Our Town South: March 1, 2023

•

On the Cover

The new terminal under construction at Portland International Airport. The project is using mass plywood panels manufactured by Freres Engineered Wood of Lyons. COURTESY FRERES ENGINEERED WOOD

Chickens Moratorium discussed Update

By Stephen Floyd

State lawmakers planned to meet and discuss current limits on large-scale agriculture amid broader talks to rein-in the industry. An informational meeting was scheduled for Feb. 28 (after Our Town deadline) of the Senate Committee On Natural Resources, which has taken up two bills to tighten regulations on confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Scheduled to present during the meeting were administrators with ODA, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon Water Resources Department.

Senate Bill 85 would direct the Oregon Department of Agriculture to study CAFOs and submit a report identifying potential opportunities for legislation. It would also declare a moratorium on permits for the largest CAFO categories. Senate Bill 399 would cap stock-water exemptions and require large farms to acquire water permits.

The bills reflect the outcry of local residents who have organized against three industrialscale chicken farms: one in operation near

Jordan and two proposed near Stayton and Scio. Together the CAFOs would generate 12.5 million broiler chickens annually for Foster Farms. Critics say they pose hazards.

Opponents have organized Farmers Against Foster Farms, which has put forward a petition supporting a moratorium, saying it would give lawmakers time to protect “our family farmers, rural communities, and our water, air and soil.”

Industry advocates, including the Northwest Chicken Council, have said a moratorium would stall creation of working-class jobs. It said Oregon already has regulatory barriers in place for building and operating CAFOs, and the industry is successful at regulating its emissions. NCC President Bill Mattos said a well-planned poultry CAFO is a “sophisticated operation” with effective internal controls for regulatory compliance.

There will be a public hearing on SB 85 in mid-March, date to be determined.. Public testimony will be accepted at that time. For information on the bill go to help.leg@ oregonlegislature.gov or 1-800-332-2313.

New councilor Steve Sims appointed

By Stephen Floyd

Former Stayton City Council candidate Steve Sims has been appointed to the council to fill a vacancy created when Mayor Brian Qugley took office this year.

Sims was appointed unanimously during the council’s regular meeting Feb. 21 from among a pool of five applicants.

Sims previously ran for one of three open council seats during last year’s General Election. He received 17 percent of the vote and came in fourth out of five candidates.

Quigley, who was elected mayor while serving on the council last November, said Feb. 21 that Sims’ willingness to run for office made him stand out as an applicant, as well as his active participation as chair of the Parks and Recreation Board.

“I have a lot of confidence in Steve’s ability to come up here and blend right in with us and have a good impact on the community,” said Quigley.

Councilor David Giglio said Sims’ willingness to attend council meetings as a citizen and stay civically engaged was a strong indication of how seriously Sims will take his new office. “I’ve really enjoyed just his commitment and just coming and participating in the process these last few months,” said Giglio.

Sims told Our Town it was “an honor and a privilege” to be appointed and said he’s joining an “amazing” team on the council.

“I truly care about our community and will strive to improve our quality of life in Stayton,” said Sims. “I am humbled to be a member of the council and ready for all the challenges that are coming.”

Four other residents applied for the open position including former Councilor Mark Kronquist, Cami Cornwell, Ken Carey and Peter Bellas. Quigley said it was difficult to choose between applicants because all were qualified and had individual strengths.

Special Districts Primary Election

Local special districts will have open board positions during the May 16 Primary Election, and the deadline to apply as a candidate and appear on the ballot is March 16.Districts with open positions include:

• North Santiam School District (positions 2, 4, 5 and 6).

• Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District (positions 1, 4 and 5).

Stayton Fire District (positions 2, 3 and 5).

Sublimity Rural Fire Protection District (positions 1, 2, and 3).

Lyons Rural Fire Protection District (positions 1, 4 and 5).

Lyons-Mehama Water District (positions 1 and 3). Santiam Water Control District (positions 5, 6 and 7).

For more information including how to apply, contact the Marion County Clerk’s Office at 503588-5225 or go to www.co.marion.or.us/CO Candidates in Lyons or Mehama should contact the Linn County Clerk’s Office at 541-967-3831 or www.co.linn.or.us/clerk

Steve Sims, left, is sworn into the Stayton City Council Feb. 22 by City Manager Julia Hajduk. JORDAN OHRT

Pay It Forward Coffee shop patrons spread smiles with kindness

By Mary Owen

A Stayton coffee shop’s “daily dose of kindness” is sweeping the community.

“Doesn’t it make you feel good to see people happy and smiling?” proposed Kelly Stevens to her Facebook page visitors. Stevens owns Naked Cat Coffee, LLC. & Sweets, which shares space with Third Avenue Eatery downtown.

