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2024 Fire Season starts
Fire Season will officially begin on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 1 a.m. This will affect all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in the Northwest Oregon Forest Protection District. This area includes all State, private and BLM forest land in the Tillamook, Astoria, and Forest Grove Districts, which consists of Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill, Clatsop, Columbia, and Multnomah Counties, as well as portions of Lincoln County. For up-to-date information on public and industrial restrictions go to the following website: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/FIRE/precautionlevel.aspx. ...
Columbia County residents see increased costs for waste disposal
A boost in fees at the Columbia County Transfer Station has kicked in. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners recently approved a 3.6% increase in solid waste fees, effective July 1, at the St. Helens location. According to the county, disposal rates at the transfer station are adjusted annually based on the previous year’s Consumer Price Index. ...
Columbia County’s 2024 graduates of Oregon Charter Academy
Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) honored its 2024 class of graduating students at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, June 8. Of the nearly 320 graduating students, seven are from Rainier, Clatskanie and St. Helens. Oregon Charter Academy is the state’s first online school, established nearly 20 years ago as Oregon Connections Academy. The tuition-free virtual public charter school became independent in 2020 to better serve K-12 students throughout Oregon with advanced technology and customizable approaches to a standards-based curriculum. ...
Cooling centers to open throughout Columbia County during high heat warning
With an excessive heat warning set to envelop Northwest Oregon starting at noon on Independence Day, libraries are preparing to open their doors (during normal business hours and outside the July 4 holiday) for folks to cool off. The National Weather Service is urging people throughout northwest and west Central Oregon and and Southwest Washington to take precautions. And if you are unable to duck out of the 100+ degree weather, the chief of the Columbia River Fire & Rescue District has some advice on...
UPDATE: Cowlitz County and Rainier fairs, festivals run through September
The Lower Columbia region has fairs, festivals and fun activities scheduled through fall. Tuesday-Thursday, July 4: Cowlitz County Go Fourth Festival, Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview; parade, cardboard boat regatta, vendors, carnival, fireworks, Go Fourth Mile race; go4thfestival.com. Thursday, July 4: Kalama Summer Lights on the 4th; starting at 11:30 a.m.,...
Tardif drops from Columbia County commissioner race, leaves post at food bank
The Columbia County commissioner race is now down to one candidate, and various boards across the county may be looking for new leadership as Alex Tardif steps back from the public eye. As of this week, Tardif withdrew from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners race and appears to have left his role as executive director at the Columbia Pacific Food Bank. His continued roles at Columbia Community Mental Health and on the Scappoose school board remain unclear. ...
Mist-Birkenfeld Division Chief passes away
The firefighter community in Columbia County are in mourning, a result of the passing of Mist-Birkenfeld Division Chief Nicholas “Nick” Berg. Berg passed away unexpectedly at home on June 6.. The investigation of his death has ruled it a Line of Duty Death. “Nick was a volunteer for our Fire District for 47 years and has worked and volunteered throughout the greater Columbia County area his entire life,” ...
Laity Withdraws from House District 32 State Representative Race; Democratic Nominating Convention to be held July 18th, $10,000 in Initial Funding Announced
Logan Laity withdraws his candidacy from the state legislative race to represent the North Coast due to a work relocation. The Democratic Party of Oregon will host a convention in the district to nominate a new candidate (see below for more information.) Laity pledges $10,000 to the nominee, elected by Precinct Committeepersons (PCPs) in Oregon House District 32.
'Farm to Table' dinner in Warren will benefit Columbia Pacific Food Bank
In an effort to fight hunger locally, the Columbia Pacific Food Bank is hosting a special fundraising event. In its premiere Farm to Table dinner entitled “Nourish,” food will be served and raffles will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the St. Helens Golf Course in Warren. Chrissy Marquardt, marketing and events manager at the food bank, said, “We’re reaching out to the public to formally invite...
Columbia County pro boxer Haidon Allen ready for second bout
Following a successful debut, Haidon “Ippo” Allen is getting back in the ring for his second professional fight, and this time, he’s going up a weight class to do it. Not much has changed since Allen got his first professional win. Allen took a few weeks off after his victory over Robert Jimenez on Apr. 20. After some time off to recover, Allen hopped right back into training camp with his coach, Victor Morales. ...
Transfer station in St. Helens to make it easier to test for asbestos, lead
The harmful substances of asbestos and lead will be easier to detect thanks to the efforts of the Columbia County Solid Waste Department. A new drop box is installed at the St. Helens Transfer Station for asbestos and lead testing services, offering county residents a convenient and affordable way to access comprehensive testing services. The St. Helens location joins five other drop boxes located in the Portland, Vancouver and Salem...
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