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John Beck Award winners announced

Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 141

July 5, 2023

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Two of St. Helens’ best middle school athletes received the annual John Beck Memorial Award, which recognizes athletic excellence and character and seeks to support athletes as they continue competing in high school.

Nate Peau and Jadyn Pense of St. Helens Middle School received the award at an assembly at the middle

school on June 16 with John Beck’s siblings in attendance.

The award is a remembrance of John Beck, a local teen who tragically died in a head-on collision on May 20, 1968. Beck was a formidable athlete who competed in multiple sports and was an exemplary student and community member. Alan Holinbeck is the Athletic Director at St. Helens Middle School and has been managing the award since 2019.

“The winner embodies John’s spirit of competition and does all the little things

(extra workouts on their own), that includes helping others get better too,” Holinbeck said. “That with a good GPA and comments from their educators goes with the awards they receive throughout the school year.” Peau and Pense were named the winners of the award out of six finalists.

These six were selected from a pool of 30 by a three-person committee made up of Holinbeck, one of the school’s administrators, and Athletic Supervisor. Peau participated in

football, wrestling, basketball, and track and field, while Pense took part in wrestling and track and field. Pense will continue on to play sports at St. Helens High School, while Peau will be attending Central Catholic.

“Nate is signed to play football at Central Catholic, but he will wrestle for the Lions over the next four years,” Holinbeck said.

Winners receive $600 to help support athletes continued athletic success through their four years of high school. For example, Holinbeck said that a past

winner used some of the funds she received to purchase a softball bat.

A Student Foundation committee disperses the funds, monitors that the athletes are making good use of their award money, and ensures they get reimbursed.

The award was presented for the first time to Dan Durbin in 1969. For a period from 1983 until about 1999, the award lay dormant. The award became revitalized through the work of Jim and Tom Linares in the late ‘90s, and the financial component was

introduced, according to Holinbeck. Since then, the award has been given out each year.

This year was exceptionally special, however, because there was a reunion of past winners hosted at the middle school on June 15 as a tribute and celebration of Beck. Holinbeck described it as “something special.”

The award is a remembrance of John Beck, a local teen who tragically died in a head-on collision on May 20, 1968.

Columbia County DA Auxier leaving office

Originally published in The Chief Vol. 132 July 7, 2023

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

After six years serving Columbia County, District Attorney Jeff Auxier is stepping down from his elected position effective July 7.

Auxier has accepted a senior deputy district attorney staff position in the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office and he cited a number of reasons for stepping away prematurely before his team ended in Columbia County.

“This is really a family decision. Something that my wife and I think is best for our family and our two boys. And I feel really good about the office that I’m leaving in Columbia County,” Auxier said. “I am someone who worked in Multnomah County for a little under ten years before coming out here, and I feel compelled to help with the public safety challenges that are happening in the city right now.”

Compensation in Auxier’s new position was also a factor. In his new position, Auxier is slated to make $204,637 per year within the Multnomah County DA’s office. As District Attorney in Co-

lumbia County, Auxier said he received about $131,000 from the state annually, and about $19,740 in additional compensation from the county per year, totaling approximately $150,000.

Auxier was originally elected in 2017, before being reelected in May of 2022. Auxier was slated to serve a second four-year term.

While he said he loves Columbia County and has enjoyed living here for the past ten years, Auxier added that he feels compelled to rejoin his colleagues in Multnomah County. Auxier and Multnomah County DA worked together in the misdemeanor unit “ages ago.”

“[Schmidt] is someone that I care about; I know he cares about that office, and he’s someone I’d be proud to work for,” Auxier said.

Auxier said he’s been considering the move for most of the spring. While he will be stepping down, Auxier said he doesn’t foresee his successor changing approaches to cases and investigations that Auxier was managing.

What’s next?

The next step will be a governor-appointed interim DA who works in the criminal justice division of the

Oregon Department of Justice. That person will serve as acting DA until the governor makes an official appointment, according to Auxier.

Auxier noted that his two chief deputies would remain in the office. With them being involved in all of the major investigations and cases, Auxier assured that there would still be continuity.

Auxier said that whoever the governor appoints as district attorney will then be up for election in the May 2024 primary.

In his six years as Columbia County District Attorney, Auxier said his biggest accomplishment was the team that he has assembled.

“The biggest point of pride for me is the team of prosecutors who I have assembled in the office. I think we really have a great combination of experience that rivals any office in the state, including the major metropolitan offices,” Auxier said. “Simultaneously, having a lot of young lawyers who bring a lot of energy to the office, and are excited to work here and are moving their families here.”

Auxier said the office has a statewide reputation as an office that people want to come and work for. The people he is leaving the office to is the accomplishment he’s

most proud of, Auxier said. Gov. Tina Kotek announced June 29 that she is seeking applications to fill Auxier’s post by appointment. Applications will be accepted through July 24.

In a release, the Governor’s Office said it welcomes applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

Applicants must submit a District Attorney Interest Form to the Governor’s Of-

fice. Please note that the District Attorney Interest Form is not the same form that is used for judicial vacancies. The District Attorney Interest Form is available online: Interest Form.

Interested applicants should address their completed application forms to Richard A. Lane, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, and email (no mail or hand delivery) those completed forms to Shevaun Gutridge

at shevaun.gutridge@oregon. gov. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023. Oregon law requires that, at the time of appointment, the appointee must be admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Oregon (ORS 8.630 and ORS 8.640).

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

Courtesy photo from Alan Holinbeck Nate Peau with his family.

Courtesy photo from Alan Holinbeck Jadyn Pense with her family.

Courtesy photo from Alan Holinbeck

The two winners with the very first winner in 1969, Dan Durbin.