Local News

Ambitious Broadleaf Arbor housing development in St. Helens to soon welcome residents

The first residents are expected to move into the complex the end of March. Read moreAmbitious Broadleaf Arbor housing development in St. Helens to soon welcome residents

Man convicted of attempted murder, other charges in Columbia County

Adam Fleming was also convicted of sexual abuse, sodomy, assault and witness tampering. He reportedly shot his roommates in 2019 after one of them confronted him … Read moreMan convicted of attempted murder, other charges in Columbia County

New faces seek school board posts in Scappoose, St. Helens

Alex Tardif, who heads the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, is one of the school board hopefuls. Read moreNew faces seek school board posts in Scappoose, St. Helens

ODOT completes battery of improvements to Cornelius Pass Road

Years of work to improve crash safety along Northwest Cornelius Pass Road took another step forward last month, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Read moreODOT completes battery of improvements to Cornelius Pass Road

Columbia County struggles for seat at tech manufacturing table

As Oregon looks to increase semiconductor manufacturing, rural parts of the state like Columbia County fear they’ll be left behind. Read moreColumbia County struggles for seat at tech manufacturing table

Contest winners in St. Helens dream of being mayor

St. Helens City Council announces winners in the 2023 "If I Were Mayor" contest Read moreContest winners in St. Helens dream of being mayor

ODOT proposes $18 million projects for state funding

The Oregon Department of Transportation is proposing five highway improvement projects in Columbia County, the department announced Thursday, March 9. Read moreODOT proposes $18 million projects for state funding

St. Helens School District hopes for state matching money after bond vote in May

The St. Helens School District is asking voters to approve a $4 million bond measure in May, three years after they OK'd the original bond measure to renovate St. Helens High School. Construction has hit some cost overruns due to supply chain…

St. Helens Police Log: Cops finish off February with arrests for theft, harassment

The St. Helens Police Department describes calls for service from Feb. 21-28, 2023.

Part of Fern Hill Road to close for two weeks for slide repair

Meissner Road is already closed as work continues to address damage caused by a historic rainstorm in 2015.

Portland-area air quality getting worse, annual report card shows

Despite a relatively mild wildfire season in 2022 for smoke in the Portland metro region, overall air quality decreased throughout the Pacific Northwest region compared to the previous year.

Bill Schonely remembered as larger-than-life voice at public memorial

There were bingos, bangos and bongos. There were a few lickety brindles, and wry references from former Portland Trail Blazers Chris Dudley and Terry Porter about free throws missed. Of course, there were plenty of Rip Citys!

Lawmakers hope nation will look to Oregon on national security

Chris Miller, author of “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology,” warned a state legislative committee that the United States has fallen far behind in global computer chip research and production.

Scappoose Library to participate in OHSU community health study

The study focuses on how walking groups and social interaction can improve the health of adults living in rural communities. Several other libraries around Oregon are also participating.

Corned beef, mashed potatoes on the menu for Caples House St. Patrick's Day dinner

The traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner takes place 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17.

Elks honor Alexis Gonrowski as Scappoose High School Student of the Month

Gonrowski was selected as the February honoree of the local Elks Club.

Get your swim gear ready: Eisenschmidt Pool in St. Helens is reopening

Eisenschmidt Pool in St. Helens will reopen Monday, March 13.

Judge says Columbia 911 can't exclude Scappoose city councilor from meetings

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction Thursday, March 9, against the Columbia 911 Communications District after the agency barred a Scappoose city councilor from visiting district facilities or conta…

Scappoose High School girls golf team kicks off season with auction

Money raised from the auction will go towards new waterproof gear. Coach Keely Nudo hopes it will keep the girls warm and dry, but also that it will help build their team identity.

Having slashed service to the bone, CC Rider finds itself in 'downward spiral'

CC Rider's director, John Dreeszen, is trying to find the equilibrium.

Scarecrows set scene for 'Halloweentown' in St. Helens

The aim of the Scarecrow Project is to line Columbia Boulevard, from uptown to downtown, with scarecrows to tie in with the annual Spirit of Halloweentown celebration.

