Our Town South: Feb. 1, 2023

Federal aid Aumsville gets $1.25 million toward water treatment project

By James Day

Aumsville has received another $1.25 million to help its effort to replace its water treatment facility.

In one of the last acts of his seven terms in  Congress, U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader of the 5th District dispersed $33 million for 14 community projects in the district, including the $1.25 million for Aumsville.

“As my time in Congress comes to a close,” Schrader wrote in a Dec. 23 press release, “I am grateful that the rural communities that I’ve been honored to represent will receive these critical investments that will benefit its citizens for many years to come.”

The federal funds came from a $1.7 trillion federal spending package signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 20.

The appropriation adds to the funding pile Aumsville has been accumulating to build a new water treatment plant that will meet state Department of Environmental Quality standards that were revised in 2019.

“The area of concern is the ammonia content and the fact that the city’s lagoon treatment facility could not meet the newer standards set by DEQ,” Aumsville City Manager Ron Harding told Our Town. “Many smaller communities in Oregon are facing the same issues.”

Failing to meet the standards means no shot at receiving the required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit that would allow the city to discharge its effluent into the North Santiam River, Harding said.

Aumsville has approved a capital facility plan that includes a new water treatment plant and now is in the daunting fundraising phase that must come up with $28 million to do the work.

An earlier $1 million grant from Marion County, $1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the new money from Schrader and $1.2 million in system development charges for new construction means Aumsville has about $4.5 million toward the new infrastructure, Harding said.

Harding said the city continues to seek funds from the legislature, grants, and funding programs offered by the state and federal programs, Harding said. The city is facing a 2028 deadline to meet the new requirements.

“The city is very optimistic about all of the programs from the ARPA and federal infrastructure bill, that we can meet this challenge and keep some or most of the cost of a new facility from impacting affordable housing in our community as the cost of utilities is just as relevant to affordability as the cost of a home,” Harding said. “We have always been an attractive community to live in because of our proximity to larger communities.”

Jim Church 503-910-7784 jimc@powerautogroup.com

Delana Johnson 503-769-7100 delana@powerautogroup.com

Brian Heinrich 503-504-3629 brian@powerautogroup.com

Ryan Church 503-769-7100 ryan@powerautogroup.com

Wastewater flows into one of the lagoons along Highway 22 in Aumsville. The city must replace its water treatment plant because it cannot meet new state environmental standards with its current setup.  SUBMITTED PHOTO

Stayton lobbying for $14.5 million in federal funds

By Stephen Floyd

The City of Stayton has partnered with a lobbying firm to pursue $14.5 million in federal grants for local infrastructure development, with efforts to begin in earnest this March.

The city is working with Salem firm CFM Advocates, who also lobbied for Sherwood while Stayton City Manager Julia Hajduk worked there as community development director until beginning her current role last June.

Hajduk said she believed the firm could help Stayton as well, and invited lobbyist Michael Skipper to the Dec. 19, 2022, Stayton City Council meeting to discuss initial efforts and specific goals the city could pursue.

Skipper said CFM Advocates would target congressional appropriations, which are funds earmarked in the federal budget at the request of legislators for specific projects. He said these funds come from taxpayers including local residents and ought to support local projects.

“We work with you to try and bring as much of that back to Stayton as we can to benefit you and your residents and make the community a better place,” said Skipper. He said CFM Advocates has identified $14.5 million worth of infrastructure improvement projects they believe are strong candidates when they submit formal proposals to Oregon’s Congressional delegation in early March. He said public infrastructure proposals tend to fare better

than others and, even though there is not a firm cap on appropriation requests, past practice says $4 million is the highest amount generally approved and projects below $3 million are most likely to receive support.

Based on those criteria, and priorities expressed by city department heads, Skipper said they plan to pursue $4 million for a roundabout at the intersection of Shaff Road SE and Wilco Road, $3 million for water system upgrades, $3 million for road improvements, $2.5 million to expand the water main on Jetters Way, and $2 million in stormwater improvements to the west side of town. He said the roundabout and stormwater improvements would help attract industrial development to the west side, potentially creating jobs both locally and regionally, and making these proposals in particular attractive candidates for appropriations.

Skipper said, though formal submissions will not be accepted until March, CFM Advocates will begin lobbying now for the projects, working to familiarize legislators with Stayton and its goals. He said this helps give proposals a competitive edge.

Skipper said they can help Stayton pursue other grant opportunities as they work with the city to identify viable funding sources. Hajduk clarified the funding amounts sought through appropriations do not reflect all funding needed to complete each project, but rather the dollar figures most likely to receive support.

Lyons receives $1.52 million grant

The City of Lyons has been awarded a $1.52 million state grant to improve pedestrian safety at MariLinn Elementary School.

The awards were announced Jan. 12 by the Oregon Department of Transportation as part of its regular Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program, which saw a total of $32.4 million awarded for 26 projects this funding cycle.

