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The St. Helens Chronicle
In Concert: High notes for St. Helens High School Band
Music is in the air, and for some of St. Helens High School’s most talented musicians, the spring has been full of highlights. The St. Helens High School Wind Ensemble is Cowapa League Champions again, and a band of St. Helens students took first place at a music festival in Los Angeles. Band Director Noelle Freshner said that with the win at the league concert on April 10, her band...
In Concert: High notes for St. Helens High School Band
Music is in the air, and for some of St. Helens High School’s most talented musicians, the spring has been full of highlights. The St. Helens High School Wind Ensemble is Cowapa League Champions again, and a band of St. Helens students took first place at a music festival in Los Angeles. Band Director Noelle Freshner said that with the win at the league concert on April 10, her band...
Raising Awareness: Amani Center’s Race Against Child Abuse
The Amani Center held its 16th Annual Race Against Child Abuse to raise funds for the non-profit and bring awareness to Columbia County on the issues of child abuse. The Amani Center raised more than $12,000 to support the organization’s general operating budget, which is used to support kids and the associated expenses of providing assessments at the center. The race included a 1-mile walk and 5k and 10k runs....
Gov. Kotek nixes plans to expand first lady’s role after pushback
After weeks of criticism from within and outside her office and the departure of key staff, Gov. Tina Kotek is abandoning plans to expand first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson’s role in the office. Kotek announced her change of heart in a statement Wednesday and planned to take more questions from reporters during an afternoon news conference. In the statement, she apologized for how she approached giving Kotek Wilson a larger role in policy decisions than first spouses in Oregon have historically had. ...
For Bid: Spilt Ink hosting auction for Columbia Pacific Food Bank
For people with an interest in acquiring unique artwork and supporting the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, an art auction is underway at Spilt Ink Gallery & Gifts in downtown St. Helens. The pieces for bid are pyrographs by local artist Neta Halladay, who donated them to Columbia Pacific Food Bank to sell for the organization’s benefit. Diane Blakely is one of the owners of Spilt Ink, which is located at 289 S 1st St. in St. Helens, and she detailed how the idea of an...
Police Blotter: Four DUI arrests made by SHPD
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 Department April...
Who We Are: Columbia County Pro boxer wins debut
After years of preparation, St. Helens boxer Haidon Allen has won his professional debut, beating Robert Jimenez by unanimous decision. Competing in the Arena Wars Fighting Series, Allen got in the ring at Campy Withycombe, located at 15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 20. Allen secured victory by unanimous decision after four three-minute rounds. The Columbia County Chronicle & Chief caught up with Allen after his big...
Close Call: None injured in plane crash at Scappoose Airport
A single occupant plane crash forced Scappoose Airport to close on the evening of Apr. 29. The pilot was uninjured, and the runway was reopened later in the night. The plane crash happened around 5:52 p.m. according to a post on the City of Scappoose Facebook page. The airplane involved in the incident was a "Cessna" styled aircraft "The pilot, who was the lone occupant was luckily not injured," the post stated. Scappoose Police Department and Scappoose Fire District responded to the crash, and the Port of Columbia County thanked them for "their swift and efficient response to the airplane crash," in a post on the port's Facebook. The airport was closed after the crash and the FAA were notified about the incident. The airport reopened at about 9:40 p.m. on the night of Apr. 29.
Turn in Poachers (TIP) Line report leads to conviction of unlicensed guide in Columbia County
A tip to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line alerted Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers to a Columbia County business illegally providing guide services. The tip led to the arrest and conviction of Eric Swanson, 31, operator of Eric Swanson Outdoors, who advertised guided fishing trips on the Columbia River and guided waterfowl hunts on the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) confirmed that Swanson failed to renew his guide license. The investigation revealed Swanson had been illegally guiding...
Oregon wildfire, smoke experts weigh in on future risks and 2024 season
Oregon’s getting better at preventing and responding to wildfires, experts said Thursday, but much more still needs to be done. A panel of University of Oregon professors who study climate change, smoke and wildfire discussed the 2024 wildfire season in an online forum with journalists as the West braces for summer fires. Wildfire risk in the West and in Oregon this year is not abnormally higher than in recent years,...
Tuesday April 30 is deadline to register to vote in May Primary election in Oregon
April 30 is the deadline to register to vote in the May primary election. It’s also the deadline to register with a political party ahead of the closed primaries. Voters can register or update their registration online at OregonVotes.gov until 11:59 p.m. on April 30. The Republican and Democratic parties have chosen to hold closed primaries, which means only registered members of the party will be able to vote in those primaries. All voters, regardless of party affiliation, will receive ballots with nonpartisan contests and...
Letter: What I like about St. Helens
Sometimes it is worth while taking a moment to count our blessings and realize how fortunate we are. We are not perfect, but here are somethings that I like about living in St. Helens. We are a small city and we are still able to maintain rural atmosphere. We are a safe place to live. We have very little in the way of violent crime. We have a well trained and professional police department, that is willing to serve the public on an “around the...
Big Reveal: Open house for SHHS’ renovations
Community members will soon get a chance to see the progress of construction at St. Helens High School, as the district announced it will be hosting an open house to celebrate Phase I of the St. Helens High School Improvement Bond Project. The open house event will be May 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Helens High School, located at 2375 Gable Road in St. Helens. “Join...
Letter: Scappoose Middle School tour
I thank superintendent Tim Porter, board member Pat Kessi and Adam Strachan for the informative tour of Scappoose Middle School. We understand firsthand the improvements that need to be addressed. In my opinion, the Middle School has need for some major repairs. Although I believe the maintenance issues have increased over the years, I also believe that these problems can be upgraded over a couple years, without the multi-millions of dollars required to rebuild in a new location. Some of us on the tour have...
Merkley Monthly: Delivering federal dollars for Oregon’s critical community projects
When I was an intern for Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, I had a front row seat to see just how important it is for our state’s priorities and values to be represented on the powerful Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government. Now, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment, I’m working hard to continue Senator Hatfield’s legacy and ensure that Oregon has a strong voice in the nation’s spending decisions – including investing in vital projects that meet our state’s diverse needs, from building wildfire resiliency to boosting affordable housing. ...
Garden Plots: Using fertilizers, germinating soil, and pepper preparation
Events: April 27 The Columbia County Master Gardeners™ Spring Fair will be Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will 3,000+ tomato plants, 700+ pepper plants, and garden related items from other vendors including Means Nursery! It will be at the Fairgrounds again this year. May 2 Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting. Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. Master Beekeeper Charlie VanDenHeuvel will be the speaker He will be...
Developing: Fire claims life of one in Rainier
A structure fire in Rainier claimed the life of one on the night of Apr. 25, and the cause of the fire is under investigation, according to CRFR Interim Fire Chief Eric Smythe. At approximately 8:37 p.m. Apr. 25, the district received a report of smoke and a possible structure fire in the 75000 block of Fern Hill Road in Rainier, according to Smythe. "The crews initially found smoke throughout...
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