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There is such a thing as a free lunch

Clatskanie basketball Page A6

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023

VOL. 132, NO. 30 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

CCSO to provide 24-hour county coverage STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Columbia County will see 24-hour patrol coverage by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) beginning Dec. 15, according to Sheriff Brian Pixley.

“This will be the first time in over 25 years that the Sheriff’s Office has had the resources to deliver 24/7 patrol coverage in Columbia County,” Pixley said in the statement. “The Sheriff’s Office will be able to provide better service to the residents of Columbia County and make our county a safer place to live, work, and recreate.”

In May 2023, Columbia County voters approved a Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Levy. The $7.9M 4-year levy was proposed

by Pixley and aimed to add seven new sheriff’s deputies. In an interview in the lead-up to the May 16 election, Pixley said that hiring seven deputies would fill the gaps in their coverage and reduce their call loads, overtime, and response

times.

The four-year option levy passed with 7,049 votes for and 6,481 against. The passage of the levy allowed CCSO to hire additional staff with the goal of providing county-wide patrol coverage 24 hours per day/seven days a week.

The Sheriff’s Office has hired four deputies since the levy passed, and two additional deputies have completed their Field Training for a net gain of six new deputies patrolling the roadways of Columbia County, according to the CCSO statement.

“I was thrilled to hear that Sheriff Pixley has been successful in his objective to begin providing around-the-clock coverage to the county,” Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder said in the release. “The voters were clear that public safety and 24/7 patrol coverage is vital to them.”

The statement said that CCSO will continue to hire additional patrol deputies until the Sheriff’s Office is fully staffed.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The Sheriff’s Office has hired four deputies since the levy passed in May of this year.

Christmas at The Castle Open House SUBMITTED BY THE CLATSKANIE SENIOR CENTER

Courtesy photo from the Clatskanie Senior Center

Holiday decorations and furnishings reminiscent of a bygone era will greet visitors to The Castle on the weekend of Dec. 9 and 10.

A visit to a Victorian Christmas will be offered during open houses at the Thomas J. Flippin “Castle” in Clatskanie from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10.

The public is invited to the beautifully-restored 125-yearold Castle, which is listed on the National Historic Register and is owned by the Clatskanie Senior Citizens (CSC). The Castle is located at 620 SW Tichenor Street, with additional parking in back of the mansion off SW Bryant Street.

Santa Claus will be present from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, and children are invited to attend and tell the “Jolly Old Gent” their Christmas wishes.

Parents are encouraged to take pictures.

The Castle, on which construction began in 1898, features a salon, music room, study, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom suite on the main floor which have been authentically restored and furnished. The top floor includes another bedroom suite and five rooms which comprise the Clatskanie Historical Society’s local history museum.

The Castle may be rented for special events, and both bedroom suites are available for B&B overnight stays. Call Deborah Hazen at

503-338-8268 for more information.

Donations needed for Senior Meal Program

There is no admission charge for the open houses, but donations will be accepted for the CSC Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) - the lunches served Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12 noon sharp in the ground floor, handicappedaccessible, “Castle Cafe.”

As part of the restoration project, the Castle Cafe was remodeled during the closure due to the Covid pandemic, however attendance at the lunches has not rebounded since Covid, according to Hazen, a member of the CSC board of directors.

“The lunches are not just for people in financial need,” she explained. “They are for all senior citizens and their guests of any age to get together for good, nutritious meals and fellowship.” The Castle also delivers hot meals three days a week to about 20 house-bound seniors in the Clatskanie area.

“If the lunch program is to continue, we need to increase attendance,” Hazen said. She explained that government reimbursement for the cost of the meals is significantly less than half of the cost of preparing them. Under the government

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See CASTLE Page A3

Turning Point – Helping those in need LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article

Turning Point Community Services Center has made its home in Clatskanie since 1971, helping those in need.

The nonprofit is mainly a food pantry; however, as a resource

Police Blotter ........... A3 Obituaries ................. A3 News and Views ...... A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Sports ........................ A6 Crossword ................ A6

Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

center, they also offer many other things. Food boxes are available to those who qualify, in addition to weekly bread, produce, and milk.

They also offer a low-cost thrift store and applications for services such as SNAP, TANF, OHP, and CAT Housing/Energy. Other services include Share the Warmth Utility Assistance, which helps with energy requests, in conjunction with Clatskanie PUD. Two of the biggest holidays of the year for the center are Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This Thanksgiving was the first year they were to offer a complete Thanksgiving meal, but unfortunately, their main freezer went down the day before Thanksgiving. Despite the setback, they were able to hand out a few turkeys the day before Thanksgiving. In future years, Turning Point will be able to provide full Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to their clients.

Kelly Miller is the Executive Director of Turning Point and has been on board for almost ten years.

She loves her job, adding it is 100% a labor of love.

“It is great knowing I can take a burden off somebody’s plate…I can easily lift their burden and it is no burden on me,” said Miller.