The city submitted its application in August and was among 83 applications reviewed by the Safe Routes Advisory Committee in November. SRTS Program Manager LeeAnne Fergason said all applications were “outstanding” and, when narrowing down applications, the committee prioritized low-income areas and schools with serious safety concerns.

“So our Safe Routes Advisory Committee worked very hard to review and rank the proposals,” said Fergason in a Jan. 12 press release from ODOT. Lyons plans to complete a sidewalk in front of the school and move current sidewalks closer to the building. They also plan to construct a crosswalk outside the school.

The city will be required to provide matching funds of $304,000 to use the grant. Improvements must be completed within five years.

– Stephen Floyd

“Whitney and Mike are a great team, working hard to find us the right home at the right price, providing housing and area data which was very helpful to us as newcomers to the Willamette Valley. Communications were superb and enough time was taken with us to culture an indepth understanding and focus on our complex needs/desires. Thank you Ulvens!”

Whitney & Mike Ulven

– Marcia & Frans

Problem solving Positive notes on Detroit Lake fish passage

By James Day

The discussion of how to manage Detroit Lake levels and the fate of endangered fish stocks continued on Jan. 12 in Stayton.

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers held a public meeting to discuss the latest draft environmental impact statement (EIS) at the Stayton Community Center. The event was attended by more than 50 people, including Detroit Mayor Jim Trett and Councilors Denny Nielsen and Eric Page, Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron and Fritz Graham, field representative for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.

The new proposal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, released on Nov. 30, is a 2,243-page draft environmental impact statement for a program that would affect all 13 Willamette reservoirs, including Detroit Lake.

The document is undergoing a comment period that lasts through Feb. 23. Other in-person public meetings were held in Springfield, Eugene and Sweet Home.

The Corps has been working to resolve fish passage and water temperature issues since 2008, when a National Marine Fisheries Service “biological opinion” concluded that the continued operation and maintenance of the Willamette dams “was insufficient to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence” of endangered Chinook and steelhead stocks.

The Corps is under a court order to take action to improve threatened winter steelhead and spring Chinook salmon stocks in the Willamette basin, and the new EIS is intended to be a response to the court order.

The long-delayed and long-analyzed project is going through a bit of a reboot.

Instead of Corps officials working specifically on Detroit, the new EIS reflects a broader initiative that covers the entire 13-dam system.

Earlier proposals for Detroit included consideration of building a massive tower near the dam to address the water temperature issue and a giant weir to move fish around the dam. Such structures also are part of the preferred alternative in the revised plan, but the plan is for a lake level that will make it easier for recreation interests to operate at Detroit Lake. The process is of keen interest in the Santiam Canyon because of the tourism value of Detroit Lake. If solutions to the fish passage/temperature challenges require lowering the lake level to a significant degree, the region’s economy will suffer.

Nielsen noted that “we don’t know which way to jump in the community until a final decision is made on which alternative to go with.”

But Nielsen also added that he was “encouraged that they are making decisions on freshened modeling. And the longer we have lots of water late in the season the better off we are going to be. The recreational community in places like Detroit is just as endangered as the fish.”

The proposal is intended to improve conditions for ESA-listed fish while providing flexibility for the USACE to meet water demands for fish and wildlife, water supply, hydropower generation, and recreation. The EIS says the Corps can meet project goals by “using a combination of modified operations and structural improvements, along with other measures to balance water management flexibility and meet ESA-listed fish obligations.”

The Sip, a sample event, debuts Feb. 18 in Stayton

Tickets are now on sale for The Sip – A Sampling of the Region to be held Feb. 18, 5-7 p.m. in downtown Stayton.

The Stayton Sublimity Chamber is launching this new event. Ticketholders will receive a participation bracelet, sample glass souvenir, and five tickets for samples. Then they are off to tour downtown businesses and enjoy tastes of beers, wine and spirits crafted in Oregon, many local to the Willamette

Valley. There will also be bites from local restaurants and entrepreneurs. And additional sample tickets will be available for purchase. Participants will be able to purchase bottles or growlers to take home from participating vendors. Businesses interested in sponsorship, being a vendor, or downtown Stayton locations interested in hosting vendors should contact the chamber at info@ staytonsublimitychamber.org.

The earlier approach with the tower and the weir also was reviewed by the Corps. However, that alternative would be “the costliest alternative to implement” at more than $110 million per year, the draft report said. This high cost, the report said, “make it unlikely this alternative would be acceptable to many stakeholders, agencies and the public.”

The Corps timeline for the preferred alternative at Detroit calls for a temperature control tower to be completed by 2031 and downstream fish passage work to be completed by 2035. No final budget or sources of funding were itemized.

“I see an attitudinal change that is very positive,” Nielsen said. “It was more positive, more human and communitycentric than it has been in the past.”

