Murder case in Take a hike court Page A10 Page A8 Wednesday, .50 February 10, 2021 $1 thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Arrest follows gas line break JEREMY C. RUARK
[email protected] A St. Helens man was arrested after allegedly hitting a large natu- ral gas pipe off Highway 30 near Deer Island Thursday night, Feb. 5. St. Helens Police responded to a report of a hit and run driver in the area at approximately 5:39 p.m. and discovered the damaged natural gas pipe at that time. The pipe was spraying natural gas into the air, causing police to immediately close the roads in the area and setting up a safety perim- eter, according to a release from the St. Helens Police Department. Columbia River Fire & Rescue and NW Natural assisted with Metro Creative Connection securing the natural gas line, and / The Chronicle residents in approximately 100 St. Helens approved the preparation of homes were alerted to shelter in a roughly 100-acres timber sale in the place. “Due to the nature of the Milton Creek Watershed. incident, to protect life safety, we asked that folks stay inside and Courtesy of David McFarland avoid the area,” CRFR spokesper- This is the site of the gas leak as seen from reader David McFarland. City to prepare son Jennifer Motherly said. “CRFR staff knocked on the doors of some last seen driving toward Crestwood driver. email,” Motherway said. timber sale of the homes near the area on Deer Village. He was booked and released at The notification system was ini- Island Road.