SHC1011

Police staffing issues mount for SHPD

Police Chief Brian Greenway to better understand the critical needs of the department.

“Our challenge is, we think there are 21 sworn [officers] right now. But that includes administration, three people who are currently in training, people who are on medical leave, and we have two more people about to go on medical leave, so that number is not indicative of the number that we have working patrol right now,” Gaston said. “Including supervisors, we have 12 on patrol right

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

T he St. Helens Police Department (SHPD) has been a topic of conversation in recent weeks, and while the new police station has been a hot-button issue, the staffing levels of the department are also cause for concern.

At a city council meeting on Oct. 4, multiple public comments were put forward to the council regarding the staffing levels of the department and the potential risk of losing 24-hour police coverage due to a shortage of officers.

Hearing from SHPD

The Chronicle reached out to St. Helens Police Association President Dylan Gaston and St. Helens

The Big Halloween Parade

Gaston said that the 12 people on patrol right now are not enough to sustainably provide the 24-hour service that the city needs. Gaston said there are association members who are “consistently working around 60 hours of overtime every two weeks.” Gaston said that while people are happy to work more on a short-term basis, it isn’t sustainable long term, and “it seems like that’s the city’s plan.”

Officers are initially scheduled for four 10-hour shifts per week, but due to the lack of staff, there are a lot of SHPD members who work six to seven days a week and sometimes work 20 days in a row without time off. Greenway echoed Gatson’s concern.

“In the fall of 2022, we lost two officers, which strained our staffing levels. We hired two new officers to fill those vacancies; however, they will complete their entire training program in the fall of 2024,” Greenway said. “Our

Local creator sharing comics with the community

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

A local artist and comic creator has been sharing his works with local businesses, spreading the adventures of Rocket Girl and other heroes throughout the St. Helens community.

Jonathan Dickson began sharing his artwork and comics with several of his favorite businesses in about 2018, and he started because he wanted to create and share his work within the community.

Dickson has been living in St. Helens for more than a decade, he loves the close-knit community and the proximity of his favorite hang-out spots. Dickson has enjoyed making connections within the com munity.

Dickson has given some of his comics to Dutch Bros, the CC Rider, Sunshine Pizza, and Burgerville, among others. The biggest collection currently resides at the Burgerville, and while the staff initially started by hanging the drawings on the wall, they now have a big enough collection that they have compiled a binder full of his comics and art.

cards and occasionally one of his comic strips with Rocket Girl. It was clear that he took a lot of time to do this for us,” Burgerville General Manager Leah Williams said.

As they continued to get more and more pieces, Williams got a binder so that all of the work could

the cover of the binder and placed the collection in Burgerville’s free library.

“We labeled it, and we say that it’s a restaurant copy only, and ask everybody not to take it home,” Williams said. “People really like to look at his artwork when they come

in, and we’ve had people come in that have asked if we can make a copy of it because they want to be able to show people that they know that you can achieve your dreams, you can write a book as Jonathan Williams said that Dickson’s work has been inspiring to many of the people who come in, and she’s actually had to replace the original binder because of the wear-andtear it underwent because so many people were looking through it when they came in.

In addition to his artwork, Dickson likes to keep up a healthy lifestyle, participating in basketball and bowling. Dickson even medaled in an Oregon Special Olympics basketball event in 2019! Dickson also volunteers at Columbia Pacific Food Bank and enjoys giving back to the community.

Dickson spends his free time perusing the selection of comics at Pantheon Comics and Games, the bowling alley, and walking around town. Dickson also spends time with his friend Sheila Kruger and her husband, watching movies and keeping up with the Portland Trail-

blazers.

“There are so many places that he’s comfortable with that he can walk to on his own, and visit. The comic books store, [Burgerville], if he needs to do a little shopping on his own, he can do that, and it’s like everywhere he goes, he keeps making friends,” Kruger said.

Dickson is always creating new characters for his comics, and he even created characters for Kruger and her husband, Stealth Wing Lady and Talon.

With the constant stream of new comics and characters, the community should expect new installments of the adventures of Rocket Girl and others, and the best place to see them is to stop in at the Burgerville at 715 South Columbia River Highway.

“We look forward to Jonathan bringing in his artwork, and we’re always happy to see him. It’s been nice to connect to him on a more personal level. He’s kind of a shy guy, but he always has these big beautiful smiles for us when we get excited about him bringing something in and put it into the book,” Williams said.

Scappoose City Council welcomes new member

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Scappoose City Council has selected the newest member, who will serve out the remainder of for-

mer Councilor Pete McHugh’s term following his resignation.

At a council meeting on Oct. 2, the council interviewed three applicants, and Marisa Jacobs was chosen for the position. Ty Bailey and Jon Kangas were also interviewed. While Jacobs ended up as the newest member of Scappoose’s city government, Mayor Joe Backus said he felt that each of the candidates could have fit the role.

“I can’t speak for the others on their decision, but for me, I could see working with any one of them. They all had unique backgrounds and different perspectives that they would bring to the table and do a good job,” Backus said. “I feel Marisa will do a good job really listening to all the information and make her decisions based on facts and experience. I believe she will hold me and the council accountable, fight for transparency, and put in the time to help develop better community engagement. She will be a good addition to our team.”

Jacobs was sworn in during the regular session following the interview process and will serve the remainder of McHugh’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2024. Jacobs said her motivation for pursuing the job was a

deep-rooted commitment to the wellbeing of the community.

“Throughout my career and civic engagements, I’ve witnessed the positive impact effective local governance can have on people’s lives. I wanted to leverage my skills and experiences to contribute directly to the betterment of Scappoose,” Jacobs said. “Moreover, the sense of community that defines our town has always resonated with me, and I

saw this vacancy as an opportunity to play an active role in preserving and enhancing the qualities that make Scappoose a special place to live.”

Stepping into the role of city councilor, Jacobs said her primary priorities include promoting smart and sustainable growth while preserving the core values that define Scappoose. Jacobs said she wants to ensure the community remains family-oriented and tightly-knit.

I also aim to actively engage with our residents, listening to their concerns, ideas, and feedback, and incorporating their input into our decision-making processes,” Jacobs said.

Additionally, she wants to focus on enhancing infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and fostering economic development to create a “thriving and vibrant Scappoose.”

Jacobs is a human resources business partner for Nike, and she said her human resources background will help her in her new role on the council. Jacobs expects to contribute to the council by bringing a “diverse set of skills and experiences” to the table.

“My background in Human Resources has equipped me with

strategic planning, effective communication, and team leadership skills, which will be valuable in addressing complex issues and making informed decisions,” Jacobs said. “I also have a track record of collaboration, having worked with diverse teams and stakeholders throughout my career and civic engagements. I am a dedicated listener, eager to hear and incorporate the voices of our residents into our decision-making processes.”

While Jacobs is new to the city council, she has been a member of the Scappoose Planning Commission since August 2021. In her new role, Jacobs said she feels honored to serve the people of Scappoose.

“Serving the citizens of Scappoose in this capacity is a tremendous honor and responsibility. It means a commitment to our shared future and a dedication to preserving the unique character of our town,” Jacobs said. “It signifies the opportunity to make a positive impact on the daily lives of our residents, ensuring that Scappoose remains a place where families flourish and where the sense of community continues to thrive. It’s a chance to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family over the years.”

Courtesy photo from Jenni Bandov

City officials estimated between 10-15,000 people lined the streets for the Big Halloween Parade.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

Jonathan Dickson and Sheila Kruger show off Dickson’s work at Burgerville in St. Helens.

Courtesy photo

Marisa Jacobs

See SHPD Page A9

Country Media, Inc.

St. Helens Police Department is dealing with a severe staffing shortage that could jeopardize 24-hour coverage.

St. Helens receives $300,000 state

Country Media, Inc.

The City of St. Helens has been awarded a $300,000 grant through the Oregon Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Program to update the city’s Transportation System Plan. Work on the Transportation System Management Plan will be guided by the efforts of the City’s Planning and Engineering Divisions.