If you dare, take the Polar Plunge into the Willamette River

“Oh, c’mon, it’s not that cold!” — something no one said ever when encountering the very chilly waters of a local river in early March.

Spruce up your backyard with Native Plant Sale in Scappoose

The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council's spring Native Plant Sale takes place April 8, at the council's nursery behind Scappoose High School.

St. Helens Police Log: Suspected drunk driver arrested twice on same day

The St. Helens Police Department runs down calls for service from Feb. 14-24, 2023.

Smaller school districts have bigger problems when snow falls in Columbia County

While all of Columbia County’s public school students got some unscheduled time off due to the Feb. 22-23 snowstorm, Scappoose and St. Helens lost less instructional time to the winter weather than Clatskanie, Rainier and Vernonia did.

Dog dies, at least two displaced after Scappoose house fire

One dog perished, but another was rescued, after a house fire that displaced at least two people in Scappoose on Thursday, March 2.

Scappoose kiteboarder has unexpected encounter with sea lion

A kiteboarder at Jones Beach near Clatskanie had an unexpected encounter with a bull sea lion on Thursday, March 2.

Alex Tardif seeks school board seat in Scappoose

The former Columbia County commissioner, who currently serves as executive director of the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, is running for the Zone 7 at-large position.

Oregonians support reducing prison sentences for youth who demonstrate rehabilitation

Decades after Oregonians approved Measure 11, instituting mandatory minimum sentences for some serious crimes, just under half of Oregonians think it’s fair to sentence adult offenders to the same time in custody regardless of age, a recent s…

Citizens get to chime in on St. Helens' Central Waterfront Project

An open house was held Thursday, March 2, at the city wastewater treatment facility on Plymouth Street.

Animal rescue cofounder sentenced in neglect case

A cofounder of multiple Oregon animal rescues pleaded guilty to multiple counts of animal neglect and forgery earlier this year, but other criminal cases against Woofin Palooza’s founders continue.

Patrick Kessi seeks Scappoose school board seat

Patrick Kessi is the brother of current school board member Will Kessi, who recently announced he will not run for another term.

After snowstorm, a different kind of rescue mission for Columbia County Search and Rescue

Columbia County Search and Rescue team members assisted with delivering meals to homebound seniors in and around St. Helens following the massive snowfall of Feb. 22-23.

Four displaced in Scappoose-area house fire

Four people were displaced as a result of a house fire outside Scappoose on Saturday, Feb. 25, the Scappoose Fire District said.

Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance backer challenges judge's ethics

Chris Brumbles, chief petitioner behind a measure to restrict gun control in Columbia County, says he has filed an ethics complaint against an Oregon Court of Appeals judge who said that the so-called Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance cann…

Scappoose city councilor trespassed from Columbia 911 over alleged harassment

Tyler Miller, who has a long history of clashing with the agency, denies the allegations and says Columbia 911 is attempting to silence him.

Columbia County digging out after last week's winter storm

A historic snowstorm last week dumped more than 10 inches of snow at Portland International Airport, and freezing overnight temperatures and wintry showers have persisted into this week.

Draft report: Scappoose needs more — and more affordable — housing

A draft of Scappoose’s housing capacity analysis report shows that the city will need 1,284 new housing units in the next 20 years, 48 more units than the city currently has capacity for.

Christine Sprenger seeks school board position in Scappoose

The Zone 1 seat that Sprenger, a longtime school volunteer and sports booster, is seeking has been held for more than four decades by Jim Hoag.

Oregon DEQ says Intel failed to monitor unsafe emissions at Hillsboro facility

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says staff errors at Intel’s D1X facility in Hillsboro led to unhealthy air pollution for more than two months.

Scappoose passes ordinance banning retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits

The Scappoose City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday, Feb. 21, to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits at pet stores in the city.

St. Helens selects new finance director

After serving in Independence for 11 years, Gloria Butsch will join the St. Helens city government on March 15.

St. Helens, Scappoose schools to remain closed Friday

The St. Helens School District and Scappoose School District say they will remain closed Friday, Feb. 24.

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