“Someone new is being recognized every day!” Stevens said. “If your name is on the board, then someone is recognizing you for something wonderful. It means you are super loved and appreciated!”

Since the pay-it-forward event started in late January, more than 100 people have been honored with a coffee or other drink of choice. With the purchase of a drink to appreciate a favorite person, names are listed on the Pay It Forward blackboard in the coffee shop. Stevens also notifies the recipients and, when they redeem their reward, posts their photo online, complete with a paragraph on why they were honored. Who bought the drink usually remains a secret, she said.

Love continues to spread to the comments below each announcement, a great way to learn about neighbors, community workers and friends, she added.

Andrea Rogers earned her sour gummy Red Bulls drink from Ali Johnson who paid for the next person to come through Naked Cat’s doors.

“Then that person said to give it to the next person and it was Andrea,” Stevens said. “She is an exceptional hair stylist here in our town of Stayton. Super sweet and happy always. Very giving too.

“She loves sour flavors,” she added. “Sour gummy is her flavor!”

Rogers also purchased a pay-it-forward drink for a person Stevens posted on the blackboard the following day. When people pick up their drinks, they are given a second dose of love with more than a few kind words. Sandi Runion works in the floral department and customer service at Safeway and was commended for always smiling.

“A lot of people love her, including my co-worker Tami,” Stevens said. “She’s the one who bought her a drink. A hot mocha with whip. Extra big for her because she’s the best!”

Comments followed such as “sweetest lady ever,” “well deserved” and “one very special lady.” Runion responded with: “Thanks for the wonderful kind words. Thank you, my bestie Tami, for the coffee. I love this community!”

Stevens had no idea the venture would be this popular. She said she got the “incredibly wonderful” idea from Quonna Bender from Wolfgang’s Thirst Parlor Tap House.

“The positivity this is creating is beyond belief,” Stevens said. “I think it’s exactly what we all needed!”

According to Stevens, the happy smiles continue. She invites community members to help build up the community by appreciating what others have to offer.

“It’s so, so much,” she said. “These are the people that make us strong!”

Click on the photos at facebook.com/nakedcatcoffee to bring up the information about each recipient, what they contribute to their community, and comments from the people who love them. To buy a drink for your favorite friend or community worker, send Stevens a text to 503-851-8502.

“You can also Venmo me or just come on in,” Stevens said. “Or I can call you, too, and do it over the phone. Usually, $5-7 is good for any drink. You can also text me with any questions.”

Naked Cat Coffee, LLC & Sweets is at 433 Third Ave. in downtown Stayton.

Willamette Valley Savour is bringing the best of our valley to one location. Enjoy live music while sampling array of Oregon wines, craft beers, hard ciders, spirits, tasty bites and artisan crafts from an exclusive list of exhibitors on display.

April 28-29, 2023

| Oregon Garden in Silverton

Friday 4-9 PM |

Saturday 12-9 PM

Buy your tickets early & save at savourthevalley.org

PREMIER SPONSOR

Michelle Spangler of Stayton received an anonymous Pay It Forward drink, one of many other community members –firefighters, mail carriers and even kids – who have been given a treat at Naked Cat Coffee by friends and fellow patrons. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Heart Challenge Educator makes it fun for kids to help heart association

By Mary Owen

For the 23rd year, students in Chuck Larimer’s physical education classes at Stayton Elementary raised funds for the American Heart Association.

“Our school this year raised $13,426.90!” said Larimer, whose two sons, now ages 16 and 19, participated when Kids Heart Challenge was Jump Rope for Heart back in the day.

“Our previous school record last year was just under $8,000, so we absolutely crushed our goal,” he added. “Overall, our school has raised close to $120,000 for the American Heart Association. Every $50 saves one person’s life, so overall this is close to 2,400 lives! This past year’s recordbreaking year will save about 268 lives.”

Kids Heart Challenge raises funds for the AHA, a nonprofit organization that helps to fight against heart disease and stroke, the #1 and #3 leading causes of death in the country.

According to Larimer, students and

families register and join the Stayton Elementary School team, choose a daily challenge such as be kind or move more, and then collect and earn heart heroes, thank-you gifts and online badges. The majority of money that is raised is now raised online, through heart.org/KHC.

“I try to involve everybody in our school,” Larimer said. “This year our school has 355 students. I try to make this event more like a party. I combine classes throughout the day.”

A typical physical education class takes 30 minutes, but on Kids Heart Challenge day, two classes join for an hour of activities, Larimer said.

“We have eight stations, including a couple of jump rope stations, a long rope station, running, ski jump – jumping over a line, and a water break involving Otter Pops on the big day!” he said.

“The AHA uses funds for life saving research, including teaching others hands-on CPR,” he added. “Anybody that watched Monday Night Football and

Damar Hamlin knows the importance of time when it comes to saving someone’s life who suffers from cardiac arrest.”