An updated transportation system plan (TSP) is essential for securing state and federal project funding. It will also increase the city’s competitiveness for grant funding. TSPs typically plan for 20 years of growth and guide the management and implementation of the transportation facilities, policies, and programs. Plans are usually updated every 10-12 years. This allows the city the opportunity to assess and reprioritize transportation projects in the plan based on community growth and update project costs.

The City of St. Helens will work with a consultant provided by Oregon De-

partment of Transportation (ODOT) to update the city’s current plan which was adopted in 2011. There will be opportunity for community feedback during the process.

The plan will be reviewed by the St. Helens Planning Commission and City Council before final adoption takes place through a public hearing. The $300,000 grant will cover the majority of the project’s cost apart from a required $34,336 match from the city. The match can be in-kind, using city staff time spent working on the project.

When the City of St. Helens updated its plan in 2011, it identified transportation needs, analyzed potential options for addressing those needs, and provided an implementation plan and financing plan. The process involved:

• Review of state, regional, and local transportation plans and policies that the St. Helens TSP must either comply with or be consistent with.

• Gathering community input through public workshops at key points in the project.

and citizen advisory commit tees to establish goals and objectives, identify and assess alternatives, and prioritize future needs.

• Using a detailed inventory of existing transportation facilities and services as a foundation to establish needs near and long-term.

• Identifying and evaluating future transportation

reflective of the community’s vision and fiscal realities.

• Preparing for review and adoption by the St. Helens Planning Commission and City Council and subsequently by Columbia County as appropriate.

page/resources-links.

Oregon’s Transportation and Growth Management Program supports community efforts to expand transportation choices. By linking land use and transportation planning, TGM works in partner-

The program is managed jointly by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Learn more at https://www. oregon.gov/LCD/TGM.

Revenue surplus of $5.61B ‘largest in state history’

To calculate the amount of their credit, taxpayers can multiply their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR40—by 44.28 percent. This percentage is determined and certified by OEA. Taxpayers who claimed a credit for tax paid to another state would need to subtract the credit amount from their liability before calculating the credit.

Personal income taxpayers can also determine the amount of their kicker using a What’s My Kicker? Calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.

Taxpayers are eligible to

claim the kicker if they filed a 2022 tax return and had tax due before credits. Even taxpayers who don’t have a filing obligation for 2023, still must file a 2023 tax return to claim their credit. The 2023 Oregon personal income tax return instructions will include detailed information on how to claim the credit on Form OR-40 for full-year Oregon residents, Form OR-40-P for part-year residents, and Form OR-40-N for nonresidents. Composite and fiduciary-income tax return filers are also eligible. Taxpayers should keep in mind that the state may use all or part of their kicker to pay any state debt they owe, such as tax due for other years, child support, court

fines, or school loans.

Taxpayers can donate their kicker with a checkbox on their tax return to the Oregon State School Fund for K-12 public education, but they must donate the entire amount. The donation is permanent and cannot be taken back.

Taxpayers also have the option of donating part or all of their refund to any or all of the 29 charities approved by the Charitable Checkoff Commission. Taxpayers use Form OR-DONATE to designate any amount or all of their refund to donate to charity.

Free tax preparation services are available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software

companies offer free software use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services. For more information, go to the Oregon surplus “kicker” credit page of the Department of Revenue website. Visit www.oregon.gov/ dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or email questions.dor@ oregon.gov.

The $300,000 grant will help the city update its transportation plan.

Police RePoRts

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

St. Helens Police

September 24

• Police arrested a 32-yearold male subject for theft II at the 2000 block of Gable Road.

• Officers arrested a 31-yearold on a fugitive warrant at

the 500 block of Columbia River Highway

September 27

• Police arrested a 39-yearold for assault II, unlawful use of weapon, and tampering with a witness at the 1600 block of Old Portland Road.

September 30

• Police arrested a 53-yearold subject for assault II, menacing-aggravated physical or weapon, harassmentoffensive physical contact at the 1600 block of Old Portland Road.

• Officers arrested a 38-year-old male subject on a fugitive warrant at the 2300 block of Columbia Boulevard.

Police add new K9 unit to force

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

O ctober 1

• Police arrested a 58-yearold subject for online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor, felon in possession of a weapon, and probation violation at the 2000 block of Gable Road.

• Police responded to a theft at the 2000 block of Gable Road.

October 2

• Police arrested a 58-yearold male subject on a fugitive warrant near Columbia River Highway and South Vernonia Road.

• Police arrested a 59-yearold male subject on a fugitive warrant at the 2000 block of Gable Road.

Man sentenced for sexual abuse charges

Country Media, Inc.

Skylar Smith, 42, of St. Helens has been sentenced to 88 months in prison and 59 months of post-prison supervision.

The sentencing comes after Smith plead guilty Sept. 29, to two counts of Sexual Abuse I and two counts of Attempted Sexual Abuse.

This guilty plea capped a two-year investigation initiated in August 2021 when a citizen reported that Smith had sexually abused a child. St. Helens officers and detectives immediately responded to the scene and began an investigation. Smith was identified as a suspect;

however, investigators were initially unable to locate Smith.

On August 30, 2021, St. Helens detectives lured

Smith to a location in St. Helens. An officer in the area observed Smith walking to the location and arrested him. Investigators interviewed Smith, and he was subsequently lodged at the Columbia County Jail. The investigation was presented to a Columbia County Grand Jury, and Smith was indicted. This investigation was a collaboration between the St. Helens Police Department and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office. If you have any related information regarding Smith, the St. Helens Police Department would like to hear from you. Please contact St. Helens Detectives Gaston or Smith by calling 503-397-1521.

Disaster loans available to small businesses

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Small nonfarm businesses in 21 Oregon counties, including Columbia, and neighboring counties in Idaho and Washington, are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Aug. 1, according to SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center West Director Jeffrey Lusk.

Primary Oregon counties:

Clatsop, Lincoln, Morrow, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Washington and Yamhill.

Neighboring Oregon counties:

Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Gilliam, Grant, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah and Wheeler;

Neighboring Idaho counties:

Adams, Idaho and Nez Perce;

Neighboring Washington counties:

Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Walla Walla.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Lusk said. Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Lusk said.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster

Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

A new police canine team is now certified to patrol St. Helens streets. St. Helens Officer Bryan Cutright and police canine Jax were certified by the Oregon Police Canine Association on Sept. 26, to begin working as a canine team.

Jax is a two-and-a-halfyear-old Belgian Malinois that was purchased by the St. Helens Police Department from Adlerhorst International, LLC, in California. Jax’s handler, St. Helens Officer Bryan Cutright, is new to police canine work. Officer Cutright went through a 10-week mandatory academy in April 2023 to be able to work with police canines. After Jax arrived in St. Helens, the police dog also had to receive certification before Officer Cutright and Jax could officially begin working as a team.

“A police canine team is able to perform specialized tasks that aren’t possible for an officer on foot,” said Officer Cutright. “Canines are faster, can track by scent, and can travel through thick brush and small spaces that would be difficult for an officer to do.”

Police canines can also be used as a voluntary compliance tool. “Suspects are sometimes more willing to surrender when they see that a police canine is on scene,” said St. Helens Police Chief Brian Greenway. “This keeps our officers and the suspect safe since it reduces use-offorce situations.”

designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Sept. 25.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.

The application process

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance. sba.gov/.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 28, 2024.

Jax will be used as an apprehension and tracking dog. He is replacing former St. Helens police canine Ryder. Ryder, a purebred German Shepherd, was retired on Sept. 26, 2023, the same day that Jax was certified to begin work. Ryder joined the St. Helens Police Department in August 2016 and was

handled by Sgt. Jon Eggers.

As a team, they successfully tracked and apprehended sus pects for the St. Helens Police Department and assisted other agencies when needed.

force at almost nine years old,

Courtesy photo from SHPD

Police Officer Bryan Cutright and his new best friend, K9 Jax.

Courtesy photo from SHPD K9 Jax is a two-and-a half-year-old Belgian Malinois.