The past includes more-explosive public sessions, both in Stayton and Gates, in the 2017-18 iteration of the project. At those sessions Detroit and Santiam Canyon interests felt they weren’t being listened to amid Corps proposals that might have severely limited lake use for perhaps as long as two years.

To Get Involved

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comment on the draft environmental impact statement for the Willamette River basin through Feb. 19. Email willamette.eis@usace.army.mil and put “Willamette Valley System Draft EIS” in the subject field or write to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn. CENWVP-PME-E / Willamette EIS, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946. Copies of the draft environmental impact statement and other documents are at public libraries in Stayton, Salem, Corvallis and Eugene as well as the Linn-Benton Community College library in Albany.

Key Objectives

1. Greater flexibility in water management (refill, drawdown timing, etc.).

2. Create nature-based structures that help prevent bank erosion.

3. Greater flexibility in hydropower production.

4. Increase ESA-listed fish passage survival at dams.

5. Improve water management during the conservation season to benefit ESA-listed fish and other project purposes.

6. Improve water quality to benefit ESA-listed species.

7. Reduce spawning and rearing habitat competition caused by hatchery fish.

Advisor

A salmon traveling up a fish chute at the Minto Fish Facility in Gates. JAMES DAY

Passages

Joel Matthew Pikl, 54, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Dec. 9, 2022 while at home in Madras, Oregon. He was the youngest of five sons born to Dr. Otto and Donna Pikl of Aumsville.

Joel graduated from Central Oregon Community College in 2012 and from Oregon State University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree. A talented artist, Joel’s artwork was selected by two college art departments to be on the cover of the “Celebrate Academic Excellence” brochure in 2012.

Joel was an enthusiastic gardener and enjoyed outdoor activities, including boating, camping, fishing and geology. He was excited to find bargains which he would share with others. His happy times were doing the chicken dance with his

daughters and playing cut-throat UNO on family game night.

Joel was noted for his kindness, compassion, and caring for the needs of others, especially those with special needs.

Preceding him in death were his father, Otto, and his brothers, Christopher and Mark.

Joel is survived by his wife, Wendy, of 21 years; two daughters, Jessica and Kara of Central Oregon; mother, Donna Pikl; brothers, Jeffrey Pikl and Brian Pikl; two granddaughters, Marlie and Steffie; and two stepchildren.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Jan. 28 at Mt. View Wesleyan Church in Aumsville.

Submissions welcomed: Send birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, college graduation or obituary of a local resident to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or drop it by our office at 2340 Martin Dr. #104, Stayton.

Frequent Address

Santiam Senior Center, 41848 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton Stayton Community Center, 400 W Virginia St. Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave.

Weekly Events

Monday

Stayton Community Food Bank, 9 a.m. - noon, 1210 Wilco Road. Repeats

Monday - Friday. 503-769-4088

Santiam Senior Center, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Seniors 50 and older. Daily, weekly, monthly events. 503-767-2009, santiamseniorcenter.com

Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m. Delivery only. Age 60 and older. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Repeats Wednesday, Friday. $3 donation suggested. For delivery, call Ginger, 503-769-7995.

Covid-19, Flu, RSV Testing, 2 - 5 p.m., Ditter’s Square, 134 W Main St., Sublimity. Pre-register at LabDash. net. Appointments required: santiamhospital.org/coronavirus.

Repeats 2 - 4:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. 503-769-3230

Covid-19 Vaccinations, 2 – 5 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Vaccines, boosters for those 6 months and older. Mon. - Fri. Appointments at santiamhospital.org.

Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m. Regular games $.05 a card. Blackout $.10 a card. 50 and older. Repeats Thursdays. 503-767-2009 Santiam Canyon Community Chorus, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway, Mill City. New members welcome. Jo Ann, 503-859-2502.

Tuesday

Family Storytime, 11:05 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore literacy through songs, stories. For children and family members of all ages. Free. 503-769-3313

English/GED/Citizenship

Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road. Free class. Workbook is $20. Runs through June.

Repeats Thurs. Mary, 503-779-7029

Wednesday

Stayton/Sublimity Chamber Business Network, 8:15 a.m. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Coffee, light refreshments served. Location varies each week. For location, call 503-769-3464.

St. Boniface Archives and Museum, 9 a.m. - noon, 370 Main St., Sublimity. Learn about Sublimity and possibly your family history. Free. 503-508-0312

Tai Chi for Intermediates, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009

Baby & Toddler Time, 11:05 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore the world of early literacy through movement, songs, rhymes, play. For infants and toddlers up to 24 months and their caregivers. Free. 503-769-3313

Tai Chi for Beginners, 11:15 a.m.noon, Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009

Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Guests welcome. 503-5089431, staytonarearotary.org

Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

Beginner Line Dancing Class, 12:301:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

Advanced Line Dancing Class, 2 - 3 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

GriefShare, 6 - 8 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. National, nondenominational support group. Runs through April 26. Register at griefshare.org or contact Christy, 406-431-8256.

