual number of businesses that have come out of the pandemic is higher than its membership.

The SBDC helps clients prepare to start and maintain their businesses with various services tailored to succeeding in Columbia County.

“We offer free 1:1 confidential business advising, and are your business resource for helping you start, run and grow your best business, so you can thrive in our local economy,” Moon said. “This includes business plan development, navigating business regulatory processes, helping

Vogel said the CET has seen consistent start-up and expansion across many sectors. The hospitality industry (i.e., Restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, specialty shops, and food trucks) is on the rise, and there is a resurgence in Rainier, St. Helens, and elsewhere, according to Vogel.

“We hope for success for all. With small businesses, statistically, a high percentage fail in the first three years; if you’ve made it four years, your chances of success are significantly improved,” Vogel said. “We’re still inside that four-year window, but between the new SBDC and now the Growing Rural Oregon (“GRO”) entrepreneurial ecosystem initiative – we have substan-

One of the biggest challenges businesses faced during the pandemic was the changing regulations and criteria that customers and employers needed to follow.

“Most commonly, businesses struggled with regulation – either meeting the criteria or dealing with customers or employees that refused to comply,” Vogel said. “That affected foot traffic, operating hours, revenue, and especially in retail and hospitality – affected the mindset, loyalty, commitment, mental health – and resultingly – retention and recruitment.”

The challenges that new businesses face begin with getting started, but the real test is being able to maintain what has been built and continued growth.

“Knowing your market, developing a customer base,

building a brand, hiring the right team, brick and mortar space in the county, having a plan in place for cash flow, and how to access capital are the biggest challenges I see here at our center,” Moon said.

St. Helens has seen closures affect its downtown landscape, with Molly’s Market, Running Dog Brewery, and The Dockside all closing in the past two years. With COVID restrictions lifting in the past two years, it is difficult to attribute their closures to the pandemic.

“The specific impact and ripple effect of COVID on cities within Columbia County is still unfolding. However, each city was resilient in their own way,” Vogel said. “Small business support resources of all kinds were distributed countywide. At this point on the continuum, businesses that are closing either may or may not be related to the

Crossword PuzzlE

pandemic, more than a year out from restrictions being lifted.”

Areas for development

In the coming years, Vogel expects Columbia County to continue to grow. Vogel said that there are a number of large industrial tracts that are now fully platted, served by utilities, and are ripe for development.

In downtown St. Helens, St. Helens Main Street has obtained three major grants for main street business expansions, including The Klondike and Crooked Creek Brewery.

The GRO initiative, for which CET has contracted with the City of St. Helens (and is funded by the Ford Family Foundation), will be instrumental. It will be important for both entrepreneurial, high-growth scale business start-ups and for de-

veloping key resource and asset inventories and maps for funders, lenders, commercial properties, and professional service providers, according to Vogel.

CET, as the Travel Oregon Destination Management Organization (DMO), has obtained multiple tourism funding grants for beautification, asset improvement, and destination development in communities across the county, Vogel said.

“Additionally, we applied for and were accepted as one of a few DMOS for Travel Oregon’s ongoing Destination Development and Destination Downtown workshops. We held a series of workdays in June and July with volunteer leaders from all over the county, developing manageable downtown development strategies, techniques, and projects that can be executed in any of our communities,” Vogel said.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: FOOTBALL

ACROSS

48. Employer’s good news

50. Hyperbolic tangent

52. *College player not using eligibility

55. Beastly person

56. Double-reed instrument

57. *Nike Pegasus 39

59. Smidgeons

60. Paddleboarding acronym, pl.

61. Seaside bird

62. *Thirty-____ teams in NFL

63. *Ravens’ or Lions’ time, acr.

64. *Rushing unit

DOWN

1. “____ Now or Never”

2. “Shoot!”