Courtesy photo from SHPD Skylar Smith

News and Views

Rethinking climate lawsuits

Prioritizing pragmatic approaches for Oregon’s future

CASEY GARRETT

Chronicle Guest Column

The ongoing pursuit to decrease pollution is undeniably essential. While it is crucial for Oregon’s leaders to strive for cleaner and more efficient energy sources, the best approach should be one that emphasizes realistic and collaborative strategies. The decision taken by certain officials to resort to legal action against energy companies raises legitimate concerns. These lawsuits will not provide the solution we need, especially considering these companies could play a pivotal role in developing the cleaner and more efficient energy solutions we seek.

This summer, several municipalities opted to sue energy producers, alleging that they should bear the financial burden of climate changerelated damages. An example of this is Multnomah County, which has joined a growing list of municipalities in pursuing climate lawsuits, with demands for over $51 billion in compensation due to the 2021 heatwave’s tragic consequences. While the unfortunate heat-related events across Oregon are indeed distressing, it is foolish to believe lawsuits are an effective way to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Multnomah County’s choice to involve our state’s courts to settle the issue of climate change is a misguided and ineffective approach.

Critically examining the motivations behind these lawsuits reveals an emphasis

Oregon’s addiction epidemic

Legislature forms committee to address concerns.

What a joke. They form committees, they have town halls, they discuss it they write about, and they have even allocated money for it but not a damned thing gets done.

How about you open up some real long-term treatment centers that house people for more than a week then kicks them back out on the street.

The approach that is being taken now doesn’t and will not work for any extended period of time. It so far has been nothing but a bunch of bureaucrats getting in front of camera talking about how they are devoted to solving the problem while people die on the streets in Oregon from overdosing daily.

Quit discussing the problem to death and do something about instead of taking photo ops pretending like you care to gain support for your

on forcing broader social changes and financial gain for trial lawyers rather than a genuine commitment to combat climate change.

For example, the lawyers involved have negotiated significant financial incentives for themselves and set their eyes on recruiting more of our cities, counties, and even the State of Oregon.

Redirecting taxpayer funds toward these lawsuits is not a prudent allocation of resources. It is worth acknowledging that natural gas, despite its challenges, has a transitional role to play in our shift toward cleaner energy. Natural gas producers have demonstrated efforts to reduce emissions while supporting renewable energy endeavors. Lawsuits will hinder the investments these companies are making toward cleaner energy sources.

Of significant concern is the negative impact of these climate lawsuits on the energy sector, which is integral to our modern society’s functioning. One climate policy expert expressed caution regarding favorable verdicts in these lawsuits, warning that such outcomes could destabilize the fossil fuel sector. This outcome raises ethical questions, particularly considering that the energy sector responds to consumer demand.

The perspective put forth by The Oregonian’s editorial team provides valuable insight. They contend that these lawsuits are not aligned with the principles of good governance, as they divert attention and resources from

next election. Every problem has a solution just do it.

Patrick Klein St. Helens

Support measure 5-296

I am writing in support of Scappoose School Bond (Measure 5-296). As a long-time Scappoose School District administrator, it’s clear to me that building a new Middle School is long overdue. For many years, we’ve been investing heavily with very little return in a ninety-year-old building. It’s been throwing good money after bad!

The total proposed bond is $110 million, about $80 million for a new Middle School and $30 million for much-needed infrastructure and HVAC upgrades, security needs such as alarms, emergency communications and more secure entrances, plus upgrades to vocational classrooms and the replacement of

addressing the most immediate concerns within counties, such as homelessness. Some other examples of immediate concerns all counties grapple with include the lack of access to acute psychiatric care, rising crime rates, rampant drug use, and failing infrastructure. The focus should be on providing concrete solutions to everyday challenges faced by communities rather than suing Big Oil to “scratch a populist itch.”

Such lawsuits could also hurt long-term economic growth in this region. The announcement that American Airlines will invest up to $37.5 million into a proposed renewable fuel refinery near Clatskanie might not have happened had they been wary of payday-seeking lawsuits against prominent businesses. While Multnomah County officials talked about environmental justice when announcing the suit, you do not help disadvantaged communities by driving away job creators and economic engines.

Instead of pursuing a litigation-driven strategy, elected officials should collaborate with energy companies, fostering innovation, sustainable practices, and the transition towards cleaner energy sources. Oregon’s leaders, across all levels of government, should stay clear of climate lawsuits and explore alternative approaches that prioritize practical, effective, and cooperative solutions.

community events

October 14 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support Group

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Elks Veteran Bunker (House), 125 South 13th St. in St. Helens. The group’s focus is self care for those who have a loved one with mental illness. Contact Judy Thompson for more information, 503.397.6056.

October 17 Learn about The Castle from Debbie Hazen

7 p.m. at The Caples House, 1925 First St. in Columbia City. $5. For questions call, 503-397-5390.

October 17 Columbia River PUD Board of Directors Meeting

6 p.m. in the Columbia River PUD community room.

October 28 Rainier Eagles Trunk or Treat 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Rainier Eagles 4022, 109 W A St. in Rainier.

October 28 31st Annual Kiwanis St. Helens Day Breakers Children’s Fair

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at McBride Elementary School, 2774 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens. Event will be held in the gym and cafeteria. Fun for all ages. Come in costume. This event is free.

October 29 5th Annual Trunk or Treat by Hometown Pizza

the undersized SHS science and band classrooms.

The cost for the Middle School is based on an estimated cost of $700 per square foot. That’s a scary number but it’s what new schools cost nowadays. Maybe the winning bid will be less, but this is what’s recommended for budgeting purposes. Guaranteed, if we wait, it will be significantly more.

Our teachers, staff and especially our students, who excel in academics, citizenship, music and athletics, give our community a lot to be proud of. Like everything else, it’s expensive to pass this bond, but, in my opinion, it’s the right thing to do for the future of our schools and community.

Don’t let this opportunity pass us by. Each year the costs go up and up. Ballots should be mailed out next week. Please join me in voting yes for Ballot Measure 5-296.

Pete McHugh Scappoose

October 20 Fall Book Sale by the Friends of the St. Helens Public Library

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 375 S. 18th St., St. Helens. All books, CD’s and DVD’s are .25 - $1.

October 21 Fall Book Sale by the Friends of the St. Helens Library

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 375 S. 18th St., St. Helens. All books, CD’s and DVD’s are .25 - $1. Bag Sale is from noon - 2 p.m.

October 21 Fall Perennial Sale by St. Helens Garden Club

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the St. Helens Public Library. Proceeds from this sale go towards our various civic projects. Among the items will be bulbs, Iris starts, and hardy Cyclamen. Join us on the porch and inside for the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Lots of good bargains at both sales. See you there, rain or shine.

October 28 Little Trick or Treaters Parade

1 p.m. It’s kids, costumes, and a whole lot of fun. For over 100 years, The Chronicle has sponsored a children’s parade. This year will be no different. Once again, The Chronicle is partnering with St. Helens Grocery Outlet. The Little Trick or Treaters Parade will be held at 1 p.m. on 1st Street in St. Helens. Line up begins at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of 1st Street and St. Helens Street. Bring a bag to hold your candy. If you would like to donate a bag of candy to a business downtown, you can take it to the business or drop it off at The Chronicle and we will get it to them. For questions, please call Kelli at 503-397-0116. Hope to see you there!

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at 109 E A Street Plaza, Rainier, Oregon. There will be raffles and prizes for costumes and best decorated vehicles. This event is free. Any vehicle is welcomed to show up an hour before the event to decorate their vehicle. Please bring your own candy to hand out. For questions, please contact Nina Pogue at 503-556-3700.

Oct. 31 Halloween

Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru

4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Scappoose Police Department or stop by anytime to pick up your treat. This event is put on by The Scappoose Police Department along with the employees of the City of Scappoose.

November 2 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos

5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Buccini Hall, 165 S 14th St., St. Helens, Oregon. People can come together to remember loved ones who have passed when they celebrate Dia de los Muertos. For questions please contact, Leticia Juarez Sisson at 559-307-5376.

