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The Chief
Signing Event: Scappoose senior achieving softball dream
One of Columbia County’s own will soon be taking the next step in the sports world, as Scappoose High School (SHS) senior Madison White signed a letter of intent to play softball at the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana next year and beyond. The signing, held May 6 in the SHS foyer, was attended by White and her family but drew support from fellow classmates, teammates, school staff, and friends. ...
In Process: Candidates to be interviewed for Rainier Superintendent position
The Rainier School District Board of Directors announced they have selected three candidates to interview for the superintendent vacancy. To aid in their search, the district retained the services of McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. The consultants reviewed, screened, and conducted extensive background checks on 17 applicants. On May 8, the consultants presented the applicants to the Rainier School Board and provided them with detailed background information on each applicant. The board selected three candidates as finalists. ...
Input Wanted: Coast Guard reopens comment period for Columbia River anchorages
The Coast Guard has reopened the comment period, May 9, for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to federalize an existing anchorage ground in the Columbia River near Port Westward, Oregon. Reopening the comment period will allow additional time for the public to review and submit comments on the proposed rule. The comment period will close on June 7, 2024. ...
Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental health for all
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Columbia County and Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) are teaming up for their annual Northwest NAMIWalks Event. Judy Thompson is the Chairperson for NAMI Columbia County, and she explained the importance of prioritizing mental health. “Mental health is about all of us. Awareness is the first step in learning, understanding, and taking action. Stigma, shame,...
Annual Event: Clatskanie’s Raymond Carver Writing Festival features regional writers
Clatskanie’s claim to fame as the birthplace of world-renowned writer Raymond Carver will be celebrated May 17-18 during the annual Raymond Carver Writing Festival, an event which honors the craft of writing and supports the community of regional writers. The Raymond Carver Writing Festival is free and open to the public. “Where I’m Calling From,” the title of both a short story and a collection of stories by Carver, is the theme of this year’s festival which will begin Friday, May 17, at 5 p.m....
Grand Opening Soon: Sunsations in St. Helens
The sunny months are ahead in the northwest, but for those looking to catch a tan in any season, Sunsations Tanning & Boutique is expanding to St. Helens. It’s been over a year and a half since Sunsations Owner Samantha Slater opened her first location in Scappoose, and she’s ready to start a new chapter. Slater will open her new location in St. Helens on May 11, at 351 Columbia Blvd, right next to Kozy Korner. ...
Raising Awareness: Honoring the missing and the murdered
In remembrance of missing and murdered indigenous relatives, women, brothers, and children, more than 60 people dressed in red took to the streets of St. Helens to raise attention ahead of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) Day of Awareness on May 5. The march on May 3 started at Medicine Wheel Recovery Services at 115 Church St. in St. Helens and went in a loop. The marchers consisted largely of clients and staff of Medicine Wheel Recovery Services. The marchers carried signs bearing the...
Police Blotter: Multiple bikes reported as stolen
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Rainier Police Department April 23 ...
Q&A: Candidates for Position 1 on the Columbia County Commission
The 2024 Oregon Primary Election is approaching, and in Columbia County there are two positions on the ballot for the county’s commission. The election will be on May 21, and two incumbent candidates are seeking to retain their seats. Casey Garrett is running unopposed for Position 3. Margaret Magruder is seeking reelection in Position 1, but is running against Brian Brust and Alex Tardif for the seat. The Columbia County...
A year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency, Oregon among top states keeping people covered
With more than 90 percent of the state’s 1.5 million renewals complete, more than 4 out of 5 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits. During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), which ended one year ago in April 2023, the federal government allowed states to keep people on Medicaid benefits. This ended when the pandemic emergency ended, so over the last year Oregon has been making sure everyone on OHP is still eligible. ...
Frances Online Unemployment Insurance, Paid Leave Oregon benefits update
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is now in its ninth week of using Frances Online for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. In that time, the new system has paid out $111.3 million dollars in benefits, and there has been a significant increase in customers successfully using Frances Online. The number of timely weekly claims has leveled out to roughly 30,000 for each of the past six weeks. This aligns with seasonal...
Hunters urged to apply early for controlled and premium hunts – Deadline May 15
Hunters should apply for their controlled and premium hunts as soon as possible and before the deadline of Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. An application is required for most deer and elk hunts in eastern Oregon and for all pronghorn, bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat hunts. Many hunters wait until the last minute which increases the chance for problems that can ruin a hunting season. For example,...
Recognized: SHHS earns Gold Council Award
St. Helens High School (SHHS) has received recognition for having a high achieving leadership program, earning a Gold Council Award from the Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC). SHHS was one of 21 high schools and 5 middle schools in the state that received recognition at the OASC Spring Leadership Conference on April 27, according to an announcement from the OASC. The award, sponsored by the OASC, sets high standards...
Recognized: SHSD’s April Community Impact Awards
During the St. Helens School District (SHSD) board meeting on April 24, School Board Chair Melody Killens, fellow School Board members, and Superintendent Stockwell presented Community Impact Awards to Abby Jauron, Kristin Fastabend, and Jeremy Howell. The awards are presented to a student, a staff member, and a community member to recognize their contributions to the St. Helens School District. Abby Jauron ...
Column: Comparison surveys in presidential election year often questionable
You may receive, as I do, emails and reports from online organizations about research purporting to show how Oregon stacks up to other states in various ways. Don’t trust them. One recent report said that among the 50 states, Oregon has the fifth highest rate of religious discrimination – a topic that’s emerged in presidential politics. ...
Letter: Everything has changed
“I believe that we should try to avoid a situation in which Russia could say that it was provoked by NATO,” (Polish President Andrzej Duda) said. “So far it is Russia which has been provoking and everybody can see that.” President Duda’s careful reaction to at least 3 missile incursions many see as provocative is instructive; Not just because of the hit Duda is taking with a large contingent of defense advocates within his party, but what it should speak to the rest of NATO. ...
Letter: Supporting Magruder
I have known about the public service and integrity of Margaret Magruder and her family for many years, and during the past couple of years I have experienced it first hand. The Rainier Cemetery District board of directors, on which I serve, has experienced a lot of changes recently. Margaret has gone beyond the call of duty to attend many of our meetings, and has been very helpful and supportive. I have truly appreciative her willingness to make herself available, especially when she has so many other obligations. She is not only knowledgeable and experienced. She is incredibly dedicated to the people of Columbia County, and very kind. We are lucky to have her as a county commissioner, and I urge all voters to join me in re-electing her to another four-year term. Delyla Laughlin, Rainier
On The Ballot: St. Helens City Council Election Information
At the 2024 General Election on November 5, 2024, the St. Helens Mayor and two councilor positions will appear on the ballot. The mayoral position is a 2-year term and is presently held by Rick Scholl. The councilor positions are 4-year terms, and a currently held by Jessica Chilton and Russell Hubbard. Serving as an elected official certainly requires a significant time commitment but is extremely rewarding and enriching. The...
Column: Air travel ID deadline is only a year away, but you may have less time than that
For air travel within the U.S., most people use their state driver license or ID card to get through airport security. They also can use a passport as they would for an international flight. But starting May 7 next year, your standard Oregon driver license or ID card will no longer get you on a domestic flight. You will need to show a Real ID-compliant state license or ID card, or a passport or passport card. With just one year left to prepare, Oregon’s DMV...
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The Chief covers local news in the Clatskanie and Columbia County areas of Oregon. We focus on local breaking news, general news, community news, sports, and opinions.
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