Thursday

Sublimity Quilters, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Make quilts for local community donations and charities. Everything is provided. New members welcome.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1077 N Sixth Ave., Stayton. Families with young children can visit St. Anne’s Atrium to learn about the bible and learn life skills. RSVP to Sacha Eztel, 503-769-2656; dre@immacstayton.org.

Mama´s Community Market, 1 - 4 p.m., Aumsville Pentecostal Church, 10153 Mill Creek Road. Food Pantry. 971-710-5665

Point Man Ministries, 6 p.m., Canyon Bible Fellowship, 446 Cedar St., Lyons. Veterans’ support group. 503-859-2627

Friday

Cars & Coffee, 8 a.m., Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Bring your classic vehicles for coffee, breakfast. Family Fit & Fun, 11:05 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Move, grow, explore. For children and family members of all ages. Free. 503-769-3313

Saturday

After-Season Indoor Market, 10 a.m. - noon, Silverton Friends Church, 229 Eureka Ave. Local produce, eggs, meats, artisan crafts. Free admission.

Revival Youth Hangout, 5 - 6:30 p.m., New Hope Community Church, 657 N Second Ave., Stayton. Youth of the area are welcome. Follow “Revival_ Heartbeat” on Instagram and Tiktok. revivalheartbeat@gmail.com

Notices

Scrambled Reading Challenge

Stayton Public Library is hosting a Scrambled Reading Challenge through Feb. 14. Read to earn letters. Scramble the letters to make a word and claim a prize. All ages. 503-769-3313

Local Art Show

Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave., is hosting an art show Feb. 4 - March 4 featuring works of local artists. Art will be displayed in the library and available to view during open hours. 503-769-3313

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Chamber Business Network

8:15 a.m., SCA Detailing, 615 E Jefferson St., Stayton. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Sponsored by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. 503-769-3464

Caregiver Connection

1 - 2 p.m., Zoom. Free educational support group for unpaid family caregivers caring for a loved one 60 years of age or older, or caring for a person living with dementia. For Zoom invite and register, call 503-304-3432.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Groundhog Day

Dungeons & Dragons

5:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Play Dungeons & Dragons . Sign up at https://bit.ly/3GRzRPB and choose Feb. 2 or Feb. 23. Age 12 and older. Free. 503-769-3313

Friday, Feb. 3

Red Cross Blood Drive

10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Volksfest

11 a.m. - midnight, Mt. Angel Festhalle, 500 NE Wilco Hwy. A celebration of German sausage. Includes live music, entertainment, local craft brews and wine, food and craft vendors, Volkswalks for all ages. Tickets are $10; no charge for anyone under 21. Seniors 65 and older are $5. Repeats 11 a.m. - midnight Feb. 4, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Feb. 5. A full schedule of events is online at mtangelvolksfest.com.

Art Show Opening

6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Opening receptions for an art show featuring local artists. Meet the artists. Light refreshments. 503-769-3313, staytonlibrary.org

Saturday, Feb. 4

Stout & Ale Fest

2 - 10 p.m., Oregon Garden Grand Hall, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Beverages from 13 breweries. Vendors. Tickets include a mug and 10 taster tickets. $15 pre-sale at silverfallsbrewery.com. $20 at the door. Benefits the Jason Franz Grant Fund.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Shaw Knights of Columbus Breakfast

7:30 - 10 a.m., St. Mary Parish Hall, 9168 Silver Falls Hwy., Shaw. Homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit cup, coffee, juice. Cost: $9 adults, $2 children 12 and under. 503-362-6159

Monday, Feb. 6

Santiam Artists Connection

10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Old School Community Center, 22057 Emma St., Lyons. Artists gather to paint and draw. Each artist brings own supplies and projects.All levels welcome. Free; donations to Community Art Center accepted. Santiamh2a.org

Stayton City Council

7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Maker Lab

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Drop in all week and try out a craft activity. Limited number of take-home supply kits available starting Feb. 11, while supplies last. Free. 503-769-3313

Stayton Parks and Rec Board

6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-3425

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Retiring Joyfully Workshop

5:30 p.m., Union Hill Grange, 15775 SE Grange Road, Sublimity. Get more clarity and purpose to retirement. Free. Contact AnnetteJensen@RetireJoyfully.com.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Macrame Heart Wall Hanging

5:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Use macrame knots to create a heart wall hanging. Age 11+. Free. 503-769-3313

Aumsville Fire District

6:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-7492894, aumsvillefire.org

Lyons Library Board

7 p.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. 503-859-2366

Friday, Feb. 10

Red Cross Blood Drive

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Teddy Bear Tea

2 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Bring your favorite stuffed animal for tea in the library. Free. Space is limited. RSVP by Feb. 9 at the library. For children and a family member of their choice.

