National Beer Day Tuesday, April 7 2020 Coronavirus impact on child care Page A2 Page A3 Wednesday, April 1, 2020 $1 TheThe ChronicleChronicle thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Dear Reader News related to the CO- VID-19 virus is changing by the minute. Egg Hunt canceled The Chronicle continues to provide you with the most mately 30,000 wrapped candies and CHRISTINE MENGES prizes, most of which is obtained complete and accurate in- [email protected] through community donations. formation about how these Another mEGGa Egg Hunt Face- changes are affecting the A Columbia County Easter book post stated that the board had lives of Columbia County tradition that draws thousands to already received stuffed animal the region is the latest public event residents and visitors. donations and other donations for to be canceled by the coronavirus prizes. Oregon Gov. Kate pandemic. One activity associated with Brown’s recent executive The mEGGa Egg Hunt sched- the event that will continue to order directs businesses uled for Saturday, April 11, has happen this year is the annual been canceled according to orga- statewide to provide for coloring contest. Entry forms had nizers, who posted the announce- been previously dispersed through customer and employee ment on Facebook in late March. local schools and also through The social distancing, and for “It is with heavy hearts but the Chronicle print edition. Forms are employees to work from community’s health in mind that still available on the egg hunt’s home as duties and re- we have made the hard decision website, at meggaegghunt.wixsite. to cancel this year’s mEGGa Egg sponsibilities allow. com/mysite. Hunt,” the post states. “Our board “We tried to think of other During this crisis, we will is looking at some options to things we could do but unfortunate- have certain designated re- preserve a little of this event for ly there are no other avenues with Courtesy photo porters working from their the kids. Stay tuned as we work out all the restrictions that are in place those options.” The 2019 mEGGa Egg Hunt at the Columbia County Fairgrounds drew more than home offices to continue 3,000 people, according to organizers, who have announce that the 2020 event has now,” Epperly said. The mEGGa Egg Hunt board of Because the forms had already been canceled due to the coronavisus. providing our readers with directors reached the decision after been distributed, and children were essential community news careful research and observation of is cancel the hunt,” Epperly said. is annually held at the Columbia left at home with no school to go to and information. what was going on in the coun- and most events canceled, Epperly try, according to board member “None of us wanted to do it, but County Fairgrounds in April and is Meantime, walk-in hours with everything going on it was the a free event for families. The egg said the board thought carrying on Heather Epperly. with the coloring contest would for our customers at The “Each person got to the same responsible thing to do.” hunt drew more than 3,000 people Chronicle office, 1805 Co- response, which is that they The egg hunt, which would have last year, according to Epperly. The celebrated its 20th year this year, event typically gives out approxi- lumbia Blvd. in St. Helens, thought the responsible thing to do See EASTER Page A2 will be temporarily changed to 9 a.m. - noon Monday through Friday. Feel free to call our customer service Students may be out of school through summer line from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., at Learning for All,” Gill writes in a let- fully to ensure care, connection, and Gill, who added it will be important 503-397-0116, for help with JEREMY C. RUARK ter sent to all school superintendents continuity of learning happen in for parents to know their role to sup- subscriptions, classified [email protected] and principals in the state on March entirely new ways for our students,” port their child’s education. ads and other inquiries. 30. Gill said. “Our children and educators de- Schools in St. Helens, across Gill also writes “education without Under the Oregon Department of serve more than we can provide right Columbia County and around the face-to-face interaction between Education’s Distance Learning for now; we must let this thought drive I can be reached at state may not reopen for the remain- students and teachers will look and All, Gill said meaningful education our innovation and help us strive to [email protected]. der of the academic year, due to the feel different and cannot be fully rep- can be provided through educational overcome disparities and build resil- coronavirus, according to the Oregon Thank you for your contin- licated across a distance,” and he said materials distributed in packets. Ways ience in our students and educators,” Department of Education Director such change won’t happen overnight. must be developed to ensure classes Gill said. “This effort will call on all ued trust and support. Colt Gill. “We