November 4 2023 Holiday Bazaar

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 51737 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose. For questions, call 503-543-6555.

November 12 Harvest/Holiday Tea

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. A lovely multi-course high tea with entertainment. Just what you need to get into that Holiday feeling. Reservations Required. $40. Caples House, 1925 First St., Columbia City, 503-367-8494.

Ongoing events

Fridays 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Caples House offers Tea and Sweets: a bottomless cup of tea with a homemade dessert. Cost is $5. In The Cottage, 1925 First Street in Columbia City. Call 503-397-5390 for more details.

Fridays - Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Caples House Museum Tours, 1925 1st Street in Columbia City. Cost is $5. Stop by and see what has changed. For more information, call 503-3975390.

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

Columbian Toastmasters

Promoting positive learning and leadership through public speaking. Anyone is welcome to visit! Lunch meetings at Warren Country Inn, 56575 Columbia River Hwy, Warren, OR 97053 from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday. Call 503-369-0329 for more information.

Overcomers Outreach Meetings are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Creekside Baptist Church, 51681 SW Old Portland Road in Scappoose. Call Fred 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.

Tea and Sweet 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.

Casey Garrett is a Columbia County Commissioner.

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311 Announcements Announcement

I, Karla Kristine Pohl, have no family obligations to anyone on Earth. Thanks people. The gummint would never once allow it.

312 Events

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Scappoose Senior

ESTATE SALE - Saturday, October 14 from 8am to 2pm at 59280 Alderwood Drive St. Helens. 790

Got Cedar and Noble trees?

Apartments Rainier 1 bedroom, W/S/G paid. River view, nice neighborhood.

ATTENTION

LAND OWNERS!

If so, we want your boughs! Top dollar paid. We do all the work, with over 20 years of experience. Call Crystal at 360-957-2578 or Ricardo 360-751-1045 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.

ATTENTION LAND OWNERS

We buy CEDAR and NOBLE boughs. Do not damage trees. What we pay depends on the quality of your trees. We do all the work.

For more information call or text anytime Jorge Martinez at 360-751-7723

Classified Ads Deadline:

New tiny wasp comes with cloud-like structures

STEVE LUNDEBERG

Chronicle Guest Article

Fossil researchers have discovered a novel genus and species of tiny wasp with a mysterious, bulbous structure at the end of each antenna.

The female micro-wasp was described from 100-million-year-old Burmese amber in a study led by George Poinar Jr., who holds a courtesy appointment in the Oregon State University College of Science.

Poinar and Fernando Vega, an independent researcher based in Silver Spring, Maryland, have some ideas about the “clouds” on the antennae, but they don’t know for sure what they are.

“We could find no fossil or extant insect with such antennal structures,” said Poinar, an international expert in using plant and

animal life forms preserved in amber to learn about the biology and ecology of the distant past. “We wondered how it could still fly with that weight.”

Micro-wasps are defined as those with an adult body length of less than 2 millimeters. There are thousands of species of these parasitic

insects around today, spread among hundreds of genera, Poinar said. Some are useful for controlling scale insects, which can be crop pests, he added.

“This micro-wasp has a length of only 1.3 millimeters,” Poinar said. “That, as well as its 15-segment anten-

nae, a deep cleft in the center of its head and characters of the wings distinguish it from all other micro-wasps. The unique, miniature cloudlike structures stuck to the antennae must have certainly been an annoyance to this tiny parasite.” Since the researchers could not find such structures

make educated guesses as to what they could be.

“They could be tiny plant seeds, plant secretions or eggs from a host the wasp was parasitizing,” Poinar said. “There is a good possibility the micro-wasp was

parasitizing scale insects since there is a male scale insect embedded in the same piece of amber. Whatever they are, discovering these is one of the things that makes our work so interesting, and challenging: finding dominant, unique features on extinct organisms.”

The scientists named the new specimen Caradiophyodus saradae. The genus takes its name from the Greek words for head (kara) and cleft (diaphyodus), and the species name is a nod to fellow scientist Sarada Krishnan.

Findings are published in the journal Life.

Steve Lundeberg is a researcher and writer for Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. He may be reached at steve. lundeberg@oregonstate.edu

Courtesy photo from OSU Micro-wasps are defined as those with an adult body length of less than 2 millimeters.

Courtesy photo from OSU Researchers said they have some ideas about the “clouds” on the antennae, but they don’t know for sure what they are.

Public Notices

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

CH23-1429

TS No. OR09000010-20-1 APN 17151 TO No 200133877-OR-MSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, MARTHA L NELSON; AS TO AN UNDIVIDED

1/2 INTEREST; AND ROY NELSON; AS TO AN UNDIVIDED 1/2 INTEREST IN FEE SIMPLE ESTATE as Grantor to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE as Trustee, in favor of ALLIANCE MORTGAGE, INC., A WASHINGTON CORPORATION as Beneficiary dated as of April 3, 1998 and recorded on April 10, 1998 as Instrument No. 03912 and the beneficial interest was assigned to NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC and recorded August 11, 2022 as Instrument Number 202206837 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon

to-wit: APN: 17151 PARCEL 1: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TRACT 12, MOUNTAIN VIEW AS PER PLAT ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID TRACT

CH23-1450

DISTANCE OF 127.5 FEET, MORE OR LESS; THENCE SOUTH 65 DEGREES 11’ EAST A

DISTANCE OF 305.5 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF TRACT 12, MOUNTAIN VIEW; THENCE NORTH 21 DEGREES 05’ EAST

ALONG THE EAST LINE OF TRACT 12 A DIS-

TANCE OF 284.40 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID TRACT 12, MOUNTAIN VIEW; THENCE

WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF TRACT 12, MOUNTAIN VIEW A DISTANCE OF 185.0

FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PARCEL HEREIN

DESCRIBED. PARCEL

2: A STRIP OF LAND 20

FEET WIDE ACROSS THE NORTHERLY END OF TRACT 19 OF MOUNTAIN VIEW IN SECTION 17, AS

DEEDED BY W.G. YOUNG AND ELLEN W. YOUNG TO CHRIS LARSEN AND HATTIE LARSEN IN DEED RECORDED SEPTEMBER 18, 1923 IN BOOK 35, AT PAGE 445, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: A STRIP OF LAND TWENTY FEET WIDE ACROSS THE NORTHERLY END OF TRACT NUMBERED (19) MOUNTAIN VIEW IN SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT AND MAP OF SAID MOUNTAIN VIEW ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION OF SAID PARCEL TAKEN BY THE STATE OF OREGON, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BY EMINANT DOMAIN WHICH NOW LIES WITHIN THE COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY. Commonly known as: 57893 FISHER LANE, ST. HELENS, OR 97051 Both the Beneficiary, Nationstar Mortgage LLC, and the

Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay payments which became due Monthly Payment(s): Monthly Payment(s) from 07/01/2020 to 09/01/2023 at $48,333.19 Late Charge(s): 131.10 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $57,583.30 together with interest thereon at the rate of 7.50000% per annum from October 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on January 23, 2024 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Front Entrance,

Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s

disclaimer of representa-

tions or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any.