3. Arabian bigwig

4. Fund-raising letter

5. Torah teacher

6. Homer’s famous poem

7. Feel for

8. Larger-than-life

9. A Supreme singer

10. Emerald ____ borer

12. Poet’s death lament

13. Fungal skin infection

14. *Home of the Citrus Bowl in Florida

19. Not odds

22. Lily, in French

23. Unfortunately, exclamation

24. *a.k.a. Iron Mike

25. Charcuterie stores

26. Nibble away

27. Have faith

28. Ranee’s wrap

31. Lummox

32. Calendar abbr.

34. Russian autocrat

36. *Home to College

Football Hall of Fame

38. Secret supply

40. *Extra point

41. Van Gogh flowers

44. Partners of pains

46. Spirited

48. Puzzle with pictures and letters

49. Take as one’s own

50. Think, archaic

51. Grand theft target

52. *The oldest college football Bowl

53. Actress Perlman

54. Millimeter of mercury

55. Took the bait

58. *Defensive one

issue of The Chronicle.

Mary Ann Guess, Tax Collector

Sarah Hanson, County Counsel Columbia County, Oregon Columbia County, Oregon

in their projections. Moody said the deficit will get bigger year after year. The estimated beginning budget balance of $1.4 million in 2023/24 will be diminished to a $283,000 deficit at the end of the year, according to Moody.

While the auditors painted a dismal picture of the district’s finances, the union remains unconvinced of their findings and distrusts the “district’s budgetary numbers as presented,” according to union president Aaron Schrotzberger.

“We have pointed out several flaws such as underbudgeting certain pay rates, overbudgeting others, and budgeting extreme amounts for certain individuals where there is no history of needing such drastic amounts, to name a few instances,” Schrotzberger said. “The CPA that the district has hired is not at fault, as she is only utilizing numbers and reasons provided by the district. The district has objected to any changes or movement in the budget, stating that it is ‘set’ and ‘too difficult’ to change. Regardless of the fact that budgetary changes are completely legal, the district expressed no willingness to follow procedure and amend the budget as needed.”

Arbitration

Moody then dove into the impact that the labor contract that is in arbitration between the district and the union would have on the numbers.

Moody said it was difficult to forecast because they didn’t know how the arbitration would resolve. The contract would be retroactive to July 1, 2022. That would mean that the EMS personnel would garner backpay under the terms of the new contract.

The contract in question was signed by the previous board, but has been in arbitration because the previous board said they signed it in error without the under-

standing that a wage table in the contract entitled EMS personnel to a 10% premium pay into base salary, in addition to a 2% increase, and a $7,500 stipend.

Blitz spoke about the arbitration process earlier in the meeting and said that, in hindsight, there were significant errors made during the contract negotiations between the union and the district.

Blitz said that the board should have made it clear that the district should have “articulated and demonstrated to the firefighters the district’s absolute inability to pay” the extra 10% wage increase in the contract.

What occurred at arbitration was that two union executive board members admitted to knowing that the district had made errors in their presentation of the contract, and the union members did not disclose it to the district’s bargaining team.

“That was a surprise development for everybody in the course of the arbitration hearing,” Blitz said. “Some might call it bad faith bargaining, who knows. It’s a significant problem, and we’ll see what the arbitrator does with it.”

Moody said that if the arbitrator finds in favor of the union, there will likely need to be an estimated $247,000 retroactive payment. If the arbitrator rules in favor of the district, there would be no retroactive payment, and there would be reductions in personnel service costs for 2023/24 and going forward, amounting to about $313,000 a year.

Though the reduction in pay will not erase the full scope of the issues, Moody said it would certainly help. Moody said immediate and significant steps to “reverse the current financial direction” are necessary, including cutting costs and additional resources.

“Without some pretty significant and timely steps, we question the sustainability of the district over the next 12-24 months,” Moody said.

“It’s a big deal, it’s a big deal for the community, and it’s a big deal for you guys.”

The final say in the arbitration will be in the hands

of the arbitrator, as the deadline has now passed for the union and district to reopen negotiations. Schrotzberger said that the parties were unable to meet before the deadlines.