Larimer said he has done a lot of crazy things when students have made the school goal.

“Often times this involves my hair!” he said. “It started with me completely shaving my hair bald. I have gotten a mohawk, a sideways mohawk, and double mohawk.”

Currently, Larimer sports a “corner to corner” mohawk and still needs to get silly stringed by a bunch of kids who raised a certain amount of money, he said.

“I have gotten pies to the face,” he added. “And I lost a bet so wore a pink tutu during an assembly and during the event.” Also, the school librarian, Tracy Prien, will be donating eight inches of her “amazing hair” to a child’s hair loss site for kids who have lost their hair due to medical reasons such as cancer or alopecia.

“We try to make it a fun way to keep kids involved while also helping them see that they are helping to make a difference in the lives of others,” Larimer said. Of the yearly event, he added, “It’s a pretty cool thing that has taken on a life of its own!”

Stayton P.E. teacher Chuck Larimer says his hair frequently gets “styled” as part of the event. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Arrests, charges, trials

Woman charged after carjacking

A Salem woman has been charged with multiple felonies after an alleged carjacking in Stayton that led to a police pursuit.

Shardell Fayette Bodda, 44, was arrested Feb. 1 after an incident that evening in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet on W. Ida St.  Police claim Bodda asked a woman for a ride and, when the woman refused, Bodda allegedly forced her out of the vehicle and drove away with the car. Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies located the vehicle in Jefferson and gave chase, eventually spiking the tires and bringing the pursuit to a halt along Enchanted Way near I-5.

Bodda has been charged in Marion County Circuit Court with third-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude a police officer. If convicted the charges carry up to five years in prison.

When arrested, Bodda was on probation in a separate case for a 2021 DUII hit-and-run, which resulted in injuries to the victim.

DUII wreck nearly kills pedestrian

A woman was seriously injured in a Salem drunk-driving hit-and-run Jan. 21. An Aumsville man with prior DUII convictions has been arrested in the case.

Eric Raymond Webb, 49, has been indicted in Marion County Circuit Court on numerous charges including second-degree assault, DUII and failure to perform duties of a driver. If found guilty he faces at least 70 months in prison.

Webb was arrested Jan. 21 in Salem after he allegedly struck pedestrian Julia Aubrey Wade, 26, near the intersection of Lancaster Drive and Rickey Street S.E.

Wade was hospitalized at Oregon Health and Science University. At one point her condition deteriorated and authorities warned Webb he could face murder charges. Wade has since been discharged.

Webb has been convicted of DUII six other times in Oregon since 2008, most of which included reckless driving and hit-and-run charges. He received a lifetime driver’s

license suspension in 2012 and a 45-month prison sentence in 2019.

Local man charged after drug sting

An Aumsville man was among a pair of suspects arrested in December during a sting operation targeting illegal marijuana grows in southern Marion County.

Bin Bin Huang, 31, has been charged in Marion County Circuit Court with unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item, along with Bin Dong, 40 of Salem.

They were arrested Dec. 28, 2022, after police raided four homes near Aumsville and south Salem after authorities received complaints from neighbors. Nearly all rooms in the homes were converted to marijuana grows. Police suspect Huang and Dong moved to Oregon from Sacramento, California, specifically to produce marijuana.

Police seized 2,578 marijuana plants, 53 pounds of processed marijuana, and over $5,000 in cash. Involved in the raid were Oregon State Police, Marion County

Sheriff’s Office and Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Schaefer murder trial set for March 27

A Stayton man accused of murdering his aunt in 2021 is scheduled to stand trial before Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Leith beginning March 27. If convicted, he faces 25 years in prison.

Brian “Charles” Schaefer, 41, is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon for the Jan. 10, 2021, shooting death of Karen Schaefer.

Schaefer allegedly called in the shooting from a home he shared with the victim on the 300 block of W. Water St. in Stayton. At the scene, police found Brian Schaefer emotionally distressed. The victim was unresponsive on a couch with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Prosecutors believe Brian Schaefer was under the influence of methamphetamine or a similar stimulant at the time of the shooting.

Santiam Industrial Center

By Stephen Floyd

Stayton could be gaining hundreds of new workingclass jobs after the old NORPAC facility was sold to an industrial developer with plans to upgrade the building and lease it out to tenants.

On Feb. 7, Industrial Realty Group (IRG) announced it had acquired the 600,000 square-foot facility at 930 W. Washington St.

IRG President Stuart Lichter said in a news release their goal was to find “dynamic companies which will provide

NORPAC site sold to developer

significant job opportunities.”

“This facility once housed Stayton’s major employer for many years,” said Lichter. “We want to bring economic and job opportunities to the community once again.”

NORPAC closed its Stayton facility in 2019 amid bankruptcy proceedings, laying off 485 fulltime and seasonal employees. The company was founded at the site in 1924 as Stayton Canning Company, a cooperative of local berry farmers.

