Oregon decriminalized small amounts of cannabis in 1973, and by 1998, the state approved cannabis for medical use. In 2014, Oregon became the fourth state to legalize adult-use cannabis. By 2022, the sitting Governor pardoned over 47,000 possession of cannabis convictions and forgave more than $14 million in fees and fines. 4/20 Day is a big celebration in the state. Portland has been known as one of the top cannabis...

The City of St. Helens has received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 budget. St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh gave more information about the criteria and how the city was considered for the award. “We submitted our budget document to the award program. States, cities, counties, special districts, school districts, and other qualifying agencies must apply...

There has been substantial progress in the John Gumm Renovation and Improvement Project. In preparation for a fall move Columbia County hosted a media briefing to provide an update. The event featured speakers including Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett, St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl, Paul Vogel, Executive Director of the Columbia Economic Team, and Brandon Sundeen, Vice President of the Columbia County Museum Association Board of Directors. Each speaker highlighted the importance of revitalizing the John Gumm School Building, a vital part of the downtown St. Helens National Historic District. Following the guest speakers' address, the group was taken on a tour of the building to see the extent of the progress. A full story will be in the April 27 edition of the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief. Below are photos from the event:

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1,400 jobs in March, following a revised gain of 2,800 jobs in February, according to the Oregon Employment Department. The rate Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in both February and March. Its rise from a record low of 3.4% in May 2023 is a sign of a loosening labor market. Another indicator of a loosening labor market was the rise in the...

At its March 20 meeting, the St. Helens City Council voted to approve a work order authorization for the city’s Lagoon Repurposing Project with Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. (MFA). The lagoon is located at the former Boise Veneer Mill site. In recent years, the city has researched the possibility of repurposing the lagoon into a solid waste landfill and relocating the current wastewater treatment plant in order to renovate the general area for more public amenities, according to the city’s website. ...

The Columbia County Mustangs went all out at Special Olympics Oregon Basketball Regionals last month, with individual athletes taking honors and the 3-v-3 team winning a gold medal and sportsmanship award. Columbia County’s Special Olympics team ended the season on a high note when competing in the regional basketball competition in Hillsboro on March 17. Local Program Coordinators Samantha Mollenhour and Heather Viereck accompanied the team to the big weekend, where they competed with five other teams. ...

The Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce has announced two winners for this year’s 2024 Heritage Days theme art contest, Bayleigh Lopez and Kylee Smith. Chamber Board Director Nikole Young is a member of the Heritage Days Committee, and she explained why two winners were selected this year. “Since the Heritage Days Committee took over the car show that historically was planned by the Clatskanie Cruisers, we haven’t had a logo to...

While time machines have not been invented yet, the 12th annual Rainier Revisited historical reenactment is the perfect destination for those who want a hands-on slice of history. Rainier Revisited presents Rainier in the year 1853. The event will be on Saturday, April 20, from about 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As usual, it will be located at Beaver Homes Grange, at 31105 Beaver Homes Road. Hosted by the Rainier...

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. St. Helens Police March 23 ...

The Columbia County Museum Association (CCMA), along with other county services, will soon have a new home in the John Gumm School building. To help with this transition, the CCMA will be receiving capital funding from the state. Next week, we will get a more thorough glimpse into the complete scope of the work at John Gumm School and what the county’s new headquarters will look like. For now, let’s focus on the museum’s new location. ...

This week, a St. Helens local and St. Helens High School alum will step into the ring to make his professional boxing debut. While for some, the journey to going pro is a lifelong trip, Haidon Allen just started boxing three years ago, but is ready for the next step. Competing in the Arena Wars Fighting Series, Allen will compete in his first professional fight at Campy Withycombe, located at 15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m....

The Columbia Economic Team (CET) has announced an initiative called the “Business Community Connection Project.” The project is “a robust, multi-disciplined information-gathering initiative” that will utilize direct business interviews, research, and collaboration between dozens of stakeholders to develop an “informed, shared vision for future economic development in Columbia County.” According to a media release from CET, the project is based on a proven model used nationally. It is also backed...

Oregon’s gray wolf population did not increase last year due in part to a large number of wolves killed by people, causing concern among conservationists and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials. The latest Annual Wolf Report found the population remained steady at 178 wolves, marking the first time in eight years that their numbers didn’t increase. Typically, the population has grown by 6% a year. Among the 36 wolf deaths in 2023, 33 were caused by people. The state sanctioned the killing of...

Americans are still worried about their financial stability even as their recession fears lessen. High prices at the grocery store and consumers’ memories of their pre-pandemic budgets may be playing a role. Here’s what financial and economic experts have to say about what this week’s economic indicators tell us about people’s perception of the economy. What is driving consumer confidence? The Consumer Confidence Index, released by the business nonprofit and...

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has scheduled an opportunity for public comments concerning the proposed merger of two major grocery store chains – Kroger and Albertsons. This deal could impact more than 150 pharmacies in Oregon, according to a release from the OHA. "The OHA is reviewing this planned transaction to understand how it might affect pharmacy services in Oregon," a release from the OHA states. ...

View the online version of our 2024 Headlight Herald Home & Garden Show Guide here! Just click in the center of the image below to view, or Click Here to Download.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has issued an advisory urging people not to feed wildlife, such as deer, because that seemingly kind effort can heighten dangerous encounters with black bears. A black bear that officials said was intentionally fed by people in Cottage Grove, a small rural community near Eugene, has been put down by the Oregon State Police after it lost its wariness and began approaching people. ...

Fish exposed to some pesticides at extremely low concentrations for a brief period of time can demonstrate lasting behavioral changes, with the impact extending to offspring that were never exposed firsthand, a recent study found. The findings raise concerns not just for fish, but for all vertebrates that are exposed to commonly used pesticides, including humans, said study co-author Susanne Brander, an associate professor and ecotoxicologist in Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. ...

View the online version of our 2024 Spring Unveiling Arts Festival Guide here! Just click on the center of the image below to view, or Click Here to Download.

View the online version of our 2024 Spring Unveiling Arts Festival Guide here! Just click on the center of the image below to view, or Click Here to Download.