“The arbitrator had provided both parties the opportunity to continue bargaining before the deadlines, but because of the union’s distrust in the district’s budget numbers, and the turmoil that has been occurring within the upper leadership of the district over the last 10+ days, the two parties have not been able to meet,” Schrotzberger said. “Now the window of opportunity to renegotiate and get approval by vote from both parties prior to the deadline has closed.”

Medina’s lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed Aug. 17, Medina named the district, St. Helens Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 3215, board members Austin Zimbrick, Kelly Niles, Rick Fletcher, and Ryan Welby, union president Schrotzberger, union vice president Aaron Peterson, union secretary and treasurer Lisa Strolis, union administrator Jeff Lockhart, paramedic and union member Kyle Melton, and Ronda Melton.

The suit claims that Medina was the subject of defamation, wrongful termination, retaliation, violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and discrimination and demands a jury trial. The suit makes a claim for $19,950,000.

“The Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees due to the unlawful retaliation against them for their right to free speech and due process in reporting official misconduct,” the suit says.

The suit claims that the board violated Medina’s contract with its termination of him without notice at a board meeting on Aug. 8.

The meeting began with a surprise addition to the agenda, which included a motion to terminate Medina with immediate effect.

After much discussion, the three new board mem-

bers, Welby, Zimbrick, and Fletcher, voted to immediately remove Medina from his position.

In the suit, it is stated that even with cause, Medina had a right to have notice of allegations and potential sanctions and the date and time when the district would consider charges and sanctions.

The suit also alleges that Medina was terminated after he brought attention to the financial irregularities he noticed within the district. Medina made “a good faith report in the public interest about misconduct by public employees and public officials,” according to the lawsuit.

“Plaintiff suffered an adverse employment action when Defendants CRFR, Fletcher, Welby, and Zimbrick terminated Plaintiff for his protected activity. Defendants’ adverse employment action was directly related to the good faith reports made by the Plaintif,” the suit says.

Additionally, the suit alleges that Medina was subject to defamation relating to false statements made by union members and individuals to “interfere with his agreement with CRFR.”

“Throughout the course of the Plaintiff’s employment as Fire Chief with CRFR, he has been subjected to defamation by oral and written statements made by Defendants Fletcher, Zimbrick, Welby, Niles, Peterson, Schrotzberger, K. Melton, Lockhart, Stolis, and R. Melton at public board meetings of CRFR, on Defendant St. Helens Professional Fire Fighters Association Local #3215, Facebook site, in text messages, and statements made to the local media newspapers, The Chronicle and The Spotlight,” the suit says.

The suit seeks Medina’s reinstatement with back pay, economic and emotional distress damages. The lawsuit also seeks unspecified punitive damages against many of the defendants.

At the meeting where Medina was terminated, Gary Hudson, the lone director who voted against removing Medina, warned

the new board that this could

be a consequence. Hudson said that any board member who voted to take this action could be liable if Medina chooses to bring litigation against the district regarding his termination. Hudson resigned the day after the meeting.

Schrotzberger offered no comment on the lawsuit that named the union and certain individuals within.

It should be noted that Medina’s termination follows months of controversy within the fire district. At a board meeting on Jul. 11, Zimbrick, Welby, and Fletcher were sworn in as the three new members of the district’s board and, among the proceedings, elected to continue the forensic audit that was ordered on Apr. 28.

Prior to the forensic audit being ordered, a civil lawsuit was filed against the CRFR and Chief Joel Medina on Apr. 7 by former employees Todd and Motherway, alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.

A third employee, Monica Cade, joined the lawsuit on Apr. 28. The local union also filed a unanimous vote of no confidence against Medina Apr. 11.

A second, amended vote of no confidence from the union was filed Aug. 7. The second Vote of No Confidence expressed concerns over Division Chief Jimmy Sanchez, Deputy Chief Eric Smythe, and then Board Director Hudson.

