TCC921

$1.50

Clatskanie Harvest Festival sees out summer

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Fall has officially arrived, and as the chilly autumn and winter months approach, the Saturday market season is coming to an end. The Clatskanie Farmers Market (CFM) will be holding a Harvest Festival to close out a summer season of growth for the market.

In years past, the closing of the season is punctuated with the annual “Apple Press Fest,” an event where community members can bring apples down to Cope’s Park for pressing, and they walk away with their own apple juice. This year, Clatskanie Farmers Market Executive Director Jasmine Lillich said that they are expanding the celebration to a full-on harvest festival.

“This year, we just added more activities to the docket and made it more of a celebration. I’m really excited because I feel like this was a perfect season to introduce a harvest festival because it has just been a season of full abundance,” Lillich said.

Lillich said this had been a really strong “apple year,” she and her husband, Brandon Schilling, the Farmers Market Board President, have been overwhelmed with the sheer number of apples they have harvested. Lillich and Schilling have already harvested 20 apple trees thus far and produced more than 90 gallons of cider. With all the other apple trees yet to be harvested, Schilling said the initial pressing was just the “first of many.”

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cope’s Park, and during the event, there will be a host of activities for community members.

Activities include:

12 p.m. Rooster crowing contest

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

The Rainier Cemetery District held its monthly board meeting Sept. 20, and once again, there was an air of tension about the gathering. The meeting featured frequent comments from the gathered public.

After hearing public comments and approving the minutes from previous meetings, the meeting progressed to the financial report.

Jim McGlone, the Financial Officer for the board, said that he had difficulty securing the district’s account information and that this meeting had been the first time he had been able to see it.

After discussing with Cyndi Warren, who is the bookkeeper for the district, they agreed that the district’s accounts had around $10,000. McGlone noted that it “wasn’t very much.”

“Well, looks like we’re going to run out of money before the end of the year,” Board Chair David St. Onge said.

Director Scott Falconer questioned St. Onge on the statement. Discussion began about when tax money comes into the district. Falconer noted that the budget is “tight”

Contact The Chief

Phone: 503-397-0116

Fax: 503-397-4093

chiefnews@countrymedia.net

1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

• Warm up those pipes & let us hear your best rooster crow on the CFM stage

• The winner will get a $25 gift card to the Clatskanie Food Hub.

12:30 p.m. Produce slaying by the Clatska-knight

• Bring a giant vegetable for the knight to slay

Apple pressing all-day

• Bring your own no-spray apples, and we’ll press them for you

• Bring your own containers (more than you think)

• We’ll have some containers for purchase

• Note from the organizers: They will not be doing fresh press sampling at this event; however, it’s still fun to come check out the process even if you don’t have your own apples.

Open mic competition all-day

• To sign up, email: brandon@ clatskaniefarmersmarket.com

• The winner will get a $75 gift card to the Clatskanie Food Hub

Best zucchini bread competition

• Bring your zucchini bread for judging

• Judging will commence at 1:30 p.m.

• The winner will get a $25 gift card to the Clatskanie Food Hub

Produce contest

• Bring your biggest, weirdest, and cutest vegetables

• Judging will commence at 1:30 p.m.

• Winners will get a $25 gift card to the Clatskanie Food Hub

Lillich said if people don’t have their own apples, there will be produce available at the market and in the Clatskanie Food Hub for purchase. In addition to the extensive apple-pressing operation, Lillich said there will be around 30-40 vendors at the event. Lillich said visitors should come hungry if they want; there will be barbecue, wood-fired pizza, and other food vendors. There will also

suffering from

be a “libations” beer garden where people can buy beer and hard ciders.

Lillich and the Farmers Market are hoping that the Harvest Festival will become an annual event in the community. Lillich already has ideas about what the festival could add in the future and wants community input to better form festivals in the coming years.

Lillich credited the Farmers Market Board with helping develop the festival but also noted that it would not be possible without the volunteers who help press the apples and keep the event running. While Lillich doesn’t expect the festival to draw as many people as the Garlic Festival does (it drew around 2,000 this year), Lillich said she expects between 500700 visitors this year.

Festival growth

This summer, Lillich and the Farmers Market have been overjoyed at the growth and participation the market has seen from the community.

“I am just flabbergasted in a really positive way. I am humbled and just really excited to see where this momentum will lead us,” Lillich said. “It’s a really exciting time to be doing this work in local food system development.”

Lillich said she expects the Saturday Market alone will have experienced 50 percent growth this year. Lillich said when taking into account the development that the Clatskanie Food Hub has brought, the organization itself has “doubled in size.” Lillich noted that she has not crunched the numbers yet to give exact statistics. The 50 percent growth she referred to, however, is across many facets.

“That’s across all counts. So

See FESTIVAL Page A5

every year between the end of the fiscal year in June and when taxes are gathered in November. Warren said that many special districts struggle in that period.

“We’re going to fix that,” McGlone said.

After discussion, it was agreed that the district would be able to meet payroll during the two months until November.

After discussion of several agenda items, the board accepted the resignation of former board member

board then resolved to place an ad for the vacant position online and in the paper. The board will review applications and conduct interviews in a special session Oct. 6.

Cemetery confusion

One issue that proved prevalent was the fact that there is confusion within the cemetery’s records and management system over what plots

have been sold and where people are buried. District Sexton Matt Fieken said there are errors in the CemSites system at the Hudson Cemetery in Rainier.

