Ditched! Virtual Art Page A10 Show Page A10 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 $1 TheThe ChronicleChronicle thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Pandemic Special cases rise JEREMY C. RUARK Session [email protected] JEREMY C. RUARK Across the state, the number of [email protected] confirmed and presumptive COV- ID-19 cases has risen sharply over As public protests continue in Or- the past few weeks as the state egon and across the nation demand- slowly reopens county economies ing police accountability, and the and social settings. state works through the COVID-19 Oregon Health Authority pandemic, Oregon Governor Kate reported 184 new confirmed and Brown is calling legislators back to presumptive cases of COVID-19 Salem for a special session. as of Monday, June 15, bringing the state total to 5,820. Columbia County Health Department re- “We are at a unique ported a total of 22 cases on June 15. The county’s COVID-19 case moment in America.” count had been holding steady ~ Kate Brown, for several weeks at 10 cases and Oregon Governor began to increase as more testing became available and more coun- ties reopened. Brown said she will convene the Columbia County Health offi- special session of the Oregon Leg- islature at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June cials told The Chronicle in an ear- 24, to take up proposed legislation lier published article that because to improve police accountability and of Columbia County’s comparably address the COVID-19 pandemic. low rate of COVID-19 cases, there “We are at a unique moment in may be public complacency. That America,” Brown said. “I am call- is especially concerning, they said, Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle ing a special session to take up two because there is a large number of This county resident stationed himself at the corner of Gable Road and Highway 30 to show his support to those taking part in the urgent issues facing our state: the people, an estimated 70 percent, Backin’ the Blue procession that traveled from Scappoose to Rainier and back to St. Helens. See more photos with this story at COVID-19 pandemic and police ac- who regularly move back and thechronicleonline.com. countability. Several pandemic-relat- forth between Columbia County ed policies that I have implemented and Washington and Multnomah via executive order, including the counties, two of the areas with the temporary eviction moratorium and highest numbers of COVID-19 protecting CARES Act payments cases. Locals show support from garnishment, should be codi- “Our biggest fear is that people fied in statute. And the public’s call feel a false sense of security,” Co- High School, through St. Helens decorate their vehicle in any way, for significant police reform is too CHRISTINE MENGES to Rainier and then circled back to such as with flags or stickers, to lumbia County Health Officer Joe [email protected] urgent to wait until the next regular Skariah said. “The virus does not the parking lot of St. Helens High show support for law enforcement. legislative session. It’s imperative recognize county or state lines.” School for a car show. “The purpose of this event is to that the Legislature take action on In light of recent movements to Approximately 100 vehicles show support to the community, our The Chronicle asked Columbia defund law enforcement because of these issues right away.” County Health Director Michael took part, according to Columbia law enforcement officers, and that Brown is convening the special violence against black Americans, County Rednecks president and not every police officer is bad or Paul if there is a significant spike the Columbia County Rednecks session under her authority pursu- in COVID-19 confirmed and pre- event organizer Cameron Sisco, corrupt or against you in some way ant to Article V, section 12, of the hosted a car cruise to show support who said representatives from the and that these riots are unneces- sumptive cases in Columbia Coun- for law enforcement. Oregon Constitution. ty, would that mean another step Columbia County Sheriff’s Office sary,” an information sheet from the “I expect to call a second special The rally and vehicle procession and Oregon State Troopers also began at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, came to the event. June 13. Participants traveled Attendees were encouraged to See PANDEMIC Page A7 along Highway 30 from Scappoose See BLUE Page A9 See SESSION Page A3 High School leadership students honored “There are many great leader- of our students for their hard work STAFF REPORT ship programs around the state, and dedication to their school’s [email protected] and our goal is to become one climate and culture, not only when ourselves,” St. Helens High School we were in the building, but since St. Helens High School is one of Activities and Leadership Director school closed. They really do 25 middle and high schools receiv- Noelle Freshner said. “We set a deserve this award.” ing recognition as a high achieving goal this fall to at least apply in the The OASC serves middle and leadership program. spring, and see where we needed high school student councils The Oregon Association of Stu- to make changes or add for the around the state and is a depart- dent Councils (OASC) sponsors the future to potentially reach Gold.” ment within the Coalition of award, which sets high standards The application required attend- Oregon School Administrators. for councils and recognizes their ing and facilitating many events Nilles said the association usu- accomplishment when standards and activities during the year, from ally recognizes its award schools are met. the schools typical assemblies at the OASC Spring Conference Councils begin by setting and dances, to conferences, and in April, however, this year the goals in the fall and work hard all community outreach, according to schools are being honored virtu- year to achieve them. In order to Freshner, who said it had been her ally. The award certificates will be receive the award, councils must personal goal to try to reach Gold mailed to the schools in August. be involved in community service, within her first five years in her “We are incredibly proud of our activities that promote school spirit position at the high school. schools and student’s resiliency and pride, sportsmanship, unity, “This June wrapped up my and efforts to think outside the recognition, and involvement in second year in this position and we box during times of COVID while leadership training, according to an still have a lot of room to grow in continuing to provide opportuni- OASC release. the future to become even better,” ties for their students to connect “Student leaders have the oppor- she said. “We had no idea till we virtually,” Nilles said. “We look tunity to make a tremendous impact began filling out the application in forward to finding a variety of new on the culture and climate of their February that we stood a chance ways to honor our schools this Fall school and the academic success of of reaching Gold this year. When too.” their student body by the activities we started filling it out we were so they sponsor,” OASC Executive excited at the thought that we may For a full list of recipients visit Director Sara Nilles said. Courtesy photo have done enough. I am so proud http://oasc.org/?page_id=433. The St. Helens High School Student Leadership Team. Opinion: ...................A4 Poll: ...........................A4 Cartoon: ...................A4 Obituaries: ................A6 TV Guide: .................A7 Classified Ads: .........A8 FATHER’S DAY Legals: .......................A9 Umpqua ice cream Fresh Corn in the Cob Whole beef tenderloin $ $ $ Vol. 138, No. 25 3.98 10/ 6 5.98lb 7 AM - 10 PM EVERY DAY • (503) 397-2288 1111 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 A2 www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Preparing for the new school year Brown. called the ODE’s guidelines JEREMY C. RUARK “What the Oregon Depart- a framework provided for [email protected] ment of Education has estab- schools and the districts to lished is a process for school build plans in corporation with The Oregon Department of districts to listen to the com- local public health depart- Education (ODE) has issued munity and develop health and ments. Ready Schools, Safe Learners safety plans that make sense “It will certainly change as its initial 2020-21 school for each district, each school, our routines, how is still to be year guidance following the and each student,” Brown said. determined,” Stockwell said. COVID-19 pandemic and “Together, we will proceed three months of local schools “Our challenge is not only cautiously, testing each step as keeping our children safe, but using Distance Learning. we move forward, and taking The ODE said in a release our staff which may be more a step back if necessary to vulnerable than our students. If that blueprint is designed to protect the health and safety provide public and private we have an outbreak, we will of our students, families, and quickly run out of substitutes schools flexibility to develop education community.” a local blueprint for safely to keep our schools open, to starting school next year. See teach and to transport them to the full report with this story at “We feel it is a big and from school. In addition, we are concerned with keeping thechronicleonline.com. responsibility to do this Clatskanie, Rainier and all family members of our stu- other school districts across right.” dents that may be in the high the state were directed to close ~ Scot Stockwell, risk categories safe. We feel it in March and begin using SHSD Superintendent is a big responsibility to do this Distance Learning, a remote right.” electronic education plan Clatskanie School Dis- trict Superintendent Cathy between students and teachers ODE Director Colt Gill with at-home learning.