At its peak, NORPAC owned packing facilities,

warehouses and farmland throughout the Northwest and served national clients like KFC, Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Kroger and Costco. But it struggled amid the rise in popularity of organic produce, increasing costs of personnel and a drop in young people willing to work in agriculture, according to a 2017 interview with former NORPAC CEO George Smith in Oregon Business In 2019 NORPAC filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Most of its assets were sold to Oregon Potato Company, which then formed PNW Vegco to operate the old NORPAC facilities.

Continued from page 9

The Stayton plant did not reopen. Portions of the facility are currently used by Oregon Potato Company and the U.S. Department of Forestry, and IRG said they plan to retain these tenants.

Dan Fleishman, planning and development director for Stayton, said the community has struggled with the loss of so many jobs. Many of NORPAC’s full-time employees had been with the company for decades, while its hundreds of seasonal employees were often high schoolers from throughout the region picking up summer work.

Fleishman said he is optimistic IRG will help bring some of those opportunities back.

“It has been hard to have the loss of those jobs in the community,” said Fleishman. “With IRG’s purchase of the property and their plans to lease it out, we look forward to seeing the return of business

activity and jobs for Stayton residents.”

Fleishman said the city was not directly involved in the sale and learned of the acquisition after being contacted by IRG representatives.

He said Stayton does plan to take an active role in helping find new tenants, including promoting the site through partner agencies.

“We will make sure that our economic development partners at the state and regional level know about the property,” he said.

IRG said the facility is “well-positioned” within the Willamette Valley for a variety of industrial and agricultural uses, from manufacturing to food processing. The company said it is undertaking phased facility improvements to “upgrade and revitalize the property” and will rebrand the building as Santiam Industrial Center.

Complete Automotive Repair

At Stayton Tire & Automotive, We Offer Complete Automotive Service & Repair, as well as tires, custom wheels, batteries, brakes, shocks… count on Stayton Tire & Automotive for quality repairs, maintenance and accessories, always guaranteed. Of course, you'll always find we have a great selection of name brand tires at low prices, like Michelin, Nokian, Goodyear and Kumho. Plus, you'll always receive expert service to help you make the right choice for your vehicle and driving needs.

• Engine Diagnostic Testing • Oil and Lube • Tune-Ups

• Brake Service • Coolant Service • Water Pumps & Thermostats

• CV Joints, Boots, Axles, U-Joints • Fuel Pump & Filter Replacement • Radiator Flush & Fill • Transmission Service

• A/C Service & Repair • Steering System & Belt Service

• Shocks, Struts, & Springs • Batteries, Starters, Alternators

503-767-7677 1794 W Ida St., Stayton Next Door to the

staytontire.com

sta@staytontire.com

The Stayton former site of NORPAC has been purchased by Industrial Realty Group which plans to upgrade the facility and find tenants. JAMES DAY

Freres at PDX Airport terminal project halfway home

By James Day

Freres Engineered Wood has hit a key milestone in its innovative project at Portland International Airport.

Freres, along with its design and construction partners, is using mass plywood panels (MPP) in the new terminal’s roof, and company officials reported that the project has reached the halfway point. Opening is tentatively set for the summer of 2024.

“The new structure is a massive accomplishment for our company, and enough credit can’t be given to our partners, particularly ZGF Architects and Swinerton/Timberlab, but also Skanska and Hoffman,” Freres vice president of sales Tyler Freres told Our Town

“We believe this structure will cement PDX as the pinnacle of travel experiences for the foreseeable future and we are honored to be a part of it. When people walk through this expansive natural structure, it will have an emotional effect on them.”

The nine-acre mass timber roof of the terminal features 400,000 square feet of Freres panels, with a total of 1,347 used on the first phase. The PDX terminal’s 18 million-pound mass timber curved roof

STATE FARM INSURANCE

Dave Valencia, Owner/Agent

supports 49 skylights installed across the roof. An additional 2,425 MPP parapet panels surround the perimeter of the roof and give it its unique curved “eyelash” design.

“It just looks very clean,” said Christian Schoewe, associate principal at ZGF.  “The improved appearance-grade MPP is absolutely stunning.”

Freres, a Lyons-based company, began work on the project in 2019 with consultations required to analyze the complicated computer numerical control processes that the work would require.

“ZGF and Swinerton [now partner Timberlab] were the primary forces in moving this project forward,” Freres said. “ZGF’s vision, and TimberLab’s collaboration with Freres and Zippo Laminators, led to the innovative undulating roof design that is in place today.”

Freres said that the use of wood in the new terminal constitutes a key landmark for construction and materials use in an age of climate change.

