Sisters SNAP open benefits business update Page A2 Page A5 Wednesday, .50 June 2, 2021 $1 thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Columbia Theatre reopens, new screen co-owner Lance Tillotson, found a AURORA BIGGERS way to keep the theatre operating [email protected] by having drive-up popcorn sales in The historic Columbia Theatre front of the facility. in downtown St. Helens is sporting a Then the theatre reopened last fall new screen for movie watchers. with limited seating. Yet, with a lack After closing at the beginning of of new movies, the theatre’s reopen- the pandemic, the theatre offered a ing feels slow, according to Tillotson. Friday night drive-up popcorn and “Without any big new movies merchandise sale. Almost every Fri- it feels as though we are just now day night, from 5 to 7 p.m., cars have opening,” she said. been lining up in front of the Co- Since opening, the theatre has lumbia Theatre to purchase popcorn continued the drive-up popcorn sales buckets for $5 a piece, as well as an and offers re-showings of popular assortment of movie posters, t-shirts films, like Mortal Kombat, plus the and gift cards for the theatre. occasional new movie, like Disney’s “Our customers have been recent release, Raya. amazing and that is what has kept us There was just one problem. The afloat,” Columbia Theatre co-owner old screen gave the movie images a Leah Tillotson said. moiré effect. (Moiré effect is a visual perception that occurs when viewing Journey forward a set of lines or dots that is superim- posed on another set of lines or dots, The theatre, at 212 S. First Street where the sets differ in relative size, in the Old Town District of St. angle, or spacing. The moiré effect Helens, had been closed for audi- can be seen when looking through ences since March 18, following the Courtesy photo from Leah Tillotson state’s social distancing order, but Technicians install the new screen in Columbia Theatre. The new screen retains the same curved style and dimensions as the old Tillotson—along with her husband— See THEATRE Page A9 screen. Wildfires could trigger power outages 2021. The PUC will continue work- JEREMY C. RUARK ing with the utilities, public safety [email protected] partners, and the communities to Oregon fire officials are warning develop permanent rules to further of an early and possibly more intense enhance public safety as the electri- wildfire season in Oregon this sum- cal system adapts to extreme wildfire mer and fall due to the continued dry risk. conditions and warm temperatures. In preparation for the wildfire Wildfire Awareness Month season, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved In observance of Wildfire Aware- temporary rules that include con- ness Month and in response to an trolled blackouts, or so-called public earlier than normal Red Flag Warn- safety power shutoffs (PSPS). ing issued by the National Weather The rules provide near-term guid- Service in April, the PUC is also ance for utilities to enhance the safety encouraging Oregonians to get ready of Oregonians as more expansive per- for the 2021 wildfire season and the manent rules are further developed, potential power outages. according to the PUC. “If the Labor Day Fires in 2020 “With the earliest official opening taught us anything, it’s to be ready to Oregon’s wildfire season in 40 Courtesy photo for future wildfire events, regardless The Oregon Public Utility Commission and other state agencies are encouraging residents to take precautions now to be prepared of where you live in Oregon” PUC years, the establishment of these rules for the summer and fall wildfire season. was extremely important and timely,” Commissioner Letha Tawney said PUC Commissioner Letha Tawney PSPS, and particularly how they issue information.” The PUC said the shutoffs would “The PUC and other state agencies said. “They are designed to help notifications before, during, and after The electrical shutoffs are used be used as a last resort to protect the are providing information early to keep Oregonians safe by establishing a potential PSPS in order to provide in California as a protective measure public and property from wildfires. criteria on how the utilities commu- the PUC, public safety partners, and and were first used in Oregon in the The temporary rules will remain nicate about and coordinate during a the general public useful and timely fall of last year near Mt. Hood. in effect through mid-November See WILDFIRES Page A4 Halloweentown to return in full force and each year thereafter the city Curry expects there to be more AURORA BIGGERS transforms the Riverfront District Halloweentown cast appearances [email protected] into the Spirit of Halloweentown, this year, but the contracts aren’t Though Halloweentown sold out a celebration of all things spooky. finalized at this point. The big draw most days in 2020, the St. Helens