One example was a grave that was requested to be dug for someone who had not yet died. One of the members of the public in the audience said that it was a grave for her. Several other members of the audience chimed in to say they had seen similar issues. Fieken gave another example of the issues with the plotting of one of the cemeteries.

“They have a plot that, in the computer, it’s under nine and ten. They’re actually buried in the middle of seven, eight, and the middle of nine,” Fieken said. “Everything is so far off. I have four people that are supposed to go in still at five, six, seven, and eight. All of eight is gone, and half of seven is gone.”

Fieken said he is stuck right now because there are people who own plots, but due to the issues, there is not space to fit them into the plots they have. Some of the cemeteries within the district are over a hundred years old, and many of the issues stem back decades.

“There will be no sale of a plot to be completed until verification of availability is completed in this order:

1. Office Manager Misty Holsey has reviewed all historical and present data for the site in question. 2. Findings to be signed and presented in form to Sexton Matt Fieken, conditioning a physical in-field inspection of the plot requested by customers. Because we have found bodies buried where people wanted to be buried, and they weren’t registered. 3. Responsible approval to be in writing and to be signed by the Sexton at bottom of the form; form to be kept and filed with the sales document at the office, copy of the form is to be given to Sexton Matt Fieken for his files,” St. Onge motioned. Jim McGlone seconded the motion. Falconer clarified that the motion was made to ensure future incidents would not occur. The board unanimously approved the motion.

Hearing from Fieken

Following the meeting, Fieken

Clatskanie Pool wraps up 2023 season

LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article

The summer season at the Clatskanie Pool has come to an end with the last day of swimming Sept 13.

The pool, located at 346 NE 5th Street, launched the 2023 season June 24.

Pool Manager Cyndi Warren said the entire swimming season was a positive one.

“We had a great summer, with 17 seasoned lifeguards watching out for our swimmers,” Warren said. “This was probably the best year for the pool. The patrons were all amazing and everything went smoothly.”

Warren said the best pool news for the 2023 summer was more than 300 children took swimming lessons.

It was

Courtesy photo from Jasmine Lillich

Lillich said that she and her husband Brandon Schilling have already pressed around 90 gallons of apple cider this fall.

‘Very strong’ El Niño to bring warmer winter, with scorching ocean water for marine life

ALEX BAUMHARDT

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chief Guest Article

A tropical weather system called El Niño is beginning its march up the coast of Oregon, bringing with it a warmer winter and inescapable heat for some marine life.

Oregonians on the coast could experience flooding from high tides and rising sea levels. In the mountains, areas hoping for snow are more likely to get rain, which could accentuate the drought plaguing the West. For aquatic species, warming ocean temperatures could spur a northern migration and could be deadly for plankton vital to salmon and other species up the food chain.

Spurred by a change in air pressure over the Pacific Ocean near the equator, El Niño last visited Oregon in the winter of 2018, and has occurred more than 20 times since 1950.

It is both an ocean and atmospheric weather pattern that touches all parts of the West.

The latest system, which recently reached the southern Oregon coast, is predicted to be among the fiercest in years, according to Oregon’s state climatologist, Larry O’Neill. There have only been three El Niños since 1970 that have reached the category of “very strong” as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The last one was in 1997.

“Generally the rule of thumb is that El Niño leads to drier, warmer weather,” he said. “In strong years, it’s led to warmer, wetter weather. We don’t know yet how robust those relationships are though.”

The system typically arrives in early September, reaches its peak in the winter and fades toward the spring of the following year.

Andy Bryant, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service, said that it’s likely that due to warmer temperatures, more of the precipitation in the mountains that usually comes down as snow in winter is likely to fall as rain instead. For communities and aquatic species that rely on mountain snowpack to hold onto precipitation that then melts and flows as water in spring, it could mean a much drier spring.

“We’ve had a very dry summer,” he said. “If we have below average snowpack, that could potentially exacerbate drought conditions.”

Effect on ocean

The warmer water that El Niño brings has more volume, likely causing higher tides and the potential for coastal flooding, according to Jack Barth, a physical oceanographer and executive

director of the Marine Studies Initiative at Oregon State University. Barth and other scientists expect the sea level off the Oregon coast to rise this winter due to El Niño.

On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projected some coastal flooding in areas along the West Coast through the winter. On top of that, Oregon’s fearsest coastal storms occur in winter, along with the biggest tides of the year called “King Tides.” El Niño could amplify them. “Houses built too close to a cliff or slope can be undermined with a fair bit of erosion,” Barth said. This fall and winter are also likely to be trying times for Oregon’s sea life.

About 50 miles off the coast, a mass of warm ocean water that’s been growing for the last six months has been kept from the shore due to “upwelling.” Wind from the north pushes warm surface water off of the Oregon coast, allowing colder water from below to rise and replace it.

In early October, the winds that cause that upwell-

ing will die down, and that warm water off the coast will be able to move onto shore, according to Barth. Ocean temperatures off the coast are expected to rise as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In past years when such heat blobs have formed and moved to shore, coastal ocean temperatures shot up within a day or two.

“Which is remarkable,” Barth said. “Imagine you’re in your house, and it’s 50 degrees or so Farenheit, and then instantly it goes to 70. That’s what these marine organisms are going to feel.”

Vulnerable species that survive will likely move farther North.

“We’re seeing things up here we don’t normally see. We see these pelagic crabs from Baja; tuna we don’t normally see,” he said.

Plankton, the base of the marine food web, are particularly sensitive to heat changes. If plankton suffer, the salmon that eat them suffer and the animals that eat the salmon suffer.