“The fundamental vision for us,” he said, “is that timber construction is not humanity’s past, but rather its future. With timber we can create the extraordinary buildings of the future in

North Santiam Funeral Service

We offer service with a smile from an experienced professional team. We are ready to offer competitive prices with common sense solutions for your insurance needs. Stop by, call, e-mail for a no-obligation quote. We would love to hear from you!

1203 North First Avenue, Stayton, OR 97383 503-769-1800 • fax 503-769-2225 • dave@davevalencia.com

Hours: M-F 9-5, after hours by appointment

“Our Family Serving Yours”

Having served this community over 35 years, it is my honor to serve family and friends. Being a third -generation member of the community, I am happy to live and raise my family here.

We offer burials, cremations and headstones, using American-made products for proud Americans.

We support Stayton Lions Club, Sublimity Harvest Festival, Knights of Columbus. We try to support all local schools in the area with their efforts.

Here is a look at the mass plywood panels Freres Engineered Wood of Lyons is using on the Portland International Airport project. MIKE BREWINGTON

the most sustainable path available. Wood is renewable, recyclable, reusable, and sequesters carbon in its cellular structure to reduce our environmental footprint. We can’t achieve net-zero carbon buildings without the use of wood.”

Freres said that project planning by staff ensured a smooth construction process.

“The project went remarkably well considering the complexity,” he said. “I would credit this to an enormous amount of preplanning by the project team to understand the limitations of each other’s manufacturing capacity and the willingness to invest in machinery and people to make the project a success.

“The ability to 3D model the entire structure allowed for fairly seamless integration. Swinerton was able to model complex curvatures and bevels into our panels that would allow normally flat panels to connect over a curved roof structure. When we cut and produced the panels, the shapes were installed in a quick fashion.”

Freres also said that projects such as the

PDX terminal are of great benefit to rural communities in the Santiam Canyon and elsewhere which still are battling back from the 2020 wildfires.

“Mass timber is an extremely important development for our rural communities,” he said. “It is a direct example of how we can responsibly manage our natural resources to achieve a host of environmental benefits. In order to do that, however, our resources must be managed and we must have a costeffective timber supply supporting our endeavors.

“Managing our public and private resources will not only reduce the potential of catastrophic wildfires, but also lead to greater prosperity in our rural communities which have suffered greatly over the last decades under reduced timber harvest. Does society continue to build with concrete and steel for the foreseeable future? Or do we return to our roots and build with the most environmentally responsible material we have available to us?”

“ASE Certified Master Mechanic Since 1990”

We provide general maintenance, mechanical and electrical repair of automotive vehicles, RVs and boats with 33 years in the business. We enjoy the atmosphere of this small town and the close community feel, as compared to larger towns.

We support our community through the Brent Strohmeyer Foundation and local school sports.

Santiam Heating and Sheet Metal, Inc.

Heating And Cooling With An Air Of Quality

Sales, Service and Installation of Heating, Cooling, Ventilation and Air Quality Systems and Controls

Architectural Sheet Metal Roofing and Flashings

Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication

Large Selection of Air Filters

In business for 30 years, Santiam Heating and Sheet Metal is happy to serve a community that believes in supporting local businesses and organizations. As a community, Stayton raised enough money to build its own library - just one example of what makes Santiam Heating and Sheet Metal so proud to be a part of Stayton!

Not only is Santiam Heating and Sheet Metal’s office open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but service is also available 24 hours a day. The company is a training agent for the Sheet Metal and HVAC Apprenticeship programs.

By James Day

Public use of state parks continues to rebound from the pandemic, a new state report shows, with camping visits at Detroit Lake and Silver Falls approaching preCOVID levels.

Overall, Oregon State Parks experienced its second busiest camping and dayuse year in history in 2022, the report says. Visitors logged 2.97 million camper nights, just 1.8% less than the record-breaking 2021 total. A total of 52 million day-use visits were recorded, down just 2.7% from the 2021 record.

At Detroit Lake, camping visits hit 93,100, the park’s best showing since a 96,466 figure in 2019. In addition to the pandemic, Detroit-area recreation sites also struggled amid the recovery efforts from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. Recreation is a big economic driver in the Detroit area, with businesses producing 60 percent of their revenue in August alone.  Detroit State Recreation Area had 158,064 day-use visits in 2022, down significantly from 204,404 in 2021. That 2022 number, however, marks a healthy increase from 2020, the peak of the pandemic-fire impact, when just 149,016 visited the recreation area.

North Santiam State Recreation Area in Lyons, which transitioned last year to operations by Marion County, received essentially no visitors or camping use in 2021 and 2022 because of the fires. The

park has now resumed operations for picnicking, camping and boat launching.

