Mountain View
The Chief
Nearly five months in, Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October
Oregon’s forest and fire leaders were succinct in describing this year’s wildfire season to a group of Oregon senators. “It just won’t quit is essentially where we’re at, and our folks are really tired,” Kyle Williams, deputy director of fire operations at the Oregon Department of Forestry, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on Tuesday. Williams and two others – Doug Graffe, Gov. Tina Kotek’s wildfire and...
Goodbye from the Chronicle & Chief staff
In light of the coming closure of the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief, the staff of the long published paper have some parting words for the community. Thank you for your support and readership. So long, farewell… I started working at the Chronicle in 2018. I had never worked at a newspaper before and honestly didn’t fully understand how important a community newspaper was. My memories of the newspaper were...
Who’s where in the early OSAA rankings
It’s about to have been a month since the fall high school sports seasons began, and it’s time to take a look around at where St. Helens and Clatskanie are stacking up in soccer, football, and volleyball. All records are as of Sept. 25. Clatskanie Football: ...
The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum reopens in Rainier City Hall
The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum will reopen on Saturday, Sept. 28. The museum will be open from noon until 4 p.m. every Saturday from now on, except for major holiday weekends. The museum is located at 106 W. B St. on the third floor of Rainier City Hall, across the hall from the Rainier Library. Use the side entrance off 1st Street and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. ...
St. Helens’ reservoir project on hold
The St. Helens reservoir replacement project has been put on hold, with the city citing excessive costs as a barrier to replacing the long derelict structure. The design-build contract for the replacement of the 2.0 MG Reservoir with Emery & Sons Construction was terminated in May 2024 because estimated project costs derived from the 30% design cost estimate were almost 200% higher than originally planned, according to St. Helens Engineering Manager Sharon Darroux. ...
Where to find us after the closure
Hello Columbia County, This is the final week that our office will be open to the public, officially closing on Sept. 27. In the future, if you or another would like to find an article that has been published on either thechronicleonline.com or thechiefnews.com, it will soon be available online at tillamookheadlightherald.com. Physical copies of the archives are on loan to the Columbia County Museum and can be found there. Thank you for your support and readership.
Spirit of Halloweentown returns
October is almost here, and while it marks the beginning of “spooky season” across the country, Halloween means something a little more in St. Helens. St. Helens’ signature Spirit of Halloweentown event will return Sept. 28. This is the first year the event is being put on by new city event contractor Treadway Events, after years of success under E2C Corp. and Tina Curry. The contractor isn’t the only difference this year; construction in downtown St. Helens may have an impact on the event. ...
St. Helens transitioning away from 24-hour police coverage
The City of St. Helens will soon be transitioning away from 24-hour police coverage, citing a lack of sufficient staffing necessary to continue service around the clock. The new scheduling policy will go into effect Oct. 1. City Administrator John Walsh explained what the new coverage plan will look like. “St. Helens officers will continue to patrol St. Helens at regular staffing levels during the majority of the day with...
‘Oregon Rebate’ measure 118 could cost state at least $1 billion annually, legislators hear
A proposed corporate tax hike to send every Oregonian a check could end up costing the state more than $1 billion annually, legislative revenue analysts told lawmakers this week. Voters will decide in November whether to approve Measure 118, which would increase by 3% the corporate minimum tax on sales above $25 million and distribute proceeds to all Oregonians. In 2026, the average rebate could range from about $1,000 to $1,300, according to an analysis released this week. ...
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