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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 2011)
area news december27 2011 Columbia County Offers Winter Driving Tips The Columbia County Traffic Safety Commission is reminding resident to be prepared for winter driving by offering the following safety tips: 1. Winter Readiness Kit. Making a winter preparedness kit is always wise when you know you are going to be out on the road, even for short trips. Below is a list of the items drivers will want to have with them: Bottle of water and some food (backpacking meals, food bars, etc), Tire chains and ties. Jumper Cables, Small tarp to kneel on and many other uses during an emergency, Space or wool blanket, Flashlight, Road flairs, Small shovel, Gloves, First Aid Kit, A sandbag or two full of sand, A good book… Other vehicle tips include making sure your vehicle is in good running order and the battery is good. Always keep the gas tank at least half full when traveling, and make sure someone knows where you are going. For more ideas on how to be prepared, google Winter Driving Kit on the internet. 2. Plan Your Trip. It is often a good idea when you plan your trip to check out road conditions before your leave. One very handy website is Tripcheck.org, which can provide valuable information on road conditions. 3. Rain. Rain can mix with oils on the road forming a slick solution and/or the water can float (hydro-plane) the tires off the road surface if the tire (vehicle) speed is great enough. This can occur at speeds as low as 35mph. And anytime there is water on the road surface, slow down to prevent hydro-planning. Three VRFPD Volunteers Promoted Three Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District (VRFPD) volunteers were promoted recently to the rank of Lieutenant. Loren Loomis, Dan Hanson and Jesse Harbour were recognized for their dedication and leadership qualities and were officially sworn in by Deputy Chief Earl Dean Smith at the Fire Board Meeting on December 13th. In additional to their current involvement, all three will take on additional responsibility in the areas of training, safety and district operations. Please congratulate these men when you see them and thank them for their continued commitment to our community. Loren Loomis, Dan Hanson and Jesse Harbour were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Commission On Children and Families: Books, Services, Award The Columbia County Commission on Children and Families has been busy recently. Each December 50 book bags are given to the Department of Human Services Self Sufficiency program. The bags are filled with donated items which encourage children to read and which support healthy family’s initiatives in Columbia County. In addition parents are able to choose several new books for each of their children. This event is possible through generous book donations from the St. Helens Kiwanis Club and private individuals. The 20 member Commission has maintained its commitment to supporting children and their families through advocacy projects like the Holiday Book Bags and program funding. In addition to Healthy Start, CASA, the Teen and Family Transition and Skills Trainer programs, this year, the Commission funded short term services. Funds for these projects impact literacy, child safety, school success, violence prevention, nutrition and health. These services include: 4-H Spring Break Day Camp, St. Helens Police Department Bike Helmet Education, Clatskanie Elementary After School program, Columbia Community Mental Health Mentors, Healthy Start Child Injury Prevention, Rainier Hudson Park Elementary After School and 2nd Step programs, 4H Run Girl Run program at St. Helens Lewis and Clark Elementary, St. Helens McBride Elementary Parent- Child Book Club, Snoopeeland Reading for Healthy Families, St. Helens Library Our Community Reads, Big Rig event and books for Head Start, Vernonia School District Summer Books and Swim programs, Child Care Resource and Referral literacy. In addition to the December event, the Commission donates books throughout the year county-wide. If you would like to donate new or gently used books for children of all ages, please contact the Commission on Children and Families at 503.397.7211. It takes commitment to keep the work of the Commission energized and organized. In November, Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) recognized the work of the Commission Director, Jan Spika-Kenna. In the words of Laney Coulter, “Jan has been a wonderful advocate for children and families in Columbia County. She is the hub of the wheel. The wheel being the many agencies in Columbia County that work with children and families. She understands, on a deep level how we operate and what our needs are and works tirelessly to help us meet those needs. The school districts in Columbia County are very appreciative of the work she does for our children and want to recognize her with this award.” In response, Jan stated that the “...work of the Commission is successful because of the Commission members’ dedication to serving children and families needs, and the support of her staff and the County Board of Commissioners.” For information on the Columbia County Commission on Children and Families please contact the Commissions Office at 503- 397-7211. 5 4. Frost. As the temperature drops to near freezing (32° F) roads can develop frost crystals, even though they appear to be bare and dry. You will need to slow down and watch for sparkles from the ice crystals on the road and the road’s shoulder. 5. Black Ice. Black ice can be extremely dangerous because you can’t see it! When temperatures are near freezing, be cautious of any location on the road that appears wet (the pavement will appear black). If you find you are driving in conditions where there might be black ice, do not make any quick changes or jerking movements of the steering wheel, hitting the brakes, etc. 6. Elevation. Typically as you gain elevation the temperatures drop. Depending on other weather conditions, the drop can be anywhere between 3° F to 6° F per 1000 ft. gained. 7. Cold Air Sinks. Because cold air is heavier then warm air, it normally sinks to lower elevations. Some areas such as the Chapman area on Scappoose-Vernonia Road are known as a cold-air sinks and these areas may be colder then areas even at higher elevations. 8. Bridges. Bridges have no insulating material under them (soil or rock), and because of this lack of insulating material they will frost / freeze faster than main road surfaces. 9. De-icer. ODOT and the County use a chemical de-icer (magnesium chloride) on some roads when the weather conditions are right. Once the road has been sprayed with de- icer, it can remain effective for up to 5 days. Be aware that rain will dilute and wash the de-icer off the road. Also, de-icer is only effective when the temperatures are within 15 ° of 32° F. 10. Sanding Rock. ODOT and the County use sanding rock during certain weather conditions to reduce slick and icy conditions. But, after several hours of high volume traffic, most of the sand may be out of the lanes of traffic and not much use in preventing a car from sliding. 11. Shadows and Shaded Areas. In many areas roads may be shaded throughout the day. In these areas the sun has not had an opportunity to warm the road and melt any frost or ice that may have formed during the night., so these shaded areas can be extremely treacherous. 12. Snow. During large, long snow events, keeping the roads free of snow and ice may not be possible. The Road Department prioritizes roads that need to be cleared for emergency purposes and they typically start snow clearing at the higher elevations first where the problems can be the greatest. Use appropriate traction devices on tires, slow down, and travel when only necessary. 13. Ice. Remember, ice is extremely slick when the temperature is just a few degrees above or below freezing. If you encounter icy conditions while driving don’t make any quick steering movements. 14. Mud on the Road. Many off road activities can cause mud to be tracked onto a road’s surface. Mud can be extremely slick. Watch for signs that off the road activities that may drag mud onto the road’s surface. The Columbia County Traffic Safety Commission wishes all Columbia County residents a safe winter driving season. Why not pay off your mortgage before he heads off to college? U.S. BANK SMART REFINANCE 4.25 % APR * Fixed Rate up to 15 years Pay off your home faster with a U.S. Bank Smart Refinance. What’s the smart solution to being mortgage freeB A Smart Refinance from U.S. Bank. Refinance into a 15-year mortgage and you’ll save big on interest, build equity faster and be mortgage free before you know it. With a U.S. Bank Smart Refinance, you’ll enjoy: • No closing costs • Easy application process • No points or fees • Free setup of bi-weekly payments Smart Refinance is only one of many mortgage refinance options that U.S. Bank offers. Make a smart move and contact your local branch, usbank.com, or call 888-444-BANK to discuss all of your refinancing options. 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