“I start Christmas preparation in September,” said Miller. “I start taking Christmas applications from families in early October.”

As it is most everywhere, Christmas is a big deal at Turning Point. The families in need are

helped tremendously at Christmas.

Miller hosts a Santa’s Toy Shop every year, with contributions coming from KPTV/ Les Schwab Tire Centers and KGW news station.

The toy shop is held on the third Saturday in December at the American Legion Hall, where parents are invited to come and shop for 4 to 6 brand-new gifts per child at no cost.

The pantry is run strictly by donations, grants, and thrift stores.

There are two paid employees in addition to Miller and 10-15 volunteers.

Since 2020, Miller has also run HOPE, the food pantry in Rainier.

She opened up the supporting thrift store, HOPE Chest, at that time.

She alternates between Clatskanie and Rainier and successfully manages both operations.

One thing Miller loves about her job is the ability to get creative in coming up with resources.

Different individuals or families require different solutions, and Miller makes it a priority to help in any way she can.

After the Christmas rush, Turning Point and HOPE will close from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2, 2024. But the staff and volunteers will be busy preparing for the coming year.

To donate to Turning Point, you may stop in at 220 E. Columbia River Hwy or mail donations to P.O. Box 773, Clatskanie, OR. 97016.

Turning Point Executive Director Kelly Miller.

Courtesy photo

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Friday, December 1, 2023

www.thechiefnews.com

1st Annual Clatskanie Winter Market

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

For those who are missing the community of the farmers market as the winter months approach, the Clatskanie Food Hub will be hosting a Winter Market on Dec. 2, which they hope to turn into an annual event.

The market will open at 10 a.m. and the event will end at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Clatskanie Food Hub at 80 Steele St. Jasmine Lillich is the Executive Director of the Clatskanie Farmers Market, and she said the event will offer a variety of locally made crafts, body products, harvested materials, and even a visit from Santa himself.

The Food Hub will play host to 16 vendors for the

Courtesy photo

The Winter Market will be hosted at the Clatskanie Food Hub from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

market, in addition to the 60 vendors who have products for sale at the Food Hub year-round. While there may not be the same produce found at a Saturday Market,

Lillich talked about some of the local products that will be available.

“We have vendors that have a lot of canned or acidified kinds of food in jars.

Pickling and preserving, so jellies jams, those kinds of things,” Lillich said. “What this market is really featuring is ‘land-based craft,’ which supports farmers too.

Farmers grow broom corn and flowers to dry and turn into wreaths, willow for basketry, and fiber for fiber arts. There’s so much you can grow on agricultural land that can be sold and filter in and create this industry of craft.”

Lillich said that these types of “land-based crafts” can help support farmers and can also be used practically.

Lillich said that with food and produce not being in abundance, people are looking for locally-made holiday gifts.

“Winter is the time to do those kinds of crafts-based

things,” Lillich said.

In addition to the craft produce, Lillich said there will be a variety of body care products with natural local ingredients. There will also be shelf space for some “fiber,” pottery, and other like goods.

“Goat milk, and bees wax, and herbs. Making your own essential oils and things like that,” Lillich said. We’re really trying to promote businesses that have an agricultural component to them. They’re using ingredients that they’re growing, or they’re supporting farmers that are growing them.”

In the holiday spirit, Santa will be at the food hub for the duration of the market. Lillich also said if people come to the market hungry, Bluebell Knoll Farm

and Bakeshop will be selling wood-fired pizza.

In the first year of what the Clatskanie Farmers Market hopes will be an annual event, Lillich said that success would be sending everyone home happy.

“Success would be for our vendors to leave happy.

And our shoppers to be happy. This is a really slow time for farmers. It can be hard to get by in the wintertime without the revenue stream from the constant crops, the constant growth, the constant market opportunities,” Lillich said. “It’s really important to keep supporting our local producers and farmers throughout the winter. I hope I can take some of that economic pressure off them this winter and give them a little boost in sales.”

Rainier Schools now providing free student breakfasts, lunches Rainier School Superintendent Joseph Hattrick said.

“This is a huge win for our students and families.”

Hattrick recognized Rainier School District Director of Nutrition Services Debby Webster for what he described as her outside-ofthe-box thinking to secure the free meal opportunity.

In a letter sent to district parents, Hattrick outlined the impact of the meal policy change.

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Rainier School Board has approved a revision in the school district’s lunch program, which will allow all students attending in the district to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. The change took effect Dec. 1.

This is a huge win for our students and families. ~ Joseph Hattrick, Rainier School Superintendent

Metro Creative Connection

The Rainier School District Board decision follows the USDA’s new school meal policy.

• This program took effect Friday, December 1, 2023 and will expire June 30, 2027.

Since we will eventually need to re-qualify, we encourage families to continue to apply for SNAP and Medicaid services.

• If your child has a positive (pre-paid) balance, our Director of Nutrition will be reaching out to you to discuss

“I couldn’t be more happy that the board approved the revision of our Resolution 1 document which spells out fees and compliance items,”

your options (refund, apply to another account, etc.).

