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Oregon Democrats praise Biden, welcome his decision to drop out
Minutes within the announcement that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential campaign, Democratic leaders in Oregon reacted to the news. Comments came from U.S. congressional members, candidates for congress, the governor and local leaders in emailed statements and on social media. They sounded a chorus of praise for Biden’s leadership and legacy and stressed their commitment to defeating former President Donald Trump in November. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer...
Merkley Monthly: Improving access to rural health care
Rural health care is an urgent challenge in Oregon. Approximately 35 percent of Oregonians live in rural and frontier communities compared to just 15 percent of the U.S. population. But, too often, we rely on one-size-fits-all approaches that don’t work well in rural communities. So, here’s what I’m doing to help improve access to health care on Oregon’s coast and across the state. I worked across the aisle to create...
Boaters reminded of duties after an incident
The Oregon State Marine Board wants to remind boaters that it’s state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. It’s also about being a “good neighbor” on the water. Failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator (ORS 830.475) could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury...
Garden Plots: What the summer heat means for plants and trees
July 17 – 21: Columbia County Fair. August 1: Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting. Thursday, August 1st, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The speaker will be Ryan Williamson of Sourwood Farms, gotakeawalk@yahoo.com. Contact Linda Zahl at ColumbiaCountyOregonBeekeepers@gmail.com for the Zoom link or you can attend in person at the OSU Extension Office in St. Helens. August 8: Saving Vegetable Seeds program. Chip Bubl, St. Helens Library, 5:30...
Police Station a work in progress
Final development plans for a new police station to replace the aging facility in St. Helens continue to elude the city. In 2020, the city council began reviewing a proposed $22 million police station redevelopment plan. The original design included a court, city council chambers and more, but as the costs mounted and limited resources were available, city officials decided in January 2023 to reduce the scale of the project. ...
Photos: Early days at the 2024 Columbia County Fair
It's been hot over the last couple days, but that hasn't stopped folks turning up and having fun at the 2024 Columbia County Fair! The most popular event of the fair will kick off tonight and continue tomorrow as the toughest cowboys and cowgirls from around the area take to the arena in the Columbia County Rodeo. Look through some of the sights from the early days around the Columbia County Fairgrounds, located at 58892 Saulser Rd, St Helens, OR 97051.
Oregon’s Employment sees little change in June
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in June and 4.2% in May and has been in a tight range between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023. Gains and losses In June, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 600 jobs, following a gain of 4,000 jobs in May. June’s gains were largest in health care...
Action needed to close equity gaps with Oregon’s suicide rate
The Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan (YSIPP) annual report shows the risk of youth suicide continues to be a concern in Oregon, particularly for youth of color. The report contains new analysis of 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) death by suicide data. By the numbers In 2022,...
SHSD welcomes new Chief Financial Officer
The St. Helens School District is pleased to announce that Christy Woodard has been selected as the new Chief Financial Officer. Christy began her role on July 1, and has already proven to be a valuable addition to our team. Christy brings over 17 years of experience from the Hillsboro School District to her new role. She started as an Educational Assistant and advanced through roles such as Office Manager, Technology Innovation Specialist, and Fiscal Planning Specialist, following her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern...
St. Helens Safeway included on list of stores to be sold, Clatskanie Safeway not included
St. Helens’ Safeway location was included on a list of 579 stores across the nation and 62 across Oregon proposed for sale as part of a planned merger between parent company Albertsons Company and Kroger. Stores would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC, a New Hampshire-based company that operates an extensive grocery supply operation, as well as grocery stores in the Midwest, South, and Northeast. For the time being, Clatskanie's Safeway does not appear to be involved in any of the transactions. ...
Police Blotter: Rainier Police Department respond to traffic incidents
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 June 26 ...
Summer EBT is available for a limited time, thousands of families may be eligible but must apply
Having enough to eat is crucial for good health and well-being. Yet hunger is a persistent problem across the country and here in Oregon. Feeding America reports that 1 in 6 children in Oregon face hunger. To help children get the food they need to thrive, the Oregon State Legislature approved the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to offer Summer EBT this year. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS),...
Columbia County Fair begins, rodeo coming this weekend
The fun at the Columbia County Fairgrounds officially started today, with the Columbia County Fair kicking off its festivities that will run through the weekend. The fair offers a host of activities, including carnival rides, 4-H livestock shows and auctions, food, drink, and, of course, the rodeo. The fair itself has kicked into gear and the rodeo will be July 19 and 20 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 58892 Saulser Road in St. Helens. ...
Slow population growth, early retirements impact in Oregon
A new report from the Oregon Employment Department illustrates the impact of slow population growth and increasing retirements in the state. The youngest members of the large Baby Boom Generation, born between 1946 and 1964, turn 60 years old in 2024. Workers in this age group have been, and are expected to continue, shifting into retirement and taking their skills and experience with them. ...
Boaters reminded of duties after an incident
The Oregon State Marine Board wants to remind boaters that it’s state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. It’s also about being a “good neighbor” on the water. Failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator (ORS 830.475) could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury...
35 years of bringing the arts to Clatskanie
For the 35th time, the Clatskanie Arts Commission (CAC) will present its Annual Performing Arts Series, once again inviting the community to share and enjoy the arts. Elsa Wooley is a board member and organizer for the (CAC) and is proud to have kept this series going year after year for three and a half decades. “We are very proud of the accomplishment,” Wooley said. “As we see arts organizations...
Statement released on managing invasive barred owls to protect at-risk spotted owls
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing its final environmental impact statement analyzing proposed barred owl management alternatives to protect northern and California spotted owls in Washington, Oregon and California from invasive barred owls. The Service’s preferred alternative is the implementation of a proposed Barred Owl Management Strategy, which would result in the annual removal of less than one-half of 1% of the current North American barred owl population. Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining due to competition with invasive barred owls and...
Flying flags for the community
Residents or visitors in the city of St. Helens have enjoyed seeing US flags displayed on patriotic national holidays for many years. This past Independence Day was no exception as the Stars & Stripes proudly waved in the warm breezes on July 4th. On seven national holidays each year, the St. Helens Lions Club of Lions International faithfully places over 230 flags along the primary streets of St. Helens. Teams put the flags out early in the morning and remove them by evening. The Lions...
Photos: 4th of July celebrations
Despite the heat, residents and visitors in St. Helens and Clatskanie celebrated Independence Day with the spirit of the July 4 holiday. In Clatskanie, hundreds lined the street leading from Clatskanie Elementary School to the city park to watch the annual Heritage Day’s Parade. This is probably my fifty-third time watching the parade,” long-time Clatskanie resident Elsa Wooley said. “Some years, there are more log trucks and horses than other...
Members of Congress condemn violence after shots seemingly fired at Trump rally
Members of Congress rejected political violence Saturday after a shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania left at least one rallygoer dead and forced the Secret Service to rush the former president off stage. Local authorities confirmed the shooter was killed, according to The Associated Press. The shooting at a crowded outdoor rally in Butler, just an hour outside Pittsburgh, occurred less than 48 hours before the Republican National...
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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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