“The effects reverberate for years,” Barth said.

Follow the latest weather developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/09/06/ very-strong-el-nino-to-bringwarmer-winter-with-scorching-ocean-water-for-marinelife.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@ oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

Public meetings set for River Treaty Operations

How the United States uses reservoir space in Canada changes on September 16, 2024, from the high degree of structure and control of flows coming across the border from Canada experienced over the last 60 years under the Columbia River Treaty, to an operation that increases the uncertainty of those flows.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will hold four virtual public information sessions this month and in October to begin informing the public about the potential changes.

USACE and Reclamation operate and maintain 14 dams in the Columbia River System and continue to work as part of the U.S. negotiating team to negotiate a modernized Treaty regime with Canada. If Canada and the United States can reach agreement to modernize the Treaty regime, it could reduce the uncertainty of this September 2024 change.

CEMETERIES

From Page A1

detailed some of the issues that exist within the district regarding the sale of plots.

“I’m just seeing burials misplaced, plots that are in the wrong positions, taking up others already owned plots. It’s really hard to get everybody in when you got too many people in the way,” Fieken said. “I would love to be able to straighten it out, but right now we don’t have a system to get the numbers changed, get the books changed, get the computer and the books to match. And every time I bring it up, it’s been an issue between other employees and stuff. But I would really like to find a way to straighten it out.”

Fieken said there is an issue running the new CemSites system without going back and figuring out the issues that already exist in the aging cemeteries. Fieken said that the issue of spacing the graves is also a factor. Fieken said in some cases, there are graves that are 10 feet off from where they should be.

The plots are supposed to be set, and each should be the same size, but there is inconsistency throughout the cemeteries. Some graves are placed in the midst of multiple plots, and others are

However, USACE and Reclamation will be prepared to operate regardless of the outcome of negotiations. Absent modernization, the treaty will no longer require Canada and the United States to coordinate for flood risk management as we have for the first 60 years of the Treaty. The United States’ ability to “call upon” Canadian storage when needed does not expire and continues so long as Canada has dams in the basin that contribute to flood risk reduction in the United States. While the United States can call on Canada for space during real-time operations, it is unknown how Canada will react, and it is unclear how Canada will operate its reservoirs after September 2024. One potential result is less predictability of managing runoff from Canada to better protect the United States from flooding, because the United States does not have additional reservoir space to offset the loss of as-

squeezed together. The result is that the cemetery software cannot accurately portray available spots because there is inconsistency in how the graves are laid.

Despite the difficulty and the confusion of records, Fieken said he is committed

sured water storage space in Canadian Treaty reservoirs. This will potentially result in changes affecting various stakeholders across the region; although, the extent of those changes is unclear at this point.

However, water managers do not anticipate increasing flood risk in the United States because of existing rights to call upon Canadian reservoirs under the Treaty and our ability to operate Lake Roosevelt consistent with current operating rules. Lake Roosevelt is likely to experience lower lake elevations more often in the winter and spring. Related U.S. dams in the Columbia River Basin already have rules in place that maximize the storage space available for flood risk management regardless of potential changes related to operational uncertainty in Canada. USACE and Reclamation will continue operating projects for water supply,

to working with people to ensure they get what they need.

“I’m very happy to be here, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure everything goes smoothly,” Fieken said. “I’ll try to correct any mistakes that have been made in the past, and the

navigation, fish and wildlife, and other purposes.

Federal planners will hold four virtual public information sessions in September and October to provide information to the public. These sessions will be informational in nature and presenters will not take questions. For more RealTime Flood Risk Management information, visit: https://www.nwd.usace. army.mil/CRWM/ColumbiaRiver-Treaty.

Virtual meeting information:

Wednesday, Sept. 27: 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 10: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Link: https://usace1.webex.com/meet/ edward.t.conning

Call: 1-844-800-2712 (US) (Call-in toll-free number)

Access Code: 1998 73 5911#

ones that I can’t, I’m going to definitely get a hold of them and let them know that we either have to sell different plots so you can be together, or, you know, I mean, I hate doing that, but I hate splitting up family. I want to do everything in the right manner.”

Courtesy photo from Erica Harris / Oregon State University Waves pound a beach and structure between Depot Bay and Boiler Bay on the Oregon Coast.

Oregon gets $1M for forest, aquatic conservation

Country Media, Inc.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is awarding $1 million for the Oregon Private Forest Accord Aquatic Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Oregon’s

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) announced the funding, Sept. 18.

“Endangered species are critical parts of Oregon’s ecosystems, particularly aquatic habitats,” Merkley said. He is Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the USFWS. “These efforts by the

Fish and Wildlife Service to protect habitats for endangered species are crucial to ensuring future generations are able to experience the same excitement and wonder in nature that we do today,” he said.

“Our good fortune as Oregonians to live in a state with such natural marvels requires action to protect

Bonamici sets Congressional Town Halls

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) has announced five town hall meetings across the First Congressional District, which includes large portions of Washington and Multnomah counties, along with Clatsop, Tillamook, and Columbia counties.

The town hall meetings will be in St. Helens, Hillsboro, Seaside, Tillamook, and Portland.

Bonamici said she will answer questions from residents and provide an update about her work in Congress.

“Town hall meetings give me an opportunity to hear directly from the people of NW Oregon about what matters to them,” Bonamici said. “I’m looking forward to meeting with constituents in each of the counties I represent, and encourage all who are able to attend.”

