Vernonia
Politics
Magruder continues to lead early Columbia County election results, but November runoff may be required
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, Margaret Magruder is maintaining her lead for Columbia County Commission Position 1, gaining 48% of the vote to 39.6% for Alex Tardif and Brian Brust with 12%. For Position 3, Casey Garrett is unchallenged with 95.6% of the vote. Even with her lead, the top two candidates are likely to head to a runoff election in November, if neither receives 50% of the certified vote come June. ...
Proposed Buxton housing development is back in the hands of the city of Scappoose
Opponents of the proposed 17-acre Buxton Ranch housing development in Scappoose will get another bite at the apple. After years of back and forth, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals has sent the issue back to the city, setting up a chance for a new hearing at the local level. The project would place 44 single-family homes on a 17-acre property along South Scappoose Creek. Those opposed to the...
The Big Stage: Columbia County Chorale to perform in NYC
Members of the Columbia Chorale of Oregon will soon be performing under the bright lights of one of the United States’ most prestigious concert halls this Memorial Day. On the evening of May 27, 12 members of the Columbia Chorale of Oregon will sing The Magnificat and other selections by composer John Rutter on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. Margaret Trenchard-Smith is one of the singers heading to the...
Retooled Scappoose Outdoor Fun Festival will entertain all ages June 8
With the help of the Scappoose Public Library, the Scappoose summer festival will take on a new look and feel this summer. It will officially be called the Scappoose Outdoor Fun Festival — a departure from the previous name Scappoose Adventure Festival — and will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Heritage Park. “It’s based on the idea that I had years ago about having...
Scappoose closer to naming a new city manager
The search for a new city manager for Scappoose has been whittled down to nine candidates. The city has been searching to replace Alexandra Rains, who resigned her city manager post in February to take on the role of assistant city manager in Oregon City. At the Monday, May 6, city council meeting, councilors heard an update on the hiring process from Bob Larson of GMP Consultants. “I’m pleased to...
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...
🚧 Road Maintenance Advisory for Lower Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR
The time displayed is local to the original 511 traffic site in Oregon. Local transportation authorities have announced ongoing road maintenance operations on the Lower Columbia River Highway in Clatskanie, Columbia County, Oregon. Travelers in the area are advised to expect minimal traffic delays and are requested to prepare to slow down or move over, ensuring the safety of the workers. Motorists are recommended to plan their travel accordingly, allowing for slight delays and to exercise caution when driving through the work zones.
Early results Wednesday still show Columbia County public safety levies failing
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, the Columbia County jail levy and the St. Helens police levy are being rejected by voters. The vote, however, remains evenly split in the Columbia 911 emergency dispatch election. St. Helens police levy falls behind Votes Wednesday morning show the police levy being turned down by 42.9% to 57.1%. Oregon law allows for ballots postmarked on election day to be counted if received...
OPINION: Columbia County commissioner needs competency, not 'emotional immaturity'
Alex Tardif is a candidate for Columbia County commissioner on the May primary ballot, and he should not return as county commissioner. During his previous term as county commissioner, Tardif used COVID as an excuse to avoid the courthouse for months, leaving Commissioners Magruder and Heimuller to run the county’s business alone. Tardif saw someone write that he didn’t answer questions, claimed his previous election loss wasn’t fair and he didn’t like the way the other commissioners treated him. Tardif responded by accusing the person of spreading hate and lies about him. Tardif’s baseless assumption display emotional immaturity. Tardif’s inappropriate response disqualifies him from holding public office. Columbia County needs competent commissioners who possess emotional maturity, come to work and take care of business. Margaret Magruder is the right choice for county commissioner.
Look for produce, handcrafted items and more at the Scappoose Farmers Market
The 22nd Scappoose Farmers Market season is underway. Throughout the spring and summer months, visitors will be treated to not only veggies and fruits, but a wide range of hand-crafted products, many of them locally produced. The all-volunteer market is set up across from city hall and the police station. It opened Saturday, May 4, and will run through Sept. 28. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ...
St. Helens mayor, city council positions up for grabs in November
The May 21 election ballot in Columbia County will be crowded, with county commission races, a Columbia County jail levy, a 5-year local option St. Helens police levy and a Columbia 911 renewal levy that supports the county’s sole emergency dispatch agency. But it’s not the last ballot voters will face in 2024. While it’s not known, at press time, whether four-term St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl will run for...
Fresh Identity: Sea Lions Swim Team unveil new brand
Youth swimmers in Columbia County have a new look, as the county’s only year-round competitive swim club unveiled a new logo at Eisenschmidt Pool during the team’s annual Swim-a-thon fundraiser. The Columbia County Sea Lions Swim Team is almost 50 years old, and the team determined it was time to retire the decades-old logo and modernize the team’s identity to better represent today’s swimmers. The Sea Lions Swim Team is...
Opportunity: Youth Entrepreneurship Program up and running
Local non-profit Columbia County Helping Undo Boundaries (HUB) is still seeking ambassadors and participants for its Youth Entrepreneurship Training and Contest, which is kicking off this summer. The program is for young people between the ages of 16-26, and offers a financial training course that will wrap up with a Shark Tank / Voice type competition where $12,500 in startup funds will be awarded to the winner. The course component...
Vote Yes St. Helens Police Protection Ballot Measure 5-298
For decades the citizens of St. Helens enjoyed artificially low property taxes because it had at least five, timber-associated industrial plants that paid, through their taxes, an artificially large portion for city-provided services. In 1997 Oregonians approved Measure 50, a tax limitation measure, which froze property tax rates to then current levels, locking St. Helens citizens into one of the lowest property tax rates in Oregon. Today, the five lumber/paper/gypsum...
Letter: Support for Magruder
In her two terms as Columbia County Commissioner, Margaret Magruder has proven that she has what it takes to be an outstanding commissioner for all the people and places in our county. She has deep knowledge and wisdom gained as a third generation resident, farmer, and business owner. She has leadership skills honed by a lifetime of service to her community, county, state, and nation, and, perhaps most importantly, she has common sense. ...
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