• If your child has a negative balance, we are humbly requesting your support in getting those handled as soon as possible. Our Director of Nutrition will also be reaching out to discuss payment options but we are hoping that with the removal of additional lunch fees, the burden of paying will be decreased.

that every child will have a meal available to them,” the letter states. “At this time there is nothing you need to do to ensure your child eats at school. Beginning Friday, Dec. 1, the lunch program will not accept payment for lunch (with the exception of extra lunches, extra entrees, and extra milk).”

The adjustment follows the board’s long-range facility planning meeting held Nov. 28 and action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has modified the qualifications for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) that allows students to receive meals at no charge.

Hattrick also states in his letter that no child should ever miss a meal because of financial challenges or negative stigma associated with qualifying for free meals.

“This program will ensure

Gun safety measure declared unconstitutional in the case, giving it standing to be filed in the conservative eastern Oregon county.

The judge, Raschio, decided the case based upon the law’s application to the state constitution, not the U.S. Constitution and Second Amendment rights.

During a six-day trial in September, Raschio heard from experts about firearms and Oregon history, including the lives of Oregonians in 1857 when the state constitution was adopted with the provision that people shall have the right to bear arms for their defense. Raschio referenced Oregon’s frontier history to justify his ruling.

“The court finds the (voters) of 1857 did not seek to restrain access to the best firearms with the highest functionality possible they could procure,” the judge wrote in the 44-page ruling, which notes the state constitution was adopted in an era when pioneers “engaged in forceable removal of the Indigenous tribes of Oregon” and wanted the best weapons possible.

The law also would ban large-capacity magazines with more than 10 rounds which can lead to widespread carnage in a mass shooting.

The judge found the ban on large-capacity magazines “does not enhance public safety” enough to justify the infringement of the right to bear arms.

In an alert to its members, the Oregon Firearms Federa-

BEN BOTKIN Oregon Capital Chronicle Chief Guest Article

Oregon’s voter-approved gun law that would require permits and a safety course violates the state constitution, a Harney County Circuit Court judge ruled on Tuesday.

The ruling is a setback for gun safety advocates who backed Measure 114 in response to gun violence and mass shootings and convinced Oregon voters to pass it in 2022. Gun rights groups challenged the state law in federal court as well as Harney County Circuit Court.

The law has not gone into effect with the litigation pending. The ruling effectively means Measure 114 will not become a reality, unless Judge Robert Raschio’s decision is overturned in a higher court.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum promised to appeal the case.

“The Harney County judge’s ruling is wrong,” Rosenblum said in a statement. “Worse, it needlessly puts Oregonians’ lives at risk.

The state will file an appeal and we believe we will prevail.”

The Gun Owners Foundation and Gun Owners of America, Inc., both based in Virginia, were plaintiffs in the original complaint filed in Harney County, but they voluntarily dropped out at the end of May. Harney County residents Joseph Arnold and Cliff Asmussen are plaintiffs

tion praised the ruling and the judge, saying Raschio “took a brave stand in the face of a full frontal assault on gun rights by Oregon’s establishment leftists.”

But the gun rights organization warned that more legal battles lie ahead.

Jess Marks, executive director of the Oregon Alliance for Gun Safety, expects that as well.

“Every day that Measure 114 is held up in court, Oregon lives are put at risk,” Marks said in a statement.

“We expect that the state of Oregon will appeal this misguided ruling and that a higher court will see fit to allow this voter-approved law to go into effect. Lives depend on it.”

Every year, hundreds Oregonians die from gun violence, suicides or accidental shootings. In 2022, 803 Oregonians visited hospital emergency rooms with firearm-related injuries, according to Oregon Health Authority data. In 2021, 670

people in Oregon died from firearms, according to federal data.

In the federal lawsuit, the U.S. District Court ruled that Measure 114 is constitutional, upholding the law. Gun rights organizations have appealed the federal ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/11/21/ harney-county-judge-declares-measure-114-on-gunsafety-unconstitutional/ 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.

Follow this developing story at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

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Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Buccini Hall, St. Frederic Catholic Church, 165 S 14th St, St. Helens. Serving lunch, surprise packages, jams and jellies, raffles, crafts, fresh wreaths and more.

Clatskanie Tiger Tournament Bazaar

Sunday, December 10, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

471 SW Belair Dr., Clatskanie, OR 97016 Proceeds go to: Individuals of the Educational school sponsored trip to Peru 2024

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Friday, December 1, 2023

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Search continues for Knappa juveniles SUBMITTED BY THE CLATSOP COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Courtesy photo

15-year-old Penny Lyles is 5’5” tall, 120 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. 18-year old Jonathan Stockle is 5’11” tall and 155 pounds with blond hair and blues eyes. The two are believed to be traveling a Grey colored 1998 Toyota Rav4, OR plate 547HRL.

