FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2021 (Columbia County, Oregon) – The Columbia County Board of Commissioners recently appointed three new Department Heads to the positions of Transit Director, Human Resources Director, and Community Justice Director. With the exception of the Transit Director position, these vacancies were announced nationally, and applications were accepted for three to four weeks. The Board reviewed the applications received and narrowed down the applicants for the first round of interviews, which experts in their respective fields attended to provide their input. After the first round, the interview panel came to consensus on the candidates they would invite back for the second round. The second interviews were conducted with t…

Notice of Publication LUCS 21-15.pdf BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON In the Matter of Appeal of the Administrative ) Decision by the Land Development Services )                 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Director for the Issuance of Land Use )                                        (PUBLICATION) Compatibility Statement (LUCS 21-15) for Curtis ) Shuck c/o Lost Creek Rock Products LLC and ) Mel McDougal ) 1. Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at or after 10:00 a.m. virtually from the Columbia County Courthouse. On the date a…

January 20,2021 During a storm event in 2015 a landslide occurred on Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy at MP 4.0, near Highway 47. In response to the event, crews with Columbia County’s Public Works Department temporarily stabilized the slide in order to reopen the road. Columbia County has since obtained Federal funding to repair the damaged road section. Contractors for the County will conduct the slide repair project this coming summer. Construction is anticipated to begin in July 2021 and run through September 2021. The work will include improving drainage, placing stone embankment protection, stabilizing the subgrade, installing guardrail, and repaving the roadway in the slide location. Some lane restrictions and traffic delays with flaggers are anticipated dur…

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 20, 2021 (Columbia County, OR) - Columbia County Public Health recently announced a new partnership with OHSU Family Medicine at Scappoose to finish vaccinating Phase 1a groups. OHSU joins Scappoose Rural Fire District and Columbia Health Services as the third local provider to receive COVID-19 vaccine to administer shots to specific Phase 1a groups.  Earlier in the month, Scappoose Rural Fire District received enough doses to vaccinate EMS staff and other first responders in Columbia County. Columbia Health Services subsequently received doses for its own staff, other local health care providers, and individuals in congregate care settings.  “The State of Oregon’s plan is to move to vaccinating educa…

(Columbia County, Oregon) – In partnership with the Columbia County Economic Team (CCET), Columbia County recently distributed $929,274 worth of Small Business Grant dollars to 159 Columbia County small businesses and non-profits. The grant dollars were distributed across eight cities and towns and awarded by size of company – the majority of which were smaller sole proprietorships. The local hospitality industry alone received $258,978. “Our businesses and communities need this money here,” Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller said. “We were determined not to send a single cent back that would benefit the citizens of Columbia County.” According to CCET Executive Director, Paul Vogel, the process to take business a…

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY 2021 ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE   Notice is hereby given that the Columbia County Board of Commissioner will hold their regularly scheduled meetings every Wednesday, at or after 10:00 AM. These meetings will be held from the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR.  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 357-054-141 Additionally, the Board will hold their regularly scheduled Work Sessions every Wednesday at or after 1:00 PM from the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/357054141 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 357-054-141…

  (Columbia County, Oregon) – On Monday, January 4, Judge Ted Grove swore in three officials who won their elections in November. Commissioner Margaret Magruder, re-elected for her second term to Position 1, was first elected in November 2016. A lifelong resident of Clatskanie, Oregon, she has more than two decades of public service involving Columbia County business, government, and non-profits. As a County Commissioner, Magruder’s primary focus is economic development, natural resources, and infrastructure. “It is a privilege to serve the citizens of Columbia County for the next four years,” Magruder said. “I look forward to working to bring improved technology, new jobs, and good health to Columbia County.” Commissi…

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON In the Matter of the Application by the Port        ) of Columbia County for a Comprehensive Plan  )                                               NOTICE OF REVISED SCHEDULE Amendment, Zone Change and Goal 3                )                                                FOR REMAND PROCEEDINGS Exception to Reclassify and Rezone Property &n…