Members of Bonamici’s staff will be at the town hall meetings to assist anyone who is experiencing problems with federal agencies such as the VA, Social Security Administration, or the IRS.

6

6

7 Bob

Community

Center 1225 Avenue A Tillamook Town Hall Meeting

3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 Tillamook Bay Community College 4301 Third St. Portland Town Hall Meeting

6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 Lincoln High School 1750 SW Salmon St.

endangered species,” Wyden said. “This $1 million federal investment to protect endangered species is just the kind of action that’s needed to ensure our treasures can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.”

“I’m pleased to see $1 million in federal funding going to support the implementation of the State

of Oregon’s Private Forest Accords’ Aquatic Species Habitat Conservation Plan,” Hoyle said “These funds are a testament to the power of the collaborative agreement by stakeholders to improve good forest stewardship, protect fish habitat on private lands, and maintain sustainable and predictable timber production.”

This funding is part of a larger $40.6 million investment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support land acquisition and conservation planning projects on over 7,200 acres of habitat for 65 listed and at-risk species through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF).

Barbra Dawn Johnson

March 15, 1966 ~ Sept. 16, 2023

Barbra “Barb” Dawn Johnson (Land), 57, of Butte, Montana, who formerly resided in Clatskanie, passed away on Sept. 16, 2023.

She was born in Ventura, California on March 15, 1966 to Leola “Charlene” Breeden and Ronnie Lee Land. She graduated from Clatskanie High School in 1984. Barb married Dean Lyle Johnson on July 12, 1996 in Reno, Nevada, and they raised their two children together in Clatskanie until his death in 2007.

Following the growth of her children, Barb moved to Montana in 2011 and made Oregon Ducks fan. She

was a loving mother who enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids. She is survived by her partner of over 15 years Jeff Cameron of Butte, Montana; daughter Brittany Land of Portland, Oregon; son Cody Johnson of Mist, Oregon; two grandchildren, Wyatt, and Oaklynn; siblings, Tammie Land and Randy Land; two dogs, Merlot and Heneesee; and many other loved ones who will miss her dearly.

The family will be holding a private celebration of life with the date and location still undetermined at this time.

Nov. 15, 1943 ~ Sept. 12, 2023

Diane Pohl, Unwavering Clatskanie Advocate, Passes.

Former Clatskanie mayor, Diane Pohl, an unwavering advocate for the local community, passed away Sept. 12, 2023 at her home in Clatskanie. She had been in ill health for the past year and a half.

Diane was born Nov. 15, 1943 to Bonnie and Richard Melum at the Naval Hospital in Stockton, Calif. where her father was stationed during World War II. After the war, the family moved to Klamath Falls where she attended grade school, and then to Medford where she graduated from high school in 1961.

Beginning in 1958, Diane served the Ascension Lutheran Church as organist and frequently accompanied her father, an accomplished vocalist. After high school she worked in a farm implement store, and then as a loan officer in a credit union. She married Jerry Basset, a National Park Ranger, and they lived at the Crater Lake and Olympic national parks, and later at Chiloquin. Jerry retired early because of ill health, and the couple moved to Depoe Bay. While in Depoe Bay, Diane saw a great need to address hunger. She recruited friends and they started a thrift shop that funded an independent food bank. Diane also served with the Depoe Bay fire department, first as a volunteer to sit with survivors when an in-home death occurred. That led to enrolling in medical and fire training to become an emergency medical technician and firefighter.

With rapid growth occurring on the Oregon Coast, Diane became interested in land use planning, studied the subject, and was employed as planner for the City of Depoe Bay. She was named the Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year in 1987.

After her first husband passed away, Diane moved to Keizer, where she was hired as the Marion/Polk County Food Share program’s migrant farm worker project coordinator. After noticing that the migrant workers were throwing away food they didn’t know how to prepare, Diane lobbied the Oregon Food Bank and searched for contributions and grants to establish a program under which foods more familiar to the migrant population were provided, resulting in healthier workers and children. She also established the only “point

in time” census of farm workers in the nation which was recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as effective and valuable in estimating migrant worker needs during the harvest season.

Always interested in political issues and good government, Diane worked as a legislative aide, helping to pass Oregon’s 9-1-1 emergency communications bill. She served on the State Mortuary/Cemetery Board for several years.

During the flood of 1996, Diane was evacuated from her home in Keizer. Subsequently, she asked the City of Keizer permission to write an emergency plan that focused on helping citizens with housing, communications, medications, and other needs that couldn’t be addressed by emergency workers. The plan was adopted by the City of Keizer. Never one to turn down a challenge, Diane became interested in man-tracking. After over 1,200 hours of classes and training, she became a certified Tracker II. It was through tracking that Diane met her husband, Ray Pohl. They were married in 1997 and settled in Clatskanie. Together, Diane and Ray were active in search and rescue operations in Columbia, Clatsop and Cowlitz counties, as well as assisting law enforcement at crime scenes. As volunteers, Diane and Ray taught tracking classes in search and rescue and law enforcement as far away as Wisconsin and Canada.

Shortly after moving to Clatskanie, Diane started her Pohl’s Land Use Planning consulting service and became involved in community activities. For a short time, she worked on the staff of The Clatskanie Chief newspaper. In 2004 she ran for and was elected as Clatskanie’s first woman mayor, serving in that capacity from January of 2005 through December of 2016. As mayor she wrote the first 72-hour emergency plan for the City of Clatskanie. She

organized the Adopt-A-K9 Project to raise money from the community to buy a drug dog to help law enforcement deal with drug problems. She organized the Clatskanie Emergency Response Team (CERT), and she and Ray were responsible for FEMA and Citizen Corps training for 19 local CERT volunteers.