•

•B lotter • •

Rainier Police Department

suspicious vehicle on private property. The property owner was issuing a trespass letter.

• A citizen reported that her vehicle had been damaged in a hit and run accident, although it wasn’t known when or where it occurred.

• An officer advised some people camping on private property that the property owner did not want them there.

• A caller reported what they believed to be a gun shot in the area of Rockcrest Street.

No one was observed in the area.

November 20 • An employee reported that some unruly patrons were making threatening statements after being thrown out of the establishment.

• An officer was advised of a

November 21 • An officer responded to an alarm at City Hall. The building was found to be secure.

• An officer responded to a call regarding an out of control juvenile. Peace was restored.

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.

•

November 25 • Officers responded to a twovehicle motor vehicle crash on the Lewis & Clark Bridge. No citations were issued.

• An officer is investigating an accident that occurred on West C Street near 7th. The driver reported that while she was stopped, the Toyota truck in front of her rolled backwards, striking her vehicle. She got out and spoke to the other driver who denied hitting her and fled the scene. If you have any information related to this accident, please call dispatch at: 503-397-1521.

On November 14, 2023 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Penny Lyles and Jonathan Stockle left Knappa, Oregon area after a confrontation with family, according to Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

On Nov. 24, the two juveniles were located out of state, according to an update on the Clatsop County

CASTLE From Page A1 restrictions on SNP, the CSC serves lunches to those aged 60 and above for a suggested $6 donation. Guests under the age of 60 are charged $8. “Even if you don’t need the lunches, please consider attending,” Hazen urged, “so that they may continue for

Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.

The update, which was released on Nov. 26 said that the whereabouts of both individuals are unknown.

“While Penny was being transported by children’s services she managed to escape their custody and is believed to be with the Jonathan again. Again, they are likely out-of-state but please keep your eye out for them,” the update said.

The two juveniles are believed to be traveling in a grey colored 1998 Toyota Rav4, with Oregon license plate 547HRL. Stockle may possibly be concerned about getting arrested and is trying to evade Law Enforcement.

If you have any information about Penny Lyles or Jonathan Stockle whereabouts, please contact Clatsop County Dispatch at 503-325-2061, and ask to speak with a deputy.

those who do need them.”

Monthly menus are published on the Clatskanie Senior Center Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/307164199881715.

To avoid wasting food, those planning to attend are asked to call 503-728-3608 by 1 p.m. on Monday for Wednesday lunch, Wednesday for Friday lunch, and Friday for Monday lunch. If there is no answer leave a message.

Chair yoga, cards, and other activities also are offered at The Castle’s senior center.

Tax-exempt donations for the CSC meal program may be sent to the Clatskanie Senior Citizens, PO Box 383, Clatskanie, OR 97016.

Checks should be made out to Clatskanie Senior Citizens with “SNP” for senior nutrition program in the memo line.

November 26 • Officers responded to a domestic disturbance. No injuries were observed and peace was restored.

•O bituaries • • Marilyn Baker Van Natta Nov. 6, 1936 ~ Nov. 13, 2023

It is with deep sadness that the family must share the passing of Marilyn Hanthorn Baker Van Natta in her beloved forest home in Rainier, Oregon on Nov. 13, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.

Marilyn’s family moved to Portland, Oregon after WWII where her Grandfather introduced her to the violin and began her lifelong journey of music. While attending Grant High School in Portland, Marilyn joined the Portland Youth Philharmonic (known then as the Portland Junior Symphony) and often credited that wonderful program for building the skills and experience that fueled her professional career.

Marilyn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Music from Willamette University in 1957. In 1962, she and son Lucian moved to Los Angeles where Marilyn found a vibrant and active career and joined both the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Local 47 and the Nat’l Assoc of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).

Marilyn regularly worked with numerous groups, the-

aters and orchestras throughout the LA area in addition to teaching. Once Lucian was grown, she also enjoyed touring around the world with various performers and could entertain you for hours with her many stories of orchestral life on the road.

Marilyn retired to Portland, Oregon in 2007 where she continued to teach Violin and Viola as well as staying in touch with the many, many musicians she had mentored and worked with over the years. Even in “retirement” Marilyn still played in local quartets, chamber music presentations and often worked

with the Newport Symphony Orchestra.

In September 2015 she married her dear friend from their Willamette University days, Kay C. Van Natta and moved to Rainier, Oregon and the family tree farm located there. In no time at all this self-avowed “city chick” won the hearts of the local grange and resource communities with her down-to-earth kindness, logic and willingness to step up and lend a hand however possible. Her special light will be missed in these communities.

The family invites you to join with us for an informal Celebration of Marilyn’s Life from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 2, 2023 at the Woman’s Club building at 835 21st Ave, Longview WA 98632.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be directed to either the Portland Youth Philharmonic (www.PortlandYouthPhil.org) or the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum in Marilyn’s memory. Donations to the museum may be mailed to R.O.H.M., P.O. Box 762, Rainier, OR 97048.