Dated: 9/7/23 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 Successor Trustee Malcolm & Cisneros, A Law Corporation Attention: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300

Order Number 95576, Pub

Dates: 9/20/2023, 9/27/2023, 10/4/2023, 10/11/2023, CHRONICLE

NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING SALE

City of St. Helens

Notice of City Council

Public Hearing Sale of City-Owned Property As per ORS 221.725, the St. Helens City Council will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, beginning at 5:00

CH23-1449

p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive written and public comments on the sale of City-owned property described as the following: · Tax Account No. 28848 Map No. 4N1W04BB03000 Vacant Land in the Vicinity of Columbia Commons off

Kelley Street, 9,583 square foot lot. The proposed use of the property is for commercial use. The reason why the City Council considers it necessary or convenient to sell the property is to promote the expansion of commercial opportuni-

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Request for Propos -

als # S-C00055-00008299

CJC-Treatment Court Clean & Sober Living Services

Notice is hereby given that Columbia County, through its Board of County Commissioners will receive proposals for CJC-Treatment Court Clean & Sober Living Services through 4:00 p.m. on October 23, 2023. No Proposals will be

CH23-1439

considered after that time. Columbia County is seeking a qualified firm to provide clean and sober living services for CJC Treatment Court participants. The Request for Proposal documents are available at the County’s website at https:// www.columbiacountyor. gov/bids and on Oregon Buys at https://oregonbuys. gov/bso/. Questions and

clarifications should be directed to LaVena.Sullivan@ columbiacountyor.gov. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to check the website or Oregon Buys frequently to be aware of any addenda. Proposals will be accepted at the following address: Columbia County Finance Dept., Attn: LaVena Sullivan, 230 Strand St., St. Helens, Oregon 97051.

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

Probate Department

In the Matter of the Estate of LILLIAN LAVON BEASTON, Deceased. Case

No. 23PB08033 NOTICE

TO INTERESTED PER-

SONS Proceedings for this estate have been commenced. Claims against the estate may be presented to

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

Dated and first published on: September 27, 2023. Pamala Coddington Representative, 35206 Aubuchon Drive, St. Helens, OR 97051, Phone: (503) 397-0240. Attorney for Personal Representative: Aaron J. Trukositz, OSB No. 204618, LOWER COLUMBIA LAW GROUP LLC,

ties in the city limits of St. Helens. If you wish to submit written comments, please address them as follows: John Walsh, City Administrator City of St. Helens, 265 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. Written comments may be

CH23-1451

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of: William Elwood Peterson, Deceased. No. 23PB07613

NOTICE TO INTER -

ESTED PERSONS Notice is hereby given that David Flori has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are hereby required to present their claims, with

CH23-1452

submitted in advance or at the hearing. If submitted by 4:00 p.m., Monday, October 16, 2023, copies of the comments will be provided to the Council in advance of the hearing. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at City

Hall, 265 Strand Street, Plaza Entrance, St. Helens, OR 97051. The facility is handicap accessible. If you need special accommodation, please contact City Hall at (503)397-6272, at least 48 hours before the hearing.

proper vouchers, within four (4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice, as stated below, to the personal representative at 1677 St, Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051 or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights are affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court,

the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published: October 11, 2023. MARK A. GORDON, P.C. /s/ Mark A. Gordon, Esq., Mark A. Gordon, OSB No. 812424 Attorney for Personal Representative, 1677 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051, 503.397.9066, mark@markgordonpc.com.

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

On October 25, 2022 the Columbia County, Or. Circuit Ct. appointed Melanie Case as the Personal Representative (PR) in the Estate of William Harrison Case #22PB09280. Claims against the estate must be presented to the PR, with

proper vouchers, within 4 months from the 1st publication date or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may get add’l info from the court, the PR or the Attorney for the PR. PR and Attorney

for PR: Melanie Case c/o Dean Gibbons Law, 205 SE Spokane St. Ste 300, Portland, OR 97202 First published: October 11, 2023. /s/ Dean Gibbons Dean Gibbons OSB# 912835 Attorney for Personal Representative.

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

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

Rainier Oregon Historical Museum

LAUREY WHITE Chronicle Guest Article

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is in the process of finding a new home. The museum, now located on the third floor of the City Hall Building at 106 W B St, is in the process of moving to a new location adjacent to the senior center. But the process is only inching along due to the Oregon legislature.

The museum started in 2015 when a like-minded group of Rainier residents gathered to talk about starting a museum. At the second meeting held approximately one month later, six volunteers were present and decided on a name – the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum.

“We each put 20 dollars on the table to cover applications,” ROHM board president Kay Heflin said.

After their application was granted, the group began to meet monthly at the Beaver Valley Grange or the Rainier City Council headquarters.

In the summer of 2022, the museum applied for a $500,000 grant to help build the museum through the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO).

Just a short few months later, the museum board was excited to learn that their grant request had been selected and would be included in a slate of projects sent to the Oregon Legislature for funding.

“Our new museum along with 13 other capital projects were part of a slate of 14 capital projects that were not funded by the 2023 Oregon State legislation,” Heflin said. “We hope the special legislation session convening in January and February will decide to fund all the remaining 14 projects including our $500,000 grant to help fund our museum.”

After the legislature met, it was a surprise to learn that only two projects had been approved, much to the chagrin of the ROHM board. Both approved projects were located in Portland.

“This is the first time in 10 years that the Oregon legislature has not funded the cultural projects put before the Ways and Means Committee,” Heflin said. But spirits remain high.

“We just found out that there is another chance to achieve our grant by sub-

mitting a new bill,” Heflin said. “The legislature is meeting for a special session in January and February.” “We have spent countless hours working on the grant proposal,” Heflin said.

“We have sent emails to the legislature and senators, and even made a special trip to Salem to meet with our legislators.”

It will be March 5, 2024, before the board hears if the legislature will fund the grant. However, the board realizes that they cannot count on the CACO grant and must keep working hard to raise money for the building fund. They are exploring different ways to raise the funds needed for the groundbreaking of this collection of Rainier’s history.

“We should have broken ground by now,” said ROHM board member Duane Bernard. “But we are not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”

“We sure need help to get the building done,” Bernard continued. “We have the land and cannot wait to get it completed.”

Rainier roots

Bernard is a lifelong Rainier resident, as is Heflin, and both have been instrumental in acquiring materials for the museum. Among the objects donated are a 1936 Rainier firetruck, a logging incline exhibit, and a grocery delivery truck from Hallberg’s, a longshuttered grocery store.

The first effort towards preserving the town’s history came about after several people began posting old photographs of Rainier on Facebook. That idea started the ball rolling. Since that time, they have taken part in many community events.

The museum board and its members participate with a booth at Rainier Days in the Park every July, hold presentations at reunions for current and past students, sponsor the Annual Alumni All Class Picnic, and sponsor an annual logging event.

The board says that the tide is changing and that cultural projects are taking on a new veritas. For instance, 2023 saw the biggest caucus outside of the partisan groups. The Arts and Culture Caucus, comprised of more than 25 legislatures, demonstrates the importance of this sector to Oregon’s economy and community health.

In the CACO statement regarding this past session, it is stated that as advocates, CACO will be back representing the nonprofit arts and culture providers in Oregon. CACO vows to do whatever it takes to see this important sector recognized for its vital role in serving Oregonians and visitors.

To donate objects or to become an ROHM member, visit the museum on Saturdays, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., or write Rainier Historical Museum, P.O. Box 762, Rainier, Oregon 97048.

Dennis Patrick White 1959 ~ 2023

I am heartbroken to announce the passing of my beloved husband Dennis Patrick White. Dennis went home to be with our Lord Aug. 20, 2023 at our home in Klamath Falls, Oregon with me and stepdaughter Sierrah by his side.

Dennis was very loved and will be forever missed. He was a very kind and sweet man and made friends wherever he went. Dennis loved the Lord, was a family man and always had a smile. He was a working man who worked hard all his life with the Old Spaghetti Factory being his first job as a teenager. And then after a short time at Elko he landed the job of his life, over 35 years at the Freightliner/ Daimler truck factory in Portland, Oregon. He loved this job immensely and made many lifelong friends there.

Dennis was born in Portland, Oregon in 1959. He was the baby of his family and very loved. Dennis was proud to have been raised in the Brooklyn district of Portland and graduated from Benson Polytechnic high school.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Corrine “Corky” White and Donald

White. His sister Kathleen and his precious daughter Amanda Lorenz. He is survived by his wife Lisa White of Klamath Falls, Oregon; stepchildren, Joshua, Sarah, Serenah, Sierrah and Samarrah also of Klamath Falls, Oregon; brother and sister in law, Danny and Debra White of Oregon City; sister and brother in law, Karolyn and Jim Britton of Brush Prairie, Washington; and last but not least, his two surviving children, Kristin and Kurt Gannett of Medford, Oregon and Derek White of Indiana; and lots of very loved grandchildren. We will be having a service to honor Dennis’s life at 2 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2023 at Yankton Community Fellowship, 33579 Pittsburg Rd., St. Helens, Oregon 97051. All family and friends are welcome.