503-769-3313

KYAC Concert Series

7 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. Mark Stewart performs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $25 per person. Tickets available at the door or through kyacfm. org. Benefits the ongoing programs and community outreach of KYAC.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Brown House Tour

Noon - 2 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Tour the historic Charles and Martha Brown House. $5/person. Children under 18 are free. Open to public. 503-769-8860

Monday, Feb. 13

Sublimity City Council

6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org

Aumsville City Council

7 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St. Open to the public. 503-749-2030

Lyons Fire District Board

7 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-859-2410, lyonsrfd.org

Stayton Fire District

7 p.m.,. Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-2601, staytonfire.org

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day

Ancestry Detectives

10 a.m. - noon, Silverton Senior Center. Rhonda McClure, senior genealogist with NEHGS, speaks on “Going Offline: Researching at Libraries, Archives and Other Repositories.” Meeting also available on Zoom. Kathy, 503-508-4251, ancestrydetectives.org

Dementia Care Conversations

3 - 4 p.m. Zoom. Free group for unpaid caregivers providing support to a loved one living with dementia. The focus is to provide dementia care information, training and resources to family caregivers. Offered by Family Caregiver Support Program at NorthWest Senior and Disability Services. To request a referral to the group, contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 503-304-3420.

Repeats Feb. 28.

RDS Board Meeting

6 p.m., Beauchamp Building, 278 E High St., Stayton. Revitalize Downtown Stayton monthly meeting. Open to public. 503-767-2317, downtownstayton.org

Cascade School Board

7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Stayton Library Board

6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313

Thursday, Feb. 16

NSSD Board

6 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Board meeting for North Santiam School District. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us

Sleeping Beauty

7 p.m., Spotlight Community Theatre, 383 N Third Ave., Stayton. Enjoy Sleeping Beauty, a musical play. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors, $8 youth. Tickets at spotlightcommunitytheatre.com. Repeats 7 p.m. Feb. 17 - 18, 23 - 25; 2 p.m. Feb. 18 -19, 25 - 26. 503-302-0936

Friday, Feb. 17

Red Cross Blood Drive

Noon - 5 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1077 N Sixth Ave., Stayton. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Sip

3 - 7 p.m., downtown Stayton. Samples of beer, wine and spirits crafted in Oregon, and appetizers and treats from local restaurants and entrepreneurs. Tickets include a commemorative glass and five taster tickets. Bottles and growlers available for purchase from participating vendors. Tickets available at Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce, 175 E High St., Stayton.

Flea Market

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Crafts, collectibles. Hamburger lunch available to go and limited seating. Free admission, parking. 503-859-2161

Art Mart

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. Locally-created, handmade art and crafts projects. Masks are encouraged. Vendor spaces $20. For vendor’s application, email kenc@wvi. com or call 503-507-2941.

Bethel Clothing Closet

10 a.m. - noon, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Clothing from newborn to 2x. Free. 503-749-2128

Joseph’s Storehouse of Hope

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons. Food boxes. 503-881-9846

Life Size Clue

Noon, Stayton Public Library. Life-size version of the classic whodunit, Clue. Donuts served. Age 11 - 18. Free. 503-769-3313

Monday, Feb. 20

President’s Day

Tuesday, Feb. 21

North Santiam Watershed Council

6 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. For Zoom link information, call 503-930-8202 or email council@northsantiam.org.

Stayton City Council

7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov

Thursday, Feb. 23

Red Cross Blood Drive

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Book Discussion

4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Discuss The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Free. 503-769-3313

Monday, Feb. 27

Free Playgroup

10 - 11:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1077 N Sixth Ave., Stayton. Free playgroup for families with children age 5 and younger. Activities, snack. RSVP to mweeks@ familybuildingblocks.org or 503-769-1120.

Vigil for Peace

2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Towne Square Park, Silverton. Silverton People for Peace gather to advocate for peace, social justice issues on all levels of society including a focus on issues of current concern. Open to all. 503-873-5307

Sublimity Planning Commission

4:30 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson St. Open to public. Agenda available. cityofsubllmity.org

Stayton Planning Commission

7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to the public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Lyons City Council

6:30 p.m., Lyons City Hall, 449 Fifth St. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-859-2167, cityoflyons.org

Datebook Submission

Send date, time, location, activity, cost, contact information to: datebook@ mtangelpub.com.

Defining negligence PacifiCorp suit partially dismissed as trial nears

By Stephen Floyd

A class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp by survivors of multiple 2020 wildfires has been partially dismissed, with remaining claims headed to trial April 24.

On Jan. 10, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Stefan Alexander granted summary judgment in Jeanyne James, et al. v. PacifiCorp, ruling in defendant’s favor on one count of alleged negligence and a request for a safety injunction.