Courtesy photo from the Clatskanie Senior Center

Donations will be accepted for the Clatskanie Senior Citizens’ meal program.

Beatrice Welter

March 9, 1928 ~ Nov. 13, 2023

Beatrice Welter, 95, of Rainier, Oregon passed away on Nov. 13, 2023 in Longview, Washington.

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Friday, December 1, 2023

www.thechiefnews.com

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•N ews and V iews • •

Addressing the child care crisis JEFF MERKLEY Chief Guest Article

Welcome to the first edition of the “Merkley Monthly”! In this column, I’ll address topics in Oregon’s rural and coastal communities served by Country Media Newspapers.

Coming from rural Douglas County, myself, I know how essential local newspapers are for speaking to the unique needs of your communities and keeping folks connected. So, I’m excited for this opportunity.

Every year, I host town hall meetings for all 36 Oregon counties. I’ll use this monthly column as an extension of that town hall spirit and the “Oregon Way” to answer questions and address issues that have come up in the town hall meetings in your communities, which means these topics will be relevant and local to you.

One topic I hear about in every rural and coastal community is the lack of affordable, quality child care.

If it feels more difficult to find child care than it used to be, that’s because it is. Since 1999, the total number of child care slots in Oregon has dropped by about 6,600. Oregon State University estimates that, for families of infants

and toddlers, 35 of 36 counties qualify as child care deserts where there can be as many as 10 children competing for the same child care spot.

The numbers are stark.

Up north, at the mouth of the Columbia River, Clatsop County has child care for only 8 percent of its infants and toddlers. Farther south, it drops to 6 percent in Lincoln County. And, down in Curry County, there’s only child care for 3 percent of their infants and toddlers.

Even if that spot becomes available, families may not be able to afford it. In Oregon, the average cost of child care is nearly $13,700 a year – or more than in-state tuition at Portland State University.

As one mother put it, “A day care bill is a mortgage right now.”

Parents who can’t find afford child care options often are forced to use up their paid time off or drop out of the workforce altogether. In Clatsop County, it got so bad that two hospital systems donated funding for local child care services because of staffing shortages.

Child care workers need to be paid a living wage, too.

The average child care worker in Oregon makes about $12.90 an hour, and the profession

has high burnout and turnover rates.

What can we do about it? During the pandemic, Congress created Child Care Stabilization Grants that sustained approximately 220,000 child care providers, saved an estimated 9.6 million child care slots, and protected more than 1 million child care jobs across the country. Oregon received nearly $250 million to sustain more than 3,000 child care programs and support more than 80,000 children.

But those funds expired on September 30.

We need to pass the Child Care Stabilization Act to restore this successful and needed program. Then we need to build on it by passing the Child Care and Working Families Act so eligible families pay no more than 7 percent of their income on child care.

Middle-class families deserve a break. This legislation is a start, and I will continue to fight to expand and improve child care in Oregon and across the country.

seems to have no bounds.

We have already gotten calls about Christmas tree care.

The good news is that Christmas tree species grown here generally hold up for a fairly long time.

Some factors that influence how long a tree lasts include time inside the house (houses are very drying), temperature of the room (cooler is better and never near a heat source), the size of the tree (larger trees tend to hold moisture better, table top trees are the worst), the tree species (Nobles, Nordmann, and Turkish firs seem to be the best with Douglas fir not too far behind), weather before and when the tree was cut (drier weather tends to lower the base moisture continent and thus storage time, a possible issue this year), and whether the base of the tree is kept constantly in water after harvest (make a fresh basal cut on the trunk to ensure tree water uptake, often four gallons the first week the tree is in the house, when it is first brought into the house). Chemical treatments to prolong tree life have rarely shown results.

you have prepared a hole to plant it into. Most conifers will not do well in dense, poorly drained clay soils.

If that is what you have, I would skip the living tree idea. Finally, plant the tree where it will have room to grow.

A noble fir can grow very tall so plant it where it can develop its character and not interfere with your other landscape selections. They are great trees in a landscape when well-placed. Unfortunately, many people don’t appreciate the tree’s growth potential and they find that the location where they planted it isn’t appropriate.

At that point, it is firewood.

Do you have a topic or issue important to your community you want to hear more about from Senator Merkley?

Email dcurrie@countrymedia. net.”

A gardener Christmas wish list CHIP BUBL Clatskanie Grows Chief Guest Column

I know this is pushing the calendar, but I thought it made sense to have some gardening Christmas gift ideas in this column.

• Nice gardening gloves, especially those flexible kinds that rose thorns don’t penetrate or nice-fitting leather gloves.

• Knee pads or knee benches for gardeners to make close work less of a pain.

• A well-made spading fork or shovel.

• Cast aluminum hand tools or specially designed “ergonomic” tools for less muscle strain. This is increasingly important as one gets older.

• High quality loppers or hand pruners. Felco makes outstanding hand pruners that, with care, will last a very long time but there are other quite good brands.

• Gift certificates to garden centers.