While mayor, Diane served on the Columbia County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Board; was chair of the Northwest Oregon Economic Alliance, and a board member of the Columbia Pacific Economic Development District representing Clatskanie and Columbia County in promoting positive economic development. She also served on the Columbia County Public Health Board and worked hard to retain medical care for local citizens. Diane was active in the Oregon Mayor’s Association which honored her for her strong leadership.

Diane liked to say that Clatskanie was the center of the universe, and she certainly made it hers. Serving as Clatskanie’s mayor was the greatest joy of her life, she said.

She was a member of Chapter T P.E.O., Wabanang Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, the Clatskanie Presbyterian Church, and the Mt. St. Helens Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In recent years, she enjoyed teaching students at Piercing Arrow School about the U.S. Constitution.

Diane is survived by her husband Ray Pohl, of Clatskanie; her brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Penny Melum, Etna, California; two nephews, Troy Melum, Sheridan, Wyoming, and Christian Teague, Long Beach, California; two nieces, Kendall Perales of Sacramento, and Angie in Montana; a step-daughter, Tara Pohl and her fiancé Alex Cisneros, Belgrade, Montana; a step-son, Nathan Pohl, Truckee, California, step-grandchildren, Victoria Pohl-Francis and Emery Francis, West Palm Beach, Florida; and a wide community of friends.

At her request there will be no service.

Contributions to her memory are suggested to the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 1320, the Chapter T P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, ℅ Kathy Engel, P.O. Box 192, or the Clatskanie Foundation Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 243, all in Clatskanie, OR 97016.

Sept. 28, 1962 ~ Aug. 1, 2023

Diane Pohl

Teressa Elliott

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Congresswoman Susan Bonamici answers community members questions during a previous visit to Clatskanie.

Storing potatoes at home

CHIP BUBL Clatskanie Grows

Chief Guest Column

Potato storage can be a challenge.

Our fall and winter temperatures are a bit warm for good, long-term potato storage. Since most people use an unheated garage or an outbuilding to store their potatoes, we aren’t in much of a position to slow potato sprouting beyond a certain period. It is worth noting that commercial potatoes are treated with a sprout inhibitor before they go into storage.

At any rate, here are the best tips that seem to make a difference with Columbia County gardeners:

• Plan on eating your potatoes by the end of December at the latest. If we actually get colder than normal weather, this might be extended by up to a month.

• Clean freshly dug potatoes by light brushing but don’t wash your potatoes before storage unless they can quickly air-dry in darkness. Inspect your potatoes and don’t store any that show signs of injury or disease.

• Don’t store apples or other fruits with potatoes. The fruits give off a gas called ethylene that encourages sprouting. That said, the bigger the space they are stored in, the less of an impact ethylene will have as long as the apples and potatoes aren’t right next to each other.

• Keep them dark, dark, dark. Light stimulates sprouting.

• Remove sprouted potatoes as you notice them.

• Potato storage containers should have some ventilation. Old burlap bags were perfect (good air-flow but little light) but are now very hard to find. For years, people have also used slightly slatted wooden boxes or baskets. People using solid colored plastic bins should drill small holes in the sides for air-flow. Same with solid color plastic bags (punch many small holes).

• Low humidity can cause shriveling. Some people store their potatoes in slightly moist sawdust or sand. Other people feel that they get better results just in a ventilated bin or porous plastic bags without the sawdust or sand.

High humidity, at our storage temperatures, tends to encourage sprouting so aim to be on the dry versus the damp side. Again, some room ventilation is good, even if it is just the periodic opening of the garage door.

• Be alert to rodents finding your potatoes.

• Each location is different with regard to humidity and temperature. See what works best for you.

• Some varieties store better than others. Keep good notes and use the poorer storage types first.

Garden notes

As of this writing, we still haven’t any significant rain for almost 70 days. The soil profile is almost completely depleted of moisture. It is crucial that bearing fruit trees and other garden fruit bearing plants like blueberries get watered now for best quality fruit and/or ensure survival (especially with newly planted trees from his year or last year). This warning applies to ornamental trees and shrubs as well.

A lot of native plants (adapted to this climate) are shutting down early but they will usually be alright. Examples include the Garry oaks and native ash trees that are widely found in St. Helens. Some conifers on marginal sites (shallow rooted) may show problems next spring from this fall’s weather.

There have been a number of termite flights this past couple of weeks. Not to worry. Our dampwood and subterranean termites are part of our wood decay cycle and need wet wood to set up housekeeping. Unless you have leaking pipes or have thrown up moist soil on wooden structures, you should have nothing to worry about. We don’t have the dry wood termite that is so destructive in California and other places. Call if you have any questions.

This is still an excellent time to plant lawns. Use 5-10 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet to ensure a good stand. Lots of excellent mixes are available. Most suited to our area are those with perennial ryegrass and perennial fescues with perhaps a hint of

Kentucky blue-grass (or not).

Important notes

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

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

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

October 5 Columbia County Beekeepers

Monthly meeting

Fonta Molyneaux will speak on Alternative Hives. Her talk recording will only be available for 30 days.