Silver Falls State Park, meanwhile, reported 71,828 camping visits in 2022, more than 20,000 more than during the 2020 COVID year, although still not as high as the 2018 figure of 79,167. Similar post-pandemic gains are present in the day-use figures as well. The main day-use facility near South Falls attracted 1,102,096 daily visits in 2022, well above the 877,044 in 2020. At North Falls the day use figure of 236,600 is 40,000 ahead of 2020.

Detroit Lake, Silver Falls and North Santiam are grouped in the valley region of Oregon State Parks. The valley area showed the healthiest increases in usage, with a 7.78 percent increase in camping and a 4 percent increase in day use. The coastal and mountain regions either showed declines or were flat.

Coastal facilities, however, turned in the best camping totals, led by Fort Stevens (318,740), South Beach (215,768), Nehalem Bay (194,829), Jessie M. Honeyman (179,306) and Beverly Beach (170,673).

Two parks surpassed 2 million visitors, Yaquina Bay (2,383,854) and the Valley of the Rogue (2,149,928). Silver Falls State Park was among the seven sites at more than 1 million with its total of 1,338,696, which includes both the South Falls and North Falls day use areas.

Middle North Falls at Silver Falls State Park. JAMES DAY

Frequent Address

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., 41818 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton. 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 and 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. Monday - Friday Appointments at santiamhospital.org.

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 early 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. No cost for class. Workbook is $20. Runs through June. Repeats Thursdays. 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

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. No class March 8. 503-769-3313

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, 41818 KingstonJordan Road, Stayton. 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 organization. 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. Use different ways to move, grow, explore. Activities indoors and outdoors. For children and family members of all ages. Free. No class March 10. 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

Notice

Auxiliary Scholarships

Santiam Hospital Auxiliary is accepting scholarship applications for the 23-24 school year. Applicants must live in the Santiam Hospital service area. Students must be interested in a medical career. Applications are available at santiamhospital.org, and are due April 7.

Wednesday, March 1

Chamber Business Network

8:15 a.m., TBD. Hosted by Compass Visual. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Sponsored by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. 503-769-3464

AARP Tax Aide Appointments

Noon - 4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Schedule online for AARP Foundation Tax Help. No walk-ins. Every Wednesday through April 12. Free. http://tinyurl. com/5fts3udb

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, March 2

Dungeons & Dragons

5:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Dungeons & Dragons at the library. Sign up at https://bit.ly/3GRzRPB and choose March 2 or March 30. Identical games both session, but with smaller groups. Age 12 and older. Free. 503-769-3313

Bingo for a Cause

6 p.m., Snow Peak Brewing, 280 E Water St., Stayton. Play Bingo and support Mari-Linn’s 8th-grade promotion. Prizes awarded for each game. 503-767-2337

Sunday, March 5

Shaw Knights of Columbus Breakfast

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

Jam Session

1 p.m., Snow Peak Brewing, 280 E Water St., Stayton. Bring your instrument or just come listen. Free. 503-767-2337

Monday, March 6

Daughters of the American Revolution

10 a.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road. Guest speaker is HPR Diana Maul presenting “Revolutionary Women” in celebration of Women’s History Month. All welcome. Refreshments served. Abigail Scott Duniway chapter serves the communities of East Marion County and Santiam Canyon. 503-689-6991

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, March 7

Read Across Stayton

Celebrate reading with the library all week long. Watch for staff at different locations across town and maybe get “caught” reading yourself. Then join the library at 5 p.m. 3/10 for a reading celebration. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313

Stayton Lions Club

Noon, Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Club and new members are welcome. Repeats March 14. Staytonlionsclub.org

Stayton Parks and Rec Board

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

Wednesday, March 8

Chamber Business Network

8:15 a.m., The Box, LCC, 278 E High St., Stayton. Hosted by Revitalize Downtown Stayton. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Sponsored by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. 503-769-3464

Thursday, March 9

Button Bouquet Salt Shakers

5:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Create a spring bouquet with buttons. Age 11 and older, and adults. Sign up at https://bit. ly/3xasVYI or call 503-769-3313. Free.

Bingo for a Cause

6 p.m., Snow Peak Brewing, 280 E Water St., Stayton. Play Bingo and support the Stayton Lions Club. 503-767-2337

Aumsville Fire District

6:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Open to public. 503-749-2894

Lyons Library Board

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

Sunday, March 12

Daylight Saving Begins

Remember to turn your clock one hour ahead.

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, March 13

Homeless Task Force

6 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Agenda available. 503-769-3425

Sublimity City Council

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

Aumsville City Council

7 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us

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, March 14

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 March 28.

