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The St. Helens Chronicle
Oregon joins nearly 30 states with illnesses linked to mushroom-derived candies
The Oregon Health Authority said the state is now part of a nationwide outbreak linked to microdosing products that contain a substance in mushrooms. So far, one person in Oregon has become ill and recovered, the health authority said. It didn’t provide any other information about that person. Nearly 60 people in 27 states – from the East Coast to the West – are part of the outbreak linked to microdosing products, federal officials said. Thirty people have been hospitalized and federal officials are investigating...
Tourism contractor process slows, 13 Nights goes on
Though the process of hiring a new event coordinator remains unresolved, the 13 Nights concerts series will continue, and the city has announced the remaining concerts. On June 17, the City of St. Helens voted to approve a notice of intent to award Treadway Events & Entertainment LLC as the new events coordinator. The notice of intent to award began the negotiation with the selected contractor candidate and also opened a seven-day “objection period.” ...
Transfer station solid waste fees increase
The Board of Commissioners approved a 3.6% increase in solid waste fees at the Columbia County Transfer Station, effective July 1. The increase will see rates rise as much as much as $2.25 in cities across the county. Starting July 1, the commercial tonnage rate increases from $106.12 to $109.94 per ton. Residential customers with a once-a-week curbside collection for a 35-gallon cart will also see adjustments. The new curbside...
Columbia County’s 109th Fair and Rodeo
The Columbia County Fair is returning soon, and the ultra-popular Columbia County Rodeo will be held next weekend, bringing raucous action to the county for its 109th year. The theme this year is “Sew It, Grow It, Show It,” which was submitted by Daisy Smith, and selected as the winner forthis year’s theme contest. The fair will offer a host of activities, including carnival rides, 4-H livestock shows and auctions, food, drink, and, of course, the rodeo. ...
All ODF district are now in fire season
As of, July 3, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate. ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county, state, and federal land in Oregon from wildfire. Fire season is declared at the local level when conditions reach a point where the risk of a fire starting and spreading becomes clear....
New Asbestos/Lead testing drop box in St. Helens
The Columbia County Solid Waste Department is excited to announce the addition of a new drop box at the St. Helens Transfer Station for asbestos and lead testing services. This new drop box offers county residents a convenient and affordable way to access comprehensive testing services. Key Features include: • Multiple Asbestos Testing Turnaround Options. Choose from same-day to 5-business-day results to meet your specific needs. ...
OSAA hires Brownrigg as assistant executive director
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has hired Lauren Brownrigg as an assistant executive director. Brownrigg has served as associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. since 2012. She was named senior associate athletic director in 2020. Brownrigg replaces Monica Maxwell, who recently accepted a position with the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) in Indianapolis, Ind. ...
Second Veterans Wall nearing completion
A new Clatskanie Veterans Wall will soon be complete to stand in tandem with the black granite wall completed at the beginning of this century. “We already have 1,600 names to be put on the new wall,” said Gerry Simmons, Commander of the American Legion Post 68. Simmons is himself a Vietnam veteran and has been a longtime supporter of honoring Clatskanie veterans. That is in addition to the 27 new names that were announced at the Memorial Day celebration. ...
Scappoose selects new city manager
The Scappoose City Council has taken the next step to hire a permanent city manager, as they have selected Ben Burgener as their preferred candidate for the position, and he has signed a letter of intent. The Columbia County Chronicle & Chief reached out to Scappoose Mayor Joe Backus for an update on where things are in the process and how they landed on Burgener. “We are now putting together...
Alex Tardif withdraws from County Commissioner election
In a surprising turn of events, Alex Tardif has withdrawn his candidacy for Position 1 of the Columbia County Commissioners, taking himself off of the ballot for the runoff election between himself and incumbent County Commissioner Margaret Magruder. Tardif’s exit from the commissioner’s race was confirmed by Columbia County Public Information Officer Mark Pacheco via email June 27. When asked what the result will be for the election, Pacheco said that Tardif’s name will not appear on the November ballot but that “everything else will...
