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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2016)
8 community march3 2016 Vernonia Radio Station Looking for Funding Vernonia now has a radio sta- tion, at least on paper. Vernonia Public Broadcasting, 104.5 FM with a call sign of KVPB-LP, is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity which has been granted a con- struction permit and radio license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a low power (LP) FM broad- cast, 100 watt radio station to be located in Vernonia. The project is the work of Reo Gargovich, the President of Vernonia Public Broadcasting. Gargovich has been pursuing the idea of a community radio station since 2009. He says he’s been following a group, the Promethius Project, which has been lobbying con- gress to require the FCC to provide more opportunities for a LP FM radio stations for use by local communities. The FCC did open a window for new radio station licenses a few years ago and Gargovich learned that any local radio station needs to be publicly man- aged by a nonprofit; no one is allowed to own it like a commercial radio sta- tion. Gargovich formed a nonprofit with a three member local Board of Directors and was granted the license. “Theoretically Vernonia has KVPB, 104.5 FM ready to go as soon as we can put the hardware together and make it happen,” says Gargovich. Gargovich has said the station would be used to disseminate infor- mation during emergencies; the FCC requires the station be part of the na- tional and state emergency alert system. Gargovich has spoken with the City of Vernonia about providing emergency services and also has an unofficial en- dorsement from the Vernonia Fire Dis- trict. Gargovich would also like to provide programmable music and also envisions shows hosted by locals. A new drug and alcohol treat- ment and recovery facility is getting ready to open its doors in St. Helens. Medicine Wheel Recovery Ser- vices (MWRS) is a newly formed non- profit that will function as an outpatient clinic for adults, and their families, suf- fering from addictions and unaddressed mental health issues. The co-ed facility will provide individual and group therapy and counseling along with a variety of re- covery skills training, including commu- nication skills and parenting classes. The facility will also help clients navigate and access community resources and offer re- ferrals to their community partners. According to their web page, MWRS “promotes healing by addressing the delicate balance of physical health, mental and emotional health, social and cultural connection, community involve- ment, environmental responsibility, and spirituality,” with a focus on cultural ex- periential opportunities, cultural ances- try, and personal traditions. Jessica Ford, a volunteer doing community outreach for the program, says MWRS has not yet set a date to open their doors, but they will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, March 12; doors open at 10:00 am, with the ceremo- ny at 12:00 pm, and an open house until 4:00 pm. MWRS is being run by co-ex- ecutive directors Pam Daniels and Tana Howtopat. “They have a lot of experi- ence working in this field and they’re su- per excited to come into the community and offer their support,” said Ford. Ford says the facility will also offer gambling addiction services as well as DUI courses. According to their web- page, MWRS’s ambitious five year plan includes the addition of a residential re- covery program, educational opportuni- ties for both adults and children, green and sustainability practices including an organic garden, and additional support services, including assistance with em- ployment, housing, nutrition, education, personal finance, and health and fitness. Ford says she hopes citizens from all over Columbia County will use their services. She said she is currently working on finding a van to use as a shut- tle service to help clients access the facil- ity. “It’s hard sometimes for people to get the services that they need and we feel it’s important that we try to provide a way to get here.” New Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center to Open in St. Helens Gargovich has been involved in VERA, the group of local HAM radio operators, in the past and has assisted the community during past emergency situ- ations. He has also managed the region- al Skywarn system for amateur radio in seven counties, connecting local radio operators to the National Weather Ser- vice. Data collected through this proj- ect allowed Vernonia to get online river gauges at the Green Bridge and on Rock Creek to better predict river and stream levels during high water events. In addition, Gargovich was re- sponsible, along with Dale Webb, for starting the “Vernonia Weather” page on Facebook, providing real time infor- mation and predictions during weather events. He also just started a “Vernonia Roads” page to provide updated road conditions. “This kind of activity is al- ready my hobby,” explains Gargovich. The hardware and associated cost ranges from a full maximum pack- age capable of everything Gargovich envisions for around $20,000 to a more basic minimum set up for $10,000. Gar- govich says in his ideal package a good antennae would be placed on Cory Hill, which includes monthly costs for inter- net access, purchase a more elaborate and functional transmitter with testing equipment included, pay royalty fees associated with musical entertainment, and provide a generator and fuel to keep the station running during any extended power outages. Gargovich has already begun placing donation jars around town to collect funds to buy the equipment need- ed, but needs to find some other fund- ing sources in order to raise funds by February of 2017, the deadline imposed by the FCC to be up and running. Medicine Wheel Recovery Services is lo- cated at 58147 Columbia River Highway, Suite B in St. Helens. To learn more about Medicine Wheel Recovery Services go to www.MedicineWheelRecoveryServices. org. Vernonia Veterinary Clinic 291 A Street Small and Large Animals Need more room? call Kim See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Mon, Wed & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks available 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 Open Call for Appointments 10-5 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun (503) 429-1612 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
