16 schools december15 2016 VHS Winter Sports Report Boys Basketball – The defending state champion Loggers lost their fi rst game in over a year, losing to Western Mennonite 55-41 in a non-league game on December 12 at home. The loss to the Pioneers was the fi rst time the Loggers have tasted defeat since the opening game of the 2015-16 season, when they fell to Clatskanie. The Loggers went on to win 31 straight games over two seasons on their way to the state title. The Loggers were 3-0 this season prior to the loss. Vernonia had racked up wins this season over Gervais and Riverdale in the Vernonia Tournament on December 2-3, and a 75-67 win over Kennedy. Following the loss to Western Mennonite, the Loggers were right back on the court the following night, kicking off Northwest League play with a win over City Christian at home by a score of 80-49. The Loggers continue with their Northwest League schedule with a home match-up against highly ranked Knappa on Friday, December 16, and then travel to face Neah-Kah-Nie on December 17, before heading to the St. Paul Holiday Tournament where they are scheduled to face Monroe and Willlamete Valley Christian December 19-20. The Loggers return to league play on January 3 when they travel to Faith Bible. 6 before playing tough in a 47-37 loss to a talented Western Mennonite squad on December 12. The Lady Loggers had kicked off their season with two straight wins in the Vernonia Tournament with a 34-29 victory over Gervais and a 64- 46 defeat of Riverdale. The Lady Loggers bounced back from their two losses with a Northwest League opening 43-40 win over City Christian on December 13. Vernonia will host Knappa on Friday, December 16 in Northwest League play and then head to Neah- Kah-Nie on December 17. The Lady Loggers will also play in the St. Paul Holiday Tournament and face -off against Monroe and Willlamete Valley Christian on December 19-20. Vernonia will return to league play on January 3 when they travel to face league rivals Faith Bible. Above: Payton Wolf Below: Storm Henson Girls Basketball – The Lady Loggers record fell to 3-2 on the season as they struggled in two non-league games, falling 43-18 at Kennedy on December City Missed Opportunity to Tax Marijuana such cities may be grandfathered the issue is not free from doubt, and cities that decide to collect on pre ORS 475B.345 taxes should be prepared to defend their ability to do so against legal challenge,” says Cleveland. “In other words, there are signifi cant risks involved with collecting this tax if the tax is based on a previous grandfathered ordinance.” Several other cities, including Scappoose, St. Helens and Rainier, along with Columbia County, all had ballot measures approved by their citizens to impose local taxes on marijuana in the November 2016 election. Vernonia did not place a measure on the ballot and missed an opportunity to clarify their position and ensure they begin receiving revenue from the local sale of marijuana. Instead, the City of Vernonia will have to wait until the next statewide general election in November 2018. Council discussed several options in front of them: 1) not impose any local tax on marijuana, 2) impose a tax based on their previous ordinance, 3) wait until 2018 to place a tax on the ballot. Cleveland suggested in his memo that if the City decides to impose a tax based on their previous ordinance, they need to undertake further study of the potential risks involved in defending the tax. Wrestling – The Loggers had a very strong showing at the Warrenton Tournament on December 10, fi nishing 4 th over all out of 10 teams, with several individual winners. Storm Henson dominated on his way to a win at 152 pounds, and Hepner Forester also won his weight class in the JV tournament. Katie Goodman won the co-ed bracket at 106 and Lene Jacobsen took fi rst in the all-girls bracket in her weight class with pins in every match. Kalia Jackson took second in the co-ed bracket at 113 with three wins including two pins, and freshman James Watson took second at 182. Justin Fletcher and Elijah Bozied both took third in their weight classes and Mekhi Williams and Nick Bennett each fi nished fi fth. “Storm was outstanding in this tournament,” said head coach Chris Barnes about Henson’s victory. “Justin Fletcher also wrestled really tough.” The Loggers won both their dual meets when they hosted Rainier and Clatskanie on December 6. Barnes again noted Henson’s performance in those matches, and also mentioned Corbin Nelson who pinned three opponents. The Loggers were heading to Banks for a dual meet on December 15 and then the Bill Haggerty Tournament on December 17. They will also head to the Oakridge Tournament on December 22 and the Clatskanie Tournament on December 29 over the holiday break. continued from front page Vernonia City Administrator Mitchell did not have a good answer when Council asked why Vernonia skipped placing a measure on the ballot last month. “We believed we were already OK to do a tax, so we didn’t put it on the ballot,” Mitchell told the Council. “I didn’t see any type of heads up from the League of Oregon Cities, which I think they should have done, since enough towns had done it [a tax] prior to Measure 91.” Councilor Jill Hult expressed disappointment that the City missed the chance in November and will now have to wait two years to begin collecting the revenue. “I’m wondering how we missed getting on the ballot?” asked Hult. “We should have had counsel on that.” Councilor Bruce McNair pointed out that Vernonia will still receive some revenue sharing from the state for the sale of marijuana, even if they don’t collect a local tax. Council tabled their discussion without making any decision about how to move forward, asking Mitchell to bring them more information at their January meeting, although they seemed willing to wait until 2018 to begin taxing. “I’m good with waiting until 2018, but I also think we should have our attorney look into it, to see if we can do something sooner,” said Councilor Mike Seager. Receive a $5 off coupon Bighorn Logging since 1981 Contract Logging 503-324-2422 Free Estimates Timber Purchases Timber Management Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996 New Day Massage and Bodyworks Theraputic Massage Specializing in • Auto/Work Injury Rehabilitation • Medical Massage Cupping • Manual Lymph Drainage • Nutritional Counseling • Post Mastectomy Care • Oncology Support • Sauna on-site Heather Lewis, LMT, LMP, CLT, NT 847 Madison Avenue, Vernonia For appointments call: 503-429-4677 Insurance accepted #10732