Maker Lab

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Drop in all week and try out a craft activity. This month’s activity is best for ages 8 and older. Younger learners are welcome with their family’s help. Free. 503-769-3313

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, March 15

Chamber Business Network

8:15 a.m., TBD. Hosted by Community Lending Works. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Sponsored by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. 503-769-3464

Red Cross Blood Drive

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

Stayton Library Board

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

Thursday, March 16

NSSD Board

6 p.m., District Office, 1155 N First Ave., Stayton OR TBA. Board meeting for North Santiam School District. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us

Friday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day

Teen Game Night

5 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Play Switch and Wii games, and board games. Snacks provided. Age 11 - 18. Free. 503-769-3313

Saturday, March 18

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

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

Monday, March 20

Spring Equinox

Red Cross Blood Drive

1 - 6 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Stayton City Council

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

Tuesday, March 21

North Santiam Watershed Council

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

Thursday, March 23 Chamber Community Awards

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Join the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce to honor individuals and businesses who exemplify excellence and servant leadership in the community. Tickets $35/person, $275/table. 503-769-3464, staytonsublimitychamber.org

Saturday, March 25

Grange Breakfast

8 - 10 a.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Eggs, ham, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice. $6/ person. 503-859-2161

Monday, March 27

Free Playgroup

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

Sublimity Planning Commission

4:30 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW

Johnson St. Open to public. 503-769-5475

Stayton Planning Commission

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

Tuesday, March 28

Supa Awesome Dog Man Days

Celebrate the newest arrival in the Dog Man series, and earn a chance to win a copy of the new book, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea! Activities will be out in the library all week, and winners will be drawn at the end of the day on March 31. For Dog Man fans of all ages. Free. 503-769-3313

Lyons City Council

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

Thursday, March 30

Stayton Book Discussion

4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Discuss The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. All welcome. Free. 503-769-3313

Place your ad in Marketplace 503-769-9525

SERVICES GOT STUFF U WANT GONE? From yard debris to scrap metal. From garage sale leftovers to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse or donate what we can. Call and find out what we can do for you. $20 minimum. Keith 503-502-3462

JESSE’S LAWN SERVICE & HANDYMAN Pruning, edging, trimming, blackberry

cleaning, gutter cleaning, arborvitae, moss treatment, yard clean-up, stump grinding, powerwashing, haulaway. 503-871-7869

HANDYMAN & HOME REPAIR SERVICE Installation and repair of fencing, decks,doors, gutter cleaning, moss removal, power washing, yard debris removal. CCB# 206637 Call Ryan 503-881-3802

Get

503-769-9525

Twin champions Both Cascade hoops squads win league titles

The Cascade High boys and girls basketball teams completed perfect Oregon West Conference seasons under new coaches and will take high rankings into the playoffs.

The Cougars’ boys squad, the defending Class 4A state champions, will take a 20-3 record and the No. 3 seed into a home playoff game Saturday, March 4, against an opponent to be determined. The Cougars, under first-year coach Justin Amaya, completed a 10-0 run through the Oregon West with a 64-61 win at Philomath on Feb. 20. Despite losing twice to Cascade, the OSAA computers spit out Philomath as the No. 1 seed in the boys bracket. In fairness, both games with Cascade were nailbiters, with the Warriors falling 50-49 to the Cougars on Feb. 2.

The Cougars are led by the twin dynamos of Spencer and Samuel Horne and fellow sharp-shooter Landon Knox They have lost only to a California school and defending 5A champion Wilsonville in the Capitol City Classic in Salem as well as a road loss at Baker, No. 4 in Class 4A. The trip to Baker City required a seven-hour bus ride.

Stayton, which finished the regular season 16-7 and ranked 9th in Class 4A, played at Klamath Union after the Our Town press deadline for a slot in the final 16. The Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals a year ago before falling to

Cascade.

Cascade’s girls, playing in their first year under former Mark Stevens assistant Nick Randall, also finished 10-0 in the Oregon West, closing the regular season with a 58-33 win at Philomath. The Cougars, 14-6 overall, are seeded No. 8 and will host an opponent to be determined on Friday, March 3. Cascade is led by talented junior playmaker Maddie Dustin and senior stalwart

Meah Carley

Stayton, 15-10, which finished third in the Oregon West, hosted Klamath Union in a play-in game that took place after the Our Town deadline.

Winners of the boys and girls round of 16 games move on to the 4A state tournament in Forest Grove on March 9-11.

The Regis boys (19-9 overall and seeded 11th) and girls (18-9, also 11th), meanwhile, played round of 16 games in the 2A bracket after Our Town presstime, bidding for slots in the 2A tournament in Pendleton. The Rams’ boys squad landed 4 slots on the all-Tri-River Conference

team, which was announced after the Feb. 18 championship game in Mill City. Diego Aguilar was named to the first team, Isaiah Koehnke to the second and Josh Blish and Noah Koenig received honorable mention.

State Swimming: Stayton’s 400 free relay team of Bethany Wagar, Ashley Rea, Liberty Wiseman and Avery Mannix swam 4:05.37 to finish 6th in the final at the Class 4A championships in Beaverton.