Thursday, October 5, at 7 p.m. meeting at the St. Helens /OSU Extension Office or by Zoom. Please email for the zoom link. All are welcome. Columbiacountyoregonbeekeepers@gmail.com

Have questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503-397-3462 or at chip.bubl@oregonstate. edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter

The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Resource information

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

September 22 Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Special Board of Directors Regular Meeting

9 a.m. - In person and via Zoom. For instructions on how to join the meeting via Zoom please contact our Administrative staff at 503366-6973.

September 22-24 Wings

Over Willapa Festival

The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5th annual Wings Over Willapa. This multiday bird and art festival will be held at 7112 67th Place in Long Beach. For more details, call 360-642-3860.

September 24 Erica Berry

3 p.m. Erica Berry, this year’s winner of the North Coast Writers Residency, will read from her work at the Astoria Visual Arts Gallery, 1000 Duane St. in Astoria. The event is free and open to the public. For questions, please contact, Marianne Monson at Marianne.monson@gmail.com.

October 4 Emergency Alert Test

Between 11:20 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. our time, every TV, radio, and cellphone in the United States will “blare out the distinctive, jarring electronic warning tone of an emergency alert along with the following: This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), covering the United States. This is only a test. No action is required by the public, according to FEMA.

October 14 & 15 Arts & Crafts Sale

Noon - 4 p.m. This event will be held upstairs at the Birkenfeld Theatre at 75 S. Nehalem Street in Clatskanie. Locally produced, handmade arts and crafts. Stop by for holiday gifts and

The Chief

to support local artists. For questions, please contact Roni at roni@quackedglass. com.

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 (The Chief’s sister paper) 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!

October 29 5th Annual Trunk or Treat by Hometown Pizza

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.

Ongoing

Clatskanie Senior Center lunches Clatskanie Senior Center Lunches now served Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon at the Castle Cafe, 620 SW Tichenor. Call 503-728-3608 for reservations. Use ground floor entrance to the left of front stairs. Good parking in back off of SW Bryant Street. Castle Tours available

by appointment, includes Clatskanie Historical Society museum. Call Debbie at 503-338-8268.

Caples Evening Programs

The cost for this evening and all our Fireside Chats will be only $5. Caples will be offering a different program the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-397-5390.

Lower Columbia River Watershed Council

Lower Columbia Watershed Council meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Clatskanie PUD building. Zoom links are also available. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www. lowercolumbiariver.org/ events-page.

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360751-7039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays. Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070.

To list an event in the Community Calendar, email details with a phone number that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

DIVORCE $130

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

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

Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-877390-0458.

Choose EarthLink

Fiber Internet

For speeds up to 5

It’s easy to place a classified

Gigs, no data caps, no throttling. Prices starting at $54.95. Plus, a $100 gift card when you make the switch. Call 1-866-2663817. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-536-8838. Call LeafGuard and say goodbye to gutter cleaning for good No cleaning. No leaking. No water damage. No more ladder accidents. Get LeafGuard today and be protected for life. FREE estimate. Financing available. 20% off total purchase (Restrictions may apply.) Call 1-844345-1537.

GENERAC home standby generator

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote – Call now before the next power outage: 1-877-557-1912. The Generac PWRcell A solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-844989-2328. Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data No contract and no

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

CC23-1841

hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-877916-0803.

Switch to DISH and get up to a $300 gift card!

Plus get the Multisport pack included for a limited time! Hurry, call for details: 1-866-3739175.

DIRECTV Sports Pack – 3

Months on Us!

Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-855-630-7108.

EarthLink

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

Are you a pet owner?

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

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-8390752.

Safe Step North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-ofthe-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833395-1433.

DIRECTV OVER INTERNET

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

The bathroom of your dreams for as little as $149/ month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation.

Senior & Military

Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-844-8479778.

Wesley Financial Group, LLC. Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844487-0221.

Life Line Screening

Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844655-0972.

Veteran Car

Donations

Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1-866-695-9265 today!

Public Notices

CC23-1840

Donating your

ATTENTION LAND OWNERS!

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

502

Help Wanted Special Ed Paraeducators

We are hiring for several Special Ed Paraeducators to serve the Kalama School District. Both Elementary and MS/HS. 32.5 hrs/wk, school year schedule, benefits and retirement. $18.96 - $23.57

Hourly www. esd112.org/takeroot

740

Feed & Supplies HAY FOR SALE/ Purina Lick tubs+minerals. Columbia River Ranch located in Clatskanie OR. Has 3x4x8 Barley hay 1200lbs $175ea. 3x4x8 Grass hay from Birkenfeld $145ea.

Premium dry hay in round bales $75ea. Haylage $65ea.

Purina Rangeland 24-12 Availa 4 hi fat tub+- minerals 225lb $205ea.

Delivery available.

Text or call Gary 503-369-1907.

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

Probate Department

In the Matter of the Estate of CALEB ROBERT HOCKING, Deceased. No. 23PB06188 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate.

All persons having claims

CC23-1845

against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published September 8, 2023.

Meryl L. Head, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

COUNTY MULTNOMAH INDUSTRIAL PARK NEW BUILDING PROJECT

The Port of Columbia County is seeking proposals for a new 10,320 SF maintenance building with site improvements in St. Helens, Oregon. Bid packets containing the RFP with plans and

POOL

in its place, designed for water play.

or requested via e-mail at house@portofcolumbiacounty.org. Submissions must be received by 4:00 PM on Friday, October 6, 2023. For questions, please call 503928-3259.

FESTIVAL

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

CC23-1842

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

Got

Cedar and Noble trees?