Resolution

At the end of the emergency meeting held Aug. 17, the board ultimately resolved to send Division Chief of Finance Sanchez to meet with St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh about securing funds so the district can operate until November.

Blitz also encouraged the district to get creative with their solutions. Blitz advised that the district’s chiefs and union work together to find “out of the box” solutions to the district’s financial challenges.

Board President Niles put forth the motion.

“The board authorizes Chief Sanchez to go have a conversation with the City Manager John Walsh to see if the city can help us out in our short-term financial need in a way that is beneficial to both the district and to the city,” Niles said.

Niles said that the board will have the final say on any decision that arises as a result.

City response

The Chronicle contacted Walsh for comment from the city about CRFR’s upcoming fund request. Walsh said that the council discussion and approval would be required.

Walsh said that the city would need assurances that the loan be repaid. That assurance could come in the form of a priority lien on the district’s November tax revenue. The city has priorities of its own that require funding.

“The City is also facing budgetary constraints in the coming fiscal year, and funding for essential services that the city provides - police and public works – is a factor in the city’s ability to assist other agencies,” Walsh said.

The city does have sufficient reserves to accommodate the short-term loan, according to Walsh. Still, he noted that Columbia County may also be able to support a request from the district.

While the city may be able to support the district with its short-term financial need, Walsh said that the future of the district’s finances will take problem-solving.

“Emergency services are an essential component of safe and livable communities. A temporary loan secured by the district’s tax revenue would bridge the gap and avoid a disruption in services,” Walsh said. “If the district continues to operate at a deficit, they will need to adjust service levels and look for solutions to operate within available resources.”

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

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National Overdose Awareness Day 2023

Bringing attention to overdoses in Columbia County

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Ahead of International

Overdose Awareness Day

Aug. 31, Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) is partnering with Columbia County Public Health and others to host an overdose awareness event Aug. 26.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in McCormick Park and will feature live music, a drum circle, food, Narcan training and information, a candlelight vigil, a raffle, and guest speakers.

CCMH and its partners hope the event will be educational and break down some of the biases around drug abuse and mental health, according to CCMH Peer Supervisor Candi Balabon.

“[The event will] let people know that this is everyday people, this is normal people, this could be you, this could be your family. This is happening everywhere; it’s not just here; it’s not just there, it is everywhere,” Balabon said. “It’s an epidemic.”

According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data, poisoning/overdose was one of the three leading causes of death in Columbia County each year from 2017 through 2021. In 2021, of the 24 deaths due to overdose/poisoning, 18 were a result of “other and unspecified drugs” and “narcotics and hallucinogens.”

Fentanyl crisis

The epidemic that Balabon referred to is the alarming rise in fentanyl use and overdoses that have occurred as a result.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times

stronger than morphine, according to the CDC website. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Its illicit form is often added to other drugs to make them more potent, cheaper to make, and more addictive.

“We’re in a fentanyl epidemic; it is so cheap. Fifty cents a pill, you can get a fentanyl pill. It’s very easy to access; it’s very cheap,” Balabon said. “It’s not just in Columbia County, it’s not just in Multnomah County, it’s everywhere, and everyone is using it. They’re putting the fentanyl into the meth, into the marijuana, into all these other things that people don’t even know that they’re actually getting the fentanyl.”

Balabon wants to educate people on the impact of the drug and overdoses in general. Balabon said that everyone knows someone who is using the drug, and it affects people across all demographics.

The variable rates that fentanyl is cut with other drugs are part of what makes it so dangerous. One fentanyl pill may have a higher dose than others, and this is a result of the distributors not having any regulations on how they manufacture the drug in its illegal form.

One of the life-saving measures that CCMH and Columbia County Public Health are making available is Narcan and training people on how to use it.

“Not always are these people going to call the police either. They don’t want the police at their house when they’re doing drugs. They don’t call 911, they just Narcan them,” Balabon said. “We

do all the Narcan training for whoever wants it. We give out a lot of Narcan, we always tell them, ‘Call 911 first, then give them the Narcan,” but they don’t always listen.”