Six causes for damages remain, with plaintiffs seeking $2.2 billion on behalf of roughly 20,000 survivors of the 2020 Santiam Canyon, Obenchain, Echo Mountain Complex and 242 fires. PacifiCorp is accused of negligently causing or intensifying the fires, a claim the company strongly denies.

Alexander ruled in response to a motion for partial summary judgment filed by PacifiCorp Oct. 27, 2022. PacifiCorp sought rulings in its favor on six out of seven causes of action. The motion argued plaintiffs had failed to support claims of negligence, gross negligence, private nuisance, and public nuisance and trespassing. It also said they failed to demonstrate why the court should grant an injunction compelling PacifiCorp to take additional steps to mitigate fire risks.

Alexander rejected most of the defendant’s arguments, but granted a ruling on the issue of “negligence per se”, which describes an act that negligently violates a specific law.

Plaintiffs claimed PacifiCorp negligently violated Oregon laws requiring public utilities to safely maintain and operate their equipment. PacifiCorp said the laws in question do not specifically define safety standards and determining whether or not they were

negligently violated would require an interpretation of the laws, which is not allowed in a claim of negligence per se.

Separate counts of common law negligence – which defines a failure to exercise a reasonable level of care, and gross negligence – which defines an extreme departure from reasonable levels of care – were allowed to remain.

Alexander ruled in favor of the defendants on a request by plaintiffs for an injunction compelling PacifiCorp to adopt technologies that have proven effective in preventing wildfires, such as burying transmission lines and de-energizing lines during wildfire conditions. While attorneys for the plaintiffs argued it was acceptable in lawsuits to request injunctions that prevent further injury, PacifiCorp argued the injunction was a separate matter from in the lawsuit, as the 2020 fires are no longer a threat and court intervention cannot prevent further harm.

The judge determined the remaining claims challenged by PacifiCorp, including private nuisance (harm to private individuals), public nuisance (harm to the public) and trespass (encroaching on the rights of property owners) should be decided by a jury.

A claim of inverse condemnation, which accuses PacifiCorp of taking private land for its utility infrastructure and causing damage to that land, was not challenged.

This ruling comes after Alexander ordered a PacifiCorp claims agent to testify about information obtained regarding the potential cause and origin of the fires.

The agent was deposed last October, and during her testimony she received multiple reminders

Stayton man gets prison for witness tampering

A Stayton man has been sentenced to more than a yearand-a-half in prison after being convicted of attempting to suppress the testimony of a woman he allegedly assaulted last year.

Jared Daniel Limbeck, 39, pleaded guilty Jan. 6 in Marion County Circuit Court to witness tampering and was sentenced to 20 months in prison and two years of postprison supervision. He had been scheduled for a trial that day and faced up to five years in prison.

Limbeck was originally charged Sept. 6, 2022, with strangulation and fourth-degree assault for an incident two days prior in which he allegedly attacked and injured a woman in a domestic assault. Then, on Sept. 8, 2022, he called the victim from the Marion County

Jail and attempted to coerce her into ignoring a court summons and changing her testimony, which led to two counts of tampering with a witness charged in a new case on Oct. 11, 2022.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the assault case.

Limbeck has a history of domestic violence arrests including in 2013 when he was charged with seconddegree assault for attacking a woman with a knife, and in 2018 when he was charged with fourth-degree assault for injuring the same victim, both incidents occurring in front of the woman’s children. For the 2013 assault, Limbeck was sentenced to two months in jail, and for the 2018 assault he was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

from PacifiCorp attorneys to not share privileged information. PacifiCorp attorneys said this was standard practice as the agent was acting under their direction. The plaintiffs argued these reminders had a chilling effect and caused the agent to limit her testimony.

Plaintiffs told the judge the testimony of the claims agent and other PacifiCorp employees was vital because it is no longer possible to directly examine fire damage. Much of it has been cleaned up and the workers who directly witnessed and documented such damage are now primary sources of information. They asked PacifiCorp be compelled to allow such employees to testify, saying similar instances to the October deposition have occurred with several other PacifiCorp employees with attorneys allegedly coaching witnesses to not answer questions about the cause and origin of the fire.

Parties argued the matter during a hearing Dec. 19, 2022. Eight days later Alexander ordered the claims agent to be deposed once more and answer questions about opinions they had formed regarding the cause of the fires, and to produce evidence including written notes, photos and video documenting their findings.

Rivalry to celebrate

When the basketball schedules pop up on the OSAA website I immediately put the Stayton-Cascade dates on my calendar. Why? Because there is no better rivalry in the Stayton, Santiam Canyon or Silverton area that I cover.

Take Jan. 24th’s doubleheader for example. The gym at Stayton was full, a new oversized flag was introduced along the north wall, an Oregon National Guardsman blew the roof off with his rendition of the national anthem and fans ate it all up along with tubs of popcorn and bottles of water and the occasional McDonald’s takeout bag.

