Look inside to see what area students are thankful for and how they would cook a turkey, Page B1
Wednesday November 21, 2012
TODAY’S WEATHER
The Chronicle
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75¢ Vol. 130, No. 46 18 Pages
Accused killer Daniel Butts back in court BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
New Washington law could have local impacts BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
On Election Day, Washington became one of two states to pass a pro-marijuana initiative (the other state was Colorado), making both the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Currently, 18 states, including Oregon, and Washington D.C. to have medical marijuana laws on the books. Oregon’s Measure 80, which had similar provisions to Washington’s, was defeated. But what impact will the new law for our neighbors to the north have on Columbia County? No one seems to know for sure, but there is likely to be some effect. “I wouldn’t be surprised a bit,” said St. Helens Police Chief Steve Salle’. Salle’ noted there has been a long history of drug manufacturers in Oregon crossing state lines to acquire components necessary to make certain drugs, such as methamphetamines. “It is very common [for drug makers] to be aware of what the neighboring state rules are and go over to such and such state for your glassware and a different state to get your precursors or whatever is necessary,” he said. Washington Initiative 502 goes into effect on Dec. 6 and makes it legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of useable marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form, or 72 See MARIJUANA, Page A3
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ST. HELENS — Nearly two years after his fateful altercation with Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter at the Sound Authority retail store, accused killer Daniel Butts will be headed back to the courtroom later this month to once again determine if he is able to assist with his own defense. Butts, now 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Painter, a charge that could carry the death penalty. In addition, Butts was also indicted by a Columbia County grand jury of attempted aggravated murder, robbery, burglary, theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Butts pleaded not guilty to all of the charges filed against him during a
Feb. 8, 2011 hearing. After two days of testimony from a state psychologist, Portlandarea psychiatrist Dr. Jerry Larsen, who was hired by the defense team, and two police officers that assisted in interviewing Butts Daniel Butts following his arrest, Circuit Court Judge Ted Grove ruled on Feb. 1, 2012, that Butts was mentally competent to aid and assist in his own defense. Just two months later, Grove ordered Butts back to the Oregon State Hospital for further evaluation after the man repeatedly stabbed himself in
the head with a pencil and then refused medical treatment. Attorneys for Butts have argued in court that Butts was suffering from a mental illness, most likely schizophrenia or a similar disorder, at the time of the shooting and continues to suffer from that mental illness, making him unable to assist in his own defense. At the time of his ruling, Grove also ordered the antipsychotic medication prescribed by Larsen to be made available to Butts. However, Butts has continued to refuse treatment. This latest aid and assist hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28-29. “We had an aid and assist hearing a few months ago and the judge ruled that he was able to aid and assist. Then on his own motion, the judge had him re-committed to the hospital
for further evaluation. We’re now going to litigate the results of that evaluation,”said Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison. Attorneys for Butts have also filed a motion for a change of venue, which is scheduled to be heard Dec. 12-13. “It’s a standard practice in most serious cases. They think they can get a better shot at a fair trial in a community where people don’t know about the case,” said Atchison. “The usual allegation is that the case is so known by the public here that they can’t be fair, they’ve read too much in the paper, and that they’ve made up their minds. We usually oppose those motions on the grounds that, usually, it isn’t that serious.” See KILLER, Page A3
Trying to stay dry
SHARI PHIELt / The Chronicle
Crews from the St. Helens Public Works department were out checking storm drains around town as heavy rains led the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch for Columbia County from Nov. 18–20 as nearly 7 inches of rain was expected to fall in the coastal mountains and 3 inches of rain was expected for inland valleys.
Retailers ready for shopping season Fisher retains bid for
county commissioner
BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
The official start to the holiday shopping season is just days away and local retailers across Columbia County are in the process of getting ready for the onslaught of shoppers hoping for bargains without driving to Portland or Longview. Major chains like WalMart, which begins its doorbuster specials at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, and Fred Meyer have been advertising upcoming holiday specials for Black Friday and Cyber Monday for weeks. But they certainly aren’t the only retailers in the area with specials and shopping bargains to be had. Avenue 30 owner Suzie Dahl said her shop in Scappoose is ready with deals as well. “I will be open on Black Friday at 7 a.m. and I will have sales going on throughout the day and early bird specials from 7-10 a.m.,” Dahl said. Avenue 30 will also be open regular hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, which is also Small Business Saturday, hosted by American Express. This is the third year the
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
Goodwill store employees Lily and Emily ready for the shopping season by putting out holiday items on the shelves.
credit card company has featured the event, which is intended to promote shopping at smaller local businesses during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. American Express cardholders that shop or dine at a small business listed on the Small Business Saturday website on Nov. 24 (with certain restrictions) also get a $25 statement credit. Among those participating in this event is St. Helens Book Shop, which owner Lori Cardiff recently announced would be closing
as of Dec. 1. Also participating is All About Pets in Scappoose, which plans to have specials going on in the store throughout the day. The National Retail Federation is anticipating sales to increase by 4.1 percent this year over the previous holiday season. That’s good news for stores like Ace Hardware in St. Helens. The store will have sales throughout the weekend to help capture that all-important holiday revenue. See SHOPPING, Page A3
looking forward to focusMore than two weeks ing on the issues ahead after the elections, the for Columbia extremely close County. race between in“The biggest cumbent Earl focus right now Fisher and for me will the Wayne Mayo for Coordinated Columbia Care OrganizaCounty Commistions and the sioner postion Early Learning no. 1 has finally Centers. These been decided. will be the The final Earl Fisher biggest transfortally is 10,247 mations that (50.29 percent) will be impacting us,” votes for Fisher comFisher said. pared to 10,015 (49.16 Fisher is currently the percent) for Mayo and 112 (.55 percent) write-in chair of the Commission on Children and Families votes. for the county and also The gap of 232 votes between Fisher and Mayo serves as a board member for Columbia Pacific was not small enough to CCO. trigger an automatic reAlthough voter turnout count. According to Eleconce again topped the 80 tions Supervisor Pam percent mark this year, Benham, the difference there were a substantial betweens the two candidates would have to be 40 number of under votes in many local races, includvotes or less to trigger a ing the county commisrecount. sioner races. Under votes Of course, Mayo still occur when a ballot is has the option of chalturned in but no vote is lenging the results and recorded for a specific calling for a recount, but race. the cost of that recount In the race between would have to come out Mayo and Fisher, there of his own pocket. were more than 3,700 With the results now under votes. final, Fisher said he is
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