ELECTION 2020 Page A10 See results online at thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, May 20, 2020 $1 TheThe ChronicleChronicle thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Global Partners will not buy oil tanks from PGE environmental group Columbia CHRISTINE MENGES Riverkeeper and concerned citi- [email protected] zens. The most recent controversial action regarding the company was Global Partners, the company when in December of 2018 the that owns and operates the Colum- Port of Columbia County approved bia Pacific Bio Refinery (CPBR) heavier oil shipments via train. at Port Westward, will no longer The transaction is outlined in the be buying oil tanks from Portland application for approval of the sale General Electric (PGE) due to the of property from March of 2017. termination of the Purchase and “The agreement states that PGE Sale agreement made between the will sell to CPBR the nine storage two parties in 2017. tanks that comprise the PGE Tank “While subsequently approved Facility, along with a twenty-inch by the Public Utility Commission of pipeline to the Port Westward dock, Oregon, the transaction was subject and CPBR will sell to PGE the two to additional conditions agreed to storage tanks that comprise the by the parties in the purchase and CPBR Tank Facility.” sale agreement,” the termination notice from the Public Utility Com- Agreement Void mission of Oregon states. The Purchase and Sale agree- Reaction ment is no longer viable because conditions that had to be met Environmental groups in were not met by the specified time Columbia County are calling the period. There were two different cancellation of the agreement good sets of conditions: five conditions news, since Global’s past efforts to regarding insurance and access massively expand crude oil are no rights between PGE and CPBR as longer going to occur. well as three conditions regarding While Global has announced approvals from different govern- that it plans to move to green diesel, ment entities. permission to transload crude oil According to Catie Kerns, Vice still exists on their permits through President of Communications for the Oregon Department of Environ- Global, the facility is no longer in mental Quality (DEQ). need of the storage tanks. Global Partners has used trains to carry crude oil to their facility, Courtesy photo an action which has unsettled local See PGE Page A5 Global Partners will no longer be purchasing oil tanks from PGE, two companies located at Port Westward in Clatskanie. Restaurants adjust servers must don face masks, and extensive sanitation procedures must be followed. Plymouth Pub, 298 S. 1st Street, plans to open on Wednesday, May 20, according to owner Brad Rakes, who said employees will have to wear masks and tables will have to be six feet apart to follow the state’s requirements. The restaurant will offer outside dining and occupancy of the res- taurant will be about 50 customers, down from the restaurant’s current 100 seating capacity, Rakes said. Courtesy photo During the governor’s orders to The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Governor Kate Brown’s coronavirus Stay Home, Save Lives, the restau- Stay Home Save Lives restrictions. rant closed for about two weeks in order for the chefs at the restaurant to get their childcare settled. Plymouth Stay Home Order in court Pub has been open since April 8 for Baptist Church vs. Katherine Brown takeout only with limited staff. JEREMY C. RUARK lawsuit. “All the servers, dishwashers and [email protected] “Following swift action by bussers haven’t worked since March the Oregon Supreme Court, my 16,” Rakes said. “I had to get ahold The Oregon Supreme Court has emergency orders to protect the of people to see if they wanted to temporarily upheld Governor Kate health and safety of Oregonians will come back, and everyone wants to Brown’s Stay Home Save Lives remain in effect statewide while come back so that’s good.” Order. the court hears arguments in this The restaurant also has lottery The ruling that came late lawsuit.” machines, which Rakes said will be Monday, May 18, followed Baker “From the beginning of this in operation when the pub is open, County Judge Mathew Shirtcliff’s crisis, I have worked within my au- but will be unplugged in between decision that tossed out Brown’s thority, using science and data as my Photo courtesy of Plymouth Pub customers’ use in order to discourage coronavirus restrictions. guide, heeding the advice of medical Plymouth Pub, 298 S. 1st Street, plans to open on Wednesday, May 20, according to customers from playing the machines In issuing his ruling, Judge Shirt- experts. This strategy has saved lives owner Brad Rakes, who said employees will have to wear masks and tables will have before they are sanitized by the cliff said Brown’s restrictions were and protected Oregonians