Evelyn Marie Fricke

Aug. 20, 1928 ~ Aug. 27, 2023

Evelyn was born in Billings, Montana and moved to Portland as a teenager. She married Matt Erickson in 1949 and had two children, June and David. Matt passed away in 1956. Evelyn then married Eldon Fricke in 1957. They lived in Chapman from 1961 – 1990. Elden passed away in 2005 while they were living in Scappoose.

Evelyn was young at heart her entire life. She had many friends she adored. She loved to laugh, tell jokes and share her compassion with all. She is and will always be loved and missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter June (Ray) Palmer; son David (Norma) EricksonFricke; six grandkids; and 10 great grandkids.

State parks taking public comment concerning proposed safety rules

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is accepting public comment on proposed updates to the rules for excluding individuals from Oregon State Parks who commit violations, including endangering the safety of visitors and staff (OAR 736-010-0020 and 736-021-0040).

The Exclusion Rule Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the mental health community, attorneys, agency safety staff and park hosts, developed a set of recommendations to update the ex-

cRosswoRd Puzzle

clusion rules during a series of three public meetings.

The proposed updates will clarify the process for excluding individuals from Oregon State Parks who commit rule violations that endanger the safety of visitors, staff or park resources; provide clear information on how excluded individuals may request an appeal and how the appeals will be processed.

OPRD is accepting comments until 5 p.m. Nov. 3, 2023, and they can be made online, at a public hearing, in writing or via email: Online: https://www. oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/ PRP-rulemaking.aspx

Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301

Email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon. gov

Virtual Public Hearing: 2 p.m. Oct. 30. Must register in advance to receive conference link. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/WN_eWNdOpNMSlqyK1hWS2RExg

Individuals who require special accommodations for the meeting should contact Helena Kesch at least three days in advance of the meeting at Helena.KESCH@ oprd.oregon.gov or 503-8814637.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: SWEET TOOTH

ACROSS

1. *Bow Wow Wow’s “I ____ Candy”

5. Money source

8. *____’s Root Beer

11. Pelvic parts

12. Start of something big?

13. Round openings

15. RPM gauge

16. Cantina cooker

17. Car sound, to a toddler

18. *Ninepins namesake

20. Kiln for drying hops

21. They had 22. Division, abbr.

23. Informal wear

26. “Tail” on letter C

30. Kamakawiwo’ole’s strings

31. Real estate sale agreement

34. Denials

35. 9 a.m. prayer

37. Even, to a poet

38. *Desert plant harvested for sweet syrup

39. Forbidden

40. Quickly or slowly, e.g.

42. *Sweet ____ brew

43. Breathe in

45. Westernmost city in Germany

47. Soldier’s bed

48. Mensch, alt. sp.

50. Italian car brand

52. *Jolly livestock raisers?

55. Russia’s hard liquor

56. Ctrl + Z

57. Consumes food

59. Checks out

60. Famous French couturier (1905-1957)

61. Heavy Metal’s Quiet

62. Caustic soda

63. Newsman Rather

64. Kill, as in dragon

DOWN

1. Clever humor

2. Unfortunately, exclamation

3. Actor Nolte

4. Island in French Polynesia

5. *Donut filler

6. Checked out

7. Bleats

8. Rocky & Bullwinkle and Mary Kate & Ashley, pl.

9. To a very great degree (2 words)

10. Not bright

12. Sacred choral compositions

13. Roundish

14. *Sweet tooth, technically

19. *___ Musketeers, spelled out

22. Drops at dawn

23. *____-Frutti

24. Highlander’s dagger

25. Sage and rosemary

26. *Scoop holder

27. Averse

28. “Drove my chevy to the ____”

29. Southeast Asian org.

32. Relinquish, as in property

33. Clergyman’s title, abbr.

36. *Single serving treat

38. Embarrass

40. Arthur, to friends

41. Hard feelings

44. I to Greeks, pl.

46. TV’s “Where everybody knows your name”

48. Opposite of depression

49. “____ ____ a high note”

50. Same as fogey

51. Inactive

52. “Ant-Man” leading actor

53. Not top-shelf in a bar

54. Greek portico

55. Radio knob, abbr.

58. Farm pen

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

Courtesy photo from Laurey White

ROHM board members Kay Heflin and Duane Bernard.

SHPD

short-term solution is to utilize overtime along with internal transfers to ensure we staff the vacancies and meet the policing demands of our residents. The use of overtime to fill staffing vacancies is not sustainable, as I am receiving feedback from our police association of our officers being burned out due to the amount of overtime they are working.”

One of the internal transfers Greenway referenced is moving one of the two detectives in the detective unit to patrol. Gaston said that this transfer would not “help enough.” Moving one of the detectives may alleviate some of the patrol issues, but one detective means that all of the detective work in the department falls onto one detective’s plate.

“We could easily have four to five in [the detective unit], full-time, to even come close to keeping up with our work. With two in there, we’re falling way, way behind,” Gaston said. “With one in there, they’re not even going to be able to do a fraction of the work. There’s going to be rapes and sex

abuses, and serious felony person crimes that don’t get investigated.”

By the numbers

This transfer is scheduled to take place Nov. 1. A law enforcement staffing study of SHPD in 2012 recommended the city increase staffing levels to between 18 and 27 patrol officers. With 12 officers currently on patrol, it would appear the city is woefully short of the recommended level, and the population of St. Helens has grown since the study was conducted.

The population at the time of the study was 12,562. Currently, the population is more than 14,000, according to Gaston. Gaston doesn’t think that one or two more officers would come close to solving the issue.

“[The study] recommends 18-27 officers just for patrol. It also suggests detectives, school resource officers (SROs), and administrative staff on top of that. We currently have 12 officers working patrol, so at a very minimum, that would be 6-15 more officers,” Gaston said.

“Keep in mind how outdated that study is and how much the population (and local events) have increased since that time. A new study would

undoubtedly recommend an even larger number of officers. Although, that is a moot point, given that the city is not making an effort to increase staffing.”

Another component that will strain the department in the coming year is that some officers are retiring or becoming eligible to retire. Gatson said there are three officers able to retire right now and three who will be eligible to retire next fall. In total, there are seven officers who Gaston is concerned will retire in the next 12 months.

Greenway said that the potential retirements of these officers may put 24-hour coverage in jeopardy, with the department need to shift to an “on call” approach.

“Currently, the St. Helens Police Department has three officers eligible to retire; in 2024, four more officers become eligible to retire. With the timeline it takes to recruit, hire, and train officers, we are faced with the possibility of changing our staffing model to address these issues,” Greenway said. “Based on the loss of officers to retirement, we would have to transition to having officers “on-call” for a police response.”

Gaston said that it seems like the city is waiting

until people retire to replace them. With the extended hiring process that officers undergo, with training and other requirements, Gaston said this approach could put SHPD “way behind the curve.” Gaston said that the administration has said the minimum number of officers needed for 24-hour coverage would be 14 patrol officers.

“The only way that we’re able to maintain 24hour coverage right now is dependent on those officers that are working 50 and 60 hours of overtime at a time,” Gaston said. “That’s something that they’re willing to do if there’s an end in sight, on a short-term basis, but it’s not sustainable long-term. There’s no way that they can maintain that indefinitely if the city’s not even willing to say we’ll get you some help when we can. The city has absolutely zero plan to increase staffing and has shown zero desire to do that.”

Finding solutions

According to Gaston, the staffing issue has been a concern since he joined the force in 2014, and dates back to before his time. The St. Helens Police Association became more vocal about their concerns in 2021.

These concerns have largely gone unanswered, and even as recently as this year’s budget cycle, the city opted not to hire an officer for a vacancy in the department. Greenway said that the needs of the police department are wide-ranging and require more than a dozen new hires.