Column: Summer is finally busting out... I think
Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting has been cancelled for July since it would have been on July 4th. The seedcorn maggot can be a real problem with bean, corn, and squash family seeds. By the time the gardener realizes that something is wrong and looks in the seed furrow, the damage is already done. The maggot and seed alike may have disappeared. That happened to me this year with a planting of winter squash. Recent experiments in the Midwest demonstrated that soil temperatures play a...
Democrats, homeless advocates disappointed in U.S. Supreme Court ruling on homelessness
Democratic lawmakers, homeless advocates and legal experts in Oregon expressed disappointment Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Grants Pass homeless case, while conservatives welcomed the decision. In a 6-3 decision split along partisan lines, the court sided with the southern Oregon city in its prohibitions against homeless people using blankets, pillows or cardboard to protect themselves in severe weather while sleeping in public places. The court said that the city’s ordinances against homeless camping did not violate the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibition...
The Community Helpers Vehicle Petting Zoo
The Community Helpers Vehicle Petting Zoo attracted 250 visitors to the St. Helens Public Library on June 29 to educate folks of all ages on the people and vehicles that make taking care of the city possible. The St. Helens Police Department, City of St. Helens Public Works crew, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Hudson Garbage Service, and others taught about the safety and maintenance of the city.
Hydropower is ready to step up to the plate against summer heat
Summer is here and the Northwest has sprung to life as the days have grown longer and warmer. It’s an exciting time for many of us as we break free from the cold grip of winter. But in the past few years, we’ve experienced increasingly extreme weather. Hotter, drier conditions during the summer have started earlier and lasted longer, with multiple “heat dome” events leading to record-breaking temperatures across the region. Uncomfortable as it may be, comfort is really the least of our concerns. The...
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. ...
SHPD officers seek information in sexual assault case
On June 22, the St. Helens Police Department received the report of a sexual assault that had occurred earlier that day. St. Helens officers immediately initiated an investigation. Law enforcement soon identified 36-year-old Casey Blasier of St. Helens as a suspect. Investigators presented the case to a Columbia County Grand Jury on June 27, and Blasier was indicted. On June 27, at approximately 1:45 p.m., St. Helens officers arrested Blasier...
Ace Hardware’s 100th Anniversary
Organizers were thrilled with how the Ace Hardware 100th anniversary barbecue went, as about 400 people came out for the free food, vendors, and Highway 30 Cruisers car show. “We had great weather and a very nice crowd! It turned out to be an amazing day,” Manager Melissa Peterson said. “I would like to say a special thank you to Hwy 30 Cruisers for bringing their cars and letting the crowd drool over them. We had 35 cars show up for the event.” ...
Rainier Columbians on the bullseye
The Rainier Columbians Trap Team traveled to the Hillsboro Gun Club recently for the Class 1A Oregon State Championship Tournament, competing against 35 teams from across Oregon on June 23. Head Coach Jeff Sorenson gave an update on the team’s finale in a Facebook post after an “outstanding” day of shooting that saw the team hit a team-record score of 471/500 birds. The Columbian’s sharp shooting saw them place 3rd overall in 1A Classification, narrowly missing second-place Madras, who scored 472/500. This year’s state champion,...
Celebrate safely this Fourth of July: Rethink the Drink, drive sober
As Oregonians gear up to celebrate the busy months of summer – from Fourth of July and barbecues to weddings and river outings – the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Excessive Alcohol Use Prevention Program and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Impaired Driving Program are partnering to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less. Excessive drinking impairs a person’s judgment, slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. This Fourth of July, OHA and ODOT are encouraging people...
Independence Day in McCormick Park
Though there won’t be the traditional firework display over the Columbia River in Columbia View Park this year, St. Helens will have Independence Day activities in McCormick Park that honor the United States and the service of veterans. The theme for this year’s event is “Tour of Duty,” and is a collaboration with the American Legion, VFW, Elks Veteran Bunker, and the City of St. Helens. Judy Thompson is the volunteer coordinator of the event, and this year’s Independence Day celebration will also be the...
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The St. Helens Chronicle covers local news in the St. Helens and Columbia County areas in Oregon. We focus on local breaking news, general news, community news, sports, and opinions.
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