Everyone knows each other.

Everyone is glad to be inside and out of the cold and decked out in warm, durable boots. The two teams care about every play and every possession and play like their hair is on fire.

The two schools do it again Feb. 9. Mark it on YOUR calendar. I will be out of town that day, which made being on site Jan. 24 a must. With that as an introduction, here is a look at the high school hoops scene in the region:

Boys: Cascade won a Class 4A title a year ago, in a tournament that featured a Cascade-Stayton quarterfinal. The Cougars are under new management, with Justin Amaya taking over for Calvin Molan. Amaya caught the rivalry mood perfectly by going on the road to Stayton in a gold sports coat with black polka dots. The gold coat magic seemed to work, with the night ending in Cascade’s favor 97-52.

Cascade, 12-2 overall and ranked No. 3 at presstime, lost Kellen Sande and big man Dominic Ball this year, but returns twin

dynamos Samuel and Spencer Horne

The 6-3 peroxided pair tortured Stayton, combining for 42 points and 6 3-pointers. Their long wing spans are perfect for Amaya’s 1-2-2 press and they seem to have motors that just won’t quit. Set up a 2 on 2 tournament and I’ll take the Hornes in a heartbeat. They will run you out of the gym.

Stayton is 11-4 and ranked seventh.

The Eagles lost some key playmakers this year, Oregon West player of the year Jacob Axmaker and versatile wing Gabe Wigginton, but big man Garrett Callsen (22 points vs. Cascade) is back for his senior year and coach Aaron Muhic has Gavin Berning and Jace Aguilar on hand to nail the big shots.

A big challenge for both Cascade and Stayton is that the Oregon West is stacked, with Philomath ranked No. 1 and North Marion 5th.

The team or teams that emerge to represent the OWC in Forest Grove for the 4A tournament will be playoff tough. Regis, which took fourth last year in the 2A tournament in Pendleton, has added Diego Aguilar, a transfer from Jefferson.

The spring-loaded 5-10 senior unloaded on Santiam for 28 points on Jan. 10 in a 58-57 loss. He has playmaking partners in Isaiah Koehnke and Noah Koenig to assist. The Rams are ranked 11th and are

11-7 overall (they played three 6A teams plus 5A Silverton in the preseason) and 6-3 in the Tri-River East, battling with 6-2 Kennedy for second place behind unbeaten Santiam.

The Rams hold the lone league win against Western Christian, which is tied for first in the Tri-River West with Salem Academy. Another trip to Pendleton for Regis and coach Jason Koehnke looks quite possible.

Girls: Cascade is playing for the first time in more than 30 years under someone other than Mark Stevens

Nick Randall, who served under Stevens, is 6-6 overall and 2-0 in Oregon West play with a team that features multiyear starter Meah Carley and playmaking junior Maddie Dustin

Stayton is 8-7 overall and 1-1 in league after falling 57-50 to Cascade.

The Eagles, always scrappy under coach Wendi Nyquist, are led by post players Liv Smart and Kenzi Hollenbeck and sharpshooter Lydia Bielenberg. Of those three only Bielenberg is a senior.

Regis is 14-5 overall, 6-3 in the Tri-River East and ranked 9th in Class 2A, with a lineup that includes nary a senior starter.

Coach Bart Stepp starts three freshmen

– Clara Persons, Mackenzie Schacher and Hadley Foster – plus juniors Kaylee Silbernagel and Adelle Otter.

“The freshmen that are playing varsity have the potential to be very successful basketball players at Regis,” Stepp told Our Town. “They have played lots of basketball together growing up and have a good feel for the game. A big part of the first half of the season was incorporating

them in with our experienced upperclassmen and getting them used to playing with each other.  I’m looking forward to the next month of basketball.”

That goes for me, too.

Football: Stayton-area athletes earned nine spots on the Class 4A all-state teams. Ty Borde and Cody Leming of Stayton earned a pair of honors, Borde at second-team linebacker and honorable mention running back, and Leming as second-team punter and honorable mention at quarterback.

Other Eagles honored were Brock Hubert (second team DL), Kale Hubert (honorable mention linebacker), Gabe Erickson (honorable mention OL) and Jace Aguilar (honorable mention wide receiver), Cascade placed one player, honorable mention defensive back Karsten Sande.

Officials Needed: The Oregon Athletic Officials Association and the Oregon School Activities Association are recruiting officials for the high school spring sports seasons.  There is an immediate need for umpires in baseball and softball. Becoming a high school official has several benefits, including staying involved in athletics, maintaining good physical condition and earning extra spending money, said OAOA Executive Director Jack Folliard. “Oregon has an urgent need for officials in all sports,” Folliard said.  “Officials provide valuable service to high schools and students, make a positive impact in the community and build relationships.”