from the to be six feet apart to follow the state’s requirements. employees. “null and void” because Brown did worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Rakes said the reopening is en- not have emergency orders approved “There are no shortcuts for restrictions—as of Friday, May 15. couraging. by the Oregon Legislature following us to return to life as it was be- CHRISTINE MENGES The Chronicle found the St. Hel- “We’re excited to open,” Rakes 28 days, according to the Associated fore this pandemic. Moving too [email protected] ens restaurants that are opening this said. “We miss our customers.” Press. quickly could return Oregon to the week are doing so at much reduced Since Oregon restaurants closed The ruling follows a lawsuit that Some of your favorite St. Helens capacity. on March 16 following the state Stay early days of this crisis, when we had been brought by churches who braced ourselves for hospitals to be restaurants are slowly reopening this Home order, Sunshine Pizza, 2124 said the social-distancing directives week, but some are not. Reopening is different Columbia Boulevard, a sit-down overfilled and ventilators in short were unconstitutional. supply.” Columbia County got its reopen- eatery was able to offer to-go meals. Brown issued the following state- ing approval from the state last week. Under Phase 1 restrictions, restau- ment following the Oregon Supreme Restaurants and qualifying busi- rants are allowed to reopen, but must Court’s emergency ruling late nesses were able to reopen—with operate at half their original capacity, See RESTAURANTS Page A4 Monday, May 18, in the Elkhorn See RESTRICTIONS Page A6 Opinion: ...................A4 Poll: ...........................A4 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 Cartoon: ...................A4 and proactive, we have adopted a enhances sanitation procedures including disinfecting bathrooms, cart handles and carry baskets multiple Obituaries: ................A5 times daily. In additions, we are offering customers the opportunity to order groceries and pick up curbside. Customers who would like Classified Ads: .........A6 to utilize this method may call, text, email or Facebook Message their orders to the store. Curbside pick up will works as follows: Legals: .......................A7 1. Orders placed before 2 pm can be pick 3. Orders paid via phone may be picked 5. Customer name and contact information TV Guide: .................A8 up the same day by 4 pm with curbside up anytime. must be included in all orders Memorial Day: .......A10 payment. 4. Customers will be notified of com- 6. Customers specify whether 2. Orders placed after 2 pm will be substitutions are acceptable. pleted orders using the same method scheduled for pick-up the next day by 4 7. Curbside pick-up will be available pm with curbside payment. used to place the order. Monday through Friday. Customers may contact the store to place orders using the following: Phone: 503-397-2288 • Text: (To be added soon) • Email: [email protected] • Facebook Messenger St Helens Market Fresh Vol. 138, No. 21 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 NEW HOURS: 7 AM - 9 PM EVERY DAY 1111 Columbia Blvd, St Helens, OR 97051 • (503) 397-2288 A2 www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, May 20, 2020 State, counties, cities bracing for budget cuts tween two and a half and $3 state may face more than happy news that Northwest Johnson is one of three Friday, May 15. CHRISTINE MENGES billion,” Johnson said. a $3 billion budget short- Oregon counties have now co-chairpersons leading the Johnson said beyond the [email protected] State economists re- fall, primarily triggered by been approved to reopen, we Oregon Legislative Ways emergency Friday meet- lease the Oregon Revenue the coronavirus pandemic, expect that the revenue that and Means committee which ing, there is a long road A bleak forecast is Forecast quarterly as a key which forced a virtual shut the state receives to fund coordinates the state budget. ahead for getting Oregon’s emerging concerning Or- guide used by the governor down of the Oregon econ- state services is going to be Staffed by the Legisla- economy back in shape. egon’s financial future. and state legislators to direct omy. significantly reduced.” tive Fiscal Office, the Joint “Am I still supportive “Let me just start by state agency spending. The Brown has directed state To balance the budget, Committee on Ways and of trying to get Oregon’s telling you that the state forecast is also a critical agencies to prepare their Johnson said the state does Means is the legislative ap- economy back up out of is in for an unprecedented tool for Oregon school budgets with a 17 percent have a few options, includ- propriations committee that the ditch? You bet I am,” decline in our state fiscal districts, cities and counties reduction.