“Our current staffing levels are ten patrol officers, two detectives, and three patrol sergeants. We also have three newly hired officers in training,” Greenway said. “To accommodate the demand for police service, including having SROs within the schools, an adequate number of detectives to investigate criminal cases, and still having officers able to conduct proactive police patrols, we would need 27 patrol officers alone.”

Gaston said that the police department staffing issues have taken a backseat to the other priorities the city has, like the waterfront project and increased tourism.

“I think their priorities are in other places. If you look at the things the city has focused on in recent years, it’s focused on stuff that seems like admirable goals on the surface. ‘We’re going to do this waterfront project, we’re going to increase events, we’re going

to do more Halloweentown, we’re going to buy a boat for events, and we’re going to do all this other stuff,’ while simultaneously defunding the police,” Gaston said. “It doesn’t make any sense. Our staffing issues are getting exponentially worse as the population increases, as the events increase significantly, as our staff is decreasing.”

The SHPD is spread thin and is trying to get the city to understand the critical need the department will have in the coming years. Gaston said that because SHPD has maintained 24-hour coverage despite their shortage, the city does not have an incentive to address the need.

The Chronicle reached out to the city for comment on the issue of staffing at SHPD and has not received a response at the time of press.

At the Oct. 4 council meeting, Mayor Rick Scholl said that the city will “figure this out.” Scholl said that he would invite Greenway and the department to a future council meeting to hear the department’s concerns and figure out the root cause and potential solutions.

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

Get ready for... The Little Trick or Treaters

St. Helens concession stand gets a boost

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

If you are looking for a refreshment or burger for the next St. Helens High School home game at Doc Ackerson Stadium, be sure to stop by the freshly revamped concession stand.

On Oct. 16, the St. Helens Sports Booster Club will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate and dedicate the freshly improved concession stand ahead of the JV football game against Scappoose.

Lacey Tolles is the President of the St. Helens Sports Booster Club, and the improvements to the concession stand are just the latest effort of the organization to enhance the experience surrounding athletics at St. Helens High School.

The concession stand has been under the charge of the Boosters Club since 1986, and the drive behind the renovations was to bring more visibility to the Booster Club’s involvement with the stand, and bring some school spirit to the small building.

“I felt like it was really bland, and it needed some branding, pizazz, whatever you want to call it. I

just wanted everybody to know who was running it and whose it was,” Tolles said. “We painted it with the school colors; we had raps put on with our St. Helens logo, and boosters. So we really updated the exterior of it.”

The interior also got “some love,” according to Tolles, and the improvements included a new griddle for food, menus, stanchions, flags for game days, and more St. Helens Middle and High School merchandise.

“We bought some new stuff to help run it on the inside, just equipment, and basic stuff to replace things that were broken,” Tolles said. “It really hadn’t got a lot of attention in a long, long time. So that was the idea, was that we would give it the attention that it deserves because it brings in a significant amount of money for St. Helens Boosters. All of our money that we make goes directly back into middle school and high school athletics.”

G&R Painting gave the building its new look, and they even provided the service at a “steep discount” to help the Booster Club with the project. This renovation

of the concession stand is the Booster Club’s first capital project since the tennis courts were resurfaced in about 2016/2017.

“The reason is because we’re waiting for the high school to be done. We’re not really willing to take something on until they’ve completed [the school renovations],” Tolles said.

The idea behind waiting is to ensure that whatever project the booster club takes on will have a lasting impact and not be made obsolete

when the school’s construction is completed.

While the renovations are sure to bring a bright new aesthetic to the concession stand at Doc Ackerson Stadium, the ribbon cutting on Oct. 16 will also include a dedication to all the booster members, past and present, who have had an impact on the booster club and St. Helens Middle and High School athletics.

“I wanted to dedicate it, and I want to do this dedication to so many of the

members who, since 1986, have been really impactful in raising funds for our student-athletes,” Tolles said.

“Some impactful members have been Chuck Whittick, Burt Mueller, Jack Carter, Rosemary Jeffery, Cyndy Miller, Rich Bailey, Ken Bailey, and Neil Johnson among hundreds of volunteers over three decades.”

While Tolles mentioned a few notable names, Tolles said that the plaque that will adorn the concession stand will not have a list of names so as not to minimize the contributions of the many community members who have helped make the booster club a success over the years.

About the St. Helens Sports Booster Club

The St. Helens Sports Booster Club is a 501(c)3 organization. All of the proceeds they get through donations or initiatives like the concession stand go right back to the middle and high school to support athletics programs.

Each season, the Booster Club gives $850 to each team, through a donation they’ve named “The Coach-

es’ Wishlist.” These funds can go toward anything a given program needs, as long as it is going to be something that can be used in future years and the entire team benefits from it.

The St. Helens Sports Booster Club is made up of around 28-30 members, according to Tolles. While those are the actual membership numbers, Tolles said that they also enjoy participation from many volunteers who help make running sporting events, fundraisers, and the concession stand possible.

“We’re running at about 30 members, and it’s great, but we have so many more volunteers. You don’t have to be a booster member to volunteer in the concession stand or our annual auction; you can participate in other ways,” Tolles said. Booster Club membership is paid, and there are different tiers. Paying for a Booster Club membership directly supports the athletic programs of both the middle and high schools.

Find out more at https:// www.sthelensboosters.org/ membershipackage.

Highlighting St. Helens School District principals

SUBMITTED BY ST. HELENS SCHOOL

DISTRICT

Chronicle Guest Article

Katy Wagner

In honor of National Principals Month, we are highlighting our school district principals who play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures. Today’s feature is Dr. Katy Wagner, Principal at St. Helens High School.

Dr. Katy Wagner joined St. Helens School District as the Principal of St. Helens High School in 2018. It is her mission to ensure that every student who attends SHHS feels safe, welcomed, and receives a rigorous and well-rounded education. She is committed to leading the work required to instill hope, provide opportunity, and prepare every student with the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to be reflective life-long learners and contributing members of

society. She received her Doctor of Education in Neuroeducation from the University of Portland and MAT (science and music) and BS (research psychology, premedical studies, vocal music) degrees from Pacific University. Katy taught middle and high school choir and physics/ chemistry in Beaverton and Portland for 10 years and was a vice principal at Portland’s Cleveland High School in 2014, before

School as principal in 2018. Growing up in a small rural horse town in North County San Diego, she was active in music, softball, color guard, and rodeo. In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her family skiing, camping, fishing, and crabbing. She has been a professional ski instructor since 1999. Coming from a musical family, she enjoys playing bass guitar with her husband on

drums. Katy has 4 children: a Psychiatric Nurse in North Carolina, a future librarian and 2021 SHHS Graduate, a 13 year old at SHMS, and a 5 year old at McBride Mini Mustangs. She is passionate in her beliefs that we are all better as a team than as individuals, and we are all learners who deserve access to education, to question, and to explore opportunities to help us make positive choices that will impact us all as a community. These beliefs guide her work to inspire and implement a shared vision of excellence for every student.

Ron Hernley

In honor of National Principals Month, we are highlighting our school district principals who play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures. Today’s feature is Ron Hernley, Principal at Plymouth High School.

Ron Hernley is in his 10th year as an administra-

P.E.O. Sisterhood Poinsettia Sale

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, St. Helens Chapter, are now taking orders for poinsettias to fund our local, state, and international scholarship program.

P.E.O. provides educational opportunities for women. We do this by offering scholarships, grants, and loans to help women enhance their lives through learning. This past year, the St. Helens Chapter was responsible for award -

ing $24,560 in local, state, and international scholarships and grants to 11 local women for 2023-2024 school year.

The poinsettias are locally grown; are very lush; and come in red, white, pink, and marble. 4-inch

pots are $10, 6-inch pots are $18, and 8-inch pots are $35. Delivery will be the week of November 28. For more information, or to place an order by October 31, contact Kathie Hupp at 503-397-4046.

tor within the St. Helens School District, and this is his second year as Principal at Plymouth High School.