• A soil thermometer is always useful to know when to plant seeds. So are moisture meters with ~12-inch probes that you poke into the soil or media to know which plants (in containers or in-theground plants) need water.

• Q Knot reusable cable ties are handy for staking tomatoes or trellises. Get them from a local hardware store.

• Manual or electric water tier. This device can be attached to any faucet, and automatically shuts off water after a set amount of time.

Get a single or dual model from a hardware store.

• Corona Quick Tool Sharpener. A pocket-sized tool for sharpening pruners, shears, blades.

• Floating row covers are lightweight blankets to put over vegetables that help capture warmth and protect plants in the spring. Heavier gauge ones can even protect against extreme heat or cold.

• A Hori Hori Knife is a transplant knife from Japan, that’s part trowel and part knife. Also, good for dispatching slugs. It is a great tool.

• Folding pruning saws are necessary for pruning also handy for camping or backpacking. Fiskers, Barnel, Stihl, or Corona are good brands.

• LED headlamp is handy tool for gardening, locating slugs (if you are so inclined), or just looking around in your garden at night. If you have close neighbors, warn them of your new hobby.

Also good for looking for carpenter ant evidence under your house.

Christmas trees, already?

The enthusiasm for a longer Christmas season

December 7 Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting The program will be on honey and tasting honey.

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

Important notes Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs.

It always is greatly appreciated.

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

Have questions?

Living Christmas trees I get quite a few questions about managing a living Christmas tree. These are conifer trees that are purchased in containers or “balled and burlapped.”

Most haven’t been out of the ground for a very long time before they are sold. Since the point of a living tree is to keep it alive after Christmas and for many years to come, you must know something about how to keep it alive.

First, these trees cannot be brought into the house for very long. Most suppliers recommend an inside period of one week or less, in the coolest space possible. In a warm house, these trees will come out of dormancy and since the inside conditions are generally quite dry, they will start to move lots of moisture through their needles. The container the tree is in must be able to be watered to keep the root ball moist.

Right after Christmas, move the tree outside. If you were thinking ahead,

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you.

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

North Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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•C ommunity E vents • •

December 2 Free holiday activities at the Clatskanie Cultural Center 3 p.m. at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem. Exploring the world of bubbles with the Amazing Bubbleman. Perfect for the young and young-at-heart, come explore the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles with the Amazing Bubble Man. He combines comedy, artistry and spellbinding tricks with his square bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanos and even people inside bubbles.

Arrival of Santa following the Bubbleman performance in the Ballroom of the Cultural Center. Lighting of the community Christmas tree in the Cultural Center parking lot, sponsored by the Clatskanie Chamber. The CMHS band and choir will be performing December 3 CAC concert An Old-Fashioned Christmas 3 p.m. at the Birkenfeld Theatre in Clatskanie. A memorable afternoon of Christmas music from the 1800s and early 1900s on period instruments and voices, featuring Phil and Gayle Neuman of The Trail Band with Laura Kuhlman and Cindy Markham of The Oregon Renaissance Band, cellist Elizabeth O’Connor, and cornetist Mark McCormick. The program will feature familiar Christmas carols in their original forms, including “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (1849), “We Three Kings” (1857) and “Jingle Bells or The One-Horse Open Sleigh” (1857), along with carols from the English,

Scottish and French countryside, descriptive holiday instrumental pieces, stories from the time, and some surprises. The Fireside Social Orchestra recreates the small orchestra featured in parlor and ballroom performances of long ago with period instruments including violin, tenor viola, rebec, cello, flageolet, walking stick recorder, flute, cornet, keyed bugle, tenor horn, ophicleide, tuba, saxophone, reed contrabass, bagpipes, voices and more.

Tickets for this family friendly performance are available at clatskaniearts.org., by calling Elsa at 503-728-3403 or at the door on the day of the performance. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (60+) and students and $20 for children.

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 503-7283608 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 503338-8268.

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 503-3975390.

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.

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 360-751-7039.

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.

Weekly Online Poll

Last Week’s Results

When will you put up Christmas decorations?

Do you plan on volunteering this holiday season?

18.2% Yes

Already did!

Thanksgiving just happened, give me a break I’m not decorating this year

81.8% No

Vote online at thechiefnews.com

The Chief

The Chief (USPS 116-360) is published weekly by Country Media, Inc. 1805 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR 97051

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chief PO Box 1153, St. Helens, OR 97051

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CONTACT US • Phone: (503) 397-0116 • Fax: (503) 397-4093 Website: www.thechiefnews.com Editorial: chiefnews@countrymedia.net ADVERTISE WITH US: Advertising Email: chronicleads@countrymedia.net Classified email: chronicleclassifieds@countrymedia.net Editorial policy Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

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Letters containing details presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name,