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

860 Storage

CLATSKANIE Mini Storage

Hoarder’s Paradise! 20 sizes, Inexpensive RV Storage, Carports, Hand trucks, Locks, Fully-lined, Insulated, Condensation free, all units lit. On-site Manager 503 728-2051 503 369-6503 Visa/MC/Amex

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

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

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of SHIRLEY ANN RODS, Deceased. No. 23PB07507 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are

required to present their claims, with vouchers at tached, within four months after the date of first publi cation of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from

the records of the Court, the the attorney for the personal

From Page A1

Other projects included resurfacing the deck, replacing of the tile gutter with a stainless-steel gutter system, and resurfacing and repainting the pool.

From Page A1 cause of death for many children. Both children and their parents need to become proficient in swimming.”

Although pool operators don’t take a specific head count, Warren said the summer 2023 attendance was the most she’s seen. For example, when The Clatskanie Festival offered a free swim day, the pool was at capacity.

Off-season projects

This off-season work planned will be addressing plumbing issues at pool. The pool has seen marked improvement projects since 2021. The wading pool is gone with a splash pad now

As with this year, Warren is hopeful the pool can open a few weeks earlier in 2024, but she said that opening will depend on the number of lifeguards available. Warren also expects a new pool manager will be hired for the next summer season

“The city will be seeking another pool manager next year,” she said. “They are searching for just the right manager, and I will be glad to help out until then.”

For more information, contact Clatskanie Parks and Recreation at 503-7282038.

that’s customer numbers, vendor numbers, volunteer numbers, and vendor sales. Another category that will be probably be experiencing 50 percent growth, which hasn’t really taken off in years past, is our own organization revenue through merchandise sales,” Lillich said. “We went through a big rebranding this year. There are all these kinds of branding merchandise lines that we’re planning on launching. But we’ve already done a lot of them, and we’re actually making some money for our organization to pay our employees and not be so grantdependent in the future.”

To continue to grow and build the market, Lillich and the Farmers Market Board

are accepting feedback from the producers and community members through November. Looking toward the future, Lillich said someone has volunteered to help create a strategic plan for the organization to continue to grow in the coming years.

One of the season’s highlights this year was the Garlic Festival’s popularity. Lillich said that the festival saw nearly 2,000 visitors walking around the market and garnered around $40,000 in sales during the six-hour event.

“It just feels like this Garlic Festival is becoming a regional event. It felt after that event like Caltskanie wasn’t going to be the same anymore. Something had shifted, and we’re on the map now, for garlic. Who would have thought,” Lillich said. “That was a really powerful moment.”

This summer has given Lil-

lich and the Clatskanie Farm ers Market a strong indication that there is a desire from the community to come together around its burgeoning local food scene. their food from local farms and local sources. They want

they want to get to know them.

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

Courtesy photo from Jasmine Lillich

The Clatska-Knight slays a watermelon.

Clatskanie, Rainier Sports round up

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The student-athletes are back on the fields and courts this fall, and for Clatskanie’s athletic programs, the results of the early season have been a mixed bag.

With each program getting into the heart of its season, let’s look at where Clatskanie is stacking up with the competition through the early stages of the fall.

Football

It’s been a difficult start for Head Coach Sean Gorley and the Tigers, as they have started 0-3 in their first three games. The loss to Gaston on Sept. 15 was Clatskanie’s first league game of the season, but Gorley still has his sights on the state playoffs.

“Our goal is still to make it into the state tournament.

The loss on Friday to Gaston is a setback for sure,” Gorley said. “So we need to get back to work and focus on getting better. Just get our foot in the door of the tournament. From there, anything can happen.”

The 20-54 defeat was a wake-up call for a Clatskanie team that is still adjusting after losing many of its seniors last year. Gorley said last year’s seniors were the program’s leaders and brought an aspect of physicality to the team.

Despite the losses, Gorley said that there are members of the team stepping up as leaders, and the team may be more athletic than they were last season. For the Tigers, building chemistry and making slight adjustments are the focus right now.

“As far as adjustments, we need to get better on assignments and technique,” Gorley said. “This team plays really hard. Effort is not an issue for sure. Now, we just need that energy focused within our assignments and with proper technique.”

Some of the players leading the Tigers on offense this season are quarterback Ayden Boursaw and lead ball carrier Price Martinez. On defense, Ryder Gorley has stepped up as the voice of the defense and is leading the team in tackles through three games.

Through the adversity of

the first three weeks of the season, Gorley said that the support of the community has been “huge” for the team.

“It means a lot to our kids to go out and play in front of their friends, family, and community members. The people of Clatskanie have always been very generous with all of our fundraisers and needs,” Gorley said. “Small towns need to stick together to be successful. We would always love to see more people in the stands. Hopefully, the town will be proud of the kids who play their hearts out for the “TIGER” they wear on their chests.”

The Tigers will next take the field tonight against Sheridan. Sheridan is also 0-3 and has yet to score a point this season. The Tigers will be licking their chops at the opportunity to get their first win.

Volleyball

Amanda Baker’s volleyball crew had a tough loss against Portland Christian Sept. 19, but through their first ten games, the team

boasted a 6-4 overall record.

In the team’s win against Mannahouse Academy, Port land, Baker’s team turned in a strong performance, win ning 3-0. Baker noted that the team struggled to return services in the final two sets but remained aggressive despite the difficulties.

