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.
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