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Friday, December 1, 2023

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Public Notices CC23-1864

TS No. OR12000006-23-1 APN 25997 TO No 2319326 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, SAMUEL A. MASSEY AND MCKENNA R. STEIN, NOT AS TENANTS IN COMMON BUT WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP as Grantor to COLUMBIA COUNTY TITLE & ESCROW as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for MANN MORTGAGE, LLC DBA LIFE MORTGAGE, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of August 15, 2017 and recorded on August 15, 2017 as Instrument No. 2017-07504 and that said Deed of Trust was modified

by Modification Agreement and recorded April 22, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-03812 and the beneficial interest was assigned to FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION and recorded December 22, 2022 as Instrument Number 202209601 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Columbia County, Oregon

to-wit: APN: 25997 THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF Columbia, STATE OF OR, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: Beginning at the Northeast corner of Lot 1 of FLIPPINS SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1 OF TICHENOR’S FIRST ADDITION to the City of Clatskanie, Columbia County Oregon; thence South 18° West 94.30 feet to the Northeast corner of tract conveyed to George B. Conyers et ux, by deed recorded November 13, 1926 in Book 42, page 387, Deed Records of Columbia County, Oregon, said point being also .80 feet South 18° West of the Northeast corner of Lot 3 of said Subdivision; thence North 72° West to the point of intersection with the center line of a vacated alley, said center line being 15 feet Westerly end parallel to the West line of Lot 2; thence North 18° East along the said center line of said vacated Alley and extension thereof to the Northeast comer of tract conveyed b:J Joseph F. Garrison at ux by deed

recorded January 9, 1925 in Book 38, page 327, Deed Records of Columbia County, Oregon, said point being also North 18° East 38.3 feet from the Northwest corner of said Lot 1; thence South 72° East 116.5 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly known as: 560 NEHALEM STREET, CLATSKANIE, OR 97016 Both the Beneficiary, FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, 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): 5 Monthly Payment(s) from 09/01/2022 to 01/01/2023 at $1,001.13 10 Monthly Payment(s) from 02/01/2023 to 11/01/2023 at $1,033.40 Late Charge(s): 54.09 By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared

CC23-1868

all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $150,236.89 together with interest thereon at the rate of 3.22000% per annum from August 1, 2022 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 March 19, 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 representations 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 metham-

CC23-1867

CC23-1866

AUCTION

Strategic Business Plan Update The Port of Columbia County is hosting an Open House to discuss its Strategic Business Plan update, which will help guide development at the Port over the next 5 to 10 years. Join us as we share

phetamines, 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: 11/2/23 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 97260, Pub Dates: 11/17/2023, 11/24/2023, 12/1/2023, 12/8/2023, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF

NOTICE OF SPECIAL SESSION NOTICE OF COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE The Clatskanie City Council will meet in a special session on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall for an executive session, per ORS 192.660 (h), to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. The

Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall in the Clatskanie Cultural Center, 75 South Nehalem St. (2nd floor). Agenda items include but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the November 1st, 2023 regular meeting, resume the hearing on a nuisance complaint

about dogs, an appeal for a setback variance denied by the Planning Commission for 20 Conyers. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by December 1st, 2023. Access to the meeting on ZOOM will be posted on the city website, www.cityofclatskanie.com.

Please call City Hall at least 48 hours in advance if you need assistance.

Rainier Storage Place, LLC will hold a foreclosure auction at 29098 Dike Rd., Rainier OR 97048 of the contents of the following storage unit: A3 (10x28) James Spaulding, A6 (10x13) & B8 (10x13) Amanda Calhoun. Auction is at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16th, 2023.

a summary of the Draft Strategic Business Plan and seek community input. The event will be held at the Port of Columbia County, 100 E Street, Columbia City, OR 97018, on Wednesday, December 6, at 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Public Notice deadline is Wednesdays by noon Late submissions are not guaranteed to make it into the paper.

North Columbia County’s trusted local news source

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Friday, December 1, 2023

www.thechiefnews.com

Clatskanie Basketball ready for growing season WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Basketball season is back, and with a young team, the Clatskanie girls basketball program is ready for a season of growth and improvement.

Despite a loss to Warrenton in the first game of pre-season, Head Coach Mary Sizemore is excited about the potential of her team.

The team is really young this year, with three freshmen, five sophomores, one junior, and one senior. The team is returning just one player from their starting five last year.

“Joey Sizemore is our returning starter. She’s a sophomore; she was firstteam all-league last year.

She scored 18 points in our game last night against Warrenton,” Sizemore said.

Clatskanie competes

in the 2A-1 Northwest League, but for their non-league pre-season matches, they are matching up with bigger 3A and 4A programs. Playing against larger schools with older players is an adjustment for the team, and the 34-51 final scoreline reflected that.

“We were rattled in the first half. You know, we have freshmen coming out of middle school who are used to playing girls who are the same age and the same size. You come into a high school situation, and now you’re 14 or 15, playing girls who are 17, 18 years old,” Sizemore said.

Despite the loss, Sizemore said she was really proud of how the team competed. The focus this year will be on developing as teammates, and she said that if they continue to do that, their experience will translate to better skills.