Ron states, “I am excited to continue the important work in helping to create a school culture that supports students who need a unique, small school environment to help them find success toward graduation and beyond. At Plymouth, we focus on the essential skills needed to find success in life after high school. We do this by creat-

ing a culture of safety. Safety to self-advocate, safety to be vulnerable, and safety to grow in each student’s unique way.

I believe that communication and relationships are at the heart of true success. Please feel free to contact us at Plymouth if you are interested in knowing more about joining our PHS community.”

Please join us in celebrating National Principals Month.

Courtesy photo Katy Wagner Courtesy photo Ron Hernley

Courtesy photo from Lacey Tolles

The St. Helens Sports Booster Club gave the concession stand a new look this fall.

2023 Annual Kiwanis St. Helens Day Breakers Children’s Fair is back

Country Media, Inc.

aged children: Mark your calendars, smartphones and datebooks for October 28th at McBride Elementary School in St. Helens.

The address is 2774 Columbia Blvd. This is the Kiwanis St. Helens Day Breakers annual treat to the community. Doors open at 10 a.m. and come in costume if

the community while your children participate in activities at each vendor. And it is free for all participants.

Jose the clown will be here again with his balloon creations. Because it takes time to make, we ask that you be in line by 3 p.m. There will have a hayride for all. And other activities both inside

and out. Parents can have their pictures taken at the Halloween display outside the entrance. Bring your smartphone or camera and we will take a reminder for you to have for both you and your children.

Face-painting will also be available for the children.

Free children’s books will be available. There will be Trailers outside with information on Drug Awareness for parents, the Reptile Show

for all ages, and a variety of games and activities for Kids. And maybe a few for adults, too.

The event is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., but we suggest that you allow sufficient time to visit all the displays and vendors. There is also entertainment during the day. This event is not associated with Halloweentown and is totally free. Come and have fun. Your kids of all ages will have a blast. See you there.

Courtesy photo

The

The Big Halloween Parade drew people from far and wide to St. Helens as the Spirit of Halloweentown kicked off in earnest Oct. 7. City officials said they have gotten the expected turnout to Halloweentown, and estimated that between 10-15,000 people were in the community to witness the parade. Here are some of the images from the spooky spectacle that took over St. Helens streets last weekend.

Courtesy photos from Jenni Bandov

dims the sky

Don’t miss the rare and otherworldly sight of October’s annular

eclipse

BY SARAH KELLY For Country Media, Inc.

On Saturday, Oct. 14. 2023 grab your protective eyewear and look to the sky where you will witness an extraordinary event, weather permitting. The rare celestial phenomenon, known as an annular solar eclipse, will brie y take place above Oregon, dimming the sky. The eclipse will travel on a path through the U.S., starting at our beautiful coast and ending in Texas, before it continues to pass other parts of the world.

cross over to the middle of the sun. Once there, it will brie y block a large portion of it before taking over an hour to nish moving away. The moon will be in the optimal position for viewing around 9:18 a.m., with slight time variations depending on where you are viewing from. So be sure to get out there early to watch it all happen and to ensure you don’t miss any part of this awe-inspiring natural event. Once the moon is in place it will only last a few minutes. The eclipse will take a path from the Oregon coast to the Texas

Gulf Coast, crossing Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and parts of California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona. After crossing North America, the eclipse will pass Mexico and Central America. It will then cross over into Colombia in South America and nish its land crossing in Northern Brazil. The annular solar eclipse will conclude at sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

What is an annular eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse is a unique occurrence, happening when the moon is so far away on its elliptical orbit around the Earth that it appears relatively small while passing in between the Earth and the sun. The moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle, therefore its distance from Earth varies. As it moves along its orbit the moon will appear slightly smaller and larger than normal.

Oct. 14 will be a new moon, which means it will appear smaller and only capable of obscuring approximately 90 percent of the sun’s disk when viewed on its annular

path. The term annular refers to something that is ring-shaped. During the annular eclipse, the smaller-looking moon will cross in front of the sun. When this occurs, a ring-shaped sliver of the sun will still be visible, known as a “Ring of Fire,” brightly peeking out from behind the silhouetted moon. This thin ring will only remain that way for around four minutes before it will lose its annular appearance.

People viewing the eclipse from anywhere outside of the annular path will not see a complete ring, as the moon is not covering it the same amount. As you travel farther away from the annular path, the moon will obscure the sun less and less, granting those outside of the path only a partial solar eclipse.

Oregon is rst Oregon will be the rst of the states to see the annular solar eclipse, with the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area being lucky enough to be in the perfect location to see this amazing natural phenomenon as it crosses land. A large portion of the Oregon coastline will be capable of viewing this event at its maximum, as will some other parts of the state as it travels past.

There are approximately 6.6 million people in the U.S. who are living within the path of the annular solar eclipse. Out of those millions, about 1 million of them reside in Oregon. While this time of the year does tend to be a bit cloudy in the mornings, that shouldn’t stop you from going out to see the event. Should the

clouds obscure the sky, you may still be able to experience the eclipse through them.

Extra effects to watch for

The “Ring of Fire” is not the only thing to look out for. During the eclipse be sure to take a moment to look at the shadows cast on the ground, buildings and everywhere else that you can. You will notice something very unusual. The sun will be casting the moon’s shadow down onto Earth and as the moon travels across the sun you will see strange crescent-shaped shadows all around, instead of the normal shapes you are used to. The strange shadows will dance across the ground as the moon moves quickly overhead, making this equally as fascinating to watch as the

eclipse itself. Philip Daly, who has worked for more than 35 years in the professional astronomy eld building instruments on major telescopes and is currently part of a research team at the University of Arizona, stated that the speed at which the moon’s shadow moves “is variable as the eclipse progresses.” Daly cites the Great American Eclipse website, saying that “When annularity covers most of Oregon at 9:20:06, it will be traveling at 4862 mph.”

For those at the edge of the eclipse’s annular path, like Siletz Bay in Lincoln City or near Floras Lake in Curry County, while watching the eclipse, try to spot something called Baily’s beads. If you see what looks like a “broken ring,” you’ve found it. Light, streaming through from the sun, passes between

the gaps of mountains, valleys and uneven surfaces on the moon, causing what looks like a broken ring. Those on the northern and southern limits of the annular path, called the “grazing zone,” will be able to catch a glimpse of these “edge effects.”

Proper eye protection

If you do go out to watch the eclipse, you must have proper eyewear. Sunglasses, while appearing to help decrease the sun’s brightness, will not protect your eyes when looking directly at it. Looking directly at the sun without the correct protective wear could result in permanent eye damage and should never be done under any circumstances. There is, surprisingly, a variety of protective wear available for viewing an eclipse. While glasses may be the most known, there are also handheld solar viewers. You can purchase a special solar lter for your camera lens, binoculars and telescopes. The lter secures over the optic lens on the front, allowing you to safely look through it to view the eclipse. Never look at the sun through your binoculars, telescope or camera lens while wearing eclipse glasses as they send concentrated solar rays to your eyes, causing severe eye damage. Eclipse glasses are not needed when viewing through your lens as long as you have a proper solar

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lter attached.

It is imperative that you ensure whatever you’ve picked to view the eclipse through, is safe and complies with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Some places may print that label on their products wrongfully. Safe viewers are specially designed to be thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses and to block most of the solar UV and IR radiation. Not all products may properly comply. The best way to make sure what you have is sun-safe is to check that the supplier has made it onto the American Astronomical Society’s safe lters and viewers list.

Additional means of viewing

If you are unable to get proper eye protection, you can still view the eclipse using an indirect method. You can create a pinhole projector. Punch a small hole into something sturdy like a piece of cardboard and, with your back to the sun, you can now safely look at the projected image on a nearby surface. Never look at the sun through the pinhole.

For those who may not be able to get out and experience the eclipse rst-hand, NASA will be hosting a virtual viewing from their YouTube channel, where they will be showing the eclipse from locations all over the country.