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Ryan Bond is one of 10 Indians to qualify for state championships as Scappoose takes 2nd at regionals, Page A12 Project2:Layout 1
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
2/21/12
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The Chronicle
Aid and assist hearing begins this week BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
ST. HELENS — More than two years after the fatal shooting of Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter, attorneys will head back to court to once again Daniel Butts tackle the issue of accused killer Daniel Butts’ mental competency. “I just spoke with the defense attorney and we have our schedules all worked out,” said Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison. “With the exception of a couple of potential glitches, everything should happen [Wednesday] and Thursday.” Although Atchison is ready to be in court on Feb. 20, he said there’s always the possibility the court dates could be rescheduled at the last minute. In fact, that’s exactly what happened the last time Butts was scheduled to appear at an aid and assist hearing last November. Prior to Nov. 28, 2012, scheduled hearings, attorneys for Butts filed three motions in the case pertaining to the use of a stun belt; whether Butts should be housed in the Columbia County Jail or at another jail; and requesting a guardian be appointed because of Butts’ alleged mental status. See HEARING, Page A4
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$1.00 Vol. 131, No. 8 14 Pages
Turning back time BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
ST. HELENS — It has been awhile since the clock tower at the Columbia County Courthouse has greeted visitors with the time on any of the tower’s four clock faces or with the hourly bell ring. Within the next few weeks that should all change. Thanks to lots of volunteers, generation donations from local businesses and some hard work, the clock tower is being restored to its former glory. “It’s something that when you talk to Olde Towne
residents they miss. They miss the bell. They miss the clock,” said Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller. “It worked up until just a few years ago and people miss it.” Built at the turn of the century by the Seth Thomas Clock Company, the internal clock workings are housed in a special room in the attic of the old courthouse. An intricate system of wires and counter weights then runs up through the tower, first to the bell, and then one more floor up to the four clock faces. “I’ve been told its one of only two west of the Mississippi [River] of this similar design,” said Heimuller. Not surprisingly, there are
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
Within the next few weeks, the west facing clock at the old Columbia County Courthouse will once again greet visitors with the time. The remaining clock faces are also being restored to working order.
few people left in the United States who can fully repair the clock and parts even have to be hand machined. In fact, new hands are being
made by Pacific Stainless in St. Helens to replace the original wood hands. The four glass clock faces are being cleaned and
restored and one, which was recently damaged by what is believed to have been
See CLOCK, Page A4
Columbia River PUD takes home top Chamber award BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
ST. HELENS — Columbia River PUD was named as the business of the year at the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce annual awards ceremony on Feb. 7. Columbia River PUD was presented with the HF McCormick Business of the Year Award for 2012. “The HF McCormick award for business of the year is pretty exciting. This went to a business that gets hit up more than any other business in the community and delivers; whether it be school events, whether it be chamber events, or whether it be community events,” said Chamber president Trent Dolyniuk. “Their employees out in the community are a great representation of the community and always a pleasure to be around.” General Manager Kevin Owens accepted the award from Dolyniuk. “It’s nice to know so many of you as customers but it’s even more important to me that I can consider so many of you as friends. That’s the nature of Columbia County. That’s why it’s such a great place to live and such a great place to work,” said Owens upon accepting the award. See PUD, Page A4
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
Kevin Owens, general manager for Columbia River PUD, accepts the Business of the Year award from South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce President Trent Dolyniuk during the groups annual awards ceremony on Feb. 7.
Ambre’s plans for coal export terminals based on risky finances, says report BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
This is the first of a two-part story about a recently released analysis conducted by Sightline Institute of Seattle focusing on Ambre Energy’s coal prospects. Next week we will present a response to the report from Ambre officials. Ambre Energy, the Australia-based company currently developing the Morrow Pacific Project coal export terminal at Port Westward in Clatskanie, and Port Morrow in Boardman, Ore., faces mounting financial, regulatory and other challenges that make it unlikely to deliver on its promises in the U.S., according to a new report from the Sightline Institute. Sightline, a nonprofit environmental think tank based in Seattle, said its report catalogues a number of money woes for the company, including money-losing coal mines, large writeoffs for failed overseas ventures, major
liabilities for mine cleanup and pensions, troubled assets, high borrowing costs, along with a need for $1 billion in new capital to make its coal projects financially viable. Among the issues plaguing Ambre, says Sightline, are accumulated losses of more than $124 million (in Australian dollars) since being founded in 2005; bringing in less than $7 million in revenues in the same period; and a record of borrowing money with high annual interest rates of 10–12 percent. The 17-page report, authored by Sightline researcher Clark WilliamsDerry and titled “Ambre Energy: Caveat Investor,” states, “Ambre Energy barely qualifies as a coal company. The company’s annual reports reveal that the Australian-based venture has never made a profit, and has virtually no track record in mining or selling coal, either in the U.S. or abroad.” The report also says Ambre’s recently acquired U.S. mining operations have “hemorrhaged money” and that one of the company’s two mines recently announced plans to lay off nearly half its
workforce. Other troubles listed in the report include “massive liabilities” from its purchase of U.S. assets that have mine acquisition, reclamation, pension and medical obligation costs of at least $240 million; more than $1 billion in capital needs for additional financing to move coal export plans forward; a failed overseas venture after an Australian territory blocked Ambre’s proposed coal-to-liquids venture resulting in a $10.7 million loss. Williams-Derry says anyone banking on Ambre’s success should take heed. “Potential investors in Ambre, as well as the communities and businesses hoping to benefit fromthe firm’s business, would be wise to consider Ambre’s finances and troubled history before committing money or other resources to the company’s export ventures,” he said. “A look at Ambre’s financial statements reveals a sea of red ink. The company has never made a profit.” See AMBRE, Page A4
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