Those interested in becoming a baseball or softball umpire should visit  www.newofficials.org.

Sports Datebook Home Game Varsity Contests

Thursday, Feb. 2

Wrestling

6 p.m. Stayton vs Junction City

TBD Regis vs Kennedy

Girls Basketball

5:30 p.m. Cascade vs Philomath

Boys Basketball

7 p.m. Cascade vs Philomath

Monday, Feb. 6

Boys Basketball

5:30 p.m. Stayton vs North

Marion

Girls Basketball

7 p.m. Stayton vs North

Marion

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Boys Basketball

6 p.m. Regis vs Kennedy

Girls Basketball

7:30 p.m. Regis vs Kennedy

Thursday, Feb. 9

Boys Basketball

5:30 p.m. Cascade vs Stayton

6 p.m. Regis vs Colton

Girls Basketball

7 p.m. Cascade vs Stayton

7:30 p.m. Regis vs Colton

Friday, Feb. 10

Wrestling

5 p.m. Cascade vs Stayton

Monday, Feb. 13

Boys Basketball

5:30 p.m. Stayton vs Newport

Girls Basketball

7 p.m. Stayton vs Newport

Thursday, Feb. 16

Boys Basketball

5:30 p.m. Cascade vs Newport

Girls Basketball

7 p.m. Cascade vs Newport

Monday, Feb. 20

Boys Basketball

5:30 p.m. Stayton vs Sweet Home

Girls Basketball

7 p.m. Stayton vs Sweet Home

A Grin at the End

The good, the bad... and the handy!

By Carl Sampson

About 20 years ago I was ensconced in my La-Z-Boy trying to figure out some stuff. The immediate topic at hand was how to make television better. No, I wasn’t thinking about what shows folks would watch; I was thinking about when they could watch them.

“Wouldn’t it be great to be able to go on the internet and pick any show you wanted whenever you wanted to watch it?” I asked our youngest son, who was five at the time.

Of course, he agreed that being able to watch an endless stream of Roadrunner cartoons would be the best invention ever. When Netflix and all of the other streaming services came into being, I was in tall cotton. My wife and I are now able to watch all 483 million episodes of Blue Bloods whenever we want. That got me to thinking. What are some of the other inventions that have made life better for me – and a lot of other people?

At or near the top would have to be remote controls. First there were remote controls for televisions. This was a major breakthrough in the 1950s. Now, however, lots of gizmos have remotes. Garage door openers save me from getting drenched almost every day in the winter.

Other remotes turn on the lights and turn off the heater without me getting off the couch.

So good!

Gortex and other waterproof fabrics have been a boon to everyone living on wet side of the Northwest. I remember when I was a kid. Whenever it rained my mom would pull out this bright yellow plastic

rain coat that smelled like the inside of a rubber boot. It came with a bright yellow plastic hood that had the added benefit of blocking the vision of the wearer. Now waterproof jackets keep me dry without turning into a portable greenhouse. Among the good inventions have been a few clinkers, the cell phone being one. I resent having to carry one around. It is like being followed. It rings when I’m getting dressed. It rings when I’m eating lunch. It rings when I am standing in line for communion. I can come up with maybe a dozen times in my life when a phone call was so important it couldn’t wait, and none of those calls came via cell phone. If I ever retire, the first thing I’m going to do is pitch the cell phone in the garbage. If you want to get in touch with me, write a letter.

Another abomination is social media, also known as the armpit of hell. It’s full of small-minded, ignorant, mean trolls who pester other people they don’t even know. How lame is that?

Of all of the gadgets that have imposed themselves on us, there is one that I like best: Google assistant and its sister, Alexa.

The reason I like them so much is I have trained them to use Spotify, which can access nearly every song ever recorded. For example, when I’m in the mood for some Perry Como music – kids, you’ll have to look him up – all I have to do is say, “Hey Google, play ‘A Bushel and a Peck’ by Perry Como and Betty Hutton.” And the best song ever recorded will play. But even though Google assistant is helpful in finding songs, I’ve also trained her. She now has an English accent and knows all about me.

Whenever I say, “Hey Google, who am I?” She tells me, “You’re the most supreme commander.” Who could argue with that?

Carl Sampson is an author and freelance writer and editor. He lives in Stayton.

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Advanced heart care is closer than you think.

Santiam Cardiology Clinic, part of Santiam Hospital & Clinics offers the latest medical technology and equipment to assist in the management of patients with an emphasis on preventive cardiology.

Cardiologist Benjamin Lee, DO, FACC provides broad-based cardiac care using evidence-based medicine so that all patients will feel confident they are receiving comprehensive care.

Dr. Lee is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology and Internal Medicine.

503.769.9118

1401 N 10th Ave., Suite 200, Stayton santiamhospital.org

Benjamin Lee, DO, FACC