need the grace and patience are scheduled in ways students can our creativity and talents as well as “This calls for a shift from provid- of our state’s leaders, our communi- access all content, he said. Jeremy C. Ruark ing supplementary education to a ties, our families, and our educators Parents will play a key role in the formidable effort to provide Distance Publisher / Executive Editor as we learn together to move power- remote learning efforts, according to See SCHOOL Page A7 Nursery, greenhouse industry hiring workers Nurseries (www.oan.org) has STAFF REPORT published an online list of nursery Fast Fact [email protected] and greenhouse businesses that have Oregon’s nurseries and green- indicated they are hiring seasonal houses generated nearly $1 billion While many workers in Co- and temporary help. in sales in 2018, according to the lumbia County are facing unem- As unemployment rates skyrock- Oregon Department of Agriculture ployment during the coronavirus et during the COVID-19 outbreak, — making them the number one pandemic, spring jobs are opening OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone segment in Oregon agriculture. in the Oregon nursery industry. said the list provides the contact in- The Oregon Association of formation of potential employers for perishable product to market when anyone who may have recently been it’s needed,” Stone said. “Some of laid off or displaced from work. our growers have come forward to Spring is the peak season for ag- say they need help and have jobs ricultural workers in the ornamental available for people. If people can plant industry. work and customers across the Courtesy photo “We operate within a tight time Even during the coronavirus pandemic, flowers, plants and shrubbery are being window, set by Mother Nature, so produced by the Oregon nursery and greenhouse industry and employers are hiring that we can move a beautiful but See JOBS Page A7 seasonal workers as the industry continues to move forward. (503) 232-7292 HEAT AND COOL UP TO 1000 SQFT. INSTALLED FOR AS LITTLE AS $2800 AFTER REBATES AND INCENTIVES RX18NMVJU/FTX18NMVJU To our valued customers, At St. Helens Market Fresh, we are committed to always to serving the needs of our community during this crisis. In an effort to be safe and proactive, we have adopted a enhances sanitation procedures including disinfecting bathrooms, cart handles and carry baskets multiple times daily. In additions, we are offering customers the opportunity to order groceries and pick up curbside. Customers who would like Opinion: ...................A4 to utilize this method may call, text, email or Facebook Message their orders to the store. Curbside pick up will works as follows: Poll: ...........................A4 1. Orders placed before 2 pm can be pick 3. Orders paid via phone may be picked 5. Customer name and contact information Cartoon: ...................A4 up the same day by 4 pm with curbside up anytime. must be included in all orders TV Guide: ................A5 payment. 4. Customers will be notified of com- 6. Customers specify whether Classified Ads: .........A6 2. Orders placed after 2 pm will be substitutions are acceptable. pleted orders using the same method Legals: .......................A6 scheduled for pick-up the next day by 4 7. Curbside pick-up will be available Obituary: ..................A7 pm with curbside payment. used to place the order. Monday through Friday. Customers may contact the store to place orders using the following: Vol. 138, No. 14 Phone: 503-397-2288 • Text: (To be added soon) • Email: [email protected] • Facebook Messenger St Helens Market Fresh Unfortunately, we are unable to accept EBT and WIC benefits for curbside orders. We appreciate the health and happiness of our community and wish to thank for you continued support! Sincerely, Brian Brame, Vice President Kirby Company 1111 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 • 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. • (503) 397-2288 A2 www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Business, nonprofit emergency loans Coronavirus impact on child care Small businesses in St. Small Business Administra- nomic injury as a result of the Helens and across Columbia tion. Coronavirus (COVID-19). STAFF REPORT County impacted by the coro- According to a release Small businesses and [email protected] navirus economic upheaval from the South Columbia nonprofits can apply for the now have the opportunity to County Chamber of Com- emergency loans at: https:// As part of Gov. Kate apply for emergency loans. merce, the program is disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. For Brown’s Stay Home execu- The loans are now avail- available to provide working more details, call the Small tive order, child care provid- able for small businesses capital assistance to small Businenss Administration’s ers have been ordered to close and nonprofits in Columbia businesses and nonprofits who Portland office, at 503-326- unless they are providing County through the U.S.