Strength through adversity Sizemore said the team already has really good chemistry together, and the team’s motto is “Building strength through adversity.”

Sizemore said playing against bigger and harder teams makes the team better.

“It makes us better in the fact that the girls develop grit, that they develop a can-do attitude, as well as a winning attitude.

Just because you’re losing doesn’t mean you’re not winning in some other areas,” Sizemore said.

One of the biggest goals for Sizemore and her assistant coaches this year is developing players beyond the court. Sizemore said that in speaking to students, she often hears that they don’t want to come and

Courtesy photo from Mary Sizemore

Picture of the team delivering turkeys to Clatskanie Senior Center for Meals on Wheels during Thanksgiving break this year.

try out because basketball seems hard, and people don’t want to fail.

“The point is to come

and build lifetime friendships, to build outside skills that you will use throughout your lifetime,” Size-

more said. “As a teacher, I see coming out of Covid is the fact that our kids need to learn resilience and grit, how to push through the hard. And sports are ideal for teaching these kids that.”

Sizemore said it’s less about wins and losses and more about developing players. This development does not just refer to improving their skills and helping young adults prepare for the real world.

With more games coming up against tough competition before their mid-December pre-season tournament, Sizemore emphasized how pleased she is with the group that she has.

“I am extremely proud of all of these girls that have come out this season because they are pushing through the hard,” Sizemore said.

Light the tree with Rainier Winterfest Christmas parade,” Kreger said. “Winterfest, we’ve had this idea for a while; this year, we finally stepped forward. The goal was to turn the annual Christmas tree lighting from a one-trick pony to an all-month-long matter of events.”

One such event is a Brunch with Santa fundraiser that the Amani Center is putting on Dec. 9. Mike and Kitty will be attending the fundraiser at the Rainier High School cafeteria as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The annual Rainier Christmas tree lighting will be Dec. 3 at 5 p.m., and for the first time, the event will be hosted at the A Street Plaza downtown.

The new location isn’t the only new development. The lighting will feature a new tree, and this year, the lighting is part of the first annual “Rainier Winterfest.”

“It traditionally has been at City Hall, [it’s] a pretty popular event, but we outgrew that venue. So, some citizens took it upon themselves to create the Rainier Winterfest and take the event to the next level,” Mayor Jerry Cole said.

The event is being organized by the new Rainier Winterfest nonprofit organization. Kitty and Mike Kreger are the president and treasurer of the organization and have taken on many of the responsibilities for putting on the event. Those obligations even include becoming Santa and Mrs. Claus!

“Everybody will gather, Santa will then arrive, get the crowd engaged, and then he will magically light the tree,” Kreger said. “After the tree lighting, everyone will go inside the Rainier Eagles [lodge] right next to it, and there will be free cookies,

Community coming together

Courtesy photo

The annual Rainier Christmas tree lighting will be Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

cocoa, and coffee.”

Kreger also said that Fibre Federal Credit will be bringing supplies for coloring pages for the kids at the lodge after the lighting.

Mike and Kitty have been involved in the event for the last 15 years. This being the first Winterfest, Mike

•

Kreger said he hopes that the organization can transition from just one event to having continuous activity and involvement throughout the month of December.

“It’s a little bit more than what we’ve been able to do in the past, and next year, we plan to add the first annual

THEME: MATH 101 1. Loaded up 6. Tube in old TV 9. Pouches 13. Tequila source 14. Stick in water 15. Jig’s French cousin 16. TV’s “____ Secretary” 17. Money in Myanmar 18. Photoshop maker 19. *Result of multiplication 21. *Whole number 23. *Say 2+2 is 5, e.g.

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70. Sports official, for short 71. 8 of something 72. Like Gulf Stream 73. Big bang maker 74. Required things

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town.

“When the community comes down for the event, there’s all this positive energy and cheer. The smiles are on not just the kids’ faces but the parents’, too. It’s an opportunity to give back to the community but also bring the community together,” Kreger said. “Show up, enjoy the company, enjoy the energy, and the holiday spirit!”

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Solution for the Nov. 24, 2023 crossword puzzle

The Christmas tree lighting is a community-sponsored event. Kreger said that the response from businesses and people has been positive.

“We have quite a few people that have liked the Facebook page; the response has been just great as far as businesses and private persons getting involved and donating funds to make it possible,” Kreger said.

Some of the sponsors that have made the event possible are the Rainier Eagles #4022, the Rainier Masonic Lodge #25, Fibre Federal Credit Union, Rainier VFW Post #1909, Easy Living Construction, St Helens Masonic Lodge #32, Cascade Crest, and Wauna Credit Union.

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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD ACROSS

Cole said that he thinks the new location will benefit the businesses downtown and hopes that attendees of the lighting may go downtown and support the local restaurants and shops. Cole said this is a kick-off year for the event and hopes it will grow in the coming years.

Kreger said that events like the Christmas tree lighting mean a lot in a small