“Our serve receive fell apart a bit the last two sets; however, the passes we did get up, we made the most of with an aggressive offense,” Baker said. “In fact, just about everyone had a tally in the kill department.”

Through five league games, Clatskanie sits fourth in the 2A-1 Northwest League behind Portland Christian, Gaston, and Nestucca. The win against Mannahouse Academy gave many of the individuals on the team a chance to stand out.

“Natalie Baker had a team-high 14 kills, followed by Lacey Willis with 8,” Baker said. “Our setter, Joey Sizemore, added 4 of her own while racking up an impressive 15 assists. 3 kills a piece for my pin hitters Mya Jensen and Olivia George.”

At the time of publication, the Tigers’ game against Vernonia Sept. 21 has yet to be played, but Clatskanie will enter with the upper hand as Vernonia has started their season 1-4. Find the result at OSAA. org.

Girls Soccer

The combined Clatskanie/Rainier girls soccer team has seen mixed results on the field through the be-

ginning of their season.

In non-league play, the combined team went 2-3. The season started on a bright note, with the team starting 2-1 and getting a high-scoring win against Sheridan/Willamina 7-1 on Aug. 24.

Follow results of Clatskanie and Rainier sports programs at osaa.org, at thechiefnews.com, and in the Friday print editions of the Chief.

Assessment tests show little student improvement over last four years

ALEX BAUMHARDT

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Chief Guest Article

Most Oregon students have not regained ground in key subjects following the COVID pandemic, but steep declines in English language arts, math and science proficiency that occurred during the pandemic are beginning to level off, according to the latest results from statewide assessment tests.

Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release that the latest results indicate a need for more state investment in afterschool and summer learning programs to help students recover before they leave the public school system.

“These scores show we’re stabilizing, but we can accelerate learning with more out-of-school time investments,” she said. State education officials declined to say how they would improve results.

An average of 87% of students participated in the

annual assessment tests, called Smarter Balanced tests, during the spring of 2023. They are required by state and federal law though Oregon allows parents to opt their children out of testing, according to the state education department. Prior to the pandemic, participation in the tests was closer to 95%. Students were not required to take the tests in 2020 and the state education department scaled back testing in 2021.

On average across the seven grades tested in Spring of 2023, student proficiency in English language arts declined by less than 1% and increased by less than 1% in math and science compared with the 2022 results. But average proficiency in both subjects remains about 10% below results in 2019.

Overall proficiency in English language arts, which includes reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing, went from about 53% in 2019 to about 43% in the spring of 2023, and in math,

from about 40% to 30% proficiency. The assessments are given in the spring to grades three through eight and 11th grade students. Of the state’s 197 school districts, 107 tested below the state average in English, and 121 tested below the state average for math proficiency. Oregon’s declines reflect a nationwide trend showing student learning was negatively affected by the pandemic, which included months of online classes.

A big outlier

The state’s largest school district, Portland Public Schools, saw math proficiency improve anywhere from 1% to 4% from the previous year and both math and English language proficiency among students was about 10% above state averages. The district’s third and fourth graders returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic English language proficiency levels, and students in grades three

through five exceeded or met pre-pandemic levels of about 55% to 60% proficiency.

In a news release, district spokesperson Valerie Feder attributed the gains to new curricula, new professional development and training for teachers, the addition of more full-time instructional coaches for teachers and tutors, reading specialists and more mental and behavioral health specialists in schools.

More assessment needed

At a news conference Tuesday before the embargoed release of results, representatives from the Oregon Department of Education did not offer any explanations about the lack of progress in student learning since the pandemic, nor specific targets for improvement in the years ahead.

“This helps us to see the journey that we are on to respond to the impact of a global pandemic, which involves much more com-

plexity and that takes time,” said Andrea Lockard, the agency’s director of assessment and student reporting.

Peter Rudy, an agency spokesperson, said in an email that the department would prioritize investments in early learning, summer programs and after school tutoring in the years ahead.

“The awareness, urgency and effort is in place now,” Rudy said. “We are all in on changing learning for Oregon’s students.”

Charlene Williams, the education department’s interim director said in a news release that there is more to be done.

“We know that staff and students work hard throughout the school year in so many areas that aren’t reflected in this assessment data,” she said. “The results from a single test do not tell the whole story of education in Oregon, however they are important indicators that require our attention and more work ahead.”

• •C rossword p uzzle

Students on average in all grades had declines of about 1% or less in English language arts proficiency. But the data appears to show economically disadvantaged students experiencing the steepest declines in proficiency across subjects since the pandemic, but the education department said year-overyear comparisons cannot be made because more students were defined as economically disadvantaged during and following the pandemic.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/09/21/ assessment-tests-show-littlestudent-improvement-overlast-four-years/ Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@ oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: WORLD SERIES

DOWN

1. It starred Alan Alda from 1972-1983

2. Digging, so to speak

3. Think

4. More like a fox

5. Madagascar’s hedgehoglike animal

6. Printer cartridge color

7. *Guidry, Cey or Gardenhire

38. *”The Catch” (1954)

42. Rekindled 45. Like theater seating 49. Big-headedness 51. Join the army 54. Matter of debate 56. Buckwheat dish 57. Halo 58. Do like volcano

59. Bluish green

60. Sir Mix-____-____

61. Delhi bread

62. Spill the beans

63. *Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson and Christy Mathewson

64. *Commissioner Manfred

66. Bug enemy

Courtesy photo from Karielle Carlson CMHS Yearbook Clatskanie will seek its first victory of the season against Sheridan.