Fentanyl is the number one cause of overdoses in Columbia County and in Oregon more generally, according to Balabon. The potency of the drug makes it dangerous for users and also for those around them. Balabon said she’s heard of cases where children or dogs have to be administered Narcan after they mistakenly ingest fentanyl pills.

“It is like the worst epidemic I’ve ever seen,” Balabon said. “It’s all walks of life, this affects everybody. If it doesn’t affect you personally, it will be emotionally, and financially.”

The financial impact arises through users needing emergency services or ending up in jail when committing crimes.

Treatment

Balabon is a Peer Supervi-

sor and has been recovering from addiction for more than ten years. One of the barriers facing people battling addiction today is the lack of support in Columbia County. There is a large percentage of people who want treatment, but in Columbia County, there is very limited access to treatment centers. While CCMH and other organizations do their best to get people the services they need, Balabon said that there is a shortage of treatment and detox beds readily available. For people looking for these

services, CCMH works with them to try and get them services, but that usually means getting them to facilities in Portland or Power House Detox in Otis, Oregon. After patients spend time in a detox facility, Balabon said that the next step should be moving to a residential facility that can provide inpatient treatment.

Unfortunately, Columbia County only has one residential facility, which is Pathways Residential in St. Helens. Balabon said that the facility’s capacity is 17. There is a waiting list for the 90-day program, and Balabon said that the facility has been “really full” recently.

When people are done with treatment, Balabon said that transitional housing, or “sober living,” is the next step. In Columbia County, there are two sober living facilities. One is the Oxford House in St. Helens which has five beds. The other is a house opened by Iron Tribe, which also provides five beds.

“That’s ten beds in the whole county, for people to actually go to sober living when they’re done with treatment, which is what you need, right? It’s a process,” Balabon said. “You start out with de-

tox; then you go to treatment, then you go to transitional housing, sober living, and then you go out on your own, and you’re working a job. It’s kind of a process, I went through it myself.”

Overdose awareness is about educating people and breaking down the stigmas that are associated with mental health and substance abuse. Balabon said that the best long-term investment that can be made is to support treatment and housing for people going through these crises. Something that is important to understand is the relationship between mental health and substance abuse.

“No one just goes, ‘Oh, I’m just going to be a drug addict.’ There’s other stuff going on in there. We’re selfmedicating because of trauma; Trauma unresolved, maybe generational trauma, maybe childhood trauma,” Balabon said. “You self-medicate so that you don’t have to deal with it and work on your mental health. Most people who use have mental health issues.”

Find more information about Columbia Community Mental Health and its services at https://www.ccmh1.com.

Big Band in the Park

Monday, Sept. 4, 1-4 p.m., Music from 2-4 p.m. at Clatskanie City park

Black Swan Classic Jazz Band

Sunday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m., Tickets: Adult: $25, Senior/Student: $23, Child: $20

Oregon Symphonic Band

Sunday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m., at Clatskanie Mid/High School

Tickets: Adult: $15, Senior/Student: $13, Child: Free

Fireside Social Orchestra

Sunday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m., Tickets: Adult: $25, Senior/Student: $23, Child: $20 3 Leg Torso

Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, 3 p.m., Tickets: Adult: $25, Senior/Student: $23, Child: $20

Quintet performing modern chamber music, tango, klezmer, Latin and world music

Skamokawa Swamp Opera

Sunday, March 10, 2024, 3 p.m. Tickets: Adult: $20, Senior/Student: $18, Child: $15

Will Martin

Friday April 26, 2024, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Adult $25, Senior/Student: $23, Child: $20

Birkenfeld Theater, Clatskanie Cultural Center - 75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, OR Call 503-728-3403 or visit clatskaniearts.org for more information.

Jon Campbell / Country Media, Inc. CCMH at their agency picnic in McCormick Park on Aug. 11.