The same four swimmers participated in the 200 medley relay and swam 2:06.39 in the preliminaries but did not qualify for the final.

Cascade’s 200 medley relay team of Jacob Gehley, Arlen Kuenzi, Gabriel Carroll and Tyler Bitikofer swam 1:53.76 to

finish sixth in the preliminaries, but the foursome was disqualified during the finals.

Football: Longtime Oregon coach

Shane Hedrick has been hired by Cascade High. Hedrick has won 164 games at Central, Willamina and Oregon City while also serving as an assistant one year at Western Oregon University. Hedrick replaces Tyler Turner, who was 4-6 in his lone year with the Cougars, including a 48-12 loss to La Grande in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Spring: Practice for the spring sports of baseball, softball, tennis, golf and track and field got underway Monday, Feb. 27, with the first OSAA-sanctioned contests set for March 13. I’m expecting it to snow both days.

Sports Datebook Home Game Varsity Contests

Monday, March 13

Boys Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Silverton

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Stayton vs Valley Catholic

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Cottage Grove

Thursday, March 16

Softball

4 p.m. Stayton vs Gladstone

Wednesday, March 22

Girls Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Woodburn

Thursday, March 23

Girls Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs South Albany

Tuesday, March 14

Boys Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Blanchet

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Marist Catholic

4:30 p.m. Regis vs Kennedy

Softball

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Marist Catholic

Wednesday, March 15

Girls Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Valley Catholic

Friday, March 17

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Stayton vs YamhillCarlton

4:30 p.m. Regis vs Scio

Softball

5 p.m. Stayton vs Astoria

Monday,

March 20

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Stayton vs Estacada

Tuesday, March 21

Softball

4:30 p.m. Regis vs Santiam

Friday, March 24 Baseball

2 p.m. Regis vs Monroe (double-header)

Thursday, March 30

Softball

3 p.m. Stayton vs The Dalles

Friday, March 31

Softball

11 a.m. Stayton vs Pleasant Hill

Weather and money

By Carl Sampson

It’s been said that only a meteorologist and an economist can tell you with absolute certainty today why they were wrong yesterday.

In the case of the meteorologist, I am reminded of how bizarre things have gotten every time I look out the window. In the case of the economist, I am reminded of that every time I read a newspaper.

First, the weather. There was once a weatherman on a Philadelphia television station who tracked the accuracy of his forecasts by calculating his “batting average.” After about three weeks he stopped. Had he been playing baseball, his batting average was so low he couldn’t get on a minor league team. He couldn’t even make it as a bat boy.

Meteorologists also invent or redefine words. By now we are familiar with the “atmospheric river,” also known as a storm, and the “cyclone bomb,” also known as a blizzard. They also blame

Terminology adds to general consternation

every storm on “climate change.” I suppose the public relations department at the weather service wanted to jazz things up.  To my knowledge, storms have happened since Day 1. Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts – they’ve all been part of the weather picture. The Dust Bowl in the 1930s was a six-year drought on the prairies of the U.S. and Canada that destroyed thousands of farms. These days, though, it would have to be called a “super drought,” like the 20-year super drought in California that no one knew about until a few years ago. The Dust Bowl also would have been blamed on climate change, if it had been around back then. By the way, did you ever notice that only bad things are blamed on climate change?

When we get a week of gorgeous weather, climate change is never mentioned. I know climate change is a thing. It always has been; only the speed of climate change is different. I just think the weather forecasters are getting too loose with their newly invented words. Then there are economists, who think in terms of widgets and interest rates. They say inflation is getting out of hand because the prices of things are increasing. They sit in their fancy offices in Washington, D.C., and New York trying to avoid the economic elephant in the room. Congress has for years been spraying down the U.S. economy with trillions of dollars. First, it was aimed at keeping the wheels turning as governors shut down businesses out of fear of COVID-19. Fair enough. The death of an economy, especially by self-inflicted wounds, was to be avoided.

But then Congress and the administration kept on spraying money. And get a load of the last big bill’s name: the Inflation Reduction Act. When you read it, there is

almost nothing aimed at reducing inflation. It raises taxes on corporations, subsidizes electric cars and all sorts of other stuff.  Since this bill was signed into law in January, my electric rates have gone up 15%, and my natural gas rates are going up a total of 25% by this spring. I suppose the gas company is spreading out the increases so I don’t have a stroke when I see my bill. Oh, and interest rates are going up, too. So Congress – with the help of state governments – is causing inflation to go up, even as the Federal Reserve Bank increases interest rates, adding to inflation. All of which is crazy-making. Congress needs take a deep breath and stop spending and they will find that everything will settle down, despite what the economists say.

And the sun will come out, despite what the meteorologists say.

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

“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!”

Marcia

Frans

Whitney & Mike Ulven