The town becomes a month-long though, said Curry, is the new addi- signature all-fall event wasn’t quite event, attracting tens of thousands tions to Halloweentown. the same. Numbers were limited, of visitors each year and offering “We have four new attractions vendors were scattered to avoid “family friendly” attractions. this year,” she said, listing off the crowding, and attractions were Occasionally, Halloweentown is new attractions—Whispers in the restricted to socially distanced host to special guests like the cast Woods (a scavenger hunt for hidden activities due to the pandemic. of the movie, which reunited in St. painted faces within trees around This year, Halloweentown will Helens for the event in 2017. The the city), The Art of Wade Lapp’s be returning with all its beloved event has grown with each year, “Walk With Pumpkins” (a shuttle fixtures, plus some new attractions, but in 2020, Halloweentown had to out to Sand Island for another Hal- according to city event coordinator downscale a bit due to COVID-19. loween themed scavenger hunt), the Tina Curry. Occasionally, Halloweentown is Pumpkin King Tunnel (a laser light host to special guests like the cast show tunnel leading to a 20 foot History of Halloweentown of the movie, which reunited in St. Pumpkin King statue), and the new Helens for the event in 2017. The Dark Market (a Halloween themed In 1998, St. Helens served as event has grown with each year, but in 2020, Halloweentown had to a backdrop to the Disney Channel Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Halloween classic Halloweentown, downscale a bit due to COVID-19. This is one of the centerpiece artwork placed along the Columbia River in St. Helens See HALLOWEEN Page A3 during the 2020 Halloweentown. Opinion ..................... A4 The Chronicle 10th Annual The Chief Garden Plots ............ A4 Poll ............................ A4 PUBLICATION DATE: TV Guide ................... A5 2021 Columbia County Business Guide CHRONICLE: JUNE 23 Classified Ads ......... A6 For space reservation, contact Amy: 503-397-0116 or [email protected] CHIEF: JUNE 25 Legals .................... A6-7 The 2021 Columbia County Business guide is a full color, glossy magazine that showcases local AD DEADLINE: JUNE 9 Obituaries ................. A8 business and highlights current news events. It is the go-to reference for visitors, newcomers, Crossword ................ A8 residents, and potential customers of Columbia County. Sports ...................... A10 Vol. 139, No. 22 ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247 A2 www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Who We Are: OSP: Not just law enforcement Courtesy photo from OSP Courtesy photo from OSP These ducklings are two of the batch rescued by OSP Fish and Wildlife This injured Barn Owl was discovered by a St. Helens resident and Troopers in Tillamook County. brought to the OSP office in St. Helens. the wild. JEREMY C. RUARK In Lane County, the Oregon [email protected] Department of Agriculture’s Oregon State Police (OSP) state veterinarian received a Troopers at the St. Helens of- unusual presentation after Eu- fice received a strange delivery gene Police officers discovered May 18. an alligator during an unrelated A resident discovered a investigation. Eugene Police and OSP Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle fledgling Barn Owl that had St. Helens 11-year-old Karly Siemienczuk, and her sister Cedar fallen from its nest and injured Fish and Wildlife Division Siemienczuk, 1, ready to serve customers at their 3rd Street lemonade its wing. Not knowing who else troopers captured the 4-foot- stand. to take the bird to, the resident long alligator and brought it to delivered the injured owl to the Oregon Department of Ag- Sisters open lemonade stand OSP office. riculture to be relocated to an authorized educational facility. Troopers quickly contacted Our viewers may recognize the Portland Audubon Society Courtesy photo from OSP KELLI NICHOLSON Karley. She is the 11-year-old office to get the little owl to OSP Sgt. Jim Andrews shows off the captured alligator. Read more Who We Are [email protected] articles at thechronicleonline. featured in a recent front page immediate care and hopefully story in the print version of on to a speedy recovery. If the Troopers conducted another Miller and Reeder were able to com. If you know of someone, Two St. Helens children animal rescue. wrangle the little ducklings all an agency or business, or a are carrying on an American The Chronicle conducting a Portland Audubon Society dog show to raise pet food for team can rehabilitate the owl, A hand full of baby ducks to safety. group, that is making a positive summertime tradition in their became orphaned when their The Wildlife Center of the difference in our community neighborhood. dogs at the Columbia Humane they will do everything they Society.